Aegean Marine Petroleum Network has agreed
to acquire Verbeke Bunkering NV, a bunker operator, or supplier of marine fuel,
in the Netherlands, for an undisclosed amount.
Piraeus-based Aegean, whose shares are
traded on the New York Stock Exchange, said it will buy nine bunkering vessels
and assume the contracts for nine vessels chartered by Verbeke, to expand in
the Antwerp-Rotterdam-Amsterdam region, one of the world’s largest bunkering
markets.
Aegean will also assume the contract for a
bunkering tanker building in which Verbeke holds a 50 percent stake, scheduled
to be delivered in 2010, the company added.
Two brokerages increased their price
targets on Aegean shares in response to the news, saying the deal enhances the
company’s capacity.
(from
“E-Kathimerini”,
7/1/2010
)