Kongsberg Maritime has agreed to acquire Steerprop, Finnish designer and manufacturer of azimuth propulsion systems for high ice-class and Arctic vessels.
Steerprop supplies propulsion systems for icebreakers, polar research vessels, offshore support vessels and other demanding applications. The company also recently entered the yacht sector with an order for a privately owned vessel.
Its equipment is installed on more than 400 vessels worldwide, with most of its order backlog linked to Arctic and ice-class projects.
“For Kongsberg Maritime, the acquisition represents a strategic step in strengthening our position in the growing Arctic and ice-class vessel segment,” said Lisa Edvardsen Haugan, chief executive of Kongsberg Maritime.
And she said Steerprop’s specialist expertise would be combined with Kongsberg Maritime’s global organisation, lifecycle services, systems integration and scale.
Arctic regions
Kongsberg Maritime says the deal would expand its Arctic propulsion portfolio as demand is supported by fleet-renewal programmes, polar research investment and increasing activity in Arctic regions.
“By combining their expertise with Kongsberg Maritime’s global reach and integrated solutions portfolio, we believe we can create additional value for customers while strengthening our position in a strategically important market,” said Ville Rimpilä, senior vice president, Thruster Systems, Kongsberg Maritime.
Customers are expected to gain access to a broader product range, stronger lifecycle support and greater integration across propulsion, energy, automation and other onboard systems.
Until completion, the companies will continue to operate independently, with existing projects, deliveries and contractual commitments unchanged. Kongsberg Maritime says customer continuity would remain the priority.
After closing, Steerprop is intended to be integrated in phases. The process will focus on preserving customer relationships, delivery performance and specialist Arctic competence while gradually introducing common systems, processes and operating models.
The transaction is subject to customary regulatory approvals and closing conditions.
