Loc Group News

Energy and marine consultancy AqualisBraemar LOC Group has completed the acquisition of the UK operations of ship design and marine consultancy company OSD-IMT from Damen Shipyard Group.OSD-IMT is a specialist consultancy in ship design for new build, refit, and conversion projects. The company operates the renewables, maritime, defense, and offshore oil and gas sectors. In particular, the company specializes in newbuild construction, support, and supply vessels for the offshore energy industry…

Offshore energy and marine consultancy AqualisBraemar has completed the acquisition of the marine and engineering consulting firm LOC Group (London Offshore Consultants).Oslo-listed AqualisBraemar announced the completion of the transaction on Tuesday, saying the acquisition created "a leading global independent offshore energy and marine consultancy."As part of the transaction, originally announced on November 23, AqualisBraemar acquired 100 percent of the shares in Neptune Midco 1 Limited from the ultimate parent company of the LOC Group…

Offshore energy and marine consultancy AqualisBraemar will acquire marine and engineering consulting firm LOC Group (London Offshore Consultants).Oslo-listed group AqualisBraemar, which offers consultancy services to the offshore energy industries, said Monday that the acquisition would create "a leading global independent offshore energy and marine consultancy."David Wells, CEO of AqualisBraemar, said: "Our strategy is clear; we want to grow through continued expansion in the rapidly growing offshore renewables industry…

Longitude Engineering, an LOC Group company, has said it has provided concept and basic design services, as well as construction specification for yard engagement and procurement activities, for a new DP2 cable lay ship for Woen Jinn Harbor Engineering (Woen Jinn), in Taiwan. Prior to the design, Longitude also provided an evaluation on the company’s current assets and potential conversions to meet the operational criteria, Longitude said Monday.The DP2 oceangoing vessel design…

LOC Group, a provider of services to the offshore oil and gas industry, announced it has become the third-party provider for marine assurance and inspection with BP Egypt.LOC Egypt has been awarded a two-year marine assurance and inspection contract by BP Egypt. This is the first time LOC Egypt has been awarded work by BP, the major oil and gas operator in Egypt. The First vessel inspection is expected to commence imminently to ensure efficient participation in their offshore campaign/Project.Tamer Gamil, LOC Egypt Country Manager, said, “This is the first agreement we have won with BP Egypt, which demonstrates the considerable progress we have made as an organization since opening our office here in January 2018.”R V Ahilan…

London Offshore Consultants (LOC) Group announced the appointment of Nikos Benetis as Group Director of Hull & Machinery and Due Diligence Services.Nikos has been with LOC since 2017, previously in the role of Director of Financial Institution Advisory Services, and takes on his new role as part of the Group’s ongoing initiative to structure its shipping division to reflect the changes in the industry and client’s needs.According to a press release from the marine and engineering consultancy to the world’s shipping and offshore energy industries, Nikos has over 20 years’ experience in the Maritime and Finance Industries, which include several years at Lloyd’s Register and at RBS as Director of Distribution…

LOC Group’s Houston office provides perspective on decommissioning developments in the Gulf of Mexico.The Gulf of Mexico basin covers approximately 1.6 million km2 and is one of the most important petroleum production regions in the world. A significant portion of the area is shallow continental shelf waters. These areas were developed first by oil companies, with deeper water development only being undertaken once the ‘easier’ sites had been exploited. Many years on, numerous…

It’s not where you are, it’s where you should not be that mattersCaptain Whyte, a leading marine accident analyst at LOC Group, an independent marine and engineering consultancy which provides services to the shipping and offshore energy industries, explains how electronic data is making accident investigation clearer by providing irrefutable evidence.“Fundamentally, situational awareness underpins everything we do”, said Captain Whyte. “Whether that’s crossing the road or driving ships at sea. We need to know where we are, what we’re doing and where we are going.

LOC Group has today announced the appointment of Dr RV Ahilan to the position of joint CEO, alongside Jerome Rutler. Ahilan brings a strong strategic and technical understanding of LOC's key offshore markets to the leadership team. Over a 30-year career in maritime, oil and gas and renewable energy consulting, Ahilan served as Executive Vice President of the Renewables Advisory Division at DNV GL, President of GL Garrad Hassan and MD of GL Noble Denton in Americas and Europe before he joined LOC Group in February 2016. Commenting on his appointment, Ahilan said: "We must be prepared as a business to serve our industry as it continues to evolve, and to provide support to all our clients for the successful construction and operation of shipping, energy and power assets.

Following the success of the inaugural Asian Marine Casualty Forum (AMCF) in 2015 and by popular demand, the bi-annual industry forum aimed at addressing the current crises in maritime casualty management, is back for the second time running and officially launched in Singapore today. The much welcomed not-for–profit event with its“arranged by the industry for the industry” feature remains and already, sponsorship response has been well beyond expectations. LOC Group (LOC), the leading international maritime consultancy group, will once again be hosting the forum, a cornerstone event of the forthcoming Singapore Maritime Week (22-28 April 2017) – which gathers the international maritime community in Singapore for a week-long of conferences…

One of the most common areas of bulk oil cargo claims is cargo contamination which occurs during the transfer of bulk liquid cargoes, says  Captain Paul D. Hall, Director, London Offshore Consultants, IUMI Professional Partner, LOC Group. Cargo contamination can be of either ship or shore origin. To minimise shipboard risk, all pipelines, valves, pumps and tanks should be properly cleaned and drained ready to load the next cargo. The manifolds must be clearly labelled and the minimum amounts of ship’s pipelines used onboard with the appropriate two valve segregation to non-compatible grades. Shoreside contamination could occur as a result of incorrect hose/chicksan connection and manifold line ups…

International marine and engineering consultancy LOC Group has appointed Jerome Rutler to the newly created post of Group Chief Operating Officer, responsible for LOC’s global operations including marine assurance and risk, energy and shipping sectors. Rutler has worked for more than 20 years in the oil and gas, petrochemicals and marine industries for a variety of companies, EPCI (engineering, procurement, construction and installation), consultancy and technical advisory. He also has experience as a company director, with particular expertise in management, operations and strategy. Rutler joins LOC from Bureau Veritas where he has worked for 13 years, most recently as vice president, corporate development for the Marine, Oil and Gas division.

Marine and engineering consultancy LOC Group and marine survey experts Studio Navale Canepa (SNC) have entered a collaboration agreement whereby the two organizations will combine expertise and global networks to offer casualty services to the Italian market. SNC specializes in providing hull and machinery related casualty surveying services to the Italian insurance and shipping sectors through its in-house team, supported by a network of trusted associates. Joining forces with the LOC world-wide network extends SNC’s reach allowing it to deliver more cost-effective, global services to the Italian community. Meanwhile, LOC will benefit from working alongside a company that is established in the Italian shipping and insurance markets.

Leading international marine and engineering consultancy LOC Group has announced a collaboration agreement with marine survey experts Studio Navale Canepa (SNC) of Italy. Together the two organisations are combining expertise and their global networks to offer unrivalled casualty services to the Italian market. SNC specialises in providing Hull & Machinery related casualty surveying services to the Italian insurance and shipping sectors through its in-house team, supported by a network of trusted associates. Joining forces with the LOC world-wide network significantly extends SNC’s reach allowing it to deliver more cost-effective, global services to the Italian community.

In line with LOC’s continual global growth and strengthening of the senior management team,  Britain has been appointed as Managing Director of the London operation. Jonathan Britain joins LOC as Managing Director, LOC London having previously headed-up Bureau Veritas’s UK industry division. A mechanical engineer by background, he brings with him a wealth of operational management expertise. Prior to Bureau Veritas, he worked for GL Noble Denton, Germanischer Lloyd and Advantica. Established over 36 years ago, London is the largest of the LOC’s offices and the focal point for the provision of consultancy and advice to the maritime and offshore industries. Insurance, legal and offshore clients are amongst the many sectors served by the London office.

Global marine engineering consultancy LOC Group (London Offshore Consultants) announced appointments in two new positions; John Quarrington has joined the company in London as Group Marine Warranty Surveying Manager and Mark McGurran has been appointed to the Singapore office in the role of Asia Regional Hull & Machinery Coordinator. John Quarrington is based in London where he will be supporting the Group Energy Services Director (Alex Harrison) with the continued development of LOC’s global marine warranty surveying activities across its 33 offices. A master mariner by background, John has worked for large engineering consultancies and oil companies around the world taking the lead on a range of oil and gas projects.

The basic nature of maritime casualties, salvage and wreck removal has evolved rapidly over the last few years. Ships and offshore constructions have become more technologically elaborate, and in many cases simply bigger and more complex than ever. There isincreasing concern about whether current international legislation and industry practices cancope with the issues. Many are skeptical regarding the fundamental format of casualty contracts, questioning if they are justchronically outdated. Nick Haslam, Shipping Director of leading international maritime consultants, the LOC Group, is convinced initiatives to improve casualty management and create a better understanding between all parties must be heard, debated and positively supported.

An industry forum aimed at producing a practical response to the current crises in maritime casualty management was officially launched in Singapore today. LOC Group (LOC), the leading international maritime consultancy group, is set to host the forum, the first of its kind, as a cornerstone gathering during the forthcoming Singapore Maritime Week (April 20-24, 2015). Singapore is the perfect location for this initiative being one of the busiest hubs for shipping and a centre of excellence for the management of casualties in the region. The two day meet is intended for global industry leaders from all parties involved in marine casualties. It takes place on Thursday and Friday April 23 and 24 at Singapore’s prestigious Fullerton Hotel.

London Offshore Consultants, a global leader in marine and engineering consultancy for the shipping and offshore energy sectors, has further expanded its footprint in Asia, successfully registering LOC Seoul and opening the company's first office in South Korea. "Initially concentrating on the vibrant energy markets, our ultimate objective is for LOC Seoul to cover all aspects of our work," said Captain Jon Walker, Regional Head of Asia for the LOC Group. "We currently work with many Korean shipyards undertaking offshore construction for global projects. There is also substantial international work undertaken by Korean offshore companies insured domestically, so LOC Seoul will now be able to service these clients directly. We have already received our first major job.

Dr Robin Bidwell CBE has been appointed as LOC Group chairman informs the London-headquartered international marine and engineering consultancy and survey company. LOC add that for 35 years, Dr Bidwell built and led Environmental Resources Management (ERM) the global environmental advisory firm employing more than 5000 employees in over 40 countries. He currently holds a number of non-executive appointments (private sector, public sector and charities) and was awarded a CBE in 1999 for services to the environment.

Global marine engineering consultancy LOC Group announced Dr. Robin Bidwell, CBE as its nonexecutive chairman. For 35 years, Dr. Bidwell built and led Environmental Resources Management (ERM) the global environmental advisory firm employing more than 5000 employees in over 40 countries. He currently holds a number of nonexecutive appointments (private sector, public sector and charities) and was awarded a CBE in 1999 for services to the environment. Dr. Bidwell’s appointment is a further commitment to LOC’s global development.

London Offshore Consultants (LOC), a global marine and engineering consultant for the shipping and offshore energy sectors, announces plans to increase its presence in Australia. Identifying a strategic growth plan which allows the group to maintain quality and improve client response time, satellite operations, firstly in Sydney, and then the surrounding region, will be opened to support the existing operation in Perth. The expansion announcement comes in the same month as LOC celebrates its 25th anniversary in Australia.

LOC Group Ltd (incorporating London Offshore Consultants) – a leading global marine engineering consultancy – has secured a minority external investment from Bridgepoint Development Capital (BDC). Financial details of the investment were not disclosed. Established in 1979, LOC Group operates from 30 offices located around the globe across six continents and is owned by its employees using a quasi-partnership model. Headquartered in London, LOC employs over 400 staff including master mariners, naval architects, and marine and structural engineers. In its energy division, LOC is a top three global provider of marine warranty surveys for the transport and installation of offshore capital equipment with customers comprising oil & gas majors, independents and national oil companies.