China: MARIS Becomes Largest ECDIS Equipment Manufacturer

Marine navigation and communications specialist MARIS AS, of Norway and leading Chinese marine electronics company New Sunrise Co, Ltd (NSR), of Suzhou, have signed an agreement that establishes MARIS as the largest ECDIS original equipment manufacturer in the world.

The OEM deal, formalised at December’s Marintec 2013 in Shanghai, will see NSR produce MARIS ECDIS software and supply it in combination with NSR hardware. NSR has developed a PC and Monitor specific to maritime applications.

Diversified marine electronics supplier NSR has recently been making new market inroads with its EC-wheelmarked Bridge Navigational Watch Alarm Systems market and has developed its own electronic chart services (ECS). However, it chose to seek a well-established partner to broaden its ECDIS offering, in line with the urgent need for shipowners to meet regulations using proven technology.

Xu Jian De, Managing Director NSR, says: “Choosing MARIS as our partner reflected the high-end functionality and user friendliness of the MARIS ECDIS900, but also our ambition to align ourselves with the company establishing itself as the world’s number one supplier of ECDIS software.”

“This agreement has been worked out over a two year period, to make sure that the mainstream market can meet obligations on mandatory ECDIS using technology already widely accepted by the industry,” says Steinar Gundersen, MARIS Deputy Chief Executive.

Mr Gundersen says that production in volume from NSR’s Xiangcheng, Suzhou plant will be targeted at Asian owners in particular. He says the agreement compliments a separate arrangement in China, through which MARIS has been partnering Beijing Highlander Digital Record Technology Co, Ltd in the development of entire Integrated Navigation Systems (INS).

“Both of these agreements are being coordinated through our Singapore operation, which is rapidly becoming the focal point of an upgraded MARIS service and support network,” he says. “The MARIS Customer Portal also went live earlier in 2013, offering a new resource online for customers to manage their business and service arrangements with MARIS efficiently.

“With ECDIS due to become mandatory onboard existing passenger ships from July 1, 2014, the regulatory phase-in schedule hits the existing tanker market from July 1, 2015.

“The timing of the New Sunrise deal reflects our readiness to deliver ECDIS in the volumes that will be required and to provide the service and support that these greater production volumes demand.”

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Maris, December 11, 2013