Film-Ocean, in partnership with its parent company, STAPEM Group, has taken delivery of a new SMD Atom® ultra-compact work-class ROV, completing a major fleet investment programme first announced last year.
As part of a long-standing partnership, the SMD Atom joins two SMD Quantum® 250-hp heavy-duty work-class ROVs delivered in October 2025 and January 2026, bringing Film-Ocean’s total fleet of SMD vehicles to six. Selected for Boka Komodo, the new system is scheduled to be mobilised later this year for a long-term opportunity in Angola.
Commenting on the investment, Merv New, CEO of Film-Ocean, said: “Taking delivery of our second SMD Atom completes a significant chapter in our fleet development.
“Alongside our two SMD Quantum systems delivered in 2025 and early 2026, we have built on our range and capacity to support clients across a much broader spectrum of subsea operations, from heavy construction through to inspection and light intervention.
“The West Africa region remains a key focus for us, alongside Asia and Norway, and we’re well-placed to meet the demand we’re seeing there.”
Designed for powerful work-class performance within a compact platform, the SMD Atom delivers 100hp and operates at a depth of up to 3000m. Its versatile design offers greater deployment flexibility across a range of vessels, enabling operators to maximise deck space without compromising on vehicle capability.
Lee Carden, Senior Key Account Manager at SMD, said: “Our successful partnership with Film-Ocean is built on trust, shared values and a long-term commitment to achieving excellence together.
“This latest investment reflects the confidence Film-Ocean has in the quality, reliability and performance of our work-class ROVs, as well as our shared passion for upholding the highest standards of engineering.”
For Mike Mackie, Operations Director at Film-Ocean, the SMD Atom’s versatility was its key differentiator: “The SMD Atom is a powerful system in a compact package. It gives us real operational flexibility, particularly for projects where vessel size or deck space would otherwise be a limiting factor.
“Combined with our SMD Quantum capability, Film-Ocean can now offer clients a genuinely comprehensive work-class ROV service.”
