Subsea Technology & Rentals (STR) has appointed experienced sector leader James Christie to head up activities across Europe and Africa following significant growth and plans for further global expansion.
Christie, who has over 25 years’ industry experience most recently with Ashtead Technology, takes up the newly created role of regional director Europe, Scandinavia, Caspian, and Africa (ESCA), and will be based in Aberdeen.
STR operates globally with technology and service facilities in Aberdeen, Great Yarmouth, Houston, Perth, Singapore and invested £5m in a new Norway facility earlier this year which Christie will oversee. The company has doubled headcount in the last three years and now has 120 people with further growth to be delivered through strategic acquisitions, market expansion and a diversified technology and solutions offering, with plans to have a dedicated Middle East facility next year.
Christie brings a track record of developing strong client relationships, technical prowess and experience supporting solutions across operations, inspection, maintenance, and decommissioning. He previously spent more than 10 years of his career with Subsea 7 in operational roles including as a regional director for the Asia Pacific region.
Steve Steele, CEO of STR commented: “James joins us at a hugely exciting time for STR as we continue to grow at pace, diversify our product and service offering and enter new markets. More of our customers are asking us to diversify our product and service offering and want to actively participate in our new product development programmes, partnering beyond traditional rental models.
“James brings a highly strategic approach to growth and full field development experience spanning operations, inspection, and maintenance to decommissioning, which will support our ambition to diversify and strengthen our service offering to our customers.”
STR has invested over $10 million (£7.4 million) in innovation and technology in the last three years with a focus on offshore energy, infrastructure, and marine markets with two new products being commercialised each year.
James Christie added: “I am thrilled to be joining STR at such a pivotal time as the business has become firmly recognised as a subsea technology leader and continues to invest, creating value for customers and bringing new challenger products to market. I look forward to further strengthening customer partnerships, supporting the growth ambition, and enhancing our focus and footprint across key global regions.”
This article was recently featured in the prestigious OGV Magazine – Australia edition, detailing STR’s work and expertise in supporting countries like Australia to tap into their energy potential, smartly and efficiently.
Few countries can boast a wealth of natural resources comparable to Australia. Among the world’s largest exporters of minerals and raw materials, the nation is also home to bountiful energy supplies, both traditional and renewable, which make it one of the industry’s most exciting markets.
With this comes ambitious energy targets – Australia is aiming for 82% renewable electricity generation by 2030 on the path to net zero emissions by 2050. Delivering on these objectives will require major renewable projects and vast offshore wind initiatives that will hinge on the rollout of smarter, safer and more cost-effective subsea technologies.
Meeting this demand head on, STR delivers innovative marine sensor systems and technical expertise that is helping to shape the future of Australia’s flourishing offshore energy sector.
With large custom designed Technology and Service bases in Perth and Singapore, we are perfectly positioned to support complex offshore projects across Asia-Pacific.
Well-known for our established extensive rental fleet and service offering, STR is increasingly recognised for our work as a developer of advanced subsea technologies.
Our commitment to bringing integrated sensor systems – that help reduce vessel time, lower project costs and allow for real-time decision making in some of the world’s most challenging environments – to market has yielded technologies such as SeaCast and ROVMUX, two groundbreaking solutions that redefine how ocean data is collected and managed.
Profiling the ocean without pausing the mission
Traditional methods of sound velocity profiling require survey vessels to stop, deploy equipment, wait for data collection and then recover the sensor equipment before resuming operations. This interrupts workflow, inaccurate data and extends project timelines, something STR’s SeaCast system has been designed to counteract.
By eliminating the need for stopping and starting, SeaCast enables surveyors to gather accurate sound velocity profile data while the vessel remains in motion, generating significant time savings – typically more than four hours per day.
It is engineered for real-time streaming of sensor data, allowing operators to make informed decisions there and then. Moreover, its compact design makes it easily mobilised on a range of platforms, from conventional survey vessels to the growing number of uncrewed surface vessels (USVs) that are now being deployed in Australian waters.
Underpinned by smart software architecture that allows for fully remote operation, SeaCast can be fully deployed and recovered in under ten minutes, reach depths of over 300 metres while underway at four knots and 200 metres at six knots.
For those operating off one of the world’s largest islands, SeaCast gives surveyors the autonomy, reliability and speed essential to traverse Australia’s large marine zones and dispersed offshore projects.
Smarter subsea integration for smarter ROVs
Remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) are the backbone of offshore inspection, maintenance and construction. But for too long integrating multiple sensors onto a single ROV has been a challenge that’s required complex cabling, heavy and fragile enclosures, lengthy setup times, and catastrophic product failure due to flooding.
STR’s ROVMUX system was developed in direct collaboration with Tier 1 clients to solve these problems. The result is a high-performance, compact interface that simplifies sensor integration while delivering maximum flexibility and reliability.
Despite its small footprint, ROVMUX supports up to 20 sensors – an industry-leading capacity for its size. It is also compatible with a wide range of connections, including Gigabit Ethernet, RS232, RS485, and both 24V and 48V power options, which can be switched as required.
Built for the harsh conditions of deepwater operations, the system is depth-rated to 6,000 metres and includes robust sealing and connector systems that significantly reduce the risk of flooding or failure.
For operators, this means fewer breakdowns, faster turnaround times, and a reduced need for on-site maintenance. ROVMUX also includes intelligent power management features such as monitored DC outputs with smart fusing and soft-start control for capacitive loads.
At the surface, an intuitive 12-inch touchscreen controller allows operators to monitor and manage system performance easily, with advanced diagnostics that support proactive troubleshooting and real-time configuration, empowering operators to do more with less, and supplied at a lower cost.
Meeting the moment and building the momentum
Australia’s offshore market is moving quickly, with declared wind zones in Victoria progressing, feasibility studies underway in Western Australia and New South Wales, and investment in subsea mining, carbon capture, oil and gas decommissioning and intercontinental energy transmission rising.
Operators in these sectors require technologies that support real-time data collection, autonomous operations, low-maintenance design and reliable performance in remote and often harsh conditions. STR meets all these requirements with our equipment, as well as our deep domain knowledge, engineering excellence and global network that ensures clients are supported at every phase of their operations.
Whether it’s enabling faster geophysical surveys with SeaCast or expanding the capabilities of subsea vehicles with ROVMUX, STR is helping Australia’s offshore operators do more, for less. Irrelevant of geographies, the global energy transition demands mission-ready solutions that redefine what’s possible offshore – and that’s just what we deliver.
STR has officially launched a Technology and Service hub in Norway, investing £5m in a state-of-the-art facility to strengthen our presence in one of the world’s most important offshore hubs. But an investment is only as strong as the people driving it forward, and leading this new custom-built facility is Oskar Tveit, our newly appointed General Manager.
With a wealth of experience in the subsea industry, Oskar understands what it takes to deliver cutting-edge solutions in a fast-moving market.
He commented: “I started my career as a marine engineer, progressing through offshore and subsea roles before moving into leadership positions. Over the years, I’ve worked on vessel conversions, project management and offshore operations.
“My experience spans hands-on engineering to strategic business growth as I grew in the roles I was in, and this has offered me valuable insights and experience from the client perspective. One thing I’ve always been passionate about is looking at the bigger opportunities.”
For Oskar, this role is about more than just leading a new facility – it’s about shaping the future of STR in Norway by utilising his industry knowledge, skills and strong network of connections accumulated over the years, as well as attracting the next generation of engineers within the sector and nurturing the existing talent at STR, providing them with opportunities to thrive in their career.
“As General Manager for STR’s new Norway facility, it’s important to foster a good working environment through clear communication and a straightforward, honest approach” he said.
“I strongly believe that encouraging our employees to gain hands-on experience in a supportive environment will ultimately allow them to become the best version of themselves and have a positive impact on business growth overall.”
With Norway being a major player in the subsea industry due to its established history in oil and gas, Oskar believes that the launch of STR’s new facility is a strategic move, providing further opportunities in renewable energy projects and marine research in the broader Scandinavian market, unlocking significant growth potential and expansion.
Over the next few years, a key focus for Oskar will be tapping into these industries while also reinforcing STR’s sensor capabilities and tooling range, including the development of in-house products that have already garnered client interest.
Oskar’s overall vision for STR in Norway can be linked back to the region’s rich subsea heritage. Located in Haugesund, he aims to leverage the local talent and historical reputation to establish STR as a leading supplier of survey sensors and world class offshore equipment, building on a legacy of technical expertise that defines this part of Norway.
Commenting on this, Oskar added: “Despite being a small area, Haugesund and the surrounding region have an incredibly high concentration of subsea expertise. The region is home to an unparalleled volume of subsea professionals and companies, making it arguably the most competent subsea hub relative to its population size.
“I’m excited to lead STR in such a highly skilled region – and to help shape a new chapter of global growth, innovation and excellence from right here in Norway.”
Interested to find out more about our best in class services and get in touch with our Norway team? Speak directly to an STR specialist here.
STR, a leading provider of advanced sensor technology and solutions for marine applications, has strengthened its global technology and service offering by signing an exclusive technology and service partnership with SubC Imaging, an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) of subsea cameras, digital video recorder products and data-as-a-service provider.
The agreement is in response to increasing industry demand for enhanced optical solutions and real-time inspection data of critical infrastructure across the oil & gas, offshore wind, marine science, power & comms and defence markets.
The new technology and service offering will be managed through STR’s global network. It will combine STR’s in-house camera systems, cathodic protection (CP), flooded member detection (FMD) equipment and inspection service offering with SubC Imaging’s leading camera systems, digital video recording (DVR) products, lights and lasers, and real time data streaming service.
The partnership will provide clients with complementary state-of-the-art product and inspection service offering for use on manned and unmanned platforms and vessels.
Steve Steele, STR CEO, said: “This is a significant partnership for us as part of our commitment is to provide clients with the very best sensor, inspection and data solutions through technology and service quality. This collaboration enables us to direct opportunities toward one another, where appropriate, and focus on the best optical and inspection solutions for our clients. We look forward to building a strong working relationship with Chad and his world-class team.”
Chad Collett, SubC Imaging CEO, said: “This partnership reflects SubC Imaging’s commitment to making advanced optical and data solutions more accessible to the global offshore market. STR’s rental expertise and strong international presence align perfectly with our goal of delivering flexible, high-quality technology that helps clients improve efficiency and data quality in the field.”
Subsea Technology & Rentals (STR), the leading global subsea sensor equipment and solutions provider, has appointed a new general manager in Norway as the company targets the offshore energy, infrastructure and marine science markets in the country and across central Europe.
Oskar Tveit joins STR with a wealth of subsea experience and has worked for several of the company’s key clients, including most recently Solstad.
Supporting Oskar in Norway is James Whyte, a technical operations team leader, who is relocating from STR’s base in Aberdeen. STR plans to increase its headcount into double figures in Norway within two years, with a focus on developing local talent.
Oskar said: “I have had huge respect for STR’s technology and services for many years from the client side and I am proud to be leading the business in Norway. STR has made significant investments in its facilities, people and equipment, building one of the world’s largest sensor technology fleets, enabled by its own in-house product range. This allows us to offer clients a differentiated service while helping them optimise project costs. Being in Norway will provide an additional gateway into supporting our central European clients.”
STR’s new Norway Technology and Service hub will be located at Åkrehamn, close to key customers in Haugesund and Stavanger. The custom designed facility will be 1,000 sqm with STR investing more than NOK 70,000,000 (around £5m) in the base, equipment fleet and organisation in 2025. The workshop will include workstations for both electronic sensor technology and mechanical tooling.
Steve Steele, CEO, said: “Developing a leading sensor, mechanical tooling and inspection service offering in Norway is part of our organic growth strategy. In the last few years, we have become a trusted international provider of subsea sensor technology and services across the offshore energy, infrastructure and marine science markets.
“Oskar is vastly experienced, having spent time with several of our key clients in Norway and is very much respected across the industry. Establishing a technology and service hub in the country provides us with a fantastic opportunity to better service a suite of new customers in Norway as well as those in Denmark, Sweden and across Europe.”
Norway expands STR’s global presence, adding to its technology and service facilities in Aberdeen, Great Yarmouth, Houston, Perth and Singapore -with further expansion on the horizon.
Over the past three years, the company has doubled its headcount to 115 people and expects to add another 20 in the coming year, driving growth through strategic acquisitions.
Subsea Technology & Rentals (STR) has secured STAR Capital Partnership LLP (STAR) as its new majority shareholder, as the global subsea sensor equipment and solutions provider sets out an ambitious growth strategy, targeting offshore energy, infrastructure and marine science markets.
The investment will enable STR to further evolve its equipment and service offering through organic and acquisition-led growth. It will also expand the company’s geographical presence to clients across growing global offshore energy and infrastructure markets, with a new base in Norway set to open early next year
Steve Steele will continue to lead STR as Chief Executive Officer alongside Chief Financial Officer, Stuart Bannerman. Uniti Bhalla, managing partner and Philipp Moy, principal of STAR will join the STR board.
Steve Steele, CEO, said: “Securing STAR as our new majority investor will unlock significant growth potential as we plan to enter new markets and further boost our disruptive technology offering. We have undergone a significant transformation over the last few years from an equipment rental business to be one of the most trusted international providers of subsea sensor technology and services across the offshore energy, infrastructure and marine markets, and we intend to go much further.
“This deal signals confidence in the long-term role we will play in offshore energy transformation. The investment enables us to further enhance our product and service offering, extend our geographic footprint and pursue complementary acquisitions. It creates opportunities for STR’s loyal clients, employees and suppliers around the world.
“I’m also very pleased to be welcoming Uniti and Philipp to the board. These high calibre additions will bring a wealth of experience as we seek to deliver our growth ambitions.”
STR operates globally with technology and service facilities in Aberdeen, Great Yarmouth, Houston, Perth and Singapore – with plans to have a presence in Norway early in 2025 and further expansion on the horizon. The company has nearly doubled headcount in the last three years, with 110 people globally and expects to add a further 20 people in the coming year, with further growth to be delivered through strategic acquisitions.
Uniti Bhalla, managing partner of STAR, commented: “We are thrilled to partner with STR and assist the company’s global growth ambitions. We were attracted to STR due to its innovation and solutions-based approach, providing highly technical and mission critical sensor equipment into offshore markets, which are set to continue expanding through investment into energy transformation, including subsea power and communications.
“The characteristics of the business match our specialist rental and ‘assets as a service’ investment theme, and we are excited to support Steve and his talented team on their vision and growth strategy to benefit STR’s clients worldwide.”
STR has 22 dedicated design engineers and production technicians based at its £1 million Global Technology and Innovation Centre of Excellence developing new products for launch in 2025. The company has plans to further increase revenue through a focus on sustained research and development, displacing legacy subsea technologies with innovative challenger products.
Baird Capital, an investor of STR since January 2022, has now exited the business following STAR Capital’s investment.
As the Asia Pacific region gears up for significant expansion in offshore energy markets, STR is proud to be at the forefront, providing cutting-edge sensor technology and advanced subsea services within the region.
To help lead our efforts in APAC, we are excited to have Maxime Even as our newly appointed General Manager in Singapore. His extensive background in the subsea industry, combined with valuable strategic insights, makes him an invaluable member of the team as we continue to strengthen our presence in the region.
You’ve had 20 years of experience in the energy sector, how has this impacted your leadership style, and what are some key milestones that have shaped your professional path?
“In the offshore industry, where projects are inherently complex and often demand lateral thinking, success hinges not only on technical expertise but also on effective teamwork and bringing together a wide range of skills and perspectives to deliver successful outcomes. I believe that strategic thinking is best achieved when a team is empowered and motivated, and I strive to create an environment where every team member feels heard.
“Having experience across both technical and commercial roles enables me to lead with a balanced approach that integrates operational excellence with business growth, and over the years, I have built a diverse and dynamic career within the survey industry, with a focus on the renewable energy sector.
“Once I completed a master’s degree in Hydrography at the University of Plymouth, I worked my way up in offshore roles for eight years, from a surveyor to geophysicist, then to reporting manager and eventually to party chief. During this period, I concentrated on projects involving submarine telecommunications cables across the Asia, South Pacific, Middle East, and East Africa regions – some of which involved the longest subsea cables spanning oceans and connecting multiple countries.
“Other key milestones throughout my career include leading the establishment of a deep geotechnical investigation department for an established survey company, with a focus on entering the burgeoning Taiwanese offshore wind market. Most recently, I led a commercial team that successfully delivered pioneering projects utilising lean-crewed, robotic survey vessels on energy projects. These projects included deploying Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs) in ultra-deepwater, conducting fully remote ROV inspections of pipelines and acquiring ultra-high-resolution 3D seismic data on offshore wind farms.”
What specifically attracted you to join STR, and what motivated you to take on the role of General Manager at its Singapore base?
“I was drawn to STR due to its stellar reputation within the industry. Renowned for its commitment to excellence, STR is recognised as being among the best in the industry, known for its dedication to finding client-oriented, fit-for-purpose solutions. What also stands out is that it not only boasts the youngest pool of rental equipment in the industry, but it also has an in-house design and production department (Products & Technology division) that has consistently released some of the most innovative subsea products over the past 20 years, including a full line of survey electric winches, FMD/CP sensors, subsea camera systems, subsea lights, lasers and more. STR’s capabilities extend well beyond equipment rental; they encompass cutting-edge production that enable the acquisition of vital marine data and intelligence for the offshore energy and marine science markets.
“The opportunity to lead the Singapore base, a critical hub for the Asia Pacific region, aligns perfectly with both my experience and professional aspirations. I am motivated by the prospect of leveraging my regional experience to drive STR’s growth, enhance its service offerings and establish a strong presence in a market that I know intimately. This role offers a unique challenge and the chance to contribute to STR’s continued success in a dynamic and rapidly evolving industry.”
What do you see as the key opportunities in both Singapore and the wider APAC region?
“This region presents significant opportunities for STR, particularly in the offshore renewable energy sector, alongside the more traditional subsea telecommunication and oil and gas industries. In Singapore, we can capitalise on the city-state’s strategic location to expand its services both locally and regionally, making the most of the world-class logistics infrastructure available here. Additionally, many of our major clients are based here which provides us with an excellent opportunity to build new connections, strengthen our current relationships and demonstrate our capabilities through initiatives such as product demonstration days.
“Regionally, Malaysia is just a stone’s throw away from our Singapore base, and we can tap into the thriving oil and gas industry there. Thailand, which is less than two hours from Singapore, is witnessing significant decommissioning activities, offering further potential for growth. Similarly, Indonesia continues to have a steady flow of work, including the development of several deepwater fields. Further afield, markets like India, Bangladesh, the Philippines and Timor present untapped potential that STR has yet to fully explore.
“More importantly, the region’s ongoing transition towards renewable energy presents us with the opportunity to introduce innovative solutions in offshore wind. Traditionally, the Asia Pacific region has been highly cost-driven when it comes to subsea solutions, but the arrival of foreign offshore wind developers is driving the adoption of new technologies and encouraging innovation, and this represents a timely opportunity for us to carve out a significant niche in the market. STR is already well-established in Taiwan – where we collaborate with most survey and EPCI contractors – and as activities increase in South Korea and Japan, these markets offer substantial growth opportunities for the company.”
Looking ahead, what are your long-term goals for STR, how do you envision this will contribute to the company’s overall success?
“My long-term goal for STR is to build upon the strong foundation laid by Regional Director, Jason French, ensuring that we are recognised as the leading subsea sensor technology and solutions provider in the APAC region, renowned for our innovation, reliability, and customer-focused solutions. I intend to expand this legacy by penetrating additional markets across the entire region and beyond, establishing strategic connections that extend into South Asia and the Middle East.
“To achieve this, my aim is to further strengthen our market presence and work with the leadership team to expand our service portfolio and develop cutting-edge technologies anticipating market demands. I believe we can not only achieve sustained growth, but also set new benchmarks within the industry. This strategic approach will ensure that STR remains at the forefront of the industry, continuing to deliver exceptional value to our clients while fostering a culture of excellence and innovation within the company.”
Find out more about STR and our suite of best-in-class services here…
