The final data point in this wave of activity comes from the world of private equity. Institutional investors are expanding their focus beyond ships to the infrastructure and asset-backed ecosystems that enable maritime trade. Companies: KKR, Galaxy Container Solutions, Stonepeak, Textainer , Seapeak , Teekay LNG

Among several recent deals illustrating this trend, one of the most notable comes from shipping and capital markets pioneer Peter Georgiopoulos, who has filed to launch a new Special Purpose Acquisition Company (SPAC)—or “blank check company”—in partnership with Jefferies. Companies: Peter Georgiopoulos, Jefferies, Navios Maritime, Star Bulk , General Purpose Acquisition Corp. Services LLC, United Overseas Group , Gener8 Maritime , Maritime Equity Partners, Genco Shipping & Trading , General Purpose Acquisition Corp. (GPACU), GPAC, GPACW, Stellar V Capital Corp, Prokopios Tsirigakis , George Syllantavos

Another encouraging signal from the ECM front is Tor Olav Trøim’s sponsored company Bruton Limited. Companies: Tor Olav Trøim, Bruton Limited, Andes Tankers II, Euronext Growth Oslo, Koch Shipping, Clarksons Securities AS , ABG Sundal Collier, Arctic Securities, DNB, Carnegie, Fearnley Securities , Ro Sommernes