Maritime Investment & Management
Maritime Investment & Management
Leveraging on our vast experience in the Structured Finance business offering finance arrangement services for ships, we have since branched out into direct investment in shipping assets. Based on our strong background in transportation financing industry, we have established a wide network in the shipping industry that enables us to be both the investor and fund manager through our investment platform.
Under this business segment, we provide investors with unique investment opportunities. We invest in commercial ships that garner attractive investment returns through our direct investment or with our joint venture partners or by participating in shipping funds we arrange. As an integrated financial service provider that can arrange the most appropriate financing solution, we have the advantage of also providing finance arrangement and charter arrangement services.
Our unique investment platform enables us to reap profits from multiple income streams such as fee income from our ship charter arrangement, agency role, management role, finance arrangement, and returns from investment. Therefore, it is important that we place great emphasis in expanding our ship investment management portfolio where we can capitalise on the opportunities available.
The focal point of our business is that we mainly act as the investment manager of the ship investment portfolios with funds mostly from external sources. We do invest some of our own funds in these portfolios to demonstrate our commitment as both sponsor and manager. We are also aiming for investment returns as a stable income stream.
Our integrated financial services warrant flexibility in our ship investment structure – direct investment, joint venture and/or through a shipping fund. In April 2007, we launched our first Singapore shipping fund, the Akebono Fund, leveraging on tax incentives under the Maritime & Port Authority of Singapore’s Maritime Finance Incentive Scheme. Mitsui & Co. and Exeno Yamamizu Corporation are our co-sponsors in this Fund. With the experience gained from organising the Akebono Fund, we are better positioned to structure investments to meet our investors’ requirements.
As at end of Dec 2009, the number of vessels we have invested in (including vessels before delivery) is 11, comprising 4 handy size dry bulkships, 2 product tankers, and 5 containerships.
Structured Finance
Our forte lies in the arrangement of ship financing where we have vast experience and an established track record. On top of our ship investment capabilities, we have in-house ship structured finance and other value-add services that we offer to both internal and external clients. The services we offer range from loan arrangements (syndications) for ship acquisitions to brokerage services for purchasing and/or disposal of ships to charter arrangements. Over the years, we have chalked up a good track record in providing such services to our clients, both internal and external. We have developed a good reputation in the industry and we take pride in our capability to provide the most optimal customized solutions to meet our clients’ needs.