A SUBSEA engineering company has invested in new equipment in a bid to expand its capabilities and enhance its market position.

Reef Subsea Power and Umbilical, which employs nearly 50 people at its Teesside office in Stockton, has placed an order for a heavy duty cable plough.

The new plough, ordered from subsea equipment manufacturer Soil Machine Dynamics, is expected to be delivered at the end of the year.

The plough will accommodate cables and subsea umbilicals of up to 200mm in diameter and with a three-metre bending radius.

It will also have the power to pull up to 150 tonnes and will be equipped with subsea loading and unloading capabilities.

It also has the capability to cut a trench at both shallow and deep trench depths with minimal risk.

The company, owned by parent firm Reef Subsea, had already placed an order last year for a Q1000 jet trencher, which is due to be delivered later this month.

The equipment can create trench depths of up to three metres and operate in water depths of up to 2,000m, in unconsolidated soils and clays up to 125 kPa.

Daryl Lynch, managing director of Reef Subsea Power and Umbilical, said: “Gaining these new assets is sure to place Reef Subsea Power and Umbilical at the head of subsea installation and trenching sectors.

“The company has already built up a sterling reputation with its work on high-profile wind farms, such as Thanet, Greater Gabbard and Lincs, plus the recent award of Gwynt y Mor project in 2013.

“With the introduction of the plough and the jet trencher, we are well prepared to handle wind farm and oil and gas developments in the UK, as well as in European and Nordic waters.”