DLA Piper advises on the financing of Jifmar's acquisition of Acta Marine's workboat business

DLA Piper has advised a pool of banks, led by Société Générale, on the provision of financing for the acquisition of Acta Marine, a Dutch workboat business, by Jifmar Offshore Services. The financing was provided by a pool of banks led by Société Générale and comprising BNP Paribas, several entities of the BPCE group (CEBPL, CECAZ, CELR and CEPAC), Crédit Lyonnais, Delubac & Cie and Société Générale.

The acquirer, based in France, provides integrated marine solutions in various sectors such as offshore oil and gas, offshore wind energy, defence, and remotely operated underwater vehicles. The acquisition, also backed by the European Investment Bank's Marguerite fund, will see the Jifmar Group have over 550 employees and a fleet of 72 vessels.

A team from DLA Piper’s Paris, Amsterdam, and Edinburgh offices worked on the transaction and was led by partners Sophie Lok, Allan Leal, Lex Oosterling (all FPR), Manon den Boer (Corporate), and Daniëlle van Berkel (Real Estate). They were supported by senior associates, Stephanie Menz, Cathelijn Frederiks, counsel, Aurelie Bossert, and associates, Yanniv Gilquel, Matthieu Loonis Sanne Steenhorst, Vico Proost, Gijs Habets, Jessica Zajda, and Craig Hunter.