Scottish coastal marine survey specialist Socotec Land & Hydrographic Surveys opens a new base in Liverpool – its first in England. Tony McDonough reports
Coastal marine survey specialist Socotec Land & Hydrographic Surveys is opening a new base in Liverpool as it expands out of its native Scotland for the first time.
Ayrshire-based Socotec L&H says this expansion will enable it to deliver its services to clients throughout England, removing geographical perceptions that may have previously limited opportunities south of the border.
This new office, which is located in Fazakerley, isn’t the only recent change for the company. From April 1, Aspect Land & Hydrographic Surveys was renamed Socotec Land & Hydrographic Surveys, having been acquired by the Socotec Group in late 2024.
Graeme Thomson, operations director at Socotec, said: “While we have completed projects in England, historically there has always been a perception that we were located predominantly for works across Scotland, including the Highlands and Islands.
“Having a presence south of the border will enable us to explore a significant number of new opportunities, as potential clients may have previously perceived us as too far away to be considered for their projects.
“Liverpool offers a natural foothold given the established marine industry there and our existing client relationships in the region. It provides the ideal base from which to grow our operations.”
Since the acquisition, the company has worked alongside Socotec’s infrastructure and environmental teams on client projects, undertaking both onshore and offshore geotechnical investigations.
The teams are also currently collaborating on future bids and projects that combine marine vibrocores with Socotec’s laboratory capabilities.
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Graeme added: “Joining Socotec will be hugely beneficial – we now have a much wider network of resources to draw on, and it’s likely that Socotec services clients with marine works requirements that we haven’t previously engaged with.
“It’s important that our clients understand the core services we provide, and the people who provide them, remain within the business.”