Nautic Africa - Vessel and Ship Construction for Crew Transfer and Oil and Gas Support

Nautic Africa specialises in the construction of vessels for patrol, crew transfer, oil and gas support, port control and other demanding uses. Nautic Africa, formerly known as KND Projects, is led by James Fisher and his expert team. The company was established in 2008 but leverages off hundreds of years of collective ship building experience from within its dedicated team members. Over the last decade, Nautic Africa has been assisting clients with turnkey vessel solutions.

Nautic Africa strives to provide straight-forward solutions to specific requirements and achieves this by utilising a 'client integrated' approach to ship building. In practice, this means we provide an in-depth analysis of clients' precise needs, both current and future, and develop a long-lasting partnership to ensure that client services are consistently carried out at the highest level. Nautic Africa offers full maintenance lifecycle service plans after delivery if required.

Nautic Africa embraces the rich business flavour unique to the African continent. The company is committed to engaging with clients to foster local manufacturing and service initiatives, and to nurture the advancement of the maritime industries within the African continent.

High-performance crafts for all sea conditions

Nautic Africa crafts are designed to perform at the highest level providing total solutions to our clients' unique requirements. Situations such as anti-piracy, illegal poaching control, in-shore and offshore territorial waters patrol, maintenance / security of oil and gas assets and the safe transfer of crew in rough sea conditions all place huge demands on vessels in Africa.

Uncompromising build quality and innovative design make this possible. Nautic Africa, in alliance with KND Naval Design, has the facilities, expertise and technology to manufacture vessels that are reliable, safe, competitively priced and purpose-built for a continent on the move.

Nautic Africa is proud of its technology base. The company's strategic partnerships with international shipyards strengthens its operational pedigree, and allows access to a multitude of proven vessel designs, confirming Nautic Africa's status as a world player in the ship building industry.

Marine-grade aluminium vessels

Nautic Africa manufactures various products ranging in size from 9m to 90m. The majority of vessels are manufactured using marine-grade aluminium, however, if the application demands it, vessels may also be manufactured using steel.

At a third of the mass of steel, aluminium's weight saving characteristics result in greatly reduced fuel costs each year. Additionally, aluminium requires zero maintenance, eliminating the vast expense associated with removing a vessel from the water. An aluminium hull structure reduces weight and offers a better weight to power ratio, thus increasing performance and reducing operating costs.

The build process is always preceded by a specialised analysis of clients' requirements. This is a collaborative exercise and is integral to establishing the design criteria of the vessel. For example, the specialised analysis will be used to ascertain the following:

• A report on the typical tide and swell conditions (if operating in estuaries)
• Docking facilities
• Specialised docking conditions such as beach landings
• Optimal operational range
• Number of passengers
• Budget

Vessels with ballistic superstructure protection

Technology is integral to every aspect of Nautic Africa's operations. Extensive research and development is used to establish the optimum systems and materials for each project.

Nautic Africa has invested heavily in developing lightweight composite ballistic superstructure manufacturing techniques, for protection against the most potent small armour fire, such as the widely used AK47.

The wheelhouse and the deckhouse act as a secure and lockable 'panic room' where passengers and crew can gather safely during an attack.

3D parametric modelling

In the planning and design phase, state-of-the-art 3D parametric modelling is used to produce detailed physical models. This is an invaluable tool when working with clients, to truly visualise the design of the vessel.