Louis Dreyfus acquires Rotterdam-based Fairmount Marine

Louis Dreyfus Armateurs, the shipping division of the diverse Louis Dreyfus group, has acquired Rotterdam-based ocean towage specialist Fairmount Marine. The company operates five 200 tonnes bollard pull tugs, all delivered since 2005, and two semi-submersible barges capable of lifting 50,000 tonnes. Discussions are underway with shipyards for two new semi-submersible barges and a series of about 280 tonnes bp tugs. Fairmount works with operators of drilling platforms, barges and FPSOs. Louis Dreyfus has built a fleet involved in bulk carriers, cranes, barges and tugs, submarine cable-layers, offshore seismic research vessels, specialist aircraft component carriers and ro-ros capable of joining the Motorways of the Seas initiative.