Investment Articles
KKCG Maritime, the ambitious maritime offshoot of Prague-based conglomerate KKCG, has gone all in on its quest for a near-blocking stake in the Italian luxury yacht maker, Ferretti. This savvy move comes as Ferretti finds itself mired in an increasingly complex and politically charged shareholder landscape. Ferretti’s entanglement in the broader scrutiny of Chinese strategic ownership in Italy following recent allegations of espionage ramps up the stakes even further.
Strategically, KKCG Maritime aims to snap up to 52.1 million shares, roughly 15.4 percent of Ferretti’s total share capital. This tactical manoeuvre would nudge KKCG Maritime’s stake from a healthy 14.5 percent to a commanding 29.9 percent, offering the company greater influence in the boardroom, all for a tidy sum of roughly €182.5 million. It’s a high-risk bet that could pay off handsomely.
In a significant development in the superyacht services sector, private equity investor Ancient has stepped into the game with a financial infusion into industry leader, Burgess. This move showcases investor interest in the largest full-service brokerage groups within the industry, and marks a potential upward trend towards a more corporation-led sector.
Founded by Alexander Klabin, Ancient’s investment in Burgess, whose scope of work spans brokerage, charter, build, management, crew services, and insurance, is designed to solidify Burgess’s expansion into responding to ever-evolving client needs. Demand in the superyacht industry has seen significant alterations, with trends in remote cruising, wellness and around-the-clock yacht usage skyrocketing, thereby increasing the need for integrated advisory and operational capabilities.