Dalby Offshore Services and Scarborough Borough Council formally agreed Heads of Terms for the long term lease on Endeavour Wharf, Whitby at the meeting of the Council’s Cabinet on the 17th March 2015.
The lease proposals are for the creation of an offshore renewables business management and harbour control centre, which will include office space, crew and equipment handling, extensive training and educational facilities and marine control centre etc.
The multi-million pound development will potentially act as an operations and maintenance base for servicing offshore wind operations in the North Sea and will see offshore support vessels (of up to 50 metres) relaying personnel, goods and maintenance services via the Port of Whitby.
Captain Stuart McNiven, owner of Dalby Offshore Services said: “ We believe Dalby will act as the anchor tenant to attract others (either starts up or established players) and create a “renewable cluster” of Companies. Where better to be based than in the iconic Port of Whitby!
“We plan to move quickly to develop a detailed design for the site in conjunction with our numerous stakeholders, with a view to selecting a build company within the summer of 2015, with construction expected to take place from Q3 2015.”
Cllr Derek Bastiman, deputy leader of Scarborough Borough Council said: “This decision lays the foundation for the creation of a whole new industry sector within the area bringing with it significant opportunity for new job creation and investment. This agreement is the result of many years of work developing the relationships and working with the industry to put Whitby and the region on the ‘offshore services map’.
“The proposed development by Dalby will bring economic growth opportunities to the entire North Yorkshire area. We are hopeful that this will be the catalyst for many hundreds of high quality direct and indirect job opportunities for our community.”