Engineering growth with £2.5m investment at docks

A MAJOR new offshore engineering facility has opened for business at Dundee docks after the first phase of a planned £2.5 million investment.

Engineering firm PD&MS Energy and specialist fabricator Harlen have already spent £1m on new enlarged facilities at Princess Alexandra Wharf as they look to significantly increase the scope of their rig repair and subsea work.

The 38,750ft2 site has been set up for a core workforce of around 50 employees, but the facility has the capacity to accommodate upwards of 260 contractors during particularly busy project periods.

It is expected that the new site will manage offshore asset service works value at in excess of £8m in its first full financial year in operation.

A further £1.5m will be invested over the next three years to further develop facilities at the yard.

PD&MS Energy chairman Dave MacKay said the investment demonstrated the two companies’commitment to Dundee and to the North Sea oil and gas sector.

“The buoyant offshore market and our extremely robust order book have given us the confidence to invest significantly in these new premises as well as expanding our offering in the growing decommissioning sector,” Mr MacKay said.

Harlen managing director Bruce Gill said it was a significant move for his company.

“This facility increases not just our physical capacity and capability in supporting PD&MS in the rig repair market, its quayside location will allow Harlen to extend its offerings in subsea equipment, topside module, accommodation modules and large-scale fabrication sectors.

“There are only a handful of companies in Scotland that can fabricate such significant pieces of offshore equipment.”

Port of Dundee manager Matt North said the investment was a vote of confidence for the city and its economic ambitions.

He said: “We are delighted that both PD&MS and Harlen are investing at the Port of Dundee.

“Dundee is quickly becoming known as the leading port in Scotland which provides a comprehensive and experienced supply chain to support all North Sea vessel calls for maintenance, repair and decommissioning.

“We will continue to work with both companies to attract further business to the port, and ultimately to secure further jobs for the city.”

Matt North, Dave MacKay and Bruce Gill.