Norwegian ship manager OSM Maritime has added to its crew pool with a takeover in New Zealand.
The company has acquired oil and gas and offshore marine specialist Kingston Offshore Services for an undisclosed fee.
The aim is to further strengthen OSM’s current operations and services in Oceania.
OSM believes the move will make the group a “preferred and natural” partner for international contractors in the region.
The acquisition is also aligned with OSM’s strategy of investing in complementary, value-added and sustainable new business, the group said.
Kingston founder Kurt Aldam will become part of OSM in an organisation that will be headed by OSM’s Oceania managing director Casey Munyard.
Aldam said: “I’m excited about joining the OSM Group and believe it strengthens the services and commitments Kingston has spent many years developing.”
OSM chief executive Finn-Amund Norbye added: “We have had an excellent, professional, and fruitful cooperation with the Kingston Offshore staff leading up to this acquisition. Our company values, beliefs, and cultures are matching well, and we are excited to embark on this journey together.“
Kingston is based in New Plymouth and offers experienced and qualified offshore personnel for exploration and support vessels, dive support ships, construction barges and rigs, as well as seismic and geotechnical survey vessels.
“Both our existing and our potential customers will enjoy access to a large seafarer crew pool which is supported by a globally leading organisation,” OSM said.
OSM has more than 17,000 employees onshore and at sea and manages more than 700 ships of all types.
In 2021, the group launched a new technical ship-management business in Denmark to grow its fleet of high-end chemical tankers.
OSM Chemical Tanker Management was established in Copenhagen with the aim of amassing 30 vessels over the next three years.
And the year before, OSM bought John Fredriksen-backed Frontline and Golden Ocean Group’s in-house ship-management company, SeaTeam Management.
