Maersk Supply targets offshore wind and oil markets in Norway

Danish offshore supply vessel provider Maersk Supply Service is making a move to enter the Norwegian market, targeting the towing and installation gigs from both offshore wind and the oil and gas industry.

Maersk Supply revealed on Wednesday it will reflag one of its energy-efficient M-class anchor handling vessels to the Norwegian flag, hire a Norwegian crew, and set up an office in Bergen with a plan to have its first vessel ready for operation in Norwegian waters during the summer of 2021.

With a strong focus on the towing and installation of floating units for offshore wind and the oil and gas industry, Maersk Supply Service said it sees a clear link between its core capabilities and the Norwegian market needs.

In addition, the company noted that its ambition to decarbonise its fleet matches the ambition among key players in Norway.

Duncan MacPherson, new Managing Director in Norway for Maersk Supply Service, said: “Norway is a frontrunner when it comes to exploring new ways of lowering the environmental footprint of the offshore energy industry. Our anchor handlers are some of the most modern and energy-efficient vessels in the world. Therefore, we are confident that they are a suitable fit for the Norwegian market.

“Our ambition is to be carbon neutral in 2050 and have reduced our carbon intensity by 50 per cent by 2030. We have already taken firm action to improve our energy efficiency with behavioural changes and technical upgrades”.

Duncan MacPherson has over 20 years’ experience in the energy industry and has been based in Norway for the majority of that time, leading and managing business engaged with marine services and project solutions in oil and gas in addition to offshore renewables markets globally.

MacPherson added: “Our goal is to have several vessels operating in Norway – both in the oil and gas industry and floating wind. Over the last five years, we have built up a strong track record in solutions capabilities combining our versatile fleet with full project management of offshore projects”.

In recent company news, Maersk Supply in February 2021 named a new chief financial officer (CFO) of the company.

Michael Koefoed, previously Head of Funding and Markets in A.P. Møller-Maersk, replaced Karl Thorngren who decided to pursue new opportunities outside the corporate world.

Headquartered in Lyngby, Denmark, Maersk Supply Service has been operating the North Sea for more than five decades and has previously operated in Norway. With the new office in Norway, Maersk Supply Service increases its presence worldwide to 11 locations.