Wind energy – Japan
DEME Offshore and Penta-Ocean Construction Co., have formally established a new joint venture company, named Japan Offshore Marine (JOM).
The formation of this joint company marks the formalisation of the cooperation between DEME Offshore (49%) and Penta-Ocean Construction (51%°) in Japan. Through JOM, both partners are committed to take a pioneer position in the fast-developing Japanese offshore wind market.
Japan Offshore Marine combines DEME Offshore’s marine engineering knowledge and decades of experience in the renewables sector, with the knowledge and highly specialised marine construction technology of Penta-Ocean.
As a further vote of confidence in the Japanese market, the DP2 jack-up installation vessel ‘Sea Challenger’ will be relocated to Japan and will be brought under the Japanese flag.
‘Sea Challenger’ is set to undergo a major upgrade, preparing it for the first round of offshore wind farm projects in Japan expected to start in 2025. JOM’s investments in new technology will ensure the company is ready for the future and to become an offshore wind industry leader in the Japanese market.
Takuzo Shimizu, CEO Penta-Ocean Construction, comments: “We are delighted to have established a joint venture company in Japan with DEME Offshore, a leading company in the field of offshore wind construction in Europe. We are confident that through JOM we will be able to combine our extensive experience and expertise in offshore wind construction and marine civil engineering, to lead the growing offshore wind farm construction market in Japan. JOM’s new challenge begins with overcoming Japan’s challenging natural conditions such as harsh metocean conditions, earthquakes and complex soil conditions.”
Luc Vandenbulcke, CEO DEME Group, comments: “We are thrilled to have established a local Japanese company together with our partner Penta-Ocean Construction. JOM will combine both partners strengths and will be well-equipped with its own state-of-the-art and future-proof installation vessel. Both partners bring their drilling and offshore expertise to JOM. Japanese projects will be marked by complex seabed conditions, which means that drilling expertise will be vital for becoming successful in Japan. We are very excited to be able to make a significant contribution to the long-term development of the offshore wind sector and to help Japan fulfil its ambitions.”
