RIVE raises €200m for its transport assets fund, including helis

European investment company RIVE Private Investment has raised €200m ($215m) since the launch of its RIVE Transportation Assets Income Fund (RTAIF) in 2021. The fund targets the small and mid-market and invests in specialised transportation assets: aviation – including helicopters – rail and maritime. The company aims to more than double the fund to reach €500m ($537m) by 2025.

RIVE’s RTAIF fund, operating under the EU’s Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation (SFDR), invests in assets that meet fundamental needs, such as health and safety, plus decarbonising the transport sector. This is  managed throughout their life cycle: leasing, maintenance, technical and regulatory upgrades. So far, the fund has invested in over 100 assets in more than about 15 OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) countries.

From the €200m fund, 35% was invested in helicopters dedicated to medical transportation or firefighting (35%) plus aircraft engines, electric ferries and flight simulators. Also, 50% was invested in hybrid or electric locomotives. So far, the total cumulative value of assets amounts to €320m ($344m).

Camille Brunel, partner at RIVE Private Investment said: “To meet investment needs, especially related to decarbonisation, the specialised transport market must attract more financial players, offering investors more innovative and flexible access methods. RIVE has a 10-year track record, deep understanding of long-term trends, and a unique ability to value these specialised assets that benefit from inflation.”

Meanwhile, last month RIVE Private Investment, Thora Capital and LCI agreed to sell six medical transport helicopters operated in Australia to private equity firm Astatine Investment Partners. The portfolio consists of six Leonardo AW139 emergency medical services (EMS) helicopters leased to Babcock International Group in Victoria, Australia. All the aircraft are operated under long-term contracts by Babcock.

Based in Paris, Luxembourg and Geneva, RIVE has financed over €2.3bn ($2.47bn) of assets since its launch 10 years ago.