V.Ships
V.Ships, a subsidiary of V.Group, is the world's largest independent ship management and crew management provider, serving approximately 1,000 vessels across cargo, leisure, and offshore sectors via 60 offices and a network of 44,000+ seafarers.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1984
- HeadquartersShanghai, China
- Headcount5,001–10,000
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What V.Ships does
V.Ships operates as a core operating subsidiary of V.Group (the trading name of Vouvray Acquisition Limited, registered in the UK), and is described as the world's largest provider of independent ship management and related marine services. Founded in 1984, the company delivers crew management and technical ship management to vessel owners and operators worldwide, organised into three primary business units: V.Ships Cargo (bulk carriers, VLOCs, self-unloaders), V.Ships Leisure (cruise, ferry, mega yachts across 30 countries), and V.Ships Offshore (FPSOs, seismic vessels, cable layers, diving support/subsea units, and renewable energy).
The company's technology and capability stack centres on crew management systems for recruitment, deployment, and compliance assessment; maritime training simulators used for Crew Resource Management, Bridge Team, and Engine Resource Management courses; and the SeaTec On Board Trainer platform supported by Marine Training Superintendents. Training is delivered by 33 trainers across 15 global training centres, with 10,000 compliant mobilisations per year and a seafarer network exceeding 44,000.
V.Ships monetises through managed-services contracts with vessel owners and operators, charging quote-based fees for crew supply, mobilisation, compliance management, and full technical vessel management. Go-to-market is direct B2B enterprise engagement, supported by dedicated relationship managers and 60 regional crew management offices. The customer base spans approximately 1,000 vessels globally, and the March 2026 MOL partnership added LNG carrier technical management as a new growth vertical alongside the existing cargo, leisure, and offshore segments.
V.Ships firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- V.Ships
- Legal name
- Vouvray Acquisition Limited
- Website
- https://vcrew.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1984
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 5,001–10,000 employees
- Short description
- V.Ships, a subsidiary of V.Group, is the world's largest independent ship management and crew management provider, serving approximately 1,000 vessels across cargo, leisure, and offshore sectors via 60 offices and a network of 44,000+ seafarers.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
V.Ships industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Ship Management and Marine Services
- NAICS
- Support Activities for Water Transportation (4883)
- SIC
- Water Transportation (4400)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Vessel Husbandry & Crew Services (Crew Change, Meet & Assist, Transport, Shore Passes) (TLAHAJAB)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Marine Engineering & Engine Room Operations (EDAOANAB)
Keywords
Where V.Ships is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Shanghai
- HQ country
- China
- HQ region
- Asia
Offices1 record
Markets served
V.Ships business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Crew Management Services: Recruitment, deployment and management of seafarers for vessel owners and operators across cargo, leisure, and offshore maritime sectors. Services include crew supply, mobilization, and compliance management.
- Technical Ship Management: Full technical management of vessels including LNG carriers, bulk carriers, and offshore vessels. V.Ships provides operational excellence, safety compliance, and maintenance services.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels6 records
V.Ships product offering
Product offeringCore offering
V.Ships provides independent ship management and marine services to the global shipping industry, specializing in crew management (recruitment, deployment, and management of over 44,000 seafarers) and technical ship management (full operational, safety, and maintenance management of vessels) across cargo, leisure, and offshore sectors. The company also delivers pre-joining and continuous maritime training through 15 global training centres and onboard trainers.
Product overview
V.Ships operates as part of V.Group, a maritime services group offering a unified crew management platform called V.Crew that provides recruitment, deployment, and management of seafarers across all maritime sectors. The platform is organized into sector-specific modules: V.Ships Cargo handles bulk carrier crew management for VLOCs and self-unloaders; V.Ships Leisure manages crew for cruise, ferry and mega yacht industries supporting 100+ vessels; V.Ships Offshore provides specialist crew for FPSOs, seismic vessels and renewable energy; V.Ships Shore offers shore-based career opportunities across 25+ countries; and V.Ships Training delivers pre-joining training through 15 global training centers with advanced simulators. Together these modules cover over 44,000 seafarers across 60 regional offices supplying crew to approximately 1,000 vessels globally.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- V.Crew: Global crew management solutions covering recruitment, deployment and management of over 44,000 seafarers and offshore colleagues across cargo-carrying, specialist offshore and leisure vessels.
- V.Ships France
Products and services
- V.Crew Comprehensive crew management platform providing recruitment, deployment, and management of seafarers across all maritime sectors. Covers over 44,000 seafarers and offshore colleagues through 60 regional crew management offices worldwide, supplying crew services to a fleet of around 1,000 vessels globally. Targeted at vessel owners and operators across cargo, leisure, and offshore segments.
- V.Ships Cargo Crew management and technical ship management services for bulk-carrying vessels, including self-unloaders and Very Large Ore Carriers (VLOCs). Offers global crew management solutions to reduce operating costs for ship owners and operators of bulk carriers. Part of the largest international bulker ship management company within V.Group.
- V.Ships Leisure Crew management services for the cruise, ferry, and mega yacht industries. Supports over 100 vessels globally across 30 countries with 35 recruitment and training centres, managing a network of 10,000+ leisure-specific crew—the largest independent crew network in the leisure industry. Caters for all hospitality-related personnel, from executives to service and technical staff.
- V.Ships Offshore Crew management and vessel operations services for the offshore and renewable energy sector. Manages over 100 vessels including FPSOs, seismic vessels, cable layers, and diving support/subsea units, with 4,000+ offshore specialist crew and 10,000 compliant mobilisations annually. Addresses fixed cost release, competitive pricing, increased vessel use, and exceptional safety record.
- V.Ships Training Maritime training services delivered through 33 trainers in 15 global training centres and afloat by Marine Training Superintendents and SeaTec On Board Trainers. Provides pre-joining mandatory and value-added training, including advanced simulators for Crew Resource Management, Bridge Team, and Engine Resource Management courses.
Quantifiable outcome
- Over 44,000 seafarers available through extended network
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use V.Ships
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
V.Ships technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
V.Ships partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL)coreV.Group subsidiary V.Ships will take full technical management of two of Mitsui O.S.K. Lines' next-generation newbuild LNG carriers. MOL will acquire a 25% stake in V.Ships France through its subsidiary MOL Euro Energie SAS, with V.Ships retaining the remaining 75%. The deal deepens an existing operational relationship and positions both companies to expand collaboration in the growing LNG shipping sector.
Scale indicators12 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights5 records
V.Ships competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Anglo-Eastern Ship Management: One of the world's largest independent ship managers, providing crew and technical management to a large fleet of cargo and offshore vessels. Directly comparable to V.Ships in scale, service mix, and global crewing model.
- Thome Group: Independent ship management company offering full technical management, crewing, and offshore services. Direct peer across cargo, offshore, and complex vessel management.
- Wallem Group: Hong Kong-headquartered ship management and services firm with global ship management and crewing operations. Competes with V.Ships in technical management and crew supply across Asia and globally.
- Bernhard Schulte Shipmanagement (BSM): Major independent third-party ship manager with a large global crew pool and full technical management services. Competes head-to-head with V.Ships across cargo, container, and offshore segments.
- Marlow Navigation: Cyprus-based independent ship manager and crew provider with global reach. Closely comparable to V.Ships in crew management, recruitment, and technical ship management services.
- Columbia Shipmanagement: Independent ship manager offering crew management, technical management, and training services globally. Competes directly with V.Ships in crew supply and vessel management.
- Wilhelmsen Ship Management: Provides technical management, crewing, and maritime services globally, backed by the Wilhelmsen group. Direct competitor in third-party ship management, particularly for complex vessel types.
- OSM Maritime Group: Norwegian ship and crew management group operating across offshore and shipping segments. Direct competitor, particularly in offshore crew management and technical operations.
- Synergy Marine Group: Singapore-headquartered ship management company providing crew and technical management across a diversified fleet. Direct peer to V.Ships in service scope and customer base.
- Fleet Management Limited (FML): Hong Kong-based independent ship manager with a large crew network and full technical management services. Closely comparable in service offering and geographic footprint to V.Ships, especially in Asia.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
V.Ships social profiles
Digital presenceV.Ships financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
V.Ships leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
V.Ships subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries4 records
V.Ships funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors1 record
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
V.Ships M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about V.Ships
What does V.Ships do?
V.Ships provides independent ship management and marine services to the global shipping industry, specializing in crew management (recruitment, deployment, and management of over 44,000 seafarers) and technical ship management (full operational, safety, and maintenance management of vessels) across cargo, leisure, and offshore sectors. The company also delivers pre-joining and continuous maritime training through 15 global training centres and onboard trainers.
Is V.Ships a public or private company?
V.Ships is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was V.Ships founded?
V.Ships was founded in 1984. It employs 5,001 to 10,000 people.
Where is V.Ships based?
V.Ships is headquartered in Shanghai, China, in the Asia region.
How does V.Ships make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Crew Management Services are the primary driver. The others are technical Ship Management.
Who are V.Ships's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Anglo-Eastern Ship Management, Thome Group, Wallem Group, Bernhard Schulte Shipmanagement (BSM), Marlow Navigation, Columbia Shipmanagement, Wilhelmsen Ship Management, OSM Maritime Group, Synergy Marine Group and Fleet Management Limited (FML).
Does V.Ships have an API?
No public API is recorded for V.Ships.
What industry is V.Ships in?
V.Ships's product category is Ship Management and Marine Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is TLAHAJAB, Vessel Husbandry & Crew Services (Crew Change, Meet & Assist, Transport, Shore Passes), with a secondary code of EDAOANAB, Marine Engineering & Engine Room Operations. Its NAICS code is 4883 and its SIC code is 4400.