UK & International Marine Business Sales

Electronic Chart Display and Information Systems (ECDIS) are complex software-based systems used for marine navigation. The International Maritime Organisation (IMO) made the carriage of ECDIS mandatory in 2009 to comply with Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) regulations. From January 2011, ECDIS had to be installed in new ships built after set dates and phased in for existing vessels in operation.

Founded by our client in 1987 and now trading for 36 years, this company is a specialist in marine electronic software and data, and designs, develops, publishes, and markets its proprietary ECDIS system worldwide. It is one of only around thirty type-approved ECDIS manufacturers and is the only ‘small specialist’ independent platform provider in the market. Its ongoing investment in R&D and the resulting IPR value generated is significant indeed. Recent new technical developments include radar image overlay on charts and the ability to monitor and share ship traffic data. Over the coming years, regulators will be defining standards for vessels smaller than those subject to current ECDIS regulations and our client is well positioned to serve this very large market.

Sales are generally organic, and demand driven, with systems supplied direct to vessel operators and via an international dealer network rather than a result of business development effort, yet the market opportunity remains strong and barriers to entry are high. As well as benefiting from ongoing annual support and upgrade revenues, the company also supplies training services, ECDIS simulators and is an Electronic Nautical Chart Agent for the UK Hydrographic Office and C-Map.

This is a perfect acquisition opportunity for a similar business operating in the sector looking to acquire market share, or an individual with the necessary technical understanding and experience.

Offered for sale exclusively via First Peninsula Marine and no direct approach should be made. To protect the owner’s commercial interests confidential sales details are only available to NDA Registered Buyers.