Higaki family-backed Shoei Kisen acquires stake in Eitzen Avanti

Eitzen has strengthened its long-standing ties with Japanese shipping interests after Shoei Kisen took an equity stake in Eitzen Avanti.

Shoei Kisen Kaisha, a member of the Imabari Shipbuilding Group, Japan’s large shipbuilding and shipowning group, has bought a 4.7% equity stake in Eitzen Avanti through the issuance of new shares in the company.

Eitzen Avanti AS oversees a network that includes Christiania Shipping A/S at its core, which in turn branches out into specialized subsidiaries like Christiania Chemical A/S, Christiania Energy A/S, and Christiania Gas A/S.

The company said this strategic investment represents an important milestone and a new dimension in the collaboration and long-term partnership between Eitzen and Shoei Kisen, a business relationship that dates back to 1986. It also marks the beginning of a closer cooperation between the next generations of the Eitzen- and Higaki-family.

Shoei Kisen Kaisha, a Japanese shipowner and leasing company established in 1962, has a fleet of more than 100 vessels and is controlled by the Higaki family. The company owns and manages a diversified fleet including bulk carriers, container vessels, LNG carriers, tankers, and pure car and truck carriers.

Both parties expect this investment to support the ongoing fleet renewal and help drive long-term growth through closer strategic alignment, sharing of expertise, the development of new business opportunities and expansion of vessel types.

The move is also expected to further enhance the trust built with shipowners and charterers, particularly in Japan.

Christiania Shipping operates through its subsidiaries Christiania Chemical, Christiania Gas and Christiania Energy. It controls and operates a fleet of 50 vessels, including 29 chemical tankers and 18 LPG carriers, with three newbuildings on order.

The company maintains offices in Oslo, Copenhagen, Rotterdam, Marbella and Golf Juan. Christiania Shipping is majority owned by the Eitzen family and part of the Eitzen Group, a maritime organization headquartered in Oslo, Norway, with roots dating back to 1883.