PORTS & HARBOURS

£2.5m investment in offshore engineering

12 years ago

Scotland-based PD&MS Energy and Harlen are investing £2.5m in the “buoyant offshore market” with a new state-of-the-art rig repair and subsea fabrication facility.

PD&MS Energy and Harlen are committing £2.5m to a new facility

The 38,750ft² facility will be built on Princess Alexandra Wharf at the Port of Dundee. It is expected to house up to 50 full time personnel – this will increase to more than 260 including contractors during specific projects – and manage offshore asset service works in excess of £8m in its first financial year.

“The buoyant offshore market and our extremely robust order book have given us the confidence to invest significantly in these new premises as well as expanding our offering in the growing decommissioning sector,” said Dave MacKay, executive chairman, PD&MS Energy.

PD&MS is also looking to secure new office space in Aberdeen to house up to 400 personnel as part of its continued growth plans.

The company says this investment will enable it to provide a full concept to completion service with the support of specialist fabrication and engineering company Harlen, which will deliver fabrication services from the new facility.

“This facility increases not just our physical capacity and capability in supporting PD&MS in the rig repair market, its quayside location will allow Harlen to extend its offerings in subsea equipment, topside module, accommodation modules and large-scale fabrication sectors,” added Bruce Gill, managing director, Harlen.

Commenting on the investment, Matt North, port manager at The Port of Dundee, said: “Dundee is quickly becoming known as the leading port in Scotland which provides a comprehensive and experienced supply chain to support all North Sea vessel calls for maintenance, repair and decommissioning. We will continue to work with both companies to attract further business to the Port and ultimately to secure further jobs for the city.”

Previously based in neighbouring Prince Charles Wharf on a short-term lease, the new, larger facility is optimised for rig repair and upgrades, vessel repair and mobilisations, large fabrications and general work across other energy sectors.

An initial £1million investment has been made in the workshop with a further £1.5million expected over the next three years.