Leif Høegh verso il totale controllo della HUAL con l'acquisizione del 50% del capitale in mano alla Ugland

La compagnia di navigazione norvegese Leif Høegh & Co. ASA (LHC), che ha già il 50% del capitale della Høegh Hugland Auto Liners (HUAL), acquisirà la restante quota della compagnia in mano alla Ugland International Holdings plc (UIH), divenendone unica proprietaria. L'operazione di takeover, che ha un valore complessivo di 3,14 miliardi di corone norvegesi (390 milioni di dollari) e che è soggetta all'approvazione degli azionisti della Hugland, verrà condotta entro il prossimo 31 marzo.

L'intesa prevede che, oltre al 50% della HUAL, Leif Høegh entri in possesso anche dell'intero pacchetto azionario della Ugland Autoliners Limited, società del settore dell'autotrasporto, e del 50% del capitale della Joint Vessels Limited (JVL), di cui si assumerà anche i debiti. La transazione include inoltre il noleggio per 6 anni di due navi, che verranno acquistate alla fine di questo periodo. JVL attualmente possiede nove navi gestite dalla HUAL e ne ha una in costruzione che le sarà consegnata alla fine di quest'anno.

A seguito dell'accordo raggiunto tra LHC e UIH il presidente della prima compagnia, Thor Jørgen Guttormsen, diventerà presidente della HUAL al posto di Karl Kr. Hauger; quest'ultimo nell'ambito del CdA di HUAL lavorerà a fianco di Guttormsen.
Westye Høegh, chairman di Leif Høegh ha detto che «l'acquisizione pone fine a 30 anni di partnership tra LHC e Ugland», sottolineando che l'iniziativa di HUAL ha rappresentato un enorme investimento per le due società.

HUAL, che ha sede ad Oslo, è stata fondata nel 1970 ed è attualmente il sesto vettore di trasporto marittimo ro-ro. La società dispone di una flotta di 25 navi di proprietà e di altre unità a noleggio. Nello scorso anno la compagnia ha trasportato oltre un milione di car (car equivalent units).

HUAL Fleet

Vessels	built	deck area (m²)	car capacity	pick-up capacity	max capacity trucks+cars	max load (tons)
HUAL Carolita	1999	54,214	6,100	2,870	680+1,800	150
HUAL Transporter	1999	54,214	6,100	2,870	680+1,800	150
HUAL Trader	1998	54,214	6,100	2,870	680+1,800	150
HUAL Trooper	1995	54,070	6,100	2,870	680+1,800	150
HUAL Trident	1995	54,070	6,100	2,870	680+1,800	150
HUAL Margarita	1988	52,075	5,910	2,830	680+1,600	150
HUAL Tribute	1988	52,075	5,910	2,830	680+1,600	150
AUTO Diana	1988	56,785	6,400	2,120	410+3,600	44
AUTO Champ	1988	56,785	6,400	2,120	410+3,600	44
HUAL Favorita	1987	52,075	5,910	2,830	680+1,600	150
HUAL Carmencita	1983	38,010	4,110	2,020	720+950	150
HUAL Trotter	1983	32,500	3,710	1,670	420+1,800	150
HUAL Traveller	1983	32,500	3,710	1,670	420+1,800	150
HUAL Transita	1981	50,515	5,550	960	180+4,450	20
HUAL Trinita	1981	50,515	5,550	960	180+4,450	20
HUAL Trapper	1981	31,860	3,640	1,320	420+1,730	70
HUAL Tracer	1981	31,860	3,640	1,320	420+1,730	70
HUAL Angelita	1981	31,100	3,550	1,300	420+1,640	70
HUAL Karinita	1980	46,090	5,250	1,780	410+3,000	70
HUAL Rolita	1980	31,100	3,550	1,300	420+1,640	70
HUAL Lisita	1980	31,100	3,550	1,300	420+1,640	70
HUAL Ingrita	1980	31,100	3,550	1,300	420+1,640	70
Carib Star	1979	5,222	522	290		50
Carib Sun	1977	4,882	488	290		3
Carib Sea	1976	4,882	488	290		3

T/C VESSELS
Auto Banner	1988	56,785	6,400	2,120	410+3,600	44
Marina Ace	1987	54.310	5.930	2.500	440+3.700	50
Universal Spirit	1985	42.555	4.840	1.300	180+3.720	30

Höegh Fleet

Vessels	Type	Built	Owner

Jedforest	BULK	1997	Leif Höegh & Co. Shipping AS
Lauderdale	BULK	1996	Leif Höegh & Co. Shipping AS

Carib Star	CAR	1979	Joint Vessels Limited
Hual Tracer	CAR	1981	Leif Höegh & Co. Shipping AS
Hual Trader	CAR	1998	Leif Höegh & Co. Shipping AS
Hual Transita	CAR	1981	Joint Vessels Limited
Hual Trapper	CAR	1981	Leif Höegh & Co. Shipping AS
Hual Traveller	CAR	1983	Leif Höegh & Co. Shipping AS
Hual Tribute	CAR	1988	Leif Höegh & Co. Shipping AS
Hual Trident	CAR	1995	Leif Höegh & Co. Shipping AS
Hual Trooper	CAR	1995	Leif Höegh & Co. Shipping AS
Hual Trotter	CAR	1983	Leif Höegh & Co. Shipping AS
Hual Asia	CAR		Joint Vessels Limited
Auto Champ	CAR	1988	Joint Vessels Limited
Hual Transporter	CAR	1999	Leif Höegh UK

Höegh Gandria	GAS	1977	Liquimarine Gandria Chartering
Norman Lady	GAS	1973	Methane Carriers
Mystic Lady	GAS	1974	Leif Höegh & Co. Shipping AS

Rickmers Houston	LINE	1979	Leif Höegh & Co. Shipping AS
Rickmers Tianjin	LINE	1979	Leif Höegh & Co. Shipping AS
Höegh Minerva	LINE	1979	Leif Höegh & Co. Shipping AS
Höegh Miranda	LINE	1979	Leif Höegh & Co. Shipping AS

Höegh Marlin	OPHA	1977	Leif Höegh & Co. Shipping AS
Höegh Merchant	OPHA	1977	Leif Höegh & Co. Shipping AS
Höegh Merit	OPHA	1977	Leif Höegh & Co. Shipping AS
Höegh Mistral	OPHA	1986	Leif Höegh & Co. Shipping AS
Höegh Morus	OPHA	1997	Leif Höegh & Co. Shipping AS
Höegh Musketeer	OPHA	1977	Leif Höegh & Co. Shipping AS
Mascot	OPHA	1977	Leif Höegh & Co. Shipping AS
Saga Challenger	OPHA	1996	Leif Höegh & Co. Shipping AS

Crystal Pride	REEF	1992	Unicool Ship Ltd.
Crystal Primadonna	REEF	1992	Unicool Ship Ltd.
Crystal Prince	REEF	1991	Unicool Ship Ltd.
Crystal Privilege	REEF	1992	Unicool Ship Ltd.
Ivory Dawn	REEF	1991	Unicool Ship Ltd.
Spring Bride	REEF	1984	Unicool Ship Ltd.
Summer Breeze	REEF	1985	Unicool Ship Ltd.
Summer Flower	REEF	1984	Unicool Ship Ltd.
Summer Meadow	REEF	1985	Unicool Ship Ltd.
Summer Wind	REEF	1985	Unicool Ship Ltd.

Leif Høegh & Co. ASA
Historic proforma financial key figures
(including 100 per cent of HUAL and Unicool, Ltd.)
(source: LHC)

	1998		1-3Q1999
	Actual	Proforma	Actual	Proforma
Revenue	3.811	6.287	2.796	4.467
Operating profit before depreciation	864	1.393	451	750
Operating Profit	651	1.009	264	444

Hugland Fleet

Vessel Name	Ownership	Position Company
Carib Sea	50%	Joint Vessels Limited
Carib Star	50%	Joint Vessels Limited
Carib Sun	50%	Joint Vessels Limited
HUAL Rolita	50%	Joint Vessels Limited
HUAL Ingrita	100%	Ugland Autoliners
HUAL Karinita	100%	Ugland Autoliners
HUAL Lisita	100%	Ugland Autoliners
HUAL Angelita	100%	Ugland Autoliners
HUAL Trinita	50%	Joint Vessels Limited
HUAL Transita	50%	Joint Vessels Limited
Auto Diana	50%	Joint Vessels Limited
Auto Champ	50%	Joint Vessels Limited
HUAL Carmencita	100%	Ugland Autoliners
HUAL Favorita	100%	Ugland Autoliners
HUAL Margarita	100%	Ugland Autoliners
UB Prince	100%	Ugland Reefers
UB Polaris	100%	Ugland Reefers
UB Libra	100%	Ugland Reefers
Pasadena Universal	100%	Ugland Reefers
UB Gemini	100%	Ugland Reefers
Arimao Universal	100%	Ugland Reefers

Fleet List for IUM Singapore

Vessels	Size	Type	Flag	Built
Belgrace	40,890 dwt	Tankers	NIS	1984
Magnolia	84,656 dwt	Tanker	NIS	1983
Belmaj	149,516 dwt	Bulk Carrier	LIB	1990
Belnor	47,300 dwt	Bulk Carrier	NIS	1996
Belstar	43,419 dwt	Bulk Carrier	NIS	1992
Super Adventure	28,630 dwt	Bulk Carrier	PAN	1996
Super Challenge	28,630 dwt	Bulk Carrier	PAN	1996
Western Ondina	47,300 dwt	Bulk Carrier	PAN	1996

Fleet List for IUM AS

Vessels	Size	Type	Built	Owner
Hual Angelita	3,550 cars	Car Carrier	1981	UAL
Hual Carmencita	4,110 cars	Car Carrier	1983	UAL
Hual Favorita	5,910 cars	Car Carrier	1987	UAL
Hual Ingrita	3,550 cars	Car Carrier	1980	UAL
Hual Karinita	5,250 cars	Car Carrier	1980	UAL
Hual Lisita	3,550 cars	Car Carrier	1980	UAL
Hual Margarita	5,910 cars	Car Carrier	1988	UAL
Hual Rolita	3,500 cars	Car Carrier	1980	JVL
Hual Trinita	5,200 cars	Car Carrier	1981	UAL
Auto Diana	5,745 cars	Car Carrier	1988	JVL
Auto Champ	5,745 cars	Car Carrier	1988	JVL

Stena Akarita	107,223 dwt	Tanker	1991	NAS
Stena Alexita	126,300 dwt	Tanker	1998	UNS
Nordic Sarita	124,472 dwt	Tanker	1986	AUA
Nordic Savonita	108,712 dwt	Tanker	1992	NAS
Nordic Apollo	129,019 dwt	Tanker	1978/92	NAS
Nordic Laurita	68,139 dwt	Tanker	1981	NAS
Nordic Liberita	68,027 dwt	Tanker	1980	NAS
Nordic Torinita	108,683 dwt	Tanker	1992	NAS
Nordic Svenita	107,000 dwt	Tanker	1997	Perennial Shipping Inc.

Brazilian Reefer	14,803 dwt	Reefer	1983	SWAN Reefer ASA
Amimao Universal	10,647 dwt	Reefer	1984	URL
Pasadena Universal	10,647 dwt	Reefer	1983	URL
Belgian Reefer	14,786 dwt	Reefer	1983	SWAN Reefer ASA
Ub Gemini	10,644 dwt	Reefer	1984	URL
Ub Libra	10,644 dwt	Reefer	1984	URL
Ub Polaris	9,269 dwt	Reefer	1978	URL
Ub Prince	9,612 dwt	Reefer	1976	URL
Dominica	13,981 dwt	Reefer	1993	GEEST
St.Lucia	13,981 dwt	Reefer	1993	GEEST
Anglian Reefer	14,933 dwt	Reefer	1988	SWAN Reefer ASA
Argentinean Reefer	14,933 dwt	Reefer	1988	SWAN Reefer ASA
Bothnian Reefer	11,095 dwt	Reefer	1992	SWAN Reefer ASA
Swan Chacabuco	12,974 dwt	Reefer	1990	SWAN Reefer ASA
Chaiten	12,838 dwt	Reefer	1988	SWAN Reefer ASA
Tundra King	12,700 dwt	Reefer	1991	SWAN Reefer ASA
Tundra Queen	12,700 dwt	Reefer	1991	SWAN Reefer ASA
Tundra Princess	12,700 dwt	Reefer	1991	SWAN Reefer ASA

Protector 2	125,551 dwt	Bulk	1976	Polaris
Apostolos Andreas 5	70,119 dwt	Bulk	1995	Polaris

Carib Sea	530 cars	Car Carrier	1976	JVL
Carib Sun	530 cars	Car Carrier	1977	JVL

Fleet List for IUM Corporation

Vessel	Type	Registry	Client
Great Land	Ro/Ro	USA	Totem Ocean Trailer Express
Northern Lights	Ro/Ro	USA	Totem Ocean Trailer Express
Westward Venture	Ro/Ro	USA	Totem Ocean Trailer Express
Brooks Range	Tanker	USA	BP America
Thompson Pass	Tanker	USA	BP America
Gopher State	Crane Ship	USA	Maritime Administration
Flickertail State	Crane Ship	USA	Maritime Administration
Cornhusker State	Crane Ship	USA	Maritime Administration
Diamond State	Crane Ship	USA	Maritime Administration
Equality State	Crane Ship	USA	Maritime Administration
Cape Bon	Breakbulk	USA	Maritime Administration
Northern Light	Breakbulk	USA	Maritime Administration
Hmi Astrachem	Chemical Tanker	USA	Hvide Marine Inc.
Hmi Defender	Product Tanker	USA	Hvide Marine Inc.
Hmi Dynachem	Chemical Tanker	USA	Hvide Marine Inc.
Hmi Petrochem	Chemical Tanker	USA	Hvide Marine Inc.
Hmi Lookout Shoals	Product Tanker	USA	Lightship, LLC
Hmi Nantucket	Product Tanker	USA	Lightship, LLC
Allegiance	Product Tanker	USA	Maritrans Operating Partners
Integrity	Product Tanker	USA	Maritrans Operating Partners
Perseverance	Product Tanker	USA	Maritrans Operating Partners
Diligence	Product Tanker	USA	Maritrans Operating Partners
El Morro	Lo/Lo - Ro/Ro	USA	Sea Star Line