World Player Vinçotte Wins Prestigious International Assignment

VILVOORDE, Belgium, August 18, 2014 /PRNewswire/ --

Team of Belgian specialists heads to Australia for a year and a half to work on major LNG project

This month Vinçotte earned a contract for the integrity control of the Wheatstone LNG installation in western Australia. This project includes the storage and conversion of natural gas into LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas), which is subsequently transported to the rest of the world. Vinçotte describes this project as "an enormous professional challenge". The Belgian company will be in charge of checking all the welding joints and steel constructions on-site in western Australia.

Vinçotte's competitors in this bid were other international companies, all of which already have a branch in Australia. The project required quite a long preparation time before the Belgian company was finally selected. Ben Verhagen, International Business Developer at Vinçotte, is very proud of this achievement: "This important assignment proves that Vinçotte can successfully carry out the most prestigious projects around the globe, and that the company has become an international player. This gives us yet another opportunity to expand worldwide."

Worldwide specialist 

Ben Verhagen is convinced that Vinçotte's extensive experience in testing LNG installations all over the world was an important - if not decisive - factor in winning this bid. "Our specialists are considered experts all over the world when it comes to testing strategic installations. Vinçotte has already carried out similar LNG projects in Canada, Algeria, Poland, the Netherlands, Norway and Belgium. The Australian LNG project is one of the largest to date", he explains.

The works are set to start this month. Vinçotte is setting up a team of about 25 people in Australia, who, in the next year and a half, will manage the project locally. The company is also sending a 10-or-so-strong team from Belgium down under, led by Business Unit Manager Kamiel Vanderlinden to ensure the project is once again a successful one. "This proves we offer the knowledge, skills and quality required to tackle major projects. Our contract partner has confirmed this, and it is something we should be proud of. Moreover, it is a great asset for all of our staff and for budding engineers and technicians whose ambition it is to join Vinçotte", says Kamiel Vanderlinden.

About the Wheatstone project 

The LNG installation project was commissioned by Chevron. Vinçotte is working on behalf of the joint venture EVT (Entrepose - VINCI - Thiess), which, in turn, was hired by Bechtel, the main contractor. "Thanks to its vast portfolio, skills and technical quality, Vinçotte is the preferred partner for this project." Ben Verhagen continues: "Checking key bimetallic welding joints in the 9% nickel steel of the LNG installations is a complex task. Our team at Vinçotte has years of experience in non-destructive testing (NDT) worldwide and is therefore more than up to it."

About Vinçotte 

At Vinçotte it is our aim is to help build the reputation of our industrial and private clients in terms of quality, safety and environment. As an independent and objective service provider we offer inspections, testing, certification and training in these fields. Vinçotte boasts a portfolio of more than 130 services (electricity, hoisting equipment, pressure equipment, civil engineering, occupational safety, environmental protection and radiation protection) in different fields. We have over 140 years' experience and international knowhow, thus guaranteeing our customers a service they can trust.

Vinçotte is always on the lookout for opportunities to further expand and strengthen its service portfolio. Three months ago the company acquired the Dutch company ISACert B.V., as well as a majority interest in Ordeon B.V., strengthening its position in the agricultural and food sectors.

The Vinçotte Group, which has 16 branches and employs 2,500 people worldwide, has a turnover in excess of 200 million euro. Our headquarters are located in Vilvoorde, Belgium.

For more information, please go to http://www.vincotte.com