Wagenborg receives KEW licence, expanding decommissioning opportunities in the North Sea
Wagenborg has been granted a licence under the Dutch Nuclear Energy Act (Kernenergiewet, KEW) for handling ‘Naturally Occurring Radioactive Materials’ (NORM). The licence covers three terminal locations and marks an important step in the further development of Wagenborg's integrated decommissioning services for the offshore industry.
With this licence, Wagenborg is authorised to safely receive, process, store and dismantle offshore infrastructure contaminated with naturally occurring radionuclides. These materials are commonly found in ageing oil and gas installations and pipelines that are reaching the end of their operational life in the North Sea.
The North Sea is entering a new phase in which an increasing number of offshore assets require decommissioning. By combining its logistics expertise, heavy lifting capabilities, terminal infrastructure and now licensed NORM handling services, Wagenborg is strengthening its position as a full-service decommissioning partner for operators and contractors active in the region.
Strategic opportunities for customers in Eemshaven and Delfzijl
The strategic locations of Eemshaven and Delfzijl play a key role in this development. Both ports offer direct access to the North Sea and are well positioned to support the transportation, temporary storage, dismantling and recycling of offshore structures. The addition of licensed NORM handling capabilities enables Wagenborg to offer customers a broader and more integrated decommissioning solution closer to where offshore assets return to shore.
For customers, this means access to a single partner capable of coordinating multiple stages of the decommissioning process. From offshore logistics and transport to onshore handling, storage and dismantling of NORM-contaminated infrastructure, Wagenborg can now support projects with an even more comprehensive service offering. This contributes to efficient project execution, reduced interfaces between contractors and a strong focus on safety and regulatory compliance.
The licence also supports Wagenborg's ambition to contribute to the responsible transition of the North Sea energy sector. As offshore energy assets reach the end of their lifecycle, sustainable dismantling, material recovery and safe waste management become increasingly important. The new KEW licence enables Wagenborg to play a larger role in this growing market while helping customers meet their environmental and regulatory obligations.
As Tom Thomson, Manager Decommissioning & Business Development at Wagenborg Offshore, explains:
With the granting of the KEW licence, we strengthen our position as an integrated decommissioning partner and expand our services with the safe reception, conversion, storage and dismantling of NORM-contaminated offshore infrastructure.
