2021 in Review

As 2022 approaches, we review the investments, appointments, awards, and key partnerships that Pole Star has formed throughout yet another out-of-the-ordinary year. We look at the key milestones that have not only shaped Pole Star’s 2021, but also demonstrated the company’s progress and paved the way for further expansion and acceleration.

January

• Pole Star signed The Neptune Declaration: Global industry leaders, including Pole Star, signed The Neptune Declaration on Seafarer Wellbeing and Crew Change in a worldwide call-to-action to end the crew change crisis caused by Covid-19.

February

• Pole Star was re-certified for ISO 27001 & ISO 9001: Pole Star maintained its operation of comprehensive and compliant information security practices, as well as its gold standard LRIT Certification and Testing services.

March

• New dark activity functionality was incorporated into PurpleTRAC: Draught change notifications and STS transfer risk for enhanced vessel activity awareness were released, enhancing PurpleTRAC users’ risk analysis capabilities.

April

• Pole Star received a significant growth investment: Wavecrest Growth Partners and Abry Partners completed a growth investment to accelerate Pole Star’s maritime trade digitalisation, surveillance, and sustainability solutions.

• Pole Star and CarbonChain received sustainability award: Pole Star and carbon accounting solutions provider, CarbonChain, were recognised as a GTR Leader in Trade for their joint solution and support of sustainability efforts across the industry.

June

• Pole Star acquired Vasanda: Pole Star strengthened its sustainability agenda for commodity transactions and its work towards an end-to-end solution for compliance and sustainability risk by acquiring a controlling stake in Vasanda.

July

• Pole Star partnered with Spire to support U.S. search and rescue operations: Pole Star and Spire have improved visibility in dangerous waters for search and rescue (SAR) and safety of life missions for a branch of the United States Armed Forces.

August

• Chief Revenue Officer appointed to drive expansion: Erik Gilder was appointed to spearhead Pole Star’s continued expansion and acceleration off the back of the successful funding injection earlier in the year.

October

• Pole Star celebrated Customer Service Week: Pole Star recognised the vital role that its Customer Support team play in the success of the company, as well as the operational resilience that the team demonstrated throughout the pandemic.

• Head of Architecture & Engineering appointed to deliver technological innovation: Peter Fen was appointed to drive Pole Star’s solutions innovation to deliver enhanced levels of efficiency, transparency, and sustainability across the supply chain.

November

• Pole Star signed shipping decarbonisation call-to-action: Over 200 signatories within the shipping value chain supported taking action towards net-zero targets for 2050, and pushing for the transition to net-zero fuels and vessels by 2030.

December

• Pole Star won best solution for trade and sanctions: The Regulation Asia Awards for Excellence recognised Pole Star’s regtech solution, PurpleTRAC, for how it has shaped the Asia Pacific regulatory landscape and met specific regulatory needs.

Despite ongoing challenges globally, Pole Star has remained a resilient and reliable solution provider for our clients, and has expanded and developed in areas far beyond our original reach. With sustainability and ESG trends emerging, and the need for transparency throughout the maritime supply chain reaching greater levels year on year, we are proud to say that our solutions continue to be improved and developed in line with industry requirements, while preempting those that are yet to come.

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