The German ZEABORN Group announces the acquisition of Rickmers Reederei | Shipping Industry

　　On February 9, 2017, local time in Hamburg, the German heavy-lift shipping company Zeaborn Group announced that it would acquire Rickmers Group, including NPC Projects. In addition, Zeaborn Group also acquired a company engaged in marine fuel and charter brokerage business - MCC Marine Consulting & Contracting. It is reported that Zeaborn Group and Rickmers Group signed the acquisition agreement on February 7, 2017. Of course, this series of transactions still requires approval from antitrust authorities to take effect.

　　It is reported that Rickmers-Linie, headquartered in Hamburg, Germany, is one of the leaders in the global transportation of heavy and project cargo. In addition to the liner services it provides, the services offered by NPC Projects will be a perfect extension of Zeaborn Group's existing irregular services.

　　Jan-Hendrik Többe, a director of Zeaborn Group, explained: "With the continuous expansion of the group's fleet, we urgently need to develop into a global enterprise. However, given the current market environment, it is not easy for companies to achieve globalization strategies, as everyone in the shipping industry is well aware. Therefore, from this perspective, the current acquisition of Rickmers-Linie is a good opportunity for the development of our business."

　　After the integration of Zeaborn with Rickmers-Linie, NPC Projects, and MCC, the group will have nearly 200 employees and approximately 50 multipurpose vessels with deadweight tonnage ranging from 7,500 to 30,000 tons, with a maximum lifting capacity of 700 tons.

　　Ove Meyer, another director of Zeaborn Group, added: "Like Zeaborn, Rickmers-Linie and NPC Projects mainly transport project cargo, heavy and oversized cargo. In the industry, they represent reliability, high quality, innovation, and technical capability, with a good reputation and close long-term partnerships. Through their regular and irregular ocean transportation services, Rickmers-Linie connects the world's most important commercial centers. Through this unique collaboration, we will provide customers with more personalized transportation solutions."

　　Meanwhile, Ulrich Ulrichs, CEO of Rickmers-Linie, stated: "Rickmers-Linie has strong support from major shareholders, and they also intend to develop their multipurpose vessel business. In the currently very difficult market environment, we are actively participating in the integration of heavy and multipurpose vessels through cooperation with Zeaborn. We believe that on a solid economic foundation, we will provide customers with excellent, safe, and reliable transportation services."

　　Through this integration, Zeaborn Group will take over Rickmers-Linie’s extensive agency network in Belgium, China, Denmark, Germany, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Thailand, Japan offices, and around the world, developing into a global operating organization. Meanwhile, Mr. Bertram R.C. Rickmers, a member of the Rickmers family, will participate as a minority shareholder in the new company's sales business.

　　Zeaborn Group is headquartered in Bremen, Germany, managing more than 30 multipurpose vessels (MPP). In 2014, the group ordered 10 multipurpose vessels from a Chinese shipyard.