Sun rises on Seaway 7 offshore wind tie-up with Sumitomo Electric off Asia

Transitioning energy contractor signs MoU to collaborate with Osaka-headquartered cable giant on subsea power lines as region expands sea-based fleet

. Seaway 7.
. Seaway 7.Foto: Seaway 7

Transitioning subsea oil contracting giant Seaway 7 has signed a deal with Japanese cable-maker Sumitomo Electric Industries to work together in the offshore wind market now emerging off the latter's home nation, as well as in the wider Asia-Pacific region.

The collaboration memorandum of understanding will focus on localised turnkey engineering, procurement, installation and commissioning (Epic) contracting for submarine cable projects.

“Sumitomo Electric will contribute its… knowledge of the regional market and accumulated experience in the design and manufacturing of submarine cables,” the pair said in a statement. “Seaway 7 will provide its… installation services [and] track record of successfully completed submarine cable projects for offshore renewables, oil & gas, and utility markets globally.”

Stuart Fitzgerald, CEO of Seaway 7, said: “The intended partnership with Sumitomo Electric builds on our existing long-term business relationship and is aimed at introducing our combined expertise and capabilities into the emerging offshore wind market in Japan and the wider Asia-Pacific region, which is in high demand for competitive and reliable solutions.”

Sumitomo Electric managing executive officer Yasuyuki Shibata said: “We are delighted to form this strategic collaboration with Seaway 7 to jointly contribute towards the decarbonisation of the regions for decades to come.”

After China, which installed a world-leading 12.7GW of offshore wind in 2021, Japan is one of several southeast Asian nations, along with South Korea and Taiwan, with high ambitions for sea-based fleets, with floating wind alone now representing a 10GW-plus pipeline off these three plays, according to latest market forecasts from Wood Mackenzie.
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Published 25 February 2022, 12:33Updated 25 February 2022, 12:45
SumitomoSeaway 7Asia-PacificJapan