JOC Staff | Nov 26, 2012 12:07PM EST
Boskalis, the Dutch dredging and marine services group, said it has bought nearly 22 percent of the shares in Dockwise following the announcement earlier today of its 682 million euro ($887 million) offer for the Netherlands-based heavy-lift shipping company.
The share purchase on the Amsterdam stock exchange paves the way for a successful takeover as HAL Investments, which owns around 32 percent in both companies, has backed the deal
Boskalis said Dockwise has expressed a “positive attitude” toward the 17.20 euro ($ 22.35) per share offer, a 61 percent premium on Dockwise’s closing price on Friday.
Dockwise, which operates some of the world’s biggest heavy-lift vessels and has an estimated 40 percent share of the market for major offshore oil transport contracts, said it is “well suited” to manage its business on a stand-alone basis and will seek clarification from Boskalis about the offer.
