Norwegian offshore vessel operators Ostensjo Group and Simon Mokster Shipping are joining forces to expand crewing and ship management company Mercator Crewing.
Ostensjo said compatriot Mokster has bought a 20% stake in Mercator, leaving Ostensjo with 50%. The remaining 30% is owned by management.
Mercator is a crew agency and ship manager with more than 350 seafarers on its books.
The outfit is headquartered in the heart of the Norwegian shipping cluster, Haugesund. It has branch offices in Poland, Lithuania and the Philippines.
Mercator started in 2005 under the name of Norwegian Maritime Services (NMS).
In March 2019, NMS was acquired by Ostensjo Group from its private owners.
"Mokster has been a trusted customer of Mercator Crewing for many years, so I am confident that this partnership will be a good match," Mercator general manager Roald Larsen said.
The boss added that joining forces with a "solid and competent company" would create positive synergies.
The outfits' combined efforts will contribute to further growth in a very exciting industry, as well as securing workplaces for employees offshore and onshore, he added.
No financial terms were disclosed.
Mercator describes its client base as "broad" — and it wants to build this worldwide.
"We are excited about having Mokster as a partner in Mercator Crewing," said Havard Framnes, investment director at Ostensjo Group and chairman of Mercator Crewing.
Framnes told TradeWinds: "Mercator Crewing is primarily a provider of marine crew and related services. Europe is considered the main market.
"However, the company could service any shipping client globally. Mercator Crewing has clients within several segments, eg dry bulk, OSV [offshore support vessels], fishing, offshore accommodation, offshore wind. We see expansion opportunities in all segments."
Mokster boss excited
Anne Jorunn Mokster, chief executive of Simon Mokster Shipping, said her company had received qualified crew and reliable services from Mercator Crewing since 2010 and is excited to engage in its further development.
Mokster was established in 1968 and now has 16 offshore vessels, with 500 employees.
The company is 100% owned by the Mokster family.
Ostensjo's acquisition of NMS by did not include seismic shipping company Oceangoing, which continued under the previous NMS owners.
At the time of the takeover, NMS had 20 shore staff and employed 300 seafarers. The administration team now consists of 12 workers.
