Market breakthrough for NAVTOR, as shipowners controlling more than 70% of Norwegian offshore fleet sign up to NAVTOR ENC service
28th October, 2013, Egersund, Norway - NAVTOR, an established leader in delivering innovative and user-friendly e-navigation solutions, has announced that it has made a significant market breakthrough in the Norwegian offshore shipping segment. A flurry of new client signings means that shipowners controlling 72% of the entire national fleet are now rolling the firm’s ENC service out across their vessels.
This makes NAVTOR the undisputed navigation partner of choice for the nation’s most important maritime sector*.
NAVTOR has achieved this position just two years after the launch of its revolutionary ENC service, which is compatible with all ECDIS, regardless of make. The service is offered for distribution on the pre-loaded USB-based NavStick, allowing navigators to instantly download global charts and licences to the ECDIS, while an online synchronisation feature ensures that the latest updates are always available on demand.
The ease of the service, which dramatically cuts down on navigators’ administration duties, has seen the firm sign up leading Norwegian offshore operators, such as Simon Møkster Shipping, Island Offshore, Troms Offshore, Havila Shipping and Siem Offshore.
“Our goal has always been to simplify complicated tasks and enhance user experience,” comments Børge Hetland, NAVTOR Sales and Marketing Manager. “By reducing the administrative workload for navigators we give them the chance to focus on what should always be their key task, navigation. This increases efficiency, while making operations simpler and, crucially, safer. Norwegian offshore companies, which operate in some of the most demanding environments on earth, have clearly demonstrated that they appreciate this focus.”
Hetland states that the flexibility of the firm’s offering – with both Standard Subscription and Pay As You Sail (PAYS) models available – has also found favour with shipowners.
“PAYS is just another innovation that shows that we understand the needs of the market,” he comments. “It was the first DNV type-approved PAYS service available, levying charges only for charts used during voyages, while making all charts freely available for planning purposes. This flexibility has genuine appeal for the offshore segment.”
NAVTOR is now looking to translate its dominance in offshore to new sectors, such as the cruise and ferry segment, which fall under the IMO’s ECDIS Carriage Requirement (ECDIS Mandate) in July 2014. The firm has already signed up some of the world’s cruise operators, including Crystal Cruises and RCL Cruises Ltd.
“Offshore is a hugely demanding sector, where there’s a constant focus on quality, so our success there positions us perfectly for making in-roads into other segments,” Hetland concludes. “By harnessing the very latest technology we have created a seamless digital package giving navigators what they want, when they need it. This makes the ECDIS Mandate easy for everyone to comply with, regardless of what type of vessel they operate.”
*The Norwegian offshore segment today accounts for 44% of the nation’s total shipping business. The Norwegian fleet is recognised as being at the forefront of the sector worldwide, boasting locally built vessels (which now operate globally) characterised by build quality, innovation and operational excellence.
Client testimonial:
Gudmund Hellesfjord, Captain, M/V "Island Crusader" LCMH, Island Offshore
“Navtor’s system is excellent, cost effective and simple, both to use and to update. Charts are available instantaneously for planning purposes, without having to go through a lengthy ordering process, and, using PAYS, you only pay for the charts you actually use.
“There’s a complete overview of what charts are used, and when, which makes cost control much easier. The updating process is also quick and effortless, with no files to be copied, or emails sent or received.
“The system provides what we need when we need it, giving us a complete sense of control.”
About Navtor
With its head office in Egersund, NAVTOR has a team of personnel with extensive experience in the development, marketing, sales and support of official electronic charts and navigational information services for the professional maritime market. NAVTOR has a subsidiary in St. Petersburg manned by experienced technical experts specialized in the field of ECDIS kernels and maritime software development.
About Smedvig
The Norwegian naval captain Peder Smedvig founded a shipping company in Stavanger in 1915, which over the first half of last century became one of the larger ship owners in Norway. When oil was discovered in the North Sea, the company moved in 1960s into the offshore oil industry with investments in supply ships, oil tankers and in 1973 built the first Norwegian owned drilling rig “West Venture”. The company acquired multiple rigs throughout the 1970s and 1980s and took the drilling company public in 1990. Smedvig ASA was sold in January 2006, and today Smedvig Family Office is an international investment company with interest in multiple asset classes. Smedvig still remains in Stavanger with its main office and with the establishment of NAVTOR the company has reentered the shipping industry.
Media Contact:
Willy Zeiler
Business & Communications Manager
Mobile + 47 906 67 036
willy.zeiler@navtor.com
NAVTOR AS
Torget 1
P.O.Box 337
N-4379 EGERSUND, Norway
Phone: +47 51 49 22 00
