With expertise developed over decades working with the oil and gas, fishing, clean energy industries and even the emerging space sector, combined with unrivalled local knowledge, Shetland engineering firms are looking forward to working on new and exciting projects for many years to come.
Shetland is used to delivering nationally significant projects with the islands hosting infrastructure, including the original Sullom Voe Oil Terminal, Shetland Gas Plant, Viking Energy Wind Farm, and the new SaxaVord Spaceport.
When it comes to engineering, there is a wealth of expertise in the islands, with businesses and their skilled, experienced workforces ready to work on these projects – no matter their size and scale.
There is arguably no other sector in Shetland that is so packed with companies that continue to flourish.
That is a testament not only to the number and level of projects completed and anticipated but also to the expertise of the engineering firms that call the isles home.
Shetland has an incredible wealth of knowledge when it comes to engineering – ranging from civil to oil and gas, and maritime to construction.
And everyone from energy companies like Statkraft and SSE, space pioneers at SaxaVord, and oil and gas giants such as EnQuest are turning to local engineering businesses to carry out their visions for the future.
Why? Shetland’s engineering companies know the isles better than anyone and know what and how long it will take to complete a job successfully.
Their expertise stretches across the isles too, from family-run marine business Ian Irvine Engineering in Whalsay – home to many of Shetland's pelagic fishing fleet – down to the electrical, mechanical and building experts Ness Engineering in the South Mainland.
That’s not all – Malakoff, DH Marine, HNP Engineers, L&M Engineering, Lerwick Engineering and Fabrication and H Williamson and Sons are just some of the respected firms continuing to deliver across varied sectors.
Among them is Ocean Kinetics, which has provided engineering and fabrication services for more than 30 years. The firm employs divers, inspectors, welders, health and safety staff and design engineers. With a shop and workshop in Lerwick and hubs in Orkney and Aberdeen, Kinetics has exported its skills as far as Antarctica.
With so much ongoing locally in the fishing and oil industry, Shetland engineers have been immersed since the beginning, honing their skills and experience to the expert level that is seen in and around local companies.
Founder and managing director John Henderson said Shetland’s engineering companies had “risen to the challenge of Shetland’s key industry sectors” as they developed and changed over the years.
While oil and gas formerly provided the main workflow in the islands – fuelled by Sullom Voe Oil Terminal - nowadays marine services, aquaculture, clean energy, and – soon – space are just as prominent.
Henderson said Shetland’s engineering companies have had the opportunity to “grow, adapt and diversify as the industry dictated” over the best part of four or five decades.
The result, he says, “is an engineering sector that not only meets industry requirements but can also overcome challenges and find the best possible solutions to evolving and often complex needs.
“Ocean Kinetics is proud to have engineers that can tackle the most complex and demanding of projects in the harshest of environments anywhere in the world,” he added.
A newer company on the scene comparatively is Nordri, described as Shetland’s multi-disciplinary engineering firm.
Established over 12 years ago, Nordri specialise in commercial and domestic renewable energy solutions – including solar panels, wind turbines, heat pumps and house renovations.
As well as that the company has a dedicated team working on Shetland’s fleet of 12 inter-island ferries, a vital transport service taking passengers and freight to islands such as Yell, Unst, Whalsay and Fair Isle every day.
Nordri says it is “local knowledge” that keeps the isles’ engineering firms at the top of the pecking order for top projects in Shetland.
“With so much ongoing locally in the fishing and oil industry, Shetland engineers have been immersed since the beginning, honing their skills and experience to the expert level that is seen in and around local companies.
“Being an island, it is important that we develop to provide opportunities.
“The rise in living and energy costs has contributed towards an increase in renewables.
“Shetland is ideally suited to embracing these due to the long summer days and sea breeze, enabling Nordri to be at the forefront of renewable engineering in the islands.”
Tulloch Developments has been heavily involved with the Viking Energy wind farm and continues to work on the associated energy infrastructure with wind farm owners SSE.
They call themselves the “most versatile” civil and marine engineering company in the islands and can also point to 40 years of experience.
With 40 staff on the books, they offer expertise in everything from pipework to roads, such as the new Kergord to Sandwater road built in Shetland’s West Mainland as part of the Viking project.
Project manager Shaun Tulloch estimates that 99 per cent of the power masts planted in the ground in Shetland since 2016 have been put there by Tullochs.
Shetland is a “busy place” with a “good variety of work” for companies like his, he says, which is why they and others are continuing to flourish and grow.
“We’re lucky to have a big oil industry, a big fishing industry,” he added.
“We’re prepared for more interests, quite self-sufficient, and we are experienced.”
He said the successful completion of projects like the Viking wind farm had shown other ambitious companies coming to Shetland that if there is “bigger work required we can deliver it.”
“We have local knowledge, and we don’t have to rely on ferries for our infrastructure,” Tulloch said.
Does this mean engineering is a sector that young Shetlanders or people considering moving to the islands should be keen to get involved with?
All three companies were unanimous in their view that the isles will continue to be at the forefront of the industry for many years to come, especially with large clean energy projects in the pipeline.
“As we transition to cleaner energy, our young engineers will be pioneers,” Henderson said.
“As renewable energy and alternative fuel source technology develops, there will be significant growth in the engineering sector.
“Large-scale projects will bring a range of new and exciting opportunities.
“Shetland engineering firms are not only well placed strategically, but they also have world-class expertise and a strong track record in understanding the area’s unique conditions and environmental challenges.
“We are ideally placed to support companies delivering projects here, now and in the future.”
Nordri agreed, saying that with the engineering industry “large and growing” it was the time for young people to climb aboard.
“The progress towards net zero at both the local council and government level is creating the need for renewable solutions for the home.
Local knowledge is a huge advantage that companies can utilise and benefit from while creating opportunities for island-based businesses working collaboratively within the isles to ensure there is always a future within engineering in Shetland.
“With the high standards that have been set and developed locally, it is important for project leads to explore Shetland’s local resources and expertise before seeking external support.
“Local knowledge is a huge advantage that companies can utilise and benefit from while creating opportunities for island-based businesses working collaboratively within the isles to ensure there is always a future within engineering in Shetland.”
And Tulloch, who worked in the engineering sector from an early age, there is no better time for people to follow suit.
“There’s lots of big projects coming up to get your teeth straight into.”
From the seabed to space, Shetland is home to an array of sectors and dynamic, thriving businesses.
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