NHV: New Contracts Buoy Busy NHV
Flying high, flying fast, and flying safe, the yellow of NHV is recognised in the sky as a reliable provider for multiple, critical global industry sectors. Winning several new contracts in 2023, this year will be an exciting one for those aboard and those on the ground as NHV continues to support energy project, building on its unrivalled track-record.
Supported by:
In 2022, NHV – the famous yellow helicopter brand – was busy celebrating its 25th anniversary. The company had grown substantially from small operator to become a large fleet providing services to multiple industry sectors including oil and gas, emergency provision, and more.
Unmistakable in the skies, the yellow branding is a favourite for personnel moving offshore because of an excellent record around safety and efficiency. Achieving 25 years of successful flight was milestone for the business because it allowed NHV to enter an exclusive group – only a handful of independent companies have achieved such longevity.
Commercial Director, Jamie John, told Energy Focus previously: “Long term, we want to become the European helicopter operator of choice.”
Now, progress is being made across various markets to ensure that NHV can continue to soar in its chosen markets. New contracts have been signed, new people are taking senior roles, and fresh industry optimism is buoying the business as it continues to fly high.
TAIWAN
In October, the company announced a new strategic partnership with Apex Aviation to provide for the burgeoning offshore wind market in Taiwan. Locally based, Apex Aviation is recognised as a leader in the regional industry, providing helicopter operations that are safety focused, inline with NHV’s mission.
NHV expertise developed in the North Sea is perfect for the Taiwanese market, and the company is hoping to get to work by the end of 2024.
“At NHV, safety remains our top priority, and we are pleased to announce that the collaboration will also encompass the provision of a helicopter emergency medical service (HEMS) solution,” said Vice President of Strategic Development, Joseph Kearton.
“NHV is delighted to join forces with Apex Aviation to bring this innovative solution to the market. This collaboration will enable us to deliver a safe and reliable operation, mirroring the high standards our clients are accustomed to in the North Sea, in Taiwan.”
Chairman of Apex Aviation, Wilson Kao was excited about the way forward for the pair in Taiwan. “Apex Aviation’s operations team in Taiwan boasts unrivalled experience in managing large-scale international helicopter projects,” he said. “We are confident that the amalgamation of our team’s expertise and NHV’s extensive offshore wind experience will successfully introduce long-awaited helicopter services to the offshore wind power industry in Taiwan.”
Currently, NHV enjoys a global presence, headquartered in Belgium but with bases in the Netherlands, France, the UK, Germany, Denmark, the Ivory Coast, Ghana, and Nigeria. Adding a presence in Taiwan is a strategic decision that exposes the group to opportunity in the Far East, complementing a strong international footprint.
Currently, Taiwan imports the majority of its energy and is aiming for major reductions in carbon emissions by 2050 inline with global targets. 40-55 GW of new wind power is essential, and many sites are coming online already. Floating projects are scheduled for the coming years, and most are expected to be no more than 12 nautical miles from Taiwan’s shoreline.
NORTH SEA
Closer to home, in the central North Sea, the Buchan Well decommissioning project, run by Well-Safe Guardian Ltd, awarded a contract to NHV in August 2023 to provide four flights per week to the project site. NHV champions the Airbus H175 for work like this because of its reputation for safety, the key focus for this and all projects.
“Securing this recent contract with Well-Safe Solutions will play a pivotal role in supporting the Buchan Well Abandonment operations. NHV has invested a lot into the energy industry and this contract is testament to our teams drive and level of service,” said Jamie John. “Our top-tier fleet, including the advanced H175 model, coupled with our experienced crew, positions us well to meet the demands of this critical phase of operations.”
The company boasts deep experience on projects of this nature, and NHV has been clear that it will provide ‘seamless connectivity’ to the site from its base in Aberdeen.
Earlier in 2023, John was happy to launch a new project in partnership with TotalEnergies EP. Again, the H175 craft was the chopper of choice, but this time Esbjerg was the base. Moving personnel and equipment to the Dan and Tyra fields in the Danish North Sea, the company was excited to further enhance its reputation with the major.
“NHV are delighted to be utilising its advanced H175 helicopter to provide safe and efficient transportation for TotalEnergies’ offshore personnel, building on NHV’s extensive experience in supporting offshore operations globally,” commented Andy Dethlefsen, NHV Esbjerg’s Accountable Manager, with John thanking the French giant for the opportunity.
WEST AFRICA
In Africa, NHV was given a new contract by CNR International Côte d’Ivoire SARL – very important considering the company’s ambition in the region. Operating from the base in Abidjan, NHV will deploy the Leonardo AW169 to transfer crew and goods to and from the Espoir and Baobab fields. Scheduled crew change as well as emergency cover and ad hoc journeys will all come under the five-year agreement.
“NHV has been delivering helicopter services in Côte d’Ivoire for CNR since 2014 and we are delighted to continue to provide them with our helicopter services according to their needs. This is the third type of helicopter we have provided to them,” said NHV Côte d’Ivoire Managing Director, Agathe Dona-Fologo.
“Our team is dedicated to providing safe and reliable transportation to our clients, and we look forward to supporting CNR’s offshore operations in Abidjan for the next five plus years.”
All of these new contracts are welcomed by new Chief Financial Officer, Nele Ghesquiere, who took the role in February 2023. After serving since 2018 across various financial roles, Ghesquiere was the obvious choice to replace former CFO Laurent Verhelst. Upon appointment, she said she was delighted and would continue to great work of the company.
With much change in a relatively short period of time, many companies would be considering a lengthy spell of consolidation to allow new norms to embed. However, NHV continues to push for growth, searching for new opportunities globally, and always placing emphasis on safe operations. Across all new contracts, and through all new appointments, the mantra of the company – its core – will always be safe flying operations, and that is what separates it from the rest.