DH Marine

What DH Marine does

DH Marine (Shetland) Ltd, trading as D H Marine, is a privately held marine and light-industrial services company founded in June 2000 by David Henry and headquartered at Marina Business Park in Lerwick, Shetland. The company operates as a one-stop provider across four interlocking revenue streams: (i) Technical Services covering marine and industrial electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, in-house hydraulic hose making and pressure testing, and testing/compliance services including PAT, HAVS, and EX/ATEX inspections; (ii) Plant Hire of generators (13kVA to 500kVA including Caterpillar units), power distribution equipment, welders (165A-800A), compressors (177-406 cfm), lighting towers, fuel tanks, EX-rated lighting, fans/heaters/dehumidifiers, crane trucks, tele-handlers, MEWPs, and load banks, backed by 24/7 breakdown support; (iii) Marine Safety Equipment including life jackets, buoyancy aids, distress signals/pyrotechnics, and life rafts from all major manufacturers with factory-authorised servicing; and (iv) Marine and Industrial Supplies including Mercury outboards (2.5hp-115hp), Nilfisk pressure washers, Sonihull ultrasonic hull protection, batteries, lubricants, fishing tackle, kayaking equipment, and SORB spill kits.

The company's underlying technology centres on marine and industrial electrical and mechanical engineering, with proprietary custom-engineered systems including a Power Management System (PMS) and Integrated Alarm System (IAS) co-developed with BlueDay Technology for complex vessel installations, plus EX/ATEX hazardous-area capability and factory-trained Caterpillar and Mercury engine expertise. The business model is primarily quote-based, professional services plus usage-based plant hire plus hardware sales, distributed through a retail shop, on-site field engineering across Shetland (including remote islands such as Fair Isle), and direct phone/email contact channels. The customer base spans commercial fishing fleets, harbour and port authorities, oil-and-gas support and logistics providers, local government, island communities, construction and industrial operators, and leisure boat owners, with ISO 9001 (DNV) and Achilles UVDB accreditations supporting enterprise and public-sector procurement. The firm employs approximately 30 staff and has remained founder-led, privately held, and self-funded since inception.

Name

DH Marine

Legal name

D H Marine (Shetland) Ltd

Website

https://dhmarine.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

2000

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

DH Marine is a privately held, founder-led marine and light-industrial services company in Lerwick, Shetland, providing electrical and mechanical engineering, plant hire, marine safety equipment, and marine/industrial supplies to commercial fishing, harbour, energy, public-sector, and leisure customers across Shetland and Orkney.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Marine Engineering Services

NAICS

Ship Building and Repairing (336611), Support Activities for Water Transportation (4883), Other Support Activities for Water Transportation (48839)

SIC

Ship & Boat Building & Repairing (3730), Services-Miscellaneous Equipment Rental & Leasing (7350), Oil & Gas Field Machinery & Equipment (3533)

akta.pro primary industry

Marine Electrical Installation, Commissioning & Field Services (IMAJAJAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Propulsion MRO, Spares & Field Service (Overhauls, retrofits, upgrades) (IMAJAHAN), Marine Generators, Alternators & Power Electronics (Gen-sets, VFDs, converters) (IMAJAHAI), Piping, HVAC & Auxiliary Systems Repair (TLAKAKAH)

Keywords

• Marine engineering services
• Marine safety equipment
• Generator plant hire
• Marine industrial supplies
• Outboard motor dealer

Headquarters

HQ city

Lerwick

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Technical Services: Marine and Industrial Electrical Engineering services including installations, planned maintenance, breakdowns and emergencies. Mechanical engineering, hydraulic hose making and pressure testing, and testing/compliance services (PAT, HAVS, EX inspections).
2. Plant Hire: Hire of generators (13kVA to 500kVA), power distribution equipment, welders (165A to 800A), compressors (177-406 cfm), lighting towers (20+ units), fuel tanks, EX lighting, dehumidification equipment, crane truck/telehandler, MEWPs, and load banks. Backed by 24/7 breakdown support.
3. Product Sales: Sale of Mercury outboard motors (2.5hp-115hp), Nilfisk pressure washers, batteries, marine/industrial lubricants, SORB spill kits, ultrasonic hull protection systems, life jackets, life rafts, distress signals, fishing tackle, kayaking equipment, and general marine supplies.
4. Boat Maintenance & Repair: Vessel maintenance, engine servicing, wheelhouse refurbishment, antifouling, and transportation services for private and commercial boats.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

D H Marine is a Shetland-based marine and industrial services provider delivering electrical and mechanical engineering, marine safety equipment, plant hire (generators, compressors, lighting towers, welders, fuel tanks), and a retail supply shop for marine and industrial products including Mercury outboard motors and Nilfisk pressure washers. The company serves commercial fishing vessels, oil and gas support, harbour infrastructure, local authorities, construction, and leisure boat owners across the Shetland Isles with 24/7 breakdown support.

Product overview

DH Marine (Shetland) Ltd is a Shetland-based marine and industrial services company providing a diversified portfolio of technical services, plant hire, marine safety equipment, and marine/industrial supplies. The core offerings include Technical Services (electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, hydraulics, testing and compliance), Plant Hire (generators from 13kVA to 500kVA including Caterpillar units, power distribution equipment, welders 165A-800A, compressors 177-406cfm, lighting towers, fuel tanks, EX lighting, dehumidification, crane trucks, tele-handlers, nifty lifts, and load banks), Marine Safety Equipment (life jackets, distress signals, life rafts with authorised servicing for multiple brands), and Marine/Industrial Supplies (exclusive Mercury outboard motor dealer offering 2.5hp-115hp four-stroke EFI motors, Nilfisk pressure washers, Sonihull ultrasonic hull protection, batteries, lubricants, fishing tackle, kayaking equipment, and SORB spill kits). The company employs approximately 30 staff and operates from Marina Business Park in Lerwick, serving commercial fishing, aquaculture, oil and gas, local authority, and leisure sectors across Shetland.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Quantifiable outcome

• Pilot vessel engine overhaul completed 3.5 weeks ahead of schedule and under budget
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core, strategic and minor.

• Caterpillar / Cat Power SystemscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAs the Cat Power Systems dealer for Shetland, D H Marine has required knowledge, training and skill set to meet critical needs to stringent standards. Engineers are factory trained to service Cat equipment and perform complete engine removal, strip down, overhaul and reinstallation. Case study demonstrates complete Cat 3412 engine overhaul on pilot vessel Sullom Spray.
• Mercury MarinecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorExclusive Mercury outboard motor dealer for Shetland. Engineers are Mercury factory trained and attend refresher courses annually. Stocks full range of Mercury outboards (2.5hp to 115hp) and Quicksilver lubricants/spare parts with 12-month warranty.
• SonihullcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOfficial dealer for Shetland and Orkney for Sonihull ultrasonic hull protection systems. Engineers have support and backing of Sonihull to create bespoke solutions. System uses ultrasound pulses transmitted by transducers to prevent marine growth on hulls, pipework, and propellers.
• BlueDay TechnologystrategicTechnology or IntegrationStrategic partnership to develop custom Power Management System (PMS) for complex vessel electrical systems. D H Marine worked with BlueDay Technology to produce PMS moderating available power to match demand from motors, drives, pumps and heaters. Also developed separate Integrated Alarm System (IAS) for vessel monitoring.
• Life Raft Manufacturers (Ocean Safety, RFD, Survitec, Viking)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorApproved agent for all leading life raft manufacturers. Supplies fully compliant life rafts meeting industry standards and statutory requirements to wide range of customers from leisure boats to offshore vessels. Offers both purchase and hire options.
• Battery Suppliers (Bosch, Varta, Yuasa, Numax, Optima)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorStocks quality automotive, marine, leisure, motorbike and quad bike batteries from trusted brands. Batteries supplied since 2010 with next-day availability for most items.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Aggreko: Global temporary power and temperature-control rental specialist. Competes with D H Marine's generator and dehumidification plant-hire fleet, but operates at vastly larger scale and broader geographic scope.
• A&P Group: Large UK ship repair, conversion and fabrication group with yards in multiple locations. Overlaps in commercial vessel MRO but operates at substantially greater scale and across wider vessel classes.
• Cammell Laird: Established UK shipyard and marine engineering company delivering vessel repair, refit and complex marine engineering programmes. Comparable marine engineering capability but with broader shipbuilding portfolio.
• EnergySafe (Cat/Mercury Authorised Dealers network, e.g. Finning UK): Caterpillar's authorised dealer network for power systems in the UK and Ireland. Comparable as an authorised Cat dealer providing generator sales, service and engine overhaul — but with national footprint and substantially larger engineering bench.

Direct peers

• Burgess Marine: UK marine engineering and ship repair firm providing structural, mechanical and electrical services to commercial vessels. Directly comparable as a marine MRO provider with overlapping electrical engineering and vessel refit capabilities.
• Ocean Safety: UK marine safety equipment supplier and life raft service agent. Comparable as both a supplier that D H Marine distributes on behalf of and a competing distributor of life rafts, lifejackets and pyrotechnics to commercial and leisure customers.
• Hydroscand UK: Hose and hydraulic system supplier and assembler serving marine and industrial customers. Directly comparable as a partner of D H Marine (already a Hydroscand customer) providing parallel marine hydraulics and hose-making services.
• Briggs Marine: UK-based marine services contractor offering vessel maintenance, marine civil engineering, port services and safety equipment supply. Closely comparable in scope of marine technical services and safety equipment distribution across regional UK geographies.

Regional players

• Peterson: UK-based offshore logistics and marine services provider serving oil & gas and renewables clients in northern European waters. Comparable in supporting marine and energy customers but operates from mainland hubs (Aberdeen/Den Helder) rather than Shetland.

Emerging players

• Voltech Marine (Voltaire Marine Services): Smaller specialist marine electrical and electronics installer typically serving commercial vessel operators. Comparable scope of marine electrical engineering work, though operating in different regional markets.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/dhmarineshetland
• Xx.com/DHMarineLtd

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about DH Marine