Shipbrokers Ifchor and Global Renewables Shipbrokers (GRS) are teaming up to build a combined business in the global offshore wind farm sector.
Swiss bulker specialist Ifchor said the partnership will allow German renewables specialist GRS to scale up its activities and serve the rapid evolution of green offshore energy capacity in the US, Japan and China, as well as continued European wind farm development.
GRS co-founders and managing partners Philippe Schoenefeld and Matthias Mross said the deal is a key milestone for their company.
"It allows us to fast-track our ambitious plans to provide the full suite of support services to the offshore renewable sector," they added.
The GRS bosses said Ifchor is the perfect partner: highly experienced and entrepreneurial, with a global reach.
More shipping capacity needed
GRS said 35GW of renewable offshore capacity is already installed worldwide, and more than 235GW is expected to be added between 2021 and 2030.
"This growth potential of approximately 650% will require a significant and wide range of additional installation and operations and maintenance vessel-related services," the broker added.
Ifchor co-chief executives Ghigo and Manu Ravano view the sector as an exciting new opportunity for their company.
"GRS is a first-mover company in this sector and has a solid 10-year track record of success," they said.
"This partnership allows Ifchor to widen its offering and enter a fast-growing market sector," the brothers said.
The Ifchor bosses have noted many of their clients looking at the offshore wind space with growing interest.
"We will now be able to assist them invest in it. GRS' expertise and services go far beyond chartering and enable clients to access turnkey projects," they added.
Full life-cycle service
GRS offers services for every stage of an offshore wind farm's life cycle to both shipowners and wind farm operators.
This includes concept planning and project consulting services, as well as ship chartering, newbuilding management, sale and purchase, and finance and research services.
Founded in Hamburg in 2011, GRS has offices in Germany and Taiwan.
The company claims to be the only broker entirely focused on the offshore renewable sector.
Ifchor has been looking beyond its traditional operations as the green transition moves ahead.
In April, the Swiss shop set up a carbon emissions trading and advisory company with Dutch specialist ClearBlue Markets.
Ifchor ClearBlue Oceans (ICBO) will help clients navigate changing legislation and source high-quality emissions offsets.
It will also structure and execute carbon offset projects or transactions.
