Charts business Cornes Chart Group has acquired maritime technology company Global Navigation Solutions (GNS).

Cornes bought the US and Singapore-based Safe Navigation earlier this year.

The merger will create one of the largest providers of navigation software, data and products in the world, serving more than 10,000 vessels.

Cornes Maritime Division chief operating officer Toshiyuki Kamoshita said: “We are very pleased to be able to welcome GNS and its employees into the Cornes Group. Cornes is one of the leading chart businesses in the world.

“GNS has the highest quality software in the sector and has pioneered the use of data analytics in the delivery of digital solutions to its customers.”

The deal between Cornes and GNS is an extension of the already existing relationship between the two companies.

Over the past years, companies have collaborated in areas such as navigation management software and digital service delivery.

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GNS CEO Paul Stanley said: “Over the last four years, GNS has invested heavily in developing the market-leading suite of digital products for marine navigation Voyager.

“GNS’s combination with Cornes will accelerate the development of Voyager and GNS’s other services and will maintain GNS’s strong culture around the safety of life at sea.”

In October, the company released a new Voyager PLANNING STATION version 7.4 that introduces a route validation tool and offers a streamlined route planning process. It also highlights alert and warning hazards along a route to improve vessel safety.

The company supports more than 7000 commercial shipping vessels and superyachts worldwide with a range of digital solutions.