Subsea energy services firm Subsea 7 said Thursday it had agreed to merge its renewables business with OHT, and Oslo-listed heavy lift and transportation vessel owner which is building a fleet of offshore wind installation vessels, too.
The combined company will be renamed Seaway 7 ASA and will initially retain OHT’s listing on Oslo’s Euronext Growth market, with a view to a future listing on the main board of Oslo Børs. Subsea 7 will own 72% and OHT’s shareholders 28% of Seaway 7 ASA.
The two companies said the transaction would create a pure-play renewables company focused on the fixed-bottom offshore wind market.
The company will be a single supplier providing a range of standalone, integrated or EPCI offerings encompassing installation of wind turbines, foundations, offshore substations, submarine cables, and heavy transport, the duo said.
Seaway 7 will have 600 employees and an active fleet of ten vessels and two further high-specification wind installation vessels being built for OHT, including the Alfa Lift, a giant wind turbine foundation installation vessel. The other vessel is a hi-spec wind turbine installation vessel, ordered late last year.
Torgeir E. Ramstad, Chief Executive Officer, OHT said: “This is a very significant event in the growing Renewables industry. Subsea 7 is a highly respected company and we are delighted that it sees OHT as a natural partner in creating a new global leader in renewables. We are committed to translating the leading capabilities that the combined company will offer into benefits for clients within the offshore fixed wind industry.”
John Evans, Chief Executive Officer, Subsea 7 said: “This transaction represents an important next step in Subsea 7’s Energy Transition journey that will accelerate and enhance value creation for our shareholders. As a listed company with a comprehensive OHT ASA fleet and an experienced management team, Seaway 7 ASA is positioned to forge an enhanced growth trajectory as a global leader in offshore wind. Subsea 7 looks forward to working closely with Seaway 7 as it launches this next exciting chapter in its evolution.”
The Board of Seaway 7 ASA will comprise four directors nominated by Subsea 7 and one nominated by OHT’s largest shareholder, Songa Corp.
Seaway 7 will be chaired by Rune Magnus Lundetræ, who currently serves as chairman of the board of OHT ASA. Seaway 7 ASA will be managed by an executive team led by Stuart Fitzgerald as Chief Executive Officer. Torgeir E. Ramstad, currently CEO of OHT, and Steph McNeill, currently Subsea 7 EVP Renewables will also hold executive roles.
OHT brings to Seaway 7 ASA a fleet of five heavy transportation vessels, increasingly deployed to transport large offshore wind structures. It also has two high-end wind turbine installation vessels currently under construction. 
Alfa Lift Artist's Impression - Credit: OHT
The first, the Alfa Lift, is due for delivery in 2022, and is a wind turbine foundation installation vessel equipped with dynamic positioning and a unique “smart deck” for efficient installation of monopiles as well as jacket foundations. The second, due for delivery in 2023, is a jack-up heavy lift vessel capable of efficiently installing the largest wind turbines as well as wind turbine foundations.
"Subsea 7’s Renewables business unit brings to the combination a long track record of executing large and complex offshore wind projects, drawing on its engineering expertise, well-established project and supply chain management, and efficient installation," the companies said.
Since 2009, Subsea 7's renewables business has installed over 700 foundations, more than 30 substations and over 800 kilometers of submarine cables using its fleet of two heavy lift vessels, two cable lay vessels, and an installation support vessel.
Subsea 7 will retain its business in the floating wind, which will not be part of this transaction.
Rationale
Below is the rationale behind the transaction, as shared by the two companies:
"Drawing on an expanded and diversified asset base, Seaway 7 ASA will offer a full range of specialist standalone transport and installation (T&I) services, as well as integrated T&I and EPCI solutions that combine the installation of turbines, foundations, substations and cables. The addition of heavy transportation capabilities provides further value chain integration opportunities as well as mitigating risks associated with delivery schedule management.
"The offshore wind industry is a high-growth market that is expected to drive sustained, strong demand for the services of contractors. Between 2020 and 2030, the annual installation of wind power, measured in gigawatts, is anticipated to grow at a compound average rate above 20%.
"While the foundation installation market is currently competitive, the markets for cable lay and turbine installation are more favorable and installation capacity in all markets is expected to be absorbed by 2025. The market dynamic of all three sectors is expected to improve materially from 2025 onwards.
"Seaway 7 ASA will leverage strengthened capabilities and a differentiated asset base to capture an increased share of this high-growth market and reinforce its position as a global leader in the offshore wind industry. Looking ahead, with the financial and operational support of its parent company, Seaway 7 ASA will have the opportunity, if market conditions permit, to accelerate the expansion of its specialized fleet."
Expert comment
Offshore engineer reached out to Philip Lewis, Director of Research, World Energy Reports for a comment on the deal.
"The merger will turn Subsea7 Renewables into a full-scope bottom-fixed offshore wind farm installation contractor – able to install wind turbines, foundations, array cables, and substations. With growing offshore wind activity in Europe, the US, and East Asia there is a forecast shortfall of turbine and foundation installation vessels over the middle of the decade. The merger will position Subsea7 Renewables to benefit from rising rates associated with high activity and tight vessel supply," Lewis, the author of the recently released “International Wind Turbine & Foundation Vessel Installation Vessel Market Forecast” said.
According to his report, over 100 new offshore wind turbine and foundation installation and maintenance vessels will be required for offshore projects planned over the next decade, as the number of proposed projects grows, but also as the turbines and foundations get larger, meaning the currently available fleet won't be able to install them.
Commenting further on the Subsea7-OHT merger, Lewis added: "The combined company’s five heavy transportation vessels and three heavy lift vessels will position the Seaway 7 as a leader in the wind farm foundation installation market. The company has an option for a second specialist foundation installation vessel, Alfa Lift 2 which would further strengthen the company’s offering in this segment.”
Lewis also noted that the company "is currently building the next generation Vind 1 turbine installation vessel and has a priced option for one more vessel and unpriced options for two more. Building all four of the WTIVs would turn Seaway 7 into a leading turbine installation company as well.”"
Lewis notes a strategic shift from OHT’s perspective.
He said: "Seaway 7 will compete in the standalone turbine and foundation transportation and installation (T&I) segment, which is where OHT was focused, as well as the balance of plant EPCI segment. Further, whereas OHT maintained a Europe-centric focus, Subsea7 Renewables has a wider global reach and has ambitions for the US and Taiwanese offshore wind markets amongst others.”
For more information on WER's International Wind Turbine and Foundation Installation Vessel Market Report, please visit www.worldenergyreports.com or contact Rob Howard at +1 561 732 4368 or Phil Lewis at +44 203-966-2492
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