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About Us

Parent of Augustea group of companies, established in 1955 by Salvatore Cafiero in Naples, Italy, Augustea Holding SpA is the controlling shareholder of companies providing sea transportation and marine services, mainly operating in the following business segments:

dry bulk shipping
heavy lift and project management
ship management and crewing

Augustea also holds investments in primary companies operating in the same business.

Over the decades, and under the control of the Cafiero family, Augustea has grown to become a reputable player in the shipping industry, with the headquarters in Italy (Milan), and interests in operating companies in Malta, Greece, Argentina, Singapore, Philippines, Indonesia and UK.

Augustea at a Glance

as at 30th June 2025

Offices

176

Head Count

2595

Crew

166

Vessels Manned

Vessels Managed

Our Activities

Dry Bulk Shipping

Over it's long history Augustea operated a variety of dry and wet bulk vessels resulting in a diversified operational skill set. Today our interests in ocean going shipping are concentrated in dry bulk vessels operated by our subsidiary AOM complemented by our shareholdings in Star Bulk Carriers.

Heavy Lift and Project Management

Augustea Maritime Transportation, an Augustea subsidiary, is engaged with it's fleet and it's people in providing support to the Heavy Lift sector, logistic and transportation services on global scale.

Ship Management and Crewing

Augustea, through the subsidiary Iblea, provides technical, commercial and operating support focused on customer service, performance assessment, and budget monitoring. Through the associated Augustea Ship Manning Philippines supplies skilled crew, implementing evaluation and training programs, including a Cadetship Program.

Our Milestones

Since the inception, Augustea has achieved numerous milestones, reflecting it's strategic growth and operational developments in the maritime industry.

1955

Salvatore Cafiero establishes Augustea Imprese Marittime e di Salvataggi to provide towage services in the Sicilian port of Augusta (Italy)

1963

Augustea expands it's towage activities to other Sicilian ports and also starts operating a deep-sea cargo vessel fleet

1967

The long-term collaboration with Japanese shipyards and trading houses counterparts begins with the delivery of the dry cargo ship Saint Paul by Sumitomo Heavy Industries Uraga

1998

Augustea reinforces it's presence in London incorporating Augustea Shipping Services, active in chartering, insurance and post-fixing activities

2000

Augustea acquires Argentinean dry bulk operator Marifran Internacional from the Dreyfus Group

2003

The first Contract Of Affreightment is signed with Drummond Coal Sales Colombia for the transport of coal from Puerto Drummond (Colombia) to Mobile (US, Alabama)

2004

Augustea acquires Anchor Marine Transportation, UK’s largest operator of deep sea barges

2005

Augustea celebrates the first 50 years of activities

2007

The Group expands it's activities opening a new office in Singapore

2007

Augustea and Oceanbulk set up AOM (Augustea Oceanbulk Maritime), a joint venture to expand the dry cargo business

2007

The company Augustea Grancolombia SAS is incorporated to manage harbour towing operations in the port of Santa Marta (Colombia), primarily serving the local coal mines

2009

On 23 June 2009, the vessel AOM Milena built at Shin Kasado Dockyard, was delivered. She was the first out of 21 vessels, owned by the Nissen Kaiun Group, successfully contracted by Augustea since then

2011

The deep sea barges activity is relocated to Malta

2011

Augustea Bunge Maritime Ltd (ABML) is established with Bunge, a leading global agri trader listed on NYSE

2013

ABML sets up ABY, a joint venture with the private equity firm York Capital Management

2014

ABY, Oceanbulk Maritime and Oaktree Capital acquire the dry cargo division of Deiulemar Shipping Spa

2014

Augustea acquires a minority interest in the Pilipino company Augustea Ship Manning Philippines Inc., providing crew management and training to several kinds of ships (dry and liquid cargo, tugs, ferries, transhipments)

2016

Augustea Holding Spa and Rimorchiatori Riuniti Spa finalise a deal to sell the whole harbour towage division to the Genoese Group

2018

The investments held in Maltese companies owning 16 bulk carrier ships is sold in exchange for shares to Star Bulk Carriers Corp., a company listed on the NASDAQ exchange in New York

2018

A new technical management company is incorporated to provide technical services on the dry bulk shipping market

2021

Through the company Iblea Ship Management Ltd, a new office is opened in Athens to strengthen and improve the provision of technical services

2021

The tug Carlo Magno, with a bollard pull of 153 tonnes, proves decisive in re-opening the Suez Canal, which had been blocked by the container ship Ever Given.

2023

Augustea joins local partners to found PT Augustea Intcrews Indonesia, an Indonesian joint venture specialised in crew management services, from recruiting and training Indonesian seafarers to managing payroll and compliance