The California-based technology investment firm, Accel-KKR has completed the acquisition of Navis LLC with all business units and employees transferred by the end of 2021.
The acquisition, which was first announced in March 2021, comes at a time of unprecedented demand for optimised operating solutions among terminal, vessel, carrier and inland rail freight operators, as well as the urgent call for enhanced visibility and control of cargo flow across the global supply chain, according to an announcement.
“Disruptions [due to the Covid-19 pandemic] have created more urgency for advanced technology to better plan, execute and optimise cargo movement in order to provide a more predictable delivery experience for all shipping partners,” said Park Durrett, Managing Director of Accel-KKR, who went on to point out that “With the addition of Navis to the AKKR portfolio, we’re building on a strong foundation and extending capabilities to deliver greater value and more actionable insights for supply chain stakeholders.”
Accel-KKR and Navis said they will focus on the continued expansion of existing solutions to provide greater customer value through optimisation of operational systems, visibility and control, cloud technology strategic mergers and acquisitions and sustainability.
“Accel-KKR’s proven track record in growing supply chain software companies, combined with our market leadership position, will enable us to accelerate innovation and address rapidly-evolving challenges impacting the flow of cargo globally,” commented Benoit de la Tour, President and CEO of Navis.
Accel-KKR’s acquisition, which will complete the transfer of all business units by the end of the year, includes Navis’ full software portfolio, including N4, Master Terminal and Octopi by Navis terminal operating systems (TOS), Navis Carrier & Vessel Solutions (NCVS), as well as Navis Rail Intermodal TOS and Freight Rail Planning & Scheduling, powered by Biarri Rail.
Additionally, all current Navis employees will remain with the company, operating under the direction of the existing leadership team, led by Benoit de la Tour.
Meanwhile, Sri Lanka Port Authority (SLPA) has gone live with Navis N4 at its Colombo Port as part of its modernisations efforts.
SLPA’s Colombo Port is a growing shipping hub in the South Asia Region, acting as a gateway for cargo to Europe, East and South Asia, the Persian Gulf, and East Africa.
The transshipment port operates at 2.5 million TEU annually and was developed to accommodate deep-water berths and the latest mainline vessels.
According to a statement, the Port of Colombo needed an advanced terminal operating solution (TOS) to update its operations and processes and enhance safety, efficiency and productivity.
