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 31 investment offers. The total investment volume amounts to around € 583 million. In 2008, we focused our activities on river cruises. In this segment, we have financed and managed 16 cruise ships with an investment volume of almost € 245 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, he successfully completed an apprenticeship to become a shipping merchant. During and following his subsequent studies at the University of Hamburg, where he earned a Diploma in business management, he was employed from 1990 to 1993 at what was at that time one of the leading initiators. In mid-1993, he took over the role of a Sales Manager at a large issuing house in Hamburg, where he subsequently also held the role of a Managing Partner from 1996 until selling his shares at the beginning of 2003. PCE entered the market with the first single and private placements in 2004.

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 banker in a private bank in Hamburg. As an authorized signatory and head of the fiduciary department, which he played a major role in establishing, he was responsible for the full range of investor services. In January 2015, Holger Ebsen was additionally appointed managing director of PCE Fondsmanagement GmbH, which has been merged with PCE Treuhand in the meantime. It provides services in the field of property management and with regard to the preparation of business management basics for the river vessels. In addition, it acts as managing limited partner in the investment 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!