Backed by Apax Partners, Marlink has signed a definite agreement to acquire a majority stake in OmniAccess — the existing management team of OmniAccess will remain unchanged and will continue to keep significant shareholding in the company.
The new combined group is a worldwide leader in maritime VSAT services, generating close to $500 million in revenues, employing about 1,000 people and operating a global infrastructure and supporting an install base of more than 4000 VSAT vessels. Established in 2002 and headquartered in the “yachting capital of the Mediterranean," the island of Mallorca, OmniAccess is a leading global provider of broadband connectivity services and solutions to the high-end superyacht and boutique cruise line customers. OmniAccess offers a complete portfolio of cutting-edge IT and broadband connectivity services and solutions to over 300 of the world’s largest superyachts in addition to ocean and river-cruise vessels.
With a staff of more than 70 specialists, OmniAccess operates an advanced global proprietary VSAT network with more than 24 satellite-beams in C- and Ku-band, uplinked from six Teleport locations in Spain, Germany, Hawaii, Australia and the USA. OmniAccess provides industry-leading next-generation BroadBeam® VSAT solutions for internet connectivity at sea with ultra-high speeds of up to 300 Mbps, augmented by the nextGen iO 4G and WiMax terrestrial connectivity services. The portfolio is further enhanced by the extensive suite of Plexus advanced integrated maritime IT networks and IPTV solutions.
OmniAccess shares with Marlink the entrepreneurship and drive to be in a pole position of the maritime SATCOM industry in terms of cutting-edge technology, innovation, service quality and ultimate customer satisfaction. While leveraging the Marlink Group capabilities, OmniAccess will remain a stand-alone company, functioning as the competence center for broadband connectivity solutions for the high-end superyacht and boutique cruise-line customers.
The transaction remains subject to customary regulatory approval and Closing is expected in the first half of 2018.
Erik Ceuppens, the CEO of Marlink Group, stated that OmniAccess is a truly unique company with in-depth understanding, expertise and capabilities to serve the sophisticated superyacht segment better than anyone else. Together, the Group’s global leadership position in the maritime broadband communication and IT market has now been strengthened.
Bertrand Hartman, CEO and founder of OmniAccess, noted that Marlink is a very reputable and well-established player and the company is convinced that the extended capabilities and scale of this great cooperation model is very beneficial to all of the firm's customers.