Norwegian environmental and technical consultancy group Akerbla Group has acquired 51% of UK marine and environmental survey specialist Ocean Ecology, with the aim of building up a joint service offering for the Norwegian offshore wind industry.
The founders and current owners of Ocean Ecology will retain the remaining 49% and continue to develop the company together with Akerbla Group.
No financial details of the transaction have been disclosed.
Ocean Ecology consists of a 20-strong team, primarily made up of marine biologists.
It specialises in providing a range of marine survey, laboratory and consultancy services for projects in both the coastal and offshore zones to feed into the environmental impact assessment process, monitoring programmes and applied research.
The company has fully equipped laboratory facilities and headquarters located on the banks of the Severn Estuary in Gloucestershire and has recently opened a Scottish office in Oban.
Going forward, Ocean Ecology will continue to build on its UK offering while aiming to utilise Akerbla’s position in Norway to expand its service offering to the Norwegian continental shelf.
Akerbla Group chief executive Roger Sorensen (pictured) said: “Ocean Ecology are one of the UK’s leading players in marine ecological monitoring for offshore wind farm developers.
“In combination with Akerbla Group’s local presence, we aim to build up a joint service offering to cater for the emerging Norwegian offshore wind industry.
“Ocean Ecology and Akerbla are companies with a history of healthy growth and financial performance. We will together become an even more robust and reliable partner for offshore wind developers in UK, Norway and further afield.”
Ocean Ecology technical director Ross Griffin said: “The environmental survey competence we jointly provide represents what European authorities are seeking to bolster supply chains and make the aquaculture and offshore renewables industries even more sustainable.
“We are delighted to partner with Akerbla Group. Ocean Ecology possess specialist competence and experience from the mature but rapidly growing UK offshore wind sector.
“Teaming up with Akerbla will enable us to fast-track this offering to the Norwegian offshore wind industry which is an exciting prospect for the team.”
Following completion of the transaction Sorensen and Akerbla chief financial officer Frode Westbye will join the Ocean Ecology board of directors.