Global subsea specialist Sulmara is increasing its presence in the cable market after signing a Master Service Agreement with leading international contractor Asso.subsea.

The agreement is structured around a multi-year commitment and will see the organisations collaborate on work globally.

Glasgow-headquartered Sulmara will support Asso.subsea during cable installation operations, with the company’s experts providing accurate survey and positioning of vessel and subsea assets.

With both companies growing substantially in recent years, Sulmara’s Regional Director for the Western Hemisphere, Andy Nicol, believes signing the MSA can only enhance the quality of work delivered on projects.

He said: “Asso.subsea and Sulmara have followed similar paths in terms of rapid growth in recent years, and we are delighted to collaborate with a like-minded organisation.

“The teams have increasingly worked together since Sulmara was founded in 2019, establishing a collaborative synergy across a spectrum of intricate projects over the last 18 months.

“There is a real sense of trust and confidence in each other to deliver, and that is something we will be able to pass on to our clients. In order to thrive, effective collaboration among stakeholders is imperative, and we are both certain this agreement will have a positive impact on the industry.

“Pushing for the use of more innovative solutions together will benefit not only individual projects, but will also allow a shift towards more sustainable operations.”

With Sulmara’s experience in subsea survey and seabed mapping, the team will also help Asso.subsea understand the seabed prior to installation as part of the burial assessment process.

Matt Dunlop, Sulmara’s Operations Director, added: “Given the potential variety in ground conditions along a cable route, being able to understand any recent changes in the seabed before work begins is crucial to the success of a project.

“Our teams are able to use the live data to ensure the whole process is as smooth as possible, not only meaning projects can be completed faster, saving time and reducing offshore exposure hours, but also that the environmental impact can be reduced.”

Specialising in submarine cable installation, protection, repair and support operations, Asso.subsea has established an extensive track record of participation in projects across the globe.

Asso.subsea’s COO Mr. Angelos Tziotakis said: “We are delighted to affirm our enduring and robust collaboration with Sulmara in recent years. This continuous partnership speaks to a mutual satisfaction derived from our shared endeavours.

“The invaluable expertise that Sulmara consistently contributes to each project is the cornerstone of our successful working relationship. We eagerly anticipate our next achievements that will undoubtedly result from our ongoing association that will not only benefit both organisations, but the subsea industry as a whole as we work to create a sustainable energy future.”

The signing of the agreement follows a successful period for Sulmara, which recently announced it had expanded operations in Scotland with the opening of a new office in Westhill, Aberdeenshire, with plans already in place to increase staff numbers across 2024.

The company also announced last autumn it had placed an order worth $1.6 million with Ocean Power Technologies, Inc. for several of its Wave Adaptive Modular Uncrewed Surface Vessels.