A merger between Columbia Shipmanagement and Marlow Navigation is a separate issue from the restructuring of Schoeller Holdings.

While Columbia Shipmanagement founder Heinrich Schoeller is one of two shareholders of the combined Columbia Marlow Shipmanagement, Schoeller Holdings is not connected to the enlarged business, says chief executive Mark O’Neil.

The German media in particular has paid close attention to the €800m restructuring talks between Schoeller Holdings and HSH Nordbank during the past few weeks.