Windward Offshore, a provider of next-generation Commissioning Service Operation Vessels (CSOVs), announce a strategic partnership with Marubeni Corporation, a major Japanese integrated trading and investment business conglomerate. Windward Offshore has a fleet of four state-of-the art CSOVs currently under construction at VARD shipyards. The successful launching of “Windward Athens” on 10th February will be the first vessel to be delivered in September this year. This collaboration marks a significant milestone in Windward Offshore’s expansion and reinforces its position in the fast-growing offshore wind support sector.
The accession was finalised with Windward Offshore raising new equity to fund future growth, and Marubeni Corporation acquiring the new shares through a wholly owned subsidiary, thereby becoming a 25.1% shareholder in the company.
Marubeni Corporation is a member of the five Japanese trading houses (“sogo shosha”) with a strong presence in the global energy sector and acting as the developer of offshore wind projects in Europe and Japan as well as various experience in the supply chain, enabling Windward Offshore to enhance its capabilities in global markets.
“We are very excited to join Windward Offshore, a group of reliable and professional partners with a strong passion. We are confident that Marubeni’s global network will play an important role in the company’s growth and that our engagement will contribute to the development of a more sustainable society.” said Yasutomo Miyake, General Manager, Ship Project Dept. of Marubeni Corporation.
“We are proud to welcome Marubeni Corporation as a significant shareholder in Windward Offshore and we would like to express our gratitude to the entire Marubeni team for the excellent collaboration so far,” said Bastian Hagebeuker, Managing Director of Windward Offshore.
“We believe that Marubeni is a perfect complement to our existing group of shareholders, and we appreciate the diverse opportunities they bring to Windward. With a shared vision, we are looking forward to jointly develop the company going forward and leverage the expertise of each partner. Marubeni’s expertise, network and financial strength will be invaluable as we continue to develop our portfolio and expand our footprint in the offshore wind industry.”
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