QNME The Muscat Maritime Radiocommunications Operations Centre MROC

Elcome International Subcontracted for Oman Coastal Radiocommunication Network

DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES – Sept. 8, 2014 – Elcome International, the leading marine solutions provider and system integrator in the Middle East and one of the largest marine technology suppliers in the world, is playing a key role in building a new maritime communication network for the Sultanate of Oman.

Under a subcontract awarded in April 2014 by Frequentis AG of Austria, Elcome is supplying key components of the network, as well as system integration, installation, training and maintenance for equipment in the operations center and remote sites.

The network is deployed and operated by Qnective Middle East. The local subsidiary of the Swiss company Qnective was awarded through its Omani partner company, Al-Madakhel Investment LLC, a First Class A License for network construction and operation by the Sultanate of Oman. The network will provide the obligatory shore-based terrestrial and satellite-based Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) communication services covering Sea Areas A1, A2 and A3 of Oman’s territorial waters and beyond. This includes an upgrade of the existing NAVTEX maritime safety information broadcasting system. In addition, the integrated system encompasses a new coast-wide Automatic Identification System (AIS) and a ground- based segment for receiving and processing COSPAS-SARSAT distress alerts from emergency beacons.

The Oman network will be managed from a dedicated Maritime Radiocommunication Operations Center (MROC), operated by Qnective Middle East in Muscat, which is equipped with state-of-the-art technology for control of all maritime communications in Oman. The operations center is manned 24 hours a day. The MROC also has a large training facility.

The coastal infrastructure includes strategically located radio sites around Oman’s coastline from Khasab in the north to a location west of Salalah, as well as two NAVTEX transmission sites in Wattayah and Salalah to give coverage of Oman’s sea lanes out to 275 nautical miles. AIS receivers and direction-finding antennae are co-located at remote radio sites to track and monitor vessels out to 30 nautical miles offshore, including Oman’s large commercial fishing fleet.

The entire maritime radiocommunication network should be completed in February 2015. More information about the project: www.qme.net.om.
“This large-scale coastal infrastructure project is a good example of the full range of technical services Elcome offers,” said Jimmy Grewal, executive director of Elcome International. “We specialize in designing, installing and supporting difficult and complex integrated systems.”

Elcome will be exhibiting on Stand B6/119 at SMM 2014. Jimmy Grewal will be available for meetings with the media during the show. Journalists interested in scheduling a meeting should contact Jim Rhodes at +1.757.451.0602 (office), +1.757.753.1238 (mobile) or jrhodes@rhodescomm.com.

ABOUT ELCOME INTERNATIONAL LLC

Based in Dubai, Elcome International LLC is a diversified supplier of turnkey solutions for marine electronics, electrical and safety systems for the world maritime industry. Founded in 1969, Elcome is headquartered in a modern 100,000 sq. ft. facility in Dubai, with offices in United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, and Saudi Arabia, as well as a subsidiary and associated companies in India. The Elcome Group (including associated companies) has over 500 employees across the Middle East and India, including over 100 factory-trained engineers and technicians. The company is certified to ISO 9001:2008, ISO 14001:2004 and CHS 18001:2007 by DnV. Elcome is the authorized sales and service representative for many of the world’s major manufacturers of marine products and systems, and manufactures its own line of type-approved marine electrical switchboards under the ELSYS brand name. The company provides shipboard installation and service for navigation, communication, automation, maneuvering and safety systems, with 24/7 flyaway service. Elcome services over 600 vessels per month in the Arabian Gulf alone, with a first time fix rate of 96 percent. In addition, Elcome is the region’s largest supplier of nautical charts and publications, both print and digital, and operates a modern training center and bridge simulator under a joint venture with Maersk Training. Elcome was ranked 5th in the Dubai SME100 for 2013.

ABOUT SMM

Held every two years in Hamburg, Germany, SMM is the world’s largest trade fair for the maritime industry covering 11 exhibit halls totaling 90,000 m². SMM attracts over 2,100 exhibitors from 67 countries, and 50,000 visitors from all over the world.

PRESS CONTACTS:

Dani Gorgon
Elcome International LLC
+971 (0) 4 8121333
dani.gorgon@staging.elcome.com

Jim Rhodes
Rhodes Communications, Inc.
+1 (757) 451-0602
jrhodes@rhodescomm.com