Cavalier Shipping is a boutique maritime investing and advisory business run by James Lightbourn—third generation Lightbourn family shipping entrepreneur.
Established in 1979 by James’ grandfather, Godfrey Lightbourn, Cavalier Shipping operated landing craft vessels carrying cargo from Florida into the Bahamas and later specialized in stevedoring in the port of Nassau.
Today Cavalier Shipping carries on its spirit of entrepreneurship in the maritime sector, now focusing on shipping finance in areas ranging from freight trading to US shipbuilding to sustainable shipping.
Cavalier Shipping’s strategy: thoughtful capital allocation around the sector's inherent volatility to generate positive near-term returns while helping lay a more stable foundation for the long-term.
The Cavalier I shown entering the Nassau harbor (c. 1983).
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About James Lightbourn
James Lightbourn has financed, leased, bought, owned, operated, and sold transportation assets throughout his career. His experience includes:
advising transportation companies on capital raises and strategy as an investment banker with Arctic Securities
leading start-up transatlantic airline Norse Atlantic Airways as CFO in crafting the company’s original business plan, capital raise, and fleet lease negotiations
working as the Investment Director for the private investment company B T Larsen & Co Ltd and serving as a board advisor to the group’s publicly listed ship owning company (ADS Maritime Holdings Plc) and its ship management company (OSM Maritime Group)
helping run private fund Alterna Capital Partners’ direct lending platform in the shipping sector as a Senior Associate, as well as supporting investments in the fund’s owned vessels
James received his credit training from CIT Bank N.A. while working as Assistant Vice President on the maritime finance desk, which he was recruited to join through his shipbroking services to the bank via Compass Maritime Services. James began his career working for the container line Mediterranean Shipping Company. James earned his Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Virginia. James is currently Communication Chair of the Connecticut Maritime Association board.