US firm to supply work-class ROV to UK Ministry of Defence

The subsea product line of Texas-based Forum Energy Technologies (FET) has secured a contract from the UK Ministry of Defence Salvage and Marine Operations (SALMO) team to supply a world-class remotely operated vehicle.

It’s said the remotely operated vehicle (ROV) will complement and increase the existing UK Defence salvage capabilities managed by SALMO and will be used to support salvage and wreck surveys. 

The XLX-C Work class ROV was manufactured at FET’s UK facility at Kirkbymoorside, North Yorkshire, and will be delivered this year. 

The contract includes a two-year support solution, warranty and spares package, vessel integration and sea trials support, a training package and the potential for upgrades and additions. 

“We are extremely pleased that our XLX-C ROV has been chosen to support the SALMO team’s customer,” says Kevin Taylor, FET’s vice president operations — Subsea. “The ROV is one of the most versatile models on the market and has the capabilities required for the tasks that it will undertake for the SALMO team. We look forward to delivering the system on time later this year.”

Kristin Pearson, SALMO project manager, adds: “A momentous amount of work has gone into preparing what has been a complex contract in a very short time. The project team have pulled together and demonstrated a holistic and agile route to procurement. It was a great feeling to sign the contract and move us into the next stage”.

Main image: FET’s commercial manager Simone Pizzolato with SALMO project manager Kristen Pearson.