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Asia Maritime Pacific merges with Sono Shipping

Hong Kong bulker firm Asia Maritime Pacific (AMP) has merged with Sono Shipping from the US.

“Sono Shipping will now become part of AMP, as our Texas chartering office,” a source at AMP told Splash.

AMP’s fleet today is made up of 35 ships – a mix of minibulker/multipurpose and handysizes.

Sono Shipping, founded in 2000 by Kim Thomsen, a veteran of the dry bulk chartering industry with over 35 years of chartering experience at Lauritzen Bulkers and Armada, boasts a team of chartering and post-fixture operations specialists, based in Austin, Texas, with a focus on the US Gulf, South American and general Atlantic trades.

“The amalgamation of Sono Shipping LLC has offered an ideal solution to both parties in terms of their expansion strategies,” the pair said in a release.

The merger will mean that AMP continues to expand its platform in the Atlantic market, with offices on both sides of the Atlantic, in London and Austin.

Kim Thomsen commented: “I am very excited to be joining such a dynamic, international company.

Over the past 16 years, Sono has built a successful and sustainable operating business in the Atlantic market for our exclusive clients Meridian Bulk Carriers Ltd and Whitehawk Enterprise Ltd. When AMP approached us about the possibility of joining forces, it seemed an ideal match: their international platform and modern fleet, and our cargo book in this part of the world. I look forward to being part of the next chapter of AMP.”

Mark Young, AMP’s CEO, said: “The company has spent the past few difficult years focusing first, on continuing to seek out new opportunities and niche trades in its operations, and second, on growing its fleet, which has doubled in size over the past four years. Since AMP opened its London chartering office in 2013, the success of that operation has made it clear to us that we need to continue to expand in the Atlantic. The Sono merger offers us that opportunity, and I am delighted to welcome Kim and the Austin team onboard with AMP.”

Although the merger is effective as of yesterday and the Austin office will begin operations as Asia Maritime Pacific (Texas) Inc, Sono Shipping and Whitehawk Enterprises will continue to collect pre-merger trade receivables owed by past customers.

Sam Chambers

Starting out with the Informa Group in 2000 in Hong Kong, Sam Chambers became editor of Maritime Asia magazine as well as East Asia Editor for the world’s oldest newspaper, Lloyd’s List. In 2005 he pursued a freelance career and wrote for a variety of titles including taking on the role of Asia Editor at Seatrade magazine and China correspondent for Supply Chain Asia. His work has also appeared in The Economist, The New York Times, The Sunday Times and The International Herald Tribune.
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