Watson Farley & Williams (“WFW”) advised Bremen-based Zeaborn Group (“ZEABORN”) on its acquisition of all outstanding shares in its “ZEAMARINE” joint venture from partner New Mountain Capital, New York/USA.
In May 2018, ZEABORN and Intermarine, a subsidiary of New Mountain Capital, merged their multipurpose and heavylift activities into a global joint venture named “ZEAMARINE” with offices in Germany, the USA, Denmark, Cyprus, Japan, Belgium, Singapore, Korea, China, Malaysia and Dubai. Now, after the acquisition of all shares, ZEABORN as the sole shareholder continues to focus on its dynamic and strategic expansion. Above all internationally, ZEABORN emphasises its ambitious growth objectives.
The transaction is subject to approval by the cartel authorities.
ZEABORN is a global shipping company providing services along the entire value chain from financing, commercial and technical management to chartering its own and chartered vessels. It is majority-owned by Bremen entrepreneur Kurt Zech, who also heads the Zech-Group GmbH.
ZEABORN was advised by a cross-border WFW team led by Hamburg Maritime Partner Dr Christian Finnern, supported by Partners Dr Björn-Axel Dißars (Corporate) and Dr Christine Bader (EU & Competition). New York Partner John Kissane (Maritime) and London Partner Jeremy Robinson (EU & Competition) provided additional specialist support. Hamburg Corporate Managing Associate Torge Rademacher and Associates Julia König and Frank Wacht, London EU & Competition Senior Associate Vineet Budhiraja, New York Maritime services Associate Celinda Metro and Maritime Paralegal Melissa Wasiak and Legal Associate Heela Massod also advised on the transaction.
Christian commented: “We are very happy to have advised ZEABORN again on a challenging and strategically important transaction for them. Our proven track record of trust and close working cooperation with ZEABORN as well as on the proven team cooperation across the WFW offices contributed significantly to the success of the transaction. It also demonstrates once again that our dynamic and expanding Maritime Services Group is a leading and established advisor to the maritime industry”.
