Pindustry Acquires Majority Stake in Maritime Simulator VSTEP

Pindustry, an industrial investment firm based in Vleuten, Netherlands, has taken a majority ownership position in VSTEP B.V., a leading maritime simulation software company headquartered in Rotterdam. The transaction marks a transition of majority control from the Van den Berg shipping family, who founded and led VSTEP for over two decades. VSTEP’s management team remains shareholders and continues to drive the company’s growth strategy with Pindustry’s backing.

Founded in 2002, VSTEP has evolved from its origins with the ShipSim game into a global provider of maritime training solutions. Its flagship NAUTIS ecosystem integrates software, hardware, scenario-building tools, and instructor services to deliver certified simulation environments compliant with IMO and DNV standards. VSTEP’s clients include prominent maritime organizations such as Damen Shipyards, the Royal Netherlands Navy, Swedish Navy, Viking Cruises, and the Dutch pilotage service.

The acquisition aligns with accelerating digitalization trends in the maritime sector, driven by increasing operational complexity, stringent safety regulations, and the need for realistic training environments. VSTEP leverages over 20 years of domain expertise and physics-based modeling—including hydrodynamics and weather effects—to deliver high-fidelity simulations. Recent advances in artificial intelligence further enhance NAUTIS capabilities, enabling automated scenario generation, competency assessments, and improved user experience.

Fabian van den Berg, CEO of VSTEP, stated, “Every day, maritime professionals around the world step onto a ship’s bridge after training with NAUTIS. That responsibility drives us. With Pindustry on board, we have additional strategic experience and support to accelerate our growth.” Pindustry’s Managing Partner, Tjalko Reedijk, added, “VSTEP combines a strong software platform with deep maritime expertise. The rapidly digitalizing maritime market and growing demand from navies and inland shipping offer ample opportunities. We look forward to supporting the management team in the next phase of growth.”

Pindustry is affiliated with the Verder Group, an international manufacturing family business with over 2,500 employees across 25 countries. The investor focuses on scaling innovative industrial technology companies with revenues up to EUR 100 million, providing capital alongside strategic and operational support.

The transaction was advised by ABN AMRO Corporate Finance, with legal counsel from Van Doorne. Additional advisory support came from Orange Clover, Sincerius, Svalner Atlas, and Deloitte. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Looking ahead, VSTEP plans to leverage Pindustry’s industrial network and resources to accelerate AI integration, expand its client base in commercial shipping and defense sectors, and develop new simulation modules addressing evolving maritime regulations. The management team, including COO Myrna van den Berg, CCO Tije Vos, and CTO Maarten Meulemans, remains committed to operational leadership and shareholder interests.

Henk van den Berg, cofounder and former shareholder, expressed confidence in the company’s future: “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.”

This acquisition strengthens VSTEP’s position as a global leader in maritime simulation, enhancing its ability to innovate and meet growing market demands amid increasing digital transformation in the maritime industry.