Rotterdam-headquartered Kotug International has acquired a majority interest in Dubai-based Vortex Offshore, adding an 11-vessel fleet plus four newbuildings to its regional offshore operation.

Financial terms and the exact size of the stake were not disclosed. Vortex will keep its existing brand and management team after the transaction closes.

The acquisition pushes Kotug's footprint beyond its current Dubai-based activities in subsea services, vessel management and marine operations. Vortex's fleet — anchor-handling tug supply (AHTS) vessels, terminal and support tugs, heavy-lift vessels and crew boats — supports offshore energy projects, marine transportation, towage and related vessel services across the Middle East.

The enlarged operation gives Kotug a bigger base in a regional offshore market that continues to draw investment from oil and gas producers and service companies.

"This acquisition is a significant step in Kotug's long-term growth strategy," said Ard-Jan Kooren, Kotug's president and chief executive. "By joining forces with Vortex Offshore, we are substantially expanding our operational footprint, fleet and service capabilities in the region."

Kotug said Vortex's local customer relationships and operating knowledge would complement its own international experience.

"Joining forces with Kotug marks an exciting new phase in the development of Vortex Offshore," said Vortex managing director Edwin Westerhof. "Kotug's global reach, maritime expertise and innovative approach provide a strong foundation for future growth, while allowing us to preserve the regional knowledge, relationships and entrepreneurial culture that define our business."

Consolidation logic

The deal is another consolidation move in the Middle East offshore support vessel (OSV) market, where regional fleet owners are chasing scale as offshore activity grows. For charterers in offshore energy and marine construction, a larger combined operator means a wider pool of certified tonnage and a single counterparty for both regional towage and international projects.

Kotug said it will use the enlarged operation to support customers in the Middle East and Africa, with scope for wider international deployment of the combined fleet.

For Vortex, the tie-up provides access to Kotug's international client network and technical capabilities while preserving its Dubai identity — a structure that keeps local decision-making close to a customer base concentrated among Gulf energy producers.

The transaction signals continued appetite for Middle East offshore assets, and Kotug indicated it intends to leverage the expanded fleet for further growth across the region and beyond.