Recycling the Northern Endeavour

In another major milestone for the Northern Endeavour decommissioning program, the Department of Industry, Science and Resources (DISR) has engaged Modern American Recycling Services, Europe (MARS) to recycle the Northern Endeavour floating production storage and offtake (FPSO) vessel.

MARS best met the government’s aims for this important decommissioning work after a global, competitive, open tender.

Under the contract, MARS will recycle the FPSO and manage the waste streams, including hazardous waste. The priority is for MARS to complete the work to high safety and environmental standards and meet all Australian and international requirements.

COSCO Shipping Heavy Transport will dry tow the FPSO to Denmark using their semi-submersible heavy transport vessel, the Hua Rui Long. MARS will complete the recycling at its ship recycling facility in Frederikshavn.

Read more about this milestone on the Department of Industry, Science and Resources’ website.

Australia’s Offshore Resources Decommissioning Roadmap: An opportunity for collaboration

Australia’s decommissioning sector has reached a pivotal moment with the release of the Offshore Resources Decommissioning Roadmap by the Albanese Government. This initiative outlines a $60 billion pipeline of opportunities for the responsible management of offshore infrastructure over the coming decades, providing a strong foundation for collaboration across the supply chain.

CODA CEO Francis Norman highlighted the significance of this milestone:

“The roadmap and its associated studies and reports will help to set expectations between parties as Australia’s decommissioning workload increases over the next ten years. It also recognises that engagement between federal, state, and territory governments is essential for achieving streamlined and effective planning.”

The Roadmap’s emphasis on coordinated planning and investment reflects the increasing importance of efficient and sustainable approaches to decommissioning. By fostering knowledge sharing and partnerships, the industry can meet growing challenges with innovative solutions and expertise.

With measures such as the establishment of a Decommissioning Directorate and partnerships like the UK MoU, the framework supports a collaborative and forward-thinking industry approach. CODA sees these steps as valuable enablers of an integrated supply chain that maximises economic and environmental outcomes.

“CODA has been working with companies and regulators in the UK, Norway, and Denmark for a number of years. Having this agreement in place is a recognition that decommissioning is both a global challenge and opportunity—one where we can all learn from each other.” – Francis Norman

The Roadmap highlights the scale of decommissioning in Australia, with significant opportunities for recycling, repurposing, and sustainable project execution. The economic benefits are substantial, particularly in regional hubs like Western Australia, where decommissioning activities can generate highly skilled roles and drive economic growth.

Supporting industry progress

CODA remains committed to providing insights, connections, and resources to support industry stakeholders. By encouraging best practices and facilitating discussions, we aim to help partners, and the wider industry navigate this transformative period effectively.

This milestone represents a strong signal of confidence in the sector’s ability to deliver high-quality decommissioning outcomes. As activity ramps up, the roadmap provides clarity and direction for businesses seeking to contribute to a competitive and sustainable future for offshore resources in Australia.

View Australia’s Offshore Resources Decommissioning Roadmap