In March 2003, CBPE invested £20 million in the management buy-out of V.Ships, the world’s leading provider of management services to the shipping industry. It provides full operational management to a fleet of 600-plus vessels, handling operating costs (crewing and technical), regulatory compliance and personnel functions. The business has offices in over 40 countries and offers its clients a complete outsourced management service. The group has grown strongly through both investing in market-leading management systems to attain high service standards and through acquisition, most recently with the purchase of Acomarit in 2001.