Monaco-based V.Ships, the world's largest
provider of ship management services, is for sale, the company has
confirmed.
While there is no
timeline for the sale at this point, V.Ships spokeswoman Julie
Lithgow she said that company shareholders had asked investment
bank NM Rothschild to look for future growth investments. Lithgow
added that part of that growth strategy is to bring in new
shareholders.
The bank had
originally been brought in last summer to consider its strategic
options.
Lithgow noted that
nothing at V.Ships had changed thus far. V.Ships management and
Close Brothers Private Equity own most of the company, CBPE having
acquired 45% of it in 2003.
V.Ships manages
about 900 ships worldwide, has 52 offices in 26 countries and
employs 1,350 office staff and 23,000 sea staff. It provides
management and maritime services including crewing, leisure,
financial, insurance, consulting, commercial and agency services,
the company said.
Oceania,
EasyCruise, Silversea and Seabourn are among V.Ship's
clients
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