Smart-Holding industrial and investment group and Restis Group, one of the largest shipping companies in Greece, have signed a memorandum of cooperation in shipbuilding area.
The respective document was signed by the representatives of the two organisations on November 29, 2017.
As part of the document, the parties have agreed to explore the possibility to build a series of bulk cargo ships, ocean-going class, using production capacities of Smart Maritime Group (SMG), the shipbuilding business of Smart-Holding. The bulk carriers will be designed for transportation of general bulk cargoes. The end customer, Restis Group, and the contractor, SMG, have been tasked to determine the technical feasibility for implementation of the project at the Ukrainian shipyards, as well as to explore the possibility to raise financing for implementation of the project.
‘The European market always remained of strategic importance for us. Fulfilment of the contract of this scale will enable us to draw our European partners’ attention to ourselves again. Unfortunately, Ukraine continues to be a high-risk area for them to place their orders. We hope that this will become an impetus to reviving interest to the entire Ukrainian machine-building segment,’ said Alexey Pertin, CEO of Smart-Holding.
‘Our specialists have made a preliminary assessment of the possibilities and the potential of SMG shipyards and their first impressions are positive. They are in no way inferior to European shipyards, and in some respect even surpass them. The final decision will be made after a deeper scrutiny of the subject, but we hope for a mutually beneficial cooperation,’ said Viktor Restis, the owner of Restis Group.
REFERENCE
Smart-Holding is one of the largest investment groups in Ukraine specializing in key industries including mining and metallurgy, oil and gas, shipbuilding, agriculture and real estate. The company participates in projects as a strategic or portfolio investor.
Smart Maritime Group (SMG) is Ukraine’s largest shipbuilding holding company combining two shipyards: Chernomorsky and Kherson shipyards.
Restis Group includes one of the largest shipping companies in Greece with significant activity also in the finance, investment, media and real estate sectors.