On a tour of the Agder region, Vedum visited Umoe Mandal to learn more about the company and about the offshore wind initiatives in Agder.
«I am fully aware of Agder’s position in offshore wind. In every meeting with representatives from this region, offshore wind is always on the agenda. Last fall, we allocated five million kroner on the National Budget to build competence within this industry here in Agder,» said Vedum.
Asked if Agder region expect to receive more money from the next National Budget, Vedum answered: «We will need to put more money into this industry. We are going to build more wind farms offshore. That is a clear ambition from this government. In the process, our goal is to generate as much local ripple effects as possible.»
Vedum congratulated Umoe Mandal on a new contract to deliever more composite structures to the defense sector, announced the day before. Without disclosing all the detail of the agreement, CEO Tom Harald Svennevig said that this contracts alone will employ 50 people at Umoe Mandal for the next five years.
A designer and builder of composites naval vessels for more than 30 years, Umoe Mandal today also offers composite high-speed crew and passenger transfer vessels, also for offshore wind. Umoe Mandals air-cushion catamaran design offers high speed, comfortable voyages with a low imprint on the environment.
