Turnkey Survey Equipment package delivered to Sandock Austral Shipyards as part of the Renewal of the South African Navy Hydrographic Capability

Summary of the Project

In 2018, Unique Group in Cape Town entered into an agreement with what is now known as Sandock Austral Shipyards to provide, install and commission a comprehensive, integrated hydrographic solution for the new build South African Navy survey vessels and supporting structures. As part of the deal, Unique Group is acting as a technology partner for the shipyard and providing multiple new build vessels – main vessel and support vessels and related shore-based infrastructure, with dynamic positioning systems and navigational equipment package.

Client Requirement

The client requested Unique Group to act as a technology partner by providing advanced survey equipment for the sophisticated survey vessels which are credited as being entirely built in South Africa. The project also includes the upgrading of current onshore hydrographic office infrastructure with new computer hardware and the latest data processing software. A full package, including technical support and relevant operational and maintenance training for the staff, was requested by the client.

Unique Solution being delivered

As part of the ongoing project requirements, Unique Group will equip the vessels with advanced survey equipment that includes Multi-Beam and Single-Beam echo-sounders and Side-Scan Sonar and a Seabed Sampler to recover sample material from the sea-floor and underlying sub-strata for detailed analytical and testing purposes.

Benefits include

• Integrated turnkey solution provided to the client
• Latest processing software for chart production, data collection, processing, reporting and backup solutions
• Complete training provided to personnel for the vessel’s multifaceted survey systems
• Strong collaboration between the Unique Group teams in South Africa and UAE to offer technical expertise and the best-in-class survey equipment