Port of Blyth handed double boost on jobs front
Oct 29 2010 by Dave Black, The Journal
SCORES of jobs are expected to be created after a Northumberland port received a double boost to its effort to become a major centre for green energy.
Two long-term deals with firms linked to the offshore wind sector will bring yet more investment and employment to the Port of Blyth.
Boat builder Alnmaritec, which has been operating from the port on a temporary basis for a year, has now committed to a long-term expansion.
The company is expected to increase its 65-strong workforce by about 35 next year, and will build more than 15 of its aluminium boats annually at the Wimbourne Quay terminal.
A major element of the operation will be the construction of support vessels for the offshore wind farm sector.
At the same time, Sheffield-based company MTL Group has revealed it is setting up a long-term manufacturing operation in Blyth’s South Harbour, which is expected to create between 60 and 70 jobs over three years. MTL does steel work for wind turbine manufacturers and is due to begin operations at Blyth before the end of the year.
Yesterday the double investment was hailed as "fantastic news" by bosses at the Port of Blyth.
It is already home to the National Renewable Energy Centre and Clipper Windpower’s centre of excellence, and there are plans to build an environmentally-friendly biomass power station at Battleship Wharf.
Port chief executive Martin Lawlor said: "We are delighted to be able to announce these significant developments, which are just reward for our long-term focus and investment in renewable energy.
