Vroon Holding is selling its livestock activities, operated under its subsidiary Livestock Express, to Heytesbury, an Australian agribusiness and shipping group. This is to allow the Dutch shipping company to focus on its key niche markets in energy, liquids, infrastructure and offshore wind.
Heytesbury is an established participant in the northern Australian cattle trade, as well as a livestock vessel owner in its own right. The company services all major markets in South-East Asia, particularly Indonesia. Heytesbury also has a long involvement in livestock shipping, notably as owner of the Ocean Swagman, operated by Livestock Express.
Also read: Vroon expands fleet again after restructuring
Divestment of all livestock vessels
Under the agreement, Vroon will divest all eleven of its owned livestock vessels, plus 100 per cent of its shares in Livestock Express Pte Ltd to the new owners, for an undisclosed amount. Heytesbury will also assume Livestock Express’ Singapore office and its technical management services for third-party vessels.
‘Today marks a special moment, which sees the final chapter of Livestock Express within the Vroon group and the beginning of a new chapter under its future owner,’ says Vroon CEO Martijn Schouten. ‘We are proud of everyone who has helped build Livestock Express over the past sixty years into the world’s largest independent livestock carrier, with a fleet of modern, purpose-built vessels. With Heytesbury as a strategic owner, we are pleased that all the staff and the legacy of Vroon in the trade are in safe and reputable hands, with a solid outlook for the future.’
Strengthened financial position
The divestment will further strengthen Vroon’s financial position, providing a solid foundation for the activities in its niche markets of high heat (energy and liquids), emergency response and rescue, and offshore infrastructure and offshore wind.
Schouten: ‘We have a healthy balance sheet, a clear operational focus and strong positioning in each of our niche markets. This provides a solid foundation for the continued development of our business.’
Also read: Vroon completes restructuring and offshore fleet sale
Livestock Express to continue as usual
Under its new ownership, Livestock Express will continue to operate as an independent carrier, with Heytesbury committed to maintaining “business as usual” for its newly acquired outfit.
‘We have a strong relationship with the Livestock Express team already, and we’re delighted to be coming together as one,’ states Heytesbury’s CEO Paul Holmes à Court. ‘It’s really important that Livestock Express remains operating independently and keeps servicing markets all around the globe under its own brand. We’re both part of a vital global protein trade, and tens of millions of people around the world rely on this fleet to help secure their food supply.’
Livestock Express’ modern purpose-built fleet of livestock carriers transports between 600,000 and 750,000 head of livestock on an annual basis.
Picture: In January 2024 Vroon acquired the livestock vessel MV Aurochs and renamed it Friesian Express (photo by Vroon).
