In the field of ship automation and navigation, NACOS Marine carries an industrial epic of inheritance and innovation. Let us trace this century-old legend together.
In 1879, Thomas Edison invented the light bulb, ushering in the dawn of the electrical age for mankind.
In 1883, the famous German engineer Mr. Emil Rathenau reached a consensus with Thomas Edison and founded the Deutsche Edison-Gesellschaft, or DEG.
In 1887, the DEG company was renamed AEG, and thus a brand with century-old quality was born. The comprehensive development of AEG made it a pioneer in the electrical industry in Germany and globally, on par with Siemens. Germany’s electrification industry grew rapidly, Germany entered the industrial age, and AEG became the core driving force of German industry.
In 1903, AEG established AEG Schiffbau to enter the shipbuilding industry. Its SAM Electronics division focused on ship electrical systems, providing complex electrical engineering turnkey services for the German Navy and large yachts, accumulating profound technical expertise.
After World War II, Germany’s industrial structure was reorganized. AEG’s shipbuilding and automation businesses, like other heavy industries, gradually became independent or merged with other companies. However, this historical origin formed the core starting point for the development of NACOS Marine, providing products and services such as main engine remote control systems, alarm monitoring systems, communication and navigation systems, and dynamic positioning systems (DP) for various types of ships worldwide.
In 1998, SAM Electronics entered the Chinese market. It established a factory in Taizhou, Jiangsu, China, founding Taihang Electronics Co., Ltd., which was later renamed S.M. Taihang Electronics Co., Ltd.
In 2015, Wärtsilä acquired L-3 MSI (L-3 Maritime Systems International) from the New York Stock Exchange-listed L-3 Communications Holdings, Inc. The portfolio of L-3 MSI included brands such as SAM Electronics, Valmarine, and Lyngso Marine. With this acquisition, SAM Electronics also became part of the Wärtsilä Group’s business.
In 2025, Wärtsilä sold the Automation, Navigation & Control Systems (ANCS) business it acquired in 2015 to the Swedish investment company Solix, and NACOS Marine officially operates as an independent brand. This business has undergone multiple ownership changes but has always continued the ship electrical specialization direction established in 1903, continuously leading the development of ship electrical and automation technology.
