OneOcean
Long-Term Ruby On Rails Web Development Support
OneOcean is a maritime technology company providing voyage compliance, navigation and environmental software to the shipping industry. In 2021, OneOcean acquired Shipping Guides Ltd, bringing Findaport.com and Guide to Port Entry into its wider maritime product portfolio. OneOcean itself was acquired by Lloyd’s Register in 2022.
Our Work with OneOcean
Our involvement with Findaport.com began in 2004, when we designed and developed the original bespoke web application for Shipping Guides. We continued to develop the platform as its subscription service and user requirements expanded.
When OneOcean acquired Shipping Guides in 2021, we continued to develop and support Findaport.com. Our work remained focused on the platform itself, including ongoing development, technical support, interface improvements and SEO.
Supporting Findaport Through the Acquisition
Findaport is a subscription-based maritime information platform containing detailed information on more than 9,700 ports, harbours, terminals and related facilities worldwide. By the time OneOcean acquired Shipping Guides, Findaport had already been developed over many years around the specific needs of the business. Its subscription system, database structure and administrative tools were all bespoke.
Because we had built the platform from the ground up, we were able to continue development without losing the technical knowledge behind the system. New requirements could be handled within the existing application rather than treating Findaport as a new build.
Development and Technical Support
Findaport is a bespoke web application rather than a standard content website. Our work has included development of subscription functionality, administrative tools and the systems used to manage large volumes of maritime information. During OneOcean’s ownership, we continued to work on the application as requirements changed. This included development work, technical support and improvements to usability and performance. Findaport also became part of OneOcean’s wider maritime product offering, with its port information supporting a broader range of voyage planning activity.
Working with OneOcean
The OneOcean period demonstrates the value of retaining detailed knowledge of a bespoke digital platform as ownership changes. Findaport had already been in development for many years when it became part of OneOcean, so understanding the existing application was important to maintaining and improving it. That knowledge included not only the code, but also the subscription model, database structure and way the service was used internally. When Lloyd’s Register acquired OneOcean in 2022, our work on Findaport continued under the new ownership.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. A company acquisition does not automatically mean an existing bespoke website needs to be replaced or rebuilt.
The first priority is to understand how the platform works, which parts of it are business-critical and whether the existing development setup is still suitable for the new owner. If the system is stable and still doing its job, continuing to develop it can be more practical than starting again.
With Findaport, the platform continued through changes in ownership because the underlying system was still valuable and could be developed further. For businesses acquiring a company with an established website or web application, the same principle applies. The right decision depends on the condition of the existing platform, the quality of the code and what the new business needs from it.
Yes. Sussex Web Designs can take over an existing website or web application built by another developer, provided the underlying system can be accessed and assessed properly.
The first step is to understand how the site has been built, what is working well and where the risks are. From there, we can decide whether it makes sense to continue developing the existing platform, replace certain parts or recommend a rebuild if the current setup is no longer suitable.
For the business owner, the important point is that changing developer does not automatically mean starting again. A well-built existing website can often be retained and improved, which may save time and avoid unnecessary cost.
The decision should start with the condition of the existing system rather than its age. If the website or web application is stable and still capable of supporting the business, it may make more sense to improve what is already there. That could mean updating parts of the interface, improving performance or extending existing functionality without replacing the whole platform.
A rebuild becomes more likely when the current system is difficult to maintain, relies on outdated technology or cannot support what the business now needs. The aim is to avoid rebuilding for the sake of it, while also avoiding repeated investment in a platform that has become a limitation.
For bespoke systems, the right answer usually comes from reviewing the codebase, hosting setup and current business requirements before deciding which route is more sensible.
Yes. Sussex Web Designs can develop and support subscription websites where access to information depends on the user’s account or level of subscription.
The work usually starts by understanding how the service operates. That includes what different users should be able to see, how access is granted, and how the business manages the information behind the website. From there, the platform can be built or adapted around those rules rather than forcing the business into a standard website setup.
For online databases, the same principle applies. The system needs to make information easy to maintain internally while also presenting it clearly to the people using the service. That can involve bespoke administration tools, controlled access and custom functionality built around the way the business actually works.
