Kordia and Maritime New Zealand (MNZ) have signed a new 11 year contract which will see Kordia retained to supply maritime distress and safety communications services via Kordia’s Maritime Operations Centre (MOC) in Wellington.
The new contract, which will take effect from July 1, 2014, was subject to a competitive international tender process according to Kordia. It is the third consecutive multi-year contract between the two organisations.
Under the new contract, the MOC will be modernised and Kordia will assume responsibility for maintenance of the network and infrastructure previously managed by MNZ.
Kordia’s says one of the benefits of the upgraded technology included in the contract is that it will allow the MOC to relocate rapidly and continue operation in the case of a national emergency or loss of normal operations.
“We are really pleased to have been selected to provide these services for another 11 years. We have built a world-class Maritime Operations Centre that is the envy of many administrations world-wide, and have a team of highly-skilled and experienced staff,” says Kordia’s New Zealand CEO Scott Bartlett in a statement.
Kordia established the current MOC and has provided services on behalf of Maritime New Zealand since 1994. The MOC monitors internationally-designated call and reply distress frequencies in both the HF and VHF bands for SOLAS (Safety Of Life At Sea) responsibilities. It is also responsible for broadcast of distress alerts, marine weather information, and marine safety warnings, as well as assisting the Rescue Coordination Centre New Zealand.