BMT Group

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BMT Group Ltd (previously British Maritime Technology), established in 1985, is an international multidisciplinary engineering, science and technology consultancy offering services particularly in the defence and security, critical infrastructure, commercial shipping, and environment sectors. The company's heritage dates to World War II. [1] BMT's head office is in London, United Kingdom.

Contents

BMT specialises in maritime engineering design, design support, risk and contract management. BMT provides services focused by geography, technology and/or market sector. It employs around 1,500 professionals operating from 47 offices across four continents, with primary bases in South America, Australia, Europe, North America and Asia-Pacific. [2]

In August 2017, Sarah Kenny OBE, former Managing Director of QinetiQ, was appointed as Chief Executive Officer. [3] In 2021 she became Chair of Maritime UK. [4] The company's annual turnover for the year 2019 was approx. £176m. [5]

History

Originally formed from the merger and privatisation of the UK’s British Shipbuilders Research Association (BSRA) and the National Maritime Institute (NMI), it enjoyed tax-free status as a scientific research association for more than a decade. [6]

BMT's heritage includes the water tanks where the famous Bouncing Bomb, used in the Dambusters Raid, was developed during World War II, as well as more recent advances in computer-aided design and aerodynamics.

Employee ownership

BMT Group Ltd is a company limited by guarantee with its assets held in an Employee Benefit Trust. The remit of the EBT is to ensure the long-term sustainability of the group with the employees as beneficiaries. The EBT trustees are chaired by Wendy Barnes and include other non-executive directors from the board of BMT and a wholly independent external trustee. [6]

Notable defence projects

Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carrier design

BMT gained prominence in 2003 when the Secretary of State for Defence revealed the crucial design role of BMT Defence Services in the Future Aircraft Carriers programme. [7] The company provided much of the design expertise within the Thales CVF Team, whose design was taken forward into the alliance with BAE Systems to create what is now the Royal Navy’s Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carrier. [8]

Other naval projects

Another project is the conversion of the UK MoD's Longbow trials platform to perform sea trials on the PAAMS missile system to be fitted to the UK's Type 45 destroyers.

The firm is a member of Team 31, the winning team selected to design and build the UK’s new Type 31 frigate for the Royal Navy, alongside Babcock, Thales and Odense Maritime Technology. [9]

The US Navy’s high-speed Sea Fighter (FSF-1) “X-Craft” catamaran is also a BMT design.

BMT are the world’s leading independent experts in submarine design and development and have contributed to over 70 EU research projects. It has proposed designs for diesel-electric submarines including the Wyvern, VIDAR-36 and the VIDAR-7 [10] [11] [12]

Creating HMAS Choules

In early 2011, the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) purchased the RFA Largs Bay from the UK Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) in order to help support its operations around the world. After extensive sea trials to confirm the condition of the vessel and a major refit to make her suitable for RAN services, she was commissioned as HMASChoules in December 2011.

As a 16,000-tonne amphibious Landing Ship Dock capable of carrying over 300 troops, 23 Abrams tanks, 150 light trucks, landing craft and capable of operating Navy helicopters, it expanded the RAN fleet’s formidable capability to get landing forces and equipment ashore. However, a number of the warship’s onboard systems were still retained in the RFA configuration, so the Navy undertook a three-year project to carry out the necessary engineering changes that would bring the ship fully into line with Australian Navy requirements.

Taking advantage of BMT's maritime defence and engineering expertise, the vessel’s in-service support contractor A&P Group appointed them as in-house design support. This represented the first time that BMT had had such a close and involved relationship with an International Ship Security Certificate and it was a major escalation in their ability to undertake engineering services on an in-service vessel.

BMT's in-house engineering team provided a wide range of essential engineering services and were embedded in the project in order to provide a quick response and easy access to the vessel and relevant Government Furnished Equipment (GFX).

Non-defence projects

Offshore energy infrastrucuture

BMT is an established designer of Crew Transfer Vessels for the offshore wind power sector, with vessels deployed in the North American, [13] Japanese [14] and Taiwanese [15] markets. In February 2024 it unveiled its first Service Operation Vessel (SOV) design, capable of being powered by methanol (potentially the efuel variant). [16]

BMT is involved earth observation for maritime markets, having been selected in February 2021 by the European Space Agency as part of the development team to assess the feasibility of applying space-based data to support the decommissioning of offshore energy assets, including oil and gas platforms and offshore wind farms. [17]

Maritime disaster surveying

BMT has also helped to assess the damage caused by major maritime disasters, from the Piper Alpha platform and the Herald of Free Enterprise in 1987, to the Sea Empress oil spill and the effects of Hurricane Katrina.

Commercial naval architecture

Creating RSV Nuyina

RSV Nuyina is Australia's newest icebreaking research and supply vessel (RSV), intended to support Australian bases on Antarctica. Capable of deploying helicopters, landing barges and amphibious trucks to support resupply operations, and with a large moon pool for launching and retrieving sampling equipment and remotely operated vehicles, it provides a platform for marine science research in both sea ice and open water.

Named after the southern lights in the palawa kani language of the Tasmanian Aborigines, it made its first voyage to Antarctica for the 2020-21 summer season, where it acted as the main lifeline for Australia’s Antarctic and sub-Antarctic research stations and the central platform of Australia's Antarctic and Southern Ocean (ASO) scientific research.

RSV Nuyina represented an important and significant expansion of Australia's ASO capabilities, with the government investing nearly AU$2 billion to cover the design, build and 30-year operational and maintenance lifespan of the vessel - the single biggest investment in the history of Australian Antarctic Program.

The prime contractors for the project engaged BMT to ensure that milestone achievements and capability were delivered on time through design, build and transition into service phases. From key maintenance engineering advice to programmatic and systems engineering requirements, BMT used their embedded resources and local and international capabilities to help overcome the build and transition into service of this large and complex sea platform that presented numerous unique and bespoke requirements.

Architectural testing

It has conducted airflow wind tunnel testing of major landmarks and tall buildings, including the Bird's Nest Olympic Stadium in Beijing, the Stonecutters Bridge in Hong Kong; and the 21st Century Tower and Burj al-Arab in Dubai.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Royal Navy</span> Naval warfare force of the United Kingdom

The Royal Navy (RN) is the naval warfare force of the United Kingdom, British Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies, and a component of His Majesty's Naval Service. Although warships were used by English and Scottish kings from the early medieval period, the first major maritime engagements were fought in the Hundred Years' War against France. The modern Royal Navy traces its origins to the early 16th century; the oldest of the UK's armed services, it is consequently known as the Senior Service.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Royal Australian Navy</span> Naval warfare branch of the Australian Defence Force

The Royal Australian Navy (RAN) is the naval force of the Australian Defence Force (ADF). The professional head of the RAN is Chief of Navy (CN) Vice Admiral Mark Hammond AM, RAN. CN is also jointly responsible to the Minister of Defence (MINDEF) and the Chief of Defence Force (CDF). The Department of Defence as part of the Australian Public Service administers the ADF.

The Australian Antarctic Division (AAD) is a division of the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water. The Division undertakes science programs and research projects to contribute to an understanding of Antarctica and the Southern Ocean. It conducts and supports collaborative research programs with other Australian and international organisations, such as the Bureau of Meteorology and Geoscience Australia, as well as administering and maintaining a presence in Australian Antarctic and sub-Antarctic territories.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Royal Fleet Auxiliary</span> Naval auxiliary fleet which supports the Royal Navy

The Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) is a naval auxiliary fleet owned by the UK's Ministry of Defence. It is a component of His Majesty's Naval Service and provides logistical and operational support to the Royal Navy and Royal Marines. The RFA ensures the Royal Navy is supplied and supported by providing fuel and stores through replenishment at sea, transporting Royal Marines and British Army personnel, providing medical care and transporting equipment and essentials around the world. In addition the RFA acts independently providing humanitarian aid, counter piracy and counter narcotic patrols together with assisting the Royal Navy in preventing conflict and securing international trade. They are a uniformed civilian branch of the Royal Navy staffed by British merchant sailors. The RFA is one of five RN fighting arms.

HMAS <i>Choules</i> Bay-class landing ship

HMAS Choules (L100) is a Bay-class landing ship that served with the Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) from 2006 to 2011, before being purchased by the Royal Australian Navy (RAN). The vessel was built as RFA Largs Bay by Swan Hunter in Wallsend, Tyne and Wear. She was named after Largs Bay in Ayrshire, Scotland, and entered service in November 2006. During her career with the RFA, Largs Bay served as the British ship assigned to patrol the Falkland Islands in 2008, and delivered relief supplies following the 2010 Haiti earthquake.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Future of the Royal Navy</span> Overview about the future of the Royal Navy

Future planning of the Royal Navy's capabilities is set through periodic Defence Reviews carried out by the British Government. The Royal Navy's role in the 2020s, and beyond, is outlined in the 2021 defence white paper, which was published on 22 March 2021. The white paper is one component of the Integrated Review of Security, Defence, Development and Foreign Policy, titled as Global Britain in a Competitive Age which was published on 16 March 2021.

HMS <i>Challenger</i> (K07) Royal Navy saturation diving support vessel

HMS Challenger was a Royal Navy diving support vessel, operational from 1984 to 1990.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Standing Royal Navy deployments</span>

Standing Royal Navy deployments is a list of operations and commitments undertaken by the United Kingdom's Royal Navy on a worldwide basis. The following list details these commitments and deployments sorted by region and in alphabetical order. Routine deployments made by the Navy's nuclear-powered submarines and their location of operations is classified.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Research vessel</span> Ship or boat designed, modified, or equipped to carry out research at sea

A research vessel is a ship or boat designed, modified, or equipped to carry out research at sea. Research vessels carry out a number of roles. Some of these roles can be combined into a single vessel but others require a dedicated vessel. Due to the demanding nature of the work, research vessels may be constructed around an icebreaker hull, allowing them to operate in polar waters.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">His Majesty's Naval Service</span> Maritime service of the British Armed Forces

His Majesty's Naval Service is the United Kingdom's naval warfare and maritime service. It consists of the Royal Navy, Royal Marines, Royal Fleet Auxiliary, Royal Naval Reserve, Royal Marines Reserve and Naval Careers Service. The Naval Service as a whole falls under the command of the Navy Board, which is headed by the First Sea Lord. This position is currently held by Admiral Sir Ben Key. The Defence Council delegates administration of the Naval Service to the Admiralty Board, chaired by the Secretary of State for Defence.

The Royal Australian Navy, although a significant force in the Asia-Pacific region, is nonetheless classed as a medium-sized navy. Its fleet is based around two main types of surface combatant, with limited global deployment and air power capability. However, in 2009, a white paper, Defending Australia in the Asia Pacific Century: Force 2030, was produced by the Australian government which set out a programme of defence spending that will see significant improvements to the RAN's fleet and capabilities.

<i>Fearless</i>-class patrol vessel Type of Singaporean naval vessel

The Fearless-class patrol vessels were built by Singapore Technologies (ST) Marine for the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) in the 1990s. Four remain in service with the RSN as modified Sentinel-class maritime security and response vessels (MSRVs). Derivatives of the type are also in service in the navies of Brunei, Oman, and the United Arab Emirates.

HMS <i>Protector</i> (A173) Research ship & Icebreaker of the Royal Navy

HMS Protector is a Royal Navy ice patrol ship built in Norway in mid 2000. As MV Polarbjørn she operated under charter as a polar research icebreaker and a subsea support vessel. In 2011, she was chartered as a temporary replacement for the ice patrol ship HMS Endurance and was purchased by the British Ministry of Defence in early September 2013. As DNV Ice Class 05 the vessel can handle first year ice up to 0.5 metres (20 in).

Tide-class tanker Class of four fast fleet tankers of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary

The Tide-class tanker (formerly the Military Afloat Reach and Sustainability (MARS) project) is a class of four fast fleet tankers that entered service with the British Royal Fleet Auxiliary from 2017. The 37,000 t ships provide fuel, food, fresh water, ammunition and other supplies to Royal Navy vessels around the world. Norway ordered a similar 26,000 t version with a 48-bed hospital and greater solid stores capacity, but reduced liquid capacity; it was delivered in November 2018 as HNoMS Maud two years after originally planned. The two classes are very similar but are not directly comparable due to large variance in capabilities delivered.

BAE Systems Maritime – Maritime Services is a wholly owned subsidiary company of BAE Systems, specialising in the repair and maintenance of Royal Navy vessels, as well as product development, naval training and through life support for radar, torpedoes and small boats. Along with BAE Systems Maritime – Submarines and BAE Systems Maritime – Naval Ships, it is one of three divisions of BAE Systems Maritime.

RSV <i>Nuyina</i> Australian icebreaking research vessel

RSVNuyina is an icebreaking research and supply vessel intended to support Australian scientific activities and research bases in Antarctica. Capable of deploying a wide range of vehicles, including helicopters, landing barges and amphibious trucks to support the resupply operation, the new ship provides a modern platform for marine science research in both sea ice and open water with a large moon pool for launching and retrieving sampling equipment and remotely operated vehicles.

RFA <i>Proteus</i> Multi-Role Ocean Surveillance Ship (MROSS) of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary

RFA Proteus is a ship of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary within His Majesty's Naval Service of the United Kingdom. Its roles being a platform for Remotely Operated Underwater Vehicles (ROUVs) and a testbed for new specialist capabilities, required for monitoring waters important to UK interests. Acquired in 2023, the ship entered drydock at Cammell Laird for modification into a Multi-Role Ocean Surveillance Ship (MROSS). She formally entered service in October 2023.

RFA <i>Stirling Castle</i> Mine Countermeasures Maritime Autonomous Systems ship of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary

RFA Stirling Castle is a ship of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary operated by the Ministry of Defence. Acquired in 2023, the ship entered drydock at HMNB Devonport for modification into a trials platform for autonomous minehunting systems that are to operate from a larger mother ship. The ship was formerly named MV Island Crown, and used as an offshore supply vessel operated by Island Offshore. The vessel was sold to the Ministry of Defence in January 2023 for £40 million.

References

  1. ↑ "Heritage". BMT Group. Retrieved 11 July 2018.
  2. ↑ "About Us". BMT Group. Retrieved 27 January 2024.
  3. ↑ Stannard, James. "Female engineers boosted by appointment of new CEO at BMT". European CEO. World News Media . Retrieved 27 January 2024.
  4. ↑ "New Chair and Vice Chair for Maritime UK | Maritime UK". www.maritimeuk.org. Maritime UK . Retrieved 27 January 2024.
  5. ↑ "BMT Annual Report". BMT Annual Report 2017. Archived from the original on 13 July 2018. Retrieved 13 July 2018.
  6. 1 2 Rae, David (24 May 2006). "David McSweeney, finance director, British Maritime Technology". The CFO. Contentive. Retrieved 27 January 2024.
  7. ↑ Geoffrey Hoon,  Secretary of State for Defence (30 January 2003). "Future Aircraft Carrier". Parliamentary Debates (Hansard) . House of Commons. col. 1026–1028.
  8. ↑ Pfeifer, Sylvia; Jopson, Barney; Webber, Jude (16 November 2022). "UK awards £1.6bn Royal Navy contract to Spanish-led consortium". Financial Times . Nikkei . Retrieved 27 January 2024.
  9. ↑ Hollinger, Peggy (8 January 2018). "Defence groups team up to bid for Type 31e frigate contract". Financial Times . Nikkei . Retrieved 27 January 2024.
  10. ↑ "BMT VIDAR® Submarines". www.bmt.org.
  11. ↑ "Vidar®-7" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 25 November 2020. Retrieved 25 November 2020.
  12. ↑ "Profile: BMT Defence Services Wyvern and Vidar 7 submarines". Quwa. Quwa Defence News & Analysis Group. 12 July 2017. Retrieved 27 January 2024.
  13. ↑ Memija, Adnan (10 February 2022). "BMT Wins CTV Design Contract for US East Coast Wind Farms". Offshore Wind. Navingo. Retrieved 27 January 2024.
  14. ↑ Skopljak, Nadja (8 June 2020). "Japan's First CTVs Under Construction". Offshore Wind. Navingo. Retrieved 27 January 2024.
  15. ↑ Durakovic, Adnan (20 May 2019). "Formosa 1 Service Fleet Under Construction". Offshore Wind. Navingo. Retrieved 27 January 2024.
  16. ↑ Conway, Martin (8 February 2024). "BMT unveils methanol-ready offshore SOV design". The Royal Institution of Naval Architects . Retrieved 23 February 2024.
  17. ↑ "Study assessing use of satellite data for offshore decommissioning". Offshore. Endeavor Business Media. 2 February 2021. Retrieved 27 January 2024.
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