Strategic Partnerships & Joint Ventures.
Identifying synergies and structuring joint ventures that align investor-client participation with long-term operational value.
Debt & Equity Shipping Finance.
A trusted intermediary supporting clients across the full maritime financing process.
What we do.
Debt & Equity Solutions Across Global Shipping Markets
Optima acts as a trusted intermediary across shipping finance, supporting clients through vessel acquisitions, refinancing, fleet renewal, portfolio expansion, and capital raising. Through an established international network across 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 commercially and independently, with financing proposals structured around the client's operational profile, investment strategy, and long-term objectives while protecting the client's interests throughout the process.
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.
Bespoke Facility Structuring.
Financing structures tailored around vessel profile, charter employment, cash flow dynamics, investment horizon, and growth strategy.
Global Financial Network.
Access to an established international network of banks, leasing houses, credit funds, and alternative capital providers built on long-standing relationships.
Strategic Financial Guidance.
Commercial financing support for acquisitions, refinancing, fleet renewal, and expansion strategies through volatile shipping and credit market cycles.
Diversified Capital Access.
Debt, equity, leasing, institutional investment, private capital, and hybrid financing structures across multiple jurisdictions.
Financing Brokerage & Execution.
End-to-end execution and coordination of maritime financing transactions across debt, equity, leasing, sale & leaseback, and structured finance options.
Our Approach
- 01 · Strategic Review Initial assessment of business and financing objectives, including evaluation of project structure, asset profile, and available funding alternatives.
- 02 · Facility Structuring Development of a financing structure aligned with the client's needs, market conditions, commercial priorities, capital objectives, and long-term strategy.
- 03 · Capital Sourcing Engagement with suitable banks, leasing houses, funds, and financial counterparties across global shipping finance markets.
- 04 · Negotiation & Execution Coordination of negotiations, term sheet alignment, documentation process, and transaction execution through closing.
- 05 · Long-term Support Ongoing support following transaction completion, including refinancing 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
Our network spans the principal shipping finance centres across Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and the United States, built through longstanding market presence, transaction execution, and direct industry engagement.
We approach each financing requirement by identifying the counterparties best aligned with the client's asset profile, commercial objectives, jurisdiction, and funding strategy.
- European Shipping Banks Commercial lenders and maritime finance institutions across Athens, Hamburg, Oslo, London, and wider European markets.
- Asian Leasing & Capital Markets Chinese leasing houses, regional banks, and structured finance providers across Shanghai, Singapore, Taipei, Hong Kong, and Tokyo.
- Middle East & Gulf Capital Local banks, financial institutions, and investment groups active in maritime lending and strategic shipping investment.
- Development Finance Development-backed financing structures supporting shipbuilding and maritime infrastructure projects.
- Private Capital & Alternative Finance Private equity, private credit, and alternative investment structures supporting strategic maritime acquisitions and growth initiatives.
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 details or newbuilding contract, and a clear outline of financing objectives are sufficient to begin preliminary assessment.