Combifloat Group, a modular marine equipment provider, has completed the acquisition of Australian Barge Hire (ABH), an Australian supplier of modular jack-up barges and overwater access systems.
ABH has built a nationwide track record over the past 15 years in sectional jack-up hire across Australia, supporting marine works in difficult conditions while operating under stringent regulatory requirements. Under the new ownership structure, the Group is combining Combifloat’s jack-up technology with ABH’s local presence to support clients in Australia and other markets.
From 2026, Combifloat-designed platforms are set to enter the Australian market, starting with the C5 and C7 units. ABH will also serve as a regional sales and service representative for selected Group capabilities, including newbuild solutions and Oceanteam Solutions services.
The acquisition sits within Combifloat Group’s broader portfolio strategy for specialized marine equipment. Combifloat remains the flagship brand for modular jack-up systems, while the Group has expanded into adjacent segments and geographies via acquisitions and joint ventures. In 2023, the Group acquired Oceanteam Solutions to enter subsea cable logistics, targeting offshore renewables and subsea oil & gas activity. In 2025, the Group launched Poseidon Jack up, a Jones Act–compliant joint venture with Poseidon Barge, focused on modular jack-up solutions for U.S. and Canadian marine contractors.
Ben Slater, Managing Director of Australian Barge Hire, said ABH will continue operating as a marine hire business while expanding the range of modular floating and jack-up barges available to Australia and Asia-Pacific clients. He added that ABH expects to keep serving geotechnical clients with the current fleet, while also supporting marine contractors requiring modular barge solutions for cranes, piling rigs, and dredging equipment in nearshore and offshore work. Jaap Jan Pietersen, CEO of Combifloat Group, said ABH will support growth within the Group’s jack-up portfolio and contribute to serving global markets with modular marine equipment.
