Leading engineering services company Neptune Marine Services has announced that its wholly owned subsidiary, Neptune Diving Services (NDS), has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Sinclair Knight Merz (SKM) for the provision of bio-security services to the oil, gas and maritime industries.
Signed recently at the Australasian Oil and Gas exhibition and conference in Perth, the MOU formalises the relationship between the two companies that has already resulted in the successful completion of projects in Australia and South East Asia.
Under the terms of the agreement, NDS will supervise and manage all diving-related aspects of the service in support of SKM’s scientific and professional services. The agreement also provides an option for SKM to work with other divisions within the Neptune Marine group of companies where mutual opportunities are identified.
Neptune Diving Services’ general manager, Tim Proctor, said the collaborative service had been developed to meet the needs of both mobile drilling and production facility operators and vessel owners who were seeking to bring their assets into Australian waters; “Australia’s isolation from other major land masses has limited the introduction of invasive and non-indigenous marine species,” he explained. “This service reflects the commitment of responsible field operators and offshore contractors who are embracing the need to protect Australia’s bio-diversity from such pests and diseases.”
SKM is working closely with state and commonwealth agencies such as the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry and the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service and, together, both companies are providing input into the development of new codes of practice that will be released later in the year. This will further enhance the level of service that NDS and SKM can provide.
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