Madrid, Spain-based Satlink has acquired Electrónica Rías Bajas (ERB), widening the company’s offerings of maritime electronics and satellite communications systems.
Satlink specializes in technological solutions and developments based on satellite communications for land, air, and maritime uses, “with special focus on contributing to a more sustainable and responsible management of the fishing sector,” according to a press release.
“With this operation, Satlink … reinforces its commitment to the fishing sector, expanding its services, solutions and number of professionals dedicated to this industry,” the company said.
Marín, Pontevedra, Spain-based ERB produces, installs, and maintains navigation assistance, fish detection and fishing net control equipment for fishing vessels, ship navigation and government equipment, instrumentation, on-board entertainment, security and satellite communications equipment for fishing vessels and other marine craft. In addition, it is an approved certification assessor for Bureau Veritas.
The purchase is part of Satlink's growth strategy, which was launched in 2017 after Artá Capital became a major shareholder, according to the company.
“Satlink hopes that this acquisition, together with another acquisition operation which is currently in the closing phase, will contribute to maintain double-digit growth in the coming years, thanks to its firm commitment to innovation in its main business lines, which include smart buoys for fishing, high-speed satellite communication solutions and management solutions focused on fisheries for governments,” the company said.
Satlink now has offices in Marín and Vigo in Spain, as well as the Seychelles, Ecuador, and Fiji.
The company’s technology was recently selected by the government of the Republic of Kiribati, to digitize the management of its fishing activity, and it is also used by the Organization of Associated Producers of Large Freezer Tuna Freezers (OPAGAC) in its FAD Watch program, which tracks fish aggregation devices (FADs) and removes them when they move close to environmentally sensitive areas.
