Sperra Teams With Bluetech Company Voyacy Regen to Deliver 3D Printing Solution for Coastal Resiliency Project Launched by the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan
The Aqaba Marine Park 3D Printing Center, operated by Sperra in Jordan, will help regenerate coral reefs, increase climate resilience, and support the sustainable use of ocean resources
NICE, France (10 June 2025)… Sperra announces today its partnership with Phillippe and Ashlan Cousteau’s new Bluetech company, Voyacy Regen, on a groundbreaking coral reef resiliency project being built by the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan and Aqaba Development Corporation. The announcement marks a major milestone in Sperra’s international growth strategy and the company’s commitment to coastal regeneration and protection, according to Jason Cotrell, Founder and CEO of Sperra.
Located in Aqaba, Jordan, the project will employ Sperra’s 3D concrete manufacturing techniques and local materials to design, build and deploy reef resiliency structures to propagate coral and repopulate coral reefs, which are rapidly disappearing throughout the Middle East and around the world.
“This is an exciting international partnership with so much potential for ocean resilience around the world,” said Jason Cotrell. “Using 3D printing techniques revolutionizes the rapid deployment of technology to protect and regrow coral reefs and demonstrates one of the many exciting ways Sperra’s lean, additive manufacturing capabilities can be utilized sustainably.”
Sperra’s development of coral reef resiliency structures support the work of Philippe Cousteau and the extensive research of David Vaughan, PhD., Chief Scientist for Voyacy Regen, who developed the innovative technology to accelerate the growth of corals and restore coral reefs.
“This project represents the Royal Vision of His Majesty King Abdullah II, and Aqaba’s dedication to pioneering, science-based solutions that safeguard our thriving marine ecosystems, and enhance coastal resilience,” said Hussein Al-Safadi, CEO of Aqaba Development Corporation. “Through our partnership with Sperra and Voyacy, we are positioning Aqaba as a leader in marine conservation technologies that support ecological sustainability, resilient coastal infrastructure, and local community development.”
Lola Vars, Head of Product for Sperra, who is managing the project in Aqaba, noted that the speed and nimbleness of Sperra’s core technology make it a perfect match for deploying Voyacy’s solution at scale. “We were able to commission our 3D concrete printing machines from the Dutch company Vertico in a week’s time and can begin building coral reef regrowth structures far more quickly and effectively than traditional manufacturing methods would allow,” she noted. “It’s a true collaboration of marine science and infrastructure engineering.”
The Jordan project supports the sustainable use of oceans and sustainable workforce development in ocean regions, which is a key focus of the third United Nations Ocean Conference taking place June 9-12, 2025, in Nice, France. Coral reef protection and restoration is also central to the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration (2021-2030) which seeks to galvanize efforts to restore degraded and destroyed ecosystems to enhance food security, clean the air, secure freshwater supplies, address the climate crisis and protect habitats that support life on Earth.
“We are thrilled to have Sperra onboard,” said Philippe Cousteau, Co-Founder of Voyacy Regen, and Aqaba Marine Park International Honorary Advisory Board Member. “Coastal communities are on the front lines of our rapidly changing world, and we couldn’t think of a more resolute and innovative partner to scale the tangible solutions we need.”
Coral reef resiliency urgently needed
Coral reefs are disappearing at alarming rates and protecting coral reefs is crucial for biodiversity as well as for coastal resilience and food supplies. Coral reefs support about 25% of all marine species, even though they cover less than 1% of the ocean floor. Losing reefs means losing crucial habitats, further threatens shorelines, food security and even medical discoveries.
Home to thousands of species of fish, invertebrates, and other marine life, coral reefs also function as natural barriers that protect coastlines from erosion, storms, and flooding. This is especially important as sea levels rise due to climate change. Equally important, they support the livelihoods and well-being of billions of people in coastal communities and contribute significantly to local and global economies.
Jordan’s Green Growth Strategy
Jordan is quickly positioning itself as a leader in the green economy. The country is ramping up efforts in renewable energy, water conservation, eco-friendly housing, waste recycling, and environmental tourism. With 50% of its population under the age of 24, Jordan has a dynamic, young workforce ready to power the green economy forward. Although the country lacks fossil fuel resources, Jordan is becoming regional renewable energy powerhouse. The country’s green growth strategy is outlined in the nation’s economic modernization Vision 2025.
About Sperra
Sperra is at the forefront of the ocean energy industry with cutting-edge, locally manufactured infrastructure solutions. Sperra designs and manufactures 3D printed structural systems for aquatic environments using local materials, creating local jobs, and protecting our oceans. Sperra is based in Los Angeles, with 3D printing facilities located at the Port of Los Angeles, New York and Aqaba, Jordan. Learn more about Sperra: www.sperra.com.
About Voyacy Regen
Founded by Philippe and Ashlan Cousteau, Voyacy Regen is a pioneering blue tech company that combines human ingenuity, breakthrough technology, and innovative partnerships to solve one of the biggest problems facing coastal communities around the world; the collapse of the natural ocean systems that protect us. Voyacy’s core technology combines 3D-printed reef structures, designed to absorb wave energy, with aquacultured heat-tolerant corals and AI technology, resulting in a commercially viable solution that will protect coastal communities, build the blue economy, and increase biodiversity. Learn more about Voyacy: www.voyacy.com.
About Aqaba Development Corporation (ADC)
ADC is the government of Jordan’s investment arm for Aqaba Special Economic Zone (ASEZ), owning and managing key assets including ports, airport, and land. ADC drives sustainable growth by enabling investment and infrastructure across six priority sectors: tourism, manufacturing, green energy, logistics, creative industries, and education, and leads multiple initiative to support the blue economy. Learn more at www.adc.jo.
London, United Kingdom. Sperra Seaworks Limited, in partnership with Bardex Energy UK Limited, has been awarded £1,000,000 in funding through The Crown Estate’s Supply Chain Accelerator (SCA) programme to perform early-stage planning and engineering for a concrete Floating Construction Station (FCS) concept intended to expand nearshore manufacturing and assembly capability for UK offshore wind. Additional industry-provided matching contributions are provided by project partners. The work builds upon an ongoing Sperra project funded by the National Offshore Wind R&D Consortium (NOWRDC) to design and build a subscale FCS prototype.
The FCS concept is being evaluated as a deployable infrastructure solution that could be installed at multiple UK ports to support the manufacturing, assembly, launch, and retrieval of floating wind foundations. This technology could alleviate infrastructure gaps in offshore wind ports across the UK. As the Celtic Sea prepares for its first 4.5 GW of offshore wind leasing, the UK must address constraints around port capacity, marshalling space, and heavy fabrication. Information on The Crown Estate’s Celtic Sea programme is available at https://www.thecrownestate.co.uk/our-business/marine/round-5.
Advancing early-stage feasibility for potential UK installation sites
Through SCA, the project team will complete preliminary engineering, evaluate potential installation sites, and develop plans for consenting and construction of the first full-scale FCS in the UK. This work will help determine how the FCS concept could be adapted for different port environments across the United Kingdom and will bring the concept to a stage where future investment decisions can be made.
Sperra Seaworks Limited will lead the work, with Bardex Energy UK Limited providing systems engineering expertise and specialized heavy-lift capability. Additional advisory input will be provided by maritime engineers and naval architects at Haskoning and Keel Marine.
“Offshore wind in the Celtic Sea represents one of the UK’s most significant industrial opportunities,” said Jason Cotrell of Sperra Seaworks Limited. “Support from The Crown Estate’s SCA programme and NOWRDC allows us to complete the early-stage engineering, planning, and feasibility work necessary to evaluate this concept and bring it to an investment-ready stage.”
A deployable nearshore manufacturing approach for floating wind
At the centre of the concept is the Floating Construction Station, a floating platform constructed with marine-grade concrete caissons and integrated with Bardex’s OmniLift® chain jack shiplift system. OmniLift® is an established and operational technology that is currently in service in demanding marine and heavy-industry applications. Learn more at https://www.bardex.com/applications/omniliftoffshorewind/.
“The Floating Construction Station, integrated with our OmniLift® system, provides a practical pathway to simplify how floating wind foundations are handled and deployed,” said Ian Finch, Director, Business Development – EMEA, Bardex Energy UK Limited. “Our technology is proven today in heavy marine applications, and we are excited to support its evaluation for the UK’s floating wind sector.”
The FCS is designed to reduce reliance on large port upgrades, enable repeatable foundation handling operations, support direct launch and retrieval of hulls and substructures, and allow optional integration of advanced manufacturing methods, including 3D concrete printing and slipforming. This approach aims to give UK ports additional pathways to participate in early floating offshore wind deployment.
Port Talbot as a promising candidate location
Although the FCS concept is being assessed for suitability across multiple UK ports, Port Talbot has emerged as one of several promising potential locations due to its industrial waterfront, deep water access, and role in wider Celtic Sea planning. The port is already under evaluation through the UK Government’s Floating Offshore Wind Manufacturing Investment Scheme, FLOWMIS, and is part of the Celtic Freeport initiative.
“Port Talbot has an important role to play in enabling floating wind in the Celtic Sea,” said Andy Reay, Head of Offshore Wind, Associated British Ports. “We welcome early-stage technical work that helps evaluate feasibility, regulatory pathways, and the potential contribution of new infrastructure concepts such as the Floating Construction Station.”
Supporting UK floating wind supply chain growth
Strengthening domestic capability to fabricate, assemble, and launch floating foundations is a strategic priority identified by UK Government, The Crown Estate, and the Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult. ORE Catapult summary reports on floating wind supply chain needs are available at https://ore.catapult.org.uk/resource-hub/analysis-reports.
The SCA supported work will help determine the technical case, regulatory considerations, and commercial viability for deploying an FCS Facility at Port Talbot or other UK ports. The FCS Facility is designed to support both concrete foundation manufacture and steel foundation assembly, creating flexible capacity that can adapt to developer design choices and strengthen the UK’s floating wind supply chain. Cotrell emphasized the importance of building long term capacity.
“This work is about creating infrastructure that can scale with the UK’s floating wind ambitions,” Cotrell said. “The evaluation will allow us to understand where the FCS concept can contribute most effectively across the UK port network.”
About Sperra Seaworks Limited
Sperra Seaworks Limited is the UK subsidiary of Sperra, a company developing advanced marine infrastructure solutions that support offshore renewable energy deployment. Sperra specializes in nearshore manufacturing, automated concrete technologies, and platform-based construction methods for offshore wind and marine energy applications. https://www.sperra.com
About Bardex Energy UK Limited
Bardex Energy UK Limited is a subsidiary of Bardex Corporation, a global leader in heavy lift, mooring, and motion control systems for marine and energy industries. Bardex’s OmniLift® shiplift and transfer systems are used worldwide in demanding operational environments and support the next generation of floating offshore wind infrastructure, while their BarLatch® and BarMoor® products offer safe, field-proven mooring solutions for gigawatt-scale floating wind projects. https://www.bardex.com
About Haskoning
Haskoning is a leading engineering and environmental consultancy that provides maritime, coastal, and offshore energy expertise for complex infrastructure projects throughout the UK and globally. https://haskoning.com
About Keel Marine
Keel Marine is a UK based naval architecture and marine engineering firm that delivers vessel design, systems integration, and regulatory support for commercial and offshore projects, including floating wind and marine infrastructure. https://keelmarine.com
