Danish maritime hardware and software company Danelec Marine is acquiring Norwegian digital ship performance monitoring firm Kyma to create what it says will be the world's largest maritime data specialist.
The combined group will have more than 10,000 ships using its solutions to optimise travel routes and vessel performance, as well as reduce emissions, the companies said.
The acquisition follows North European growth equity investor Verdane becoming the majority shareholder in privately held Danelec Marine at the beginning of 2020 when it said its investment was intended "to accelerate the Danish company's growth in the global marine electronics and services sector".
With over 20 years of experience, Danelec Marine is a manufacturer of voyage data recorders, electronic chart display and ship-to-shore data provision systems, with products installed on more than 6,000 vessels worldwide.
Kyma develops and manufactures performance monitoring software products for all types of vessels. It has installations on over 5,000 vessels, with products and services delivered to over 400 shipping companies and yards including Hyundai, MSC, Maran Tankers, BW Group and Samsung Heavy Industries.
Its software as a service platform allows automatic data collection, which will play an increasingly critical role in enabling emissions reporting to comply with international maritime regulations.
Danelec Marine chief executive Casper Jensen said: "Together, we will create a global leader in maritime data collection and smart shipping technologies to provide accurate, regular, and reliable data to safeguard the competitive advantages, and regulatory compliance status of shipping businesses.
"Smart shipping plays a critical role in creating a more resource-efficient future for the global consumer," he added.
Through strategic partnerships with Inmarsat and third-party analytics companies, Danelec said its Internet of Things solutions enable automatic collection, transfer, storage and analysis of ship data.
Kyma chief executive Halldor Rongve said the Norwegian company has pioneered marine performance monitoring solutions for over 50 years. The company was established as a consultancy in marine engineering and naval architecture in 1965 and has existed in its present form since 1995.
"We expand on that proud heritage by joining Danelec Marine. In the face of changing regulations and ever-increasing demands for operational efficiency, we look forward to working together," he said.
