ABB has become the latest large technology company to acquire a weather routing business to expand its marine software portfolio.
The company acquired the shipping business of DTN Europe and DTN Philippines expanding the company’s offering in weather routing, analytics, reporting and shore-based support.
Minneapolis-based data, analytics and technology firm DTN will complement ABB’s existing portfolio of digital solutions, resulting in over 5,000 connected vessels.
Financial details of the transaction were not disclosed. The transaction is expected to close during the second quarter of 2024.
The acquisition comes at a time when real-time weather routing analytics play an increasingly important role in helping vessels optimize voyage efficiency and safety.
Juha Koskela, division president, ABB Marine and Ports, said: “With this acquisition, we can now offer all levels of digitalization, across all fleet types and sizes, creating a unique offering in vessel and voyage performance.”
“Innovation is by nature collaborative,” said Marc Chesover, president and chief executive of DTN.
“This is an important moment in the advancement of digital solutions for the maritime industry.
“We are proud of what the Shipping team has accomplished at DTN and are confident that the industry will see great value from the expanded ABB offerings that are possible when combined with the DTN Shipping portfolio.
“DTN looks forward to continuing to provide core forecasting elements to ABB post completion,” he added.
