STX France Launches Marine Renewables Facilities

With the active support of the Pays de la Loire Regional Council, Carène (Federation of local councils of Saint-Nazaire area) and Caisse des Dépôts (public group serving general interest and economic development), STX France secured the financing required to launch the 1st batch of production units due to enter in service in 2015.

Considering the company order book on its ship markets for 5 years onwards, and the related intense activity of its shipbuilding workshops, it has been decided to create new production facilities especially dedicated to renewables and offshore wind activities.

The investment, worth about €20 million, will finance the construction of 3 workshops dedicated to “jacket” type foundations, transition pieces and electric sub-stations:

• An assembly workshop for « flat » units (dimensions 90 x 35m x 16m) provided with 2 x 60 t cranes.
• A 6,000m² pre erection area
• A large painting cell (dimensions : 50m x 35m x 25m)

These facilities will be at the cutting edge of technology with production means and processes mixing the state-of-the-art of digital, automation and standardization technics. It relies on our know-how in the sector of large marine steel structures to meet the requirements of our new customers on the energy markets. Thanks to its efficiency, STX will be in position to contribute actively to the reduction of the offshore energies costs.

“The investment is a decisive step to develop the Company’s activity on new markets. It demonstrates STX France ambition to become a reference industrial player in the marine renewables industry and confidence in the long term development of this market in Europe. Developing engineering and manufacturing activities together is one of the key factors of our successes” declared Laurent Castaing, STX France Managing Director.