Kongsberg Discovery Acquires Underwater Tech Firm

A subsidiary of Kongsberg has acquired Naxys Technologies, a world leader in underwater environmental monitoring, as it seeks to boost its investment in advanced sensors and underwater robotics.

The Bergen-based company, which specialises in equipment detecting oil and gas leaks, will be part of Kongsberg Discovery, a business that was spun off from Kongsberg Maritime in 2023. 

The acquisition agreement was signed just before Christmas, with the news announced in Bergen on Tuesday.

Hailing Naxys as perfectly complementing the group’s wider business areas, Kongsberg Chief Executive Officer Geir Håøy commented: “As a technology company and ocean space expert, we have developed world-leading solutions to map, monitor and understand the oceans, which actually cover 70 per cent of the Earth's surface and remain largely unexplored.

“The acquisition of Naxys fits well into our technology portfolio and our growth ambitions as an ocean space expert.

"Kongsberg Discovery has delivered solid organic growth so far and this acquisition is the first step in the inorganic part of the growth strategy." 

Martin Wien Fjell, CEO of Kongsberg Discovery, said he was excited about Naxys’ cutting-edge expertise in passive hydroacoustics, which offered opportunities in both the research and defence markets. 

He added: "Naxys Technologies ensures that oil and gas companies can be quickly notified of any leaks. This is becoming increasingly important now that the demands for sustainable operations are increasing globally." 

General manager of Naxys Jens Abrahamsen hailed the acquisition as a big opportunity for international growth.

• You can read more details on the Kongsberg website