ClassNK Nets Helm Operations

ClassNK, a Tokio based classification society, has acquired a Canadian maritime software company Helm Operations.

“We’ve been able to leverage the incredibly talented IT community here in Victoria, which has also drawn the attention of global leaders like Amazon, and Ebay among others, and combine that with the know-how and experience from the workboat industry to create intuitive, user-friendly systems that contribute directly to improving the safety, efficiency, and profitability of workboat companies,” said Ron deBruyne, CEO and Founder of Helm Operations.

The Japanese classification society provides certification services for more than 8,600 ships, representing about 20 per cent of the global merchant fleet, while Helm software is currently used on some 1,000 vessels for workboat companies including SVITZER, Seaspan, Blessey Marine and Florida Marine Transporters. Its flagship product is its HSQE management software Helm CONNECT.

Yasushi Nakamura, Representative Director and Executive Vice President of ClassNK, said: “We’ve witnessed the impressive growth and success of Helm’s software systems over the years, and have seen first hand the incredible value that Helm’s software provides to workboat companies.

Helm CONNECT for example makes HSQE management a simple and intuitive process for owners and operators, and we’re convinced that linking maritime companies and classification on a single, easy to use platform will be a huge contribution to the maritime industry.

Through this acquisition we can provide Helm with the resources and reach to even further develop their industry-leading software systems for all aspects of ship operations, and in turn make them available for everyone in the industry around the globe. “