Why do renewable energy companies need a TMC with an oil and gas background?
Why do renewable energy companies need a specialist TMC?
This expert insight explores the synergies between the renewable and oil & gas industries, specifically related to crew travel
The renewable energy revolution
Renewable energy companies need a TMC with an oil & gas background
Increased technological advances, climate change, and a loosening link between renewables and oil are factors that have contributed to the rise of the renewable energy market. An ever increasing number of countries and companies are investing in renewable energy, with the growth showing no signs of slowing. Between 2009 and 2016 the market grew over 230%. This accelerating expansion of renewable energy has led many to question whether the twenty-first century will be the last for fossil fuels.
As the size of the renewable energy industry multiplies so does the number who are employed in the sector, including crew who inspect and maintain the devices. The synergies between renewable energy and oil and gas crew are easy to spot, as both travel to remote and often hard to reach destinations. A travel management company specialising in mission critical crew travel is therefore paramount. Read on to discover the benefits of a specialist travel management company.
What is a Travel Management Company (TMC)?
TMC’s manage the corporate travel programmes of organisations. They not only make reservations but help companies gain control and visibility of travel spend. Additional services they offer include online booking tools, management information, duty of care and account management.
The importance of a mission critical TMC
Discover why a specialist TMC is paramount
A seamless extension of your own operations
For over ninety years, ATPI Marine and Energy has been a specialist in the energy and shipping market. Over 70% of our travellers are considered ‘mission critical,’ as they have to reach their destination to complete their work. Of that 70%, the majority are crew, travelling to a rig or vessel to fulfil operational requirements.
Travellers in the renewable industry have the same requirements in regard to travel. They too need to travel for their role, including site management, inspections, repairs, planning, surveying and construction to name a few.
All companies seek operational efficiencies to drive time and cost savings, and a specialist TMC knows how to achieve these efficiencies related to complex crew travel. Four key points to consider include:
Operational consistency around labour intensive, manual processes
A variety of suppliers and tools makes managing crew travel and crew rotations complex. Having a TMC that understands the processes involved and can consolidate multiple systems in one place is crucial.
Using system integrations to create cost efficiencies
Technology develops at a rapid pace, and being able to easily integrate new tools into a larger platform is key for travel management. Crew travel in particular often requires door to deck logistical services, and being able to manage that entire travel cycle in one place allows for cost efficiencies to be seen.
Complete visibility of crew whereabouts for risk control
Safety and security is paramount to every travel programme, especially for the crew members that are travelling to remote locations. Look for a travel partner that puts safety at the heart of the programme and enables you to be proactive in your duty of care obligations.
Access to specialty marine and offshore fares
Marine and offshore fares are specialist contracts that airlines offer through select TMCs, traditionally helping service the shipping and energy sectors. These fares, offer flexibility and significant discounts and can be applicable to crew travellers in the renewable markets.
What identifies a crew traveller?
Mission critical travel is often to remote and hard to reach destinations. In the oil and gas industry, we associate a crew traveller with someone going to a rig. For the renewables market, we see travellers going to a site for inspection or maintenance purposes, many of which are in remote destinations – think of the offshore wind farms in the North Sea. However, the renewable energy crew traveller typically travels to a wider geographical area, in some instances to more rural and remote locations as they are not confined to the location of oil and gas fields.
The travel industry and renewable energy
Discover examples of airports, hotels and trains going green
Did you know that nearly a third of the UK’s electricity is generated from renewable sources?
The future of travel?
As renewable energy becomes more efficient and effective for use, the travel industry looks to a more sustainable future. Below are a few travel industry milestones:
Solar powered airports
Cohin airport, India’s fourth largest international airport, has become the first airport to function completely on solar energy.
Renewable fuel for airplanes
With solar planes flying around the world, and commercial flights using a biofuel mix to fuel aircrafts, we are beginning to build a foundation for renewable energy in the skies.
Renewable powered hotels
Melia Hotels International states that sustainability is one of the backbones of their business model, and commit to this by using 100% renewable energy in all of its facilities in Spain and Italy.
Solar powered trains
Byron Bay, Australia is now proud host of the first fully solar powered train, running three kilometres on the New South Wales Coast using re-engineered electric bus technology.
Renewable fueled boat
Turanor PlanetSolar became the first solar electric boat to ever circumnavigate the globe.
