The offshore drilling industry in Benelux is a significant sector, heavily involved in extracting oil and natural gas from beneath the North Sea. Companies range from established giants like Royal Van Oord and Boskalis, known for dredging and marine services, to specialized firms focused on energy transition projects. Increasingly, investment is flowing into renewable offshore energy, with wind and sustainable solutions gaining traction. This shift is spearheaded by innovative technologies that promise more efficient operations. As regulations tighten and environmental concerns grow, companies are adapting to enhance sustainability while meeting the world’s energy demands.


The list features a mix of investor types, including private equity firms, corporate investors, and venture capitalists, all headquartered in Benelux. Companies range in size from small firms like Parcom Capital to large organizations such as Van Oord, with a workforce spanning thousands. Founded as early as 1868 and as recently as 2010, these investors conducted 2024 deals that reflect their strategic focus on the offshore drilling and energy sectors. Each brings unique expertise, financial support, and a forward-looking investment philosophy that shapes the industry's evolution.


Top 7 Offshore Drilling Investors in Benelux


1. Boskalis

  • Website: boskalis.com
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Papendrecht, South Holland, Netherlands
  • Founded year: 1910
  • Headcount: 10001+
  • Number of deals in 2024: 2
  • LinkedIn: boskalis

Boskalis Westminster N.V. is a corporate investor based in Papendrecht, South Holland, Netherlands, specializing in logistics and marine services with a strong focus on dredging and maritime infrastructure maintenance. Founded in 1910, Boskalis has grown to employ over 10,000 people and has made significant investments in the offshore energy sector. Notable transactions include the acquisition of Horizon Geosciences in 2019, which bolstered their geoscience capabilities, and the acquisition of Gardline Group in 2017 for approximately £40 million, allowing them to enter the offshore survey market. In 2024, they announced the acquisition of ALP Maritime Services, enhancing their maritime service capabilities, particularly in towing and salvage operations. These strategic acquisitions demonstrate Boskalis's commitment to expanding its role in the offshore energy sector, making it a relevant player in the offshore drilling industry.


2. Triton Partners


Triton Partners is a private equity firm based in Luxembourg, founded in 1997. The firm specializes in private equity and credit investments in European mid-market businesses, focusing on sectors such as Business Services, Industrial Tech, and Healthcare. Triton provides operational expertise and capital to help companies unlock their full potential. Notably, Triton has made significant investments in the offshore drilling context, including their acquisition of DeepOcean, where they became the majority owner, enhancing the company's balance sheet and liquidity. Additionally, Triton's acquisition of MacGregor, a cargo handling specialist, is relevant as it supports offshore operations. Their investment strategy includes partnering with management teams to address challenges and drive growth, which is evident in their approach to companies like FairWind and OCU Group, further demonstrating their capability to influence sectors related to offshore drilling.


3. Van Oord

  • Website: vanoord.com
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Rotterdam, South Holland, Netherlands
  • Founded year: 1868
  • Headcount: 5001-10000
  • LinkedIn: van-oord

Royal Van Oord is a maritime contractor based in Rotterdam, Netherlands, with a rich history dating back to 1868. The company specializes in dredging, land reclamation, and offshore energy projects, serving clients in the construction and energy sectors. With a commitment to sustainable practices and innovative solutions for climate adaptation and infrastructure development, Van Oord operates globally. Notably, they have made significant investments in the offshore energy sector, including the acquisition of MPI Offshore, which enhances their capabilities in offshore wind installation. This acquisition aligns with their investment program and strengthens their position in the UK wind market. Additionally, Van Oord is involved in transactions such as the acquisition of a stake in IQIP Holding and participation in the acquisition and refinancing of Royal IHC, further demonstrating their active role in the maritime and offshore sectors.


4. ABN AMRO Clearing Bank

  • Website: abnamro.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Amsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands
  • Founded year: 1982
  • Headcount: 501-1000
  • Number of deals in 2024: 19
  • LinkedIn: abn-amro-clearing-bank-n-v-

ABN AMRO Clearing Bank, founded in 1982 and based in Amsterdam, Netherlands, is a banking institution that provides a range of financial services including personal banking, business banking, and investment management. The bank serves individual consumers and businesses, helping them manage their financial needs and investments while ensuring compliance with financial regulations. Notably, ABN AMRO has been involved in significant transactions in the offshore drilling context, such as their participation in the financing of Pacific Drilling S.A., which secured a $1 billion credit facility for the construction of drillships. This involvement highlights their capacity to engage in the offshore drilling sector, although their investment portfolio also includes diverse sectors like renewable energy, as seen in their transactions with Mainstream Renewable Power and EET Fuels.


5. Parcom Capital

  • Website: parcomcapital.com
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Schiphol, North Holland, Netherlands
  • Founded year: 1982
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • Number of deals in 2024: 1
  • LinkedIn: parcom-capital

Parcom Capital is a corporate investment firm based in Schiphol, North Holland, Netherlands, founded in 1982. The firm specializes in private equity, focusing on unlocking the potential of businesses through investment management and strategic support. Parcom partners with various companies across multiple sectors to facilitate sustainable growth and transformation. Notably, Parcom Capital has been involved in significant transactions relevant to the offshore drilling industry, including the acquisition of GustoMSC, which provides engineering and design services for offshore oil and gas operations, and Barge Master, known for its innovative offshore equipment solutions. These investments highlight Parcom's commitment to supporting companies that play a crucial role in the offshore drilling sector.


6. Marguerite


Marguerite is an infrastructure investment firm based in Luxembourg, founded in 2010, specializing in sustainable investments across Europe. The firm focuses on funding initiatives that address climate change and promote economic growth through renewable energy and infrastructure projects. Marguerite's clients include institutional investors seeking to align their portfolios with environmental and social governance principles. Notably, Marguerite has made significant investments in the offshore sector, including a 65% stake acquisition in Jifmar Offshore Services S.A.S., which supports the transition to next-generation offshore service vessels. Additionally, they have invested in the Butendiek offshore wind farm, a 288 MW project in the North Sea, further demonstrating their commitment to offshore initiatives, albeit with a focus on renewable energy.


7. Bekaert

  • Website: bekaert.com
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Zwevegem, Flanders, Belgium
  • Founded year: 1880
  • Headcount: 10001+
  • Number of deals in 2024: 1
  • LinkedIn: bekaert

N.V. Bekaert S.A. is a steel manufacturer specializing in steel wire transformation and coatings, serving various industries including automotive and construction. Founded in 1880 and headquartered in Zwevegem, Flanders, Belgium, Bekaert operates globally with a workforce of 28,000 employees. In 2024, Bekaert made a significant move in the offshore sector by acquiring BEXCO nv, a leading player in synthetic ropes for offshore energy production, for €40 million. This acquisition is part of Bekaert's growth strategy to enhance its offerings in synthetic offshore lifting and mooring solutions, particularly in the emerging floating offshore wind industry. The acquisition of BEXCO is expected to create significant synergies and improve profit margins, indicating Bekaert's commitment to expanding its footprint in the offshore energy market.



Offshore Drilling Insights: Key Investors in Benelux


InvestorHeadquarterSizeFoundedDeals 2024
BoskalisPapendrecht, South Holland, Netherlands10001+19102
Triton PartnersLuxembourg201-50019976
Van OordRotterdam, South Holland, Netherlands5001-1000018680
ABN AMRO Clearing BankAmsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands501-1000198219
Parcom CapitalSchiphol, North Holland, Netherlands11-5019821
MargueriteLuxembourg11-5020100
BekaertZwevegem, Flanders, Belgium10001+18801


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