JBR and IMAP advise on Danser’s acquisition by Blue Ocean Capital

Dutch container logistics solutions provider Danser has been acquired by Blue Ocean Capital, a European port infrastructure specialist investment firm. JBR and IMAP provided M&A advisory services to the respective parties.

Danser was founded in 1982 in the Netherlands and today operates across North-West Europe, offering multimodal logistics solutions such as barge, rail, truck, project, and additional services.

From the harbours of Rotterdam and Antwerp, Danser offers cargo transport to several inland terminals including Stuttgart, Strasbourg, Nuremberg and Munich. In 2021, Danser transported more than 1.6 million twenty-foot equivalent unit of cargo capacity.

By becoming part of Blue Ocean Capital, an investment firm focused on transportation infrastructure and logistics real estate, Danser expects to cement its position as an independent operator in the market while pushing for accelerated growth, said CEO of Danser, Ben Maelissa.

Maarten van der Valk, managing director at Danser, added: “Thanks to this step we are able to continue, guarantee and further expand our services to the customers and network partners.”

The Sliedrecht-based seller was advised during the deal by M&A experts from IMAP. Commenting on the firm’s support, Erik Biesheuvel, the CFO of Danser, remarked: “Looking back on the intensive collaboration over the past period, we can without a doubt conclude that we are happy with our choice. The IMAP team supported us in both a professional and personal way, guiding us through the entire process. We are grateful for the good and pleasant cooperation.”

For Blue Ocean Capital, the move builds on its strategy to invest in “attractive companies in an attractive and growing market,” said Jacob Ingemann Olsen, Managing Partner at the investment firm. “We have been following the company with interest and are pleased to be able to conclude this transaction. We very much look forward to being part of the next step in Danser’s journey.”

Alongside expanding Danser’s fleet and service offerings, the investors will help the logistics group with achieving its decarbonisation agenda. “We will work committedly towards introducing green transport solutions that will benefit Danser’s customers. We are in dialogue with financial and technical partners that are keen to support and accelerate the green transition at Danser,” explained Tommy Moelgaard, Partner at Blue Ocean Capital.

During the transaction, the private equity house was advised by JBR, which provided financial advisory and transaction support services. The firm’s deal team was led by associate partner Onno Sloterdijk, flanked by principal Rocher Hulst and consultant Gustian van der Linde.

Notably, JBR and Blue Ocean Capital previously operated at opposite sides of the deal table. In January last year, JBR was the deal architect behind the sale of Rotterdam Shortsea Terminals to Blue Ocean Capital and its American partner Crestline Investors.

Other firms that supported the deal were: Mazars (financial due diligence and tax advisory), Addleshaw Goddard (legal advisory) and Lexence (legal advisory).