Shipping Finance Advisory
Independent financial advisory for vessel acquisition, fleet expansion, and portfolio optimization. We advise. We do not lend.
Navigate Maritime Finance with Confidence
Shipping is one of the most capital-intensive industries on earth. A single vessel acquisition can involve tens of millions of dollars, complex banking syndicates, and multi-year repayment structures that must withstand volatile market cycles.
Optima's shipping finance desk provides independent advisory services to shipowners, operators, and investors seeking to raise capital, refinance existing debt, or restructure their fleet portfolios. We work alongside your existing banking relationships -- or help you build new ones.
We are not a bank. We are not a lender. We are your advisor. That independence means our recommendations are driven entirely by your commercial interests, not by any obligation to place capital or generate lending fees.
From pre-acquisition structuring to post-delivery refinancing, we guide you through every phase of the maritime finance lifecycle.
Finance arranged by people who answer.
Key Capabilities
DEBT STRUCTURING
We structure financing packages that match your cash flow profile, charter employment, and risk tolerance. Fixed, floating, balloon -- optimized for your specific requirements.
BANK SOURCING
We maintain active relationships with over 40 shipping banks and financial institutions worldwide. We match your financing need with the right institution based on appetite, terms, and relationship history.
REFINANCING & RESTRUCTURING
Markets shift. So should your debt profile. We advise on refinancing strategies that reduce cost of capital, extend tenors, and free working capital.
PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT
For multi-vessel operators and investors, we provide ongoing portfolio advisory services: fleet-level risk analysis, capital allocation optimization, and strategic disposal or acquisition planning.
SALE-LEASEBACK
Unlock equity in your existing fleet through sale-leaseback arrangements. We negotiate terms, structure agreements, and ensure you retain operational control.
CREDIT & RISK ASSESSMENT
Before approaching any bank, we help you understand how your credit profile will be assessed. We prepare credit packages, financial models, and risk presentations that give lenders confidence.
Bank-ready structures, advisor-grade discipline.
Four decades of financings, run out of a single city.
The mandate ends with a single stroke.
Decisions held long after the chairs go quiet.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are you a bank or a lender?
No. Optima Shipping Services is an independent financial advisor. We do not provide capital directly. We advise shipowners and operators on financing strategy, prepare credit packages, source bank facilities, and manage the financing process from term sheet to drawdown. Our independence means our advice is free from any obligation to place capital.
What size transactions do you advise on?
We advise on individual vessel acquisitions, multi-vessel fleet facilities, and portfolio-level restructuring. Transaction sizes typically range from $10 million for single vessel facilities to several hundred million for fleet or corporate-level financing. There is no minimum engagement size.
Do you work with our existing banking relationships?
Absolutely. We can work alongside your existing bank relationships to optimize terms, or we can introduce new banking partners where additional capacity or competitive tension would benefit the transaction. Many clients engage us specifically to bring in banks they do not have direct access to.
How do you charge for finance advisory services?
Our fee structure depends on the scope and complexity of the engagement. We are transparent about our compensation from the outset. Contact us for a confidential discussion about your specific requirements.
What documentation do you need to start the process?
At a minimum, we need the vessel specifications (or newbuilding contract details), your latest financial statements, a summary of existing fleet and debt positions, and an outline of your financing objectives. We will guide you through the full documentation requirements during our initial consultation.
Ready to Discuss Your Financing Needs?
Whether you are acquiring a single vessel or refinancing an entire fleet, our independent advisory team is ready to help.
Schedule a Consultation