Lomar Shipping has a knack for making money in shipping. Part of the Libra Group, Lomar has not only been “monetizing” during this upcycle but growing aspects of their diversified fleet of bulkers, tankers and container vessels too. Companies: Libra Group, Macquarie Group

On the greener side of offshore, North Star Shipping announced that it has secured approximately $450 million in debt investment to accelerate their ambition to become a leading player in Europe’s offshore wind sector. Companies: North Star Shipping, IFM Investors, ABN AMRO, AIB, NAB, Royal Bank of Scotland, RBC

Last year, in our 2Q23 “Credit Issue”, George Weltman, our previous Editor in Chief, noted that amongst the institutions experiencing portfolio growth was largely Chinese Lessors, such as BOCOMMFL, CITICL, CMBFL, and SPDFL, “reflecting their importance as capital providers.” He also noted that in the year 2023 we might expect the numbers to tell a different story… Why?

It was revealed in a panel at Marine Money Oslo, that offshore wind is out growing the general offshore sector. Companies: WindEurope , Awilco, IWS, Sumitomo Corporation

Shipping investment and ship finance have gone through several powerful phases that serve to reshape the market. In the 1990s it was high yield bonds. Companies: Adnoc L&S, Navig8, Magellan Group, Danish Ship Finance, STAR Capital and Ackermans & van Haaren, V.Group , Advent international, Veson, VesselsValue, Braemar , Southport Maritime

It doesn’t happen often, but it is beautiful thing to watch when the capital markets align with the shipping and/or offshore markets, allowing a company to raise capital at a cost that allows them to use that capital to make accretive investments and refinancings. Rinse and repeat. Companies: Yinson Production, Citigroup, Santander, HSBC, ING, J.P. Morgan, Natixis, Mizuho, Ramirez & Co, Standard Chartered, Bladex, Norton Rose Fulbright, Petrobras, Yinson Boronia Production B.V., Sumitomo Corporation, Moody, Fitch

After several slow years, the pace of maritime mergers and acquisitions has become a hot spot of capital market activity. Companies: Abu Dhabi National Oil Company Logistics & Services, Navig8, Evercore, Saltchuk, Overseas Shipholding Group , Totem Ocean Trailer Express, EnTrust Global Blue Ocean Funds, Offshore Merchant Partners

The shipping industry has had a long and difficult journey changing the perception of institutional investors. Companies: Boston Consulting Group, Navigare Capital , A.P. Moller Maersk, Mitsui & Co, LEMSCO, Stena AB , ProMarine AG , Proman, ABN AMRO , DNV

Capital formation isn’t the only form of dealmaking in the offshore sector. Last week, Noble Corporation announced their acquisition of Diamond Offshore, utilizing a share plus cash consideration. Companies: Noble Corporation, Diamond Offshore, Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC, Wells Fargo , SB1 Markets, Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP, Guggenheim Securities, LLC , TPH&Co., Perella Weinberg Partners, Kirkland & Ellis LLP, Moreld, Ocean Installer , HitecVision, McIntyre Partners , Velocity Partners

There is just no other way to put it: dealmaking in the Offshore market is feeling hot, hot, hot! From bond issuance to loans to M&A to equity investment, the sector is ripping.

As we noted in our analysis of “Take Private” transactions, it is getting more difficult to find companies that are “cheap” based on valuation alone. That is why recent transactions, like an MSC-affiliate buying Gram Carriers and Saltchuk buying OSG, are more focused on achieving strategic goals and less on capturing a quick discount. Companies: Abu Dhabi National Oil Company Logistics & Services , Navig8, Dorian LPG , Jefferies LLC, SEB, Oaktree, TORM, ZIM, Citigroup, Kenon Holdings, BW Group, Navigator Gas, DNB Markets, Ultranav

Oaktree Capital Management’s (“Oaktree”) experience investing in shipping could comprise a textbook – or a Netflix show. It’s been a wild ride through boom and busts, recapitalization, mergers and more! Companies: Oaktree Capital Management, Citigroup, Torm Plc , Nasdaq, Star Bulk, Eagle Bulk , Hafnia , Chemical Tankers Inc, Navig8, Danaos, Blue Ocean Partners, Pelagic , Fleetscape, Meerbaum