InfraVia to take 80 pct stake in Louis Dreyfus Armateurs

InfraVia, a France-based private equity company, has entered into negotiations with the Louis-Dreyfus family to acquire a majority stake in compatriot maritime firm Louis Dreyfus Armateurs (LDA).

As part of the transaction, InfraVia, through its fund InfraVia European Fund VI, would acquire an 80% stake in LDA to support the group’s development. The Louis-Dreyfus family would retain a 20% ownership in the group, and Edouard Louis-Dreyfus would remain President.

LDA currently specializes in three growing segments: transportation and logistics of industrial equipment, mainly through dedicated roll-on/roll-off (RoRo) vessels, maintenance of offshore wind farms, and installation and maintenance of submarine telecom and power cables.

With a worldwide presence, LDA, founded in 1893, manages a fleet of 23 vessels and generates most of its revenue through long-term contracts with blue-chip customers.

As explained, the transaction would allow LDA to invest a billion euros over the next few years, enabling the group to more than double the size of its fleet and accelerate its development in technological innovation, energy transition and the design of tomorrow’s navigation modes and maritime services.

“With InfraVia as a shareholder, LDA would accelerate its ambitions to become a leading maritime infrastructure group active in high-value-added growth segments and a driving force behind the maritime energy transition,” according to the duo.

InfraVia is said to have the necessary expertise to support these ambitions and accelerate the group’s digitalization and energy transition.

“We are delighted to become shareholders of LDA and partner with the Louis-Dreyfus family to support this leading group, embedded with a strong culture of innovation and important growth ambitions. We share a common vision with LDA regarding the future of the maritime sector, and we aim to support the group in its accelerating growth and efforts to develop tomorrow’s maritime solutions and services,” Vincent Levita, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of InfraVia, highlighted.

“We are delighted by InfraVia’s investment in LDA because we share the same vision, the same values and, of course, the same ambitions for our group. Today, more than ever, we believe in high-performing service marine, both environmentally and economically. In our sectors, we are convinced that great opportunities lie ahead and are within our reach. It is this conviction that drives us to accelerate our ambitions, to propel Louis Dreyfus Armateurs into a new dynamic of growth and innovation,” Edouard Louis-Dreyfus, President of Louis Dreyfus Armateurs, commented.

Subject to prior consultation with employee representative bodies, the transaction is expected to be completed in the first half of 2025, once the usual regulatory approvals are obtained.

Last October, LDA celebrated the beginning of the construction of the first low-carbon RoRo vessel to be chartered to European aerospace giant Airbus. To remind, Airbus contracted LDA to renew its fleet of chartered vessels with three low-emission wind-powered RoRos in October 2023. Shortly after, LDA commissioned the Chinese CSSC Wuchang Shipbuilding Industry Group to build the ship trio.

In related news, LDA was selected by Vattenfall in January 2025 to build, own and operate up to three service operation vessels (SOVs) under long-term contracts. Last week, LDA revealed that it chose SALT as the naval architect and ZPMC as the shipyard for the construction of these purpose-built units.

• Louis Dreyfus Armateurs unveils liquid hydrogen SOV concept
• LDA, VPLP & Alwena team up on wind assisted/propelled containership