Shipping tycoon John Fredriksen has become the top investor in offshore wind vessel owner Edda Wind after Norwegian shipowner Østensjø sold all its shares in the company for NOK 521.8m ($47m).
Following the transaction, Østensjø – which held shares through its subsidiary Østensjø Wind – does not hold any shares or rights to shares in the company. According to an Oslo Bors filing, the shares were acquired for NOK 24.50 per share.
Of the 21.3m shares in Edda Wind put up for sale by Østensjø, John Fredriksen’s Geveran Trading bought a little under 10.3m shares, Wilhelmsen New Energy acquired 6.34m shares, while EPS Ventures – a company 100% owned by Israeli ship owner Eastern Pacific Shipping led by Idan Ofer – bought just over 4,67m shares.
Following the settlement of the transaction, Fredriksen’s Geveran will hold 31.03% of the company, while Wilhelmsen and Ofer’s EPS will hold 31.02% and 20.09% stakes, respectively.
Edda Wind was founded by Østensjø and its activities were divested from the company and later listed on the stock exchange in 2021 with the Norwegian shipowner as a major shareholder.
Fredriksen and Ofer invested in Edda Wind and got board seats from the first day of the company’s IPO. Fredriksen increased its stake in Edda Wind through the acquisition of 2m shares in October last year.
