HAMPTON ROADS, VA – Quality Maritime Surveyors (QMS), a leading provider of maritime non-destructive testing education and training in Australia is proud to announce its expansion into Virginia. With a rich history of supporting the Collins class in Australia and a deep-rooted commitment to maritime excellence, QMS is poised to bring its expertise to the heart of the U.S. shipbuilding industry in Hampton Roads. The company is backed by years of experience in naval submarine and shipbuilding and has developed and refined processes to train maritime technicians. With offices dedicated to naval submarine and shipbuilding in South Australia, Osborne, and Western Australia, Henderson, QMS has established itself as a trusted partner in the maritime defense sector.
“Our expansion into Hampton Roads marks an exciting chapter for QMS,” said Crystal Kennedy, CEO of QMS. “We are thrilled to bring our decades of experience and innovative training solutions to the U.S., where we aim to support local maritime technicians and contribute to the advancement of safety, efficiency, and technological innovation within the shipbuilding industry.” As part of its expansion, QMS will initially establish a presence in the Virginia Defense Landing at the Hampton Roads Alliance’s IDEA Lab in the World Trade Center in Norfolk, while they seek a permanent location in Newport News.
Doug Smith, President and CEO of the Hampton Roads Alliance, expressed his enthusiasm for QMS’s arrival, stating, “Hampton Roads is the nation’s premier military metro and QMS’s commitment to advancing maritime excellence in our region is commendable. Their expertise will undoubtedly strengthen our regional shipbuilding ecosystem and contribute to the success of initiatives like the AUKUS submarine program.”
Florence Kingston, Director of Development for the City of Newport News, stated “More than a century of shipbuilding heritage backs the City of Newport News’ commitment to this industry which is so important to the U.S. and to the world. The City warmly welcomes Australian companies like Quality Maritime Surveyors (QMS) wanting to locate in the heart of our regional shipbuilding ecosystem where a strong and engaged workforce fosters collaboration and growth. We applaud and congratulate QMS’s commitment to advancing maritime excellence in Hampton Roads as you expand your presence in Newport News.”
Shawn Avery, President & CEO of the Hampton Roads Workforce Council, added “QMS’s expansion into Hampton Roads aligns perfectly with our efforts to bolster the submarine industrial base workforce ecosystem in Hampton Roads. The Hampton Roads Workforce Council is dedicated to collaborating with the Alliance and our other local, regional, and state partners to ensure that our workforce is prepared to meet demands. We look forward to working closely with QMS to enhance training opportunities and support the growth of our maritime workforce.”
David White, President of the Virginia Maritime Association, noted “QMS is joining the world’s premier maritime industrial base, and we are thrilled to welcome them to our shores. Congratulations to the QMS team; the Virginia Maritime Association looks forward to working alongside you as you grow your presence in Hampton Roads.”
QMS looks forward to collaborating with local partners and stakeholders as it embarks on this new chapter of growth and innovation.
For media inquiries, please contact Jared Chalk, Chief Business Development Officer at jchalk@hamptonroadsalliance.com
About QMS: Quality Maritime Surveyors (QMS) is a leading provider of maritime NDT education and training, with a focus on naval submarine and shipbuilding. With offices in Australia and now expanding into the U.S., QMS is dedicated to advancing maritime excellence through innovative training solutions.
About the Hampton Roads Alliance: The Hampton Roads Alliance is the leading regional economic development organization for the Hampton Roads region of Virginia. It is a nonprofit, public-private partnership supported and led by 14 public sector and over 90 private sector investors. The Alliance’s key responsibilities include marketing the Hampton Roads region to domestic and international firms looking to expand and/or relocate in the next 12-24 months. The Alliance works to attract and support businesses in key industries, including shipbuilding and maritime. Major local maritime companies such as HII-Newport News Shipbuilding, Fairlead and Colonna’s Shipyard are members of the Hampton Roads Alliance. For more information, visit www.hamptonroadsalliance.com.
