Premuda and Columbia Shipmanagement form JV

Under the joint venture, Columbia Shipmanagement (CSM) will take on the full management of the entire Premuda fleet, currently consisting of 28 ships (including three tankers) under the control of the Genoese company and Finav, the Fund for credit management in the shipping sector established by Davy Global Fund Management, with the support of Pillarstone Italy.

Premuda was founded more than a century ago and, since 2016, has been controlled by Pillarstone Italy, the turnaround platform sponsored by the private equity fund KKR.

Under the joint venture, once trade union consultation has been concluded, CSM Italy will provide full ship management and maritime services.

Other than management of the Premuda fleet, CSM Italy will offer a full range of management and maritime services to the entire Italian maritime cluster. The share capital of CSM Italy will be potentially open to other participants – Italian owners and operators – willing to join the spirit of such an initiative.

According to CSM president and chief executive Mark O’Neil, the joint venture confirms CSM’s ambitions in the important Italian market.

"CSM has always had the greatest respect for the Italian shipping sector. We believe we are the right partner for a company in strong growth, to which we can ensure economies of scale, digital solutions, and operational optimisation. CSM Italy will stand ready and willing to serve other Italian operators, in all of the maritime sectors, providing them with a tailored service to meet their particular needs and involving them in the development of the Company from the outset. This is an extremely exciting time for Italian shipping and we wish our new managing director Xanthos Kyriacou the very best for the future. He is absolutely the right person for the job," he said.

Premuda chief executive Marco Fiori added “Two ‘first-in-class’ organisations, that share the same business approach, have identified a common goal. The opportunity to partner with CSM comes from a very thorough analysis of our operating model and it is a fundamental part of the Premuda development, aimed at optimising the commercial and strategic management of the fleet, with the support of a technical partner of the highest level. This new operation is a ‘win-win’ for the two participants and for Genoa that will host the activity of a new international group.”

Pillarstone Italy chief executive Gaudenzio Bonaldo Gregori commented "Today’s operation represents a further step in Premuda’s development and reaffirms the strong commitment we have towards the Italian shipping sector, where we have become a very important player."

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