All the information you need to know about the biggest financing rounds in the Maritime Connectivity sector. We also analyse the acquisition of the Mallorcan OmniAcces by the French group Marlink.
About Marlink
Marlink is a French company pioneering business critical communication solutions for customers operating in remote environments.
With more than 1,000 employees worldwide, Marlink is the largest independent provider of satellite communications and digital solutions for the maritime and enterprise markets. Its multi-band communication services, spanning Ku, Ka, C and L bands, extended with mobile and terrestrial links, enable more than 200,000 customers to operate smarter, safer and more cost-effectively.
Marlink's clients include merchant ships, shipping companies, cruise and ferry companies, superyachts and fishing vessels, mining and energy companies, humanitarian and emergency response organisations, global media and events organisations...
With more than 70 years of experience in developing critical communication solutions for innovative businesses, the French company is a pioneer in the adoption of mobile satellite services (MSS) and invented the maritime VSAT 25 years ago.
To support its customers and partners globally, Marlink has international offices around the world and works closely with the industry's largest distribution network of service providers.
About OmniAccess
Founded in 2002 and based in the "yachting capital of the Mediterranean", Palma de Mallorca, OmniAccess provides broadband connectivity services and solutions for high-end superyacht and boutique cruise customers.
The company operates a globally owned VSAT network with more than 24 C- and Ku-band satellite beams, linked from six teleport locations in Spain, Germany, Hawaii, Australia and the continental United States.
OmniAccess provides industry-leading NextGen BroadBeam® VSAT solutions for Internet connectivity at sea with ultra-high speeds of up to 300 mbps, augmented by NextGen iO 4G and WiMax connectivity services. Its portfolio is further enhanced by a wide range of advanced maritime integrated IT networks and IPTV solutions.
In its early days the company offered Wifi / Wimax solutions for superyachts in various ports in Palma and on the mainland. Its specialisation in networking and information technology prompted OmniAccess' involvement in the LAN side of yachting, while also providing WAN services, later moving on to offer VSAT services. After a few years of operating managed VSAT networks, OmniAcces launched its first teleport in 2009 and continued to develop its own infrastructure.
OmniAcces is currently present in 5 countries, offering global services from more than 27 different satellite networks.
Marlink takes over OmniAccess
Backed by the venture capital firm Apax PartnersMarlink has signed a definitive agreement to acquire a majority stake in OmniAccess. The OmniAccess management team will remain unchanged with a significant stake in the company.
According to Marlink, the new combined group generates around $500M in revenue, employs around 1,000 people and supports an installation base of more than 4,000 Very Small Aperture Terminal (VSAT) vessels.
Leveraging the capabilities of the Marlink Group, OmniAccess will remain an independent company, operating as the competence centre for broadband connectivity solutions for high-end superyacht and boutique cruise customers.
The transaction remains subject to customary regulatory approval, but is expected to close in the first half of 2018.
Analysis of investment in Maritime Connectivity
| Company | Description | Country | Amount | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kogentix | Technology company with a strong focus on networking and GPU acceleration, as well as machine learning through model building. | United States | - | 12/07/2018 |
| Certus Solutions | Company specialising in cloud, SaaS and the transfer of technological knowledge. | United Kingdom | - | 01/05/2018 |
| Meredith Xcelerated Marketing | Client engagement agency through user experience and digital marketing with SEO/SEM technology among others. | United States | - | 29/03/2018 |
| Mackevision Medien Design | Global market leaders in computer generated imagery (CGI). Provides data-driven 3D visualisation, animation and visual effects for images and movies, as well as high-quality interactive applications. | Germany | - | 10/01/2018 |
| Rothco | International award-winning creative agency. Strategically plans, designs and produces communication campaigns across Europe for iconic brands. | Ireland | - | 14/12/2017 |