Genoa-based broking house Banchero Costa is moving ahead with its internationalisation program. The company’s chairman, Lorenzo Banchero, speaking at the latest annual assembly of Assagenti (the local association of ship agents and brokers in Genoa), said: “At Banchero Costa we have already opened a new office in Dubai and soon we are going to land also in India.”
Sources familiar with the matter say that this project is still in pipeline but there are discussions with some brokers likely to be elected as responsible for the new office. Banchero Costa already has business relationships with traders, shipowners, refineries and cement plants based in India but a newly controlled office would be a necessary step to further develop this promising market.
As of today the group’s international presence is made up with offices in China, Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Monaco, Geneva, London and the Italian headquarters.
Lorenzo Banchero also added that, apart from India, Banchero Costa is very much “fascinated by America (i.e. New York), not for ship broking activities but shipping-related financial services”. This American dream will eventually become true in the coming years.
The seasoned Italian shipbroker concluded, saying: “I would really like to see an Italian comeback to shipowning business by the new generation of young investors since there are and will be many opportunities in the market in the coming years, mainly in the dry bulk segment.”
