OSD expands in UK

IJmuiden, 02/03/2009 1:30pm

Ship designs have to be both strong and adaptable, and so do ship design companies if they want to keep abreast of the changing demands of the offshore markets. The Offshore Ship Designers group is just that - strong, flexible and ready to adapt.

Michiel Wijsmuller, MD of Offshore Ship Designers, says, "We have now integrated what was a loose umbrella bringing together two quite different companies, WorldWise Marine and IMT, into an integrated design company with solid engineering capacity but above all, a strong independent presence in all the key markets. There are hardly any truly independent ship design companies now, especially in the offshore world. Most of them are tied to engine and equipment manufacturers. OSD has the skills, capacity and ideas to tackle innovative projects. It can bring true independence to the table, so that designs can be based on the best equipment and outfit for the job, rather than being biased towards the supply of particular equipment or particular power plants."

In January 2009, Offshore Ship Designers (OSD) adopted a strengthened identity across the group and a more integrated approach to work sharing. Today it consists of design teams in the head office in IJmuiden, Montrose, York, Appledore and Shanghai. The IJmuiden office was formerly WorldWise Marine, now renamed OSD Holland, and will lead the group's tug and harbour craft work.  Montrose and York are the former IMT Marine Consultants teams, now renamed OSD IMT, and leading the group's continuing focus on cost-effective offshore service vessels. The Appledore office is new, and falls under OSD IMT. It will add to the group expertise on cargo ships, tankers, patrol vessels, dredgers, ferries and yachts. OSD Shanghai retains its name, providing a foothold in Asia and a strong resource of qualified staff to service group demand.