The Norwegian shipping company Belships has new owners: the majority of the shares are now held by the investment platform Blue Ocean Funds.
The German shipping company F. Laeisz is co-owner of the company. Lars Christian Skarsgard, previously Managing Director of Belships, is stepping down from his position.
Belships has been delisted from the Oslo Stock Exchange as part of the takeover. 74.99% of the shares are now owned by Blue Ocean Funds, a maritime investment platform managed by EnTrust Global. Blue Ocean invests in numerous segments, including bulk, containers, tankers, offshore, gas and cruises.
The remaining 25.01% is held by the F. Laeisz Group, managed by Nikolaus H. Schües. With the acquisition of Belships, the companies now own “one of the world’s leading bulk shipping companies”, according to a joint statement. “Thanks to Belships’ solid market position, modern fleet, efficient balance sheet, strong heritage and the expertise and complementary attributes of the new owners, we are confident that the company is strategically well positioned to capitalize on further opportunities.”
Belships appoints new Management Board
In the course of the takeover, a new Management Board was also confirmed. Ivar Hansson Myklebust, CEO of OMP Management (owned by Blue Ocean), will succeed Lars Christian Skarsgard as Chairman of the Board.
F. Laeisz Managing Director Schües will take up a position on the Supervisory Board. Birthe Lepsøe and Jorunn Seglem, both Supervisory Board members of Belships since 2018, were confirmed in office. Other members of the board are Christan Vinther Christensen (former COO of Norden), Svein Engh (Senior Managing Director of Blue Ocean Funds) and Omer Donnerstein (Managing Director of Blue Ocean Funds). Gaby Bornheim, Managing Director of Peter Döhle Schiffahrts-KG and President of the German Shipowners’ Association (VDR), will also be a member of Belships’ Supervisory Board.
Lars Christian Skarsgård, previously Managing Director of Belships, will step down from his position as part of the takeover. “We would like to thank Lars Christian for his contribution to the company and wish him every success in his future endeavors,” the companies announced. A successor will be appointed in due course; until then, Myklebust will also assume the position of CEO.
Source: hansa.news