Following DNV GL’s recent acquisition of Marine Cybernetics, the Kristian Gerhard Jebsen Group (KGJG) will reinvest in order to co-develop the company. KGJG will own an increased 30% stake, with DNV GL as the majority (70%) shareholder.
Marine Cybernetics is the leading company for third-party testing of computer control systems in the maritime and offshore industries. Over the past 6 years, the Kristian Gerhard Jebsen Group has supported the growing business as minority shareholder and, after DNV GL’s recent acquisition of Marine Cybernetics, it has been agreed that KGJG will increase its shareholding and jointly develop the company.
Market leader
“Our primary decision to invest in Marine Cybernetics was driven by the increasing importance of software-dependent systems in ensuring safe, reliable and efficient operations,” says Henrik O. Madsen, DNV GL Group President & CEO. “As such, we are happy to have Kristian Gerhard Jebsen Group as partner of choice to jointly develop the market and the business of Marine Cybernetics.”
"With increased focus on reliability, regularity and safety at sea, as well as introduction of more computer-based control systems critical for operations, Marine Cybernetics is uniquely positioned in a market that is still early in its development”, says Hans Peter Jebsen, Chairman of Kristian Gerhard Jebsen Group. "We in Kristian Gerhard Jebsen Group look forward to working with DNV GL to develop Marine Cybernetics as the market leader within third party testing and verification of control systems critical for safe operations at sea."
Independent business unit
“This will be a game changing platform to enhance safety and increase operational efficiency in the offshore and maritime industries,” says DNV GL Group COO and EVP Remi Eriksen, who also will be the Chairman of the Board for Marine Cybernetics. He adds, “As long as Kristian Gerhard Jebsen Group is a shareholder, Marine Cybernetics will remain a legally independent company. Going forward, KGJG will own an increased 30% stake, with DNV GL holding the remaining 70%. This partnership will allow us to further use the gained knowledge and broad industry networks of the Kristian Gerhard Jebsen Group that will benefit the Marine Cybernetics business.”
Within DNV GL, Marine Cybernetics will initially be treated as an ‘Independent Business Unit’. After a transition period of three years, DNV GL will have the possibility to attain sole ownership and to fully integrate the Marine Cybernetics business into the DNV GL Group.
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About DNV GL
Driven by its purpose of safeguarding life, property and the environment, DNV GL enables organisations to advance the safety and sustainability of their business. We provide classification and technical assurance services along with software and independent expert advisory services to the maritime, oil & gas and energy industries. We also provide management system certification services to customers across a wide range of industries. Operating in more than 100 countries, our 16,000 professionals are dedicated to helping our customers make the world safer, smarter and greener.
For more information: www.dnvgl.com
About Kristian Gerhard Jebsen Group
Kristian Gerhard Jebsen Group is an international shipping group owning and operating a large fleet of vessels consisting of large product tankers, OBOs, crude oil tankers, cement carriers and dry cargo vessels. The Group's business also includes asset management activities with focus on investments within the energy sector, real estate and private equity holdings. The Group has offices in Bergen, Singapore, Manila and Oslo. Kristian Gerhard Jebsen Group is one of DNV GL’s key maritime customers in Norway.
About Marine Cybernetics
Marine Cybernetics was established in 2002 as a spin-off from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) in Trondheim, and introduced the concept of Hardware-In-the Loop-Testing (HIL) to the marine and offshore industry. During the last 12 years, the company has established itself as the leading company for third party testing of operational and safety critical computer control systems used in various maritime and offshore operations, and has been working with major E&P companies, rig companies, vessel owners, system producers, and shipyards.
Marine Cybernetics has performed HIL tests on 140 different vessels, including mobile offshore drilling units (drill ships, semi-submersibles, jack-ups), construction/diving vessels, shuttle tankers and offshore service vessels.
For a new-build, HIL testing significantly reduces the risk of software related problems during commissioning, start-up and first-year operations. For a vessel in operation, HIL testing can also be used to assess control system software upgrades to secure a problem-free installation onboard. HIL testing technology can also save time and cost in troubleshooting of known software issues onboard the vessel. In short, HIL testing significantly reduces the risk of incidents, accidents, off-hire costs and non-productive time due to software related issues.
Marine Cybernetics employs nearly 70 people worldwide, with headquarter in Trondheim, Norway and international offices in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and Houston, USA.
For more information: www.marinecyb.com