‘Streamlined safety’ and ‘convenient compliance’ are key for shipowners at SMM 2016

Streamlined safety equipment procurement, servicing convenience and regulatory compliance are on the radar as global shipowners continue their search for cost and efficiency improvements. VIKING is bringing visitors to SMM 2016 a chance to experience and discuss best practices in the field.

1 September, 2016 (Esbjerg, Denmark) – Marine safety equipment manufacturer and servicing provider VIKING Life-Saving Equipment A/S has plenty in store for shipowners visiting SMM 2016 in Hamburg. At stand #B1.EG.504, the global safety leader plans to combine hands-on demonstrations and presentations when introducing shipowners to both market-proven and new ways to deliver increased safety, predictable costs and cost reductions.

Streamlining safety

“Safety is first for our customers,” says VIKING Senior Vice President Benny Carlsen. “But convenient compliance is not too far behind. So many of our efforts go into helping shipowners to streamline their safety equipment purchasing and servicing. And as SMM attendees will be able to see, we’re addressing these needs from many different perspectives.”

Visitors to SMM will encounter, for example, the revolutionary, super-sized VIKING LifeCraft™, a hybrid life-saving solution for passenger vessels that combines the best of lifeboats and liferafts.

“The VIKING LifeCraft is a great example of figuring out how to deliver streamlined safety compliance in an innovative way,” says Benny Carlsen. “It answers the need for life-saving craft that have the manueuverability of a lifeboat but which take up much less of the ship’s valuable deck space.”

Convenient compliance

On the servicing side, VIKING’s Shipowner and Offshore Safety Agreements incorporate safety products, global servicing, single-source management, and even financing in a variety of customizable and flexible, fixed-price structures. With many of the immersion suits acquired 10 years ago now requiring more frequent servicing, shipowners wanting to remain compliant and (cost) efficient can benefit from replacing them, or entering an exchange program such as the one offered by VIKING. With a VIKING Exchange Agreement, for example, suits needing periodical servicing are swapped with freshly serviced, vacuum-packed suits for a fixed annual fee – directly at pier.

The latest wave of PPE innovation

A new generation of highly flexible anti-exposure and immersion suits for constant wear will also be on display on the VIKING stand at SMM. The PS4190/91 SOLAS/ISO dual-approved suits perform across multiple marine applications, offering unrivalled comfort, functionality and freedom of movement. The company will also be showcasing its brand new PV9522 solid lifejacket that sets new standards in relation to donning, comfort, compactness and compatibility with life-saving craft and MES.

Fast, safe hook retrofits

Addressing one of the most pressing needs in the industry, visitors will also be able to try VIKING Nadiro Drop-In-Ball™ technology: a revolutionary release hook system for lifeboats that is safe and easy to operate, and which can quickly be fitted with all lifeboat brands. With only a few moving parts, a Drop-In-Ball™ system is light on procurement, installation, and service costs – and can be fully customized. VIKING also claims to offer the fastest delivery and installation times in the industry, and can schedule at short notice as shipowners head to their next stay in dry dock.

Changing the training game

VIKING’s safety streamlining programme has more than just products and servicing in its sights. The company’s training arm, VIKING Saatsea, will be demonstrating a new level of convenience in training for STCW refresher courses and OPITO approved OODTP for ERRV. Its 24/7 onboard e-training and competency management solutions enable crew to take the theoretical portions of required training at any time and at their own pace. Training can be tracked, assessed or scheduled from any onshore or offshore location.

Experts will be readily available to present and discuss the entire VIKING range.

See us at SMM, Hamburg, 6-9th September, 2016 on Stand B1.EG.504

About VIKING

VIKING Life-Saving Equipment A/S is a global market leader in maritime and offshore safety, providing and servicing safety and fire-fighting equipment for passenger and cargo ships, offshore installations, fishing vessels, the navy, fire departments and leisure yachts.

VIKING is a privately held corporation founded in 1960 with group headquarters in Esbjerg, Denmark. Products are manufactured in Denmark, Norway, Bulgaria and Thailand. VIKING offers a broad range of off-the-shelf and tailored safety solutions and systems certified in accordance with the latest requirements of the IMO, SOLAS, EU and USCG.

The product portfolio includes chute and slide-based marine and offshore evacuation and crew transfer systems, liferafts, lifejackets, immersion suits, fire suits, work suits, pilot suits, helicopter transportation suits, MOB boats, davits, pilot ladders, signs, and other lifesaving appliances. The VIKING Agreements offer uniquely customizable concepts that incorporate safety products, global servicing, single-source management, and financing in a variety of fixed price structures.

With 2,000 employees worldwide, the unique VIKING network of branch offices, agents, 260 certified servicing stations and worldwide stock points makes VIKING a truly global provider at convenient locations in all significant markets.