Global investment firm KKR has launched a new maritime leasing platform, Galaxy Container Solutions, backed by $500m in initial capital commitments from its asset-based finance (ABF) strategy, as the firm continues to expand in specialty credit markets, according to a report by Bloomberg.
Galaxy will provide financing and container leasing solutions to global shipping companies, extending KKR’s reach within the fast-growing equipment leasing segment – a key focus area for private credit investors seeking yield outside traditional corporate loans.
The move follows KKR’s $6.5bn fundraising earlier this year for private asset-backed deals, part of its broader effort to build scale in ABF, which currently manages over $75bn and is forecast to grow to $9tn globally by 2029.
The new platform will be led by Jeffrey Gannon as CEO and Adrian Dunner as COO – both veterans of Global Container International, which they co-founded and later sold to Triton International for more than $1bn. Stephen Controulis, former CFO of Global Container International, will also join the management team.
The launch comes amid surging investor interest in asset-backed and specialty finance strategies, with private equity and credit managers increasingly targeting opportunities in aviation, maritime and infrastructure leasing. Earlier this month, KKR also led a $320m preferred equity and debt deal for private aviation operator BOND.
