Ship optimisation specialists plan to join forces

ZeroNorth, a provider of digital optimisation services in shipping based in Copenhagen, and Singapore’s sensor and high-frequency data specialist, Alpha Ori Technologies (AOT), are to join forces.

The transaction, which is still subject to regulatory approval, will create synergies, the companies said, by combining AOT’s expertise in IoT sensors and high-frequency data with ZeroNorth’s multiservice technology platform.

The agreement will allow the two companies to serve their combined customer base through a single offering and create a strong data setup on one platform to provide 12 different services. Between them, they already provide services to more than 4,000 ships.

The merged operation, which has a combined workforce of 780 people, will operate under the ZeroNorth brand and will be headquartered in Copenhagen. Its current CEO, Søren Meyer, will remain in charge, while AOT’s two co-CEOs, Bala Sankaran and Rajesh Unni, will take on roles as non-executive board members of the combined business.

ZeroNorth’s Meyer commented: “I am delighted to be able to announce this agreement with Alpha Ori Technologies, which we truly believe represents the exciting next step in shipping’s digital and sustainability transformation... It will accelerate our technology development, strengthen our innovative mindset, and enable us to continue to help our customers focus on profit and planet in an increasingly complex and volatile world.”

Speaking for AOT, Sankaran said: “Joining forces with ZeroNorth secures a market-leading position for our companies and enables us to propel the industry towards greater profitability and sustainability outcomes. We believe that this is the perfect time for us to scale and do bigger things together, and this agreement is perfectly in line with our ambition to drive sustainability, performance, and business results for our customers.”