Aberdeen-based Helideck Certification Agency (HCA) has signed contracts to establish a new venture in the United Arab Emirates after engaging HFI Consulting International to provide legal and business development consultancy services.
HCA, which is responsible for the inspection and certification of offshore helidecks in UK waters, will base the new operation in Abu Dhabi. It will be conducted in collaboration with local partners, the Al Yaseah Group.
HFI specialises in supporting North Sea-focused companies with advanced technology and know-how to grow or break into new markets across the Middle East and North Africa. HFI identified potential joint venture partners for HCA and prepared, in conjunction with its local legal partners, all legal and registration documents to allow the firm to operate from its new base.
Full registration is expected to be completed within a matter of weeks, allowing HCA to commence operations at the start of next year. General manager Andy Tulloch will now be based full-time in Abu Dhabi.
HFI managing partner Hugh Fraser says, “HCA is an excellent example of an ambitious North Sea company identifying and acting on an opportunity to grow in the Middle East. Although a relatively small operation in terms of its physical size, HCA offers a unique proposition which will fill a gap in the market in the UAE.
“In addition to helping clients take advantage of expansion opportunities in the Middle East – particularly in Saudi Arabia where there has been unprecedented investment and opening up of joint venture opportunities – we focus on international local partner agreements.
“Failure to identify the right local partner with the right commercial arrangements if one of the main reasons that business expansion projects in the region fail. We particularly enjoy working with companies in the early stages of internationalisation, using our experience of global markets, business structures and cultures to guide them through that process.
“I believe that it is at this point when we can add the most value – providing consultancy and legal advice in the wider context of their goals – and ensure that we increase the number of ventures successfully expanding in MENA.”
Widely regarded as a world-leader in its field, HCA is responsible for the inspection and certification of helidecks on all forms of offshore vessels and installations in UK waters. It also provides consultancy services to oil companies, helicopter operators, platform constructors and aviation authorities worldwide.
Chief executive officer Alex Knight says that HCA had a long-term strategy to create new international bases due to staff currently servicing all clients from the Aberdeen headquarters. However, the downturn and associated cost-savings in energy sector brought the plans to fruition earlier than had been anticipated.
Alex adds, “We decided that if the rigs and ships were no longer present in the North Sea, then we needed to find out where in the world they were present.
“Everything pointed towards the UAE, where the market is even bigger than the North Sea. There are currently 300 helidecks in that region, compared to 218 in UK waters so we believe there is a huge amount of potential there for HCA.”
Alex said HCA will approach its expansion into the Middle East on a slow and steady basis, scaling up with staff as and when required. Initially it will focus its work on writing manuals for new aluminum helidecks which have been introduced in the region and conducting site visits.
HFI Consulting International has offices in Aberdeen, UAE, Lebanon and Saudi Arabia. As well as a core team of staff, HFI draws in the expertise and support of specialist consultants and in-country law firms where appropriate. For more information, visit www.hfi-consulting.com