Jan De Nul UK Ltd. (JDN), Portland Harbour Authority Limited (PHAL) and Portland Port Limited Ltd (PPL) have joined forced to bid for a major phase of the Navitus Bay wind farm project.
The Memorandum of Understanding (“MoU”) provides JDN with exclusive use of Portland Harbour if it secures the contract to construct the foundations of the Navitus Bay wind farm’s turbines. JDN is one of two shortlisted bidders for the Navitus Bay contract.
If successful, JDN would be responsible for providing gravity-based foundations for the Navitus Bay windfarm’s turbines, basing itself in Portland Harbour throughout the construction and installation necessitating substantial investment in new port facilities.
Redevelopment of the port’s main pier would be the initial focus and JDN would design, develop and construct approximately 8 hectares of new quay wall in Portland Harbour, described by the team as the ‘New Coaling Pier’. The proposals would also see an extension to existing facilities in order to provide a total of 330m deep water berthing capacity, a feature crucial for the large vessels required to berth. The construction for these elements are anticipated to take place in 2016 and 2017.
It is estimated that berth construction alone would create 270 jobs in the port and a further 250 in the local supply chain. Plans for the future extend far beyond the Navitus Bay project, to ensure that the majority of the new jobs would be sustainable over the long term.
If the bid is successful, local and regional businesses stand to benefit from UK-spend exceeding £150m during the development and construction phases of the port extension project, followed by significant spend during the construction of the foundations.
Bill Reeves, CEO, Portland Port / Portland Harbour Authority , said:
“Today’s announcement outlines our ambitious blueprint for growth and jobs across the Portland area. Navitus Bay is a hugely exciting project that could deliver massive benefits to Portland Harbour and the local community. Jan De Nul is a world-class construction company and they share our desire to create a wide range of career opportunities and also leave a lasting legacy.”
Stuart Betts-Williams, Head of International EPC/PPP Projects, Jan De Nul, added:
“Jan De Nul is thrilled to partner with Portland Harbour, which would become a key centre for us should we secure the foundation contract from Navitus Bay. We have rich experience of similar projects and look forward to implementing our considerable expertise on the south coast. Portland Harbour has huge potential for growth and we hope to work with them to make this a reality.”