Arne Blystad's OHT has recruited experienced executive Tony Millward to run the company's expanding wind turbine generator installation operations.
Millward will join the Norwegian shipping company on 1 January from DEME Offshore, the former A2Sea which was bought by Belgium's DEME in 2017.
OHT said he comes "with a wealth of experience".
Millward is currently manager of the wind turbine generator division at DEME Offshore.
During his 12 years at DEME, he has moved up the ranks as project manager, director of the project department, director of technical solutions, head of tenders and vice president of commercial.
OHT's move to hire him comes after the company signed a final contract for up to four new wind turbine installation vessels (WTIVs) in China last month.
The outfit said its wholly-owned subsidiary — Vind Offshore Installation 1 — has finalised a deal with China Merchants Industry Holdings for two firm next-generation ships, with two options.
Millward said he was honoured by the appointment.
State of the art
"The two vessels being brought into the market by OHT from 2023 will be state of the art, next-generation jack-ups that will be ready to cope with installation of larger turbines in deeper waters, and I am very excited to be involved with them from such an early stage," he said.
Millward added that the offshore renewables market has never been stronger, with a combination of political backing, the advent of more than 14 MW turbines, the introduction of new technologies to store the wind energy and the globalisation of the industry away from its northern European roots.
He said this all means that the next decade will be "bright" for renewable wind and OHT intends to be a key player.
18 years of wind work
"We all have the responsibility to protect the planet and not to degrade the environment, and I am proud to have been part of the offshore wind revolution since 2002," Millward said.
"I will be building upon an already strong team at OHT, with our common goal in making OHT the go-to company and trusted partner for both WTG and foundation installation."
The new WTIVs will have a telescopic crane with a maximum capacity of 2,500 tonnes and a lifting height of 165 metres.
No price has been revealed, but the latest WTIVs could cost upwards of $300m.
