Seacor Holdings has struck to start off a proposed auction for the core divisions of International Shipholdings (ISH), the Johnsen family company that is in Chapter 11 restructuring.

ISH chief executive Erik Johnsen (pictured below), meanwhile, has put in an $18m bid for the company's none-core "specialty" division.

Charles Fabrikant-led Seacor's agreement, if approved, will see it buy Alabama-based ISH with its core rail ferry, car carrier and Jones Act shipping divisions.

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