MacGregor Secures Contracts for Oceanographic Research Vessels

MacGregor, a company specializing in maritime and offshore operations, has secured significant contracts to supply advanced deck cranes, handling equipment, and deck machinery for four new oceanographic research vessels. The orders, booked into MacGregor’s second and third quarter 2026 order intake, will see equipment deliveries starting in 2027 and concluding by the third quarter of 2029 at the latest.

Two of the vessels will be constructed at GONDAN Shipbuilders in Spain for the German Federal Maritime and Hydrographic Agency (BSH). The remaining two will be built at Titagarh Naval Systems Limited in India for the Geological Survey of India (GSI). These research vessels are critical for studying the oceans, tracking climate change, and monitoring marine biodiversity. Operating in harsh marine environments requires exceptionally reliable equipment and technical solutions, which MacGregor is well-equipped to provide.

MacGregor's success in securing these contracts is a testament to its extensive expertise and proven track record. The company has a long history of delivering high-performance solutions for complex maritime missions. Close cooperation with the shipyards and designers throughout the developmental phases of these projects has further solidified MacGregor’s position as a trusted, long-term partner.

The scope of supply for the four vessels includes a variety of equipment such as CTD single line winches, wire winches, oceanographic winches, corer winches, survey boat davits, CTD davits, deck cranes, stern A-frames, ROV telescope booms, and corer handling systems with corer cradles. This comprehensive suite of equipment is designed to meet the specific operational needs of the vessels.

Fernando González, Purchase Manager at GONDAN Shipbuilders, expressed confidence in MacGregor’s reliability, stating, "For the complex BSH research vessels, we required a trusted and reliable supplier. MacGregor's proven track record in manufacturing high-performance deck machinery made them the right choice for this project."

Kai Twest, Head of Shipping Company at the German Federal Maritime and Hydrographic Agency, added, "In MacGregor, we have found an experienced manufacturer and supplier of scientific hoists and winches. This ensures a consistent operating philosophy on the new vessels. Furthermore, the systems are characterised by their robustness and trouble-free operation."

Cmd. Sanjay Chopra, from Titagarh Naval Systems Limited, highlighted MacGregor's expertise, saying, "MacGregor brings proven expertise in marine handling systems, particularly for oceanographic and research vessel applications. Their track record in delivering integrated deck machinery for scientific vessels worldwide, combined with their engineering capability to customise winches, A-frames, and cranes to the specific operational profile of the vessel, made them a natural fit for our Coastal Research Vessel vessel project."

Tomas Hakala, Executive Vice President, Global Services at MacGregor, expressed satisfaction with the trust placed in the company, stating, "Research vessels are central to oceanographic research, providing vital data for fields like climate science and marine biology. We are happy to see the trust placed in us to deliver this crucial equipment for the success of future operations by both BSH and GSI."

These contracts underscore MacGregor’s commitment to supporting scientific research and exploration. The company’s solutions are designed to enhance safety, reduce environmental impact, and optimize operational efficiency, making it a key player in the maritime and offshore industries.