An offshore company is investing at its Lowestoft base to make the most of new major contracts it expects to win.

Sembmarine SLP has moved its offshore services group into new premises at Newcombe House and is creating more room at Hamilton Dock in readiness for a further expansion of its 400-strong workforce to support a series of contracts it expects to secure over the next four to six weeks.

The company is also investing in an engineering design service in Edinburgh.

Paul Thomson, managing director, said: 'With more than 40 years of engineering in offshore energy we are planning to take advantage of the any opportunities in offshore energy.

'My colleagues and I believe the investment in these new facilities in Lowestoft and Aberdeen will play an important role in the company's continued growth.

At Hamilton Dock the company is in the final stages of building a living quarters module, which will house up to 140 workers in the North Sea.

The module is being built for Nexen Petroleum's Golden Eagle Area Development project.

Sembmarine SLP is a subsidiary of Singapore-bassed Sembcorp Marine Offshore Engineering Ltd.