CMA CGM S.A. has crossed the 90% ownership threshold in Neptune Orient Lines Limited (NOL). Following its all-cash voluntary conditional general offer (Offer) for NOL which was launched on June 6th, 2016, CMA CGM now owns 2,361,044,044 shares representing approximately 90.68% of NOL’s share capital.
With the public float of NOL shares now falling below the minimum threshold of 10%, the Singapore Exchange Securities Trading Limited (SGX-ST) may suspend the trading of NOL shares at the close of the Offer. In the event of a trading suspension, CMA CGM does not intend to take steps for the suspension to be lifted.
In addition, CMA CGM intends to have NOL delisted from the Main Board of the SGX-ST.
CMA CGM also confirms that it intends to exercise its right of compulsory acquisition to acquire all the NOL shares held by shareholders who have not accepted the Offer, in accordance with the Companies Act (Chapter 50 of Singapore), should it acquire more than 91.05% of NOL shares. An announcement will be released on SGXNET accordingly.
CMA CGM is offering NOL shareholders the Offer Price of SGD 1.30 per NOL share in cash. CMA CGM will not increase the Offer Price.
NOL shareholders who accept the Offer before the close of the Offer will be paid SGD 1.30 per NOL share within 7 business days after the date of receipt of their valid acceptance.
About the CMA CGM Group
CMA CGM, founded and led by Jacques R. Saadé, is a leading worldwide shipping group. Its 450 vessels call at more than 400 ports in the world, across all 5 continents. In 2015, they carried 13 million TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units). CMA CGM has grown continuously, and has been constantly innovating to offer its clients new sea, land and logistics solutions. With a presence in 163 countries, through its 426 agencies, the Group employs 22,000 people worldwide, including 2,400 at its headquarters in Marseille.
About NOL
Headquartered in Singapore, NOL is the largest shipping company listed on the Singapore Exchange. Its container shipping arm, APL, provides world-class container shipping and terminal services, as well as intermodal operations supported by leading-edge IT and e-commerce. APL offers transcontinental cargo shipping across Asia, North and South America, Europe, the Middle East, the Indian subcontinent and Australia through more than 80 weekly services calling at 160 ports worldwide.