Fendercare Marine to Supply Yokohama Fenders to Eastport UK

Norfolk based Fendercare Marine, one of the world’s foremost suppliers of marine products and services, has won a significant contract to supply Yokohama fenders to Eastport UK, Norfolk’s premier port.

The contract, won against strong international competition, is for the supply of 17 Yokohama pneumatic fenders measuring 2.0m x 3.5m to be used at the Great Yarmouth port.

Fendercare Marine is currently celebrating 25 years of trading, having built their reputation as a supplier of quality marine products – in particular Yokohama fenders. Since 1988, they have expanded to become a leading provider of third party ship-to-ship transfer services in the world, as well as a key supporter to the UK renewable energy industry, operating from 40 locations globally.

Privately owned and operated by Eastport UK since May 2007, the port at Great Yarmouth is a modern, multi-purpose facility integrating a deep water outer harbour with a well established river port. Newly constructed, the outer harbour became operational in February 2010.

Strategically located in the Southern North Sea, the port has become a centre of excellence in the offshore energy sector and with the introduction of the outer harbour, the port can facilitate the larger offshore vessels now being deployed. It is also perfectly placed to service the offshore wind sector with available land, significant quay space and deep water.

Jamie Frater, CEO for Eastport UK said: “The new Yokohama fenders we have purchased from Fendercare Marine are a proven product, and provide us with greater flexibility to cater for a range of different sized vessels, further enhancing the attractiveness and suitability of the Outer Harbour to our current and future customers.”

In July 2012, Fendercare Marine opened an energy support base in Great Yarmouth, initially providing support to offshore wind turbine support craft. Due to its success, investment in the base continued through Fendercare Marine Equipment and Lifting Services to include the existing shoreside support as well as additional mechanical, electrical, lifting equipment; hydraulic equipment and winches; lifting slings and load/stress monitoring equipment. The new services became available not only to the renewable industry but to the oil & gas offshore sector and onshore industrial sectors, creating a truly unique energy support base combined with providing genuine regeneration of the local area. It was at the launch of the Great Yarmouth base that discussions first started between Fendercare Marine and Eastport about supplying these Yokohama fenders leading to today’s announcement.

Sonia Wells, Fendercare Marine Sales Manager commented: “We are delighted to have won this contract against some very strong international competition. We have previously supplied Eastport UK with a number of fenders and this new contract is further evidence of our dedication to providing excellent customer service supported by reliable, high performance products. This contract also shows the commitment that Fendercare Marine has to the local supply chain and local economy. “

A key milestone in Fendercare Marine’s history came in 2005 when they became a part of James Fisher and Sons plc, a leading service provider in all sectors of the marine industry and a specialist supplier of engineering services to the nuclear industry in the UK and abroad. This venture has allowed Fendercare Marine to access a wider range of services for their customers than ever before, resulting in extraordinary tenfold turnover growth from £15m to £150m in just seven years.

Eric Plane, Fendercare Marine MD commented: “Our ambition is to ensure that Fendercare Marine is the “go to” name on our client’s lists regardless of what the issue or requirement may be. We want to be able to take what started as a tiny company founded 25 years ago in a back bedroom and turn it into a truly global marine services provider without losing our roots, our ethos and our passion for business.”

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Press release, October 8, 2013; Image: Fendercare Marine