Long a support and service hub for offshore energy, Montrose Port Authority has entered the offshore wind energy industry, providing support for the Hywind offshore windfarm.
In association with logistics specialist NorSea Group (UK) Ltd, the port is providing support for a four-week campaign consisting of five port calls for the anchor handling tug supply vessel, Normand Prosper. After being loaded with chain and mooring equipment, the vessel then delivered the mooring systems for Statoil’s floating windfarm project in the North Sea.
The components for the project were assembled at NorSea’s Group Base in Stord Norway before being shipped to the offshore project, 14 miles east of Peterhead. The mooring systems for the five wind turbines were stored at Montrose Port.
Throughout the campaign, NorSea acted in its capacity of onshore management contractor and utilised local expertise from Montrose-based Whyte Cargo Handlers and Chainco to handle and load the mooring systems.
Nik Scott-Gray, chief executive at Montrose Port Authority, said “Offshore wind is undoubtedly a growing market and this has instilled a sense of opportunity within the energy industry.
“We are proud of our track record with mooring systems, storing and handling more than any other port in Europe. Add to this our central location to east coast windfarms such as Inch Cape, Neart Na Gaoith and Seagreen Alpha and Bravo, and Montrose Port Authority becomes the ideal port of choice to support key offshore renewable operations.”
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