The fastest-growing offshore regions right now are Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and Northern Europe — with Southeast Asia and the Middle East accelerating rapidly in both oil and gas and renewables, while Northern Europe continues to expand its already substantial offshore wind capacity. Emerging markets in West Africa and Latin America are also gaining serious momentum in 2026. Below, we break down what is driving this growth, what it means for workforce planning, and how to position yourself or your company to take advantage of it.
Which offshore regions are growing fastest right now?
The offshore regions growing fastest right now are Southeast Asia, the Middle East (particularly Saudi Arabia and the UAE), Northern Europe, West Africa, and Latin America. Each is expanding for different reasons — some driven by oil and gas investment, others by aggressive offshore wind targets, and several by a combination of both.
In Northern Europe, countries like the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, and Denmark are pushing through large-scale offshore wind projects at a pace that requires thousands of additional workers. The Middle East is investing heavily in new offshore oil and gas infrastructure while simultaneously exploring offshore wind and solar projects. Southeast Asia, especially Vietnam, the Philippines, and Indonesia, is attracting both energy majors and renewable developers. West Africa — led by Senegal, Mozambique, and Namibia — is seeing renewed upstream investment after years of slower activity. And in Latin America, Brazil and Mexico remain strong, while Guyana has emerged as one of the most talked-about new frontiers in deepwater oil.
What is driving offshore expansion in emerging markets?
Offshore expansion in emerging markets is driven by a combination of rising energy demand, new resource discoveries, government policy, and the global push for energy diversification. These factors are pushing both established energy companies and new players to invest in regions that were previously considered too risky or underdeveloped.
Energy security is a major factor. After the disruptions of the early 2020s, governments and energy companies alike are looking to diversify supply chains and reduce dependence on any single region. New deepwater discoveries in Guyana, Namibia, and parts of Southeast Asia have made previously overlooked areas commercially attractive. At the same time, the energy transition is creating demand for offshore wind in regions where it barely existed five years ago.
Government incentives also play a big role. Countries in the Middle East and Southeast Asia are offering licensing rounds, tax incentives, and local content requirements that make offshore investment more attractive. For offshore and maritime industries as a whole, this translates into a broader, more geographically spread pool of active projects than at any point in the last decade.
How does offshore wind differ from oil and gas in emerging regions?
In emerging regions, offshore wind and oil and gas differ primarily in project timelines, workforce profiles, and infrastructure maturity. Oil and gas projects in emerging markets often build on existing upstream knowledge, while offshore wind requires building supply chains and skilled workforces almost from scratch.
Offshore wind projects in regions like Southeast Asia or the Middle East are starting earlier in their development cycle. There is less local expertise, fewer specialist vessels, and limited port infrastructure designed for turbine installation. This creates both a challenge and an opportunity: companies that move early can shape the market, but they also take on more logistical complexity.
Oil and gas projects in the same regions tend to benefit from decades of established practice. Regulatory frameworks are better understood, local contractors are more experienced, and the workforce pipeline is more predictable. That said, offshore wind is catching up quickly, especially in regions where governments are setting firm capacity targets and backing them with real investment.
What workforce challenges come with emerging offshore regions?
The main workforce challenges in emerging offshore regions are a shortage of locally qualified personnel, complex visa and work permit requirements, unfamiliar safety and compliance frameworks, and the difficulty of mobilising crews quickly.
When a new offshore region opens up, there is rarely a ready pool of experienced workers nearby. Companies either need to bring in international crew — which involves navigating immigration rules, tax treaties, and local content obligations — or invest in training local workers, which takes time that project schedules rarely allow.
Safety is another real concern. In safety-critical offshore environments, you cannot afford to place someone who does not meet the required certifications and standards. Every candidate needs to be screened against the specific QHSE requirements of the project and region, not just general offshore qualifications.
Cross-border payroll adds another layer of complexity. Workers from different countries, working in a third country, on a vessel registered in a fourth — that is a common scenario in offshore, and getting the employment structure right matters both for compliance and for the workers themselves.
Which offshore region offers the best opportunities for contractors?
For contractors in 2026, Northern Europe’s offshore wind sector and the Middle East’s oil and gas market offer the strongest combination of volume, pay rates, and project continuity. Guyana and West Africa are worth watching for deepwater specialists, while Southeast Asia is growing fast for those willing to be early movers.
Northern Europe has a high density of active projects, strong safety standards, and well-established supply chains. The Middle East — particularly Saudi Arabia and the UAE — is investing at scale and actively seeking international expertise. For experienced offshore professionals, both regions offer competitive day rates and longer project durations.
Guyana is smaller in volume but offers excellent rates for deepwater specialists. West Africa is higher-risk but increasingly active. Southeast Asia rewards those with patience and flexibility, as the market is growing but still maturing. You can browse current offshore vacancies across these regions to get a real-time sense of where demand is highest.
How do companies find qualified crew for new offshore regions?
Companies find qualified crew for new offshore regions by working with international staffing partners who have existing candidate databases, regional office networks, and cross-border payroll capabilities. Trying to source independently in an unfamiliar market is slow, expensive, and carries significant compliance risk.
The most effective approach combines a broad international talent pool with local knowledge. A staffing partner with offices in the Baltics, Croatia, the Middle East, and Latin America, for example, can source and screen candidates far faster than a company operating from a single headquarters. Local presence also means understanding regional labour law, which matters enormously when contracts and payroll need to be set up quickly and correctly.
Speed is often the deciding factor. Projects in new offshore regions frequently have fixed start dates, and delays cost money. Having a partner who can mobilise qualified, compliant crew at short notice — rather than starting a search from scratch — makes a measurable difference to project delivery.
How iPS Powerful People helps with offshore crew in emerging regions
We have been placing offshore and maritime professionals internationally since 1988, and we have built the infrastructure to support projects in regions where others are still figuring out the basics. Here is what we bring to the table:
- A database of over 100,000 qualified professionals across maritime, oil and gas, renewables, and civil — ready to be matched to your project requirements
- Offices and representatives in the Netherlands, the Baltics, Croatia, Saudi Arabia, Mexico, Dubai, and the US — giving us genuine local knowledge in the regions where offshore activity is growing fastest
- Full project crewing — we do not just fill individual roles; we can take on the complete manning of an offshore project from survey through to installation
- Cross-border payroll with full compliance, including A1 certificates within the EU and employment structures that protect both you and your workers in multi-country scenarios
- Candidate screening against QHSE and international safety standards — every placement meets the specific requirements of your project and region
- B Corp Certified, meaning we meet high standards on social and environmental performance — relevant if your company has sustainability commitments tied to your contractor relationships
Whether you need one specialist mobilised fast or a full crew for a new offshore project in an emerging market, we are ready to help. Learn more about us or get in touch with our team to discuss what your project needs.