Powering Scotland's offshore wind expansion

The acquisition strengthens Maraen’s role in supporting the UK’s offshore wind sector and wider energy transition ambitions. It also enables Mitsui to expand manufacturing capacity and enhance quayside infrastructure to meet the growing demand for energy services.

What attracted Mitsui and MOL to Scotland runs deep. Scotland’s offshore wind industry has engineered some of the most complex structures in the North Sea. That legacy built on a workforce renowned for its precision, skill and resilience, and one that now powers Scotland’s offshore wind expansion. 

Mitsui’s investment approach has always been long term. In Nigg it saw a location with the right combination of infrastructure, skills and alignment across industry to support offshore wind at multi gigawatt scale. MOL’s involvement has added deep shipping experience and global offshore logistics networks, transforming the port’s infrastructure.

Iain Sinclair, Chief Strategy Officer, Maraen adds: “The investment has brought significant benefits to Maraen. In particular, this includes the wealth of skills from Scotland that give Mitsui and MOL real expertise. People have been with our business for up to 30 years, transitioning from the oil and gas industry.” 

Port of Nigg to support gigawatt‑scale offshore wind projects

Now working in energy transition, these professionals were engaged in pioneering projects such as the Beatrice offshore wind farm, the first of its kind in Scottish waters. They have also been involved in major contract wins on sites at Moray East, Seagreen, and Moray West.

The physical scale of the Port of Nigg’s infrastructure reinforces Scotland’s attraction. It's one of the very few UK sites capable of supporting gigawatt‑scale offshore wind projects, with expansive laydown areas, deep‑water access and multiple heavy‑lift deep-water quays. 

This momentum aligns with Maraen’s growth strategy established several years ago. This focuses on developing fabrication, assembly, manufacturing and operation, and maintenance capabilities.

The strategy supports the green freeport status of the Cromarty Firth. It has also been a catalyst for international investment, drawing another huge global player in Sumitomo Electric Industries to build a major subsea cable factory on the site. 

Multi partner support for a bright future

The overseas investment opens the door not just for manufacturing components, but it also scales innovation, processes and expertise in Scottish energy transition.

People remain central to Maraen’s evolution. Iain Sinclair adds: “Training for us revolves around thought leadership and readily identifying where our business best fits in the energy transition space. Our presence at European conferences gives us the visibility to recruit talent, and to showcase our services.”

Maraen’s wider network strengthens this trajectory further. It has worked with universities in Glasgow, Edinburgh and the Highlands and Islands, together with the National Manufacturing Institute Scotland (NMIS), and Skills Development Scotland (SDS). This helps to ensure the port is part of the region’s industrial future.

Aligning ambitions with Highlands and Islands 

A deep relationship with Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) has also been crucial.

James Gibbs, HIE Area Manager for the Inner Moray Firth says: “There's been an alignment of ambition between Maraen and HIE in wanting to see manufacturing at Nigg reach its full potential and play a major role in Scotland’s offshore wind success story.”

Looking ahead, Maraen’s ambition is bold. In years ahead, it expects floating offshore wind to expand in the Cromarty Forth. The company would like to see more manufacturing facilities in the area to support the floating and fixed offshore wind sector.

Maraen believes the port’s future is very exciting, and will continue to attract industrial partners from across the world.

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