Shoreline Offshore and Quinn Fisheries, a longtime operator in the New Bedford, Mass., fishing industry, will host a new base for crew transfer vessels to serve the Vineyard Wind offshore energy project at Quinn’s Pope Island terminal, according to a joint statement by Vineyard Wind and other partners in the project.
Vineyard Wind joint venture partners Avangrid and Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners announced Monday they have today signed a partnership with Shoreline Offshore, a joint venture between the Quinn family, and SEA.O.G Offshore a leading integrated logistics provider, to build out a berthing and fueling area for crew transfer vessels.
Under the terms of the agreement, Vineyard Wind will provide $750k in funding through its Industry Accelerator Fund, which is co-managed by the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC), to support the acquisition of two floating barges to meet the berthing needs of Vineyard Wind and future developers.
The barges will be located on the northern side of Pope’s Island, which is fully protected by the New Bedford Hurricane Barrier, and help developers work during both the construction and operations and maintenance phases of the different projects. In addition to the barges, Shoreline Offshore will upgrade its existing facilities, including the addition of fuel tanks and other infrastructure needed to serve New Bedford’s multiple maritime industries.
“We’re proud to partner with the Quinn family on a unique project that meets the evolving needs of both commercial fishing and offshore wind,” said Vineyard Wind CEO Klaus S. Moeller. “By expanding the capability of this site, we not only secure a great location for our vessels, we also are improving facilities that can serve other fishing vessels and increase fueling capacity of the harbor – a win-win for both of New Bedford’s vitally important industries.”
Once installed, the floats will be able to berth up to six CTVs and meet the specifications of the offshore wind industry, with access to a fueling station, potable water, ramp, and full security. This project will also increase fueling capacity in the New Bedford Harbor, which is currently limited to one terminal.
“This project provides the capacity for the offshore wind industry to efficiently utilize the New Bedford Harbor while also ensuring New Bedford’s commercial fishing industry can continue operating within the New Bedford Harbor with little to no interruptions,” said Charles Quinn, president of Quinn Fisheries, who has been working within New Bedford’s commercial fishing industry for more than 35 years. “By expanding space through increased berthing spaces and increased fueling capacity, we’re supplying two key components that both industries need, so that both can flourish.”
“The New Bedford Ocean Cluster is committed to ensuring local businesses are included in the development of the offshore wind industry in New Bedford,” said Jennifer Downing, executive director of the New Bedford Ocean Cluster. “News of this project is particularly exciting because we’re seeing a longstanding family business in New Bedford entering a new market and contributing to the growth of offshore wind, but also a project that will demonstrate the economic benefits of commercial collaboration between two port industries.”
“The investment from the Vineyard Wind Accelerator Program in the Shoreline Offshore facility represents yet another great example of the advancement of the offshore wind supply chain in the Commonwealth,” said Jennifer Daloisio, CEO of MassCEC. “This project will leverage additional MassCEC funding recently announced for the expansion and improvement of port facilities to serve offshore wind.”
Shoreline Offshore is currently working on final designs and permitting for the fuel terminal and expects it to be installed and operational by April 2023. The company is also committed to contracting as much of this local infrastructure project as possible to local companies and has already retained the services of local companies in the planning of this project.
