Forth Ports Acquires OM Heavy Lift for Future Offshore Renewables Projects

Forth Ports Limited (Forth Ports) has acquired Dundee-based heavy lifting specialist OM Heavy Lift (OMHL) to offer a full-service package for offshore renewables projects.

Financial details of the acquisition have been left undisclosed.

Forth Ports announced that the acquisition of OMHL will enhance the company’s ability to offer a full-service package for offshore renewable projects, which include marine services, quayside infrastructure, and land, as well as heavy lift plant and logistics solutions.

OMHL will continue to be led by Managing Director, Alex Fyfe, who will work directly with David Webster, as the newly appointed Director of Energy for Forth Ports.

OMHL is a project engineering company that has worked with Forth Ports on a number of “large-scale” projects in the renewables and decommissioning sectors.

With its fleet of specialist heavy lift plants as well as the UK’s largest permanent quayside crane, OMHL will work across Forth Port’s Scottish operations including the ports of Leith, Grangemouth, Rosyth, and Dundee.

“Today’s news is another important strategic move for Forth Ports as we secure our place in the offshore renewables sector, following the recent announcement of the ScotWind leasing round. We are investing significantly in Dundee and Leith to create an attractive offering for offshore renewables which will support the country’s transition to net zero. The acquisition of OMHL, coupled with that of Targe Towing, places Forth Ports in a strong position to play a leading role in supporting Scotland’s offshore renewables future,” commented Charles Hammond OBE, Group Chief Executive of Forth Ports.

Last year, Forth Ports also acquired Targe Towing Limited which owned a fleet of nine vessels, including five tugs.

“With the OMHL team coming on board, we can now offer a complete, integrated service solution for offshore renewables customers, anywhere within our ports business in Scotland, from marine towage right through to quayside cranage and laydown land,” said David Webster, Director of Energy for Forth Ports.

Back in 2017, Forth Ports invested GBP 10 million to construct a new quayside at the Port of Dundee which was designed specifically to handle oil & gas decommissioning and offshore wind work.