Debt & equity solutions across global shipping markets.
Debt & equity solutions across global shipping markets.
Optima · Finance desk The meeting of hands
What we do.
Debt & Equity Solutions Across Global Shipping Markets
Optima supports clients across debt and equity shipping finance, advising on vessel acquisitions, refinancing, fleet renewal, portfolio expansion, and capital raising.
Through an international network spanning Europe, the United States, Asia, and the Middle East, we provide access to banks, leasing houses, credit funds, institutional investors, and alternative capital providers active in global shipping.
Every transaction is approached independently and structured around the client's operational profile, investment strategy, and long-term objectives.
Key Capabilities
We structure debt, we source banks, we refinance portfolios. Every mandate sits on the owner's side of the table, never the lender's.
Debt structuring, bespoke.
Bespoke financing solutions structured around vessel profile, charter employment, cash flow dynamics, investment horizon, and growth strategy.
Bank sourcing, 40+ relationships.
Access to banks, leasing houses, credit funds, export credit agencies, institutional investors, and alternative capital providers across global markets.
Refinancing and restructuring.
Advisory support across acquisitions, refinancing, fleet renewal, expansion strategies, joint ventures, and shared ownership structures.
Portfolio management, ongoing.
End-to-end management of financing transactions across debt, equity, leasing, sale & leaseback, and structured finance solutions.
Track Record
Major vessel segments All
- Bulker
- tanker
- container
- gas
- offshore
Our Approach
- 01 · Strategic Assessment Review of financing objectives, asset profile, transaction structure, and available funding options.
- 02 · Facility Structuring Development of financing solutions aligned with market conditions, commercial priorities, and long-term strategy.
- 03 · Capital Sourcing Engagement with banks, leasing houses, funds, and alternative capital providers across global shipping markets.
- 04 · Negotiation & Execution Coordination of commercial negotiations, documentation, and transaction execution through closing.
- 05 · Ongoing Advisory Continued support on refinancing, capital planning, and future financing opportunities.
Main Types of Financing
- Senior Term Loans First-priority mortgage financing structures secured against vessel assets and supported by additional security where required.
- Non-Recourse Financing Asset-backed financing solutions structured primarily around vessel value and projected cash flow performance.
- Sale & Leaseback Liquidity-focused structures allowing owners to monetise vessel value while retaining operational control through long-term lease arrangements.
- JOLCO Financing Japanese Operating Lease with Call Option structures combining Japanese equity participation with senior debt financing.
- Pre & Post-Delivery Finance Financing solutions supporting instalment obligations during construction and refinancing following vessel delivery.
Global Capital Relationships
Optima maintains established relationships across the international shipping finance market, connecting clients with banks, leasing houses, institutional investors, export credit agencies, and alternative capital providers active across the maritime sector.
The network spans the principal shipping finance centres in Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and the United States, developed through long-standing market involvement, financing mandates, and transaction execution across multiple market cycles.
- European Banking Markets Access to commercial lenders, maritime banks, and structured finance institutions active across the major European shipping centres, supporting both traditional and complex financing requirements.
- Asian Leasing & Structured Finance Relationships with Chinese leasing houses, regional financial institutions, and structured finance providers supporting vessel acquisitions, refinancing, and newbuilding programmemes throughout Asia.
- Middle East Capital Connections with regional banks, investment platforms, and strategic capital groups participating in maritime lending, asset investment, and fleet expansion opportunities.
- Export Credit & Alternative Capital Access to export credit agencies, private capital, private credit, and non-traditional financing structures supporting vessel investment, growth strategies, and specialised maritime transactions.
Questions we answer, on every finance consultation.
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01 Are you a bank or direct lender?
No. Optima acts independently on behalf of clients to source financing counterparties and coordinate the transaction process from review through drawdown.
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02 What size transactions do you advise on?
We support transactions across all vessel classes and financing sizes, from single-asset projects to larger fleet and portfolio structures.
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03 Do you work alongside existing banking relationships?
Yes. We regularly coordinate alongside existing lenders while also introducing additional financing counterparties where appropriate.
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04 How are advisory fees structured?
Fees depend on the scope and complexity of the transaction. Engagement terms are discussed transparently from the outset.
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05 What is required to begin the process?
Typically, company information, vessel particulars or newbuilding details, and a clear outline of financing objectives are sufficient to begin preliminary assessment.
Let's structure the facility.
Ready to Discuss Your Financing Needs?
For further information, please contact us at shipfinance@optimaships.com.