France-based investment firm Eurazeo has raised €175 million (USD $208 million) at the first close of its new maritime-focused fund, Eurazeo Sustainable Maritime Infrastructure II (ESMI II). The raise exceeded the firm’s initial €125 million first close target, signaling strong investor appetite for maritime decarbonization strategies. Eurazeo has set a €400 million final target size for the fund.

Launched in December 2025, the fund is classified as Article 9 under the EU Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation (SFDR), placing it among the highest-impact sustainability vehicles under European regulatory standards.

Targeting Maritime Energy Transition and Infrastructure

ESMI II is structured to provide senior secured, asset-based financing solutions to small and mid-sized shipowners and maritime stakeholders across Europe. The fund focuses on sectors undergoing structural transition, including marine transportation, offshore renewable energy, and port infrastructure.

Particular emphasis is being placed on assets incorporating next-generation vessel designs and sustainable technologies aimed at improving fuel efficiency and reducing emissions intensity. Eurazeo stated that the fund is designed to deliver measurable environmental impact by financing assets that reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve energy efficiency, and support the renewable energy value chain, while also generating steady, long-term returns for investors.

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First Investment and Anchor Support

Alongside the first close, Eurazeo announced ESMI II’s inaugural investment: financing two new eco-friendly vessels for Dutch shipowner Longship Group B.V.

The European Investment Fund, which served as an anchor investor in the first ESMI fund, has returned as an anchor investor for the second vintage, reinforcing institutional backing for maritime transition financing.

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Addressing Structural Financing Gaps

Guillaume Branco, Managing Director of Asset-Based Finance at Eurazeo, emphasized that the maritime sector faces significant financing needs driven by tightening environmental regulations and limited funding sources, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises.

By building on the success of its first maritime fund, Eurazeo aims to expand access to alternative financing solutions tailored to the sector’s decarbonization requirements, positioning ESMI II as a vehicle aligned with both regulatory transition and long-term infrastructure demand.

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