Heavy lift specialists HEBO and Bonn & Mees merge

HEBO and Bonn & Mees are merging and have ambitions for further expansion and acquisition. Photo: HEBO

Dutch marine heavy lift specialists HEBO Maritiem Service and Bonn & Mees have agreed to join forces in a merger that will combine both their equipment fleets and other resources.

HEBO said its merger with Bonn & Mees Drijvende Bokken BV lays the foundation for expanded services and a stronger position in the market. “The partnership also ensures an efficient and specialized focus in areas such as heavy lifting, specialized transport, salvage operations, and emergency response,” Hebo continued. Terms of the deal were undisclosed.

The two Rotterdam-based companies are combining their knowledge, expertise, and specialisms “to ensure improved availability and predictable outcomes for clients across Europe through their extensive fleet.”

What’s in your fleet?

The Hebo fleet includes the 2,200 tonne capacity heavy lift sheerlegs vessel HEBO Lift 10 (formerly Taklift 4), plus another eight or so floating sheerlegs and crane barges. Bonn & Mees has three floating sheerlegs. Matador 3 lifts 1,800 tonnes, while Matador and Matador 2 are each rated at 400 tonnes.

Ambitious plans are afoot. Marius Punt, HEBO CEO, and Peter Leenheer, Bonn & Mees owner, said they plan to seize opportunities for growth, expansion, sustainability, and international development. They are on the acquisition trail, seeking “acquisitions and integration of new companies to enhance and complete their service offerings.”

Bonn & Mees was founded in 1887 as a shipyard. It used floating sheerleg crane barges as a tool but they became the core activity of the company in 1931. It operates in a radius of 1,000 nautical miles of Rotterdam.