About us - History

1 April

Rolls-Royce Commercial Marine becomes an integrated part of Kongsberg Maritime, further strengthening our position as a global technology leader in the maritime industry.

28 June

Kongsberg Maritime sells its subsea cameras and harsh environment CCTV systems business to Imenco. Imenco has delivered subsea cameras for more than 25 years to the offshore-, research- and subsea markets.

28 March

Wilhelmsen and KONGSBERG are joining forces to take the next step in autonomous shipping by offering a complete value chain for autonomous ships, from design and development, to control systems, logistics services and vessel operations.

28 March

Kognifai is an open and collaborative digital platform that improves integration between the world of information technology and operational technology to accelerate business transformation in established industries.

9 May

The vessel "YARA Birkeland" will be the world's first fully electric and autonomous container ship, with zero emissions. KONGSBERG is responsible for development and delivery of all key enabling technologies including the sensors and integration required for remote and autonomous operations, in addition to the electric drive, battery and propulsion control systems.

11 July

Leading marine Offshore services company, BOURBON entered an agreement with Automated Ships Ltd to build the world's first autonomous, fully-automated vessel for offshore operations, in collaboration with the project's primary technology partner, KONGSBERG. Kongsberg Maritime to deliver all major marine equipment necessary for the design, construction and operation of the Hrönn, including all systems for dynamic positioning and navigation, satellite and position reference, marine automation and communication. 

21 August

K-MATE, an autonomous surface vehicle control system, the latest marine robotics innovation from KONGSBERG, is to be integrated with SEA-KIT, a new class of Maritime Autonomous Surface Vessel being built by UK manufacturer, Hushcraft, and operated by SEA-KIT International.

01 July

The marine simulator products have been transferred to Kongsberg Digital. This is an internal organisational issue. It has little implications for customers.

25 March

Kongsberg Maritime acquires Kiel, Germany based Contros Systems & Solutions GmbH. The company develops, produces and markets underwater sensor systems to detect dissolved gasses such as hydrocarbons, CO2 and oxygen, as well as pH and total alkalinity (TA).

20 March

KONGSBERG celebrates an incredible milestone. 2014 marks the 200th anniversary of the group. Two centuries of achievement, innovation and transformation – fuelling a journey from a small munitions business to a pioneering global technology provider.

6 December

Kongsberg Maritime acquires Hamburg, Germany based Embient GmbH, an independent provider of engineered services, and state-of-the-art equipment and solutions to the marine, science and engineering sectors.

16 May

Kongsberg Maritime obtains the rights to commercialise the Seaglider™ Technology. Seaglider™ is an autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) system that rather than using a propeller to move through the water, uses fixed wings and changes in buoyancy to achieve both vertical and forward motion.

The world’s first LNG powered cruise ferry MS Stavangerfjord enters service, equipped with four Bergen engines. SmartMotor AS, a company leading the development of permanent magnet technology, acquired.

Our first Environship, Eidsvaag Pioner enters service in Norway.

29 March

Kongsberg Maritime acquires Norway based Jotron Consultas. Consultas delivers loading computers to the maritime sector and onboard maintenance, spare parts/inventory control, budget control, payroll systems and ship-to-shore data communication systems.

World’s first gas tugs, powered by Bergen C gas engines driving azimuth thrusters ordered.

5 July

Kongsberg Maritime acquires Norway based Evotec AS. Evotec develops and delivers marine technology handling systems to market segments such as seismic, offshore supply and subsea. Within these niches, Evotec AS has developed systems which have led them to become one of the leading suppliers in the market.

First Environships ordered, NVC 405 cargo carriers for short sea operations powered by Bergen gas engines.

Bergen C26:33 gas engine commences development running.

ODIM ASA, specialists in automated handling solutions acquired.

UT 761 CD Far Samson commences operations with a world record bollard pull of 423 tonnes.

26 September

Kongsberg Maritime acquires Norway based Metasystems. MetaSystems develops Intelligent Electronic Applications in terms of software, sensors and instruments for the maritime and land based industries, with the goal of increasing customers' profitability through optimal and safe operations.

23 September

Kongsberg Maritime becomes the majority owner of Lodic AS a manufacturer of software for hydrostatics and stability calculations for ships and floating offshore structures. Full ownership is accomplished in 2013.

1 September

Kongsberg Maritime acquires the Great Yarmouth, UK based GeoAcoustics, a leading manufacturer of sonar seabed survey equipment, including shallow water multibeam systems, side scan sonars and sub-bottom profilers. GeoAcoustics was founded in 1978.

15 August

Kongsberg Maritime and Zhenjiang Marine Electrical Appliances form joint venture. The new company, Kongsberg Maritime China Zhenjiang Ltd., is focused on the delivery of electrical control & distribution units to the marine industry.

UT 787 CD Island Wellserver commences well intervention services.

Scandinavian Electric Holdings acquired.

World's first LNG powered cargo vessel ordered with our propulsion system.

12 December

Kongsberg Maritime acquires the Massachusetts, USA based Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) company Hydroid, an important manufacturer of compact and light weight AUVs for deep sea survey and mapping worldwide. Applications include both military and commercial use.

Kamewa XF5 high efficiency CPP hub introduced.

Safer Deck Operations and Bergen B32:40 CD diesels enter service on UT 712 L Olympic Octopus.

New Shanghai marine manufacturing centre opens.

PROMAS integrated propeller/rudder launched.

26 September

Kongsberg Maritime signs an agreement with the Nordic private equity fund Altor for the sale of the parts of Simrad that develop, manufacture and sell maritime electronics for use in yachts and small commercial vessels. The business will continue under the name Simrad Yachting.

Kongsberg Maritime signs an agreement with the Nordic private equity fund Altor for the sale of the parts of Simrad that develop, manufacture and sell maritime electronics for use in yachts and small commercial vessels. The business will continue under the name Simrad Yachting.

Order placed for 500th UT Design vessel by Island Offshore - a UT 787 CD.

World’s largest waterjets - 2.35m dia - complete sea trials on the Techno-superliner.

Kamewa 125Sll waterjets selected to power USS Freedom - LCS1.

Queen Mary 2 enters service propelled four Kamewa Mermaid^® pods, plus a package of stabilisers and mooring winches.

Kongsberg Simrad, Kongsberg Maritime Ship Systems and Simrad are merged under one name to form one of the world's largest suppliers of maritime electronics: Kongsberg Maritime. The company is set to deliver reliable solutions for on- and offshore, merchant marine, subsea, navy, coastal marine, fisheries, simulation & training, port & harbour surveillance, wind energy and more.

19 June

Kongsberg Simrad AS and ABB AS have entered a worldwide cooperation agreement on joint marketing, sales and technology development to marine and offshore vessels. As part of this agreement, there will be a transfer of ABB’s business related to dynamic positioning to Kongsberg Simrad.

Bird-Johnson fixed pitch propellers selected for French Navy’s nuclear carrier,Charles de Gaulle and US Navy carrier Ronald Reagan.

14 November

Kongsberg Simrad acquires KonMap Maritime Systems AS, known for its mapping and marine operation support systems. In recent years KonMap has been partly a sub-supplier and partly a competitor of Kongsberg Simrad, but from now on the two companies will pool their resources and work together to create new and innovative solutions for our customers.

Package comprising Kamewa Adjustable Bolted Propellers and stabilisers selected for UKs Type 45 Destroyer.

Kongsberg Simrad acquires Trondheim, Norway based Navia ASA including the Seatex and Autronica product lines. Seatex is a leading developer and manufacturer of precision positioning and motion sensing systems, while Autronica makes marine sensors and liquid cargo monitoring and control systems.

products including propellers, azimuth units, tunnel thrusters, rudders, steering gear, deck machinery, engines and automation systems, and establish Vickers Ulstein Marine Systems.

Rolls-Royce acquires Vickers plc to form new commercial marine division.

Kongsberg Maritime is formed, consisting of the following companies: Kongsberg Simrad, Kongsberg Norcontrol, Kongsberg Norcontrol Simulation and Simrad.

Five ferries powered by Bergen gas engines commence operation in Norway.

Kongsberg Simrad introduces the SDP - dynamic positioning system and the new IAS - Integrated Automation System concept in the market.

Kongsberg Gruppen (previously Kongsberg Våpenfabrikk - Kongsberg Weapons-Factory) acquires Simrad ASA and renames it Kongsberg Simrad.

Simrad acquires Mesotech a Vancouver based Canadian manufacturer of underwater acoustic equipment. Originally formed in 1973, Mesotech's major breakthrough came in 1982 with the development of the Mesotech 971 Scanning Sonar. This high resolution scanning sonar was quickly accepted by military and offshore oilfield market users and soon became the standard for all remotely operated vehicle (ROV) operations.

The first prototype Autonomous Underwater Vehicle AUV, HUGIN was demonstrated to Statoil. The HUGIN program started early 1990 with a dual civilian and military application strategy. Since then, the vehicles have been successfully used for a number of civilian and military applications.

Maritime activities are established as a separate business area within the company. The company changes its name to Kongsberg Gruppen (KONGSBERG).

Aquamaster-Rauma joins Vickers and the Kamewa Group is formed.

Kamewa waterjets selected for Singapore Navy patrol vessels.

The world's largest (at that time) Aquamaster units of 7.5MW delivered.

Kongsberg Gruppen reacquires Norcontrol, which was sold in 1987. The Horten, Norway based manufacturer makes ship bridge and engine room systems, marine simulators and radar based vessel traffic systems.