Resolute Marine, an ocean energy company, Exceedence, a spin-out from UCC’s Beaufort Research Centre, and Royal Marine, a global salvage company, are each creating jobs in Cork.
US company Resolute Marine is setting up a European HQ in Cork, with 80 jobs to be filled over the next five years. Exceedence is creating five new jobs in marine renewable energy financial consultancy in 2015, while Resolve Marine is hiring six people at its European HQ in Cork harbour next year.
Minister for Agriculture, Food, the Marine and Defence Simon Coveney is delighted with the announcements, particularly in such a niche area.
“It is clear that the decision to establish a dedicated marine cluster at Cork Harbour is encouraging private sector investment and leading to the creation of a significant number of high quality jobs,” says Coveney.
“I have always been convinced that the unique collaborative nature of IMERC would create the right momentum for such investment and ensure that this campus becomes a major player in the international marine sector. I wish these new companies continued success in the future.”
Resolute Marine develops innovative wave-powered desalination systems, as solutions for water shortages in many developing countries and remote communities throughout the world.
Cork cluster, good news for the area
“We’re confident our decision to set up our European operations in Cork is a good one,” says Bill Staby, CEO of the company.
“We have positioned ourselves in the middle of a maritime innovation hub that will yield great benefits for our company over time. We expect to create 25 new high-paying technical jobs over the next two years in Cork and as many as 50 additional jobs in Ireland as the company’s manufacturing operations expand to meet anticipated demand.
“A key attraction is our ability to draw upon the many years of accumulated experience in marine renewable energy research and development present in many of the leading Irish universities and research centres through our base at IMERC.”
Meanwhile Exceedence will provide consultancy services on investment in marine renewable energy, with its CEO Ray Alcorn “delighted” to be based in the harbour. Resolve Marine was attracted to Cork inparticular because of the talent pool in the marine energy cluster in that location.
Resolve Marine was recently involved in the salvaging of the Costa Concordia cruise liner off the Italian coast, as well as the MV Rena in New Zealand.
“The global maritime market is on a strong growth trajectory with significant associated economic and employment benefits and Cork is uniquely positioned to capitalise on the job creating aspects of the blue economy,” says Conor Healy, CEO of Cork Chamber.
“Our geographical positioning, abundant energy assets in supply infrastructure and significant research centres including the Irish Maritime and Energy Resource Cluster (IMERC), our diverse workforce and innovative partnerships, including EnergyCork are all in our favour.”
John Curley, commercial manager at Resolve Marine Group; Minister for Agriculture, Food, the Marine and Defence Simon Coveney; Michael McCarthy, Port of Cork; and Dr Valerie Cummins, co-founder and director IMERC. Image via Clare Keogh
Wave image via Shutterstock
