Royal Boskalis Westminster has established a position in the offshore survey market with the acquisition of UK-based Gardline Group for a price of around £40m ($51.5m) including assumed debt.
Gardline is active in the areas of marine geophysical surveys, offshore geotechnical services and environmental surveys, operating 15 survey vessels and 25 smaller vessels such as crew transfer vessels and survey catamarans. It employs around 750 employees.
Boskalis said it doesn’t expect the acquisition to add to its bottom line over the next few years, but will position the company well for when the market recovers.
Earlier in the month, Boskalis was linked with the acquisition of Bibby Offshore although the company would not be drawn on these rumours when contacted by Splash.