Seatruck Ferries set for change of ownership

Luxembourg-based logistics group CLdN has agreed to acquire Seatruck Ferries from its current owner, the Clipper Group, for an undisclosed sum.

Seatruck Ferries is based in Heysham and operates three routes between England, Ireland, and Northern Ireland. It operates six purpose-built vessels providing freight-only services across the Irish Sea, and two more vessels which are chartered out.

Seatruck was founded in 1996 and was acquired by the Clipper Group in 2002. The sale will allow the Danish company to concentrate on its dry goods offering.

CLdN is a leading multimodal logistics provider, composed of three divisions. CLdN RoRo operates more than 20  vessels offering more than 130 sailings per week around Europe. CLdN Cargo owns a fleet of 4,500 trailers and 45ft containers and provides door-to-door logistics services, including European full-load transport, freight
forwarding and freight management. CLdN Ports owns and operates ports in England, the Netherlands and Belgium.

The roots of the CLdN Group date back to 1928 and today it employs close to 3,000 people.

The deal is subject to regulatory approval from the Irish competition authorities, expected before year-end. After closing, the Seatruck operation will continue to run under the Seatruck Ferries brand with the existing management team lead by Alistair Eagles.

Florent Maes, chief executive of CLdN CEO, said: "We are delighted with the agreement, which is in line with our overall strategy of expanding current trades and developing new routes.

"Seatruck Ferries is an excellent company with a great route network and a strong business model. Seatruck will be a valuable addition to CLdN’s comprehensive route network and particularly adds to our presence in the UK and Irish markets.

"We look forward to welcoming our new colleagues to the CLdN team and together developing new opportunities for the wider group."

Amrit Peter Kalsi, chief executive of Clipper Group, said: "Given the continued robust performance by Seatruck, we concluded that this was the right time to divest the company. Following a competitive process, we are very pleased to be handing over the baton to a strong, long-term, industrial owner as CLdN."