ABB completes acquisition of Norwegian maritime automation company Høglund, integrating IAS systems on 600+ vessels

en.Wedoany.com Reported - On September 1, ABB completed its acquisition of Høglund AS, a Norwegian maritime automation specialist. The acquisition agreement was signed on June 26, 2026, and the transaction closed in the third quarter as planned following regulatory approval.

Headquartered in Tønsberg, Norway, and currently held by the Eitzen Group, Høglund will be integrated into ABB Marine & Ports upon completion of the acquisition. Høglund operates globally across four countries—Norway, Poland, Romania, and China—with more than 80 employees, a software development center in Poland, and engineering support and project execution teams in Romania and China.

Høglund's core product is its Integrated Automation System (IAS), which is built on ABB 800M and S800 control system hardware platforms—meaning Høglund has long been a customer of ABB's technology ecosystem, and the acquisition creates a complete business loop from "customer" to "subsidiary." The system is a modular, scalable platform that handles vessel automation, monitoring, and control tasks, integrating data from engines, generator sets, propulsion systems, and cargo systems to enable unified management of ship-wide information. Specific functions include automatic start/stop and load sharing of main and auxiliary engines, power management, ballast water treatment system monitoring, cargo tank level and temperature monitoring, as well as alarm and emergency shutdown systems, thereby enhancing vessel safety, fuel efficiency, and overall operational performance. The system is currently installed on more than 600 vessels, covering merchant ships, offshore vessels, and specialized vessels.

Høglund has 30 years of accumulated expertise in maritime automation technology and generated revenue of nearly EUR 30 million in 2025. The specific financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Høglund CEO Peter Morsbach stated: "Høglund's story is one of dedication and passion for the maritime industry. Our systems are based on ABB technology, and we look forward to joining ABB to continue advancing vessel automation for the benefit of our customers." Rune Braastad, President of ABB Marine & Ports, stated: "Høglund's maritime automation product portfolio will complement ABB's existing offerings with proven and scalable solutions. Combined with our global reach and service capabilities, we have laid a solid foundation for continued success."

Following the acquisition, maintenance, upgrade, and expansion services for Høglund's existing customers will be delivered through ABB's global service network, providing customers with broader technical support and a more tightly integrated service experience. Saara Kuusisto, Global Business Line Manager at ABB Marine & Ports, stated that this acquisition will strengthen ABB's ability to deliver more comprehensive integrated solutions to shipowners and shipyards worldwide.