Vopak To Sell Tankers
Dutch chemicals storage and shipping company Koninklijke Vopak reported a five percent rise in 2000 net profit, driven by its North American distribution business, and forecast a sharper rise in the current year. Vopak, the world leader in tank storage, said net profits after payouts of preferential share dividends rose to 160.1 million euros ($148.9 million) in 2000 from 152.2 million euros in the previous year. Vopak said profits after goodwill write-offs were likely to rise by eight to 10 percent in 2001, and also forecast a rise in net profit before goodwill and one-time charges of 19-21 percent in the current year. Company watchers said although the 2000 figures came as no surprise, the outlook for 2001 was slightly disappointing.
Happy Birthday, Vopak: Worlds Largest Chem Shipping Company Born
After years of courting, Pakhoed NV and Van Ommeren formally became the world's largest chemical shipping, tank storage and logistics group last Thursday with the launch of Vopak shares on the Amsterdam bourse. The shares started trading at $24.84 (26.05 euros) and closed at a session high of 27 euros, giving the new company a market capitalization of $1.46 billion (1.396 billion euros). "We don't expect any spectacular movements in the share price" in the short term, said SNS Securities analyst Okko de Jager, who has a "buy" recommendation on the shares. The on-again, off-again merger of the former rivals has created a giant with deep pockets - estimated at one billion euros - and market commanding positions in Europe and the U.S.
