Bibby boosts maritime finance provision

’An experienced front and back-office team’ will help the company grow its support for the maritime sector, says BFS Marine Finance, which was only launched last year to provide specialist financing and support across a wide range of vessel types, including wind farm service vessels, general purpose workboats, passenger vessels and ferries, survey vessels, tugs and barges, coastal ships, charter boats and hire boat fleets.

The appointments include managing director Paul Ratcliffe, marine finance specialists Jason Crump and Ryan Baverstock, head of Sales Support Chantelle Bradwell and Sales Support specialists Debbie Weir, Colleen Dalais and April McGhee.

“Combined, we have more than 80 years’ experience within the marine finance sector, so we have the depth of experience and knowledge required to support new and existing customers to grow and thrive,” said Ratcliffe.

“BFS Marine Finance is an excellent example of how we are combining BFS’s financing specialism with the Bibby Line Group’s heritage to grow our support for businesses across all sectors of the economy,” said Derek Ryan, Managing Director for BFS UK. “Paul and the team are in a fantastic position to be able to support those businesses looking to refinance existing assets or expand their fleets.”

In June, BFS Marine Finance exhibited at the Seawork show in Southampton, where the team met with new and existing contacts (pictured).

“While global shipping costs have stabilised to some extent, they remain high, and we’re committed to helping maritime businesses to operate more efficiently and ultimately to grow,” said Ratcliffe. “Furthermore, with the recent publication of the Environmental Audit Committee’s report on Net zero and UK shipping – in line with Project Compass, our own group-wide promise to sustainability – we’re playing our part in the sector’s move towards the decarbonisation of assets.”