Bibby Offshore is moving into the offshore wind array cable installation market with the acquisition of a power cable lay carousel from Ecosse Subsea Systems (ESS).

Bibby Offshore and ESS have also entered into strategic alliance by way of a framework agreement.

Under this strategic alliance, Bibby Offshore will provide commercial expertise supported by subsea project management and engineering experience, while ESS will provide innovation and in depth sector competence through its trenching expertise.

The company’s entry into this new market complements Bibby HydroMap’s offshore survey capability and Bibby Marine Services recent investment in a new build ‘walk to work’ Service Operation Vessel, the Bibby WaveMaster 1.

Fraser Moonie, chief operating officer of Bibby Offshore, said: “We are very excited by our entry into the cable lay market which strengthens our renewables offering in the North Sea. We have worked with ESS in the subsea market for more than a decade, and this new strategic alliance will help us further our offshore offering and support our diverse client base.”

Mike Wilson, managing director of Ecosse Subsea Systems Limited, said: “We are delighted to be collaborating with Bibby Offshore in the offshore wind arena. This will enable us to tackle much bigger projects and clients with the opportunity to use a genuine UK owned and operated supply chain in this sector.”