Sale & Purchase, Newbuildings & Vessel Investment
Sale & Purchase, Newbuildings Recruitment & Executive Search
Specialist retained search across vessel transactions, fleet investment and newbuilding strategy.
Buying and selling ships sits at the intersection of shipping markets, asset values and long-term fleet strategy.
A vessel transaction can be driven by very different objectives. Owners may be renewing an ageing fleet, taking profits after a strong freight cycle, expanding into another vessel class or repositioning capital ahead of a change in the market. Investors may approach the same asset through expected earnings, residual value and the timing of the shipping cycle.
Newbuildings add another layer. Decisions around shipyards, delivery slots, specifications, propulsion, fuel choice and financing can commit a business to an asset for decades. The commercial judgement involved is therefore different from fixing a voyage or managing short-term vessel employment.
Sale and purchase brokers sit between buyers and sellers, bringing market intelligence, relationships and transaction experience to second-hand vessels, newbuildings and demolition candidates. Inside shipowners, investment groups and larger shipping companies, similar expertise may sit within asset management, fleet development, corporate strategy or vessel investment teams.
Imperium Commodity Search works internationally across the commercial market for vessel assets, supporting S&P brokerage, newbuilding, fleet investment and senior commercial appointments.
Our searches are built around the asset market somebody actually knows: vessel class, transaction experience, buyer and seller relationships, newbuilding exposure, geography, investment responsibility and the scale of decisions they have handled.
Understanding the Sale & Purchase, Newbuildings & Vessel Investment Market
Vessel transactions sit at the intersection of freight markets, asset values and long-term fleet strategy.
Ships are commercial assets as well as operating platforms.
Their value moves with freight markets, age, specification, financing conditions, shipyard availability and expectations for future earnings. A vessel that looks expensive in one part of the cycle can prove well timed if earnings strengthen, while an apparently cheap acquisition can become difficult to justify if the market turns.
That makes S&P, newbuilding and vessel-investment roles highly market specific. Someone who has spent a career around second-hand dry bulk vessels will bring a different network and valuation framework from a tanker newbuilding specialist or an investor focused on LNG and other high-value assets.
Second-Hand Sale & Purchase
The second-hand market allows owners and investors to buy or sell vessels already in operation.
Pricing depends on age, specification, survey status, earnings potential, charter coverage and the wider freight cycle. Comparable transactions matter, but two ships of the same class can still command different values depending on condition and commercial history.
S&P brokers sit between buyers and sellers, providing market intelligence, identifying counterparties and helping transactions progress from initial discussion through to completion.
Newbuildings & Shipyard Negotiation
Newbuilding decisions involve a much longer time horizon.
Owners may commit capital several years before delivery, choosing shipyards, specifications, propulsion systems, cargo capability and equipment against an uncertain future freight market.
Delivery slots, yard quality, contract terms and future regulation can all affect the economics of the decision. Newbuilding brokers and in-house teams therefore need a strong understanding of both the vessel and the wider market it will eventually enter.
Vessel Valuation & Shipping Cycles
Asset values tend to move with expectations for future earnings.
Strong freight markets can push second-hand prices higher as buyers compete for immediate exposure, while weaker conditions may create opportunities for investors willing to take a longer view.
Newbuilding prices, scrap values, financing costs and the relative price of modern versus older tonnage all feed into those decisions.
Fleet Renewal & Portfolio Strategy
Owners rarely assess one vessel in isolation.
Fleet age, charter coverage, debt, emissions performance and exposure to particular vessel classes can all influence whether a company buys, sells or orders new tonnage.
A disposal programme may be about releasing capital or reducing older vessels. Acquisitions can support growth, market entry or a deliberate shift towards a different part of the shipping cycle.
Vessel Investment & Capital Allocation
Shipping attracts capital from traditional shipowners, private investors, leasing businesses, banks and institutional funds.
Some investors pursue long-term contracted cash flows. Others take a more cyclical approach, buying vessels when asset values are depressed and selling when market conditions strengthen.
Commercial shipping knowledge therefore sits alongside financial analysis, financing structures and views on residual value.
Demolition & End-of-Life Decisions
The final stage of a vessel’s life is also a commercial decision.
Older ships may continue trading while freight earnings justify the operating and maintenance cost, but survey requirements, efficiency, regulation and scrap prices can change that calculation.
The pace at which vessels leave the fleet affects both asset values and future freight supply, particularly in markets with large numbers of older ships.
Timing Matters in Vessel Investment
A vessel transaction is usually a view on more than the ship itself.
Buying a five-year-old tanker, ordering a new LNG carrier or selling an ageing bulk carrier each reflects an expectation about freight, asset values, financing and how the fleet may develop over the years ahead.
The judgement becomes more complex when newbuilding lead times, regulation and technology are changing at the same time.
S&P and vessel-investment professionals therefore need to understand the asset, the freight market and the point in the cycle at which the decision is being made.
For recruitment, we look closely at the vessel classes somebody has covered, the transactions they have handled, the buyers and sellers they know, and whether their experience sits primarily in brokerage, ownership, investment or wider fleet strategy.
The Global Vessel Investment Market
Billions of dollars move through second-hand vessels, newbuildings and fleet-renewal decisions each year.
Shipping remains one of the world’s most capital-intensive industries. Owners are continually deciding whether to buy existing tonnage, commit to newbuildings, sell assets or keep vessels trading for longer.
The scale of activity during 2025 shows how active both the second-hand and newbuilding markets remain.
Vessel Investment Activity in 2025
| Market | Vessels | Capacity | Estimated value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Second-hand vessel sales | 2,000+ | 120m+ dwt | US$45bn+ |
| Newbuilding contracts | 2,159 | 155.7m dwt | US$186bn |
Asset Markets Remained Active Through the Cycle
More than 2,000 second-hand vessels changed hands during 2025, representing over 120 million dwt of capacity and more than US$45 billion of reported transactions. Bulk-carrier sales reached a record level, while tanker activity also increased from the previous year.
Pricing remained firm. Clarksons’ Secondhand Price Index rose by around 9% across 2025, reaching levels exceeded only during a small number of previous shipping booms.
Newbuilding investment was considerably larger in value terms. Orders worth an estimated US$186 billion were placed during 2025, with containership contracting particularly strong and overall ordering still well above the longer-term average despite easing from 2024’s exceptional levels.
The pace accelerated again during 2026. In the first five months alone, 1,108 vessels representing 103.6 million dwt were ordered, putting contracting broadly back in line with the very strong 2024 run rate.
For owners and investors, those numbers sit behind decisions that can commit capital for decades. Freight expectations, vessel age, financing, shipyard availability, regulation and future fuel choices all feed into the price somebody is prepared to pay for an asset.
The vessel may be physical, but its value ultimately reflects a view of the shipping market ahead.
US$2.1 Trillion
Fleet & Orderbook Value
The combined value of the existing world fleet and vessels currently on order was estimated at approximately US$2.1 trillion at the start of 2026.
13 Years
Average Fleet Age
The global shipping fleet had an average age of approximately 13 years on a gross-tonnage-weighted basis, increasing the importance of future fleet renewal.
47%
Alternative-Fuel Orderbook
Around 47% of the global vessel orderbook by tonnage was designed for alternative-fuel capability at the start of 2026.
Major Vessel Investors & Market Participants
Asset strategies range from long-term leasing to cyclical acquisitions, newbuildings and fleet renewal.
The vessel-investment market is difficult to rank on one clean measure.
Some businesses own hundreds of ships against long-term charters. Others take more active views on second-hand values and shipping cycles, while private owners may disclose relatively little about the capital they deploy. S&P and newbuilding houses influence many of the same transactions without owning the vessels themselves.
Major participants therefore include dedicated maritime asset owners such as Seaspan and Ocean Yield, diversified private shipping groups such as Eastern Pacific Shipping and Capital Maritime, and advisory houses including Clarksons, SSY, Braemar and Fearnleys.
Major Vessel Owners & Investors
Seaspan
Seaspan is one of the clearest examples of shipping as a long-term asset-investment business. Its model is built around owning modern vessels and placing them on long-term fixed-rate charters with major liner companies. By mid-2026, its operating and committed fleet stood at 247 vessels on a fully delivered basis, while investment had expanded beyond containerships into car carriers, ethane carriers and specialised dry-bulk tonnage.
Eastern Pacific Shipping
Eastern Pacific Shipping is a large privately owned shipowner and manager with exposure across tankers, containers, gas carriers, bulk carriers and other segments. Its managed fleet currently exceeds 260 vessels and 22 million dwt, while an orderbook of more than 150 vessels demonstrates the scale of its ongoing fleet-renewal programme. EPS has also actively reshaped its portfolio, including its 2026 exit from chemical tankers to concentrate capital elsewhere.
Ocean Yield
Ocean Yield approaches shipping through a leasing and long-term contracted investment model. At the end of 2025 it held interests in 70 vessels across tankers, dry bulk, gas and container markets, with assets generally employed on long-term charters to established counterparties. Following substantial investment under KKR ownership, the business was acquired by A.P. Moller Holding in 2026, adding a sizeable maritime leasing platform to the wider group.
Capital Maritime
Capital Maritime has been particularly active in newbuilding and fleet expansion across several vessel markets. Its tanker platform alone is building towards a fleet of 33 modern VLCC, Suezmax and Aframax/LR2 vessels, including 17 newbuildings scheduled for delivery between 2026 and 2028. Elsewhere within the group, Capital Maritime Finance is developing a new-generation containership portfolio with 36 vessels expected on delivery by 2028.
S&P, Newbuilding & Asset Advisory
Clarksons
Clarksons operates one of the largest specialist Sale & Purchase platforms in shipping, with more than 100 S&P brokers across 11 offices. The team advises on second-hand vessel transactions, newbuildings, recycling and wider fleet projects, supported by the group’s research and finance capabilities. That gives Clarksons involvement across the full vessel-investment cycle, from initial asset strategy through transaction and financing.
Simpson Spence Young (SSY)
SSY’s global S&P business handles second-hand transactions and newbuilding contracts across the conventional shipping markets. The team also provides vessel valuations and works with shipyards, financial institutions and private or listed shipowners, bringing transaction advice together with market research and financing capability.
Braemar
Braemar combines Sale & Purchase and newbuilding broking with corporate finance, valuations and wider investment advice. Its S&P teams work across vessel sectors and throughout the asset lifecycle, while the Investment Advisory division generated £32.1 million of revenue in its 2026 financial year as transaction activity remained strong.
Fearnleys
Fearnleys has long-standing involvement in both second-hand Sale & Purchase and newbuilding markets. Its teams advise on transactions across mainstream shipping sectors, while the wider group can also connect vessel projects with research and capital-market expertise through related businesses. Its newbuilding activity includes arranging and monitoring construction across conventional and specialised tonnage.
Market context: Companies are included as examples of significant participants across vessel ownership, maritime investment, Sale & Purchase and newbuilding markets. Business models and disclosure methods vary substantially, so inclusion should not be interpreted as a formal ranking. Inclusion does not imply commercial relationship with or endorsement of Imperium Commodity Search.
The Investment Model Changes the Experience
Someone buying vessels for a traditional shipowner may be taking a direct view on freight earnings, asset values and the timing of the cycle.
A leasing platform can approach the same asset differently, placing more emphasis on the strength of the charter counterparty, contract duration and predictable long-term cash flow. Private owners may combine both approaches depending on the vessel and market.
S&P and newbuilding brokers see another side of those decisions. Their experience is built around buyers, sellers, shipyards, valuation, transaction timing and the practical process required to move a deal from discussion to completion.
For recruitment, the important detail is which vessels somebody has worked with, how investment decisions were made, the transactions they have handled and where they sat between ownership, capital and the asset market.
Every New Hull Begins as a Bet on the Years Ahead.
Vessel Investment Talent Across Global Shipping Markets
Asset decisions cluster around shipowning centres, capital markets and shipyard networks.
Vessel investment is international, but the talent tends to gather around a relatively small number of maritime and financial centres.
Traditional shipowners build strong commercial and asset-management teams around established shipping hubs. Leasing platforms and investment businesses may sit closer to capital markets, while newbuilding specialists often maintain deep relationships across Asian shipyards and technical networks.
The same individual can touch several of these worlds during a career, particularly where fleet strategy, S&P and financing sit close together.
Shipowning & Asset Investment Centres
Athens, London, Oslo, Copenhagen, Monaco & Singapore
These cities support substantial concentrations of shipowners, vessel investors and maritime advisers.
Athens has an exceptionally deep private shipowning community, while Oslo combines listed shipping, maritime finance and asset investment. London remains important across S&P, finance and advisory work, with Singapore providing a major base for Asian ownership, investment and commercial shipping.
For senior search, these markets can contain both long-term fleet managers and more cyclical investors accustomed to buying and selling through changing freight conditions.
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Maritime Finance & Leasing Hubs
London, New York, Oslo, Singapore, Hong Kong & Tokyo
Vessel investment often depends on the capital structure sitting behind the ship.
Banks, leasing businesses, institutional investors and shipping groups assess charter coverage, counterparty quality, asset values and residual risk before committing capital.
The resulting roles can sit between commercial shipping and finance, particularly where teams are responsible for fleet acquisitions, leasing structures or portfolio strategy.
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Newbuilding & Shipyard Networks
Seoul, Busan, Shanghai, Tokyo, Singapore & Athens
China, South Korea and Japan remain central to global commercial shipbuilding.
Owners and newbuilding teams may not be permanently based beside the yard, but experienced professionals often build extensive relationships with shipyards, technical advisers, brokers and equipment suppliers across these markets.
That network becomes particularly important when several vessels are being ordered, specifications are complex or delivery slots are tight.
Asset Decisions Depend on the Mandate
Someone responsible for second-hand acquisitions may spend most of their time assessing current earnings, comparable sales and where asset values sit in the cycle.
A newbuilding professional works on a longer horizon. Yard selection, specification, propulsion and delivery timing can matter as much as the freight market today.
Leasing and investment roles introduce another set of priorities around financing, charter counterparties and long-term cash flow.
When we map vessel-investment talent, we look at vessel class, transaction history, investment model, counterparties and the level of capital or strategic responsibility somebody has actually held.
Who We Search For Across Vessel Investment
The relevant talent pool changes depending on whether the role sits in brokerage, ownership, investment or fleet strategy.
Vessel-investment careers can develop through several routes.
Some professionals start in S&P shipbroking and move closer to owners or capital providers. Others build their careers inside shipowners, leasing businesses or investment platforms.
The work may look similar from a distance, but the commercial judgement and relationships behind it can be quite different.
Sale & Purchase Broking
S&P brokers advise buyers and sellers across the second-hand vessel market.
Their value comes from market intelligence, comparable transactions, buyer and seller relationships and an understanding of where asset values are moving.
Experience normally becomes specialised by vessel type, with dry bulk, tankers, containers and gas each developing their own transaction networks.
Typical searches include:
Sale & Purchase Broker · S&P Broker · Senior S&P Broker · Asset Broker · Shipbroker · S&P Manager · Desk Head · Head of Sale & Purchase
Newbuildings & Fleet Development
Newbuilding roles sit closer to long-term fleet strategy.
Professionals may work with shipyards, technical teams, brokers and finance providers to evaluate specifications, delivery slots and contract terms.
The strongest candidates usually combine commercial market knowledge with practical experience of taking projects from initial concept through negotiation and construction.
Newbuilding appointments include:
Newbuilding Broker · Newbuilding Manager · Fleet Development Manager · Newbuilding Director · Commercial Manager · Fleet Strategy Manager · Head of Newbuildings
Vessel Investment & Asset Management
Investment teams assess whether individual vessels or portfolios justify the capital required.
The role can involve acquisition modelling, charter analysis, asset valuation, portfolio management and recommendations on when to buy, hold or sell.
Inside leasing platforms, counterparty strength and contracted cash flow may carry particular weight. Traditional owners may take a more direct view on freight exposure and residual asset value.
Investment searches include:
Vessel Investment Manager · Shipping Investment Manager · Asset Manager · Investment Director · Portfolio Manager · Maritime Investment Associate · Head of Investments
Fleet Strategy & Commercial Leadership
Senior roles often sit above individual transactions.
Commercial leaders may decide which vessel classes the business should own, how quickly the fleet should grow, when older assets should be sold and where capital should be redeployed.
These mandates can combine market judgement, finance, ownership experience and responsibility for large investment programmes.
Leadership and specialist searches include:
Fleet Strategy Director · Head of S&P · Head of Investments · Commercial Director · Asset Director · Chief Investment Officer · Managing Director · Partner
Transaction Experience Needs Context
A long list of vessel deals is useful, but it does not explain the role somebody played in them.
One professional may have originated buyers and sellers as a broker. Another may have recommended the acquisition internally, negotiated financing and taken responsibility for the asset after completion.
Newbuildings add further distinctions around yard negotiation, technical input and long-term fleet planning.
That is why we look closely at which assets somebody has covered, what decisions they personally owned, the counterparties they know and how close they were to the capital being deployed.
Specialist Search Across the Vessel Investment Market
Retained search across S&P, newbuildings, maritime assets and fleet strategy.
Vessel-investment mandates can become highly specific once the asset strategy is understood.
A second-hand tanker role may require a very different network from a containership leasing appointment or a newbuilding search linked to LNG carriers. Vessel class, investment model and transaction experience all narrow the relevant market.
Imperium works on a retained basis and deliberately limits the number of clients we represent within a specialist market at any one time. That gives us room to map the relevant owners, investors, brokers, leasing platforms and maritime finance businesses properly, and to approach experienced professionals confidentially.
Our work can cover S&P brokerage, newbuildings, vessel investment, asset management, fleet strategy and senior commercial leadership across international shipping markets.
For Clients
Looking for an S&P broker, vessel-investment professional, newbuilding specialist or senior fleet leader?
We build the search around vessel class, transaction experience, investment model, buyer and seller relationships, newbuilding exposure, geography and the level of capital responsibility required.
For Professionals
We do not operate as a high-volume vacancy business. If your background sits within Sale & Purchase, newbuildings, vessel investment, maritime asset management or fleet strategy, we are always open to a confidential conversation where your experience may be relevant to current or future retained work.
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