German MPP specialist Zeaborn Group has announced the takeover of the business operations and international organisation of Rickmers-Linie.
The deal, which is subject to antitrust clearance, includes NPC Projects and bunkering and charter broker MCC Marine Consulting& Contracting.
Jan Hendrik Többe, managing partner of Zeaborn, commented: “With the growth of our fleet, we were faced with the challenge of building a global organization. Everyone who knows the shipping industry knows that this is a very challenging task in our time. In this respect, it’s a fortune for our development that Rickmers-Linie was available at the right time.”
The combined entity will have a fleet of around 50 multipurpose vessels, sized between 7,500 and 30,000 dwt, with a combined lifting capacity of up to 700 tonnes.
Zeaborn will also take over the Rickmers- Linie offices in Belgium, China, Denmark, Germany, Japan, Korea, Singapore, Thailand and United States.
Bertram R.C. Rickmers will remain involved privately as a minority shareholder of Zeaborn.
This is rather interesting; it suggests that there is plenty of life left in the operationally difficult and financially erratic MPP semiliner business.