Founded London 1972.
Sale & Purchase / Projects
+50
Years in the Industry
Expert Vessel Sale &
Purchase Services
Headquartered in London, O’Keeffe & Partners has been trusted in vessel sale and purchase transactions for over 50 years. We act on behalf of a broad spectrum of clients, from private family enterprises to publicly listed companies and Fortune 500 organisations across every major shipping market worldwide. Our commitment to discretion, independence, and long-term client relationships underpins every transaction we arrange.
Our mission
To deliver trusted vessel sale and purchase solutions that combine discretion, independence, and expertise, ensuring value for clients across global shipping markets.
Our team
A London-based group of experienced shipbrokers with decades of involvement in commercial shipping transactions, recognised for their independence, professionalism, and long-standing client relationships.
Our values
Integrity, discretion, expertise, reliability, global reach and client focus, the principles that guide every transaction we arrange.
About O'Keeffe & Partners
O’Keeffe & Partners origins were founded in 1972 by John O’Keeffe, a leading & pioneering shipbroker at a time pre-PC when communications across the Globe were technically and commercially challenging, reliant upon postal mail, telegrams, and BOE code transmissions. The subsequent integration of the Telex machine was to dominate and transform the industry and all commercial marketing and negotiations.
John O'Keeffe recognised the need for a shipbroking firm which could provide international breadth and a close personal service and discretion.
The company continues to maintain those principles and ethos, embracing the advantages of today's optimised communications and services.
Over the decades, OKP has supported clients from every corner of the globe, effecting transactions across a broad spectrum of tonnage, including multi-fleet/en-bloc acquisitions and complex chartering/leasing structures.
Today, the company is focused upon a low profile consultancy engagements on a discretionary basis.
O’Keeffe & Partners remains true to its Founder’s values, combining over 50 years of history with forward-looking expertise to adapt to the evolving modern shipping markets.
Sale & Purchase / Projects
Headquartered in London, we have acted as Shipbrokers extensively over the years in a variety of Sale and Purchase transactions, serving a broad spectrum of Clients, Private Family Enterprises, Publicly Listed Entities and Fortune 500 organisations in all Four Corners of the World.
Without exception, we place a high value on the importance of discretion and our ability to work independently to meet the demands of our Clients, some of whom we have served for over 50 years.
Our principal activities relate to commercial shipping - Bulk carriers, Tankers, Container, and Multipurpose Types. We are dedicated to our Clients' requirements and give support in other specialist fields, including areas such as the Offshore Sector, where we have held exclusive mandates.
In our capacity as Brokers, we have orchestrated innovative joint ventures, bareboat lease structures and long-term charters in combination with and in support of the acquisition of all forms of commercial vessels.
Comprehensive Ship Chartering Services
Our principal activities cover the full scope of commercial shipping, including bulk carriers, tankers, container vessels, and multipurpose types. We place great importance on working independently to meet the unique demands of our clients, many of whom we have represented for more than four decades.
Alongside traditional sales and acquisitions, we also provide specialist support in areas such as the offshore sector, where we continue to hold exclusive mandates.
Beyond conventional brokerage, O’Keeffe & Partners have orchestrated innovative joint ventures, bareboat lease structures, and long-term charters in support of acquisitions and disposals.
This experience allows us to deliver tailored solutions that combine market knowledge with creativity, ensuring that every transaction adds long-term value to our clients’ fleets and strategies.
Over 50
Years of Experience
+
Over 200
Deals
Brokered
+
250,000+ tons
Capacity of the largest vessels we charter
+
40+ countries
where our clients operate
+
