Ambrey - Experts & Thought Leaders

The long-term environmental impact of the Sounion vessel disaster, both of the vessel and the Red Sea, were at the forefront of the critical salvage operation, noted Ambipar Response, the emergency response division of Ambipar Group, who led the spill response and pollution prevention effort for the stricken 164,000 dwt tanker (IMO: 9312145) in August 2024. After being struck by multiple missiles from Houthi rebels during a routine transit through the Red Sea, Sounion was left stranded and ablaze for 22 days. Environmental impact of the vessel The incident caused the onboard cargo of more than 150,000 tonnes of crude oil at risk of spilling into the Red Sea Crucially, the incident rendered the onboard cargo of more than 150,000 tonnes of crude oil at risk of spilling into the Red Sea due to the damage that was sustained to the vessel’s structure. While the coordinated international response effort, which involved multiple salvage specialists and regional security forces, including Ambipar Response, Megatugs Salvage & Towage, EODEX, Ambrey, and the European Union Naval Force (EUNAVFOR), focused on securing the vessel and extinguishing the onboard fires, limiting the environmental impact of the vessel and its cargo on the Red Sea was the pioneering priority for the salvage effort. Long-term safety “From the first moment of the salvage operation, we needed to ensure the long-term safety of the regional environment whilst controlling the immediate threats." "Despite the complexity of the crisis, there was a clear understanding between the various salvage and firefighting parties involved to ensure that the environmental impact of the Sounion did not reach a worst-case scenario,” said Martin Barnes, Marine Response Lead at Ambipar Response. Unique ecology of the Red Sea The threat of continued attacks from Houthi rebels risked more than a million barrels of oil spilling The threat of continued attacks from Houthi rebels risked more than a million barrels of oil spilling into the Red Sea, potentially resulting in an incident that would be four times the size of the infamous Exxon Valdez disaster in 1989. An incident of this size in the Red Sea risked completely shutting down the key trade route, impacting desalination plants that would cut off water supplies to millions in the region and causing untold damage to the unique ecology of the Red Sea. Long-term environmental impact “Being able to extinguish the fire, secure the tanker and safely tow it to a Port of Refuge without significant environmental impact was a scenario that many feared would be impossible,” said Barnes. “This operation was a true test of the global salvage industry’s collective capabilities and preparedness. We are proud to have led this crucial environmental effort but we are also pleased to see that this became a truly international coordinated response that ensured diplomatic issues and security challenges did not hinder the long-term environmental impact of one of the world’s key waterways." Readiness for complex maritime crisis “The global marine response industry plays a vital role when it comes to global environmental safety and nowhere was that more evident than in the Sounion incident last year. This particular incident was made extra challenging owing to the ongoing security risks in the region but Ambipar Response’s contributions, including advanced oil containment systems, real-time environmental monitoring, and rapid deployment of specialised response units from around the world, ensured that the long-term environmental impact was kept as minimal as possible,” he added. While operations of this magnitude remain rare, Barnes also noted that the Sounion incident underscored the need for salvage companies to continuously invest in preparedness and readiness for complex maritime crisis, while also advocating for greater awareness and education for all potential parties that could be impacted, such as insurance providers, port operators and vessel owners.

P&I Club’s head of external affairs will discuss major events with pioneering experts in the weekly Alongside: Future Thinking podcast series. Pioneering P&I Club NorthStandard is launching a weekly podcast mini-series that will discuss the most pressing current geopolitical issues for the maritime industry. Key geopolitical developments NorthStandard Head of External Affairs, Mike Salthouse, will be hosting Alongside: Future Thinking, joined by experts from across the shipping industry. The mini-series is part of the club’s ‘Alongside’ portfolio, which for the past two years has featured thought-provoking discussions on news and topics. The first three podcasts in Alongside: Future Thinking go live this week and will cover issues The first three podcasts in Alongside: Future Thinking go live this week and will cover issues such as Security in the Red Sea and what a second term as US President for Donald Trump might mean for shipping and sanctions. The first episode, The Geopolitical Forecast for 2024, examines the state of world affairs at the start of 2024 and anticipates key geopolitical developments over the next 12 months. Long-term consequences Mike Salthouse will be joined by Dr. Dominick Donald, Director at Autolycus Advisory. Dr. Donald is a geopolitical advisor and analyst with 25 years of experience in business intelligence, diplomacy, media and academia. Episode two, Ship Security in the Red Sea and Beyond, investigates the crisis in the Red Sea. John Thompson from Ambrey, a provider of maritime security discusses how attacks in the Red Sea have impacted the sector and what the medium- and long-term consequences could be. Future Thinking podcasts The third episode, What to Expect from a Second Trump Presidency sees Mike Salthouse joined by David Peyman, partner at DLA Piper and the former Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for US Counter Threat Finance and Sanctions. David was inside the White House with Donald Trump when he was US President and speaks to Mike on what a second Trump term might mean for shipping and sanctions. Further, Future Thinking podcasts will follow the initial launch. Subscribe and follow Alongside on favourite podcast app to ensure never miss an episode.

Ocean Infinity, the marine robotics company announced that it has acquired a maritime services company, Ambrey.  Ambrey’s team of maritime professionals deliver a range of bespoke offshore services including, security, crisis and risk management, intelligence, insurance, fleet operation, and vessel design and build.  Integration of robotic operations Ocean Infinity’s data and software capabilities will revolutionise Ambrey’s intelligence and insurance services The acquisition combines Ocean Infinity’s robotic vessels, data, cyber, artificial intelligence, and low emission operations with one of the leading brands in the maritime security sector. Ocean Infinity’s data and software capabilities will revolutionise Ambrey’s intelligence and insurance services, whilst its robotic surface and sub-surface vessels have huge potential for Ambrey’s shipping and offshore client base.  Ambrey’s vessel manufacturing and fleet management capabilities will bring meaningful operational advantages as Ocean Infinity moves closer to mobilising its ‘Armada’ fleet of robotic vessels, set to be the largest fleet of its kind in the world.   Technology and sustainability Ambrey’s and Ocean Infinity’s highly complementary competencies will enable the enlarged group to expedite its strategy of becoming the world’s leading marine robotics company, with technology and sustainability at its core. Ocean Infinity’s footprint now extends to offices in Europe, North America, Middle East, and Africa, and the full-time headcount of the enlarged group is approximately 500.  Robotics in the maritime industry There is no limit to the possibilities of robotics, which will eventually touch every corner of the maritime industry Oliver Plunkett, Ocean Infinity’s CEO, said, “There is no limit to the possibilities of robotics, which will eventually touch every corner of the maritime industry. There is an immediate opportunity for robotic uncrewed vessels to play a huge role in maintaining safe operating environments for our clients.” “The market presence and capabilities that the Ambrey team bring, along with a fantastic entrepreneurial spirit, will augment and strengthen our in-house capabilities in a way that will unquestionably move us forward in becoming the world’s leading ocean technology and data business. On behalf of everyone at Ocean Infinity I extend a very warm welcome to the team.” Revolutionising maritime security Chris Charnley, Ambrey Group Managing Director said, “Along with my co-founder, John Thompson, we firmly believe that with Ocean Infinity we share a common vision to keep pushing boundaries and to revolutionise the maritime industry. Ten years ago we started on our journey to build the world’s leading maritime security firm.” “In recent years, we have built upon our foundations in risk management to expand to a wider range of marine support services. Our staff and crew have consistently delivered for our clients in the most complex and difficult of operating environments. It is through their hard work, professionalism, and dedication that we have built Ambrey’s successful business today.” “As we look to the future with Ocean Infinity, technology and green operations are leading the way. Together, we seek to revolutionise our industry and broaden our service offering, underpinned by our greatest asset, our people, and the combined expertise of our new team.”