ASCO is developing a state-of-the-art offshore supply base in Great Yarmouth with sustainable practices that will help support the energy transition.
Established in 1967, ASCO is a leading materials management and logistics company for the global energy industry. Headquartered in Aberdeen, ASCO operates from more than 60 locations worldwide and employs around 1,500 people.
The company offers a comprehensive suite of services that includes logistics, transport and freight management, including remote support. It also provides supply base management, port services, warehousing and storage, fuel and bulk supply, marine services, training, lifting and assurance, industrial cleaning and environmental services.
Regeneration
ASCO has been operational in Great Yarmouth since 1984 and is currently subject to a regeneration project to develop a state-of-the-art offshore supply base capable of delivering its full suite of specialist services to all UK offshore energy sectors.
“Our Great Yarmouth offshore supply base is undergoing significant modifications,” says Simon Turner, general manager – Southern UK. “They will help provide an enhanced and modern office environment for our staff and ships agency business, Seletar, as well as a new warehouse where we perform materials management services.”
The transformation will enable the company to develop a new ‘ship to shore’ capability for efficient bulk fluid controls to meet current client demand, and is
a feature consistent with other ASCO-operated port locations in the UK.
The upgraded facilities will enhance cargo operations, receipt and dispatch (R&D) and industrial services, while creating more space in its laydown and quayside areas. The modification will improve the efficiency of ASCO’s delivery of quayside services, while ensuring continuous improvement in working conditions for staff.
Work started in early 2022 and is expected to be completed this summer. The local region will benefit from the regeneration as local contractors will deliver the project and boost employment.
Sustainability
Alongside safety and service excellence, sustainability is one of ASCO’s key commitments during the regeneration project and beyond. ASCO aims to reduce its environmental impact and decarbonise the supply chain and has committed to becoming a net-zero greenhouse gas business before the end of 2040.
“To us, the energy transition contains three aspects: decarbonising operations; providing services and solutions to enable low-carbon ambitions; and supporting the development of new energy projects,” says Simon.
As a key supplier to the energy industry, ASCO is working to support a balanced energy transition to combat climate change and maintain a continuous energy supply. The company released its first Sustainability Report in 2022, which demonstrates its progress towards these goals.
“We switched our UK HGV fleet from diesel to hydrotreated vegetable oil in 2022,” says Simon. “And we are forecasted to reduce our CO2 scope 1 emissions by 46% in the UK, resulting in a 20% reduction globally.”
ASCO also supports clients with its ‘Zero Waste to Landfill’ initiative and has diverted all its UK general waste away from landfill.
Simon says: “In Great Yarmouth, people can expect to see an even higher profile from ASCO with an increased activity and opportunity pipeline to deliver our specialist services in a safe, sustainable, efficient and cost-effective way.”
ASCO UK managing director retires
Glenn Hurren started with Wood Group Offshore Limited in 1984 to establish a supply base in Great Yarmouth, having returned from a three-year stint in Sharjah, UAE with LAMNALCO, followed by two years with Boskalis. Glenn stepped up to the position of director of Great Yarmouth operations until ASCO UK purchased the company in 1997.
Glenn’s roles at ASCO included director of business development in the UK and managing director of ASCO US in Houston, USA. He took a hiatus from the company in 2004, but returned to ASCO in 2011 to lead its southern UK business as regional director SNS before stepping into the UK managing director role in 2019, which he held until his retirement on February 24, 2023.
“I am proud to have seen the growth of the ASCO business under the leadership of our CEO Peter France and the ASCO management board,” Glenn says. “I am proud of our team, who work hard and go beyond for our customers.
“I hope to see ASCO continue its growth to support the security of energy supply, including renewables.”
Glenn is looking forward to travelling and spending time with his grandchildren and family during retirement. “No matter where I am and what I am doing, I will continue to be an ambassador for ASCO,” he says.
“I wish the new UK managing director, Mike Pettigrew, and the entire ASCO management team all the success for the future and thank them for all of their support.”
Peter France, ASCO CEO, says: “It has been my pleasure to work closely with Glenn over the past four years, and I would like to take this opportunity to thank him for his years of dedicated and exceptional service to ASCO.”
ASCO is supporting EEEGR at SNS2023 by providing a specialist suite of environmental services to deliver its most sustainable exhibition to date. The ASCO team will also be exhibiting at the event. Visit Stand 25 on May 24 to learn more.
For more information, please visit www.ascoworld.com
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