Marine Institute welcomes new marine jobs & maritime training contract

Kildare-based underwater technology company Cathx Ocean announced last Wednesday that it expects to create 50 high-tech marine jobs over the next two years having just completed a deal to supply US based Bluefin Robotics with their subsea camera and laser based imaging technology.

Last week also saw Ireland’s maritime training college sign a €2m training contract with one of the world’s largest shipping companies Chevron Shipping. The National Maritime College of Ireland (NMCI) and GAC, a global shipping, logistics and marine services provider will train 450 officers with Chevron Shipping under a four year contract.

Biomarine Ingredients Ireland, a joint venture between Norwegian firm Biomarine Science Technology and Killybegs Fisherman’s Organisation held an information launch of their plans build the largest marine food ingredients plant in the world in Killybegs, Co. Donegal. The plant will extract high-end proteins, oils and calcium from species such as boarfish for use as food ingredients. They expect to create up to 70 jobs in Killybegs, as well as up to 50 construction jobs.

Dr Peter Heffernan, CEO Marine Institute welcomed the announcements saying:

“News of 50 marine-tech jobs to be created by Cathx Ocean in Kildare, a €2m maritime training contract with the NMCI, and plans for a marine food ingredient plant in Donegal, shows that Ireland is a great place to do marine business right now. We have a growing number of high tech marine and ocean energy companies developing novel products and services for international markets. We’re also gaining an international reputation for maritime training and development. This is a great example of what  sets out to achieve, by harnessing market opportunities to secure economic recovery and growth.”

Cathx Ocean was one of the first members of the SmartOcean Cluster, a Marine Institute led initiative to develop a vibrant marine technology sector in Ireland. Cathx Ocean has grown from strength to strength over recent years specialising in the design, manufacture and supply of advanced imaging solutions for the subsea environment targeting global industries such as Oil and Gas, Security and Defence and Oceanographic Research.

Dr. Edel O’Connor, National Coordinator of the Advanced Marine Technology Programme said:

“It’s fantastic to see the growth and development of an SME like Cathx Ocean. It gives great confidence to other companies in the SmartOcean cluster and it shows that we have the expertise and capability here in Ireland to develop new marine products and services for global marine markets”.

The Cathx Ocean M12 imaging system aboard the AUV extracts information in real-time from the underwater images it collects and uses it to provide critical decision-making data to the AUV, thus saving Bluefin customers time and money. Cathx Ocean’s technology is also used on the Marine Institute’s Remote Operated Vehicle, the Holland 1.

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Note to Editor

About SmartOcean

SmartOcean is an initiative led by the Marine institute aimed at catalysing the development of high value products and services by creating a critical mass of research and development activities in Marine ICT. SmartOcean seeks develop to Ireland’s natural marine resources and specialist expertise in Marine Science and ICT. This includes the delivery of next generation technology products and services for marine sectors such as aquaculture, environmental monitoring, shipping and security, marine renewable energy, tourism, and oil and gas.