Lars Thrane
Lars Thrane A/S is a Danish maritime communications company that designs and manufactures Iridium-based GMDSS-certified satellite terminals, VHF radios, and power supplies for commercial vessels, fishing fleets, and leisure yachts worldwide, distributed exclusively through dealers and distributors.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1980
- HeadquartersHolte, Denmark
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Lars Thrane does
Lars Thrane A/S is a privately held Danish maritime communications company headquartered in Holte, Denmark, specializing in Iridium-based satellite communication systems for the global maritime industry. Established in 1980 with over 40 years of maritime engineering experience, the company designs and manufactures GMDSS-certified satellite terminals including the LT-3100S (the world's first Iridium GMDSS terminal, launched in 2018), the LT-4100S Certus 100, and the LT-4200S Certus 200 systems. In 2025 the company expanded into adjacent regulated categories with the LT-8100S VHF DSC Class A Radio and the LT-2500 AC/DC 500W maritime power supply, completing a single-vendor GMDSS bridge console spanning satellite, VHF, and power subsystems. Products carry MED and Wheelmark certification, SOLAS-compliant GMDSS type approval, and ISO 9001:2015 certification from DNV.
The company's revenue model combines hardware sales of certified maritime communication terminals (control units, antenna units, handsets, accessories) with recurring satellite airtime services resold through Iridium service provider contracts. Distribution is exclusively indirect, executed through a global network of authorized dealers and distributors backed by a dedicated partner portal with GMDSS training resources. The customer base spans commercial shipping fleets (Global Carry, Freight Hero, Torm), fishing vessels, and leisure yachts, with horizontal segmentation across the three verticals. Lars Thrane operates without institutional capital, has no subsidiaries, and depends on Iridium's low Earth orbit constellation to deliver pole-to-pole coverage that differentiates its offering from geostationary satellite competitors.
Lars Thrane firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Lars Thrane
- Legal name
- Lars Thrane A/S
- Website
- https://thrane.eu
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1980
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Lars Thrane A/S is a Danish maritime communications company that designs and manufactures Iridium-based GMDSS-certified satellite terminals, VHF radios, and power supplies for commercial vessels, fishing fleets, and leisure yachts worldwide, distributed exclusively through dealers and distributors.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Lars Thrane industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Maritime Satellite Communications
- NAICS
- Radio and Television Broadcasting and Wireless Communications Equipment Manufacturing (334220), Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing (334511), Radio and Television Broadcasting and Wireless Communications Equipment Manufacturing (33422)
- SIC
- Computer Communications Equipment (3576), Search, Detection, Navagation, Guidance, Aeronautical Sys (3812), Communications Equipment, Nec (3669)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Satellite Broadband Terminals & Gateways (VSAT/LEO CPE) (HDAFAIAM)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Marine Navigation Systems (ECDIS, Radar, GNSS, AIS) (IMAJAJAE)
Keywords
Where Lars Thrane is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Holte
- HQ country
- Denmark
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
Lars Thrane business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Operations, Supply Chain, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Satellite Communication Hardware: Sale of maritime satellite communication terminals including control units, antenna units, handsets, and accessories. Products are sold through dealers and distributors worldwide with no scheduled maintenance requirements.
- Satellite Airtime Services: Products provide voice, SMS, data, vessel tracking, and other Iridium services with competitive airtime rates. Revenue generated through Iridium service provider airtime contracts.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels3 records
Lars Thrane product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Lars Thrane A/S designs, manufactures, and supplies Iridium-based maritime satellite communication systems for commercial, fishing, and leisure vessels. The portfolio includes GMDSS-certified distress and safety terminals (LT-3100S, LT-4100S, LT-4200S), Iridium Certus 100/200 satellite communication systems, the LT-8100S VHF DSC Class A Radio, the LT-2500 AC/DC Power Supply, GNSS/GPS receivers, and electronic compasses. Products are designed and built in Denmark and sold globally through a network of authorized dealers and distributors.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Quantifiable outcome
- Pole-to-pole coverage eliminates coverage gaps at high latitudes that affect geostationary satellite systems
Companies that use Lars Thrane
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Lars Thrane technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration9 records
Feature5 records
Lars Thrane partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- IridiumcoreIridium Communications Inc. provides the satellite network infrastructure for Lars Thrane products. In 2018, the IMO's Maritime Safety Committee recognized Iridium as a Recognized Mobile Satellite Service (RMSS) for GMDSS, enabling Lars Thrane to develop the first Iridium GMDSS terminal. The Iridium low Earth orbit constellation provides pole-to-pole global coverage.
Scale indicators2 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Lars Thrane competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Jotron AS: Norwegian manufacturer of maritime safety communication equipment including GMDSS, EPIRBs, AIS and VHF. Closely comparable as a safety-focused maritime communications peer with overlapping product categories and similar European heritage.
- Intellian Technologies: South Korean maritime VSAT and LEO satellite terminal manufacturer serving commercial shipping and offshore. Comparable as a maritime satcom hardware OEM with both Inmarsat and Iridium product lines targeting overlapping fleet customers.
- Kvh Industries: US-based provider of maritime satellite communications (VSAT and mini-VSAT) and inertial navigation for commercial vessels and leisure. Comparable as a maritime satcom and navigation hardware peer with overlapping fleet customers.
Others
- Iridium Communications: Operator of the Iridium LEO satellite constellation that powers every Lars Thrane terminal and certified RMSS provider for GMDSS. Comparable as the underlying network partner whose roadmap, pricing and ecosystem dynamics directly determine Lars Thrane's product economics.
- Inmarsat (Viasat Maritime): Geostationary satellite operator historically dominant in GMDSS and maritime safety services. Comparable as the incumbent RMSS whose market share Lars Thrane is positioned to attack via Iridium-based alternatives.
Emerging players
- SRT Marine Systems: UK-based developer of AIS, VHF and maritime domain awareness products targeting safety and regulatory use cases. Comparable as a smaller, niche maritime safety communications vendor with similar SOLAS-adjacent positioning.
Broad incumbents
- Cobham SATCOM (now part of Thales): Owner of the historic Sailor brand for maritime Inmarsat and Iridium GMDSS terminals. Directly comparable as a maritime satellite communications OEM with overlapping GMDSS product lines competing for the same SOLAS-mandated vessels.
- Furuno Electric: Japanese marine electronics manufacturer with broad GMDSS, navigation, radar and communication portfolios serving commercial and fishing fleets. Comparable as a multi-product maritime safety and communications vendor targeting the same end customers.
- Garmin (Marine segment): Global marine electronics brand with GNSS, VHF, AIS and satcom products spanning leisure and light commercial. Comparable as a marine communications and navigation hardware vendor, though more weighted toward the leisure/yacht segment where Lars Thrane also plays.
- Saab (TransponderTech / Maritime Safety): Defense and safety group with maritime AIS, VHF and navigation product lines serving commercial and naval fleets. Comparable as a maritime safety communications vendor with similar regulatory, certification and SOLAS procurement dynamics.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks2 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Lars Thrane social profiles
Digital presenceLars Thrane financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Lars Thrane leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Lars Thrane funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Lars Thrane M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Lars Thrane
What does Lars Thrane do?
Lars Thrane A/S designs, manufactures, and supplies Iridium-based maritime satellite communication systems for commercial, fishing, and leisure vessels. The portfolio includes GMDSS-certified distress and safety terminals (LT-3100S, LT-4100S, LT-4200S), Iridium Certus 100/200 satellite communication systems, the LT-8100S VHF DSC Class A Radio, the LT-2500 AC/DC Power Supply, GNSS/GPS receivers, and electronic compasses. Products are designed and built in Denmark and sold globally through a network of authorized dealers and distributors.
Is Lars Thrane a public or private company?
Lars Thrane is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Lars Thrane founded?
Lars Thrane was founded in 1980. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Lars Thrane based?
Lars Thrane is headquartered in Holte, Denmark, in the Europe region.
How does Lars Thrane make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Satellite Communication Hardware is the primary driver. The others are satellite Airtime Services.
Who are Lars Thrane's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Jotron AS, Intellian Technologies and Kvh Industries. Others are Iridium Communications and Inmarsat (Viasat Maritime). SRT Marine Systems is listed as an emerging player. Broad incumbents are Cobham SATCOM (now part of Thales), Furuno Electric, Garmin (Marine segment) and Saab (TransponderTech / Maritime Safety).
Does Lars Thrane have an API?
No public API is recorded for Lars Thrane.
What industry is Lars Thrane in?
Lars Thrane's product category is Maritime Satellite Communications. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HDAFAIAM, Satellite Broadband Terminals & Gateways (VSAT/LEO CPE), with a secondary code of IMAJAJAE, Marine Navigation Systems (ECDIS, Radar, GNSS, AIS). Its NAICS code is 334220 and its SIC code is 3576.