16 June 2022 – New focal point for customers seeking safety solutions to meet US offshore wind developments.
VIKING Life-Saving Equipment has selected Norfolk, Virginia as the hub to support the safety needs of North Americaâs fast-emerging offshore wind sector. The leading safety solutions provider for the global maritime and offshore industries will coordinate delivery, service and lease agreements for sector-specific PPE and other gear from offices in Norfolk.
Headed by John Bratten, Sales Manager, Yachting and Wind Sales, VIKING North America, the concerted push to reinforce safety services comes at a key moment for US wind power. Offshore wind looks set to become a major component of US energy.
Clean Energy targets set by President Biden aim at harvesting 30 GW of Offshore Wind power by 2030. What is more, federal leases with potential to support 40 GW of offshore wind have already been awarded, according to Intelatus Global Partners (see here), while 10 developments with potential to deliver more than 15 GW are under federal permit review. The Vineyard Wind array south of Marthaâs Vineyard, with a total capacity of 800 mW, will start delivering electricity next year.
âOffshore wind is a young industry in the United States but momentum is building: deals are signed, surveys progressing and turbine construction underway,â said Bratten, who many will recall from a previous role with Boat Owners Association of the United States. âTechnical challenges and policy changes lie ahead, but safety for those working in the industry comes first.â
VIKING has progressively enhanced its range of Marine Evacuation System (MES), work suits, immersion suits, lifejackets, Â and other life-saving equipment for offshore wind technicians, and today supports safety needs across some of the largest turbine developments in the world. It has also developed flexible leasing and equipment exchange packages to suit contractors in a fast-growing but unpredictable market.
The Norfolk office will tap into VIKINGâs mature US supply chain, which includes service and parts hubs in Miami, Houston and Long Beach, and dealers throughout North America.
âVIKING provides solutions to protect the safety for the offshore wind maintenance crews, technicians and for aviators,â said Benny Carlsen, Senior Vice President Sales, VIKING Life-Saving Equipment. âWe are delighted to deliver the level of service to North Americaâs wind energy sector that defines VIKING as a safety partner in maritime and offshore worldwide,â
About VIKING
VIKING Life-Saving Equipment A/S is a global leader in maritime, offshore and fire safety solutions.
We manufacture, market and service safety and fire-fighting equipment for passenger and cargo ships, offshore installations, offshore wind turbines, fishing vessels, navies, helicopter services, fire departments and leisure yachts around the world.
VIKINGâs products protect passengers and crew on many of the worldâs largest cruise liners and cargo ships, and we help to ensure safe conditions for workers on some of the worldâs most advanced offshore platforms.
We also enable shipowners and owners/operators of offshore installations to focus on their business by managing their service tasks and ensuring the regulatory compliance of all their products and solutions.
VIKING is a privately held corporation, founded in 1960. In recent years, VIKING acquired the Norwegian company Norsafe, whose lifeboats have been used around the world since 1904, and Drew Marineâs FSR division, one of the worldâs three largest providers of Marine Fire Service.
Headquartered in Esbjerg, Denmark, VIKING products are manufactured in Denmark, Norway, Bulgaria, Greece, China and Thailand.
