UK shipowner Purus has revealed a third domestic base and expansion of its office in Hong Kong.
The gas carrier and offshore wind vessel specialist has opened up in the north-eastern English city of Newcastle, a hub for offshore wind farms.
And the company added: “Our expanded Hong Kong office enhances our capacity to serve customers across Asia. Together with our well-established office in Singapore, it will function as Purus’ headquarters in the region.”
Purus did not comment on how many staff have been added at either location.
It already has bases in London, Swansea, New York and the operational hub in Rotterdam.
A spokesman told TradeWinds that Hong Kong serves as a corporate office for management.
“The opening of the Newcastle office reflects the growth of Purus’ UK-based wind operations and will accommodate additional commercial and technical teams, complementing our existing Swansea office,” he added.
“Newcastle’s strategic location will enable us to enhance our services to UK wind customers.”
In July, Purus boosted its leadership ranks with the hiring of former K Line executive Tomoyuki “Tomo” Okawa.
The Japanese shipping veteran was appointed as a senior adviser to the gas, offshore and ferry owner.
BP boss recruited
Okawa boasts a 40-year shipping career, including spells as chairman and chief executive of K Line Offshore and executive officer of the Japanese giant’s energy transportation business.
He joined the ranks a month after Luke Hendriksen was recruited as fleet director for Purus’ wind division.
He was hired from BP, where he had led the North Sea Marine team until 2021 and was most recently the ports and shipbuilding manager.
The Purus gas fleet spans seven ammonia carriers, four LNG carriers and three ethane ships.
It also has a large electric ferry fleet and is invested in carbon capture and offshore wind construction vessels.
