Looking to focus more on cargo business in the downturn, A.P. Moller-Maersk confirmed Thursday that it is in discussions with a number of parties about the possibility of selling its European Ferry company, Norfolkline.
“There is no certainty as to whether these discussions will result in a transaction taking place,” it said in a statement that followed media reports that it is interested in selling the line.
According to those reports, French ferry firm LD Lines had previously admitted interest in buying Norfolkline as a way of expanding its Channel services, but it subsequently launched a cross-Channel service from Dover to Boulogne and Dover to Dieppe.
Norfolkline currently operates four routes on the Irish Sea; one from Dover to Dunkirk; two from the UK to Esbjerg, Denmark; and two between the UK and Rotterdam. On May 18 it will launch a new service from Rosyth to Zeebrugge. It currently operates a fleet of 17 vessels.
In its annual report, Maersk said of Norfolkline, “The profit before financial items rose from 2007, due to gains on the sale of two ships that have both been chartered back for a period.
“The profit excluding sales gains was somewhat below 2007, negatively influenced by the economic slowdown in Great Britain, higher fuel costs and exchange rate effects resulting from the weakened pound sterling.”
Last year Norfolkline transported 1.3 million trailers.
“There is no certainty as to whether these discussions will result in a transaction taking place,” it said in a statement that followed media reports that it is interested in selling the line.
According to those reports, French ferry firm LD Lines had previously admitted interest in buying Norfolkline as a way of expanding its Channel services, but it subsequently launched a cross-Channel service from Dover to Boulogne and Dover to Dieppe.
Norfolkline currently operates four routes on the Irish Sea; one from Dover to Dunkirk; two from the UK to Esbjerg, Denmark; and two between the UK and Rotterdam. On May 18 it will launch a new service from Rosyth to Zeebrugge. It currently operates a fleet of 17 vessels.
In its annual report, Maersk said of Norfolkline, “The profit before financial items rose from 2007, due to gains on the sale of two ships that have both been chartered back for a period.
“The profit excluding sales gains was somewhat below 2007, negatively influenced by the economic slowdown in Great Britain, higher fuel costs and exchange rate effects resulting from the weakened pound sterling.”
Last year Norfolkline transported 1.3 million trailers.