AQS brings in new investor to drive fleet expansion.
The pan-European infrastructure fund Marguerite will acquire a 50 percent stake in Norwegian aquaculture service vessel operator AQS Holding, the company announced in a press release.
The investment is being made through Marguerite’s latest fund, Marguerite III, and will take the form of a capital increase via the issuance of new shares. The deal is expected to close in April.
Family-owned Fanøyskjæret, controlled by Sandra, Edvard and Ove Løfsnæs, will retain the remaining 50 percent of shares in the Flatanger-based company.
“AQS has reached an important milestone. The partnership with Marguerite provides the necessary resources to realise our growth plans and strengthen our position as a leading operator,” said AQS chairman Ove Løfsnæs.
Founded in 1991, AQS operates a fleet of 16 service vessels and employs 160 staff on land and at sea.
The company stated the partnership with Marguerite is intended to support its long-term strategy, including fleet expansion and organisational growth.
“We are pleased to partner with the Løfsnæs family to take AQS into its next phase of growth,” said Michael Dedieu, Managing Partner at Marguerite. “We are confident in the outlook for the aquaculture service vessel sector and look forward to supporting AQS as it consolidates its leading position.”
A new CEO will be appointed as part of the transaction. Current managing director Pål Anders Lauvsnes will take on the role of COO.
“The strengthened ownership has been well received within our organisation. The new capital and backing from Marguerite position us well to meet future challenges and pursue new opportunities,” Lauvsnes said.
This is Marguerite’s second maritime sector investment following its acquisition of Jifmar, a European operator of workboats.
The transaction follows a period of consolidation in the Norwegian aquaculture support vessel sector. Earlier this month, Arcus Infrastructure Partners took a majority stake in Abyss, and in December, AquaShip/Intership announced the acquisition of FSV Group.
