Zuyderzee Capital, the Dutch shipping investment and advisory services company, has announced three major hires as it expands its management team.
Michiel Steeman is joining as managing partner after having spent more than 20 years at DVB Bank.
Zuyderzee also revealed the appointments earlier this year of Caspar van Overklift as a director and Mathijs Vugts as an associate partner.
Steeman was managing director at DVB, heading up European shipping finance, and was a member of the DVB shipping finance management team.
He managed multi-billion dollar debt portfolios and originated and structured a large number of container equipment, shipping and infrastructure transactions, Zuyderzee said.
He was also the global head of syndications at DVB from 2005 to 2010.
“I am delighted to join Zuyderzee Capital," Steeman said.
"After so many great years with DVB Bank it was time for a change and for the opportunity to join an advisory services firm focused on maritime and logistics, which has the support and commitment of various industry partners.
"Zuyderzee Capital is a very compelling and unique proposition.”
DVB's owner DZ Bank said last year it was looking to sell its subsidiary after shipping loan provisions reached $970m and put a drag on the German lender’s 2017 profits.
Another ABN Amro man joins
Earlier in the year, Zuyderzee expanded the team with Caspar van Overklift, who was at ABN Amro for eight years, and with a shipping consultancy group for two years.
He focuses on commercial relationships, financial restructurings and mergers and acquisitions.
He advised on sale and leasebacks, a sale of container portfolios, fleet sales and numerous equity raises and other transactions.
Van Overklift said: “What I enjoy most about Zuyderzee Capital is that the team members complement one another.
"We all have worked in a range of different disciplines and positions and each person brings its own specific set of personal and specialised skills. I believe this makes us a strong team and allows us to offer clients the best advice and solutions.”
Associate partner Vugts started his career in 2003 at Heijmans, a Dutch listed construction and infrastructure company.
In 2009 he moved to Delta Lloyd Asset Management as a senior portfolio manager managing several large funds covering corporate bonds, convertible loans and private corporate loans.
“After working in the institutional asset management industry for years, it is a real pleasure to join Zuyderzee Capital," he said.
In 2017, Zuyderzee took on former ABN Amro man Hank Detailleur as managing partner, joining Thijs Slavenberg.
New hires expected
Slavenburg and Detailleur said: “We are delighted to announce the expansion of the team on the back of strong business development and several growth initiatives.
"The expansion reflects our commitment to investing in talent, ensuring that we deliver an exceptional client service experience and expansion of our franchise.
"This coincides with the accelerated growth in demand we are witnessing from our client base."
And they added they expect to make further appointments in the next six to 12 months.
