Costamare agreed to become the head investor in Neptune Maritime Leasing through an investment of up to $200 million. Costamare will also be appointing three additional members to the board of Neptune Leasing, including Vassilis Mantzavinos, an experienced shipping banker.
“We are very pleased that Costamare has selected Neptune Leasing as the vehicle for its investment in the sector,” Nikoletta Fouska, chief investment officer of the Latsco Family Office, said. “We have also committed to significantly increase our original investment in Neptune Leasing. Harris and the team have made excellent progress since Latsco FO anchored the platform in early 2021.”
“We are honored that yet another leading shipping investor has chosen to back our platform of leasing services to the maritime community,” Harris Antoniou, founder and CEO of Neptune Leasing, said. “Both our key investors share Neptune Leasing’s goal to build a high quality portfolio in shipping, diversify across various shipping sectors and pursue healthy returns at acceptable risk levels. The Neptune business model is not competitive but symbiotic to bank finance and we are pursuing cooperation with commercial lenders. Finally, I welcome Vassilis Mantzavinos as well as the other new members to the board of directors.”
“Maritime leasing has attractive income-generating capacity, downside protection, and limited correlation with other investment products,” Gabriella Kindert, non-executive director & board chair of Neptune Leasing, said. “Given the large fragmented market and the growing demand for credit, maritime leasing offers an opportune entry point for investors. The support Neptune Leasing enjoys from two leading strategic investors with interests in shipping enables the Company to pursue its mission and growth objectives. I welcome the new experienced Costamare representatives on the board of directors.”
