Hong Kong’s shipping firm Asia Maritime Pacific decided to expand its business in the Atlantic market as it merged operations with US-based Sono Shipping.

According to the terms of the merger, effective December 7, 2016, the duo will join forces under the name Asia Maritime Pacific (AMP).

“The merger will mean that AMP continues to expand its platform in the Atlantic market, with offices on both sides of the Atlantic, in London and Austin,” AMP said.

“The company has spent the past few difficult years focusing first, on continuing to seek out new opportunities and niche trades in its operations, and second, on growing its fleet, which has doubled in size over the past 4 years,” Mark Young, CEO of AMP, said.

In 2012, the original Asia Maritime Pacific, a mini-bulker/multipurpose operator, merged with OSL, China-West African operator. Today the company operates a fleet of fleet of 35 mini-bulker/multipurpose and Handysize vessels, ranging from 6,000dwt to 40,000 dwt.

“Since AMP opened its London chartering office in 2013, the success of that operation has made it clear to us that we need to continue to expand in the Atlantic,” Young added.

Sono Shipping, located in Austin, Texas, provides services in the dry cargo sector with a focus on the US Gulf, South American and general Atlantic trades.

Although the merger is already effective and the Austin office will begin operations as Asia Maritime Pacific (Texas) Inc, Sono Shipping and Whitehawk Enterprises will continue to collect pre-merger trade receivables owed by past customers, AMP said.