Aventa acquires Irish Sea Contractors, with plans to grow its Irish operations

Aventa has acquired Irish Sea Contractors (ISC), the County Wexford marine contractor founded by David Kinsella and led by his daughter, Managing Director Áine Kinsella.

ISC will continue to operate under its established name and leadership, with Wexford at the centre of its marine delivery activities. Aventa plans to invest in the Irish operation, expand its services and create skilled roles as the business grows. A presence in Dublin is also planned to support clients and develop new projects.

For clients, the acquisition combines ISC’s practical marine delivery experience with Aventa’s engineering, consulting and international project expertise. This brings greater continuity from planning and design through construction, installation and long-term maintenance, helping to reduce interfaces and anticipate operational constraints earlier in project development.

Founded in France in 2010, Aventa provides engineering, consulting and offshore operations services for marine energy and transmission projects. The acquisition gives the group an operational base in Ireland and brings ISC’s delivery experience together with Aventa’s technical and international project capabilities.

For more than 40 years, ISC’s team has delivered marine civil engineering and commercial diving work for ports, harbours and critical infrastructure. Its teams have also worked on fibre-optic and power cable projects in Ireland, the UK and mainland Europe, covering cable landfalls, pull-ins, nearshore installation, burial, protection and remedial works.

“I am proud of the business my father built and of the team continuing that work today,” said Áine Kinsella, Managing Director of Irish Sea Contractors. “Joining Aventa gives us the backing to develop our subsea cable capability and pursue larger projects, while preserving the experience, relationships and practical approach our clients know us for.”

The combined business intends to support Irish and international clients from planning and engineering through construction, installation, inspection, repair and maintenance. Alongside subsea cables and offshore wind, it sees opportunities in Ireland’s ports, harbours and other marine infrastructure.

“Ireland is an important growth market for Aventa,” said Antoine Bosc, CEO and Co Founder of Aventa. “ISC is an established Irish business with an experienced team and strong client relationships. We want to build on those foundations, expand its capabilities and create skilled opportunities as the business grows.”

Following the acquisition, Áine Kinsella will continue to lead ISC and will also head Aventa’s expanded Operations business unit. The unit will bring together ISC’s marine delivery expertise with Aventa’s existing operational teams and its Engineering and Consulting businesses.

“Clients need engineering decisions to reflect what can be delivered safely and effectively offshore,” said Aurélien Zuccarini, Chief Growth & Talent Officer and Co-Founder of Aventa. “Working together allows us to carry project knowledge through each stage and offer greater continuity from design to installation and long-term asset support.”

The acquisition also brings AERSUB, ISC’s newly developed and DNV-qualified subsea cable repair solution, into the Aventa group.

About Aventa

Aventa is an independent group specialising in marine energy and offshore transmission infrastructure. Through its Consulting, Engineering and Operations businesses, it supports projects involving subsea cables, offshore wind, interconnectors and wider marine infrastructure.

About Irish Sea Contractors

Irish Sea Contractors is an Irish marine contractor , whose experience in the industry spans more than 40 years. Based in County Wexford, ISC specialises in marine civil engineering, commercial diving and subsea cable projects, supporting construction, installation, inspection, repair and maintenance work in Ireland and internationally.