Carus Ferry Ab Ltd, a provider of reservation, check-in and port operations software for ferry and passenger shipping operators, is pleased to announce that they have been acquired by the Canadian software investor Banyan Software, a leading acquirer and operator of mission-critical software businesses. Founded in 1987 and headquartered in Mariehamn on the Åland Islands, Finland, Carus serves around 30 operators across four continents and will continue as a standalone business with founder Anders Rundberg as CEO.

Anders built the first Carus reservation and check-in system after thirteen years in various roles at Viking Line, the leading Baltic ferry operator. The first version of the Carus solution went live in 1999, and the company grew from there largely by word of mouth in a closely connected industry. Today Anders also has a seat on the board of Interferry, the global trade association for the ferry sector.

Carus sits at the operational centre of a ferry business. Every crossing has to reconcile passengers, vehicles and freight against the physical capacity of a vessel, and Carus supports that sequence end to end – booking and ticketing, capacity management, check-in and boarding, port automation, onboard sales and business information. The software runs on every departure, every day, and forms the core of operators’ daily business, giving them the tools they need to deliver excellent and efficient customer service. Carus is the largest vendor by customer count in ferry reservation and departure control, and has been trusted by operators for decades.

After eight years as part of the Winpos Group, Carus is now entering its next chapter. Anders and the chairman Oscar Stenberg began looking for a new partner while they were still fully engaged in the business. Anders wants to continue shaping Carus together with the team, under an owner prepared to hold the company for the long term.

“When I started Carus, ferry operators needed more than a system that could sell a seat. A sailing also involves vehicles, freight and getting everyone aboard on time, and I’m proud that our team built for that reality and stayed close to the people using the software every day. Our Chairman Oscar Stenberg and I wanted to find a permanent partner rather than one arriving with a generic plan, and speaking with founders and CEOs at other Banyan companies gave us the confidence that this was the right home for Carus and the team.”

Anders Rundberg
Founder and CEO, Carus

“Ferry operators rely on Carus for work they cannot afford to get wrong, and that trust reflects the judgment Anders and his team have built over decades in a specialized industry. We are excited to support them as they invest further in the product and extend Carus’s position with operators worldwide.”

Julie Koegenboeg and Erik Mårtensson
Head of Northern Europe and Nordic M&A Director at Banyan Software

With the acquisition of Carus, Banyan now operates three businesses in the Nordic region. Banyan has Canadian roots: founder and CEO David Berkal is from Toronto. With an office in Stockholm and a local team of experts, Banyan is committed to serving and growing in the region.