ForeCoast Marine Hails USA Trade Mission A Huge Success

Last month, Nick Law (Technical Director, JBA Consulting) and Mark Lawless (Director, JBA Consulting) touched down in New Jersey, USA, as part of The Department for International Trade’s Northern Powerhouse Offshore Wind Trade Mission. The delegation, which comprised 17 established UK exporters and high-growth businesses, showcased some of the best of British offshore wind expertise to support the rapid growth of the East Coast offshore wind sector.

The Trade Mission was held over three days at the International Partnering Forum 2022 – the largest offshore conference in the western hemisphere. Hosted by the Business Network for Offshore Wind, IPF connects global leaders and businesses in the offshore wind supply chain, offering networking opportunities and updates on the industry. During the conference, Nick and Mark met with over 30 companies who are actively involved with offshore wind developments off the US East Coast. Alongside this, they presented ForeCoast Marine to key stakeholders at several reception events.

Through various group meetings, the Mission delegates heard from officials from the DIT and UKTI together with local State officials from Rhode Island, Massachusetts and New Jersey about the support they provide to the offshore wind industry.

In addition to their time at the IPF conference, delegates also visited a world leading blade testing facility – the Wind Technology Test Center (WTTC) - in the Massachusetts Clean Energy Centre. Here they learnt about the Center’s latest wind turbine blade testing and protype development methodologies which are being used to help the wind industry deploy the next generation of offshore wind turbine technologies.

Delegates also met representatives from Ørsted’s CIC Innovation Hub in Providence, Rhode Island, where tech companies and innovative start-ups are gathering to service the rapidly growing sector.

Reflecting on the Trade Mission, Nick Law (Technical Director, JBA Consulting) said

“The DIT, led by Simon Cosby (International Trade Adviser for the North East) and his team, set up an amazing week for the Mission delegates. The DIT’s International Trade Missions are a fantastic resource for exploring new markets and the huge potential the USA’s offshore wind market was clear to see. We look forward to working with the DIT and our new friends across the pond as we continue to strengthen our position in this exciting and rapidly expanding market”.

Equipped with new knowledge, business contacts and insights into the US’s burgeoning offshore wind energy sector, Nick and Mark are now in the back in the UK following up on the wealth of new business leads identified during the trip.

If you’d like to learn more about our work in the USA or would like to learn how ForeCoast Marine can optimise your offshore wind project, please get in touch at info@forecoastmarine.com