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Update: Jifmar acquires Seacontractors' workboat fleet
A fleet of 15 shallow-draught workboats, including tugs, has been sold by Seacontractors, enabling the Dutch group to focus on offshore anchor-handling vessels
Jifmar Group has acquired a fleet of 15 workboats with up to the 50 tonnes of bollard pull from Seacontractors to reinforce its presence in the Middle East.
These vessels and associated teams, including the Seacontractors team in Dubai, officially joined Jifmar on 19 November 2025, marking a significant step in the group’s expansion across the Middle East and Indian Ocean regions.
The transaction includes an agreement ensuring Seacontractors will continue to support fleet operations and handover ongoing projects for the next six months.
With this acquisition, Jifmar Group now operates a fleet of 84 vessels, including 26 located in the Middle East and Indian Ocean, consolidating its position as a leader in operating shallow-draught workboats.
“This closing marks a new chapter for Jifmar. By integrating this fleet and its experienced crews, we are scaling up our operational presence in key regions and reinforcing our ability to support clients with reliable, versatile and efficient assets,” said Jifmar Group chief executive Jean-Michel Berud.
“Our ambition is to continue setting the reference standard for workboat performance worldwide.”
Seacontractors will focus on anchor handling tug, supply (AHTS) vessels in the 70-tonne to 200-tonne bollard pull range, which are used for offshore and deepsea anchor handling, terminal towage, coastal towage, and to support offshore engineering, construction and installation projects.
“We are pleased to finalise this transition with Jifmar. Their global expertise in shallow-draught operations ensures our former fleet and crews will thrive under a group fully dedicated to this segment,” said Seacontractors owner Xander Schanssema.
“This step accelerates the implementation of Seacontractors’ strategic repositioning in the offshore market, with Sea Banckert and Sea Evertsen having recently been added to the fleet.”
The Dutch marine contractor has been adding AHTS vessels to its fleet as it focused on the higher-end segment of the offshore and deepsea towage market. It recently acquired two AHTS vessels, 2008-built Skandi Tender and 2009-built Skandi Trader, from DOF Group, and renamed them Sea Banckert and Sea Evertsen and reflagged them under the Dutch flag following their handover in September 2025.
Seacontractors also added AHTSs Sea Seraya and Sea Sentosa, both with 120-tonne bollard pull capacities, to its fleet in 2024.
For Jifmar Group, this acquisition consolidates its position in shallow-draught workboat operations, following its takeover of Acta Marine’s workboat division in 2023. Upon completion of the transaction, it will operate a fleet of more than 80 vessels, enabling it to support clients worldwide.
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