Rotterdam – Maritime simulation company VSTEP has welcomed Pindustry as its new majority shareholder. The industrial investor from Vleuten succeeds the Van den Berg shipping family from Heerjansdam as majority shareholder. VSTEP’s management team remains a shareholder and continues the growth strategy with the support of Pindustry.
VSTEP, which began 24 years ago with the game ShipSim, has grown into a global player in maritime simulation. Through its in-house developed NAUTIS ecosystem, the Rotterdam-based company enables maritime training institutes, fleet operators, port authorities, navies and coast guards in more than seventy countries to train their professionals. VSTEP’s clients include Damen Shipyards, Fugro, the Royal Netherlands Navy and Swedish Navy, Viking Cruises, and the Dutch pilotage service.
Digitalization in the maritime industry is accelerating, driven by increasing operational complexity, stricter safety requirements, and demanding international regulations. Training and simulation solutions must operate within IMO- and DNV-certified environments that are seamlessly integrated with physical bridge systems, radar, and ECDIS equipment. VSTEP distinguishes itself with the NAUTIS ecosystem, incorporating 20 years of deep domain expertise and physics-based models, including hydrodynamics, weather effects, and vessel behavior. Recent developments in AI are providing the company with additional momentum. VSTEP applies AI in a targeted manner as a catalyst for, among other things, scenario generation, automated competency assessment, and improved user experience.
“Every day, maritime professionals around the world step onto a ship’s bridge after training with NAUTIS. That responsibility drives us,” said Fabian van den Berg, CEO of VSTEP. “We have ambitious plans, a diverse and inventive team, and customers who inspire us to keep moving forward. With Pindustry on board, we have additional strategic experience and support to accelerate our growth.”
Pindustry is an independent investment company focused on leading Dutch manufacturing and technology businesses. Pindustry is affiliated with the Verder Group — an internationally operating manufacturing and family business with more than 2,500 employees across 25 countries, — and has extensive experience in scaling innovative industrial technology companies. Pindustry is convinced by VSTEP’s business model: a scalable software platform with growing recurring revenues and a unique position at the very top of the global maritime simulation market.
“VSTEP combines a strong software platform with deep domain expertise in the maritime sector. The rapidly digitalizing maritime market and strongly growing demand from navies and inland shipping offer ample opportunities for VSTEP. We look forward to supporting the management team in the next phase of growth,” said Tjalko Reedijk, Managing Partner at Pindustry.”
The management team expresses its gratitude to the Van den Berg family for their loyalty throughout VSTEP’s 24-year journey. Fabian (CEO) and Myrna van den Berg (COO) will remain, together with Tije Vos (CCO) and Maarten Meulemans (CTO), as shareholders and responsible for day-to-day management.
“Over the past 24 years, I have seen VSTEP grow into an international maritime technology company with a strong team and a clear purpose,” said Henk van den Berg. “The leadership team knows the company, believes in its future and remains invested. With Pindustry joining them, I am confident VSTEP is in good hands and ready for what comes next.”
No statements have been made regarding the financial details of the transaction. The transaction was advised by ABN AMRO Corporate Finance, Van Doorne, and Orange Clover. Additionally, Sincerius, Svalner Atlas, and Deloitte were involved in the transaction.
About VSTEP
VSTEP is a leading innovator of simulation solutions that enable maritime learning. Building on roots in maritime simulation dating back to 2002, the company provides simulator solutions that help maritime professionals build competence, situational awareness and coordinated decision-making across operational contexts. VSTEP serves maritime learning institutions, fleet operators, port authorities, navies and coast guards.
NAUTIS is VSTEP’s maritime simulation ecosystem. It brings together software, hardware, scenario-building content, instructor tools and services in one connected learning environment. It is built to enable learning, designed to evolve with changing needs and ready to scale as organisations expand their simulator capability.
Website: https://www.vstepsimulation.com
About Pindustry
Pindustry is an independent Dutch investment company that partners with innovative industrial businesses in the Benelux, the United Kingdom and Germany, with revenues of up to EUR 100 million. As a hands-on investor, Pindustry combines capital with financial and strategic support for management teams pursuing long-term growth. It brings experience in scaling industrial businesses and access to an established international network.
Website: https://www.pindustry.nl
Tjalko Reedijk – Managing Partner at Pindustry (left) & Henk van den Berg – cofounder & former shareholder of VSTEP (right) shake hands after signing the agreement.
