To main content

Boskalis and Kotug sign LOI to sell Kotug Smit Towage to Boluda

Papendrecht, 4 March 2019 Royal Boskalis Westminster N.V. (Boskalis), together with its co-shareholder Kotug International B.V. (Kotug), has signed a letter of intent (LOI) relating to the sale of Kotug Smit Towage to Boluda Group (Boluda). Under the terms of the LOI, the total (100%) enterprise value of Kotug Smit Towage is valued at EUR 300 million. Boskalis expects to receive approximately EUR 90 million in cash for its 50% equity stake in the joint venture. The Kotug Smit Towage joint venture between Boskalis and Kotug was formed in 2016 which at the time covered 11 ports in 4 countries (the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany and the United Kingdom). Since then the joint venture has successfully expanded its presence into new ports and realized efficiency savings. Boskalis and Kotug are of the opinion that a further consolidation of the European harbor towage market would be beneficial, a vision which is shared by Boluda. The origins of Boluda go back to 1837 and their tug boat business was founded in 1920 in Valencia, Spain. Today, the family-owned company is the leading operator in the Spanish and French market and with a fleet of over 230 vessels hold an important international position in the main ports of Europe, Africa, the Indian Ocean and Latin America. The combination of Kotug Smit Towage and Boluda is highly complementary making this intended transaction attractive for all stakeholders.   This agreement is subject to customary conditions including a due diligence and approval from regulatory agencies in the respective countries involved. The transaction is expected to close in the second half of 2019. For further information Investor relations:
Martijn L.D. Schuttevâer
ir@boskalis.com Press:
Arno Schikker
press@boskalis.com T +31 78 6969310 This is a Boskalis press release on the grounds of article 17 paragraph 1 of the European Market Abuse Regulation (596/2014).
Royal Boskalis Westminster N.V. is a leading global services provider operating in the dredging, maritime infrastructure and maritime services sectors. The company provides creative and innovative all-round solutions to infrastructural challenges in the maritime, coastal and delta regions of the world. Core activities, including coastal defense, riverbank protection and land reclamation, allow Boskalis to provide adaptive and mitigating solutions to combat the impacts of climate change, sea level rise and to deliver solutions for the increasing need for space in coastal and delta regions in the world. The company facilitates the development of offshore energy infrastructure, including renewables. It is furthermore active in the construction and development and maintenance of ports, waterways, access channels and civil infrastructure, contributing to improved trade flows and the socio-economic development of a region. In addition, Boskalis is a global marine salvage expert and has a number of strategic partnerships in harbor towage and terminal services (Kotug Smit Towage, Keppel Smit Towage, Saam Smit Towage and Smit Lamnalco). With a versatile fleet of more than 900 vessels and floating equipment and 10,700 employees, including associated companies, Boskalis is building new horizons in 90 countries across six continents.

Let's talk

Stay up to date

Enter your email address to receive Boskalis press releases, news and/or financial calendar updates.

IR & Public Relations

For questions concerning our press and news releases contact our Corporate Communications department.

Corporate Communications