“Everything is on the table,” commented a pumped-upPankaj Khanna in conversation with Splash yesterday on expansion plans following his ringing of the closing bell at the Nasdaq in New York, sealing long-held dreams to get his company listed.
The CEO of Heidmar Maritime Holdings Corp merged with lifestyle brand portfolio company MGO Global earlier this year in order to get listed.
Heidmar, with more than 60 tankers and bulkers under commercial management, first tried to go public via a merger with Home Plate Acquisition Corporation but dropped these plans in October 2023.
The company’s second attempt at a stock market listing was announced last June with the business combination initially expected to close late in the third quarter of 2024.
Khanna said the plan now was to grow and to look at mergers and acquisitions. Asked if owning ships was a possibility, Khanna replied: “Why not? Everything is on the table.”
Khanna started out as a cadet aged 18. His work ashore has seen him take on c-suite roles with Alba, Excel, Dryships, Ocean Rig, Pioneer Marine as well as seven years with Teekay.
