Seatrade has taken a strategic stake in Harlingen-based JR Shipping Group. The Curaçao-headquartered shipping company Seatrade, which operates a fleet of more than 70 reefer and reefer-container vessels, joins JR Shipping Group as “a long-term, industry-driven investor, contributing extensive maritime expertise, a strong international network, investment capacity and access to global financing markets,” according to a statement.
Jan Reier Arends and Sander Schakelaar will both continue as shareholders of JR Shipping Group. Both will remain members of the executive board and will continue to lead JR Shipping Group in the years ahead.
JR Shipping Group will continue to operate as an independent and autonomous organisation, with its own management, structure and identity.
Founded in 1993 by Jan Reier Arends, JR Shipping Group has been jointly developed for over the last 25 years together with Sander Schakelaar. Over time, the group has grown into a diversified maritime group supporting a fleet of container feeders and short sea dry cargo vessels.
In 2010, the group expanded its activities into the offshore sector through subsidiary SeaZip Offshore Service.
Over time, JR Shipping Group has provided commercial and operational ship management services to third-party shipowners and investors. Today, the group holds management responsibility for more than 30 vessels.
Currently, two 8,500 dwt dry cargo vessels are under construction at Chowgule Shipbuilding in India, with delivery scheduled for late 2027 and early 2028.
Jan Reier Arends, managing director and partner of JR Shipping Group, said: “We are proud of what we have achieved over the past 25 years. At the same time, we recognised that the next phase of development would require additional strength and scale. Partnering with Seatrade significantly reinforces the core of our group and provides a solid perspective for the future.”
From his side Sander Schakelaar, managing director and partner of JR Shipping Group, added: “This partnership creates new opportunities to realise our ambitions. Seatrade’s industry knowledge, access to shipbuilding markets and financing capabilities, as well as its investment strength, will add real value. Equally important is the strong alignment in vision, values and long-term objectives between our organisations.”
