China Ocean Engineering Shanghai Co (COES) (www.coes.cn) — a state-owned marine and offshore engineering services group — has opened a UK subsidiary in Dundee.

COES Caledonia (UK) Ltd is intended to broaden the company’s international reach and support the growing offshore decommissioning and renewable-energy sector in the UK and Europe.

COES international president Hong Chong travelled 5,600 miles to Scotland to officially open the new office with Jamie Hepburn (the Scottish Minister for Business) and Dundee City Council leader John Alexander.

Ahead of its projected global decommissioning and renewables activity, the company has invested around £400 million in ‘state of the art’ offshore construction engineering assets.

One of these is its new flagship vessel — the Chuang Li — with a DP3 4500MT lifting capacity and a pipe-laying capability.

The company’s modern office on Dundee’s waterfront will initially employ up to 15 people.

Norman McLennan, the company’s new director general, said: “It’s fantastic to officially open the doors of our first UK office, realising our strategic intent to strengthen the COES presence in Scotland.

“There’s a significant volume of offshore decommissioning and renewables activity projected over the next decade, and we’re looking forward to supporting the sector from our new prime location in Dundee.”