Ocean Signal Appoints True Heading Distributor For Netherlands

Communications and safety at sea specialist Ocean Signal has appointed True Heading Nederland BV as its new distributor for the Netherlands.

Ocean Signal’s SafeSea® portfolio of GMDSS products and its innovative rescueME PLB1 are suitable for a range of applications in the marine sector, with True Heading able to support all markets from commercial shipping to leisure boating.

Global leaders in providing AIS solutions, True Heading is perfectly positioned to strengthen Ocean Signal’s presence in the Netherlands using its experience in the industry spanning 30 years, plus an extensive network and a wide range of technical expertise.

Particularly strong in the offshore oil and gas industry and its associated support vessels, the new distributor will specifically target the Dutch commercial market and have key responsibility for expanding Ocean Signal’s market share in this sector.

Carla Hogeweg, Chief Executive Officer, True Heading Nederland BV, is confident the company can continue to successfully increase awareness and demand for Ocean Signal’s products.

She said: “I am very happy to be able to provide the Dutch shipping market with Ocean Signal products. We were aware of Ocean Signal’s reputation as developers of excellent VHF safety equipment. In particular, our company believes in the whole range of products because of their straightforward design and reliability, combined with low maintenance costs. The ergonomic, yet robust, design provides sailors with the security that this equipment will work whenever necessary.

“We feel confident that our customers will appreciate the cost efficiency and reliability of the Ocean Signal products. This is crucial for the demands of our customers, as True Heading Nederland BV focuses on the commercial market where shipping continues even in the most adverse circumstances.

“Our presence in the Dutch marine and offshore market together with our focus to expand our commercial activities will definitely help Ocean Signal to expand its market share in the maritime world. True Heading Nederland BV benefits from 30 years’ experience in the marine technology business. Our very well-equipped engineers will be able to provide very quick response service to GMDSS products when needed, according to IMO standards.”

Founded in 2010, True Heading Nederland BV is a joint venture between True Heading AB, Sweden, and marine communications specialist Shiptron BV, The Netherlands. The synergy between the companies has ensured the best possible solutions for customers’ navigation and communications challenges on board.

Experts in AIS technology from the early days of the first developments in the field, True Heading NL’s dedicated technicians also originate from Shiptron, which has been working with safety products since 1990 at the start of GMDSS.

Alan Wrigley, Managing Director of Ocean Signal, commented: “True Heading has many years of experience within the field of AIS, GPS and other transponder related technologies.

“We are particularly keen to increase our market share in the commercial sector and True Heading has exceptional knowledge and experience of this market in the country. We are confident that they will enable us to grow Ocean Signal’s presence within the region.”

Ocean Signal is rapidly establishing a global network of distributors as it builds on the launch of its ground-breaking rescueME PLB1 which is 30% smaller than other PLBs. It is ideal for the commercial market as it can be carried easily and unobtrusively by workers on tug boats, patrol vessels and other workboats.

Its well-established SafeSea® portfolio offers highly reliable and easy-to-use GMDSS products, each with unique industry leading features. The range of products, the V100 GMDSS hand-held radio, as well as the E100 and E100G EPIRBS and S100 SART, provides all essential handheld communication devices required in an emergency situation.

True Heading will be showcasing the Ocean Signal rescueME PLB1 and SafeSea product range for the first time at the HISWA Amsterdam Boat Show, from 5 to 9 March, on Stand 07.106E. The company will then present the range at Offshore Energy Amsterdam (28 and 29 October), together with Shiptron MCS BV, and also at METS Amsterdam (18 to 20 November) as True Heading.

Safety and communication products from Ocean Signal offer exceptional value, meeting or exceeding international technical and safety standards. Careful design and innovation provides commercial shipping, fishing and recreational users the confidence that their Ocean Signal equipment will work to, and beyond, their expectations when it is needed most.