A delegation from Rhode Island has landed in the Humber to strengthen booming trade in offshore wind.
Organised by Humber Marine & Renewables (HM&R) as part of an ongoing business agreement, the East Coast USA mission met companies and organisations in Northeast Lincolnshire on June 11.
The itinerary included a tour of the Port of Grimsby, visits to Modal Training, Maersk Training, Orsted and Associated British Ports’ offices, where they also saw Boston Energy, OPS Wind, ORE Catapult and networked with Humber Marine & Renewables members.
It follows a 2019 MOU signed at the Offshore Wind Connections conference between HM&R (then Team Humber Marine Alliance), Aura and Rhode Island Commerce Corporation to build business and drive ambitious offshore wind development plans.
Camilla Carlbom Flinn, director of Humber Marine & Renewables and of Pentagon Marine, said that strong ties had been developed with the American offshore wind sector over the past decade.
“A number of local companies have been successfully exporting their products and expertise to help the Eastern Seaboard States build their offshore wind industry, in particular to Rhode Island, which has been keen to learn from our progress and see how we have overcome challenges.
“We will always welcome visits from Rhode Island and continue to build relationships and market the Humber’s Energy Estuary and skills of our members.”
Representing a diverse range of expertise, the delegation comprised marine technology solution provider Spirit Advisory, niche business development specialist MEET, shipping agency Moran Shipping, bulk cargo company Waterson Terminal Services, economic development agency Rhode Island Commerce Corporation and Bryant University’s Chafee Center for International Business.
The visit is one of a number hosted by HM&R. Since 2016, in its previous incarnation Team Humber Marine Alliance, it has facilitated inward and outward trade missions which have included visits to Boston, New Bedford (twinned with Grimsby), Providence, New York and New Jersey, and the New Bedford Offshore Wind Symposium where Humber delegates spoke to politicians, education experts and business leaders. Visits by American politicians have taken place in the Humber where they have toured the ports, visited skills organisations and network with local companies.