LOC, a leading global marine and engineering consultancy for the shipping and offshore energy industry announces the expansion of its European operations with the opening of its Paris office today (4 August 2015).
The office is the first LOC operation based in France and is accessibly located in the Tour de l’Horloge at the Gare de Lyon, one of two main Paris train stations. Established to manage both global and local projects for French clients, the office will be supported by LOC London as it initially focuses on offshore projects and seeks to develop links with the French shipping sector and insurance firms.
The office will be led by Hugues Delanoue, a structural engineer with extensive marine warranty surveying (MWS) project management, consultancy and legal project experience who has been with LOC since early 2008. Before joining LOC, Hugues worked as a structural engineer for a leading classification society.
Hugues will lead an energetic team of structural engineers, naval architects, pipeline/offshore engineers and master mariners with a view to quickly supporting and developing the market. The team has been working from London on projects for major French energy companies for the past year and will take these projects to Paris.
Hugues Delanoue said: “We want to strengthen relationships with our existing French clients and also provide local services to smaller French maritime firms – having a physical presence here will be very helpful.
Given currency considerations, we think we can provide a more competitive commercial offer to French clients by basing ourselves in France and help our clients achieve useful economies. There is a dwindling number of maritime experts in France, meaning that the market is ready for an experienced consultancy to step in. The current lack of local talent means firms are paying huge amounts to bring experts in from overseas – our new Paris office will enable clients to avoid these costs.”
Europe-Africa Regional Director Peter Baggaley said: “I have every confidence that Hugues and his team will be able to successfully export LOC’s renowned way of working to the French market, sourcing new clients and projects while bolstering existing relationships. There are many excellent French companies with significant maritime interests and we look forward to working with them.”
