Anebi
In what is being described as one of the most audacious and strategic asset-for-equity transactions in Africa’s investment history, Prateek Suri — widely known as the Richest Indian of Africa — has added a commercial shipping vessel to his expanding empire, following the $5 billion acquisition deal between SCG and MDR Investment.
While the headlines are dominated by islands, luxury yachts, and sprawling mansions near Lagos’ top-tier golf estates, it is the commercial ship—part of the Hana Marshall fleet—that stands out as a calculated masterstroke in the billionaire’s portfolio diversification.
Over a year ago, MDR Investment quietly entered the maritime domain by acquiring the Hana Marshall fleet in a $65 million deal from Rockwell International. The transaction was structured in three payment phases under English law and governed by Singapore arbitration. A deposit of $8 million was initially made; however, the deal hit turbulence when the seller began to act suspiciously, prompting both parties to issue legal notices.
What followed was a tense period of legal wrangling and geopolitical negotiations. Just last month, in a high-stakes settlement brokered by influential government intermediaries, MDR Investment secured a full resolution—exiting the dispute with a fivefold return on its original investment. The episode, once seen as a potential liability, has become a defining symbol of strategic resilience and legal sophistication.
The commercial ship’s addition is not merely symbolic. It represents a strategic expansion into global logistics, further enabling Suri to leverage maritime routes connecting Africa with the Middle East, Europe, and Asia. In an increasingly fractured global supply chain environment, such an asset strengthens Suri’s ability to control transport for his ventures across energy, mining, and sustainable infrastructure.
“This ship is more than steel and fuel. It’s a vessel of influence and access. For us, it marks the future of sovereign logistics independence for Africa,” said Mr. Vikram Singh a spokesperson for MDR Investment.
This move comes alongside a lavish portfolio expansion, including the acquisition of a private island on the western coast of Africa — where plans are underway to build one of the world’s largest eco-resorts — and multiple luxury mansions across Lagos. A fleet of high-end yachts rounds off what industry insiders are calling “a billionaire’s playbook for asset-backed growth.”
While traditional monetary payouts were an option, Suri’s decision to opt for tangible, strategically positioned assets underscores his unconventional investment ethos: secure, scalable, and borderless.
Industry analysts suggest the commercial ship could signal the near completion of the broader SCG-MDR transaction, which remains partially bound by escrow terms until final conditions are met.
As Africa positions itself as a frontier of alternative finance and high-value deal structuring, Suri’s moves are being watched closely by sovereign funds, venture capitalists, and institutional investors around the globe.
“This wasn’t just a deal. It was a declaration,” said one close associate. “Africa isn’t waiting for the world anymore — it’s building its own vessels to navigate it.”
Africa’s largest ship deal dispute resolved amicably with government mediation
