Oldendorff Carriers has taken an undisclosed minority stake in Finnish navigation technology start-up Groke Technologies.
The German bulker owner said it was “introduced to the company” by Japanese trading firm Mitsubishi Corp, with which it has a close relationship.
The Japanese company is the leading investor of Groke, having taken a stake in the company during its formation two years ago.
Oldendorff said it “empathised” with Groke’s vision to “not jump into autonomy, but rather focusing on the support of crews and safety of the navigation”.
Groke was founded in 2019 by four people from the ship intelligence team at Rolls-Royce who were pioneers in the development of autonomous navigation technology.
Led by co-founder and chief executive Juha Rokka, it employs 19 staff.
The company said it was developing “intelligent navigation systems” for shipping operations, with the aim to create “safer and more comfortable working conditions on-board vessels”.
Earlier this year, Finnish shipowner Meriaura Group carried out trials of Groke’s situation awareness technology on its 7,950-gt ro-ro Polaris VG (built 1988).
Weather and meteorological data
In July, Groke teamed up with Japan’s Weathernews to collaborate on providing better services related to weather and meteorological data and route planning.
In its next phase, Groke plans to create an open innovation platform related to autonomy, where companies both in and out of the shipping industry can collaborate to bring innovative ideas to the world.
Oldendorff is no stranger to using the latest technology to improve its operational performance and meet growing environmental goals.
In January, it launched a joint development project with Anemoi Marine Technologies to look at the installation of wind-assisted technology on dry cargo vessels.
As part of the study, Oldendorff could have a folding rotor sail power system ready for its bulker fleet by 2022.
In late 2019, the company teamed up with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)'s Center for Bits and Atoms (CBA).
Oldendorff worked with the CBA and campus collaborators including MIT's Sea Grant Program to investigate disruptive improvements in design and propulsion with an eye on the International Maritime Organization's decarbonisation targets.
