Offshore wind benefits for Middlesbrough

Prysmian first started using Port of Middlesbrough for its operations ten years ago. Since then, the port has become central to the company’s operations and now acts as its northern European marine base.

“This new agreement is hugely positive news, not only for Teesside but for the whole of Northeast England’s offshore wind sector. It really puts Port of Middlesbrough and the wider region on the map,” said Charlie Nettle, AV Dawson’s group managing director.

“The region has become a hot spot for offshore wind, and it will only get busier as businesses, and the world, continues on the journey to net-zero.”

Renewables hub

With further growth anticipated, Prysmian has secured additional warehousing and office space at the port as part of the new partnership deal. This will support further expansion, accommodating new teams and new jobs in the region.

Prysmian is also investing in new vessels to support this growth trajectory. These vessels will be regular callers at Port of Middlesbrough, collecting offshore wind cable and equipment, to mobilise for offshore wind projects all over the world.

To support Prysmian’s growth ambitions, AV Dawson has put significant investment into its port and quayside facilities so it can accommodate these new vessels.

“We were really excited to prepare for the arrival of the Leonardo Da Vinci (LDV), the largest cable-laying vessel of its type, in the world, so we needed to ensure we had the capacity on our berths to accommodate her. This involved dredging wider berth pockets as the LDV is five metres wider than any of our other customers’ vessels,” Mr Nettle said.

”Prysmian and some of our other customers are now enquiring about shore power to support their net-zero ambitions, so that is the next significant investment to plan for.”