Fjord 

Base 

– 

a 

key 

player 

in 

the 

future 

of 

ocean-based 

value 

creation

For generations, those of us living along the coast have depended on the resources from the sea. From fisheries and aquaculture to marine and maritime industries and offshore activities, the region has been a hub for value creation. Fjord Base is no exception, with 650 jobs and extensive infrastructure linked to offshore activity.

“Florø and Kinn have a strategic location close to the shipping lane and the offshore fields in the North Sea. This gives our region a competitive foundation for activities related to the ocean,” explains Bjørn Erik Kringstad, head of sales, market and communications.

Not a choice, but a necessity. Our role is to facilitate the base for business and industry. For many years, we have been planning for new industries within aquaculture and renewable energy carriers. In this work, we cooperate closely with Kinn municipality and its land-use plan.

“Going forward, we need to keep two thoughts in mind at the same time. Although oil and gas are a central part of our operations today, and will remain so for many years to come, we are working to secure activity 20–30 years into the future. The green transition is not a choice; it is a necessity,” he emphasises.

At Fjord Base, we are working to identify which green activities are best suited to us. As we have shown before, we have, among other things, looked at offshore wind at Fjord Base. However, offshore wind in Norway appears to be taking longer than expected. The timeline for reaching the target of 30 GW by 2040 remains unclear.

“Hopefully, a call for applications for Utsira Nord will be announced early in 2025. We are working to position ourselves for this project,” explains Stig Førde, executive vice president of property and infrastructure at Fjord Base Gruppen.

In addition, the base’s potential towards the UK market is being assessed. This includes acting as an intermediate storage site for equipment such as monopiles – enormous steel tubes used in offshore wind farms. These tubes would be stored and transported in and out of Fjord Base horizontally. Although they are on a larger scale, the activity resembles today’s pipe-handling operations. In that respect, it is no disadvantage that we know a thing or two about moving pipes efficiently and safely.

A challenging balance. Developing a supply base such as Fjord Base is both land- and resource-intensive. Major projects such as offshore wind place high demands on quays and infrastructure. This requires long-term planning.

“We are working to develop the areas we already have and to minimise irreversible interventions in nature. It is a demanding balance between environmental considerations and the social value we want to create. The work is challenging, but the decisions we make today will help secure activity ten years from now,” says Bjørn Erik.

Naustholmen is an area with significant potential. It has a unique area of more than 80 decares. In addition, it has sea access from the south, north and east. The island offers many possible uses, including offshore wind, subsea projects and storage.

Ready for the future. Fjord Base is well positioned to play a central role in Norway’s green transition. With a strategic location, extensive experience and clear ambitions, we are prepared to meet the challenges and opportunities of the future.

“Offshore wind is a major focus area, but it requires patience. We must continue to plan and develop, so that we can contribute when opportunities arise – whether within offshore wind or other green initiatives. Our task is to ensure that Fjord Base is not only an important player today, but also in 20–30 years,” concludes Stig.