A global buyer and seller network.
Active relationships with owners, operators, and investors in 40+ countries. Direct access to both on- and off-market opportunities.
Advising on the fleets that move the world.
200+ transactions per year. Every vessel type. Every ocean. Independent advice backed by four decades of market intelligence.
Optima · Athens desk
01 / 03
The fleet at rest
Every segment of the merchant fleet, in every ocean.
The hour before money moves
Every vessel, walked. Every class record, read.
Closing the file
The last stroke of a deal, after everything else is certain.
What we do.
What We Do
Optima's Sale & Purchase desk connects vessel buyers and sellers across every major segment of the global merchant fleet. We handle competitive sales, private transactions, and auction advisory for bulk carriers, tankers, container ships, offshore support vessels, and gas carriers.
Our brokers operate from five offices spanning Athens, Istanbul, Dubai, Singapore, and Shanghai, providing continuous market coverage across every time zone. Each transaction is supported by real-time market intelligence drawn from our proprietary research desk.
As an independent shipbroker with no fleet ownership, our advice is free from conflicts of interest. We work exclusively in the interest of our clients, whether you are acquiring a single vessel or restructuring an entire fleet.
This is how deals close.
Three acts · Origin, Diligence, ClosureKey Capabilities
Six disciplines, one desk. Each capability is a mandate we've repeated across every major vessel segment, in every ocean, for four decades.
Independent advice, always.
No fleet ownership. No conflicts. Every recommendation serves the client's interest alone.
Pre-purchase inspection, end to end.
Coordination of physical inspections, class record reviews, and condition assessments before any purchase commitment.
Competitive and private sales.
Structured competitive bidding processes for maximum seller value. Discreet private sales when confidentiality is required.
Flag and classification advisory.
Guidance on optimal flag state registration and classification society selection for each vessel.
Live market intelligence.
Real-time pricing benchmarks from our in-house research desk. Comparable transaction analysis and fleet valuation reports on demand.
Track Record
200+ Transactions per year
$2B+ Aggregate deal value annually
40+ Years of S&P market presence
All Major vessel segments covered
How We Work
01 of 05
Brief and strategy.
We define your acquisition or disposal objectives, timeline, and target specifications.
02 of 05
Market search.
Our brokers canvass the global market. Buyers receive a curated shortlist. Sellers receive qualified buyer interest.
03 of 05
Due diligence.
Physical inspections, class record reviews, and condition assessments coordinated on your behalf.
04 of 05
Negotiation and terms.
We negotiate price, payment terms, and memorandum of agreement (MOA) drafting on your behalf.
05 of 05
Closing and delivery.
MOA execution, deposit handling, flag registration, and vessel delivery coordination at the agreed port and date.
Case study.
Optima's market knowledge and buyer network allowed us to close quickly and at a price that exceeded our internal benchmark.
- Vessel
- Kamsarmax Bulk Carrier
- Built
- 2015, Japan
- Transaction
- Private sale
- Our role
- Seller's broker
Sale completed within 45 days at above-market price.
Questions we answer, in every pitch.
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01 What types of vessels does Optima broker for sale and purchase?
We handle transactions across all major commercial vessel segments, including bulk carriers (handysize to capesize), crude and product tankers, container ships, offshore support vessels, gas carriers (LPG and LNG), and specialized tonnage. Our brokers have deep experience in each segment.
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02 How long does a typical vessel sale take?
Timelines vary depending on vessel type, market conditions, and transaction complexity. A straightforward private sale can close within 30 to 60 days. Competitive sales involving multiple bidders may take 60 to 90 days. We provide a realistic timeline during the initial briefing.
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03 What does "independent broker" mean and why does it matter?
Optima does not own or operate vessels. This means our advice is free from the conflicts that arise when a broker also has fleet interests. When we recommend a price, a buyer, or a vessel, that recommendation is based solely on what serves our client's objectives.
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04 Do you assist with vessel inspections before purchase?
Yes. We coordinate pre-purchase inspections including physical surveys, underwater inspections, class record reviews, and condition assessments. We work with reputable independent surveyors and provide our clients with a full report before they commit to a transaction.
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05 Can Optima handle fleet transactions, not just single vessels?
Absolutely. We regularly advise on portfolio acquisitions and disposals involving multiple vessels. Fleet transactions require additional coordination around pricing, sequencing, and delivery schedules, all of which our team manages end-to-end.
Let's start the file.
Ready to Buy or Sell?
Whether you are acquiring your next vessel or optimizing your fleet, our S&P desk is ready to move.