That was the message coming out of Marine Money’s 16th Annual German Ship Finance Forum held at the Hotel Grand Elysee in Hamburg last week.
With German banks in retreat from shipping markets, it might be thought that funding will be harder to come by for many domestic participants. But it is by no means impossible to find cash, judging by a handful of relatively new entrants with their sights set on the German lending market.
New lenders
The big-ticket names include China’s Bank of Communications Financial Leasing Co, which recently sent up an office in Hamburg to service the German market, and subsidiary Bocomm Shipping Leasing (Europe).
Others with their eyes on the German prize include new outfits such as Maritime Asset Partners, headed by Nick Roos and with Wafra Capital Partners and other well-known names as investors.
So while the German lending market might be quieter, there are still funds on the table for the right deals.
But it will not come cheaply, with lenders seeking double-digit returns on their investments. That, however, has not deterred shipowners in the past.
