The importance of being able to move people quickly and efficiently in the industry was stressed by key players invited on the inaugural flight linking Humberside and Esbjerg.
Major inward investor Siemens Gamesa is the largest single operator in the sector, with Hull plant director Andy Sykes on board. The company not only produces blades in Hull, but has wider turbine production in Esbjerg, with teams dedicated to installing and overseeing warranty periods for the equipment well into the operational phase of the wind farms that the wider business builds, alongside the likes of Orsted.
Mr Sykes said: “The launch of this route affords additional flexibility for the region. We are currently exporting blades to Denmark, manufacturing them in Hull, and the service helps with the knowledge transfer between the two locations.
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“There is a lot of movement of people, and the more flexibility we have, the more opportunity we have to do that; it means we can think faster, make decisions faster and can act and attract more business.
“For us it is a constant flow at the moment. We have had 40 people in Denmark for the last three to four months, and in exchange we have 20 colleagues joining us over the next three to four months.
“From a factory perspective the footprint we have established for ourselves in the region is a focal point for business and Siemens Gamesa, and I would like to think it has attracted other businesses to the region too who will now benefit from this.”
Danish pastries were served as a welcome at Kirmington, before the outbound flight, with Grimsby’s Docks Beers providing in-flight wraps from its Mockingbird street food brand, and beer for the return. In Esbjerg Danish tapas featuring herring, cured meats and cheese were served up.
Andrew Oliver, chair of Humber Marine and Renewables, the organisation resulting from this year’s merger of Team Humber Marine Alliance and Grimsby Renewables Partnership, said: “I think it is vital, it will add to the sector, and I think it confirms again the importance of the Humber if we can attract this sort of investment. It shows that people have confidence in the Humber and it will be good for all of our members in terms of bringing business in and the ability to expand out of the region.”
Mr Oliver also chairs Grimsby Fish Dock Enterprises, with further expansion for offshore wind operations taking place, following strong early success as the first port on the Humber to embrace the industry more than 15 years ago.
A familiar figure around the ports is Camilla Carlbom-Flinn, having led the family ships’ agency’s move to serving the offshore wind sector. She said: “A key part of any regional development is infrastructure and when we have got a superb regional airport like Humberside offering direct flights to Esbjerg, joining two centres of offshore excellence, the whole region will benefit.
“We know the impact the offshore wind and renewables sector has had on our region, it has been proven, and these links have now been made. We need to keep strengthening this, keep attracting new businesses, keep investing and keep these business and tourism corridors going for both regions. It is great for the entire supply chain.”
Peter Aarosin, an expat Danish businessman with several interests around the Humber, said: “I think it is crucial to have links for our area to as many destinations as possible. Denmark is particularly important for offshore wind and is going to save a lot of businesses a lot of time. Before, if you wanted to use Humberside you had to factor in a further flight. It will make a big difference and I really hope it will be very successful.”
The service got a big thumbs up from Jonathan Isaac, director of ComtecInt, a PPE supply business with operations at either end of the route.
He said: “It is very important when you consider these are two of the main hubs for the industry, not just regionally but globally, and located either side of the North Sea. We supply Orsted and Vestas, both Danish companies, and we are based in Hull and Esbjerg. It means we can now exchange staff, have more movement with resources, and work easier in the different locations. We have all got used to Teams and Zoom, but there is still a lot of value in face to face meetings, that’s for sure. The cost and timing of these flights will mean considerable savings.”
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