PD Ports has struck a long term deal with offshore engineering firm Seajacks to make Teesport the permanent UK base for its vessels.
The agreement will mean Seajacks - which operates three "jack up" vessels design specifically for harsh North Sea conditions - will use Cargo Fleet Wharf at Teesport Commerce Park to berth three of the vessels that typically support wind turbine installation.
The first of these vessels, the Kraken, successfully moored at Teesport Commerce Park recently in a move PD Ports said strengthened Teesside's position in the global offshore wind industry.
Read more: Teesside lithium hydroxide plant could supply 15% of UK and EU electric vehicle manufacturing needs
PD Ports CEO Frans Calje said the deal could spell further opportunities in the wider supply chain.
He said: “This is fantastic news for PD Ports and for the Tees Valley. Teesport, and the whole of our region, is at the forefront of the transition away from high carbon energy sources and towards lower carbon fuels such as offshore renewables.
“As a business we are committed to playing our full role in the region’s future growth and by bringing businesses such as Seajacks to our region, and striding towards our own ambitious decarbonisation targets, we can continue driving this transformational change to deliver a brighter future for all.
“We are delighted to welcome Seajacks to Teesport Commerce Park and look forward to working with them to create a strong UK base for their operations.”
Seajacks recently announced it had secured two new contracts in the UK said to be worth between £17.2m ($21.2m) and £17.5m ($21.7m), including wind farm substation commissioning and maintenance.
The firm was launched in 2006 and was acquired by Monaco-based offshore wind farm construction business Eneti in 2021.
John Vingoe, operations manager at Seajacks, said: “Seajacks has put in place a long-term arrangement with PD Ports to use Teesport as a home port for its three NG2500X self-propelled jack up vessels - Kraken, Leviathan and Hydra.
“Kraken is already in place in Teesport and is preparing for a new charter contract while the Leviathan will also join when the current project is completed. Seajacks is looking forward to establishing this new base in the North-East of England and we look forward to working with the local supply chain in the area."
You can join the BusinessLive North East conversation on LinkedIn and Twitter
