Marine Designs Ltd

Marine Designs Ltd’s move into the renewable energy sector with their pontoon system has proved successful. Their location in Cornwall has gone a long way to ensuring this success.

This specialist producer of large pontoons and floating piers identified an opportunity in the growing offshore renewable energy market. The company now builds pontoons to help workers safely and quickly board boats transferring them from shore to wind farm. 

The company, part of the A&P Group, one of UK’s largest ship repair companies since 2006, builds its pontoons using a system known as the DockMaster, this unique system uses pre-case concrete beams manufactured in Cornwall from China clay aggregates. In fact Marine Designs’ DockMaster is such an innovation it scooped an award at the 2010 Regen SW Green Energy Awards. Regen SW is the renewable energy agency for South West England and its awards are regarded as the Oscars of the region’s renewable energy industry.

“Our location in Cornwall is ideal. The marine heritage in the county means there is no shortage of skills. As we diversify into marine renewables, the inherent expertise of companies such as A&P is essential in servicing the new and growing offshore industry”, says Dryston Jones, Business Development Manager.

The company was also recently awarded the contract to install an operations and maintenance pontoon system for the London Array project at Ramsgate, which is creating what is expected to be the world’s largest offshore wind farm. Marine Designs also manufactures a range of pontoons suited to marinas; rescue services and the Ministry of Defence.

Jones says: “These are very exciting times for Marine Designs - Cornwall is the natural home for marine excellence and is in a fantastic position with its natural resources and established supply chain to see the marine industry here continue to grow and evolve.

“We decided if we could do something opposite to the ‘crowd’, we could give ourselves a business advantage. By investing in a dedicated production facility with access to a good road network we’ve been able to increase our production and efficiency and capitalise on our move into the renewables market. The strategy seems to have paid off and resulted in a big increase in orders.

www.marinedesigns.co.uk

Note:

A&P Falmouth, part of A&P Group is based in Falmouth, Cornwall, UK – the world’s third largest natural deepwater harbour.