Samskip makes major Norwegian acquisition with Nor Lines takeover
Samskip has announced that it will acquire activities associated with Nor Lines AS, in a major expansion of its shipping, transport and logistics businesses in Norway.
Subject to approval by Norway's competition authorities, Samskip has agreed with the DSD Group to acquire the activities of Nor Lines, which generate an average annual turnover of €110 million.
With its head office in Stavanger, Nor Lines is a diversified logistics business offering domestic and international services. The transaction includes terminal activities nationwide, warehousing and haulage services, while five out of seven multi-purpose vessels will be transferred under a time charter arrangement to Samskip. It also brings 170 employees, based in 14 locations throughout Norway. Post-acquisition, activities will continue operate under the Nor Lines brand name.
Samskip's presence in Norway has been significantly strengthened over the past years through internal growth and several acquisitions. Samskip now transports around 90,000 TEU a year between Norway and Northern Europe, a volume it aims to further increase through the Nor Lines acquisition. The frigoCare (fully owned by Samskip) cold store and terminal in Aalesund serves an important hub in both Samskip's container system and Nor Lines vessel system. Samskip also owns a 50% share in Bergen based Silver Sea AS, which operates a fleet of 14 reefer vessels. Samskip's combined annual turnover after the Nor Lines takeover will make it a major player in the market.
Samskip, as an ISO14001-certified company whose sustainable transport policy has been recognised in multiple industry awards, is extremely pleased to add the LNG-vessels, Kvitnos and Kvitbjørn, to its fleet. The Rolls-Royce Marine designed vessels, delivered in 2015, eliminate NOx emissions, minimise SOx emissions and, in per ton/km terms, produce 70% lower CO2 emissions than the equivalent truck freight move. Overall, they are 65% more energy-efficient than a ship running on conventional marine fuel.
