MPC Münchmeyer Petersen Capital AG - Experts & Thought Leaders

Together with partners - MPC Container Ships ASA and MPC Capital AG, Topeka has contracted two 1300 TEU carbon neutral container vessels. Both vessels will be delivered in 2024 and immediately move into long-term contracts with North Sea Container Line. Carbon neutral container vessels Benefitting from dramatically reduced emissions, the two new-build ships will replace three of North Sea Container Line’s (NCL) current diesel-powered vessels, which will be phased out of operations.  Technical management will be done by Wilhelmsen Ahrenkiel Ship Management, making them one of the first ship managers to gain experience and competence in the use of methanol as fuel on container ships.  Decarbonisation of shipping By using the available technology, Topeka’s ambition is to decarbonise shipping By using the available technology, Topeka’s ambition is to decarbonise shipping. The two new vessels will run on methanol, which is regarded as a good solution in this case, carrying heavy loads along the Norwegian coast and onward to the European continent, covering 3000 nautical miles with 18,000 deadweight tons. With green methanol, the two vessels offer a carbon-neutral logistic solution from Norway to the European market.  Zero-emission solutions While methanol was selected as the zero-emission solution for this project, Topeka is also developing projects for cargo owners with other energy carriers such as ammonia, pure hydrogen or batteries. As an example, the Topeka project named 'base-to-base' will use hydrogen and fuel cells. Shaping the maritime industry Topeka is Wilhelmsen’s route to zero emission transport and supports the maritime group’s ongoing commitment to shaping the maritime industry. This methanol project is an important stepping stone towards that aim, dramatically increasing green sailing distances. For reference, 3,000 nautical miles is a standard Atlantic crossing from England to New York. 

Wilhelmsen Ship Management has strengthened its position in the tanker market with a newly signed agreement to acquire a majority stake in Hamburg-based Ahrenkiel Tankers. The transaction will result in Wilhelmsen Ship Management taking over the management of five tankers. Wilhelmsen Ship Management will gain 80% ownership of Ahrenkiel Tankers under the deal, with the remaining 20% to be held by existing owners MPC Capital Group. Ahrenkiel Tankers will be rebranded as Barber Ship Management. Ship management business It marks the first step by Wilhelmsen Ship Management after its earlier decision to re-enter the tanker segment following a decade-long absence, while also reviving the Barber name that originally formed the basis for the company’s present ship management business. Ahrenkiel Tankers has developed a strong reputation for reliable tanker management" "This acquisition is a clear statement of our intent to expand in the tanker segment," says Carl Schou, Chief Executive Officer and President of Wilhelmsen Ship Management. "Ahrenkiel Tankers has developed a strong reputation for reliable tanker management and represents an ideal fit with Wilhelmsen Ship Management given our common values of environmental responsibility and safety, aligned with a high level of competence," Schou adds. "We now look forward to growing in the tanker segment by applying our management expertise that has been proven over many years with a track record of safe, sustainable and cost-effective operations." Specialised management arm Wilhelmsen Ship Management was originally named Barber Ship Management Ltd when it was first incorporated in Hong Kong in 1975. Wilhelmsen Ship Management exited the tanker market in 2009 with the sale of its former subsidiary International Tanker Management (ITM) but reversed this decision two years ago due to an improved regulatory regime for tankers. Barber Ship Management will now serve as Wilhelmsen's new specialised management arm for the tanker segment following the transaction, effective from 1 January this year. "The tanker market is a very different sector today from what it was more than a decade ago in terms of quality and safety, with much better regulation on the competence side, and this has given us the confidence to mark our re-entry into the business with this key acquisition," Schou says.

Wilhelmsen Ship Management, a provider of third-party ship management services headquartered in Singapore and the Hamburg-based asset and investment manager MPC Capital AG have agreed to combine their activities in the technical management of container ships. To this end, Wilhelmsen Ship Management acquires a 50 % stake in Ahrenkiel Steamship GmbH & Co KG, the technical container ship manager within the MPC Capital Group. Wilhelmsen Ahrenkiel Ship Management In the future, the joint venture will operate under the brand “Wilhelmsen Ahrenkiel Ship Management”. The company will continue to operate in Hamburg and Rhoon, while supported by Wilhelmsen’s global network. The new company will manage a fleet of 72 container ships, feeder container ships with a capacity of 1000 to 3000 TEU With around 100 employees, the new company will manage a fleet of currently 72 container ships with a focus on feeder container ships with a capacity of 1000 to 3000 standard containers (TEU). The managing director of the joint venture will be Dr. Michael Silies who has been heading up Ahrenkiel Steamship since 2015. He is supported by Jan-Eric Panitzki, who will continue to oversee the operational part of the business. Partnership “We are very happy to strengthen our presence in Germany together with a strong partner like MPC Capital. We believe Ahrenkiel Steamship is a good fit as we share many common values; focusing on quality, heritage and at the same time have ambitious goals to utilize digital technology to enhance and improve the operations. We are looking forward to develop a strong track record together in the container segment through this partnership,” says Carl Schou, CEO and President of Wilhelmsen Ship Management. Christian Rychly, Managing Director of MPC Capital, says: “We are very pleased to have Wilhelmsen at our side as a strong partner with whom we can consistently expand our shipping activities. We want to offer the best services to our clients and Wilhelmsen’s network and expertise in other shipping segments will improve our position in the container segment.” The closing of the transaction is still subject to approval by the relevant antitrust authorities.