Acquisition-hungry Inchcape buys IT firm ShipNet

Acquisition-hungry Inchcape buys IT firm ShipNet London-based Inchcape Shipping Services (ISS) has announced its second major purchase in a week with the takeover of Norwegian software provider ShipNet. Financial details were not disclosed.
   ShipNet (including ShipNet Fleet, also known as Maritime Systems Inc.) is an enterprise resource planning provider and consultant designing integrated information systems to shipowners, charterers, ship managers and marine service providers.
   “ShipNet fits neatly into our plans for developing further useful and cost-effective products and services for our clients across the shipping industry,” said Claus Hyldager, ISS’s chief executive officer. “With ShipNet we shall not only enhance our own information technology capabilities offered to our existing clients, but also broaden our customer base into that of ShipNet.
   “ShipNet has a well established clientele of blue chip customers, many of whom we share but many of whom are new to us. This will present us with exciting opportunities as we work with the industry, listening to their needs and fulfilling their expectations, just as we do with our port agency and other marine services,” Hyldager said.
   Earlier this week, ISS announced the 100 percent buyout of Australian agency house, Oceania Maritime Services (OMS) from P&O Maritime Services.