MITSUI O.S.K. Lines has today (21 January) announced it has acquired 72% of the shares of the Switzerland-headquartered Gearbulk Holding AG.
Gearbulk is the world’s leading player in the open-hatch vessel segment, controlling a fleet of 60 vessels, operating the largest fleet of open hatch gantry and semi-open jib craned vessels.
The Japanese shipping line highlighted Gearbulk’s track record of growth by transporting various semi-finished products such as pulp and steel products, as well as small-lot and project cargo, as well as its high transportation and cargo handling know-how and ship management quality.
“By adding Gearbulk’s open-hatch segment business to MOL business, we will be able to offer a diverse range of transport services by a broad range of vessel types,” MOL said in a statement on the acquisition.
MOL expects the consolidation of Gearbulk to create synergies such as enhancing the expansion of the group’s business base by adding Gearbulk’s worldwide network, creating new business opportunities, and boosting the efficiency of vessel allocation.
The shipping line also expects these synergies to significantly differentiate it from its competitors and strengthen its cost competitiveness and customer network.
Open-hatch vessels have box-shaped cargo holds and wide hatches, allowing them to efficiently load, transport, and unload semi-finished products such as pulp, forestry products, steel products, and aluminum ingots.
These vessels are also specially designed so that the cargo can be loaded on top of the hatch or deck, allowing the transport of heavyweight and oversized cargo such as windmill components.
By consolidating and strengthening the group’s management resources, MOL says it is committed to accelerating revenue growth while striving to sustainably enhance its corporate value.
MOL announced in June last year it would acquire majority ownership in Gearbulk, and would make it a consolidated subsidiary company by around January 2025.
