In Focus: Survitec doubles operations in Florida to support cruise sector

Survival technology provider, Survitec, has opened a new customer service centre in Miami, Florida.

The new 371sqm facility doubles the size of the company’s operations. It will provide round-the-clock sales and service support to cruise ship operators, from one centralised location and with one point of contact.

Survitec says its new premises will also facilitate the anticipated demand for its Advanced Evacuation System, Seahaven, which received full classification approval last year. 

“Investing in this new facility is very much in support of the industry’s post-pandemic recovery, but we are also preparing the site for the servicing of Seahaven,” says Survitec chief executive officer Robert Kledal (pictured left), who was appointed in October 2022.

“Based on increased enquiries, we need an advanced, state-of-the-art sales and servicing site to meet anticipated demand. This will be the primary US hub for servicing Seahaven, the world’s largest inflatable lifeboat.

“The immediate goal is to improve operational efficiencies for the cruise ship owner. The cruise sector is expanding with a significant number of new builds due to enter service for various brands. With this new facility, we are able to provide our customers with a single, dedicated cruise centre capable of managing all our cruise customers’ safety needs. It truly is a one-stop-shop.”

The Port of Miami welcomed more than four million cruise ship passengers last year, with analysts predicting an increase this year as new ships enter service. Thirteen new cruise ships are scheduled to join the world fleet this year, adding to the 20 launched last year and the ten in 2021.