2013: Founded by Kurt Zech, Ove Meyer and Jan Hendrik Tobbe
2014: Spends $200m on MPP newbuildings
2015: Buys half f chartering outfit EMS ConBulk
2017: Adds HC Group and Carisbrooke Shipping vessels
2017: Acquires Rickmers Line after that company buys Nordana Project & Chartering
2017: Buys Rickmers Holding's shipmanagement business
2018: Acquires ER Schiffahrt and shipbroker Harper Petersen & Co
2018: Combines MPP operations with Intermarine
2018: Forms Zeamarine joint venture to combine Intermarine, Zeaborn Chartering and Rickmers Line
2019: Acquires 100% of Zeamarine joint venture from partner New Mountain Capital
2019: Buys Offen tanker management unit CPO
German shipowners MPC Capital and Zeaborn are creating a 160-ship container vessel fleet through a merger of two group companies.
Zeaborn's shipbroking outfit Harper Petersen will join with MPC's Contchart to carry out chartering and commercial management, the first formal collaboration between the groups.
Technical management is remaining separate however.
The platform will be among the largest boxship managers globally, with more than 160 vessels and a total capacity of almost 500,000 teu.
Vessel sizes range from 700 teu to 8,500 teu.
Contchart is contributing 115 ships, with 45 from its partner, "plus a substantial number of competitive fixtures," MPC told TradeWinds.
The fleet is described as "well-diversified" in terms of size, age, outfit and sustainability requirements, with more than 20 units to be fitted with scrubbers.
Hamburg-based MPC and Bremen's Zeaborn also said Harper Petersen, the surviving name, will "continue to grow its successful competitive shipbroking services, providing flexible and tailor-made chartering solutions to owners and charterers."
The venture will employ 38 people, led by John Freydag, Contchart managing director, and Harper Petersen managing director Arne Corleis.
All staff are being retained.
The head office will remain in Hamburg, with other bases in Singapore, Shanghai and the Netherlands.
Stronger together
Freydag said: “I am extremely pleased that we have succeeded in creating a viable and industry-leading player merging two already well-established partners. Together we are even stronger in providing excellent services to our charterer clients and tonnage providers.”
The partners aim to start operations from 1 November.
Corleis added that the two merging companies have been doing business together for many years.
MPC told TradeWinds talks about a closer cooperation evolved earlier this year.
Corleis said: "We know each other well and it’s an excellent match. I really look forward to working in this strong team, jointly offering a broader service and a well-diversified fleet."
Zeaborn was established in 2013 and has been on a consolidation and acquisition trail since, adding Rickmers-Line, Rickmers Ship Management, ER Schiffahrt, HC Chartering, Intermarine and CPO Tankers.
MPC added: "We are constantly seeking for good opportunities that bring the chance to offer a broader range of services to our clients."
