Norway’s Eitzen Group has strengthened its long-standing ties with Japanese shipping interests after Shoei Kisen took a minority stake in Eitzen Avanti. Eitzen Avanti, which oversees a group of shipping businesses including chemical and gas carrier operator Christiania Shipping, said Shoei Kisen has acquired a 4.7% equity stake through the issuance of new shares. The investment marks a strategic partnership between the two companies. Shoei Kisen is part of the Imabari Shipbuilding Group and is controlled by the Higaki family. The Japanese owner and leasing company operates a diversified fleet of more than 100 vessels across bulk, container, LNG, tanker and car carrier segments. The Eitzen family’s relationship with Japanese shipowners and financiers dates back several decades, with the first cooperation between Eitzen and Shoei Kisen established in 1986. Both parties said the investment also opens the door to closer collaboration between the next generation of the Eitzen and Higaki families. Eitzen Avanti said the partnership will support ongoing fleet renewal at Christiania Shipping and help drive long-term growth through closer strategic alignment, sharing of technical and commercial expertise, and the development of new business opportunities and vessel types. The move is also expected to strengthen ties with charterers, particularly in Japan. Christiania Shipping operates a diversified fleet of gas and chemical carriers through its subsidiaries Christiania Chemical, Christiania Gas and Christiania Energy. Following recent expansion, the company controls and operates around 50 vessels, including 29 chemical tankers and 18 LPG carriers, with three newbuildings on order. The company maintains offices in Oslo, Copenhagen, Rotterdam, Marbella and Golfe-Juan and remains majority owned by the Eitzen family. It forms part of the Oslo-based Eitzen Group, whose maritime roots date back to 1883. googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1_95_0_1_2'); }); TagsDenmark Japan Norway