NORSEA Group, leading supplier of base services and integrated logistics systems to the Norwegian oil and gas industry, has followed last month’s announcement that it is to develop a supply base at Scrabster Harbour, by signing its first strategic working partnership with local logistics firm Hugh Simpson (Contractors) Ltd.
The exclusive agreement will see NorSea Group bring its years of experience, successful track record and resources to the long-established local family firm to see them work together to develop the business by building on Simpson’s existing expertise to meet the future demands of the energy industry in Scotland.
Established in 1964, the company provides a total range of logistics services to the marine and offshore industries.
It has two sister companies which provide fuel and oil supply and shipping agency services in the region.
The supply base at Scrabster is NorSea Group’s first in Scotland and will operate as a one-stop supply base serving the oil and gas, decommissioning and renewables industries.
Its geographical location as Scotland’s most northerly mainland port means it will be of particular economic benefit to operators in the northern North Sea and West of Shetland offshore developments by cutting down on transit time to the nearest mainland port and by its ability to provide a fast ‘burn and turn’ turnaround.
NorSea Group already operates nine supply bases along the coast of Norway which provide logistics support to companies operating offshore on the Norwegian continental shelf. Knut Magne Johannessen, director International & Project Operations, said the partnership with Simpsons was a significant step forward in the plans for the Scrabster base.
“This is a perfect fit for us,” he said.
“We are very keen that the development at Scrabster brings benefits to the local community and so we are delighted that we have been able to sign this agreement with such a well-established and highly-respected homegrown company which has the local knowledge and expertise to help move the plans for the supply base forward.
“The services which Simpsons already provide dovetail neatly into the requirements for a one-stop supply base but there are many other benefits.
“For example, it has had considerable involvement in wind farms in Caithness and also in Orkney and Aberdeen and we see the growth of renewables as a key element in the UK’s future energy mix.
“Of particular importance to us was the company’s excellent safety record as NorSea Group considers a high standard of HSEQ credentials are absolutely paramount.”
Director, Hugh Simpson, said the agreement laid positive foundations for company growth. “The coming years will see significant activity in the deep waters off Shetland, and Scrabster is ideally placed to service the vessels which will operate in the region and in existing fields in the northern part of the UKCS,” he said.
“As the UK’s most northerly mainland port we can provide all the services they need close at hand and we are well connected by air, sea, land and rail to other parts of the country.
“Simpsons already provides a range of logistics services to support those operations but our agreement with the NorSea Group means that we will benefit from their expertise.
“With almost 50 years of experience in establishing bases along the length of the Norwegian coast they are leaders in their field and that expertise is now available to support Simpsons’ future growth.”
Caption: Shaking hands on a trailblazing agreement – Hugh Simpson, left, and Knut Magne Johannessen at Scrabster Harbour
For further information, contact:
Knut M Johannessen, director, NorSea Group AS T: +47 51 85 34 33 (office); +47 922 42 001 (M)
Michael Gillespie, consultant, NorSea Group AS T: +44 (0)1224 869577; +44 (0)7850 985583 (M)
Hugh Simpson, director, Hugh Simpson (Contractors) Ltd T: +44 (0)1955 604444
NOTES TO EDITOR:
NorSea Group
• NorSea Group AS is a privately owned company founded in 1965. The Group is a leading supplier of base services and integrated logistics systems to the Norwegian oil and gas industry
• Annual turnover is approximately NOK 2.5 billion
• NorSea Group is headquartered in Tanager, outside Stavanger, and has propriety interests in nine supply bases along the Norwegian coast
• The Group is an active promoter of the progressive development of Risavika as the region’s most important logistics hub
• The main shareholders are Wilh. Wilhelmsen Holding ASA, Eidesvik Eiendomsinvest AS and Simon Mokster Eiendom AS
• Further information is available at www.norseagroup.com
Hugh Simpson (Contractors) Ltd
• Hugh Simpson (Contractors) Ltd is a privately owned company established in 1964 by the late Hugh and Catherine Simpson as a supplier of agricultural limestone to local farmers and now includes a third generation of family management.
• It has been supplying stevedoring services in Wick and Scrabster since 1964 and more recently in other ports
• It employs 47 people, many of whom are multi-skilled, at its bases in Wick, Georgemas, Invergordon and Scrabster
• It currently provides a full range of logistics support for visiting vessels
• It has its own transport division specialising in heavy and abnormal haulage
• The company has been involved in all of the wind farms erected in Caithness, working from Wick and Scrabster and also in wind farms in Orkney and Aberdeenshire
• A sister company, Simpson Oils Ltd supplies and delivers all types of fuel and lubricating oil from three main bases at Wick, Invergordon and Scrabster
• Sandisons Shipping, also a sister company, provides a Lloyds registered supply ships agency service
• Further information is available at www.hughsimpson.co.uk
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