NEWS
United offshore support & capital offshore
form ship management joint venture to create uos capital gmbh
United Offshore Support GmbH (“UOS”) — a German-based offshore support vessel management specialist owned by investment funds managed by Hayfin Capital Management LLP (“Hayfin”) — and Capital Offshore LLC (“Capital Offshore”), part of the Capital Maritime Group, with an expanding offshore support vessel fleet, today announce the signing of a binding agreement under which Capital Offshore will acquire 50% of the shares in UOS from Hayfin. Completion of the transaction is subject to regulatory approvals, and upon closing the company will operate under the new name “UOS Capital GmbH” (“UOS Capital”).
Each of the parties recognises the benefits of combining their respective fleets and expertise to create an international commercial and technical vessel management entity in the offshore space.
Capital Offshore’s existing vessels will be under UOS Capital’s management. Capital Offshore’ s high specification twelve newbuild PSVs and MPSVs are also expected to come under UOS Capital management as they deliver from the shipyard during 2026 and 2027. Upon completion of all deliveries, UOS Capital will provide full technical, crewing, and commercial management services to a combined fleet of more than 30 anchor handling, platform supply and subsea support vessels controlled by its shareholders.
This transaction unites Capital Offshore’ s fleet growth and investment momentum with UOS’s historically proven track record in offshore support. Together, the partnership seeks to establish a secure, long-term, and scalable platform, well-aligned for future fleet expansion.
Howard Woodcock, CEO of UOS, said:
“The creation of UOS Capital marks the next chapter in our company’s development. By combining our heritage and expertise with Capital Offshore’ s expanding fleet, including latest technology newbuildings under construction, we are building a business with international reach and resilience that can deliver long-term value for clients and stakeholders.”
Harry Knox, COO of Capital Offshore, added:
“Through this agreement, we are combining two complementary businesses to create a significant force in the offshore support sector. UOS Capital will be well positioned to serve all its clients safely and reliably, combing the strong maritime experience and knowledge of the Capital Maritime Group with the offshore-focused operational culture and legacy that UOS has built over many years.”
Andreas Povlsen, Managing Director and Head of the Maritime Team, Hayfin, said: “As a long-term and strategic partner to UOS, we have supported the company’s growth over the past seven years. We’re delighted that UOS is now entering the next phase of its development through this transaction. The joint venture with Capital Offshore will allow the two companies to benefit from their highly complementary offerings, building a ship management platform with the potential for further growth and value creation.”
About Hayfin Capital Management
Hayfin Capital Management LLP (“Hayfin”) is a leading alternative asset management firm with c. €34 billion in assets under management (as of 31 July 2025). Hayfin focuses on delivering attractive risk-adjusted returns for its investors across its private debt, liquid credit and private equity solutions businesses. Hayfin has a diverse international team of over 200 experienced industry professionals with offices globally, including headquarters in London and offices in Chicago, Dubai, Frankfurt, Luxembourg, Madrid, Milan, Munich, New York, Paris, Stockholm, San Diego and Tokyo. Further information can be found at hayfin.com.
Contacts:
Hawthorn Advisors: +44 780199 3935
Stephen Atkinson
hayfin@hawthornadvisors.com
About United Offshore Support GmbH (UOS).
UOS is a leading global operator of sophisticated offshore support vessels specializing in the technical, crew and commercial management of high-powered anchor handling tug/supply (AHTS) vessels, large platform supply vessels (PSVs) and subsea vessels working in the offshore energy industry worldwide. Headquartered in Leer Germany, UOS has a growing office in Aberdeen and commercial management presence in London and Singapore. The on and offshore teams at UOS are highly experienced with a long track record of delivering safe and reliable operations to end clients in just about every offshore energy basin around the world.
