DeepOcean has strengthened its commitment to the UK Offshore Sector with the opening of a new Offshore Services Base at Blyth in the North East of England, which will be of strategic importance to DeepOcean’s increasing presence in Global cable lay and trenching markets.
Offshore Services Base Blyth is a state-of the art facility, purpose built to support the planning, preparation, mobilisation and maintenance of DeepOcean’s sophisticated subsea trenching assets and vessel fleet. With 1,000 square metres of new office space, covered workshop and clean rooms for specialist mechanical, electrical and hydraulic operations, Offshore Service Base Blyth will set new standards in subsea asset readiness and subsequent operational uptime.
The facility includes covered storage space and six internal work bays, with access to 10te and 15te capacity overhead cranes. The facility features two heavy lift quays with deep-water berths to 8.5m, year-round access for large vessels and crane support to 250Te. Alongside the quays are 1,800 square metres of secure external storage, external asset wash down area and asset calibration pit.
Supporting around-the-clock activities and with immediate and easy marine access, Offshore Service Base Blyth will improve DeepOcean’s ability for rapid deployment of high sea state, repair solutions to the North Sea.
This significant investment in the North East of England and the positive impact on UK Industrial Development is a result of DeepOcean’s continued participation in UK offshore wind. Additionally, DeepOcean’s confidence in the UK’s offshore energy project forecast has encouraged the growth of its long running Graduate Programme and enabled the return of its Junior Engineering Technician (JET) training programme.
As well as creating a number of new jobs in Blyth, the Offshore Base will house DeepOcean’s Asset Management Team, which has relocated from Head Office in Darlington, County Durham. Project teams and engineering personnel will also utilise the new facility on a project-by-project basis.
Offshore Services Base Blyth will enhance DeepOcean’s already strong relationship with the integrated and experienced North East of England supply chain, which is highly-active in the offshore renewables sector
Pierre Boyde, Managing Director Cable Installation & Trenching, DeepOcean, said: “The opening of DeepOcean’s new offshore base is a significant demonstration of our confidence in our capabilities to comprehensively serve the offshore industry and the importance of North East England to the successful provision of our services. We are pleased to be working with the Port of Blyth, a rapidly expanding offshore energy base with a good reputation for servicing the sector”.
“The UK offshore wind supply chain has extensive expertise and experience and in the North East we are ideally located to serve the major current and future project developments taking place in British waters. Wind farm developers can maximise the availability of the integrated, multi-skilled supply chain, which can come together to deliver projects through facilities such as our new offshore base.
Martin Lawlor, Chief Executive at the Port of Blyth, said: “Our location is becoming of increasing importance to the UK offshore renewables industry and we are delighted that DeepOcean has joined the cluster of high quality companies serving the sector from the Port of Blyth. This investment sends a clear signal that the North East has an essential role to play in the future of offshore wind and has the companies, capabilities and infrastructure to effectively support the industry.”
