HCI Capital to change name to Ernst Russ

Hamburg-based investment firm HCI Capital voted this week to change its name to Ernst Russ.    The shareholders of Hamburg-based HCI Capital voted this week to change the company’s name to Ernst Russ.
   The name-change is part of a “corporate strategy to strengthen the maritime services segment and position the company as an asset and investment manager with a maritime focus,” the company said.
   “Ernst Russ has been in existence for more than 120 years; it is one of the oldest shipping companies in Hamburg and one of the best known internationally,” HCI Capital CEO Jens Mahnke said in a statement. “It is in this spirit that we intend to adopt and perpetuate its name.”
   HCI Capital acquired Ernst Russ in April. In May, it took ownership of 13 containerships from HSH Nordbank. The ships range in size from 800 TEUs to 1,800 TEUs, and have an average age of 10 years old.
   HCI Group now manages a fleet of about 50 containerships, tankers and bulkers directly, and has 180 vessels in ship funds serviced by other partners and also manages other assets in the property, renewable energy and private equity sectors.