[031016.EN.BIZ] 3 Banks, Maersk Sell Stake In Danish Ship Finance In US$710 Million Deal

A GROUP consisting of the two biggest banks in Denmark and the country's central bank agreed to sell a controlling stake in Danish Ship Finance A/S in a deal that values the lender at DKK4.7 billion (US$710 million).

Danske Bank, Nordea Bank, Danmarks Nationalbank and AP Moeller-Maersk will sell their combined 72 per cent stake after the board of Danish Ship Finance in 2015 started a strategic review of its business.

The buyers are Danish pensions funds PFA and PKA, as well as private equity fund Axcel, according to a statement published recently.

Maersk, Denmark's biggest conglomerate, has been selling off non-core assets over the past decade and earlier this month said it plans to split into a transport and an energy company. Danske, Nordea and the central bank have also been divesting assets including their stakes in payment provider Nets A/S, which was listed on the Copenhagen exchange this month.

The remaining A-shareholders in Danish Ship Finance will receive an offer to sell their stakes at the same price, according to the statement. The Danish Maritime Fund, which has a 10 per cent stake made up of B-shares, has decided to keep its stake, according to Bloomberg.

Danish Ship Finance has a BBB+ issuer rating at Standard & Poor's, while its listed bonds are graded A. "The ratings are not expected to change materially as a result of the transaction," the statement said.

Source : HKSG.