Marine safety firm offers gas service for shipping anywhere in the world

Martek Marine has launched Fastcalgas, a calibration service for ship owners and managers that is believed to be one of the first of its kind in the world.

The Rotherham company specialises in providing safety and environmental monitoring equipment for commercial ships. The new service will enable vessels to access calibration gas anywhere in the world.

Ship owners need to prove that on-board gas detection equipment is operating correctly.

In order to test and calibrate the gas-detection equipment, certified calibration gas is need.

Martek Marine has worked with some of the leading names in logistics, including Fedex and DHL Danzas, as well as gas production and distribution specialist Air Liquide, to develop Fastcalgas.

Steve Coulson, marketing director at Martek Marine, said: "In some ports of call, perhaps half of the required gas types will be available. In other ports, there will be fewer, and in some cases, none will be available.

"What we are offering is a door-to-door delivery service to any destination able to receive gases within certification requirements, that includes a confirmed delivery price for a given number of calibration gas cylinders."

Fastcalgas will be offered via the internet. Hub operations in Singapore, Shanghai, Fujairah, Maryland and Manchester, will be stocked with calibration gases. Martek Marine will also look to market the new service to shipyards.

Chief executive Paul Luen recently told the Yorkshire Post that he hoped to increase the company's full-year turnover from 7m to 20m by 2012.