Bernhard Schulte Shipmanagement Bought Stake in OffshoreCrew
The ship manager expanded its offshore crewing capabilities by acquiring a 50% stake in the staffing firm.
Updated on Sept. 29, 2026 in Oil and Gas
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Bernhard Schulte Shipmanagement (BSM) has acquired a 50% stake in Kristiansand-based OffshoreCrew to enhance its recruitment and staffing services. This move allows BSM to integrate specialized personnel into its global maritime operations.
Why it matters
The investment enables BSM to scale its service offerings to include individual offshore specialists, helping the firm respond more flexibly to labor demands in the oil, gas, and offshore wind sectors.
BSM now holds a 50% stake in OffshoreCrew, gaining access to a database of 30,000 offshore professionals. This complements BSM's current operations, which include managing a fleet of 700 vessels and employing 40,000 crew members.
The players
Bernhard Schulte Shipmanagement
A global ship management firm that operates a fleet of 700 vessels and employs 40,000 crew members.
OffshoreCrew
A Kristiansand-based staffing firm providing recruitment and management services for the oil, gas, and offshore wind sectors.
The details
The partnership combines OffshoreCrew’s recruitment infrastructure with BSM’s existing global network to provide services ranging from individual personnel supply to full technical management. BSM will specifically leverage the deal to expand its offshore crewing to include specialized roles like crane operators and dynamic positioning experts.
Timeline
September 29, 2026: The acquisition announcement was published.
Market Landscape
This move follows the broader industry trend of large maritime firms vertically integrating recruitment to secure specialized technical labor. It positions BSM to compete more directly in high-skill offshore markets by formalizing access to niche operator databases.
Operators in the offshore sector should monitor whether this integration lowers lead times for specialized technical staffing. Firms reliant on third-party recruitment should evaluate how increased consolidation among large ship managers may tighten the availability of high-skill personnel.
The takeaway
This acquisition highlights the premium managers are placing on maintaining proprietary access to specialized offshore labor. Operators should assess their own staffing strategies and identify whether they are susceptible to labor shortages if larger competitors continue to acquire key recruiting firms.
Further reading
For more on industry shifts, visit the Oil and Gas section.
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