The enlarged firm will have a fleet of 700 ships, of which 600 are under full management.

Long-term Anglo Eastern boss Peter Cremers will be executive chairman of the new outfit, with Univan chief executive Bjorn Hojgaard keeping the same title.

Marcel Liedts and Mark Stevenson complete the executive line-up as chief operating officer and chief financial officer respectively.

“Already in the top three global ship management companies, Anglo-Eastern’s merger with Univan Ship Management creates the industry leader,” a statement said.