https://ift.tt/HCEigGW
Kordia has inked a renewal of its contract with Maritime NZ to deliver critical safety of life radio communications at sea and committed to signicant upgrades of the system.
The $55 million, ten-year contract includes investment in upgrades of infrastructure and equipment in the Kordia operated Maritime Operations Centre (MOC) in Wellington as well as essential upgrades to the radio sites and infrastructure within Maritime NZ’s network.
The enhancements would support additional resiliency for this critical service and future proof the network for the next decade.
The new contract is a continuation of more than 30 years of collaboration between Maritime NZ and Kordia.
“We see this as a core capability for Kordia and we collaborate closely with Maritime NZ to deliver this critical service,” said Neil Livingston, interim chief executive of Kordia.
“The people and technology that underpin this service are world class, enabling reliable monitoring and rapid response to incidents on the water.”
Responsibilities for the MOC include receiving and responding to contact received from vessels in an area stretching from the equator to the South Pole, halfway across the Tasman Sea and halfway towards South America.
The MOC acts as the first point of call for emergency communication received via internationally designated call and reply distress frequencies. It also provides meteorological information, navigational warnings and ionospheric predictions.
Maritime NZ’s general manager of rescue coordination centre and safety systems, Justin Allan, described the Kordia contract was “crucial”.
“Kordia has been a long-term partner for Maritime NZ, and this agreement is pivotal in our ability to provide lifesaving services,” he said.
In the year ended 30 June 2024, the MOC in Wellington responded to 922 incidents, including 129 mayday calls, and assisted more than 1795 people.
Kordia reported revenue up from $68.7 million to $76.6 million year-on-year in the six months to 30 December. However, increased costs saw the company’s net profit drop from $3.6 million to $1.3 million.
In August, Tait Communications took full charge over delivering New Zealand’s new, $1.4 billion public safety land mobile radio network, which was to be delivered in partnership with Kordia.
State-owned Kordia said it had “reset” its 2022 partnership, would divest its shares in the joint venture to Tait and assume a subcontractor role in the project.