Christiania Shipping to enrich fleet with 13 stainless steel chemical carriers through new acquisition

Christiania Shipping, a specialized chemical ship-owning and chartering company, has set its sights on becoming the preferred infrastructure partner for the transport of small-scale chemicals in Europe through the acquisition of NAVQUIM Holding, an owner and operator of stainless steel chemical carriers.

On September 3, Christiania Shipping said it had signed an agreement with Sogestran Shipping to acquire 100% of the shares in NAVQUIM with an anticipated closing of the transaction in October 2024.

NAVQUIM owns and operates 13 stainless steel chemical carriers with offices in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, and Marbella, Spain.

Christiania Shipping’s fleet consists of 16 chemical carriers and 13 LPG carriers with the main operational areas in North-Europe, Mediterranean, and West Africa. The company anticipates the delivery of two new 13,000 dwt stainless steel chemical tankers from the Japanese shipyard Murakami Hide in the second half of 2025.

Axel C. Eitzen, Chairman of the Board of Christiania Shipping, described the agreement with Sogestran Shipping as an important step in the company’s ambition to become the preferred infrastructure partner for the transport of small-scale chemicals in Europe.

“The acquisition will strengthen our offering and broaden our reach, signaling our dedication and commitment in providing the best possible service to our longterm charterers and customers. NAVQUIM has a very strong team, important customers part of EITZEN GROUP and advanced stainless steel chemical carriers, and we look very much forward to continue developing the joint platform together,” Eitzen commented.

Benoist Grosjean, Managing Director of Sogestran Shipping, stated: “It is with a great business and personal satisfaction that Sogestran Shipping is able to announce that a share purchase agreement has been signed, and that NAVQUIM is therefore on track to join the Christiania Shipping family.

“As one of the regional chemical tanker market leaders in Europe, Christiania Shipping came to us with a robust industrial plan, bringing a long-term perspective to the organization and the teams, both in Rotterdam and Marbella, but also to NAVQUIM’s customers, suppliers and stakeholders at large. The cooperation so far has been a very smooth and pleasant one and I am very confident that we can close this win-win deal in the coming months.”