Asia Maritime Pacific (AMP) and Hamburg Bulk Carriers are amalgamating their businesses to create one of the largest privately owned handysize bulker players in the market.

The merged company will become Cetus Maritime and is expected to launch in January 2023 with some 40 owned and around 25 chartered vessels on the water at any given time.

AMP and Hamburg Bulk said Cetus Maritime will have a larger and more diverse fleet, with a stronger balance sheet and greater access to capital markets.