Sedna, a high-growth London-based technology company backed by Insight Partners, today announced the acquisition of Flytta, an AI-powered workflow automation platform for global trade and supply chains. The acquisition strengthens Sedna’s position as a leader in AI-driven communication and operational efficiency whilst also reinforcing London’s role as an emerging hub for AI innovation in international trade.

The deal expands Sedna's UK presence with a new office in the Tees Valley, with the company investing in Northern England's growing AI talent base to accelerate product development.

‍Accelerating AI Innovation in Global Trade

This acquisition plays a central role in Sedna's growing AI strategy, embedding artificial intelligence into the core of global trade workflows. Sedna began working closely with Flytta on a solution for Pavilion Energy of Singapore that analysed complex LNG noon reports against written voyage instructions for anomalies and problems.

"AI-powered email data extraction gives my team instant insight into vessel status, voyage order adherence, and potential disruptions - without the hassle of cross-checking multiple systems or insisting on a common template. It taps into the embedded intelligence of email, streamlining operations and ensuring vessels stay on course," said Toby Forrest, Head of Operations and Chartering at Pavilion Energy in Singapore.

Flytta's Customs Import and Export Automation workflow is now part of Sedna AI and is servicing high-volume processes for customers including Casper Customs, Pentagon Freight Services and Mobius Technology. This is only the beginning, with Sedna AI Noon Report Analysis Automation among other AI-powered workflows and automations planned for rollout in the near future.

"Sedna's mission is to connect the shipping ecosystem, providing intelligent tools that transform data into actionable insights," said Leigh Steed-Middleton, President of Sedna. "The acquisition of Flytta not only accelerates our AI strategy but also positions us to deliver value-added workflows tailored to the specific needs of the industry."

‍A Strategic Investment in UK AI & Northern Talent

The deal also underscores Sedna’s commitment to UK AI leadership. With government-backed initiatives like Innovate UK and the UK AI Strategy positioning Britain as a global AI powerhouse, Sedna’s investment in Middlesbrough reinforces the country’s role in AI-driven trade technology.

"We’re excited to open our new Middlesbrough office, tapping into the exceptional talent in Northern England to drive the next wave of AI innovation in global trade," said Bill Dobie, CEO of Sedna. "This investment strengthens our AI capabilities while reinforcing the UK’s position as a leader in digital trade transformation."

As part of the acquisition, Sedna welcomes co-founders Alan Appleyard and Owain Brennan to its team. Alan brings over 20 years of shipping experience and developed a passion for AI and programming during the pandemic whilst solving complex post-Brexit UK customs challenges. He will join as AI Product Manager. Owain, a thought leader with extensive experience building AI and ML solutions as both a developer and founder, will take on the role of AI Lead Engineer. Together, they bring deep maritime knowledge and a proven track record of innovation and practical delivery.

This acquisition also brings with it a sixth office for Sedna, including Athens, Cape Town, Copenhagen, London, Singapore and Middlesbrough - in North England. 

Flytta originated as an in-house solution at Casper Shipping, designed to streamline internal operations before being further refined and commercialised by Seer into a scalable AI-powered workflow platform. This progression, rooted in deep industry expertise, set the stage for a strategic partnership between Sedna, Seer, and Casper Shipping to drive broader industry transformation.

Commenting on the collaboration, Michael Shakesheff, MD of Casper Group, said: “Flytta began as an internal innovation within Casper Shipping, addressing real-world operational challenges. With Seer’s expertise, it evolved into a scalable product, and now, through Sedna’s ambitious AI vision, it has the opportunity to drive transformation across the broader maritime and trade industries.”'

Strengthening Sedna’s AI strategy

Flytta's expertise will integrate seamlessly with Sedna's broader AI initiatives, led by the newly formed AI Team under the guidance of Alan Appleyard and Owain Brennan. This team will focus on three critical streams of innovation:

• A Maritime-specific Large Language Model (LLM) sitting on top of Sedna's email platform.
• Intelligent tagging to enhance the categorisation and retrieval of critical data.
• AI-powered automations and workflow engines to optimise processes across maritime operations. 

These innovations will deliver unmatched intelligence, reduce inefficiencies, and enable users to extract value from their data with greater precision and speed.

A commitment to industry transformation

With this acquisition, Sedna continues to expand its role as a leader in secure, efficient, and data-driven communication solutions. Solutions like Sedna Stream, Pulse and now AI, ensure maritime organisations are equipped to handle the demands of a complex, high-stakes global trade environment while reducing inefficiencies and unlocking the full potential of their data.

About Sedna

Sedna Communications Ltd is a London-based AI technology company transforming enterprise communication in global trade. Backed by Insight Partners, Sedna’s platform streamlines high-volume, complex workflows for businesses operating in shipping, logistics, freight forwarding, and supply chain management.

About Flytta

Flytta, developed by Seer in collaboration with Casper Shipping, is an AI-powered solution designed to optimise maritime workflows. Combining innovative technology with deep industry expertise, Flytta addresses the unique challenges of shipping companies, paving the way for smarter, data-driven decision-making.

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