The PCE Group

PCE is a project developer, initiator & asset manager based in Hamburg and Basel. We have many years of experience in river cruising and merchant shipping. We are a private, independent company with flat hierarchies and short decision-making processes. Always flexible to the wishes and ideas of our customers is our ultimate goal. Our clients are private and institutional investors, as well as e.g. the tourism industry and shipping companies. We work in partnership with experienced shipyards, banks, ship managers and interior designers.

As PCE group, we have been handling the identification of suitable investment opportunities, the selection of shipyards and the ordering of newbuildings as well as the procurement of suitable debt financing and equity capital by private or institutional investors since 2004. Our range of services also includes the management of the investment throughout its entire term, including the sale of the ships. In doing so, we develop suitable concepts for different investor groups. We have launched public funds, private placements and customized projects for individual investments.

Since our foundation, we have designed and realized 33 investment offers. The total investment volume amounts to around € 637 million. In 2008, we focused our activities on river cruises. In this segment, we have financed and managed 18 cruise ships with an investment volume more than € 300 million for leading tourism companies from all over the world.

Within the group of companies, PCE Suisse GmbH, based in Basel, manages the Swiss shipping companies and their investors.

 

Sitz der PCE am Ballindamm 8, Hamburg

Experienced management

Kai-Michael Pappert

Kai-Michael Pappert is the founder and sole shareholder of PCE. Born in Hamburg in 1966, who is a trained shipping merchant and holds a degree in business administration. He has been responsible for the "Real Assets" division since 1993. In 2004, he founded PCE, with wich he enterd the market in the same year. He is reponsible for the coporate developmend and investor acquisition.

Holger Ebsen

Before joining PCE Asset Management GmbH (formerly PCE Treuhand) as Managing Director in June 2008, Holger Ebsen worked for many years as a banking specialist at a private bank in Hamburg. He was an authorised signatory and head of the trust department. As Managing Director of PCE Asset Management, he is responsible for property management and investor support for the river ships. Holger Ebsen is also a managing director and board member of various investment companies.

Holger Ebsen

Marco van Ingen has over 20 years of experience in many areas of river cruise shipping with several well-known companies. As Managing Director of PCE Suisse, he is responsible for charter contracts for PCE's cruise fleet and is in charge of operations for the travelling fleet and newbuilds. He is also a member of the Board of Directors of several Swiss river cruise ship companies.


what can we do for you?

Expanding your fleet. Preserving your equity.

We give you the chance to realise bespoke river and boutique cruise ships in accordance with your precise requirements at renowned shipyards and in cooperation with experienced interior architects and to expand your fleet in a manner which preserves your equity at the same time. Instead of assuming ownership of the ships and tying up considerable equity for a long period of time, you can simply pay the charter rates from the generated liquidity in the scope of a bareboat charter. This is also possible for river cruisers already in operation. We are independent and see ourselves as a service provider for international tour operators engaged in the cruise segment.


As an private and independent company with flat hierarchies and short decision pathways, we arein a position to react flexibly to your wishes and requirements at all times. To this end, we maintain close partnerships with experienced shipyards, interior architects,ship managers, banks and investors. Utilise our expertise and network to your advantage in order to expand your business in the river cruise market with a growing fleet.

Invest with us in a long-term partnership

We are your reliable partner for personalised and bespoke investments for river and boutique cruise ships:

  • Project development and realisation of new buildings
  • Realisation of solutions similar to sale-and-leaseback transactions
  • Business development and expansion
  • Ship and fleet sales (e.g., for succession plan)

Do you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact us. Are you planning a project? Then we look forward to getting to know you!