Sources told The Economic Times that India-based Kotak Private Equity is acquiring a 19% in Samson Maritime. The stake will be sold by IFC and JM Financial and the price tag for the stake is Rs 150 crore, the people with direct knowledge of the matter said. Samson Maritime is an offshore logistics support services company that serves the oil and gas industries.

The private equity arm of JM Financial poured $14 million in Samson Maritime in 2008. Last year, the IFC also made an $11 million investment in the firm to partly-fund the debt that the company took to acquire a new Anchor Handling Tug Supply Vessel or AHTS, the report said.

The report quoted an investment banker knowledgeable about the matter as saying, "Kotak PE is investing Rs 150 crore for a 19 per cent stake, valuing the company at around Rs 800 crore."

Samson Maritime was founded by Suresh Samant and Mohan Samant. Its fleet of 21 vessels is used in offshore logistics support and supply services. The fleet includes supply vessels, anchor tugs, oceangoing tugs, harbor tugs, barges and utility vessels, the report said.

Samson Maritime's founders hold an 81% stake in the company. JM Financial owns 11.7% while IFC has a 7.3% stake of the firm's equity capital. The financial advisor for the deal is the investment banking arm of the deal, the report said.

Information from its website showed that Kotak Private Equity Group typically makes investments ranging from $15 million to $40 million across industries. It invests in firms that are looking for capital to expand, acquire and buyout firms. It helps emerging and mid-size businesses to become leaders in the industry, leveraging their experience, relationship network and financial acumen to give strategic advice and support to their portfolio firms. The company is part of Kotak Investment Advisors Ltd which has $1.34 billion under management.