Grimsby’s offshore wind vessel fleet has been rapidly expanded following the signing of a long term lease agreement between CWind and Beverley-based Dalby Offshore.
The deal sees four vessels immediately join CWind’s East of England hub in Grimsby, having been renamed and registered.
It is described as evidence of the company’s commitment to supporting its clients in maintaining their offshore assets, which “at this current time is more important than ever to our infrastructure and power networks”.
There is an option for two further vessels to follow later this year. All will operate in support of several different wind farms from the UK’s leading operations and maintenance cluster.
CWind managing director, Nat Allison, said: "We’re delighted to have reached this long-term agreement with Dalby Offshore. The expansion and development of our fleet is key to both our own success and the operational integrity of our clients’ assets, which is more important now than ever before to the UK’s power networks. Despite the challenges we are currently facing in our daily lives and business operations, we are committed to supporting our clients in the growth of renewable energy solutions."
The new vessels range from 20m to 26.5m in length, with one of them able to carry 24 passengers and two carrying 12 passengers each. The remaining 12-passenger vessel, CWind Voyager, will be upgraded to accommodate 24 passengers following completion of her current charter.
CWind Navigator is one of the highest spec 2610 vessels on the market following her conversion for the European offshore wind market. CWind Traveller is a high-powered and extremely capable vessel with the same capabilities of many larger vessels due to her increased engine power. CWind Renegade, a 23m vessel, is in the process of being transferred to Bureau Veritas class for her upcoming 18-month charter for a major European developer.
Stuart McNiven, Dalby's managing director, said: "We are very pleased with this agreement, particularly in light of the difficult period we are all facing in the marine industry and the larger business community. These vessels are of a high quality and will certainly add a new dimension to CWind’s fleet."
Supported throughout negotiations by vessel procurement advisor Colebrook Offshore, CWind has already chartered some of the new vessels following a quick turnaround by marine engineering company Alicat Workboats.
The company, part of Chelmsford-headquartered Global Marine Group, has created a head office in Grimsby, having taken the anchor tenant role at the GRO Centre on Port of Grimsby East - a modification of the original Orsted (then Dong Energy) construction base on the Service Quay.
