Union Maritime

What Union Maritime does

Union Maritime is a London-headquartered, privately-held shipowner and integrated marine logistics platform founded in 2006 by Laurent Cadji. The company owns, charters, and commercially manages a fleet of 113 vessels — 65 tankers (Intermediate to Aframax/LR2), 11 dry bulk carriers, and 3 offshore vessels — with 34 additional newbuilds under construction at yards in China. Its core customers are oil traders, charterers, and third-party fleet owners requiring transport of crude oil, chemicals, oil products, and clean petroleum products globally, with a particular concentration in West African trade lanes where the group leverages over 40 years of regional presence through partner Top Marine Services (TMS).

The business operates through four integrated service lines: Union Commercial Services (UCS), which provides 24/7 chartering and commercial management since its 2016 launch; in-house technical management backed by the Atlantas Group subsidiary for maintenance, compliance, and safety; Marine Services delivered via TMS for West African on-the-ground support; and HSEQ assurance functions. Revenue is generated through charter hire (transaction fees), recurring commercial/technical management contracts (managed services), and asset ownership economics — typical of B2B tanker operators. Notable technical differentiators include the adoption of BAR Technologies WindWings wind-assisted propulsion, Anemoi rotor sails on chemical tankers, and LNG dual-fuel propulsion systems designed to comply with IMO 2030 GHG reduction targets.

Commercially, the company pursues an enterprise GTM motion via direct B2B relationships managed through the UCS division, supplemented by exclusive agency partnerships in West Africa and a growing Atlantic corridor anchored by a 2025 Houston hub. The Cadji family retains leadership control; no institutional investor or parent is disclosed. The fleet is described as "one of the youngest on the water," and the company reports offices spanning three continents (UK, US, Greece, West Africa, India, Singapore, Japan) with 101–250 employees.

Name

Union Maritime

Legal name

Union Maritime

Website

https://unionmaritime.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2006

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Union Maritime is a London-based, privately-held shipowner and integrated marine logistics operator managing a fleet of 113 tankers, dry bulk, and offshore vessels, serving oil traders, charterers, and third-party fleet owners globally with a strong West African focus.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Tanker Shipping and Maritime Logistics Services

NAICS

Deep Sea Freight Transportation (483111), Support Activities for Water Transportation (4883), Ship Building and Repairing (336611)

SIC

Deep Sea Foreign Transportation Of Freight (4412), Water Transportation (4400), Ship & Boat Building & Repairing (3730), Arrangement Of Transportation Of Freight & Cargo (4731)

akta.pro primary industry

Liquid Bulk / Crude & Product Tanker Operators (VLCC/Suezmax/Aframax/MR) (TLADABAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Crude Oil & Petroleum Products Tanker Transport (TLADALAA), NVOCC Operations & Ocean Consolidation (TLACABAC), Commercial Ship Repair & Drydocking (TLAKAKAA)

Keywords

• Chemical tanker shipping
• Maritime logistics services
• Vessel fleet management
• Commercial ship management
• Marine transportation solutions

Headquarters

HQ city

London

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices10 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Commercial Fleet Management: Union Commercial Services (UCS) manages both owned fleet and third-party assets, providing chartering services in international and West African markets with 24/7 commercial operations support.
2. Technical Management Services: In-house technical management and oversight of select third-party managers, ensuring high-quality, cost-effective vessel operations with centralized governance and strategy control.
3. Vessel Chartering: Chartering services for owned and third-party vessels, transporting crude oil, chemicals, oil products, and clean petroleum products in major commercial areas worldwide.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

Union Maritime owns, operates, and charters a global fleet of 113 vessels (tankers, dry bulk, offshore) and provides fully integrated maritime logistics services across four pillars: Commercial Management through Union Commercial Services (UCS), Technical Management via in-house teams and the Atlantas Group subsidiary, Marine Services through strategic partnerships (notably Top Marine Services in West Africa), and HSEQ assurance, technical, and data services. The company transports crude oil, chemicals, oil products, and clean petroleum products worldwide, with a focus on modern, fuel-efficient tonnage and decarbonization.

Product overview

Union Maritime is a London-based tanker and bulk carrier owner/operator established in 2006, operating a fleet of 113 vessels (65 tankers, 11 dry bulk, 3 offshore, 34 new builds). The company offers fully integrated logistics services through its core divisions: Union Commercial Services (UCS) for commercial fleet management, Technical Management for vessel operations oversight, Atlantas Group for technical/ship management specializing in West Africa, Marine Services via Top Marine Services, and HSEQ services. The fleet transports crude oil, chemicals, and oil products worldwide, with operations supported by an ESG strategy including the Tetra Foundation charitable initiative.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Union Commercial Services (UCS) Commercial management division managing both Union Maritime's owned fleet and third-party owned assets, providing chartering services with expertise in international and West African markets and supported by an experienced 24/7 operations team. Targeted at oil traders, charterers, and third-party fleet owners seeking streamlined commercial operations.
• Technical Management Services Technical management and oversight combining in-house technical expertise with select third-party ship managers to deliver high-quality, cost-effective vessel operations with centralized governance and strategy control. Targeted at third-party vessel owners and Union Maritime's owned fleet.
• Atlantas Group Ship Management Wholly-owned subsidiary providing expert technical management, maintenance and repair services, compliance, and safety support with particular expertise operating in the West African region. Targeted at fleet owners needing regional technical management.
• Marine Services Specialized maritime services delivered through strategic partnerships, including Top Marine Services (TMS) as exclusive agent providing wide-ranging on-the-ground support and over 40 years of West African regional presence. Targeted at clients needing reliable local maritime support in West African markets.
• HSEQ Services Health, Safety, Security, and Environment assurance, technical, and data services ensuring compliance with applicable regulations and industry standards and implementing rigorous vessel inspection programs. Targeted at Union Maritime's managed fleet and clients requiring independent HSEQ auditing.
• Tanker Fleet Chartering Chartering of modern tankers ranging from Intermediate to Aframax/LR2 size, transporting crude oil, chemicals, oil products, and clean petroleum products in major commercial areas worldwide. Targeted at oil traders, oil majors, and product tanker charterers.
• Dry Bulk Fleet Chartering Chartering of 11 dry bulk carriers including Capesize, Newcastlemax, Kamsarmax, and Ultramax vessels. Targeted at dry bulk cargo customers globally.

Quantifiable outcome

• 20% GHG reduction target by 2030 vs 2008 levels
• +2 more outcomes

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• BAR TechnologiescoreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2026BAR Technologies provided WindWings wind propulsion systems for two MR2 tankers under construction at Wuhu Shipyard, China. Regulatory approval obtained from Marshall Islands Flag State Administration and Bureau Veritas for SOLAS equivalency proposals. Expected savings of 1.5 tonnes of fuel and over 4.7 tonnes of CO2 per wing per day.
• Xiamen Shipbuilding IndustrycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Xiamen Shipbuilding Industry commenced construction of second 113,600 DWT LNG dual-fuel tanker for Union Maritime in January 2026. Vessel measures approximately 249.9 meters in length and 44 meters in beam, designed by Shanghai Design and Research Institute of Shipbuilding (SDARI). As the largest vessel under construction in Fujian Province, the project highlights technical capabilities with 10 such tankers on order.
• Anemoi Marine TechnologiescoreTechnology or Integration · 1 December 2025UK-based Anemoi Marine Technologies contracted to install two composite rotor sails on two new-build 18,500-DWT chemical tankers for Union Maritime. Installation planned at Wuhu Shipyard Co in China for early 2026. Odely Marine in Shanghai conducted vessel and rotor sail integration design. Partnership designed to help Union Maritime exceed IMO 2030 decarbonization targets.
• Top Marine Services (TMS)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTop Marine Services is exclusive agent to Union Maritime providing wide-ranging on-the-ground support to fleet and local presence in West Africa. With over 40 years of presence in the region, TMS safeguards client interests through large local team supporting operations.
• Atlantas GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Atlantas Group was founded to enhance safety and quality standards across Union Maritime fleet by utilizing extensive infrastructure and resources. Offers comprehensive technical management, maintenance and repair services, compliance, and safety support with wide experience operating in West African region.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Stena Bulk: Stena Bulk operates a fleet of MR and LR2 product tankers and chemical tankers with an active decarbonization program. Its size, fleet mix, and green-tech focus closely mirror Union Maritime's product/chemical tanker strategy.
• Stolt-Nielsen: Stolt-Nielsen is the world's largest operator of chemical tankers and a major parcel tanker operator, overlapping directly with Union Maritime's chemical tanker newbuilds and West African/Atlantic chemical trade focus.
• d'Amico International Shipping: d'Amico operates a fleet of MR and LR1 product tankers with a strong focus on energy efficiency and ECO-design vessels. It competes with Union Maritime in international product tanker trades and offers a similar mid-sized, fleet-renewal-focused model.
• International Seaways: International Seaways owns and operates a diversified tanker fleet including VLCC, Suezmax, Aframax/LR2, and MR product tankers, with active fleet renewal. It is a relevant comparable across Union Maritime's product tanker and Aframax/LR2 newbuilds.
• Odfjell: Odfjell is a leading global chemical tanker operator with a strong focus on stainless-steel chemical tonnage. It is a direct peer in the chemical tanker niche where Union Maritime is investing with new 18,500-DWT chemical newbuilds.
• Scorpio Tankers: Scorpio Tankers is a pure-play product tanker owner with a fleet of MR and LR2 vessels. It overlaps directly with Union Maritime's product tanker focus and is a relevant comparable for fleet renewal economics and chartering strategy.
• Hafnia: Hafnia is one of the world's largest product and chemical tanker operators (pool and owned tonnage) with a modern fleet strategy. It directly competes with Union Maritime's MR/chemical tanker core, and its scale and decarbonization roadmap are a key benchmark.
• Torm: Torm is one of the largest product tanker operators globally, with a strong focus on MR vessels and emissions efficiency. Its fleet-renewal program and dual-fuel newbuilds are directly comparable to Union Maritime's product tanker and decarbonization strategy.

Broad incumbents

• Frontline: Frontline is one of the world's largest tanker operators, dominant in VLCC and Suezmax crude tankers. While focused on crude rather than products, it is a relevant broad incumbent setting charter rate benchmarks that directly influence Union Maritime's MR/LR2 economics.
• Bahri: Bahri is Saudi Arabia's national shipping carrier and a major global product and chemical tanker operator. It is a broad incumbent against which Union Maritime is hiring competitively (Steve Raterman ex-Bahri) and competes in Atlantic product tanker trades.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/union-maritime-ltd-

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Subsidiaries10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Union Maritime