Hostmost is a leading provider of marine electronics, navigation and communications systems and services. Since its inception, the company has expanded globally, while upholding core values of safety, integrity, passion and quality. Hannah Barnett discussed the ins and outs of the industry with Business Development Manager Taylor Lawson.
The shipping industry may always be changing, but one thing Hostmost can guarantee is truly dedicated customer service. From the largest ship-owners and fleet managers to the smallest vessel operators, the company commits equal care and attention to each job.
Indeed, Hostmost is known for its expertise in the most complex tasks, including newbuild shipyard projects, underway retrofits and emergency services. The staff have a depth and range of knowledge that is unmatched – and integrity with it.
“As a partner which doesn’t manufacture products, it’s important for us to go out there with facts and make sure that our clients are well informed,” said Taylor Lawson, Business Development Manager. “I always remind our salespeople; this isn’t like other sales jobs. No one in our industry is going to buy a new radar because they won the lottery last
week. It’s about being technically sound and able to answer the questions that matter to our customers. It is not about upselling and promoting a product without due cause.
“If anybody in the industry has any questions about a new regulation, our opinion on a new piece of technology or a shipping -related concern, we always do our best to answer to the best of our ability. This includes matters outside of marine electronics. We’re always happy to provide customer service when we have the opportunity.”
Engineers are available 24/7, 365 days a year, ensuring that client’s needs are met around the clock.
Staying relevant
Hostmost was founded in 1989 in Hong Kong by three ex-radio officers. Testament to the ever-changing nature of shipping, the role of Radio Officer no longer exists in the industry.
“All of our founders are former seafarers, which I think is fairly unique, and certainly sets us apart from our competition,” Mr Lawson said. “We understand the urgency required and what ship owners and man agers are looking for.”
In 1996, the company opened its first overseas office in Vancouver. There are now 15 locations worldwide, including major branches in Hong Kong, China, Singapore, the Philippines, Canada and Vietnam. The newest site in Houston, Texas, launched earlier in 2024.
The company is made up of around 100 skilled engineers and a further 100 more on the sales and admin side. It is certified by most of the major classifications such as Lloyd’s Register, DNV, BV and American Bureau of Shipping, among others.
In a rapidly shifting industry, Hostmost also stays ahead by offering more than marine electronics. The most recent adaptation has seen a greater focus on decarbonisation, digitisation and emissions data tracking.
A host of services
Service and repair are the bread-andbutter of the business and take up the most manhours, another unique selling point of the company. “A lot of companies in our sector would recommend just replacing something when it’s broken,” said Mr Lawson. “We pride ourselves on our ability to troubleshoot both remotely and in person, find the fault and fix it. It means a customer doesn’t have to buy a new set and it’s more sustainable, too.”
Alongside repair, the work on newbuilds in shipyards, often involves the installation of a full navigation and communications package for a vessel’s bridge. “This includes commissioning and testing throughout various sea trials,” Mr Lawson explained, “all the way to delivery, plus staying with that ship through the warranty period, then retaining the owner as a customer to help them maintain, repair and replace systems as required.”
The company retains a full retrofitting team, facilitating the upgrade of vessels
to stay compliant with modern regulations. Hostmost also carries a full inventory of spare parts. “It’s a one-stop-shop for all marine electronic needs,” Mr Lawson said. “If a customer needs something like a new battery or screen onboard, they can come to us for equipment spares at any time, not just complete systems.”
The latest diversification from standard marine electronics has also included a range of decarbonisation products like fuel additives and anti-fouling systems. Hostmost has begun working with Innospec, the American specialty chemical company, to decrease oil consumption and make vessels more efficient.
“Decarbonisation has become ever more important in these last few years, and it shows no sign of slowing down,” said Mr Lawson. “Feasible solutions that are proven to reduce fuel oil consumption are of high interest across the board. There are a lot of promises out there, but products backed by trials and independently verified case studies show our customers we are serious about providing real solutions that work.
“We are showing the ship owners and managers that there’s these short term,
low CapEx, reliable solutions that can be used on a vessel’s journey towards decarbonisation, as opposed to the many very expensive solutions. We also offer systems such as Sonic Anti Fouling systems from Sonihull, which prevent marine growth on key areas such as propellers – further enhancing the vessels efficiency.”
Electric alliances
Hostmost works closely with a range of suppliers. As well as the partnership with Innospec, longer standing collaborations include the Japan Radio Company (JRC) and YDK Technologies.
“Those two relationships are paramount,” Mr Lawson said. “JRC delivers a full suite of electronics. The company can cover every bit of electronics in the bridge of a ship and its reputation in the industry is exemplary.
Anyone that has used the equipment always speaks very highly of JRC and the reliability of the product.
“We exist to support the manufacturers and make sure that the ship owners understand why JRC or YDK products are superior to the competition. We then ensure that the service network is available no matter where the ship is in the world.”
Hostmost is no stranger to complex, technical projects. In one instance, engineers had to work out how to merge radar signals on a new ship with large aluminium sails. The sails were designed to reduce fuel use but caused a radar blind spot in the process.
“We had to merge those signals together to give one comprehensive display and see past the blind spot,” Mr Lawson said. “It was a pretty cool project.”
Such challenges are overcome thanks to Hostmost’s team of highly skilled engi -
neers and technical staff. The company regularly co-hosts training sessions alongside manufacturers, which are also open to engineers from other companies.
In November, the company will run a YDK training seminar in Washington State, across two weeks, for around 80 engineers from many different companies.
“The shipping industry is somewhat difficult to get into and basically impos -
sible to get out of,” concluded Mr Lawson. “Once you’re in, you’re in.
“But there are many fascinating things shipping is involved in like global trade patterns and emission reductions targets; it is interesting on so many different levels. It engages me every day. This job is not just the midnight phone calls about broken echo sounders, though that also keeps it interesting!” n
