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Published on: 6/6/2008
Last Visited: 7/4/2009
Aker ASA's ownership interest in Aker American Shipping ASA is reduced from 53.2% to 19.9%.
Aker's involvement is changing, from being an active industrial owner to becoming a financial investor in the shipowning company.
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Prior to the transaction, Aker owned 14,675,950 shares in Aker American Shipping through Aker American Shipping Holding.
After the sale, Aker owns [5,493,430] shares in Aker American Shipping, corresponding to 19.9% of the issued share capital in Aker American Shipping.
Aker's financial exposure to Aker American Shipping is unchanged, but Aker's ownership interest and rights is reduced from 53.2% to 19.9% as a result of the transaction.
In November 2007, Aker announced that it planned to reduce its ownership interest in Aker American Shipping.
The sale of shares is related to US Jones Act restrictions which would limit Aker's further ambitions for developing maritime businesses outside the United States.
As a result of Aker's reduced ownership interest, Gary Mandel, Chairman of the Board of Aker American Shipping, has informed the nomination committee that he will step down as Chairman, but still be represented on the Board. Ørjan Svanevik will withdraw from the Board, leaving Aker with representation on the Board consistent with its reduced ownership interest.
Aker American Shipping has informed that they intend to summon for an extraordinary general meeting shortly, in order to attend to this board membership matter and other corporate changes that should be considered by the shareholders as a result of Aker American Shipping no longer being part of Aker, including an adjustment to the name of the company.