Optimarin Aligns Structure to Meet Demands
Based on planned IMO compliance deadlines, over 50,000 merchant ships will need to install certified BWT systems by 2016 or 2017; that’s about 10,000 ships per year for five or so years after ratification. Optimarin, a world leader of ballast water treatment systems, is setting its sights on retrofits and newbuilds that represent great opportunity for future business growth.
Optimarin today announced global expansion of its company after a period of significant activity, securing BWT system contract wins with a number of major ship owners to be delivered over the next few years.
Optimarin has increased the number of staff by 100%, from 10 to 21 during 1Q 2011 and strongly believes this number could double within 24 months time.
“The BWT market has exploded and we have landed large contracts with companies like Gulf Offshore, K-Line, Siem Offshore, Farstad, Eidesvik, STX, REM and Grieg. In addition, we have been contacted by and are negotiating with a number of major global players,” says Optimarin CEO, Paal Sanner.
With a current order book of 75 vessels representing 75 BWT systems, Optimarin has secured a major slice of the Norwegian offshore BWT market. It’s main business aim iis to become the leading provider of ballast water treatment systems to the retrofit and newbuild markets.
“We are a growing global BWT organisation. The integration of new skilled staff will increase the value we provide to ship owners and yards, and will strengthen our capabilities to further support the evolving BWT needs of our shipping and offshore customer base,” says Sanner.
Optimarin has signed exclusive worldwide distribution deals with over 20 agents and intends to further increase its global network of authorised distributors to make sure customers have easy access to the BWT systems they need‚ wherever they are located.
“Our most recent agency appointments were in Holland and Germany. As the business continues to grow, we will increase the number of agents and strengthen our consulting, engineering, and technical services with additional offices throughout the world,” said Sanner.
Optimarin recently opened a branch office in Hong Kong. The office opening is part of its geographic expansion initiative to increase its presence in strategic maritime hubs throughout the world.
With four Optimarin branches, Optimarin is actively strengthening its ability to provide high-value BWT solutions to clients and partners in key shipping and shipbuilding nations. Offices in New York and Newcastle, in addition to Norway, provide a valuable source of growth and skills for the company.
“Optimarin is global and growing. Our BWT brand is becoming well known amongst ship owners and shipyards from Korea and Japan to Holland, China and Norway,” says Sanner.
Furthermore, Optimarin announces an enhanced five-year strategy with a focus on profitability, streamlined technology and further expansion. The company will leverage its local expertise to allow greater knowledge sharing and cross selling internationally across the business. At the core of the strategy is the principle of sustainability by BWT design which is a leading proposition for Optimarin’s customers.
“We have a strategic business plan to tackle significant growth and movement into other green technology. We will continue to expand our R&D initiatives and provide the industry with the most flexible, energy efficient, cost competitive BWT system installation and technology,” says Sanner.
“Few can beat us on the retrofit side of the business. We have very short production and delivery times. These benefits, together with low maintenance costs and lower priced, standard, off the shelf parts, give ship owners tremendous commercial advantages. In the newbuild market, Optimarin is extremely competitive,” says Sanner
Source: Optimarine
