Japanese chart provider Cornes Chart Group has acquired a UK-headquartered maritime technology company in a deal that aims to build on its innovation potential.

GNS

GNS use data intelligence to help its customers enhance safety, improve efficiency and reduce costs. Image: GNS

Cornes’ acquisition of GNS is a natural extension of the already close working relationship between the two companies that has been established over many years in areas such as navigation management software and digital service delivery.

Toshiyuki Kamoshita, director of Cornes & Co., LTD and COO of Cornes Maritime Division, said, “We are very pleased to be able to welcome GNS and its employees into the Cornes Group. Cornes is one of the leading chart businesses in the world.

“GNS has the highest quality software in the sector and has pioneered the use of data analytics in the delivery of digital solutions to its customers. There is a great geographic fit between the two businesses and Cornes looks forward to investing in GNS and developing the customer proposition even further in the coming years.”

Digital investment

Paul Stanley, CEO of GNS, said, “Over the last four years GNS has invested heavily in developing the market leading suite of digital products for marine navigation, Voyager. GNS’s combination with Cornes will accelerate the development of Voyager and GNS’s other services and will maintain GNS’s strong culture around the safety of life at sea.”

This deal follows Cornes’ acquisition of US and Singapore-based Safe Navigation earlier this year. The combination of the three companies creates the largest provider of navigation software, data and products in the world.

By Rebecca Jeffrey