Port of Blyth is hosting the first jack up vessel of its type after the Gulf Marine Services’ E-Class jack up barge, GMS Endeavour, berthed successfully recently.
The self-propelled, self-elevating accommodation barge is in Blyth as part of wider mobilisation works in relation to Gulf Marine Services’ contract within the Hornsea Wind Farm project, with its sister vessel GMS Evolution set to join her shortly.
Among the planned works is the installation of a large access tower with integrated CTV boat landing built by Port of Blyth client Osbit. The first of its kind in the world, GMS has a history of applying innovative solutions and are happy to work in tandem with the port and its service facilities to further develop solutions for the markets that they serve.
Port of Blyth has a well established reputation for supporting the energy sector and is a trusted partner of some of the world’s leading offshore energy focused companies.
This varied client base has created an effective and significant supply chain with companies from across the offshore energy sector now calling Blyth home.
The provision a variety of berths across four secure terminals, all subject to competitive disbursements, enables the Port of Blyth to offer a flexible service to vessel operators along with a string of additional services including logistics support and warehousing.
Crucially, the Port’s experience of storing and handling large, complex lifts is extensive; covering onshore and offshore wind turbine components, umbilicals, flow-lines, cables, ROVs, subsea ploughs, A-Frames, carousels and tower lay systems.
As a result the Port of Blyth is increasingly seen as one of the key offshore energy bases not only in the North of England but across the UK and northern Europe.
Port of Blyth Chief Executive Martin Lawlor, said: “Seeing GMS Endeavour berthed in South Harbour is a great milestone and the culmination of a lot of hard work from our technical and marine teams in proving the viability of jack up vessels at Blyth. We’re delighted to be working with Gulf Marine Services and look forward to welcoming more of their fleet in the future.”
