CT Offshore employees were informed on 20 Januarythat Hansen is leaving the company.

"As a natural consequence" of that change, A2SEA claims, CT Offshore will “enter into the managementstructure of A2SEA”.

Hansen has “found new opportunities outside CTOffshore”, the company said in a statement.

A2SEA – itself owned by Dong and Siemens WindPower – bought a minority stake in CT Offshore in 2011, before raising itsstake to 67% two years ago.