LOC Seoul opens, Korean country manager appointed London Offshore Consultants, a global company in marine and engineering consultancy for the shipping and offshore energy sectors, has further expanded its footprint in Asia, successfully registering LOC Seoul and opening the company's first office in South Korea.
"Initially concentrating on the vibrant energy markets, our ultimate objective is for LOC Seoul to cover all aspects of our work," said Captain Jon Walker, Regional Head of Asia for the LOC Group.
"We currently work with many Korean shipyards undertaking offshore construction for global projects," Walker continued. "There is also substantial international work undertaken by Korean offshore companies insured domestically, so LOC Seoul will now be able to service these clients directly.
"We have already received our first major job," Walker confirmed. "We have been appointed marine warranty service provider for the loadout and sailaway of piperack modules from here to Canada."
Newly appointed country manager, Zhoongkeun Kim, a senior engineer and warranty surveyor, has worked on numerous projects in the Middle East, Africa and India. His areas of expertise include marine warranty service project management and review, Naval Architectural calculations, marine and offshore structural verification, and mooring analysis and motion studies for vessels and offshore units. He has degrees in Offshore Engineering from the UK and Ocean Civil Engineering from South Korea.
Kim has begun the process of recruiting local staff with specialist consultant skills to base in LOC Seoul's office in Gangnam.
"One of LOC's commitments when opening any new office is to populate it, wherever possible, with local talent," Kim said. "It's a key way in which the group establishes familiarity with the local markets from the outset, and also brings immediate security and comfort to domestics customers."
Last year, LOC opened a new office in Vietnam. Now, in addition to LOC Seoul opening, the group also expanded its Thailand operations to larger offices. Further regional growth is also planned.