HEA Energy expands offshore portfolio with Subsea7’s Seaway7 assets
Abu Dhabi‑based HEA Energy has signed an agreement to acquire the heavy‑transport division of Subsea7’s offshore renewables arm, Seaway7. The transaction adds a six‑vessel semi‑submersible fleet to HEA’s rapidly growing offshore fleet, reinforcing its position in the offshore wind and renewables support market.
Fleet composition and capabilities
The divested business includes five owned and one chartered open‑deck semi‑submersible vessels:
- Seaway Eagle
- Seaway Falcon
- Seaway Hawk
- Seaway Osprey
- Seaway Albatross
- Chartered Seaway Swan
These ships are purpose‑built for transporting oversized offshore cargo such as wind‑turbine foundations, substations, jack‑up rigs, and large offshore modules. Their lifting capacity reaches up to 55,000 tonnes, making them among the world’s most capable heavy‑lift platforms.
Strategic timing and financial backdrop
The financial terms of the deal have not been disclosed. Subsea7 has indicated that the sale remains subject to customary closing conditions, including regulatory approvals, with completion anticipated in the first half of 2027.
The divestment is a permitted transaction under Subsea7’s pending merger agreement with Italian offshore contractor Saipem. The sale will trigger a €105 million special dividend for Subsea7 shareholders, while also satisfying competition requirements imposed by Brazil’s watchdog, which demanded the separate disposal of the Seven Borealis pipelay and heavylift vessel.
HEA Energy’s growth trajectory
Founded in 2022 by Hassan El‑Ali—formerly executive chairman of Zakher Marine International (acquired by ADNOC Logistics & Services)—HEA Energy has pursued an aggressive expansion strategy across the Middle East and Europe. By September 2026 the company had taken delivery of 19 vessels and had 12 more under construction, with deliveries scheduled through 2027.
In addition to new‑buildings, HEA has secured offshore wind maintenance contracts in Europe, deploying its jack‑up vessel HEA Hercules for a North Sea campaign earlier this year. The acquisition of Seaway7’s heavy‑transport fleet further diversifies HEA’s capabilities, allowing it to offer end‑to‑end logistics for offshore wind farms, oil‑gas projects, and other large‑scale offshore installations.
Implications for the offshore market
The addition of the six semi‑submersible vessels positions HEA Energy as a key player in the heavy‑lift segment, a niche that is experiencing heightened demand as offshore wind capacity expands globally. With a fleet now capable of moving the heaviest offshore structures, HEA can compete for contracts that previously required collaboration with multiple specialised operators.
For Subsea7, the transaction clears a path toward the completion of its merger with Saipem, which aims to create a combined offshore engineering group with approximately €21 billion in revenue. The merger, however, continues to face regulatory scrutiny in Europe and Australia.
Looking ahead
Assuming the deal closes as scheduled, HEA Energy will integrate the six vessels into its operational fleet by mid‑2027, enhancing its service offering across the Middle East, the North Sea, and emerging offshore wind markets in the United States and Asia. The acquisition underscores the accelerating consolidation trend in the offshore support sector, driven by the need for larger, more versatile fleets to meet the growing complexity of renewable energy projects.