Vroon
Vroon has strengthened its fleet following a financial restructuring last year with the acquisition of a livestock carrier from Japan’s Tsuneishi Group.
The Dutch shipowner has added the 2017-built Aurochs, which recently left Australia under its new name, Friesian Express.
The youngest livestock carrier in operation takes the company’s fleet of such vessels managed by its Livestock Express unit to 13.
Livestock Express is the world’s largest provider of livestock tonnage that ships between 600,000 and 750,000 head of livestock on an annual basis. The company went through a fleet renewal programme between 2013 and 2016, which was completed with the delivery of the now-eight-year-old Gudali Express.
Martijn Schouten-led Vroon finalised restructuring last year that resulted in an offshore fleet selloff, with Singapore-based OSV owner Britoil taking most of the ships. Vroon’s fleet today consists of about 65 ships, including high-heat tankers, livestock carriers and emergency response and rescue vessels.
Commenting on the acquisition, Schouten said: “As an internationally renowned shipping company, Vroon’s goal is to build further on our solid base and decades of experience, focussing on what we do best – delivering operational excellence in niche markets. Together with our shareholders and lenders, we look forward to taking more such positive steps in the coming period.“
