Named Marine Safety Systems (MSS), the division will be initially located at the company’s Bridge of Don headquarters in the UK, and will be moved to a new facility in the north-east later this year.
IMES executive chairman Rod Buchan said: "As part of our strategic growth plan, we are actively expanding into adjacent spaces around our core business.
"We see moving into the marine safety systems area as a natural fit given the extensive subsea and marine knowledge possessed by our team, as well as the company’s range of industry-recognized accreditations."
The MSS will provide services covering initial design through to lifetime support, including lifeboats, davits, winches, release hook systems and fast rescue craft.
The company will also manage annual lifting equipment inspection, and lifeboat and davit inspection and testing.
MSS operations director Colin Cunningham said: "The launch of MSS will bring significant cost savings to businesses across the oil and gas and commercial marine industries as well as an increased level of technical assurance.
"By bringing together lifting and marine inspections, we can provide clients with cost efficiencies in excess of 15% with additional savings in both time and mobilization."
