CEO Mr JR Arends comments: ‘It is eminently important in this business to be where the action is. The offshore wind industry in the UK is accelerating.’
Harlingen/Lowestoft – Harlingen-based SeaZip Offshore Service BV has opened an office in the United Kingdom. It has responded to the appeal made by the British government to companies specialising in renewable offshore energy to set up business in the UK. SeaZip CEO Mr JR Arends said: ‘The UK is the undisputed pioneer in Europe with regard to the creation of offshore wind farms. As maritime service providers, we feel that being involved in this at a local level is vital.’
Almost at the same time as its official introduction in the UK, SeaZip Offshore Service was able to sign a contract for the deployment of one of its SeaZip service vessels to support installation work in respect of the Galloper Offshore Wind Farm, which boasts 56 wind turbines at a distance of 27 km from the Suffolk coast and accounts for a total capacity of 336 MW. According to plan, the farm will be up and running by 2018. Mr Arends said: ‘We couldn’t have asked for a better kick-off in the UK. All indications are that offshore operations are greatly accelerating. It is good to be part of this.’
SeaZip is setting up business in the Orbis Energy Building in Lowestoft
SeaZip Offshore Service is setting up business in the Orbis Energy Building in the seaport town of Lowestoft, Suffolk, on the English east coast. The Orbis Energy Building is the hub for innovative companies which specialise in green offshore energy. Its tenant list shows an impressive array of international players. SeaZip Offshore Service UK is now one of them. SeaZip currently has a fleet comprising six state-of-the-art service vessels for the transport of crew and light freight. These vessels are of the Damen Fast Crew Supplier 2610 type; they are reputed for their stable seagoing conditions and modelled after the proven ‘Twin Axe Bow’ principle.
The UK goes for offshore wind energy in full operation
The UK currently accounts for a total installed power from offshore wind generation of 5 GW. Between now and 2020, 12 projects accounting for another 5.2 GW are planned. The UK intends to have realised a total installed power of at least 20 GW around 2030. The focus is on the English North Sea east coast. Lowestoft, originally a fishing village, is situated there and is rapidly developing into a strategic seaport for the offshore wind energy. In 2014, Lowestoft was officially designated as Operations & Maintenance base for the Galloper Offshore Wind Farm. Previously, Lowestoft had acquired this status in respect of the Greater Gabbard Wind Farm, which was delivered in 2012 and provides 500 MW generated from offshore wind. The new Galloper Windfarm, which SeaZip Offshore Service is now sailing for from Lowestoft in the UK, borders this farm.