In a strategic move to expand its fintech footprint in the global maritime sector, Japan’s leading shipping conglomerate Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha (NYK Line) is set to acquire Kadmos, a Germany-based digital salary payment platform tailored for seafarers.
Founded in 2021 by MIT graduates Justus Schmueser and Sasha Makarovych, Kadmos offers a transparent and cost-effective solution for international wage transfers, catering primarily to shipowners and crew management firms. The platform addresses a longstanding challenge in the maritime industry: efficiently and securely paying seafarers across borders.
Though the financial details of the acquisition remain undisclosed, the deal is expected to be finalized in the coming weeks.
This acquisition aligns with NYK Line’s ongoing digital transformation. In 2019, the company launched MarCoPay, a financial services platform based in Manila, Philippines, providing loans and insurance to Filipino seafarers and their families. Over the years, MarCoPay has strengthened its presence, acquiring an Electronic Money Issuer (EMI) license from the Philippine central bank, and partnering with multiple shipping stakeholders.
By integrating Kadmos with MarCoPay, NYK Line aims to extend its payroll and digital finance services to seafarers of all nationalities, moving beyond its original Philippine focus. Makarovych emphasized the synergy between the two platforms, noting that Kadmos’ global infrastructure and NYK’s strong brand presence will accelerate adoption across the maritime sector.
“We plan to leverage Kadmos’ global reach alongside the advantages MarCoPay already holds in the Philippines,” Makarovych stated. “With NYK’s trusted name in shipping, we can onboard clients faster and more efficiently.”
Looking ahead, Kadmos also intends to broaden its service offerings beyond payroll. The company is eyeing the cruise industry, cross-border B2B payments, and corporate card solutions, making its platform a more holistic financial tool for maritime enterprises. Importantly, Kadmos’ core team will continue to lead operations, with minor changes to management roles.
Kadmos distinguishes itself from other maritime payment platforms like MarTrust, ShipMoney, and Brightwell through its end-to-end digital capabilities. Its features include virtual point-of-sale systems, peer-to-peer transfers, and non-personalized cards with broad acceptance—enabling fast deployment aboard ships with minimal logistical complexity.
Furthermore, Kadmos offers highly customizable pricing structures, enabling companies to cover crew fees while remaining compliant with the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC), a key global standard for seafarer rights.
In 2022, Kadmos raised $29.5 million in Series A funding, bringing its total capital raised to $38 million. The platform currently serves over 40 enterprise clients in the maritime sector.
