CFARER Debuts with Mission to Put Seafarers at the Heart of Innovation

CFARER Debuts with Mission to Put Seafarers at the Heart of Innovation
Arnel Murga 6 August 2025 https://thedigitalship.com/news/maritime-software/cfarer-debuts-with-mis...

CFARER, launched from DNV Maritime Software, sets out as an independent brand to revolutionize maritime operations with seafarer-focused digital solutions.

The maritime industry undergoes a digital transformation. Today, a new player has emerged: CFARER. Born from DNV Maritime Software, CFARER now stands as an independent brand. Its name, CFARER, is a play on words that reflects its core mission: to serve seafarers, the people who keep the world’s ships moving.

This is not a cosmetic or aesthetic rebrand. “This is a structural shift, not just a rebrand,” said Erik Staubo, CEO of CFARER. “CFARER is now a standalone business with its own leadership, strategy, and commercial direction. By operating independently, CFARER can focus entirely on building better software, responding faster to user needs, and partnering more openly across the industry.”

With DNV as the majority shareholder, Wilhelmsen Port Services as a strategic minority investor, and Papillon at the helm of operations and long-term growth, CFARER enters the maritime SaaS space with a rare combination of continuity, credibility, and ambition. The integration of Diize, Wilhelmsen’s digital subsidiary, into CFARER is a strong signal of intent. Its port clearance product, Always on Board, will now be offered alongside trusted tools like ShipManager, Navigator Port, and Hull Manager.

“We are proud to join forces with DNV and for the Diize team to become part of CFARER – a powerful step forward in our mission to drive smarter and safer operations, both at sea and in port. Together, we are committed to building solutions that serve the real needs of seafarers – placing them where they belong: at the heart of shipping,” Michael Satzger, Vice President, Strategy, M&A and Business Development at Wilhelmsen Port Services

It’s a timely message. Seafarers and fleet operators face mounting complexity. The tools they use must catch up with the pace or move fast. CFARER’s promise to offer both Cloud and Classic versions of its software in 2025 enables crews to work efficiently, despite the diverse digital landscape.

Kenneth Vareide, CEO, Digital Solutions, at DNV, and Chairman of the Board of CFARER, said, ““The maritime software market is moving fast. CFARER’s new brand and structure gives it the independence to innovate quickly, while customers continue to benefit from the trust and reliability built over decades.”

CFARER remains open to exploring new partnerships and future ownership evolution, and at the same time, aims “to become the digital leader in maritime software, shaped by deep industry collaboration.”