Norway-based StormGeo, a leading provider of weather intelligence and decision support services, has entered into a deal to acquire Nautisk, a global supplier of maritime charts and publications to the merchant marine, from NHST Media Group.
 
The combination allows StormGeo to be the first to integrate market-leading routing and weather services with state-of-the-art charts and publications solutions, said a statement from the company.
 
Per-Olof Schroeder, chief executive officer, StormGeo, said: “The acquisition of Nautisk is a natural complement to our existing solutions to the global shipping industry.”

“In recent years, Nautisk has developed state-of-the-art software for use in planning and navigation, while maintaining one of the industry’s best run operations for delivering paper charts and publications to vessels worldwide,” he said.

“The power of the combined StormGeo-Nautisk solution will directly benefit customers as we advance our vision as a premier shipping services player. We are proud to lead the industry in creating the first, fully-integrated navigational planning solution in the market,” he added.
 
This new all-in-one platform will allow StormGeo and Nautisk customers to optimise routing, obtain appropriate charts, and create a voyage plan without switching between disparate systems, it said.

Integrating navigational information with weather intelligence and proprietary route optimisation algorithms will enhance quality and offer significant usability and cost benefits to customers, it added.
 
Thomas Fjeld, chief executive officer, Nautisk, said: “Our team is excited about combining with such a trusted company within the shipping community and beyond.”

“Our complementary offering means that together we can provide a solution that has no rival and will drive usability, provide richer functionality, and offer more value for our customers,” he said.
 
Fjeld will take on a position as vice president planning and navigation within StormGeo post-acquisition, said a statement.  
 
Nautisk has formed part of NHST Media Group since its inception in 1896.

Andreas Emblem, head of division at NHST Media Group, said: “Nautisk is an established business with a renowned heritage set for a bright future, already spearheading the global, digital transformation of the nautical chart business.”

“This combination with a broader maritime solutions business has a strong strategic logic that should further enhance its potential for success in a rapidly changing market,” he said.

The transaction will close within the next month or as soon as practical, pending the fulfilment of certain standard conditions for completion. Financial details of the transaction are not disclosed, it stated. – TradeArabia News Service