The first contract has been secured under a new strategic alliance between maritime electronics specialist MARIS and Japanese high-tech powerhouse Cornes & Co., Ltd. The contract covers the delivery of ECDIS for the entire vessel fleet controlled by an unspecified Tokyo-based ship management company.

The order will see MARIS ECDIS900 delivered for 20 bulk carriers, including12 newbuilds, while installation onboard further bulk carriers is under consideration. Each vessel will be installed with two The MARIS ECDIS900 units.

The partnership between MARIS and Cornes is a global distribution and license agreement through which the Japanese hi-tech trading company offers MARIS solutions covering ECDIS, chart management, radar overlay, weather management, voyage planning and routing software.

Cornes prides itself on introducing products and technology to Japan and other markets in Asia that represent the best the world has to offer. The group’s automobile marques, for example, include Rolls-Royce, Bentley, Ferrari, Lamborghini and Maserati. The company has also been a designated distributor in Japan of International Admiralty Chart for 56 years, with products on offer already encompassing Admiralty e-Navigator.

“Companies that build their brands on quality do not choose technology partners lightly,” says Steinar Gundersen, MARIS Deputy Chief executive (Corporate). “We see this agreement as testament to the trust placed in MARIS to provide the most advanced tools for shipping to maximise efficiency and minimise operating costs.”

The agreement includes provision for new modules, developments, enhancements, upgrades, additions, amendments or modifications to the MARIS products licensed. MARIS and Cornes are in discussions to broaden the scope of collaboration to deliver enhanced support services.

“MARIS has a 20% share of the ECDIS market for existing ships under its own brand, but our share of new orders in Asia is growing rapidly,” says Mr Gundersen. “As mandatory ECDIS is phased in, what is important is that navigators can rely on the technology they use to ensure safety at sea. With Cornes as our partner, Asian owners can be assured that the best available partners in technology are supporting their need to comply with the rules.”