V.Group acquires Graig Ship Management to strengthen dry bulk capability in China and Western Europe

V.Group has acquired Graig Ship Management Ltd, part of Graig Shipping PLC, which has developed a reputation for high quality new build supervision and ship management of dry bulk vessels.

This reputation, which has its roots as part of Graig Shipping PLC’s 100 year history and is supported by a global maritime workforce, has grown steadily over the past 25 years despite market challenges. This growth is testament to Graig Ship Management’s ability to offer competitive, high quality solutions to its clients.

Graig Ship Management will continue to operate independently within the V.Group portfolio, supported by V.Group’s global presence and broad service offering. V.Group will enhance its growing ship management capability in Asia as well as benefiting from Graig Ship Management’s strong relationships with Western owners, banks and institutional investors seeking highest quality, boutique and risk managed services.

Graig Shipping PLC will now focus on core activities where it has strategic leadership including developing, financing, and executing innovative shipping investment opportunities and structures independently and through collaboration. Through this transaction, V.Group and Graig Shipping PLC will form a close, complementary partnership to provide an integrated service covering investment, ownership, ship management, and supervision.

Hanne Sorensen, V.Group Interim CEO said: “Graig Ship Management has developed a leading reputation in Asia and Europe for offering both cost effective and high quality solutions to its customers. As the industry continues to develop, scale will be critical to underpin ever more efficient service delivery for customers and to enable the technology investments required to drive a step change in outcomes for our customers. By joining V.Group’s portfolio of ship management businesses, Graig Ship Management will be able to build upon its core service offering while drawing on the scale resources of the wider V.Group. For V.Group, this acquisition represents an opportunity to strengthen our marine services offerings to clients within Asia and the West, with a particular focus on dry bulk.”

Hugh Williams, Chief Executive of Graig Shipping PLC added: “This is an outstanding opportunity for Graig Ship Management to continue to grow within V.Group’s portfolio and to build on the reputation it has developed as a leading dry cargo services provider. Operating within the V.Group portfolio, we will be supported by the global footprint, the scale and investment needed to continue to provide an enhanced service to our customers while retaining our core values. Graig Ship Management’s fleets already benefit from V.Group’s class-leading vessel management system, Shipsure, and there is good alignment on values and culture between the two companies, which will ensure continuity of service for our existing and new clients. The transaction also offers significant long term potential for Graig Shipping PLC to cooperate in a mutually beneficial partnership under the new ownership and strategy being formulated at V.Group and Advent International.”

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Media enquiries

V.Group

Yvonne Harley
Head of Communications
+44 (0)141 305 1290
+44 (0) 7437 010 366
Press@vgrouplimited.com

Graig Shipping Plc

Hugh Williams
Chief Executive Officer
+44 (0) 2920 440 200