Maritime CEOTech

Maris: Ecdis time

Shanghai: When Steinar Gundersen founded Maris in 1997, after a long stint with Denmark comms firm Kongsberg, he did so in the belief that Ecdis would be mandatory by the year 2000. “Finally our time has come,” he quips.

Maris is now selling in 50 countries with 70% of business coming from Asia, hence Gundersen’s decision to move to Singapore this June.

“As Ecdis becomes mandatory we believe we have superior products. We need to up our service support hence my move to Singapore,” he explains.

Maris, the world’s largest suppier of Ecdis, has had a presence in Singapore since 2006. The office now numbers 15 and there are plans to double the headcount and move to larger premises within the next two years.

Elsewhere in Asia, Maris has a strong presence in China where it has had a relationship with Beijing Highlander for the last four years. Last week Maris also signed an OEM agreement with Shanghai-based New Sunrise. In Japan, meanwhile, a partnership with Cornes has just reaped its first significant deal to equip 20 vessels.

Gundersen is the second largest shareholder in the company after the Grieg family, one of Norway’s best-known names in shipping.

When quizzed on where he sees his company in five years time Gundersen says he envisages Maris having a turnover four to five times today’s level. Maris has a 10% market share at the moment, something Gundersen would like to raise to 15%. His time has certainly come. [09/12/13]

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