ADS Maritime Reenters Shipowning with New Acquisition
ADS Maritime, led by Terje Bodin Larsen, is making a significant return to shipowning after a five-year hiatus. The Oslo-listed investment firm has announced its acquisition of the Fjeld Saga, a kamsarmax bulker built in 2013, marking a strategic shift in its investment approach. The vessel, with a deadweight tonnage of 82,900, is expected to be delivered between November and December 2025, pending standard conditions including the charterer’s consent for the transfer.
Strategic Shift in Investment Focus
This acquisition represents a notable change for ADS Maritime, which has primarily focused on minority investments in various projects within the tanker and offshore sectors in recent years. The company sold its last very large crude carrier (VLCC) in October 2020 and has since concentrated on counter-cyclical investments. Founded in 2018 and supported by OSM founder Bjorn Tore Larsen, ADS Maritime typically takes ownership stakes ranging from 10% to 25% in shipping projects. The firm generates revenue through arrangement, business management, and commercial management fees.
Since its restructuring and the sale of three VLCCs, ADS Maritime has diversified its portfolio by investing in several segments of the tanker market and maintaining an interest in a dive support vessel. Earlier this year, the company expanded its horizons by entering the aviation sector, signing sale-and-leaseback agreements for four light aircraft with its related firm, OSMAA. These aviation deals have been described as profitable and conducted at arm’s length, further illustrating the company’s strategic adaptability in various transportation sectors.
