Gorleston offshore firm wins contract

A GORLESTON offshore engineering firm has secured its biggest contract to date to put up wind turbines in the Irish Sea.

The deal with Dong Energy will see Seajacks earn up to $79m (�48m) for 15 months' work on the Walney 1 and Walney 2 windfarms.

The deal comes as Seajacks prepares to take delivery of its second vessel - Leviathan - from Lamprell in Dubai.

Leviathan's first task will be to put up turbines off the Suffolk and Essex coast for the world's largest offshore windfarm, the Greater Gabbard, in a $65m (�39m) deal with Fluor.

Leviathan's sister-ship, Kraken, is already working on a five-month contract for ExxonMobil Offshore Canada.

Both Leviathan and Kraken are self-elevating lift vessels needed to act as maintenance and construction platforms for the offshore oil and gas and renewable industries.

Seajacks managing director Blair Ainslie said the firm - which was set up in 2006 - now had contracts in place worth close to $200m (�121m) occupying the two vessels until the autumn of 2011.

Mr Ainslie said: “If industry experts are to be believed, then another 12 to 28 vessels might be required just in offshore wind installation to meet renewable energy targets in North West Europe. Our ambition is to grow a fleet of vessels. Two isn't enough for me, 22 sounds better.

“There's an opportunity in the offshore wind sector and the nuclear sector for the East of England to establish itself as a centre of operations as opposed to a satellite of Aberdeen.”

Jens Hansen, Walney project manager for Dong Energy said: “We are very pleased to be entering into these contracts with Seajacks. Their two new vessels bring a new dimension to the windfarm business and we are delighted to have secured both Kraken and Leviathan for Walney.”

Seajacks has about 20 staff at its head office at the Beacon Innovation Centre.