Gas ship operator BW Epic Kosan is to be privatised with Web Holding, a company controlled by Kristian Mørch-led J. Lauritzen and Greek shipowner Nicholas Lykiardopulo, today making a voluntary unconditional offer of NOK24 ($2.20) per share to acquire all outstanding shares in the Oslo-listed shipowner.
A key shareholder, Odfjell, has signalled its willingness to sell its shares while Andreas Sohmen-Pao-led BW Group has said it will join Web Holding in taking the company private.
BW Epic Kosan owns and operates a fleet of 62 gas carriers. The company, which traces its origins back to 2005, has focused on gas ships in the 3,500 and 12,000 cu m range and is now the largest owner and operator in this niche sector. In 2019, BW Group bought Epic Gas, with Lauritzen Kosan then agreeing to merge its gas fleet the following year to create today’s BW Epic Kosan brand.
BW Energy, Cadeler, Hafnia, BW Ideol, BW Offshore, BW LPG are some of the other BW brands listed in Oslo.
