Jane Bugler
2012 REMOTELY OPERATED VEHICLE STATISTICS FROM IMCA
Newly released remotely operated vehicle (ROV) statistics from the International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) show there has been an increase of members’ ROV-based construction, drill support and cable laying activities since IMCA started collecting figures on a worldwide basis in 2009. Additionally, cable laying activity, though a relatively minor part of members’ work overall, has more than doubled since 2009. Inspection activity has stayed on much the same level as in 2009.
The 2012 world-wide ROV personnel and vehicle statistics issued by IMCA reflect personnel and vehicle levels at two specific times of the year, roughly six months apart – February and August – and provide a broadly representative snapshot of world-wide ROV activity on those two dates.
“The figures represent a ‘snapshot’ and do not take into account any major contract that may have been completed shortly before the days of the count, nor for that matter one which may have started shortly after, ” explains IMCA’s Technical Director, Jane Bugler.
“Our latest figures show that in February 2012 there were a total of 595 ROVs operating involving 3418 personnel; and by August 2012 this figure had risen to 640 with 3712 individuals involved. The personnel figures do not include personnel o nleave, sick or not working for any reason and only include those actually working on the two days of the survey. Overall looking back annually to 2009 the figures show that although there was a dip, or slower year in 2011, members report an increase in ROV-based construction, drill support and cable laying activities.
“Predictions suggest that demand will continue to rise and our members are always looking for ROV personnel at all grades.”
Further information
Further information on IMCA and its work on behalf of its 900+ member companies in over 60 countries is available from www.imca-int.com and from IMCA, 52 Grosvenor Gardens, London SW1W 0AU, UK. Tel: +44 (0)20 7824 5520; Fax: +44 (0)20 7824 5521; and imca@imca-int.com. The association has LinkedIn and Facebook groups and its Twitter handle is @IMCAint.
About IMCA
- IMCA is an international association with more than 915 members over 60 countries representing offshore, marine and underwater engineering companies. IMCA has four technical divisions, covering marine/specialist vessel operations, offshore diving, hydrographic survey and remote systems and ROVs, plus geographic sections for the Asia-Pacific, Central & North America, Europe & Africa, Middle East & India and South America regions. As well as a core focus on safety, the environment, competence and training, IMCA seeks to promote its members’ common interests, to resolve industry-wide issues and to provide an authoritative voice for its members.
- IMCA publishes some 200 guidance notes and technical reports – many are available for free downloading by members and non-members alike. These have been developed over the years and are extensively distributed. They are a definition of what IMCA stands for, including widely recognised diving and ROV codes of practice, DP documentation, marine good practice guidance, the Common Marine Inspection Document (CMID) – now available electronically as eCMID, safety recommendations, outline training syllabi and the IMCA competence scheme guidance. In addition to the range of printed guidance documents, IMCA also produces safety promotional materials, circulates information notes and distributes safety flashes.
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