HANSA 04-2018

Schiffstechnik | Ship Technology
Opening up airtime
Marlink has been busy in 2017 with mergers and acquisitions that are set to make them a main
contender in the maritime communications market for the future, writes Samantha Fisk
One of the modern aspects that are becoming
a »norm« for the shipping
industry is the use of internet onboard
vessels. With new technologies being developed
that are reliant on the internet
for transfer of data from ship-to-shore
and the use of internet by crew personnel
onboard, the market for communications
is opening up with new demands
on the horizon.
Catering for the demand of internet
access, whilst still facing financial pressure
from the downturn in other markets
has opened up companies to consolidation.
Erik Ceuppens, CEO of Marlink, explains
about the fragmented market that:
»Yes the market is fragmented, but in maritime
this has always been the case. In
future we will see more consolidation.«
2017 was a »very strong year« for Marlink,
with six companies being brought
onboard the flagship communications
company, doubling its turnover over the
last two years.
Marlink says that with these recent
acquisitions it will help them grow and
develop its product portfolio for future
market demands. Ceuppens explains
that: »Our strategy is not just to expand
the reach of our customer base, but it is
to position Marlink as the leading player
in the different maritime areas.«
Ceuppens also explains that with the
recent M&A developments the company
is looking to strengthen the group with
further acquisitions in the future. However,
he adds that the acquisitions over
the past year and in the future will be
»select decisions«, looking at companies
that will add to the portfolio. The six acquisitions
in 2017 saw company names
such as Telemar, Radio Holland and TNL
brought in to Marlink. Telemar will be
operating under the Marlink name in
2018, but will still sell bridge and systems
under the Telemar name as well.
Radio Holland will enhance Marlink’s
airtime activity by taking over the Radio
Holland VSAT MIS customer base. Radio
Holland will still trade under its name as
well as through the Marlink brand. Marlink
is working on a joint venture with
Erik Ceuppens,
CEO of Marlink
TNL, which aims at addressing the needs
of the local market in Greece and Cyprus.
Cyber solutions and new markets
The acquisition of Palantir will bring
Marlink the specialism in digitalisation
and will allow the company to broaden its
portfolio of digital solutions for the market.
»Palantir has been set up as a product
house,« explains Ceuppens. Marlink
has also said that with Palantir
it will also be looking
to develop better cyber
solutions for the
market.
December saw two acquisitions that
of OmniAccess, which looks to have the
deal completed by March, and Livewire
that has been acquired to build upon the
company’s mega yacht portfolio. Marlink
says that a new market segment is
starting to open up for communications
in the mega yacht market, which
is going to be one of its main focus
points. Due, also, to further development
of satellite technology with more
LEO (Low Earth Orbit) systems being
constructed that will also open up airtime
for many customers.
As part of its further growth Marlink is
going to be a launch partner with the Iridium
Certus programme. President Tore
Morten Olsen says that: »We believe that
modern routes are going to be important.
We believe that a system that has multiple
satellites covering the same geographical
area is important and it brings diversity
to the geostationary VSAT system.«
With further demand for digital compatibility
coming in to the maritime industry
from the leisure market and also
business sectors, Marlink believes that
with the foreseen availability of bandwidth
coming in the future there are
further opportunities for the company
to develop in these areas. M
Fotos: Marlink
72 HANSA International Maritime Journal – 155. Jahrgang – 2018 – Nr. 4