Japanese Shipping Giant NYK Acquires Kadmos to Expand Fintech Services for Seafarers

TL;DR

• NYK Line is acquiring Germany-based Kadmos, a salary payment platform for seafarers.
  
• The deal expands NYK’s fintech presence beyond the Philippines via its MarCoPay platform.
  
• Kadmos will offer new features like corporate cards and B2B payments post-acquisition.
  
• Kadmos boasts 40+ enterprise clients and plans to target the cruise sector next.
  
• NYK plans to leverage its global reach to accelerate Kadmos’ growth in the shipping industry.
  

NYK Line Makes Strategic Fintech Play with Kadmos Acquisition

In a bold move to expand its digital finance operations, Japanese maritime leader Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha (NYK Line) has announced the acquisition of Kadmos, a Berlin-based salary payment platform specializing in maritime payroll.

The deal, confirmed on June 23, 2025, will bring Kadmos under NYK’s fintech umbrella, enabling NYK to scale its MarCoPay system globally. Though financial terms were not disclosed, the acquisition is expected to close within a few weeks.

Founded in 2021 by MIT alumni Justus Schmueser and Sasha Makarovych, Kadmos has gained traction for offering transparent, cross-border salary payments to seafaring workers and is now positioned to reach new global markets under NYK’s brand influence.

Kadmos: Solving Pain Points in Maritime Payroll

Kadmos was designed to simplify and digitize the complex salary disbursement process for shipowners and seafarers. Traditionally, maritime workers relied on outdated payment systems that were fee-heavy, slow, and lacked transparency. Kadmos replaced these with a digital-first platform that includes:

• Virtual cards accepted globally
  
• Peer-to-peer (P2P) transfers onboard vessels
  
• Cashless onboard operations via virtual POS
  
• Real-time payment tracking
  
• Regulatory compliance with the Maritime Labour Convention
  

The platform’s flexibility also allows shipping companies to cover crew fees in a customizable way, unlike competitors that follow rigid SaaS pricing models.

Kadmos by the Numbers

MarCoPay + Kadmos: Fintech Convergence at Sea

NYK Line, which launched its fintech venture MarCoPay in the Philippines back in 2019, has already provided microloans and insurance products to thousands of Filipino seafarers and their families. With a license as an Electronic Money Issuer (EMI) from the Philippine central bank, MarCoPay has built trust among shipowners and workers alike.

The Kadmos acquisition allows NYK to scale beyond regional limitations and deliver fintech solutions to seafarers of all nationalities. Integrating Kadmos into MarCoPay could result in one of the most comprehensive digital payment platforms in maritime history.

“This partnership merges Kadmos’ technological agility with NYK’s legacy and brand strength,” said co-founder Sasha Makarovych. “It gives us the tools to grow faster and sign global shipping customers with confidence.”

Expanding to Cruise Lines and Corporate Card Services

With NYK’s backing, Kadmos is already eyeing new frontiers. The company plans to:

• Launch corporate cards for shipping companies
  
• Enable B2B cross-border payments
  
• Extend its offerings to the cruise industry
  
• Introduce expense management for maritime operations
  

This diversification marks Kadmos’ transition from a payroll tool into a full-stack financial platform for the global shipping economy.

While rivals like MarTrust, Brightwell, and ShipMoney also offer payment solutions, Kadmos’ end-to-end control of the payment stack—including virtual card issuance and fee structuring—gives it a competitive edge, particularly when bundled with NYK’s global footprint.

Lean but Stable: Team and Operations

Makarovych confirmed that Kadmos’ entire team will remain onboard, albeit with minor adjustments to management roles post-acquisition. This ensures product development and customer service continuity as the company scales up operations under NYK’s umbrella.

Kadmos has been known for its lean but skilled engineering and operations team, based out of Germany. The company’s European regulatory posture and technological rigor have made it a favorite among compliance-sensitive clients.

Industry Implications: Maritime Fintech Is Maturing

Kadmos’ success and subsequent acquisition reflect a larger trend in the global maritime industry—fintech maturity. Just a few years ago, most shipowners were still relying on cash disbursements or slow wire transfers. Today, the conversation has shifted to real-time, borderless, and compliant financial ecosystems.

As crew demographics diversify and global remittance needs evolve, the demand for multi-currency wallets, low-fee transfers, and remote salary access will continue to grow. NYK’s acquisition is a clear indicator that maritime payroll innovation is now a key part of the shipping business model—not just a back-office function.

Conclusion

With this acquisition, NYK Line has staked a stronger claim in the global fintech-for-maritime movement. Kadmos brings an advanced product suite, 40+ enterprise clients, and a future-ready roadmap. MarCoPay, already established in Southeast Asia, gains an international partner with agile tech and end-to-end control of financial services.

As digital transformation in the maritime industry accelerates, this acquisition may set a new benchmark for how traditional shipping companies adopt fintech to improve lives onboard and profitability onshore.