Norfolk-based marine equipment supplier Fendercare Marine has clinched a deal worth almost $30m (�18.5m) with the US Navy.

The five-year contract will see Fendercare supply and install its flagship hydro-pneumatic fenders to the navy's submarine fleet at its Philadelphia engineering base, the US Naval Surface Warfare Center, Carderock Division.

The contract comes on the back of a 15 year relationship between Fendercare Marine and the US Navy with work will be carried out by staff in Fendercare's Seeting headquarters.

Eric Plane, Fendercare Marine managing director, said: 'Everyone at Fendercare Marine is delighted to have secured this contract. This is a testament to our ability to provide both high quality, reliable products and the required levels of customer service that goes with it. As you can appreciate, these things do not just happen but are a direct result of huge amounts of hard work both in respect of the contract submission itself and ensuring that we meet the extremely stringent technical requirements demanded by the US Navy.'

Louis DiStefano, from the US Naval Surface Warfare Center, said Fendercare Marine, which is a member of Cumbria-based James Fisher & Sons group, has been the world leader in providing the hydro-pneumatic fenders to the U.S Navy for the past 15 years.

He said: 'To date we have had zero defects with fenders provided through Fendercare Marine and they have been a vital part of assuring our US submarine fleet's mooring capabilities continue positively throughout the world.'

The five-year contract, worth $29.42m, was awarded this month.

While the business is traditionally known for its fenders, Fendercare Marine also provides marine services to the energy industry.

Earlier this year it opened a �1m new support base in Great Yarmouth, which the company hopes will support existing wind farms.

The Cobholm base opening in the Old Bure Marine site has a large set-down and storage area with a vast crane, as well as quayside frontage and office facilities.

Fendercare Marine has offices around the world including in Brazil, Angola, Nigeria, the United Arab Emirates, China, Singapore and Australia.