Vroon has finalised its financial restructuring. The shipping company now has a specialised fleet of 65 deepsea transport vessels and emergency response and rescue vessels. As part of the restructuring, about forty vessels were sold.
Britoil Offshore Services from Singapore acquires thirty vessels, as well as the supporting offices in Singapore and Genua. Norwegian GEOS purchases five vessels, and Rederij Groen from the Netherlands takes over two vessels.
Vroon announced earlier this year its intention to divest part of its offshore fleet, as part of a financial restructuring and strategic reorientation of the company. The sales proceeds will be used to reduce debt to a normalised level to strengthen the company’s financial position.
Vroon will focus on its specialised deepsea fleet of product and high-heat tankers, livestock carriers and emergency response and rescue vessels. The combined fleet will consist of 65 modern and well-maintained vessels, supported by a workforce of 1400 people.
Also read: Vroon to sell off offshore support vessel fleet
One supporting office to close
The transaction was concluded after a careful process. It was important for Vroon to reach a beneficial and sustainable solution for its employees and customers. The sale of the vessels and their supporting offices as a whole was largely successful. Almost the entire workforce will be transferred to the new owners. Regrettably, the supporting office in Den Helder could not be included in one of the transactions and, as a consequence, will be closed during 2024.
‘With Britoil, GEOS and Rederij Groen, we have found solid new home ports for our offshore-support colleagues and fleet,’ says Vroon CEO Martijn Schouten. ‘Together with the new owners, we will take care of a smooth and seamless handover of our vessels, crews and supporting offices to ensure continuity for our customers. These transactions mark the final conclusion of an intensive process and the beginning of a new chapter for Vroon. The “new” Vroon will continue to focus on being an international shipping company, delivering operational excellence in niche markets.’
Picture by Ein Dahmer, Wikimedia.
Also read: Banks become shareholders of ailing shipping company Vroon
