French private equity firm Eurazeo has secured a €175m ($209m) first closing for its Eurazeo Sustainable Maritime Infrastructure II (ESMI II) fund, comfortably above an initial €125m target and approaching half of its €400m final goal. Launched in December 2025, ESMI II provides senior secured, asset‑based financing to European small and mid‑sized shipowners and maritime stakeholders, targeting marine transport, offshore renewables and port infrastructure that embed the latest sustainable technologies.

The fund has moved swiftly from close to deployment: within six weeks of launch ESMI II financed two new eco‑friendly vessels for Dutch owner Longship, signalling a live pipeline and investor appetite for climate‑aligned shipping assets. ESMI II follows the Article 9‑aligned ESMI I and aims to deliver measurable environmental impact while generating steady, long‑term returns; managers expect to support some 20-30 European operators and stakeholders.

“Through ESMI II, Eurazeo intends to capitalise on the success of the first ESMI fund and continues to provide European maritime stakeholders with a tailor‑made alternative financing solution, in a market with massive financing needs,” said Guillaume Branco, managing director, asset‑based finance at Paris-based Eurazeo. “This first closing reflects our ability to combine financial discipline with deep technological and sustainability expertise.”