Paris, July 19th 2007, pdf file
As part of its Horizon 2010 strategy plan, in which the lion’s share of investment is in offshore oil and gas marine services, BOURBON has announced the intention of Grupo Boluda Corporacion Maritima to purchase the harbour towage activity of Les Abeilles.
The acquisition plan is an opportunity for Les Abeilles to grow and expand its harbour towage operations. The size and international presence of harbour towage operators have become decisive factors for success in a market in which many cases of consolidation have been observed in recent months.
The acquisition plan would therefore be totally relevant in view of the companies’ complementary geographical fields of operation, added to the reputation of the buyer, who has clearly demonstrated his intention to invest and become a major player in harbour towage.
The sale of stock in the companies concerned would not have any impact on employees who would retain their status, seniority and benefits.
It should be emphasized that the plan concerns harbour towage only, and does not include protection of the French coastline by vessels chartered by the French navy and carried out by Les Abeilles International which will still be part of BOURBON.
The project is currently under instruction and consultation by the staff representative bodies of the companies concerned.
BOURBON port towage operations are carried out by Les Abeilles in the leading ports and terminals in France, the Indian Ocean and along the African coastline. With a regularly renewed fleet of 66 tugs, the company is acknowledged on an international level for its expertise and boasts a workforce of over 1,000. Its port operations ensure that the Les Abeilles company guarantees the safety of ship movements and fulfils an important role in protecting infrastructure, crews, vessels and the environment.
Grupo Boluda Corporación Marítima is a European holding company boasting a growing portfolio which specialises in maritime services. In addition to harbour towage the group is also present in sea container transport and ship building. Boasting a fleet of 127 modern tugs located in ports in Spain and Latin America (Mexico, Panama, Venezuela, Argentina, Uruguay and the Dominican Republic), the group has a workforce of 3,000 and posted turnover in 2006 of EUR 490 million.
For further information: Grupo Boluda Corporación Marítima Website
With 4,700 professionals and a fleet of 265 owned vessels, BOURBON offers in more than
25 countries a broad range of offshore oil and gas marine services, towage, assistance, salvage and bulk shipping.
By 2010, in line with its strategic plan BOURBON intends to become the leader in modern offshore oil and gas marine services by offering the most demanding international clients worldwide the services of a full line of new generation, innovative and high-performance vessels.
Classified by Euronext in the "Oil Services" sector, BOURBON is listed on Eurolist Paris, Compartment A and is included in the Deferred Settlement Service (SRD) and the SBF 120 and Dow Jones Stoxx 600 indices.
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