Fortescue and Jan De Nul to lay sub-sea cables from North Africa to Europe

An agreement which establishes the collaboration between Fortescue and Jan De Nul to provide the shipping and sub-sea cable laying capability of green electrons was signed in Rabat, Morocco by Fortescue Chairman, Dr Andrew Forrest, and Jan De Nul Executive Chairman, ir. Jan Pieter De Nul.

Fortescue founder and Executive Chairman, Dr Andrew Forrest AO, said: “There is a massive opportunity to send renewable electrons from Morocco and North Africa to Europe to industries and consumers who deserve a better choice than the only one they currently have available – carbon emitting, global warming causing fossil fuels.

“Europe, under EU rules, will impose carbon taxes globally through its Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism on industries that fail to convert energy supplies to renewable energy.

“Fortescue believes a lack of cable laying capability is creating a bottleneck in connecting Morocco to Europe, making this pursuit with Jan De Nul one of the most outstanding opportunities we have across the world. It will bring substantial benefits to both North Africa and Europe in terms of employment, economic growth and providing citizens with a choice to use fuels made using green energy.”

Jan De Nul Group Executive Chairman, ir. Jan Pieter De Nul, said: “It is clear that the electrification transition is happening worldwide. Direct transport and consumption of green electrons is one of the most efficient ways to help reduce the total energy needs of the world. With our know-how, highly skilled and motivated staff and crew, and our versatile fleet of construction vessels including five of the world’s cutting edge subsea cable laying vessels we are ready to construct the energy transition.”

Fortescue and Jan De Nul have had a relationship dating back more than 20 years, working together to create the world’s most efficient port by loading rate in Port Hedland, Western Australia.