Shepherd Offshore has announced a partnership with North Tyneside Council for the redevelopment of former shipyard site, Swan Hunter in Wallsend. The former shipyard is historic for its ship building and has played a large role in the North Tyneside economy.

Offering a capacity of 31.96 acres on the North Bank of the River Tyne, incorporating access and link roads, a wet berth facility, two quays, two river berths and vacant former office buildings.

The aim for the development of the Swan Hunter site is to attract mutually beneficial stakeholders who can bring both value to the site and wider community. This prospect supports the vision to continue Shepherd Offshore’s focus on ‘responsible regeneration’, creating value while producing jobs and prosperity to the area.

With excellent access from the Tyne to key oil and gas fields and wind farm development sites such as Dogger Bank, Horsea and Firth of Forth, the Swan Hunter site is a key strategy location supporting the North East offshore energy and subsea cluster. Enhancing job creation and manufacturing capability, this new facility is an exciting venture for 2021.

There is potential to link the Swan Hunter site to Neptune Energy Park. The site is owned and managed by Shepherd Offshore and occupied by companies such as JDR Cables, Bridon-Bekaert, Royal IHC Ltd, and Baker Hughes Energy Technology Ltd. Engaging all current users to develop connectivity and increase volume, the facility produces a win-win for the area and supply chain.

Bruce Shepherd, chairman of Shepherd Offshore, said: “Shepherd Offshore’s plan is to remain supportive to the River Tyne North Bank Strategic Development Framework Plan (SDFP) by continuing to develop critical infrastructure and capacity, allowing the attraction of world class manufacturing and job creation. The Company’s strategy is to attract businesses associated within the offshore, subsea, marine and energy sectors to the Swan Hunter site to continue enhancing the regions expertise.”

Barney Frith, senior property consultant at Square One Law, said: “We have worked with Shepherd Offshore for a number of years and we were delighted to support Bruce and the team on this project which further supports the region’s offshore energy and subsea cluster.”