Danske Markets is pleased to announce the successful closing of the DFDS rights issue with gross proceeds of DKK 554.7 million. The prospectus also formed basis of admission to trading and official listing of 4,189,415 new shares subscribed for by A.P. Moller - Maersk in a directed issue (corresponding to a post issue ownership stake in DFDS of 28.2%). Danske Markets acted as Joint Global Co-ordinator in the transaction.
On 17 December 2009, DFDS announced that it had entered into a conditional agreement to acquire Norfolkline from A.P. Moller - Maersk. Norfolkline is a leading shipping and logistics company with a strong sea-based route network in the North Sea, the English Channel and the Irish Sea combined with significant logistics activities in Northern Europe. Norfolkline's activities are distributed on the two business areas: Ferry and Logistics. In 2009, Norfolkline's revenue equalled DKK 4,445 million, of which DKK 2,426 million related to the Ferry business and DKK 2,201 million to the Logistics business area. The acquisition represents an important step towards the realisation of DFDS' network strategy, which was drawn up in 2007 and based on a vision of creating a European, sea-based transport network.
The proceeds from the offerings will primarily be used as payment for the shares in Norfolk Holdings B.V. A significant part of the proceeds from the offerings not used for cash payment for the shares in Norfolk Holdings B.V. will be used to generally strengthen DFDS' financial position.
DFDS operates a sea-based freight and passenger transport network in Northern Europe. DFDS' activities are organised in five business areas. The business areas Ro-Ro Shipping, Container Shipping and Passenger Shipping are commercially responsible for operating the routes in the transport network, while the business areas Terminal Services and Trailer Services support the network by operating port terminals and providing freight volumes for the sea-based route network. Ro-Ro Shipping is the largest business area , accounting for 42.2% of revenue. The company was founded in 1866 and today employs about 3,700 people and operates a fleet of 49 vessels.
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