Logistics firm is seeking a fair wind in USA venture
A Wearside offshore business is aiming to make a big splash across the pond
Green Marine Solutions, which is based at Sunderland Software Centre, specialises in co-ordinating all the logistical aspects of offshore wind farm operations, including personnel and vessels, communications systems, software and maritime surveillance. After securing a £50,000 investment from the North East Small Loan Fund Supported by The European Regional Development Fund, the company is now looking to establish a presence in the fast-expanding US offshore wind sector.
The firm has already been involved with high profile projects in South America and mainland Europe, as well as off the North East and East Anglian coasts.
Crispian Jones, founder and managing director, has just returned from an initial trip to the US to talk to potential customers.
He said: “Companies working on complicated projects in immensely challenging offshore environments need to know that they can rely absolutely on detailed logistical support.
“We’ve built a reputation over the last decade for providing those essential project foundations that these operators need and believe that the quality of the team that we’ve built and the service standards to which we work make us stand out from the competition.”
He added: “The US offshore wind sector is set to explode, and this investment will help us to take advantage of the huge range of opportunities that the renewables sector will offer in the coming years, both across the Atlantic and within European markets.
“The funding model that NEL offers was the best available fit for our business model and the team was very helpful in enabling us to bring in the capital we were looking for.”
Mike Guellard, the senior investment executive at North East Loan Fund Managers, said: “Low carbon investment is one of the North East Fund’s main priorities and Green Marine Solutions has a proven track record in a growing market.”
The Small Loan Fund typically offers business loans of between £10,000 and £100,000.