Offshore engineer secures trencher deal

An offshore wind engineering firm has secured a Scandinavian manufacturing deal.

Osbit is set to design and build a subsea trencher for Danish power cable firm NKT.

Bosses say the craft will bury high-voltage power cables more than five metres underground, “providing critical protection for Europe’s expanding offshore energy network”.

The craft – known as the NKT T3600 – will be made at Osbit’s Port of Blyth-based factory, in Northumberland.

Robbie Blakeman, joint managing director at Riding Mill-headquartered Osbit, said: “Delivering the NKT T3600 from Blyth is a huge achievement for our team and for the region’s offshore engineering sector. 

“We’re drawing on the North East’s deep maritime heritage and world-class technical expertise to deliver equipment that strengthens energy resilience across Europe.

“Every component built here is part of a bigger story – one where North East innovation helps power the world’s shift to cleaner, safer energy.”

He added Osbit will work with North East suppliers on design, assembly and testing, to ensure “every stage of the T3600’s construction will be completed locally”.

Joanne Leng, chief executive of energy sector network NOF, said Osbit’s contract “reinforces the message that the North East continues to lead the way in offshore energy”.

She said: “Osbit is a key player in the North East’s world-class supply chain and leads the way in engineering excellence and innovation.”

Tony Quinn, chair of Energi Coast, added: “This contract is a very clear endorsement of Osbit’s world-leading engineering capability. 

“This installation technique will make an important contribution towards energy security, not to mention economic growth and net-zero. 

“It is another example of the North East’s highly innovative offshore wind cluster leading the way.”

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