Subsea trade mission eyes Japanese potential

An Aberdeen-based research body is to take part in a five-day trade mission to Japan next week to explore the opportunities in subsea mining and renewables across east Asia.

Gordon Drummond, project director at NSRI

The National Subsea Research Initiative (NSRI) is taking part in the mission, undertaken in conjunction with Scottish Development International (SDI), which will enable half a dozen companies to showcase their products and services to leading Japanese companies such as Mitsubishi, Kawasaki and Mitsui.

They will also network with Japanese technical societies and industry bodies. In particular, the mission – which runs from 16 to 20 November – will explore ongoing Japanese initiatives to identify and harvest methane hydrates and how they would conduct seabed mining in the country.

Gordon Drummond, NSRI project director, said: “The trade mission will allow us to gain access to detailed market insights and form partnerships that will help build stronger business links with Japan’s energy industry.”

He added: “UK firms could play a major role in helping Japan meet its energy targets, exporting the wealth of skills, innovation and experience honed in the North Sea.

“There is much to be gained from doing business and investing in Japan. The country offers a stable economy, a reliable tax regime, an internationally oriented infrastructure and is well known for embracing new technology. By continuing to work closely with SDI we can identify the emerging opportunities and seek to promote partnerships with UK companies in Japan.”