Danelec celebrates 30 years of innovation from black boxes to open platforms

Danelec, a global leader in maritime data and performance solutions, is celebrating its 30th anniversary. The milestone marks three decades of innovation in shipboard systems, where a defining shift from compliance-based technology to real-time performance intelligence has seen the company grow from ‘black box’ maker to maritime digitalisation specialist.

Founded on June 22, 1995, as a specialist in Voyage Data Recorders (VDRs), Danelec has today equipped over 15,500 vessels with the infrastructure needed for fuel efficiency, emissions monitoring, and smarter operational decisions. With a global network of more than 700 service technicians, the company continues to evolve its offering to encompass safety-critical systems and integrated open platforms.

Over 30 years, Danelec has built a reputation on reliability and compliance, becoming one of the world’s top three VDR providers. “VDRs are our DNA,” says CEO Casper Jensen. “They’re mission critical. And from the beginning, we’ve focused on making them smarter, more solid, and simple.”

Building on this foundation, Danelec now plays a critical role in helping the maritime industry address operational efficiency and decarbonisation through a powerful combination of AI-driven analytics and high-frequency vessel data.

The past decade has seen significant acceleration in Danelec’s digital offering. Through its unified platform and targeted acquisitions, including ship performance specialist Kyma and AI analytics firm Nautilus Labs, the company now processes more than 1.5 trillion onboard data points annually. These insights support decisions on routing, fuel use, emissions, engine health, and more.

Danelec’s 30th year also comes as it prepares to join French LNG and maritime technology group GTT in a €194 million acquisition, expected to close later in 2025. Over the long term, substantial benefits for the shipping industry will be unlocked with the integration of Danelec into GTT's existing digital division.

“From the very beginning, we’ve done more than just capture data,” says Jensen. “We’ve turned it into value. Now, as we celebrate our 30th anniversary, we’re excited to enable the sector through ever more powerful and useful solutions.”