ENGINEERING company Aker Kvaerner has announced a tie-up with Spescom Software Limited to provide information management solutions to the nuclear power industry.

The alliance will target nuclear operators in the ten eastern European countries which are set to join an expanded EU, and as a result will have to meet with stricter regulatory standards.

Aker Kvaerner's Teesside operation, AK Engineering Services, in Stockton, Teesside, is already established in the delivery of upgrade, refurbishment and new-build projects, as well as managed operational services, including environmental clean-up in the UK nuclear sector.

Specsom, of London, has achieved a 15 per cent share of the US nuclear market with its content and configuration management solutions.

David Rice, AK Engineering Services alliances manager, said: "The fit between Aker Kvaerner and Spescom is ideal, in that it allows the strong project execution and operational skills of AK Engineering Services to be linked to the abilities which Spescom offer in the tight control and management of information.

"Many plant owners and operators have suffered in the past from the lack of accurate information about their plant configuration, and we plan to deliver an approach which provides a really strong return on investment. Driving down operational costs is one of the key objectives of the alliance."

Aker Kvaerner is a leading global provider of engineering and construction services, technology products and integrated solutions and employs about 35,000 people in more than 30 countries.