Stronger 

Together 

in 

Pursuit 

of 

New 

Industrial 

Projects

Westcon and Fjord Base Group have recently entered into a framework agreement designed to make their collaboration on future projects even more efficient. By combining Westcon’s strong workshop and fabrication capabilities with Fjord Base Group’s expertise in logistics and operations, as well as access to suitable industrial areas, the two industrial environments complement each other well. Together, they strengthen Florø’s position as an important location for major and increasingly complex industrial projects.

Florø has a long tradition as a maritime industrial town. For several decades, both the shipyard community and Fjord Base have played important roles in this development. Westcon and Fjord Base Group are now taking their collaboration to the next level through a new framework agreement.

The agreement will make it easier to plan, coordinate and execute future projects. For customers, this means greater predictability, improved collaboration and access to a broader range of services within the same geographical area.

“When an agreement like this is in place, it makes our work on future projects smoother and more efficient,” says Erlend Toftesund, Executive Vice President of Operations at Fjord Base Group.

Complementary Capabilities

The collaboration between Westcon and Fjord Base Group is based on a clear division of responsibilities. Westcon contributes workshop expertise, skilled personnel and extensive experience in vessel projects, maintenance, repairs and fabrication. Fjord Base Group provides quays, logistics expertise and the infrastructure required to handle large volumes of equipment, storage, internal transport and mobilisation. Together, these capabilities create a stronger and more complete service offering.

Westcon can fabricate complex subsea structures, carry out vessel conversions and provide maintenance and repair services. Fjord Base Group can help ensure an efficient project flow before, during and after execution. In practice, this means that larger and more complex projects can be handled locally in Florø.

This is particularly important for projects where precision, capacity and proximity to offshore fields are critical. For subsea and offshore projects, installation vessels can have very high daily operating costs. Effective planning and close coordination between the workshop, quay and supply base therefore represent important competitive advantages.

Building on Experience

Westcon and Fjord Base Group already have experience of working together on various projects and tender processes. This provides a solid foundation for a more structured and long-term form of collaboration.

The new framework agreement is therefore based not only on ambitions, but also on practical experience. The parties understand each other’s needs, strengths and working methods. This makes it easier to identify effective solutions when new projects are being planned and executed.

For Westcon, the collaboration can be particularly valuable during periods of high activity, when projects require more coordination and capacity than the shipyard can provide on its own. For Fjord Base Group, Westcon is an important part of the industrial ecosystem surrounding the base. Together, they can offer customers a broader and more integrated solution.

Growing Activity in Spool Projects

Westcon is currently working on several subsea and spool fabrication projects involving the production, storage and preparation of large pipe and spool components before they are transported offshore for installation. Projects currently under way or being planned include work related to the Statfjord and Gjøa areas.

This type of activity clearly demonstrates the value of the collaboration between Westcon and Fjord Base Group. The projects require strong workshop capabilities, effective planning and efficient handling of equipment, vessels and logistics. When these activities can be carried out through close local collaboration in Florø, it strengthens both the service provided to customers and the industrial environment in the region.

“These projects clearly demonstrate why this collaboration is so important. We are experiencing a high level of activity and have many exciting opportunities ahead of us. Having strong partners close by is therefore essential,” says Ole Anders Smørdal of Westcon.

Expertise Built Over Generations

Westcon’s history dates back to 1949, when the company was established by Peder Aaserud. At the time, the business began by fabricating equipment for farms and road construction. The first contract for the construction of a vessel was signed as early as 1951, and the vessel Hoddevik was delivered in 1953.

The business continued to develop over the following decades. During the 1980s, the shipyard carried out offshore and rig projects in addition to traditional vessel assignments. From 1989 until 2010, the yard built large tankers featuring stainless-steel tanks and piping systems. The final newbuild was delivered to Technip in August 2013: the pipelay vessel Deep Energy.

Since 2010, the main activities have been vessel conversions, maintenance and repairs. When Westcon acquired the shipyard at the turn of 2012/2013, offshore projects and the fabrication of subsea modules became important areas of focus alongside vessel projects.

Over several decades, the shipyard community has contributed to employment, population growth, the development of specialist expertise and the expansion of local businesses. Subcontractors, support companies and specialist environments have developed around this activity.

Florø as an Industrial Location

Fjord Base has developed into Norway’s largest supply base and a key hub for offshore logistics. For 40 years, the base has served as an important arena for collaboration between operators, suppliers, logistics companies and industrial businesses.

As Westcon and Fjord Base Group now strengthen their collaboration, the partnership is about more than individual projects. It is also about strengthening Florø as an industrial location.

At a time when projects are becoming more complex, efficiency requirements are increasing and competition is strong, collaboration is becoming increasingly important. No single company can necessarily deliver everything on its own. However, when strong specialist environments work together and complement each other, the entire region becomes more competitive.

This applies to traditional offshore activity, subsea, maritime industries, offshore wind, defence and other major industrial projects. The demand for technical expertise, operational experience and efficient execution will remain significant. Florø already brings together much of this expertise within a strong and experienced industrial environment.

Ready for Larger Projects

The collaboration between Westcon and Fjord Base Group demonstrates how local companies can build capacity together. Westcon contributes production capabilities, technical expertise and extensive maritime experience. Fjord Base Group contributes experience in supply base operations, logistics and the coordination of complex activities.

Together, they provide customers with a more complete solution while strengthening Florø’s position in the competition for future industrial projects.

The new framework agreement is therefore more than a practical agreement between two companies. It also reflects a shared ambition: to make it easier to attract larger projects to Florø, generate more local activity and continue building on the expertise developed over generations.