The Norwegian company Kongsberg Discovery has acquired Naxys Technologies, a provider of underwater technologies.
Naxys, based in Bergen, specialises in the detection of oil and gas leaks. In future, it will be integrated into the Kongsberg Maritime subsidiary.
“As a technology company and experts in the sea, we have developed world-leading solutions for mapping, monitoring and understanding the oceans, which cover 70 percent of the earth’s surface and are largely unexplored,” said Kongsberg CEO Geir Håøy. The acquisition of Naxys, therefore, fits in well with the portfolio and future ambitions to grow further.
Naxys Technologies will be part of Kongsberg Discovery, a business area that was spun off from Kongsberg Maritime in 2023. The focus is on investments in advanced sensor technology and underwater robotics. With the acquisition of Naxys, the company aims to meet the increasing demand for safety and sustainability.
Kongsberg Discovery secures technology expertise
Martin Wien Fjell, CEO of Kongsberg Discovery, points to the importance of the company’s cutting-edge expertise in passive hydroacoustics, which was a decisive factor in the transaction. Naxys provides environmental monitoring for the oil and gas industry, but is also well-positioned to grow in the research and defence market. Marine life protection and critical infrastructure monitoring are key focus areas for Kongsberg Discovery.
“We have developed several market-leading products in the field of hydroacoustics since the first sonar was introduced in the 1950s,” said Fjell. “With Naxys’ technological know-how, we are further expanding this position and can offer the market an even broader product portfolio.”
Naxys specializes in the passive acoustic leak detection segment
Naxys Technologies was founded in 1999 and is today one of the world’s leading companies in the passive acoustic leak detection segment. Its customers are mainly large oil and gas companies that use the technology to detect leaks and monitor rotating subsea machinery such as pumps and compressors. The acquisition agreement was signed on 20 December and the news was announced in Bergen on 7 January.
Jens Abrahamsen, Managing Director of Naxys Technologies, was one of the founders of the company in 1999 and emphasised the opportunities that the acquisition offers for international growth. “In my opinion, there is only one technology company that has the strength and ambition that matches our way of thinking,” he said. “That is Kongsberg Discovery.”
Naxys Technologies has 28 employees in Hegreneset in Bergen. The company expects to reach a turnover of NOK 100m (approx. €8.5m) in 2024.
