SEACOR takes stake in European wind farm utility vessel operator

Houma, La., based SEACOR Marine LCC reports that it has invested in Windcat Workboats Holdings Ltd, a European operator of wind farm utility vessels. SEACOR Marine, a subsidiary of SEACOR Holdings Inc. (NYSE: CKH – News), operates a fleet of offshore marine support vessels, serving the offshore oil and gas exploration and production industry worldwide.

Based in Holland and the United Kingdom, Windcat operates in the main offshore wind markets in Europe. The new venture with SEACOR Marine is expected to strengthen Windcat’s position in the offshore wind market and to provide the capability to expand Windcat’s presence in markets outside of Europe. Windcat presently owns and operates a fleet of 30 wind farm vessels, including the first HSC classed 45 passenger wind farm vessel, Windcat 101. It is anticipated that Windcat will benefit from SEACOR Marine’s experience and its diverse fleet of vessels to provide a complete package for offshore maintenance and construction of current wind farm projects, including in preparation for new wind farm developments under the UK Government’s Round 3 Initiative.

December 27, 2011