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 continue to keep a significant shareholding in the company.

The new combined group is the worldwide leader in maritime VSAT services, generating close to USD 500 million revenues, employing about 1,000 people and operating a global infrastructure, 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 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 over 70 specialists, OmniAccess operates an advanced global proprietary VSAT network with more than 24 satellite-beams in both C- and Ku-band, uplinked from 6 Teleport locations in Spain, Germany, Hawaii, Australia and the USA. OmniAccess provides nextGen BroadBeam®VSAT solutions for Internet connectivity at sea with ultra-high speeds of up to 300 mbps, augmented by the nextGen iO 4G & 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 relentless 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.

“We are very proud that OmniAccess is joining forces with Marlink,” says Erik Ceuppens, CEO of Marlink Group. “OmniAccess is a truly unique company with in-depth understanding, expertise and capabilities to serve the sophisticated superyacht segment better than anyone else. Together, we extend and strengthen the Group’s global leadership position in the maritime broadband communication and IT market, with a unique position in all maritime segments.”

“We are absolutely delighted to join forces with Marlink,” says Bertrand Hartman, CEO and founder of OmniAccess. “Marlink is a very reputable and well-established player and I am convinced that the extended capabilities and scale of this great cooperation model is very beneficial to all our customers and allows us to serve them better than ever.”

The transaction remains subject to customary regulatory approval and Closing is expected in the first half of 2018.

Tags: Apax Partners, Marlink, OmniAccess