RHUMB MARITIME, founded by Australian shipping veterans Ian Dalgliesh and Ross Toy, has been acquired outright by global dry bulk operator Cetus Maritime after a business relationship dating back 20 years.
Hong Kong-based Cetus was formed in 2022 through the merger of Asia Maritime Pacific and Hamburg Bulk Carriers (est. 1999), with both companies also previous consolidators in the bulk sector. AMP was itself established in 2013 from the merger of Maritime Pacific and OSL Holdings, with the latter’s founder Mark Young now CEO and part-owner of Cetus. Last year Cetus merged its fleet with Chile’s Nachipa Corp.
In an announcement made yesterday [12 February] Cetus revealed Rhumb Maritime has officially joined the Cetus Maritime group and will now be known as Cetus Maritime (Australia) Pty Ltd.
“This continues what has been nearly two decades of cooperation between Cetus and Rhumb, which has ably represented Cetus Maritime in the Australian market and provided a hands-on, expert, on-the-ground presence for our valued Australian customers,” the company said.
“Ian Dalgleish and Ross Toy, who founded Rhumb, have since retired from the business, and Cetus thanks them for their hard work and dedication. The Melbourne office will continue under the leadership of Lincoln Attersall, and Nathan Jones. We look forward to continuing our cooperation and serving our customers under the Cetus Maritime banner.”
Cetus currently owns and controls over 40 dry bulk ships, ranging through four categories from 8400 DWT mini-bulkers to larger handysize of 45,000 DWT. It operates from nine offices worldwide, including Melbourne and has a China-Australia breakbulk/bulk service running on a c.6-weekly frequency.
Rhumb at one stage also owned small tugs and barges but these have been divested.
