A North East firm has secured a major contract with Danish power cable firm NKT to design and build one of the world’s most advanced subsea trenchers.
The NKT T3600 trencher, engineered at Osbit Ltd in Northumberland, will be capable of burying high-voltage power cables up to 5.5 metres deep—significantly deeper than existing models.
Robbie Blakeman, joint managing director at Osbit, said: "Delivering the NKT T3600 from Blyth is a huge achievement for our team and for the region’s offshore engineering sector.
"We’re drawing on the North East’s deep maritime heritage and world-class technical expertise to deliver equipment that strengthens energy resilience across Europe.
"Every component built here is part of a bigger story—one where North East innovation helps power the world’s shift to cleaner, safer energy."
The project, which is being built at Osbit’s new facility at the Port of Blyth, represents a major investment in the region’s clean energy economy.
Since the site opened, Osbit has created 33 new skilled jobs, with further opportunities expected across the regional supply chain as the build progresses.
The T3600 trencher will play a vital role in protecting Europe’s growing offshore energy network.
This trencher will provide critical protection for Europe’s expanding offshore energy network, reinforcing energy security as a priority at a time of increased offshore activity and geopolitical risk.
Every stage of the trencher’s construction, from design to assembly and testing, will take place in Blyth.
Joanna Leng, chief executive of NOF, said: "Long-term NOF member Osbit, part of the Venterra group, securing such an important contract with NKT reinforces the message that the North East of England continues to lead the way in offshore energy.
"Osbit is a key player in our regional world-class supply chain and leads the way in engineering excellence and innovation.
"The region has a strong heritage in engineering and manufacturing across many industrial sectors, and the continued evolution of our local energy sector supply chain means North East England has a major role to play in the UK’s energy transition journey and indeed our energy security through successful businesses such as Osbit."
Tony Quinn, chair of Energi Coast, also welcomed the news.
He said: "I’m delighted to see Osbit secure this contract from NKT, a very clear endorsement of their world-leading engineering capability.
"From a UK perspective, this cutting-edge installation technique will make an important contribution toward energy security, not to mention economic growth and net zero.
"From a North East perspective, it is another example of our highly innovative Offshore Wind Cluster leading the way."
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