P&O Maritime Services Pty Ltd originated from Beaufort Shipping Agency, the ship agency and operations of the Peninsular & Oriental Steam Navigation Company (P&O) vessels in Australia.
In the late 1960s, with the development of the offshore oil and gas industries in Australia, P&O transferred several vessels to Australia and in 1968 established P&O Offshore Services. This company subsequently built over 20 vessels in Australia and operated them within Australia and South East Asia.
In the mid 1970s, P&O invested in a salvage operation (United Salvage) which successfully grew its business around Australasia. This activity was subsequently sold to Adsteam Marine (now owned by Svitzer).
In the mid 1980s, P&O secured a long term contract to build and operate vessels in Papua New Guinea carrying copper concentrates along the river systems and coastal areas. This contract continues today and P&O Maritime Services now has 7 vessels involved in this trade. Also in the mid 1980s, P&O formed a joint venture in Singapore (Austen Maritime Services) which is a 50/50 joint venture with the Stena Group of Sweden. Austen Maritime supplies manning, agency, ship chandlery and other general services throughout South East Asia.
In 1990 P&O Maritime Services secured a long term contract for the provision of shipping services to the Australian Antarctic Division. P&O Maritime Services managed the design and build of the research supply and expedition icebreaker Aurora Australis which is owned, managed and crewed by P&O Maritime Services and used by the Australian Antarctic Division for cargo resupply, expeditioner transport and seasonal marine science and research in the Antarctic.
1997 saw a rapid build up and diversification in the Company’s activities. Firstly, P&O Maritime Services formed International Offshore Services (IOS), a joint venture with Farstad shipping of Norway, to own and operate offshore supply vessels within the Australasian region under the management of P&O Maritime Services. IOS began operations in early 1998 with 7 vessels and within 5 years had grown to 20 vessels. The rapid success saw the need for the ships to operate in a global market, which began to conflict with other Farstad operations and subsequently Farstad acquired the P&O Maritime Services interest in 2003.
Also in 1997 P&O Maritime Services formed a joint venture with Serco Asia Pacific to successfully tender for the outsourcing of the Royal Australian Navy Port Services and Support Craft activities. This ten year contract commenced in July 1998. The joint venture company, Defence Maritime Services (DMS), more recently was successful in winning the contract for the replacement of the Royal Australian Navy’s patrol boat fleet. The 14 patrol vessels will be built over a period of three years between 2004 and 2007. Once delivered, DMS will provide through life support for a minimum of 15 years for each vessel, and will guarantee a defined level of operational availability to the Royal Australian Navy.
P&O Maritime Services acquired 50% ownership of Carpentaria Shipping Services in 1997. CSS is a joint venture with the local indigenous community which owns and operates (under P&O Maritime Services' management) one self discharging bulk carrier in northern Australia.
In 1998, P&O Maritime Services acquired the vessel Southern Supporter from Australian Maritime Safety Authority and secured a 5 year contract to provide the vessel for navigational aids maintenance work. Southern Supporter is currently on long term charter to Fugro in support of their geo-survey requirements for the Australian offshore oil & gas industry.
P&O Maritime Services’ joint venture company, Defence Maritime Services, was successful in 2005 with a tender to manage maintenance and support of the Australian Customs Service eight Bay Class Patrol Boats under a six year extendable contract.
In 2005 P&O Maritime Services established P&O Maritime Services (Ireland) to provide technical and operational support services and ship management of the Marine Institute Ireland’s marine science and research vessels RV Celtic Explorer and RV Celtic Voyager. P&O Maritime Services also continues to provide the Southern Ocean Border Protection and Fisheries Patrol services to Australian Customs Service through a dedicated vessel.
P&O Maritime Services acquired the French Antarctic resupply vessel, l’Astrolabe, in 2007 and secured a long term contract to operate the vessel for Antarctic resupply and marine science and research for Institut Polaire Francais Paul Emile Victor and Territoire des Terres Australes and Antarctiques Francaises.
In 2007 P&O Maritime Services was successful with a contract to provide management and operation services for Zinifex’s (now MinMetals Group) self discharging bulk carrier MV Wunma. The vessel operates from the port of Karumba on the south eastern side of the Gulf of Carpentaria in north Queensland, Australia. This operation supports Zinifex’s Century Mine, the largest zinc and lead mine in Australia.
2008 saw P&O Maritime Services expand into the United Arab Emirates taking over operation, crewing and maintenance of more than 20 vessels inlcuding tug boats, pilot boats and line boats in Dubai. This is vital support to DP World's flagship Jebel Ali terminal and Port Rashid.
P&O Maritime Services' presence in the European marine science and research vessel market was further strengthened in 2009 following its success in England's Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (CEFAS) international tender process. Services provided include vessel operation and management of RV Cefas Endeavour and its associated research equipment.
P&O Maritime Services has grown from the initial ship chartering and ship agency business into a diverse company that provides specialist shipping solutions to varied clients. Defence, security and marine science and research have become a key activity area and the fleet has expanded to provide services to Government agencies and commercial clients. The cargo services businesses continue to successfully operate in remote localities and further demonstrate the niche shipping solutions the company can provide. Ship agency and chartering remain a part of the Company’s activities and thus allow comprehensive shipping expertise to be provided in the maritime environment.
