DP World, the container-port operator forced to part with six American terminals because of US lawmakers' security objections, agreed to buy control of Mermaid Marine Australia Ltd and combine the company with its P&O Maritime Services Pty Ltd unit.
Mermaid Marine will issue 221.9 million shares to Dubai, United Arab Emirates-based DP World in return for full ownership of P&O Maritime, the companies said yesterday. DP World will own 60.4 per cent of the merged Australian marine-services provider once the transaction is completed, they said.
DP World, owned by the emirate of Dubai, became the world's biggest operator of container ports with its US$6.8 billion takeover in February of London-based Peninsular & Oriental Steam Navigation Co. The company was forced to sell P&O's terminals in the US because of legislators' national security concerns related to the Sept 11 attacks.