Blue Offshore, a specialist subsea construction contractor, have today announced that they have reached agreement to use the former Swan Hunter shipyard facilities at Wallsend, Newcastle-upon-Tyne (UK), for assembly and construction of their cable installation system.
Blue Offshore will operate the facility by arrangement with North Tyneside Council. The agreement has started with preparation works over the past weeks and the main assembly and construction activities to take place in December 2011 and January 2012. Caley Ocean Systems will perform assembly and construction activities, while Blue Offshore’s specialist partner, Titan Heavy Transport, will assist with logistical and load-out operations for the 600 tonnes cable installation system onto either a barge or vessel to be used for cable installation projects in the Baltic Sea and German sector of the North Sea in 2012 and 2013.
Linda Arkley, Elected Mayor of North Tyneside said: “We are delighted that Blue Offshore have chosen to locate to the former Swan Hunter shipyards site initially for the period required for the assembly and construction of their cable installation system, but potentially longer as opportunities arise within the offshore wind sector.”
“This is further evidence that prestigious companies want to come to the North Bank of the Tyne to be part of our exciting future as a hub for marine, sub-sea and renewable energy related industries. Success for the Swan Hunter site means success for Wallsend, North Tyneside and the wider borough by providing jobs for local people and investment in our local economy.”
“The European offshore wind farm market offers considerable opportunities to us and we are delighted to be able to these extensive facilities as our logistics base. The Swan Hunter facilities have over 150 years of experience in the field of marine, oil & gas fields and we hope to draw on this experience in the upcoming years”, said Gerard Kroese, Director Projects at Blue Offshore.
This installation system will consist of an adaptable modular turntable system with carrying capacity up to 9,000 tonnes, loading arm assembly, tensioners, trackways and associated equipment.
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Offshore WIND staff, December 05, 2011; Image: blueoffshore