ABP’s Port of Lowestoft has welcomed its newest customer, World Marine Offshore (WMO), as part of the company’s UK-based project to support ScottishPower Renewables’ East Anglia ONE offshore wind farm.
In support of the contract, ABP has provided indoor storage as well as quay and yard space for marine operations, to enable WMO to mobilize its workforce and equipment with ease and efficiency.
A marine project office for WMO, which will directly support the East Anglia ONE project, will be located on the port estate. With a generating capacity of 714 MW, East Anglia ONE is due to become one of the largest offshore wind farms in the world when it starts operations in 2020.
Lazaros Lazaridis, WMO Contracts Manager, said: “The primary objective for WMO and WMO UK is to work with local partners and suppliers, including ABP, to generate added value to the local economy.
“Within the scope of offshore marine, WMO provides a wide range of services. These include a Jack-Up accommodation vessel for all personnel involved in the offshore commissioning activities, Platform Supply and Crew Transfer Vessels for all offshore requirements on a 24/7 basis and helicopter services for emergency evacuation and crew transfers.”
Andrew Harston, ABP Short Sea Ports Director, said: “We are delighted that the Port of Lowestoft has been selected as WMO’s preferred marine logistics base location, after they completed a thorough and very competitive tender process.
“We deliver bespoke solutions to all our customers, which is an attractive proposition to contractors involved in the Renewable energy sector. In addition, ABP Lowestoft is uniquely positioned geographically, which means that no one can get companies closer to this important area for the UK’s growing offshore wind sector.
“Our proximity is a useful advantage which helps businesses through all the cycles of renewable energy projects, from planning to construction, maintenance and repowering.”
ABP’s ports play an important role in supporting businesses across the country, facilitating trade and providing access to international markets. These trade flows are crucial to UK manufacturing as well as other industries and help to drive national and regional economic growth.