The Hamburg-based shipping and ship management group Schulte takes over the cruise-focussed service provider Sea Chefs.
The Schulte Group has already held half of the shares in Sea Chefs Holding since last year. It has now been announced that “a further 50% has been acquired. This completes the full takeover of the partner for cruise and tour operators, which is also based in Hamburg. The transaction is expected to be completed in January 2026.
Sea chefs provides full-service hospitality management for more than 70 ocean and river cruise ships worldwide. Following the takeover, a new advisory board is to be set up at Sea Chefs. It is to include the founders Georg Bernsteiner and Helmut Rödig, “industry representatives” and a shareholder representative of the Schulte family. Bernsteiner and Rödig will thus continue to work closely with Sea Chefs’ customers and management team to ensure continuity and provide strategic advice, according to a statement.
“Sea Chefs is a well-respected company with a strong brand, a dedicated team and loyal customers,” said Martin Springer, President of the Cruise & Hospitality division of the Schulte Group. “This acquisition brings together two companies that share similar values and focus on customer service.”
Since the acquisition of the initial 50 percent stake, collaboration has been strengthened in areas such as recruitment, training and global partnerships. The full acquisition will now enable further investment in innovation and growth. As part of the larger Schulte Group, Sea Chefs will remain an independent brand and work with sister companies. Specifically mentioned are BSM Cruise Services, the new-build division Schulte Marine Concept and the software service provider CruisePAL.
Franz-Josef Viehhauser, Chairman of Sea Chefs Holding, said: “This acquisition opens up new resources and opportunities that will enable us to further strengthen our global presence and improve our services.”
