Further expansion for offshore wind development is being planned at Port of Grimsby East.
The old fish docks were the first to benefit from the arrival of the now-burgeoning industry, with the initial scoping and then construction support served from the middle of the last decade for the initial farms to appear off the Lincolnshire coast.
Siemens and Centrica invested alongside Grimsby Fish Dock Enterprises to start a transformation of the first port on the Humber, from early pontoons to sparkling operational bases for Lynn and Inner Dowsing and then Lincs. Dong and E.on (now Orsted and RWE) followed in their early wake, and the supply chain and service sector followed too, with the emergence of scores of crew transfer vessels justifying the investment case for lock gate overhauls, a new slipway and regenerated shipyard.
Read more: Orsted reaches landmark recognition agreement with union for wind farm teams
And while wind farms have got further offshore - seeing a switch to an oil and gas type approach for workers, staying out in the field for a fortnight at a time on vessels that need the Royal Dock to berth, daily sailings on smaller craft remain a key part of the sector.
Now GFDE, operator of the fish market and surrounds, has agreed a deal with wider operator Associated British Ports to develop the central area, building on the shipyard, GRO Centre and further accommodation allocated to the industry.
Martyn Boyers, chief executive, said: “We have just done a deal with ABP on the West Quay. We are optimistic about the wind farm developments, we’re confident there is still a lot more to come.
“Wind farm investment will continue, whether there is an economic downturn or not, and energy is highly topical, with a real focus on the importance of producing our own.
“We are looking to develop that, to expand our offer for the wind sector. It needs some work, and we are looking to buy some pontoons and improve an area where operators are still attracted to. It is a positive step.”
Ship repair and building specialist Harris and Garrod occupies the West Quay, with a large stretch ripe for development.
Orsted, the leading operator in the town, moved from its original base as it developed the £14 million East Coast Hub, the central pillar beneath the Dock Tower that underlines the scale of what has become a world-leading cluster. From there it looks after Lincs - bought from Centrica - as well as Westermost Rough and the record-breaking Hornsea zone. The original Service Quay modular build is now vessel operator and service provider C-Wind's headquarters, with maritime training facilities recently added.
RWE also turned to Royal Dock for Triton Knoll and the soon-to-emerge Sofia, with Humber Gateway, its E.on legacy remaining in Port of Grimsby East. Dogger Bank South is now on the horizon, while Total and Green Investment Group also bring forward another farm off the Humber.
XceCo, spun out of Centrica's divestment, to manage balance of plant on the first fams, as well as James Fisher, operate from the original Centrica base, with the distinctive orange marine operations booth overlooking the port. The likes of OPS Wind, RES and All NRG - now part of Swire Group - are all based at Port of Grimsby East too.
Read next:
Cable installation contract signed for Hornsea Three offshore wind farm
RWE outlines the path to Dogger Bank South offshore wind farms after latest government go-ahead
Offshore wind worker pays it forward for people to follow in his footsteps with training firm launch
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