Yara Marine Technologies has a new owner

Norway-based technology company Yara Marine Technologies (YMT) has been acquired by Switzerland-based Okapi Supply Trading Advisory SA (formerly Sarl) to expand its maritime solutions portfolio.

With a shared commitment to advancing sustainable solutions for the maritime industry, this new relationship sets the stage for the green solutions provider to accelerate the reach and impact of its decarbonization technologies, supported by Okapi’s resources and drive.

The acquisition comes at a pivotal moment for shipping, as the industry faces increasing emissions regulations and financial impetus to meet the 2030, 2040 and 2050 emissions goals set by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO).

As explained, there is a genuine need for trusted, robust and well-tested green technology solutions that are supported by resilient manufacturing and supply chains that match scale with rapidly increased market demand — necessitating greater financial and organisational investment in new and existing technologies that enable this process.

“This acquisition is the next step, and we eagerly anticipate the opportunities that lie ahead with Mohamed and the team at Okapi. Together, we will continue accelerating our industry’s transition to net zero through greater development and deployment of our cutting-edge decarbonisation technologies, reducing the environmental impact of maritime operations without compromising on operational excellence for our global fleet,” Thomas Koniordos, CEO at Yara Marine Technologies, commented.

“I’m pleased to welcome Yara Marine Technologies into the Okapi family. Their wide portfolio of innovative solutions showcase a variety of approaches and stackable alternatives that can serve as immediate options when addressing our industry’s emissions challenges. This aligns closely with our ambition to offer our customers easier pathways towards greening their operations. This union is an exciting new chapter, and I look forward to working together to create positive change for the marine environment and the maritime industry,” Mohamed J. Ndao, Okapi Supply Trading Advisory SA CEO, said.

“We are happy to have found a new owner that has a strong interest to develop the company further. Yara Marine Technologies has been a valuable part of Yara for 10 years. However, as Yara’s strategy is to focus its investments on core business of sustainable food solutions and clean ammonia, a divestment of Yara Marine Technologies was a natural step,” Magnus Ankarstrand, EVP Yara Corporate Development, stated.

The past few years have seen YMT establish a good reputation in green technologies, with a portfolio of products seen across a variety of ship types.

“We owe a debt of gratitude to Yara International for their invaluable support and partnership through our journey to this point. Their support and contributions have been instrumental in helping us innovate and progress our portfolio of decarbonisation solutions,” Koniordos added.

The acquisition sets the stage for YMT’s launch of updated and new vessel optimisation technologies for the existing and future global fleet. These will join their established portfolio of vessel optimisation technologies, such as propulsion optimisation system FuelOpt; performance management and reporting system Fleet Analytics; cloud-based AI-powered ship operation support system RoutePilot AI; and shore power installations for vessels.

Additionally, YMT’s FuelOpt system also supports wind-assisted propulsion that optimizes power and records fuel performance on vessels with sails, rotors, kites and wings.