Electronic marketplace company ShipyardXchange (SYX) has signed a contract with DNV Certification to undergo a 4-module EBtrust assessment in ethics, infrastructure, security, and process & organisation. Norwegian-based ShipyardXchange serves the European shipbuilding industry. The marketplace focuses on trading of strategic (non-catalogue based) equipment and services mainly for the new shipbuilding segment. SYX was established as a separate company in August 2000, and is owned by Aker Yards, Aker RGI, Sener Grupo de Ingenieria y Sistemas SA, Ementor ASA and Marintek.

The marketplace was initially developed at the Norwegian shipyard Aker Brattvaag during spring 2000. This pilot proved successful in increasing efficiency at the yard as well as in reducing costs. The current owners have strong belief in the concept, and other shipyards have been invited to participate as partners. This marketplace open to shipyards and suppliers makes it possible to achieve better efficiencies and most importantly reduction of costs and risks for every participant. Although the initial focus is on negotiation and procurement of goods and services, ShipyardXchange is working on broadening its offerings and plans to offer integration with engineering systems as CAD/CAM, ERP-/MPS-systems and ship life-cycle support.

Claus F. Høyer, EBtrust Project Manager, said, "This is a very valuable contract for us. ShipyardXchange is an important player in the growing maritime e-business segment, and is backed by a group of influential companies from the maritime as well as the ICT industry. It is exiting to see that players in the maritime industry not only find DNV's maritime Classification/Certification services attractive, but also see EBtrust as an important tool for building trust and confidence in e-business activities. Hopefully this contract will be the spearhead for penetrating the large B2B market dominated by relatively few, but very powerful industrial marketplaces."