Stolt-Nielsen S.A. Acquires Seven Parcel Tankers In Separate Transactions
LONDON, November 4, 2010 - Stolt-Nielsen S.A. (Oslo Børs: SNI) announced today
that its wholly owned subsidiary Stolt Tankers B.V. has agreed to acquire seven
stainless steel parcel tankers in a series of separate transactions for a total
consideration of $255 million, including takeover and upgrade costs.
In a transaction with Odfjell SE, Stolt Tankers B.V. acquired two fully
stainless steel parcel tankers of 37,438 deadweight tonnes ("dwt"), each
equipped with 47 tanks and built by STX Europe's yard in Florø, Norway, in 2000
and 2001, respectively. The two ships are among the most sophisticated of
parcel tankers and will be renamed M/T Stolt Focus and M/T Stolt Commitment.
Stolt Tankers B.V. also acquired three Japanese-built stainless steel parcel
tankers. Two of the ships are 23,400 dwt, built in 2009 and 2008, with 26 and
30 tanks, respectively. The third ship is 19,700 dwt, built in 2006 with 26
tanks. The ships will be renamed M/T Stolt Bobcat, M/T Stolt Ocelot and M/T
Stolt Serval, respectively.
In addition, Stolt Tankers exercised purchase options under existing time
charters to acquire the M/T Stolt Glory and M/T Stolt Strength from their
owners. The ships were built in 2005 and are currently on time charter to the
Company. Both ships are 33,000 dwt with 28 stainless steel tanks.
Commenting on the acquisitions, Mr. Niels G. Stolt-Nielsen, Chief Executive
Officer of SNSA, said, "We are pleased to have acquired these high quality ships
on what we believe to be favourable terms. Following the cancellation of our
eight-ship order in Korea, the addition of these ships to our fleet, in
combination with the recent time charter arrangement with JO Tankers,
effectively meets our current needs for tonnage. Stolt Tankers is well
positioned both to meet anticipated growth in customer demand on certain key
trade lanes and to extend its leadership positions in those niche markets that
we have targeted for long-term growth."
Contacts:
Jan Chr. Engelhardtsen
Chief Financial Officer
UK +44 (0) 20 7611 8972
j.engelhardtsen@stolt.com
Jens F. Grüner-Hegge
V.P. Corporate Finance
UK +44 (0) 20 7611 8985
j.gruner-hegge@stolt.com
About Stolt-Nielsen S.A.
Stolt-Nielsen S.A. (SNSA or the "Company") is a leading global provider of
integrated transportation solutions for bulk liquid chemicals, edible oils,
acids, and other specialty liquids through its three largest business divisions,
Stolt Tankers, Stolthaven Terminals and Stolt Tank Containers. Stolt Sea Farm
produces and markets high quality turbot, sole, sturgeon, and caviar. Stolt-
Nielsen Gas transports liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) with its fleet of very
large gas carriers (VLGCs). Stolt-Nielsen S.A. is listed on the Oslo Stock
Exchange.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains "forward-looking statements" based on information
available to the Company on the date hereof, and the Company assumes no
obligation to update any such forward-looking statement. These statements may be
identified by the use of words like "anticipate," "believe," "estimate,"
"expect," "intend," "may," "plan," "project," "will," "should," "seek," and
similar expressions. The forward-looking statements reflect the Company's
current views and assumptions and are subject to risks and uncertainties. The
Company does not represent or warrant that the Company's actual future results,
performance or achievements will be as discussed in the those statements, and
assumes no obligation to, and does not intend to, update any of those forward-
looking statements other than as may be required by applicable law.
This information is subject of the disclosure requirements acc. to §5-12 vphl
(Norwegian Securities Trading Act)
[HUG#1459019]