Leading underwater training group Stenmar sets up in Perth

28/6/96

One of the world's leading underwater training organisations has set up in Perth because it believes Western Australia offers exceptional business opportunities.

As well, the company - Stenmar - believes the State is the perfect location for accessing opportunities in the oil and gas industry throughout Asia.

Stenmar, based in Aberdeen, Scotland, has established itself in Perth with help from the Department of Commerce and Trade.

Commerce and Trade Minister Hendy Cowan said Stenmar's decision was proof that international industry now saw WA as a prime position at the heart of one of the world's fastest-growing economic zones.

"Stenmar is establishing two facilities in this State which will improve our ability to service the offshore oil and gas industry," he said.

"The sort of professional diving training which is now available through Stenmar's Perth operations could previously only be undertaken elsewhere in the world.

"The company has operated a world-class training facility for training commercial divers and underwater technicians for many years at Fort William, in the Scottish Highlands.

"For two years, as the oil and gas sector in the United Kingdom began to decline, the company looked for a southern-hemisphere location which would enable it to access other regional markets and which had offshore energy superstructure."

Mr Cowan said Stenmar would now continue to concentrate in Australasia on energy, fishing and defence.

"Its seabed classification technology system is used by the navy and by the rock lobster fishing industry - another reason why it has chosen WA as its regional headquarters," he said.

"I understand the company hopes to manufacture this technology in this State."

Stenmar has established a diver training facility at the Advanced Manufacturing Technologies Centre in Wembley. Working with BOC Gases, the facility delivers highly specialised underwater welding courses previously available only in the UK and US.

The company has also set up a commercial diver training project, called the Underwater Centre, in alliance with Fremantle-based Perth Diving Academy. It is the first such facility in the State.

These projects will enable Stenmar to bring to WA the benefit of 24 years of knowledge and professional training.

The Department of Commerce and Trade's Locate to Western Australia has previously attracted many oil and gas equipment and service companies to WA.

Media contact: Peter Jackson 222 9595