Bernhard Schulte Shipmanagement (BSM) has agreed to acquire a 50% stake in Norwegian offshore recruitment and crewing specialist OffshoreCrew, expanding its services for offshore and maritime customers. This investment, announced on September 29, 2026, will enable BSM to offer a broader range of crewing and technical management services, including the provision of individual specialists such as dynamic positioning and crane operators across a wider range of offshore units.
Background and Investment Details
According to gCaptain and Marine News, BSM will now leverage OffshoreCrew's database of around 30,000 offshore professionals. OffshoreCrew, headquartered in Kristiansand, provides recruitment, staffing, and crew management services to the oil and gas, offshore wind, and subsea sectors. BSM, managing a fleet of 700 vessels and employing 40,000 crew and 2,000 shore-based employees, plans to combine OffshoreCrew's capabilities with its global network to offer services ranging from individual personnel supply and crew management to full technical management.
Strategic Partnership and Customer Focus
“OffshoreCrew brings a strong track record in offshore crewing and a highly specialised talent pool that complements our existing capabilities,” said Sebastian von Hardenberg, CEO of BSM. “This investment allows us to respond faster and more flexibly to our customers’ needs, particularly in dynamic offshore markets.” Javier Zahn, CEO and Managing Director of OffshoreCrew, added, “With BSM as a strategic partner, we are ideally positioned to scale our services and reach a broader international client base while maintaining the flexibility and customer focus that define OffshoreCrew.”
Market Demand and Future Prospects
The investment in OffshoreCrew aligns with the growing demand for qualified personnel in the offshore wind and subsea sectors. BSM has been active in the offshore wind sector for over a decade, having established a dedicated offshore unit in 2018 to cover oil and gas and offshore wind energy markets. In July 2026, BSM's offshore wind fleet, including seven vessels, further expanded its capabilities.
Operational Benefits and Customer Services
The partnership aims to shorten mobilisation times for projects requiring qualified personnel at short notice. This is crucial in fast-evolving markets such as offshore wind and subsea operations, where operators often need crews with specific vessel and technical system experience. The integrated approach of combining OffshoreCrew’s recruitment and staffing services with BSM’s crew and technical management capabilities will allow customers to access a full spectrum of offshore services.
What this Means for Operators
For operators, the expanded service offerings from BSM could mean easier access to highly specialised personnel and faster response times to critical crewing requirements. This could significantly reduce operational downtime and improve project management. The combined strength of BSM and OffshoreCrew positions them well to meet the increasing demands of dynamic offshore markets, particularly in the rapidly growing offshore wind sector. With BSM’s global network and OffshoreCrew’s local expertise, operators can benefit from a more agile and responsive service provider that can quickly adapt to changing market conditions.
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This article was produced with the assistance of an AI system and reviewed by the editorial team before publication. Sources are listed below.
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