Exclusive Interview

Following the Largest Ship Management Merger, OSM Thome Eyes Another Doubling

Over the past two years, the global ship management industry has experienced an unprecedented wave of mergers and consolidation, and OSM Thome has been actively engaged in this trend. As one of the world’s largest ship management company, OSM Thome has frequently hit the headlines — from completing a major merger between OSM and Thome, to establishing a regional office in Shanghai, and most recently, welcoming J.P. Morgan as a strategic shareholder.

In an exclusive interview with Xinde Marine News, OSM Thome CEO Finn Amund Norbye shared the company’s bold ambition to double its scale, detailing the strategy behind that vision and how the organization is positioning itself for long-term, global growth.

1

Ambitious Goal

Since taking the helm at OSM in 2019, Finn Amund has led the company through a period of intensive growth and strategic acquisitions, completing 8 mergers and acquisitions （M&A）in just 6 years. The most significant of these was the 2023 merger between OSM Maritime and Thome Group, which nearly doubled the company’s size and laid the foundation for a fully integrated global operation.

“The target when I started… was really to develop the world's largest ship management company. That was our ambition,” Norbye said.

He emphasized that successful integration, not just expansion, is key to sustainable growth. “When you do this type of merger, it’s critical that you do it correctly so that your customers are happy with the result. We focused on making sure our customers still speak to the same people, in order to maintain continuity,” he explained.

2

Three key Pillars

With nearly 1,000 vessels under management, OSM Thome today stands as one of the most globalized and diversified ship managers in the world. As Norbye points out that scale allows the company to specialize, innovate, and serve with consistency.

“Specialization is only possible when you reach a certain size,” he added.

“It’s what allows us to deliver both safe operations and solid quality for our clients.”

OSM Thome’s operations are structured around three core business parts:

Technical Management, delivered through hubs in Norway, Singapore, and Croatia; Crew Management, supported by a global network of recruitment offices in over 20 countries; and Marine Services, which cover logistics, catering, dry-docking, procurement, newbuilding supervision and medical support for seafarers.

These pillars provide the foundation for the company’s continued expansion and its ambition to double in scale.

3

Aiming to Double the Scale

Looking ahead, Finn Amund Norbye highlighted the entry of J.P. Morgan as a majority shareholder, a milestone he sees as both a recognition of the company’s progress and a strong commitment to its long-term growth.

“J.P. Morgan will be our major shareholder,” he said. “At the same time, the two founding shareholders will remain as shareholders and be represented on the board. That brings both continuity and strength.”

Looking forward, Finn Amund made the company’s ambition clear: “I don’t see any reason why we shouldn’t double the size that we have today, both in technical management as well as in crew management.”

He reaffirmed that growth remains a core priority: “Growth is important for any business.”

In parallel, OSM Thome is investing in digital tools and artificial intelligence, aiming to improve operational efficiency and enhance life at sea. “It’s very important for us to take the step into the future. One of the biggest opportunities is to make life on board easier,” he added.

4

A Top Priority for Future Development

Finn Amund also highlighted China as a top strategic priority. “Our shareholders are very pleased with our progress in China,” he said. “They fully support what we’re doing today and are committed to backing our long-term development here.”

He noted that many Chinese shipowners are shifting from a cost-first mindset to one focused on quality, safety, and reliability, values that align closely with OSM Thome’s approach. “China is a very important market for us” he said. “In the past, many Chinese clients focused on pricing. Now, more are willing to pay for professional, stable, and safe services.”

To support this shift, OSM Thome has opened a regional office in Shanghai and aims to gradually develop its presence in China, including recruitment of seafarers, training, and long-term career development for Chinese seafarers.

5

Securing Talent for a Changing Industry

Like much of the industry, OSM Thome is navigating a tightening global talent pool, a challenge worsened by COVID-19 and geopolitical tensions.

“During COVID, seafarers were treated poorly. They were amongst the last to get vaccines and had to stay onboard for extensive periods,” said Norbye. “Then came the war in Ukraine, which placed restrictions on Russian seafarers.”

To meet the challenge, OSM Thome has built a global crewing network spanning over 20 countries and directly employs most of its seafarers, offering health care, insurance, career development, and even onboard culinary training to support well-being at sea.

The company also promotes diversity and inclusion across both sea and shore. There are two vessels now managed by OSM Thome with over 60% female crew.

“Our ambition is also to have diversity in our top management” Norbye noted. “And across the next level of leadership, we have many talented female managers.”

“Female seafarers represents a huge opportunity,” he added. “Almost 50% of the population isn’t working on ships. But it can be done, if we support it systematically.”

6

Conclusion

“Whether it's mergers, digital transformation, or talent development — everything we do is ultimately about delivering safer, more efficient, and more sustainable services to our clients,” Norbye said.

As global shipping enters a new era of complexity and transition, OSM Thome is not just growing, it is evolving. From Singapore to Shanghai, and from shore-based systems to life at sea, the company is steadily reinforcing its position as a forward-looking leader in global ship management.

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