Navigational software group Navtor is to acquire Indian digital logbook developer Ingenium Marine.
The Norwegian group, which claims to be the world’s leading supplier of e-navigation solutions, said it will integrate Ingenium's digital logbook systems into its product portfolio, but the firm will continue to operate from Mumbai.
Navtor chief executive Tor Svanes said the merger can "transform the way the industry views traditional log-keeping — and propel vessel logbooks into the smart shipping age".
The acquisition comes 11 months after Navtor purchased US vessel performance optimisation firm Tres Solutions, and continues its expansion since being sold by Norway's Smedvig to US technology investment group Accel-KKR in 2020.
Svanes said Ingenium Marine's software allows any combination of vessel logs to be digitised to create a single smart system that can cut administration and enable easier regulatory compliance.
It standardises quality and creates the ability to share data with onshore organisations, he added.
Since being set up in 2018 by former master mariner Amitabh Sankranti, who has also worked as a manager for projects and investments at Schulte Group and as director for quality assurance at Scorpio Tankers, Ingenium has developed a class and flag state-approved digital logbook system.
"Ingenium has taken an onerous, complicated, often unreliable and outdated paper-based system, transforming it for 21st-century demands," Svanes said.
"Digital logbooks may not be mandatory yet, but when the industry sees what is possible, they will be — and there will be a rush to adopt to maximise competitive advantage."
Sankranti said log keeping is a valuable data source that is near impossible to use properly due to the physical nature of the records input by crews in a vast array of paper logs.
"Log-keeping is a big beast, creating a huge administrative workload that is increasingly difficult to manage, but, given regulatory demands, more and more critical to successful, compliant operations," he said.
"Here we have a way of radically simplifying data capture, accessibility, transparency and utilisation. Joining the team [Navtor] was a 'no brainer' and, I believe, will supercharge the digital logbook revolution."
Navtor's e-navigation and vessel performance products are on more than 7,500 vessels worldwide.
