Wärtsilä acquires vessel positioning specialist

OCTOBER 10, 2017 — Wärtsilä has acquired Leicester, U.K. headquartered Guidance Marine Limited, a privately owned specialist in sensor solutions relating to dynamic positioning and other vessel control systems, such as collision avoidance and remote control operations.

Wärtsilä is committed to providing technologies needed to enhance “intelligent” shipping and digital solutions that improve the efficiency, safety and profit earning capabilities of its maritime customers. It says that acquisition of Guidance Marine will enhance its capabilities in the area of situational awareness and near-field measurement, both essential for more intelligent vessel navigation.

“Guidance Marine’s core competences are wide ranging and include the development of sophisticated positional measurement sensors and systems for high accuracy control applications. These competences complement our own activities in the field of radar technology, navigation and dynamic positioning, by joining forces we can certainly further accelerate the introduction of solutions that will take shipping into a new era of efficiency,” says Maik Stoevhase, Director, Automation, Navigation & Communication, Wärtsilä Marine Solutions.

“Joining forces with the Wärtsilä Corporation presents an exciting opportunity for Guidance Marine to work alongside a major player in the marine industry. We are committed to continue serving all our customers, while at the same time looking forward to bringing them faster access to new products and technologies. This partnership provides a significant step change in developing the future of maritime positioning and navigation where the integration of multi-modal sensor technologies is a key factor in the delivery of ‘intelligent’ vessels,” says Jan Grothusen, CEO at Guidance Marine.

Founded in 1991, Guidance Marine has developed in-house capabilities that include a dozen patents for various technologies and a portfolio of closely related products. In its research and development activities, the company has also established strong connections with a number of leading U.K. universities. In 2016, Guidance Marine’s turnover was GBP 6.3 million (about $8.3 million). Guidance Marine employs over 50 people worldwide and has a strong track record in delivering significant safety and cost benefits by bringing disruptive position measurement technologies to marine markets across several continents.