Maritime Industry Roundup: Consolidation, Capital Raising, and Strait of Hormuz Concerns

## Dry Bulk Operator C Transport Maritime Adds Investors Bermuda-based dry bulk shipping company C Transport Maritime (CTM) has brought on new strategic investors, according to a report from Splash247. Japan's Tokyo Century Corporation and Norway's Barque have taken equity stakes in the company and appointed representatives to CTM's board of directors. The move is seen as adding 'firepower' to the dry bulk operator, which is led by industry veteran Andreas Radziwill. Financial details of the transaction were not disclosed. ## Brazilian Offshore Vessel Giants to Merge In another consolidation move, the Splash247 report notes that Brazilian offshore vessel owners OceanPact and CBO Group are set to combine their businesses. The merger will create one of the largest offshore support vessel (OSV) operators in Brazil's domestic market. The companies said the transaction will be carried out through a share swap, though specifics were not provided. ## $500 Million IPO for Capital Tankers Corp. Capital Maritime and Trading Corp. announced the completion of a $500 million initial public offering (IPO) for its tanker subsidiary, Capital Tankers Corp., according to Hellenic Shipping News. The offering was oversubscribed, reflecting strong investor demand for the new publicly traded tanker company. The IPO is considered one of the larger capital raisings by a shipping company globally in recent times. ## Concerns Over Strait of Hormuz Security The Hellenic Shipping News also reported on statements from the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and major shipowner associations regarding the security situation in the Strait of Hormuz. IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez expressed 'deep concern' over reports of attacks on merchant vessels in the strategic waterway, noting that seafarers have been injured. Shipowner groups, including the International Chamber of Shipping, European Community Shipowners' Associations, and Asian Shipowners' Association, called for all parties to take steps to safeguard the safety of innocent civilian seafarers. The groups said their 'foremost concern is for the wellbeing of the seafarers and civilians affected' by the incidents.