About us
Australian Barge Hire
Expanding our reach in the Australasia region
Our Story
Australian Barge Hire (ABH) is Australia’s leading provider of modular jackup barges and overwater access solutions. ABH has 20 years of strong nationwide reputation as the market leader in sectional jack-up hire across the continent. The company represents adaptability and safety—enabling complex operations in challenging waters while meeting stringent regulatory standards.
For decades, Combifloat in the Netherlands has been setting the global standard for modular floating and self-elevating platforms. Their innovative systems are trusted around the world for ports, bridges, energy, and offshore construction.
The Sealift 6, a Combifloat designed C5, is already commonly known as the ABH’s workhorse. From 2026 onwards, more platforms will be introduced to the Australian market as well, starting with the C5 and C7 units. ABH will also act as a regional sales and service representative for selected Combifloat Group capabilities, including newbuild solutions and Oceanteam services. This strategic step will provide clients with access to a broader, fully integrated offering.
Strategic
Context
The acquisition reflects Combifloat Group’s strategy of building a focused portfolio of specialized marine equipment entities. While Combifloat remains the Group’s flagship brand for modular jack‑up systems, the Group has deliberately expanded into adjacent capabilities and geographies through targeted acquisitions and joint ventures.
In 2023, the Group entered the subsea cable logistics market through its acquisition of Oceanteam Solutions, enhancing the Group’s integrated offering in offshore renewables and subsea oil & gas markets. In 2025, the Group further expanded its presence in North America through the launch of Poseidon Jack up, a Jones Act–compliant joint venture with Poseidon Barge, providing worldclass modular jackup solutions tailored to U.S. and Canadian marine contractors.
Leadership
Commentary
“I am delighted and excited to accept the role as Managing Director and shareholder of ABH, as part of the Combifloat Group. With the support of the global organization, ABH can now offer larger and more capable construction sized modular floating and jackup barges to Australia and our Asia Pacific clients. We will remain a marine hire business—business as usual—while now being able to serve the full market: our geotech clients with the current fleet, and marine contractors requiring modular floating and jackup barge solutions for cranes, piling rigs, and dredging equipment, nearshore and offshore.” — Ben Slater, Managing Director and shareholder, Australian Barge Hire
“We are very happy to welcome ABH into the Combifloat family and are grateful to John and Karlene, the previous owners, for entrusting their heritage to our Group. ABH will be an excellent platform for growth within the Combifloat jackup portfolio as well as for our Group companies. This acquisition strengthens our ability to serve global markets with reliable, modular, high performance marine equipment.” — Jaap Jan Pietersen, CEO, Combifloat Group
Let us elevate
Your business
With highly qualified and specialized in-house engineers, Combifloat offers various engineering services to guide and support clients on operational and environmental matters.
Jaap Jan Pietersen - Managing Director
