A Norfolk firm helping ships connect to the internet while out at sea has bought an award-winning engineering firm, in a move bosses hope will streamline its operations.

AST Networks, which is based in Great Yarmouth and has been providing remote connectivity solutions to ships and offshore operators for more than 30 years, has acquired Reygar Ltd.

The Bristol-based business specialises in performance monitoring and control solutions for crewed and un-crewed boats and ships, and in 2017 won Seawork’s 'Spirit of Innovation' award.

AST said combining the two businesses would improve the data-driven insights customers are able to access, which would in turn enhance operational efficiency.

Eastern Daily Press: The AST Group equips marine vessels and land-based assets with satellite communication systems (Image: AST Group)The AST Group equips marine vessels and land-based assets with satellite communication systems (Image: AST Group) (Image: AST Group)

Gregory Darling, founder and chairman of AST Networks, said: “With the acquisition of Reygar, AST Networks is poised to deliver even greater value to our customers.

“Reygar’s expertise in vessel performance monitoring perfectly complements our existing suite of IoT (IRAMS) and network solutions, allowing us to offer end-to-end capabilities for optimising fleet operations, enhancing safety, and maximising efficiency.

“By becoming part of AST Networks’ ecosystem, the talented team at Reygar Ltd have access to expanded resources and a broader platform to accelerate their impact on the industry.”