Marine software developer Helm Operations has been sold to Tokyo-based ClassNK, a major classification society serving the merchant fleet around the world.
Helm founder Ron deBruyne is remaining as company chief executive officer. The sale price was not disclosed.
Helm has 55 full-time staff in its Victoria office, and expects to grow by moving into new international markets.
As a subsidiary of ClassNK, a not-for-profit organization, deBruyne said, “our exposure to new markets around the world means more jobs and opportunity for the tech community here in Victoria.”
ClassNK is one of 13 marine societies within the International Association of Classification Societies. Most of the world’s cargo vessels operate under standards set by these societies using criteria covering matters such as design and construction.
ClassNK provides safety and certification services for more than 8,600 ships making up about 20% of the global merchant fleet.
Helm Operations is part of Greater Victoria’s $3-billion advanced technology sector, consisting of about 860 companies.
Like many other high-tech firms, Helm serves customers outside of Canada and is focused on increasing its share of international markets.
“We are quite well known in the inland barging market” in Louisiana and Texas, Rodger Banister, Helm’s vice-president of marketing, said Wednesday.
Helm is setting its sights on new markets such as Singapore, northern Europe, and the Middle East, he said.
The sale made Helm a “global company overnight,” Banister said.
Helm’s software is used on about 1,000 working vessels, including tugs and barges. It assists in jobs such as managing safety and compliance, preventive maintenance work, and billing. It is focused on creating user-friendly systems.
Customers include Svitzer, a world leader in harbour docking, Florida Marine Transporters, and Blessey Marine in Louisiana.
