V.Group

In 1984, the Vlasov family, a name with a long history in ship ownership, made a strategic move. Led by Boris Vlasov, they spun out their vessel management operations from their main shipping empire, establishing a new, independent entity in Monaco called V.Group. The idea was simple: instead of just owning ships, they would specialize in managing fleets for other owners, handling the complex operational, technical, and crewing challenges of the maritime industry. The business model was built on the growing trend of outsourcing. As global shipping faced increasing regulations and complexity, ship owners sought reliable partners to manage their assets. V.Group, as an independent manager rather than a direct competitor, was perfectly positioned. The company grew steadily, building a reputation for managing everything from tankers to cruise ships. The company's trajectory entered a new phase in the 2000s, becoming a sought-after asset for private equity. It was acquired by Exponent in 2007, then sold to OMERS Private Equity in 2011. In 2016, another major transaction occurred when Advent International acquired a majority stake. Each change in ownership brought new capital and a continued focus on expansion and acquisition. This journey culminated in a new chapter in mid-2024, when it was announced that a consortium led by STAR Capital would acquire V.Group from Advent International. This string of acquisitions by sophisticated financial sponsors highlights the power of V.Group's playbook: creating a scalable, mission-critical service layer for one of the world's oldest industries.