F. Laeisz revealed as Belships co-investor

In a significant development for the maritime industry, German shipping company F. Laeisz has become a co-investor in the recent takeover of Norwegian dry bulk operator Belships. The acquisition follows a public takeover initiated by asset management firm EnTrust Global, which now holds a commanding 74.99% stake in Belships. This move has resulted in Belships being delisted from the Oslo Stock Exchange after 88 years, alongside the resignation of CEO Lars Christian Skarsgård.

New Leadership and Strategic Moves

Under the leadership of Nikolaus Schües, F. Laeisz’s investment marks a notable return to the bulk shipping sector after nearly a decade. The family-owned company, which operates a diverse fleet of nearly 50 vessels across various segments—including car carriers, boxships, and gas carriers—previously exited the bulk market by selling its stake in Norway’s Gram Car Carriers to Mediterranean Shipping Co (MSC). In a strategic shift last October, F. Laeisz took a 5% stake in Greek owner Diana Shipping, signaling its renewed interest in dry bulk operations.

Norway’s Belships Agrees to Buyout by US-Based Investment Manager EnTrust

With Schües now serving on Belships’ newly formed board of directors, the governance structure is set for a transformation. The board is chaired by Ivar Myklebust, the chief executive of EnTrust’s OPM Capital, and includes a mix of influential figures from the shipping industry. Notable members are Christian Christensen, a former executive at Norden and Western Bulk, and Gaby Bornheim, CEO of Peter Döhle and president of the German Shipowners Association. This newly constituted board aims to guide Belships, which operates a fleet of 42 ultramax vessels, towards a prosperous future following its delisting.