GERMAN safety technology group Dräger has shown confidence in the long-term prospects for the North Sea oil and gas market by investing around £1 million in its Aberdeen operation to support growth.

The company said the investment provided an affirmation of its commitment to its UK oil and gas hub, which is based in the city.

Dräger sanctioned the investment amid the challenging market conditions resulting from the plunge in oil and prices triggered by the Covid-19 coronavirus.

It will support a significant expansion of the company’s rental fleet of offshore safety equipment. This includes fire and rescue equipment.

The head of the Aberdeen operation, David Donaldson, said: “Despite the great challenges that face the oil and gas industry as a result of Covid-19, there is growing optimism for the future, particularly amongst medium-sized organisations that are large and robust enough to weather the storm, but small and nimble enough to respond to new and emerging opportunities that the current crisis is presenting.”

Dräger has maintained employee numbers in Aberdeen at 25 amid the downturn.

The group has operations around the world.