A SUBSEA engineering firm has secured a £2m contract to make specialist craft for the offshore sector.

Ennsub, based at Wynyard Business Park, near Stockton, will build a launch and recovery system for Benthic.

Bosses say the equipment, which can be deployed in depths of up to 3,000 metres, will allow investigation and surveying company Benthic to increase use of its remotely operated drills.

They added the work will be carried out at Ennsub’s North-East base, which includes product assembly, test facilities and a 3D design theatre, over an eight-month period.

The craft is due to start operations in late 2015.

Scott Macknocher, Ennsub managing director, said the agreement emphasised the company’s standing in the offshore environment.

He said: “The launch and recovery system aims to deliver enhanced operating capabilities and complement Benthic’s ambition as a leader in geotechnical seabed investigation.

“This award reinforces our belief an explicit understanding of customer needs, coupled with creative thinking and technical competence, can result in industry-leading solutions.”

Benthic, which has offices in Australia, Brazil, Singapore and the US, carries out work on behalf of a number of energy companies.

It previously delivered offshore tests on water content and pipeline and foundation design for Statoil on a Tanzanian gas project, and worked with Anadarko on site investigation in Mozambique.

Steve Pywell, Benthic chief executive officer, said its agreement with Ennsub would continue its success.

He added: “The equipment will provide enhanced deployment over a wide range of weather conditions while fitting in a relatively small space.

“We anticipate it will enable us to deliver services to clients more efficiently and more reliably.”

Earlier this year, Ennsub was awarded a multi-million deal to make two remote-operated vehicles for independent provider Rovop, with the machinery destined for the Ceona Amazon underwater pipe-laying vessel.

The Ceona, set to start work in January, can lay rigid and flexible pipelines, boasts a heavy lift capacity of up to 800 tonnes and has 5,500-tonne under-deck space for storing pipes.

The company also previously invested £500,000 into its North-East base.

Mr Macknocher added: “We are looking forward to building on our strengths to become a world leader in the subsea sector.”