Fugro to Open ‘Hydrography Center of Excellence’
(Image: Fugro)
Fugro has announced plans to establish a Hydrography Center of Excellence for the Americas, utilizing specialist resources including autonomous vessels and aircraft, integrated data acquisition techniques, remote processing and large data transfer to reduce risk, increase accuracy and streamline project timelines for clients.
With the opening of the Houston-based center, which will handle a wide range of hydrographic project types, including nautical charting, cable routing and Law of the Sea boundary claims, Fugro said it is formalizing its coastal zone mapping services using complimentary geophysical and geotechnical techniques to benefit a wide range of applications including resource development, infrastructure siting, coastal management and emergency response.
The center also supports Fugro’s strategic focus on growth in this market sector. Establishing the Hydrography Center of Excellence is part of Fugro’s reorganization of its hydrography services in the Americas, relocating key staff and assets from its San Diego office to its U.S. headquarters in Houston.
“The need for hydrography services continues to increase,” said Fugro USA President Ed Saade. He cited as evidence the company’s recent collection of more than 1 million km² of high resolution bathymetry data annually, as well as involvement with seabed mapping initiatives such as the Shell Discovery XPRIZE and Seabed 2030. “Our new structure will allow us to meet growing demands for hydrography data, participate in important industry programs and maintain focus on our core customers, most specifically NOAA.”
To support these efforts, David Millar has been appointed to serve as government accounts director for the region. He will be responsible for growing and diversifying Fugro’s government portfolio in both Land and Marine Divisions across the Americas, with a strategic emphasis on coastal zone management. Millar formerly served as the regional hydrography service line director, and is relocating from San Diego to the Washington, D.C., area.
Filling Millar’s former post is Mark MacDonald. A professional engineer in geomatics, MacDonald has 20+ years with Fugro, conducting and leading projects throughout the world, and recently serving as the director of operations in San Diego. He is relocating to Houston and in his new role as the regional service line director, will not only oversee Fugro’s hydrographic service line in the Americas, but also will coordinate with Fugro’s global business development team to generate multi-disciplined opportunities across all business and service lines.
February 2024
