Refrigerated shipping specialist will provide maritime expertise and investment capacity to support JR Shipping’s growth ambitions
JR Shipping Group has announced that Seatrade has taken a strategic stake in the company.
According to a statement, managing directors Jan Reier Arends and Sander Schakelaar will both continue as shareholders of JR Shipping Group.
Both will remain members of the executive board and will continue to lead JR Shipping Group in the years ahead.
JR Shipping Group will continue to operate as an independent and autonomous organisation, with its own management, structure and identity.
”Strengthening the foundation for future growth, Seatrade joins JR Shipping Group as a long-term, industry-driven investor, contributing extensive maritime expertise, a strong international network, investment capacity and access to global financing markets,” the statement read.
”The partnership strengthens JR Shipping Group’s foundation and supports its long-term ambition to remain at the forefront of efficient and sustainable shipping solutions, particularly in container feeders, short sea dry cargo and offshore service vessels.
”The development, ordering and financing of next-generation vessels will be a key focus area within this cooperation.”
Seatrade is an international shipping company with a global footprint and a leading position in specialised refrigerated shipping and logistics.
The group operates a fleet of more than 70 highly specialised reefer and reefer-container vessels.
“Seatrade has reached a development stage where it has become interesting to diversify and to invest in other shipping assets as well,” explained Yntze Buitenwerf, CEO and chairman of Seatrade.
”The three segments JR Shipping Group is active in are all interesting to us,” he continued. ”The offshore wind support vessel sector is a relatively new space for us but exciting.
”Short sea dry cargo vessels are not new for us. Seatrade once started in this segment and still holds some interests. So that is familiar ground for us.
”Perhaps the most thrilling part is the high-end feeder vessel market,” Buitenwerf enthused. ”It is complementary to our newbuilding portfolio of 1,800 and 2,800 TEU specialised reefer-container vessels, which are specifically meant for our refrigerated cargo transport.
”In the months prior to entering into this new partnership, we came to value the strong organisation and the dedicated staff of JR Shipping Group,” he outlined.
”We speak the same language and share the same values. We are proud to have become a partner in JR Shipping Group, and as a shareholder, we will support the company to grow its fleet and range of activities.”
JR Shipping Group was founded in 1993 by Arends and has been jointly developed for over the last 25 years together with Schakelaar.
Over time, it has grown into a diversified maritime group supporting a growing fleet of container feeders and short sea dry cargo vessels.
In 2010, the group expanded its activities into the offshore sector through subsidiary SeaZip Offshore Service.
Over time, JR Shipping Group has also built a strong position as a provider of commercial and operational ship management services to third-party shipowners and investors.
Today, the group holds management responsibility for more than 30 vessels.
“We are proud of what we have achieved over the past 25 years,” said Arends. ”At the same time, we recognised that the next phase of development would require additional strength and scale.
”Partnering with Seatrade significantly reinforces the core of our group and provides a solid perspective for the future.”
Schakelaar added: “This partnership creates new opportunities to realise our ambitions. Seatrade’s industry knowledge, access to shipbuilding markets and financing capabilities, as well as its investment strength, will add real value.
”Equally important is the strong alignment in vision, values and long-term objectives between our organisations.”
