UK ship management giant V.Group has struck a fleet deal with Athens-based Erasmus Shipinvest Group as it seeks to expand under new ownership.
The company said the strategic partnership will see a “double-digit” number of vessels come under its management, while it will also provide crewing and marine services.
Clarksons lists Erasmus Shipinvest as having 17 container ships, bulkers and LPG carriers, plus more small LPG carriers on order.
The first boxship has been assigned to V.Group this week, with a gas ship following later in June.
More will be added through 2024 and beyond as Erasmus Shipinvest continues to expand its global fleet, V.Group added.
Rene Kofod-Olsen, chief executive of V.Group, said the deal demonstrates the value of its global platform, as well as the strength of the end-to-end offering of shipping services.
“Erasmus is a highly respected name in the shipping industry, and we are delighted to be partnering with them as they continue to grow and diversify their fleet,” he added.
Erasmus Shipinvest chairman and chief executive John Su said: “We have been looking for a top-class ship management partner with a global presence to work with, and we are convinced that V’s undoubted reputation as a leading services provider fits well with our ambition and standards to expand our diversified state-of-the-art fleet across different segments.”
Last week, V.Group pledged growth after a consortium led by London-based Star Capital became its new owner.
Star Capital teamed with Antwerp-based investor Ackermans & van Haaren and others.
Debt will be cut in a refinancing that will enable expansion, V.Group said.
In April, TradeWinds reported that Erasmus Shipinvest had quietly diversified its fleet with gas carriers and small container vessels.
Su told TradeWinds the number of LPG vessels on order is more than the two 7,500-cbm vessels listed by brokers as due to be delivered next year from Kyokuyo Shipyard in Japan.
He added that the eight gas carriers under Erasmus Shipinvest’s control are chartered out under periods of three years plus or five years plus.
