Aberdeen-based subsea installation firm Bibby Offshore said yesterday it would create 40-plus jobs.
Bibby said it would recruit eight onshore workers in the Granite City and more than double its offshore workforce to around 65 before the year-end, with further additions planned in 2013.
It comes after new division, Bibby Remote Intervention (Bril), agreed a five-year deal to receive remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) from Soil Machine Dynamics.
Bibby has invested around £11million in Bril, including the purchase of new ROVs. The investment includes £4million on installing ROVs on its three North Sea dive-support vessels – the Bibby Topaz, Bibby Sapphire and Toisa Polaris – plus £1.8million on similar equipment for a ship now operating in Indonesia.
Bibby Offshore chief executive Howard Woodcock said the investment would put the firm in a leading position in the North Sea market. Bril managing director, Mike Arnold said: “Bril has a strategic plan in place to ensure the division achieves success and the ROV products and services meet the requirements of the industry.
“The investment has allowed us to enhance our service provision with new, more capable systems.
“We have also recruited a highly skilled team who are all looking forward to playing a role in Bibby Offshore’s exciting future.
“Bril will be continuing to employ further staff and build on experience on and offshore.”
Bibby Offshore, part of the Bibby Line Group, started in 2003 with 10 employees but now has a 750-strong workforce. As well as its Aberdeen headquarters, it also has offices in Liverpool, Singapore and Trinidad.