Clyde & Co has advised on the largest ever merger of independent, third party ship management companies; advising Anglo-Eastern Ship Management Group on its global merger with Univan Ship Management Group.

The merged entity is to be known as the Anglo-Eastern Univan Group. With Anglo-Eastern having already placed in the top three global ship management companies, the merger has created an industry leader with over 1,700 shore-based staff, 24,000 seafarers, 600 ships under full management, and 100 ships under crew management only.

Clyde & Co's corporate and commercial team in Hong Kong led the transaction, with support from offices in other key jurisdictions, including Singapore and India. Clyde & Co has one of the world's foremost marine sector legal practices, with a network of 39 offices in key trading hubs across 6 continents.

The transaction was headed by corporate counsel Kevin Martin and shipping and finance partner Conor Warde out of Hong Kong, supported by partner Ian Stewart and legal director Thomas Choo in Singapore. In India the transaction was headed by partner Vineet Aneja, of Clyde & Co's associated firm in India, Clasis Law.

    Martin said:  "It was a pleasure assisting long standing client Anglo-Eastern on this significant and strategic industry development", while Warde concluded  "We were privileged to be a part of this transformative merger and firmly believe that the Anglo-Eastern Univan Group will be a leading force in the market for many years to come."