October 7 - Hallin Marine Subsea International Ltd is focussing on Australia as it continues its growth plans.

Simon Hird has been recruited by Hallin as its first country manager for Australia and leads a new office that has been opened in Perth to support operations and marketing in the country.

Hallin's wholly owned subsidiary, Hallin Marine Australia Pty Ltd, has won its first major contract on the Gorgon project offshore Australia. The three month long contract sees Hallin's SOV vessel, the DP2 classed Sanko Angel, moving to the region.

The focus on the region is being supported with a range of assets as Hallin sends new ROVs and diving systems to be based in Australia and expects to have NOPSA Safety Case approval for its new, flagship vessel, the SOV Windermere, by the end of 2010, which will allow it to operate in Australian waters.

Simon Hird joins Hallin from the joint venture company Clough Helix, where he was business development manager and believes the timing is right for Hallin's push in Australia from its Singapore base.