ChartCo expands digital service offering with acquisition of Docmap®

ChartCo, a leading global supplier of maritime digital data and compliance services backed by Equistone Partners Europe, has today acquired Docmap®, a global leader in digital document management at sea.

Docmap® AS, based in Oslo, was founded in 2005 and provides world-class solutions within the Health, Safety, Environmental and Quality (HSEQ) operations on vessels and ashore.  Its recently launched Docmap® 8 software operates both shoreside and on board through standard web browsers, incorporates modules for audit control and risk assessment, and works alongside customers’ continuous improvement programmes.  Docmap® 8 can be supplied either off the shelf with best-in-class functionality, or customised to suit individual company requirements.

ChartCo’s core range of digital services dates back to 1998, created in anticipation of the move from paper to digital charts and publications.  Today, it provides digital data for navigational and compliance management to around 12,000 vessels within the maritime community.   As part of the acquisition, the Docmap® management team will join the ChartCo business and the Docmap® brand will become part of ChartCo’s product portfolio.
 
Martin Taylor, CEO of ChartCo, commented: “Docmap® is the recognised leader in its sector and it is with great excitement that I announce this acquisition which will strengthen further the already well-respected ChartCo brand.  The Docmap® team of experts have just launched their latest market offering, Docmap® 8, which will sit neatly alongside ChartCo’s range of solutions including PassageManager, Regs4Ships, EnviroManager and FleetManager. 

“We are already building a Docmap® solution for replicating Safety Management Systems (SMS), complete with integrated regulations using the Regs4ships brand, capability and knowledge which we acquired a couple of years ago.  Many of our customers, and those of Docmap®, have requested such a solution and this will massively simplify the management of their SMS, ensuring continuous compliance with the ever-changing and growing regulatory environment within which they operate.  The market need became evident through our training and consultancy arm, which regularly audits and updates customers’ SMS.”

Oyvind Orbak, Managing Director of Docmap®, added: “ChartCo is a great partner for us. Their market-leading position gives Docmap® the ideal expertise and footprint for expansion. Our recently launched Docmap® 8 platform provides a truly off-the-shelf, cloud-based solution for document management within the marine environment. Most exciting is that the market has been calling for a solution combining regulations with a document management system for quite some time; this deal allows us to fully deliver this much longed-for customer requirement.”

The acquisition of Docmap® is the first made by ChartCo since Equistone Partners Europe invested in the company in June 2016. In addition to its acquisitive growth, ChartCo continues to build on its digital platform by expanding its range of integrated marine solutions.