Aker Yards enters chemical tanker market - acquires Kleven Florø shipyard and Kleven Design

Aker Yards has today signed an agreement with Kleven Maritime to acquire Kleven Florø AS, and Kleven Design AS. Both entities are located in Florø, Norway. The acquisition strengthens Aker Yards’ Merchant Vessels Business Area by adding a product range of highly specialized chemical tankers, meeting customer demand and new regulatory requirements. The previously announced joint venture with Damen Shipyard Group in Ukraine creates an opportunity for Aker Yards to develop a new highly competitive line of chemical carriers in combination with Kleven tanker know-how.
Aker Yards has agreed to acquire Kleven Florø and Kleven Design at a price of NOK 60 million including debt, based on a working capital of zero. In addition there will be further payments based on performance on existing order backlog and new orders in the coming three years. The order intake part of the payments is capped at NOK 36 million. Kleven Florø has approximately 300 employees, and there are 30 engineers at Kleven Design. The turnover of Kleven Florø and Kleven Design was NOK 350 mill in 2005. The orderbook today consists of one juice tanker and two chemical tankers at a total value of approximately NOK 1.3 billion.

Kleven Florø and Kleven Design are leading in design and construction of chemical tankers, and have a unique production competence using stainless steel in shipbuilding. By joining Aker Yards, the Kleven Florø yard will capitalize on a long term, and predictable ship hull supply from Aker Yards capacity base in Eastern Europe.

Karl Erik Kjelstad, President & CEO of Aker Yards states in a comment:
“The acquisition of Kleven Florø combined with the joint venture with Damen Shipyard Group in Ukraine gives us a unique position as a competitive supplier of highly specialized tankers.”

Kjersti Kleven, Chairman of Kleven Maritime adds: “I am very pleased that Kleven Florø and Kleven Design as a part of Aker Yards will have owners that can capitalize on the unique competence and potential that has been developed over decades in Florø. ”

Mr. Steinar S. Kulen, President of Kleven Maritime, will from the date of closing of the transaction head Aker Yards chemical tankers activities, including the activities in Florø, and will be appointed Deputy President for the entire Merchant Vessels business area.

The transaction is subject to approval of Norwegian competition authorities and closing of the transaction with Damen Shipyard Group.

Aker Yards ASA is an international shipbuilding group focusing on sophisticated vessels. The group has a strong position both in terms of innovation, product range, technology, experience and capacity. The product range includes cruise vessels & ferries, merchant vessels, offshore & specialized vessels. Aker Yards comprises 15 yards in Brazil, Finland, France, Germany, Norway and Romania. Aker Yards has approximately 16,000 employees.
www.akeryards.com

Aker Yards is part of the Aker Group (www.akerasa.com), a leading multi-industry powerhouse with more than 43,000 employees and EUR 7.5 billion revenues. Aker owns 50.4 per cent of Aker Yards, and the group is also a significant participant in the oil & gas business as well as the fisheries industry.

Kleven Maritime is a technology-focused company, with its core activity in the developing, building and delivery of specialised ships. Kleven Maritime’s yards and facilities are located centrally in one of the world’s most important marine industry clusters. The result is close contact with important suppliers and a case of exchange of skills and knowledge within the group. www.klevenmaritime.no

Contact Information

Tore Langballe

Aker Yards ASA

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