BMT goes One2Three

SYDNEY-based, internationally prolific One2three Naval Architects has been acquired by the UK’s BMT Group, in a move both organisations describe as strengthening their global reach.

One2three, which has designed literally hundreds of vessels for customers worldwide, was established in 1997 as Quigley Marine Designs by “a small group of seasoned pioneers within Australia's maritime industry” and evolved into One2three Naval Architects in 2005.  

“With the desire to cultivate ‘a great company, not a big one’, One2three has matured into a core team of 18 Naval Architects and experience drafts-people based in Sydney … the team’s experience extends well beyond the office, with tens of thousands of sea-miles and years spent on the shipyard floor,” the company’s website states.

One2three has delivered more than 300 vessels across over 30 countries and is recognised internationally for its expertise in highly efficient hull form design and high-performance ferries, and has established long-term customer relationships across Australia, Europe, Asia, the United Kingdom and the United States, with experience spanning commercial ferries, para-military craft, luxury yachts and battery-powered vessels.

BMT has its origins “as a trusted technical advisor embedded in the British Government, to our position today as a global leader in maritime design, advice, support and consulting, our journey, and our reason for being, is centred on solving complex, real-world problems”.

BMT says the acquisition, announced on Thursday [23 July] UK time, expands its ability to support customers delivering complex vessel programs across international markets and broadens its strengths in maritime design across ferries, specialist craft, autonomy and advanced vessel technologies.

The acquisition, for an undisclosed price, brings together complementary maritime design expertise and strengthens BMT’s position as a global maritime design and technical consultancy. Existing customer relationships, delivery teams and active projects will continue without disruption, ensuring continuity while providing customers with broader engineering support, expanded delivery resources and increased international reach.

The combined vessel design portfolio of One2three and BMT means enhanced support to shipyards, operators and maritime customers across key international markets, they say.

Graeme Nayler, regional business director, APAC at BMT, said One2Three had built a formidable reputation in commercial and specialist vessel design over three decades, including world-leading work in high-speed aluminium ferries and advanced multihull craft.

“Bringing that expertise into BMT, alongside our global engineering, consultancy and lifecycle heritage, strengthens the way we support customers as vessel programmes become more complex and internationally connected.

“This is a deliberate, long-term investment in maritime design excellence and innovation and, following our acquisition of AMT, a further step in BMT's sustained growth across the Asia-Pacific region. Together, it deepens our independent ship design expertise and our ability to work alongside customers and shipyards worldwide, particularly as demand grows for commercial shipbuilding and ferry capability in markets such as the United States,” Mr Nayler said.

One2three MD Steve Quigley said joining BMT strengthened their ability “to scale that experience globally while maintaining the responsiveness, technical quality and customer focus that define our business.

“Access to BMT’s broader international engineering network, AI initiatives, technical knowledge and lifecycle support creates significant growth opportunities for our people, our customers and the markets we support.”