Today's Edition
ABU DHABI (ALETIHAD)
Al Seer Marine, a subsidiary of International Holding Company (IHC), has announced the launch of a joint venture (JV) with B International Shipping & Logistics—an affiliate of energy trader BGN — to strengthen its footprint in the liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) logistics segment.
Al Seer Marine, a listed company on the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX) with a market cap of Dh3.55 billion, posted a statement announcing the JV on the ADX’s website.
The new joint venture, named ASBI Shipping FZCO, aims to own and operate mid-sized LPG and product tankers, targeting growing demand in regional and infrastructure-constrained markets.
As part of its initial operations, ASBI has acquired two 22,000 cbm semi-refrigerated LPG tankers, Alkaid and Alcor. The vessels are backed by a 10-year charter agreement with BGN INT DMCC, a subsidiary of BGN that trades over 50 million metric tonnes of commodities annually. The deal is expected to generate Dh660 million ($180 million) in revenue through 2035.
Commenting on the partnership, Guy Neivens, CEO of Al Seer Marine, said, “The global energy landscape is evolving rapidly, reshaping how countries manage their supply chains. This transformation is driving increased demand for smaller, more flexible LPG vessels that can efficiently serve regional hubs and infrastructure-constrained ports.”
To support the vessel acquisition, Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank has extended Dh210 million ($57.2 million) in senior secured term financing. The seven-year facility is secured by the vessels and their associated cash flows, underlining institutional confidence in the JV’s commercial potential.
According to Rüya Bayegan, CEO of BGN Group,
“Our charter with ASBI aligns with BGN’s focus on securing transition fuel supply chains. Smaller vessels are indispensable for ports lacking VLGC infrastructure.”
The vessels, equipped with semi-refrigerated systems and high-standard safety features, are designed for carrying propane, butane, ammonia, and other petrochemical cargoes. These mid-size carriers are particularly suited to serve emerging hubs across Africa, South Asia, and Southeast Asia, where 30% of LPG shipments now rely on sub-30,000 cbm vessels.
Ozan Turgut, Director at B International Shipping & Logistics, highlighted the demand outlook, “We see this as a unique market window and intend to grow ASBI’s fleet to meet regional demand and become a global leader in this specialised segment.”
The formation of ASBI Shipping reflects Al Seer Marine’s capital-efficient expansion model, aimed at scaling through partnerships and capturing market share in high-demand maritime sectors.
