Russian steel tycoon Vladimir Lisin is readying an IPO for his shipping companies, which operate more than 250 vessels.

The owner of Universal Cargo Logistics Holding (UCL) could also list his rail and logistics companies.

"If the investment activity on the transportation market improves, then the most practical and the best thing to do is an IPO. We are talking to various Russian and Western companies and are on the lookout for investors," Lisin told the Prime news agency and Business World Magazine.