Team Humber Marine Alliance is further strengthening the region's links with the USA.

In partnership with the British Embassy in Washington DC, the Alliance is to welcome the second top-level American party to visit the Humber in the last six months wanting to learn about the North Sea wind industry.

The nine-strong US government delegation arrives in Hull on February 28 and visits Siemens, Greenport and the University of Hull on March 1 and Humber UTC, CATCH, Dong Energy and EON Humber Gateway on the south bank the following day.

"The aim of the tour is fact-finding and gathering evidence on the socioeconomic impact of offshore wind," said Team Humber CEO Mark O'Reilly.

"They will visit offshore wind facilities, academic and training establishments and meet local authorities and businesses.

"It is also another excellent opportunity to highlight the Humber Energy Estuary as a global centre of excellence for offshore wind, and renewables generally, and that our skills and experience are transferable to the US.”

"There is clearly a huge appetite in the States to develop renewables and they are extremely serious about meeting their targets."

West Coast states Washington, Oregon and California will be represented, alongside the eastern seaboard states that formed last September's delegation, and the state of Hawaii has also taken a place.

"The inclusion of Hawaii may surprise some – it's more famous for surfing and palm-fringed beaches than new energy – but the US division of Statoil has submitted an expression of interest in developing offshore wind energy off Oahu," Mr O'Reilly added.

"If you add solar power, the islands can potentially source all their energy through renewables.

"But, like the seaboard states on mainland America, they are keen to learn from our experiences."

Statoil, the Norwegian international energy company, is currently developing Hywind, the world's first commercial-scale floating wind farm of Scotland's east coast.

Tom Simchak, policy advisor on energy at the British Embassy in Washington DC, said: "We hope the trip will be as rewarding as our previous visit. Everyone was extremely positive about it.

"Hull, Grimsby and Scunthorpe really did put their best foot forward and left a very favourable impression."

Representatives from New Bedford, Massachusetts, have since visited the Humber and are keen to form sister city relationships with Hull and Grimsby.

Team Humber already has Memoranda of Understanding for future collaboration with New Bedford, the Business Network for Offshore Wind in Maryland and Virginia Offshore Wind.

On its home territory, Team Humber is now planning for its fifth annual Offshore Wind Connections conference at the Bridlington Spa on May 3 and 4. The conference attracts UK, European and international interest.

About Team Humber Marine Alliance

Team Humber Marine Alliance is a membership group of businesses working in the marine and offshore sectors.

Its 200+ member companies have full supply chain capabilities including in commercial shipping, marine engineering, support vessels, specialist health & safety and ports and logistics.

The organisation works in support of this vast array of skills and expertise, promoting it regionally, nationally and globally and generating major opportunities and business for members.

With unsurpassed knowledge of capabilities in the region, Team Humber Marine Alliance has become a driving force in the Humber’s growth as an offshore wind player. Its influence extends to central government and world-leading OEMs, which it attracts to the area on a regular basis.