VIKING spearheads shift to maritime safety as a service
(Posted on 01/09/22)
When SMM kicks off in early September, maritime professionals from all over the world are set to rejoice at the return of this long-awaited industry event - not only to get the complete overview of innovations, solutions and technologies - but also to enjoy this unique opportunity to reunite with the people at the heart of the industry.
According to VIKING SVP Benny Carlsen, “VIKING Life-Saving Equipment returns to SMM in Hamburg this year to further reinforce its position as the industry’s full scope partner for safety, whose recent investments have also anticipated changing supply and service needs across the world of maritime.”
In the period since SMM 2018, VIKING has fully integrated lifeboat OEM and service leader Norsafe, become a force to be reckoned with in marine fire services, launched next generation ranges of PPE and established the unique HydroPen™ system as the market’s leading container firefighting technology. But the company has also invested in digital asset management, further strengthened its service organization, grown its ‘VIKING Academy’ training services, and enhanced and digitalized its supply and service agreements.
“It feels like forever since the last SMM, but now we can’t wait to welcome all existing and potential customers, partners and industry peers to our stand, where visitors can experience our full scope maritime safety solution” - says Benny Carlsen. “Covid-19 surely accelerated digitalization, but there have been other major developments in safety equipment supply and servicing since we last gathered at SMM, and we’ve been responding to, and driving, change. Safety comes first, but to stay competitive in challenging markets, successful operators maintain performance while also finding ways to maximize efficiencies and reduce cost.”
Most of the owners of 20000+ vessels having safety compliance managed under a VIKING Shipowner Agreement have included the concept’s subscription-based approach to liferaft supply and servicing; increasingly, customers are adding lifeboat service, marine fire equipment service, PPE exchange, and LSA on Demand to their agreements, Carlsen says.
“More and more, the VIKING Shipowner Agreement is the favored framework for customers for ensuring onboard safety and compliance. It replaces complexity with flexibility and reduces administration and operational risk, streamlining and simplifying their equipment management.”
OEM competence and product innovation remain critical, Carlsen emphasizes, pointing to VIKING’s development of new lifeboats and ranges of PPE for service engineers, seafarers and air crews. Another eye-catching solution is the unique LifeCraft™ - the world’s first flag and type approved advanced evacuation and survival craft system, capable of replacing lifeboats on cruise ships. VIKING also arrives at SMM buoyed by the success of landmark orders to equip the entire fleets of some of the world’s largest container carriers with its HydroPen™ container firefighting system. Most recently, A.P. Moller - Maersk adopted the solution for its entire owned vessel fleet.
“In a way, HydroPen™ is an embodiment of what we’ve been achieving: it improves safety for the crew, the cargo and the ship, and helps the owner avoid fire related risks to crews and assets – along with significant related financial costs.”
However, operators also increasingly looked to VIKING to cover safety needs “as a service”, says Carlsen. SMM therefore offered a key opportunity to showcase its new capabilities in marine fire services (MFS), following its acquisition of the Drew Marine Fire Safety division in 2019.
Latest News
INTERCARGO report: Safety gains continue but security threats emerge
(Posted on 15/06/25)INTERCARGO, the International Association of Dry Cargo Shipowners, reports encouraging progress in bulk... Read more
Marcura and Sedna Partner to simplify maritime workflows
(Posted on 15/06/25)Marcura and Dataloy Systems have announced a new phase in their long-standing strategic partnership... Read more
Ageing fleet drives surge in number of maritime incidents, says DNV report
(Posted on 06/06/25)According to DNV’s latest report, Maritime Safety Trends 2014-2024 - Preparing for future risks... Read more
Two Damen Combi Freighters 3850 launched for Fast Lines Belgium
(Posted on 06/06/25)The second of three Damen Combi Freighters (CF) 3850 has been launched in China for Fast Lines Belgium... Read more
Columbia: Diversity’s ‘forgotten twin’ inclusion must be priority
(Posted on 06/06/25)Inclusion is every bit as important as diversity in ensuring that shipping becomes a truly welcoming... Read more
Postfix for shipbrokers made simple
(Posted on 02/06/25)AXSMarine, a pioneer and market leader in the provision of advanced solutions and market intelligence... Read more
Veson Nautical and Great Eastern Shipping go live with IMOS Platform
(Posted on 30/05/25)Veson Nautical, a global leader in maritime data and freight management solutions, and The Great Eastern... Read more
Columbia Group welcomes alignment on ETS
(Posted on 30/05/25)Columbia Group has welcomed the UK government’s announcement to link its emission trading system... Read more
Damen completes green retrofit project for BAM Shipping
(Posted on 15/05/25)Damen Shipyards Group, together with partners including Atal Solutions has completed its retrofit of... Read more
NORDEN expands MPP fleet, reinforcing growth in Projects & Parcelling
(Posted on 15/05/25)NORDEN has announced that it has signed agreements for two additional 17,500 dwt Multi-purpose (MPP)... Read more
