Germany’s United Shipping Group is investing in maritime venture capital specialist TecPier.
The move marks a diversification for the heavylift, engineering and wind projects specialist which will be a venture partner in new investments.
TecPier is a specialised venture capital investor in early-stage start-ups in the maritime and logistics sector.
The other main investors in the company include the Gustav Zech Foundation, Cologne-based BitStone Capital and Apeiron Investment Group.
“Shipping and global supply chains are facing huge challenges and changes,” said United Shipping managing director Andreas Rolner.
“The maritime industry is increasingly tackling digitalisation and decarbonisation, but much more investment is needed and, last but not least, professional venture capital for start-ups.”
“That's why we're happy to be part of TecPier and to invest in the most promising start-ups in shipping and beyond."
Diversification
TecPier invests in early-stage maritime, logistics and supply chain start-ups with a focus on Europe, North America and Asia.
So far, TecPier has invested in the start-ups NautilusLog, Closelink, ClockWork Logistics Systems, MonoLets, Signol and Freightflows.
Further investments are in the pipeline, the company said.
The venture marks further diversification by the United Shipping Group.
Its heavy sea transport division United Heavy Lift has continued to build on its partnerships since 2019 with heavylift and project Ocean7 Projects (OceanO7).
In March, the two partners formed United 07 Americas, staffed by heavylift experts Rene Pedersen and Eileen Wang.
The Houston office is the fifth joint UHL and Ocean7 office.
The companies have since 2019 opened joint offices in Dubai, Kuala Lumpur, Beijing and Tokyo.
