Bridgefort Maritime
Abu Dhabi Global Market · Isle of Man
Home About Strategies Team Contact
Container ships
Data centre
Real Estate
Abu Dhabi Global Market · Isle of Man

Alternative Investment Management Across Real Asset Classes

The most compelling opportunities in real assets require more than capital — they require deep sector expertise, long-standing relationships, and the discipline to act with conviction. Across maritime assets, digital infrastructure and real estate, we have built the platform to deliver all three.

03 / 03
100+
Years Combined Experience
10+
Years — Core Team Together
$200M
AUM Since Inception
$2BN+
AUA Since Inception
What We Do

Three Strategies,
One Disciplined Philosophy

Maritime
Maritime & Shipping
Equity & Structured Investment in Maritime Assets
Explore →
Digital Infrastructure
Digital Infrastructure
Asset-Backed Investment in Digital Infrastructure
Explore →
Real Estate
Real Estate — BFRE
Off‑Market Real Property Origination
Explore →
The Firm

Founded 2017.
Built on Conviction.

An independent, FSRA-regulated manager with over a decade of shared history across maritime assets, distressed debt, and structured finance. We work in close collaboration with sovereign wealth institutions, pension institutions, and family offices.

About the Firm Meet the Team
Bridgefort Maritime Limited · ADGM
Bridgefort Real Estate Ltd · Isle of Man
Team
The Firm

Independent. Regulated.
Built on Conviction.

Headquartered in Abu Dhabi Global Market, with presence in the Isle of Man. Regulated by the FSRA. Focused on illiquid real assets across maritime, digital infrastructure, and real estate.

Our Origin

From Private Equity to
Independent Manager

The founding team came together within a leading US private equity firm, building shared expertise across maritime investments, distressed debt, and structured finance over more than a decade.

In 2017, Bridgefort was established as an independent platform — today fully licensed by the FSRA of Abu Dhabi Global Market, focused on strategic investments in illiquid assets across shipping and digital infrastructure. Real estate activities are conducted separately through Bridgefort Real Estate Ltd, incorporated in the Isle of Man and managed from the UK.

2017
Firm established as a carve-out from a leading US private equity firm.
Core maritime team formed.
Incorporated in the Isle of Man.
2018
First advisory mandates executed.
$200m assets under management and $30m under advisory.
2019
$1.3bn non-performing loan advisory mandates.
$1.2bn performing loan advisory mandates.
2020
M&A advisory mandate in Italy and Cyprus.
Abu Dhabi office established.
Bridgefort Real Estate Ltd launched (Isle of Man).
2021
Three vessel investments under a warehouse structure.
Panamax and Feedermax containerships acquired.
Joint venture structured between an international investment platform and a leading ship management firm.
2022
Portfolio expansion.
Partial exits from 2021 investments.
2023
Technical advisory to a US-listed shipping company with a fleet of 64+ vessels.
Continued realisation of maritime asset investments.
2024
Digital Infrastructure strategy launched.
New Feedermax containership acquired under warehouse structure.
Strategic review of port investment opportunities in the UAE.
Exit from two investments.
2025
New Panamax containership investment.
Exit from an additional investment.
2026
Acquisition of a Post-Panamax dry bulk vessel, expanding Bridgefort's fleet into the dry bulk segment.
↕ drag to explore
Our Approach

Six Pillars of
Our Investment Framework

01
FSRA-Regulated Independence
Fully licensed by the Financial Services Regulatory Authority of Abu Dhabi Global Market — operating under institutional governance standards designed for sophisticated investors.
02
Illiquid Real Assets
Focused exclusively on illiquid real assets across maritime shipping, digital infrastructure, and real estate — asset classes where deep operational expertise drives returns.
03
Warehouse Structures
Proprietary asset warehousing capability enabling rapid deployment and flexible hold periods — a direct legacy of the team's private equity heritage in structuring complex transactions.
04
Operating Platforms
In-house vessel management through Bridgefort Maritime Services creates an integrated operating platform — reducing costs and enhancing asset-level control for investors.
05
Distressed Opportunities
Deep cycle experience across maritime, real estate, and infrastructure enables selective exposure to distressed and transitional assets, with a focus on asymmetric risk-return during cycle dislocations.
06
Institutional Collaboration
Working closely with sovereign wealth institutions, pension institutions, and family offices, including an active separately managed account mandate on behalf of a UAE-based institutional investor.
Regulatory Framework

Governed by the Highest
Institutional Standards

Bridgefort Maritime Limited
ADGM · Abu Dhabi, UAE
Regulated by the Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) of Abu Dhabi Global Market. Operates under the FSRA framework. The licence covers the following regulated activities:
Arranging Deals in Investments
Advising on Investments or Credit
FSRA Licensed
Bridgefort Maritime Services
Abu Dhabi Global Market · Consulting & Operations
Present in Abu Dhabi Global Market, BMS is the Group's in-house consulting and operational arm. A team of experts in consulting, operations, and business development delivering specialised insights and solutions — available both to the Group and for independent deployment. Provides proactive asset management and operational oversight, ensuring optimal portfolio performance.
Maritime & Shipping

Equity & Structured Investment
in Maritime Assets

Maritime & Shipping
Digital Infrastructure
Real Estate
Our Founding Vertical

Capturing yield and upside across the global maritime asset cycle

Maritime shipping is Bridgefort's founding vertical and the cornerstone of our investment platform. We deploy capital across the full shipping capital structure — from direct vessel ownership and equity-led acquisitions to mezzanine financing, sale & leaseback structures, and distressed opportunities.

Our edge lies in full-cycle operational control: from origination and structuring through to active asset management and disposal, supported by in-house vessel management through Bridgefort Maritime Services.

ASSET FOCUS
Maritime Transportation Assets
VESSEL TYPE
Second-Hand Ocean-Going Vessels
INSTRUMENTS
Equity · Mezzanine · Sale & Leaseback · Distressed
SMA MANDATE
Active mandate on behalf of a UAE-based institutional investor
REGULATION
FSRA Licensed · Abu Dhabi Global Market
Investment Approaches

Four Complementary
Deployment Approaches

01
Equity Investments
Equity-led acquisitions of second-hand ocean-going vessels at cyclical entry points, targeting capital appreciation alongside contracted charter income through direct ownership structures.
02
Mezzanine
Subordinated debt and hybrid capital solutions bridging the gap between senior secured lending and equity, providing flexible financing structures to shipowners and operators with yield-enhanced returns.
03
Sale & Leaseback
Structured transactions providing immediate liquidity to shipowners while generating predictable contracted income backed by direct vessel ownership as first-ranking collateral.
04
Special Situations & Distressed
Selective exposure to distressed or transitional assets, applying rigorous downside analysis to identify asymmetric opportunities during cycle dislocations.
Track Record

Consistent Deployment
Since Inception

$200M
Assets Under Management
Since inception
$2BN+
Assets Under Advisory
Since inception
9
Vessel Investments
2021 — 2026
6
Fully Realised
2021 — 2025
Maritime Investments — Warehouse Structure · 2021–2025
VesselTypeInvestedExitedStatus
Vessel 1Panamax Containership · 3,534 TEUDec 2021Mar 2022Realised
Vessel 2Feedermax Containership · 2,202 TEUMay 2021Apr 2022Realised
Vessel 3Feedermax Containership · 2,202 TEUMay 2021Jul 2022Realised
Vessel 4Panamax Containership · 3,426 TEUDec 2021Jun 2024Realised
Vessel 5Panamax Containership · 3,400 TEUDec 2021Oct 2024Realised
Vessel 6Feedermax Containership · 1,738 TEUJan 2024Aug 2025Realised
Vessel 7Feedermax Containership · 2,510 TEUMar 2022Target Sep 2027In Portfolio
Vessel 8Panamax Containership · 3,534 TEUMar 2025Target Jan 2031In Portfolio
Vessel 9 Post Panamax Dry Bulk – 93,077 DWT Feb 2026 Target Mar 2031 In Portfolio

Past performance is not indicative of future results. For eligible Professional Clients only.

Bridgefort Maritime
Alternative Investment Management · ADGM
Al Reem Island, Abu Dhabi, UAE
South Quay, Douglas, Isle of Man
© 2026 Bridgefort Maritime Limited. All Rights Reserved.
Bridgefort Maritime Limited — Commercial Licence No. 000005073 — ADGM. Authorised and regulated by the FSRA of Abu Dhabi Global Market. For Professional Clients only. This website is for informational purposes only and does not constitute an offer or solicitation. Capital at risk. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results. © 2026 Bridgefort Maritime Limited. All Rights Reserved.
Bridgefort Real Estate

Off‑Market Real Property
Origination Since 2020

Established in 2020, BFRE is a natural extension of the Bridgefort Group's existing network and asset focus, leveraging their existing in-house expertise. Led by Alexis Johnson, the main focus of BFRE is the origination of off-market opportunities ranging from ground-up development schemes through to existing income-producing assets.

BFRE works alongside a diverse client base including Institutional Investors, Family Offices and High Net Worth Individuals — acting as an intermediary to source Assets, Debt and Equity through its extensive network of Financial Institutions, Developers, Asset Owners and Lawyers.

Focus
Off-market origination · Ground-up development · Income assets
Sectors
Hospitality · Commercial · Residential
Client Base
Institutional Investors · Family Offices · HNW Individuals
Network
Financial Institutions · Developers · Asset Owners · Lawyers
Sector Coverage

Three Core Property
Sectors

01
Hospitality
Hotels, lodges, and re-developments in high-tourism and business travel destinations. BFRE sources off-market assets and structures financing across the full hospitality spectrum.
02
Commercial
Office space, logistics and data centres — originated off-market and structured for long-term income generation, leveraging BFRE's deep network of developers and asset owners.
03
Residential
Purpose-Built Student Accommodation, Co-living and Build-to-Rent — targeting structurally undersupplied urban markets with strong demographic and rental income drivers.
How We Operate

Intermediary. Originator.
Network Driven.

🎯
Off‑Market Origination
Proprietary deal flow sourced through an extensive network of developers, asset owners, and advisors — bypassing competitive auction processes.
🤝
Intermediary Role
Acting as a trusted intermediary between capital and opportunity — sourcing Assets, Debt and Equity on behalf of a diverse client base across geographies.
🏗️
Development to Income
Covering the full asset lifecycle — from ground-up development schemes through to stabilised, income-producing assets across all three core sectors.
🌍
Diverse Client Base
Serving Institutional Investors, Family Offices and HNW Individuals — with structures tailored to each client's return profile, jurisdiction, and investment mandate.
Bridgefort Maritime
Alternative Investment Management · ADGM
Al Reem Island, Abu Dhabi, UAE
South Quay, Douglas, Isle of Man
© 2026 Bridgefort Maritime Limited. All Rights Reserved.
Bridgefort Maritime Limited — Commercial Licence No. 000005073 — ADGM. Authorised and regulated by the FSRA of Abu Dhabi Global Market. For Professional Clients only. This website is for informational purposes only and does not constitute an offer or solicitation. Capital at risk. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results. © 2026 Bridgefort Maritime Limited. All Rights Reserved.
Bridgefort Real Estate

Off‑Market Real Property
Origination Since 2020

Established in 2020, BFRE is a natural extension of the Bridgefort Group's existing network and asset focus, leveraging their existing in-house expertise. Led by Alexis Johnson, the main focus of BFRE is the origination of off-market opportunities ranging from ground-up development schemes through to existing income-producing assets.

BFRE works alongside a diverse client base including Institutional Investors, Family Offices and High Net Worth Individuals — acting as an intermediary to source Assets, Debt and Equity through its extensive network of Financial Institutions, Developers, Asset Owners and Lawyers.

Focus
Off-market origination · Ground-up development · Income assets
Sectors
Hospitality · Commercial · Residential
Client Base
Institutional Investors · Family Offices · HNW Individuals
Network
Financial Institutions · Developers · Asset Owners · Lawyers
Sector Coverage

Three Core Property
Sectors

01
Hospitality
Hotels, lodges, and re-developments in high-tourism and business travel destinations. BFRE sources off-market assets and structures financing across the full hospitality spectrum.
02
Commercial
Office space, logistics and data centres — originated off-market and structured for long-term income generation, leveraging BFRE's deep network of developers and asset owners.
03
Residential
Purpose-Built Student Accommodation, Co-living and Build-to-Rent — targeting structurally undersupplied urban markets with strong demographic and rental income drivers.
How We Operate

Intermediary. Originator.
Network Driven.

🎯
Off‑Market Origination
Proprietary deal flow sourced through an extensive network of developers, asset owners, and advisors — bypassing competitive auction processes.
🤝
Intermediary Role
Acting as a trusted intermediary between capital and opportunity — sourcing Assets, Debt and Equity on behalf of a diverse client base across geographies.
🏗️
Development to Income
Covering the full asset lifecycle — from ground-up development schemes through to stabilised, income-producing assets across all three core sectors.
🌍
Diverse Client Base
Serving Institutional Investors, Family Offices and HNW Individuals — with structures tailored to each client's return profile, jurisdiction, and investment mandate.
Bridgefort Maritime
Alternative Investment Management · ADGM
Al Reem Island, Abu Dhabi, UAE
South Quay, Douglas, Isle of Man
© 2026 Bridgefort Maritime Limited. All Rights Reserved.
Bridgefort Maritime Limited — Commercial Licence No. 000005073 — ADGM. Authorised and regulated by the FSRA of Abu Dhabi Global Market. For Professional Clients only. This website is for informational purposes only and does not constitute an offer or solicitation. Capital at risk. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results. © 2026 Bridgefort Maritime Limited. All Rights Reserved.
Digital Infrastructure

Asset-Backed Digital Infrastructure for the AI Era

Bridgefort's digital infrastructure strategy is rooted in the same asset-backed, income-generating discipline that underpins our maritime platform. Born out of a USD 500M advisory mandate financing server infrastructure — conducted by two members of the Bridgefort deal team — our strategy targets long-term, monthly cash-flow generating investments in AI server deployments which are placed with high-quality operators.

We allocate capital into these opportunities via our proprietary minimum income agreements and bespoke warehouse structures, working alongside leading Cloud Service Providers, AI Model Builders, and Investment-Grade Enterprises focused on AI and High-Performance Computing (HPC). Asset ownership provides downside protection while enabling cheaper compute for off-takers.

Strategy Type
Asset-Backed · Off-Balance Sheet · Monthly Cash Yield
Target Operators
Leading Cloud Service Providers · AI Model Builders · Investment-Grade Enterprises
Instrument
Proprietary Minimum Income Agreements via Bespoke Warehouse Structures
Structural Tailwind
AI & HPC driving structural demand for off-balance sheet compute financing
How It Works

A Vertically Integrated
Operating Platform

01
Origination
Deal flow sourced or built ground-up via associated Nvidia Partner Network (NPN) business and deep relationships with Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs).
02
Structuring
AI server assets financed off-balance sheet through bespoke warehouse structures. Proprietary minimum income agreements with operators provide contracted yield and first-ranking asset collateral.
03
Deployment
Asset sourcing, solution design and verification conducted in-house and with OEM partner support. Assets are operated by Nvidia Cloud Partners (NCPs) across the GCC, Europe and North America.
04
Asset Management
In-house technical capabilities and deep partner relationships enable managed service oversight and reporting within the Bridgefort platform.
Partner Ecosystem

Strategic Relationships Across
the Value Chain

Bridgefort works with leading technology and infrastructure players, in particular those with strategic positioning within the market and significant ecosystem influence. Via our associated NPN business, our relationships extend across the entire value chain.

Hardware
Strong working relationships with OEMs including Nvidia, Supermicro and Lenovo — via direct account access via associated NPN business enabling infrastructure deployments at scale.
Specialist Platforms
ROFR partnerships with high-quality niche players, including Sirius International's Coredge.io, Sterling Wilson and 30+ others — providing ecosystem reach beyond traditional channels.
Operational Resources
Senior network access across management of the leading players in AI — enabling managed service capabilities, flexible payment structures, privileged information access and Tier-1 third-party operational capacity.
Leadership

Experienced Across
Every Market Cycle

Our team brings together decades of combined experience spanning shipping finance, vessel operations, maritime management, investment banking, real estate, and digital infrastructure — drawn from leading institutions across Europe and MENA. We have a long-standing track record of working with sovereign wealth institutions, pension institutions, and family offices.

VERTICAL 01

Maritime & Shipping

Ilham Hougga
Ilham Hougga
LinkedIn
Head of Investments & Portfolio Management

Ilham Hougga brings over 15 years of experience in investment management, corporate finance, and credit analysis, with expertise spanning private debt, structured finance, real assets, and maritime investments. Throughout her career, she has worked with leading financial institutions including BNP Paribas Fortis, Crédit Agricole, Attijariwafa Bank, and Deloitte.

At Bridgefort Maritime, she leads the firm's investment and portfolio management activities, overseeing investment origination, financial due diligence, transaction execution, portfolio monitoring, investor reporting, and distribution management across the firm's maritime investment platforms.

She also leads the structuring and development of investment products and platforms, supporting capital formation initiatives, strategic partnerships, and engagement with institutional investors. Her experience spans both traditional fund structures and innovative real asset investment solutions.

Previously, Ilham built extensive experience across corporate finance, structured finance, credit analysis, and investment advisory. She has been involved in financing transactions, investment evaluation, portfolio management, and financial due diligence across a broad range of industries, bringing a disciplined institutional approach to maritime investing and asset-backed investment strategies.

Deloitte — Audit
BNP Paribas — Financing & Investment
Crédit Agricole — Financing & Investment
Attijariwafa Bank — Corporate Finance
Capt. Soumyojit Sengupta
Capt. Soumyojit Sengupta
LinkedIn
Director of Operations & Chartering

Capt. Soumyojit Sengupta brings over 20 years of maritime experience, including 17 years at sea across various ranks, culminating in his qualification as a Master Mariner. His career has encompassed vessel command, commercial shipping, chartering, and fleet management across international markets.

At Bridgefort Maritime, he oversees the operational management of the firm's maritime assets, including charter execution, technical supervision, insurance matters, vessel inspections, and pre-purchase evaluations.

Prior to joining Bridgefort Maritime, he held senior seagoing positions with ASP Ship Management and Anglo-Eastern, progressing through the ranks from Officer to Master Mariner. During his maritime career, he gained extensive experience in crew leadership, safety management, regulatory compliance, and vessel performance across a broad range of vessel types.

His combination of command experience, technical expertise, and commercial understanding provides Bridgefort Maritime with valuable operational insight across the acquisition, ownership, and management of maritime assets.

ASP Ship Management — Second & Third Officer
Anglo-Eastern — Chief Officer & Captain
Master Mariner Certification
VERTICAL 02

Digital Infrastructure

Rahul Kumar
Rahul Kumar
LinkedIn
Partner — Tactical Opportunities
~10 years of experience in corporate finance spanning sell-side M&A, buy-side M&A, capital markets advisory, and due diligence. Previously at KPMG and boutique investment banks run by former European and Global Heads from Tier-1 institutions.
KPMG — Corporate Finance
Boutique IB — Sell-side M&A, Capital Markets
Xerxes Aderianwalla
Xerxes Aderianwalla
LinkedIn
Investment Director — Tactical Opportunities
~5 years of experience in illiquid asset management and securitisation. Previously at UniCredit, focused on securitisation and asset-backed solutions. Brings structured finance expertise to Bridgefort's digital infrastructure and tactical opportunities strategy.
UniCredit — Securitisation & Asset-Backed Solutions
Illiquid Asset Management — 5 years specialisation
VERTICAL 03

Real Estate — BFRE

Alexis Johnson
Alexis Johnson
LinkedIn
Managing Director — Real Estate
25+ years working in equity markets at Winterflood Securities including 17 years as Head of European Trading. Led early AIM market and first REIT listings on LSE. Over the last 7 years transitioned into Real Estate, building a substantial institutional network across hospitality, commercial, and residential sectors.
Winterflood Securities — Head of European Trading (17 yrs)
AIM Market & First REIT listings on LSE
Real Estate — Commercial, Residential, Hospitality
Henk M. Habers
Henk M. Habers
LinkedIn
Partner — Real Estate
40+ years of experience in hospitality, hotel development, and luxury real estate advisory. Previously held senior management roles with Ahold NV, IHG, and Sun International before founding Archipel NV, specializing in luxury hospitality concepts and international hotel developments.
Archipel NV — Founder & CEO
Luxury Hotels & Branded Residential
Hospitality Development & Strategic Advisory
Chris Ward
Chris Ward
Partner — Real Estate
25+ years of experience in hospitality, real estate, and brand development, delivering award-winning and commercially successful projects across the UK and internationally. Extensive expertise in luxury hotels, resorts, and estate strategy, combining operational leadership with commercial growth and brand positioning.
Hotel Asset Management & Operations
Commercial Real Estate & Property Development
Brand Strategy & Revenue Growth
Ros Cook
Ros Cook
Asset & Investment Executive — Real Estate
20+ years of experience within the IT and Financial Services sector, including Real Estate and Private Equity. Extensive experience supporting Senior Board Management, business development and marketing functions, as well as equity raising and developing investor relationships.
Business Development
Investor Relations
Operational Support
Institutional Dialogue — Maritime, Digital Infrastructure, Real Estate
Contact

Institutional
Dialogue

We engage selectively with institutional investors, family offices, and qualified counterparties.

Maritime & Shipping
Digital Infrastructure
Real Estate
Investor Relations

Investor Relations

For co-investment enquiries and separately managed account discussions.

IR@bfortmaritime.com
General Enquiries

Partnerships, Media & Other

For operational partnerships, media requests, maritime services, and all other correspondence.

enquiries@bfortmaritime.com
Abu Dhabi
2409B, Tamouh Tower
Al Reem Island, Abu Dhabi
UAE +971 2 631 6505
Isle of Man
19D Quay Chambers
South Quay, Douglas, IM1 5AR +44 1624 612846