Heerema Marine Contractors (HMC) is to sack 250 staff as part of a major restructuring exercise caused by the crisis in the offshore industry.

The Leiden-based company said around 200 staff will be made redundant from its global offices, while a further 50 fleet personnel would be sacked.

“The restructuring is related to the continuing low oil price and historic low investments in the oil and gas industry resulting in an increasingly competitive market,” the company said.