April 26 - A global subsea construction specialist has chosen the River Tees as a base to maintain its fleet of machines for the oil and gas industry.

Modular Underwater Systems (Modus) has signed a ten-year deal with Middlesbrough-based logistics company AV Dawson to lease some of the largest fabrication facilities on the river.

AV Dawson has invested GBP100,000 (USD150,000) to renovate part of its North Sea Supply Base (NSSB) on Riverside Park to accommodate its new tenant.

Modus will use the facilities for maintenance and storage of remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) and trenching systems between projects.

The North Sea Supply Base dominates the Tees skyline and is capable of housing some of the largest fabrication projects necessary for oil exploration and extraction.

AV Dawson managing director, Gary Dawson, said "The North Sea Supply Base was created for companies just like Modus which deal in subsea manufacturing and need facilities close to water to make the process as efficient as possible.

David Brown, operations director at Modus, said "The decision to relocate Modus' marine operations centre to the North Sea Supply Base is an integral part of the company's growth strategy both in terms of asset investment and the recruitment of highly qualified technicians involved in the maintenance and operation of our fleet of specialist marine trenching and subsea construction support equipment."

Jake Tompkins, managing director at Modus, said: "The location and facilities offered at the NSSB will support both the existing and planned expansion of Modus' fleet of leading edge, specialist subsea construction technology. The North of England has a significant role to play in the subsea industries and the NSSB provides an ideal hub for the global operations of the Modus fleet."

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