Signal Ocean has made a move to tighten its grip on shipping data and software, announcing the acquisition of French-based SaaS specialist AXSMarine.
The deal brings together two well-known names in freight, market and commodities tracking, and underlines Signal Ocean’s plan to speed up product development and deepen its role across the shipping value chain. Financial terms were not disclosed.
AXSMarine has built a strong following with platforms such as AXSDry and Alphaliner, which are widely used across dry bulk, liner and commodities markets. Signal Ocean, the technology arm of The Signal Group, said it sees the acquisition as a natural fit, combining complementary data sets and tools rather than overlapping ones.
Signal Ocean chief executive Ioannis Martinos said the transaction is built on a shared view of where shipping technology is heading, with users demanding better data, faster updates and tighter links between pre-fixture, post-fixture and commodities analytics.
The combined portfolio now also brings together AXSMarine affiliate Next Voyage Maritime and Signal Ocean-linked Shiplex, both active in voyage and ship management ERP systems. Together, the wider group serves more than 1,500 clients across shipping, trading and broking.
Signal Ocean stressed that existing partnerships remain in place, including its long-standing relationship with shipbroking group BRS, which is also a major user of both Signal Ocean and AXSMarine products. BRS confirmed it will continue working closely with the enlarged group and has taken an equity stake in Signal Ocean, with a seat on the board.
AXSMarine’s management team will remain involved as the businesses are integrated. The focus, both sides said, will be on keeping product roadmaps moving while gradually rolling out shared data and new features.
With data and analytics playing an ever bigger role in freight markets, the deal marks another step in the consolidation of shipping tech, as platform providers look to scale up and offer more complete, end-to-end solutions.
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