ECDIS Set Sail to new base in Asia – February 2014

Marine training firm ECDIS Ltd, who will be at this year’s Asia Pacific Maritime (APM) Singapore, aspire to open a new office in Singapore, some three months after visiting the country on a UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) trade mission.

The Fareham-based company hopes to announce that the new office will open later this year, creating an estimated 12 new local jobs. The new centre will house some of the latest training technology, similar to that used daily and displayed in the ECDIS Ltd UK Headquarters in Whiteley near Fareham.

Since opening in 2008, ECDIS Ltd has doubled in size every year and is now established as one of the world’s most respected, endorsed independent ECDIS training companies, offering generic and type specific courses for most of the 34 leading manufacturers of ECDIS. The reason for the new centre is to create a centre of excellence in Asia.

This entrepreneurial business was visited by Regional Director of UKTI South East, Lewis Scott, who heard more about how the firm is planning this exciting overseas venture.

Nick Lambert, Non-Executive Director of ECDIS, said:

“The transition to digital navigation is a complex and challenging technological and HR issue for shipping companies, so the training we provide is in demand. The Far East is widely regarded as the fastest growing region of the shipping industry and Singapore is an excellent regional hub.

“UKTI have been very supportive throughout the planning process in Singapore and the UK; we’ve gained great benefit from their advice, funding regimes and international network – the tools we need to progress our aspirations”.

Although a relatively new company, ECDIS Ltd produced the world’s first independent ECDIS manual for operators and the world’s first comprehensive ECDIS procedures guide for digital ships. ECDIS Ltd provide trusted advice to approximately 100 shipping companies for ECDIS purchasing, training and charting support, owns one of the world’s largest independent websites on ECDIS regulations and have liaised with just under 4000
people and organisations, ranging from individuals and small yachts, to major shipping companies and governments. Lewis Scott, Regional Director of UKTI South East, said:

“ECDIS Ltd exhibits an admirable entrepreneurial spirit with expansion plans that will benefit the company and help their continued growth.

“They are a great example of an already successful company who have the ambition to grow their international operations. It was good to hear from the ECDIS Ltd team and learn what support they will continue to need from UKTI to push their operations further and we look forward to working with them to provide all the help and assistance necessary.

“We want to help other firms to follow their lead so interested companies are recommended to contact UKTI South East on 08452 789 600 or visit ukti.gov.uk”

Mark Broster, Managing Director of ECDIS Ltd and Nick Lambert, Non-Executive Director of ECDIS Ltd have several meetings planned during their visit to Singapore this March, to meet with successful companies and businesses to discuss the plans to open a new Centre of Excellence in Asia.

Ends

The Enav Centre

The Enav Centre supports the provision of maritime training courses. In the pursuit of maritime excellence they offer a diverse portfolio of bridge related courses, such as BPC, BRM and BTM courses, and additional courses such as Human Element Leadership and Management as well as Anti-Piracy. Courses combine high quality instruction with state of the art technology in the form of a brand new Full Mission Simulator (FMS) to achieve a
new standard of realism for bridge teams. They also specialise in tailoring courses to meet the demands of the customer. The Enav Centre is the home of ECDIS Ltd (the world’s trusted ECDIS training provider), WECDIS and ECDIS Regs.