Chinese engineering firm picks Dundee for new HQ

A CHINESE engineering firm has announced plans to open its new UK-based decommissioning operation in Dundee.

Chinese Ocean Engineering Shaghai Co (COES) wants to set up a strategic Scottish headquarters in the City of Discovery, after a senior delegation from COES was left impressed by a visit last year.

Dundee City Council hosted the company’s vice-president, commercial director and commercial and business development manager for talks about decommissioning opportunities in November.

The firm will potentially become the latest addition to Dundee’s burgeoning decommissioning industry.

Dundee City Council leader John Alexander said: “I’m absolutely delighted that COES have set out their ambition to create a decommissioning project base here in our dynamic and growing city following the hosting of a senior delegation in November.

“I think it’s clear that there are huge opportunities for Dundee and that we are not resting on our laurels to land them. We know that the value of decommissioning is spread across a number of elements and we want Dundee to be the go-to for everything above and below the sea.

“We want Dundee to be to decommissioning what Aberdeen is for oil and gas exploration. We’ll be taking nothing for granted over the coming months and years and will continue to work hard to deliver skilled jobs for locals.”

The news follows a series of investments in Dundee’s decommissioning infrastructure including a £10 million quayside extension and construction of a heavy lift equipment. Dundee City Council, Forth Ports and DC Thomson also collaborated to create DundeeCom — an organisation co-funded and set up to secure decommissioning works in the city.

John Alexander with COES vice-president Jiang Yan and Callum Facolner, chief executive of DundeeCom.