Friday 19 October 2018

Leading subsea technology developer Sonardyne International Ltd. has acquired maritime and marine science technology specialist Chelsea Technologies Group Ltd.

The acquisition is part of a long-term growth strategy for Sonardyne, to diversify into markets where it sees an opportunity to build on its core technology base and expertise in underwater acoustic and optical communications, navigation and autonomous monitoring systems.

In acquiring Chelsea (also known as CTG), Sonardyne will both strengthen its presence in the maritime, marine and ocean science sectors and create new opportunities in the water environmental, defence and process control markets. Chelsea will gain access to Sonardyne’s considerable research, production, testing, compliance and global distribution capabilities, allowing the company to access many more international territories.

Chelsea, based in West Molesey, Surrey, has a broad base in environmental sensing technology spanning markets in fresh and waste water, oceanography and a wide range of industrial applications. In addition to its optical engineering capability, it provides underwater acoustic products to both civilian and defence customers.

Fuelled to no small degree by its involvement in the rapidly developing, maritime/green shipping markets, where it has introduced a number of new products, Chelsea has seen considerable expansion over recent years. Its innovations include FastBallast and Sea Sentry, used for ship ballast water compliance testing and ship exhaust gas scrubber, wash water monitoring. These are helping maritime operators meet recently introduced stringent international regulations aimed at reducing the impact of global shipping operations on the environment.

Chelsea will remain an independent business, as part of the Sonardyne group of companies. Chelsea’s Brian Phillips will become Executive Chairman of the company, while Stephen Fasham will move from a senior management role at Sonardyne to become Managing Director at Chelsea. The terms of the acquisition were not disclosed.