Dalby sets sail with finance deal

A MARINE services provider which is part of the Costa Concordia salvage team is adding a new vessel to its fleet following a £1.36m finance boost.

The workboat, Dalby Trent, will create 10 new jobs and enable Dalby Offshore Renewables to commit to further support to offshore wind farms.

Dalby Offshore Services was incorporated in the UK in 2007. The business initially focused on the management of anchor handling tug and supply vessels operating in the oil and gas market for blue chip oil companies.

The business, based in Beverley, plans to significantly increase its presence in its chosen offshore sectors by 2015.

Managing director Stuart McNiven, the master mariner at Dalby, recently negotiated a multi-million dollar contract to form part of the international team tasked with raising the Costa Concordia from the Island of Gigolo in Italy.

He recently took part in the Santander Breakthrough international trade mission to Brazil to learn about the terms and conditions for trade with the country, and also participated in a breakthrough masterclass with McLaren focused on accelerating business growth.

He said: “I’m thrilled to be adding a new vessel to our fleet and to be continuing to work with the team at Santander on our latest growth plans.

“I’m keen to focus our growth plans for the renewable energy sector and in particular, wind farms. We know that three of the largest wind farms in the North Sea will be established off the Humber Estuary and East Coast of England, so my plan is to be well equipped to meet that demand when it comes.”

Andy Bowden, relationship director for Santander who handled the deal, said: “Dalby Offshore Renewables is an excellent example of a strong local, Yorkshire business with the potential to grow on an international scale. They have developed strong links with the global marine services industry and we are delighted to be able to help them with this latest funding.”