Under new majority ownership, Bourbon announces $180M fleet expansion

Image: Bourbon

Out of restructuring and with funds managed by affiliates of Davidson Kempner Capital and Fortress Investment Group now its majority shareholders, Marseille-headquartered offshore services major Bourbon today announced a major expansion of its fleet. It has added 13 offshore vessels worth a total of over $180 million since the beginning of this year. It has also reactivated two Anchor Handling Tug Supply (AHTS) vessels and taken delivery of the subsea vessel Bourbon Evolution 810, the latest newbuild vessel in the Evolution 800 series

Bourbon says that, made possible by the support of its new shareholders, this momentum illustrates its ability to rapidly deploy strategic assets fully aligned with the needs of offshore markets.

Six of the new additions to the Bourbon fleet are diesel-electric vessels acquired from China’s Minsheng Group — five platform supply vessels and an 80-ton bollard pull Anchor Handling Tug Supply vessel (AHTS)

The group has also acquired two large-capacity PSVs from China’s ICBC Financial Leasing, Bourbon Front and Bourbon Clear, in line with the X-Bow vessel of the same series, Bourbon Calm, acquired in September 2025.

“In just a few months, we have expanded our fleet, secured significant investments, and quickly returned vessels to service for our customers. This momentum toward profitability and growth is the result of the transformation we began in early 2025 and the dedication of our teams” says Bourbon CEO Gaël Bodénès.

Reactivation of two AHTS vessels

Bourbon also announced the reactivation of two 80-ton diesel-electric AHTS vessels, demonstrating its capability to rapidly restore the operational potential of laid-up assets, in a spirit of industrial efficiency and agile response to market demand.

Bourbon Evolution 810 joins the fleet

In February 2026, Bourbon took delivery of the Bourbon Evolution 810, the latest newbuild vessel in the Evolution 800 series. Designed for deepwater subsea operations and fully suited to IMR (Inspection, Maintenance & Repair) activities, the vessel features In February 2026, Bourbon took delivery of the Bourbon Evolution 810, the latest newbuild vessel in the Evolution 800 series. Designed for deepwater subsea operations and fully suited to IMR (Inspection, Maintenance & Repair) activities, the vessel features two active heave compensated cranes, including a main crane with a 150-ton capacity, diesel electric propulsion, upgraded DP3 positioning, firefighting and anti-pollution capabilities, accommodations for up to 105 personnel and two 200 HP ROVs

Delivered in Singapore, the vessel will start a long-term contract in South Asia in the second quarter.

Ramp-up of new crew boats

Two 27-meter crew boats, delivered at the end of 2025 in Congo, started a five-year contract in February. Their modularity, onboard comfort and energy efficiency illustrate the new generation of vessels developed by Bourbon.