McAllister, JDR Cable plan East Coast offshore wind hub

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The following is text of a news release from JDR Cable Systems:

(HOUSTON) — JDR Cable Systems and McAllister Towing have established a memorandum of understanding (MOU) for the development and collaborative operation of a U.S. East Cost offshore wind subsea power cable service base with an integrated cable training center. This new facility is being targeted to be developed on an existing McAllister quayside waterfront property in the northeastern United States. The site has been selected due to its proximity to the current offshore wind leases and the enormous potential of the region in the use of renewable energy sources.

Initially this base will serve as a staging area for subsea power cables to enable local storage, maintenance and deployment to the offshore wind fields. Longer-term plans include the establishment of office, storage, workshop and training facilities to develop offshore high-voltage electrical and fiber-optic competencies to the local work force. As the U.S. offshore wind industry matures, this service base will transition to become the JDR Offshore Wind Life of Field Service Center. Some of the services to be provided will be asset management services, capital spare cable storage, preservation and maintenance as well as the JDR field service headquarters for the U.S. offshore wind market.

“Offshore wind farm development is a new industry for New England," said Buckley McAllister, president of McAllister Towing. "JDR Cables expertise in manufacturing and service excellence will be in high demand as the offshore wind industry gets started in our region. While maritime logistics and project operations have always been part of our business, JDR Cables brings vast experience in subsea installations that are otherwise unavailable to customers in the area. We are proud to be able to work with a company of their global reputation and capability in this fast-evolving business.”

The launch of the project is under development. At this moment, the location was chosen and the implementation stages were approved. The legal and administrative formulas are being completed.

Capt. Gary Oliveira, vice president and general manager at McAllister Towing of Narragansett Bay, added, “JDR Cables has been very generous in sharing their knowledge of this industry with our crews. We look forward to working with them on the sustainable growth of the offshore wind as a renewable energy source.”

By Professional Mariner Staff