Middle East Service Ltd News

Stolt-Nielsen in JVs with Gulf Navigation

Stolt-Nielsen S.A. (SNSA) (Oslo Børs: SNI) said that its wholly owned subsidiary Stolt-Nielsen Indian Ocean and Middle East Service Ltd. ("Stolt") has entered into two 50/50 joint ventures with Gulf Navigation PJSC. The first joint venture, Gulf Stolt Tankers FZCO, will own six new 44,000 dwt coated chemical tankers. The ships will be traded in the Stolt Tankers Joint Service (STJS). Technical ship management will be provided by a second joint venture, Gulf Stolt Ship Management JLT, owned by Gulf Navigation and Stolt. Stolt-Nielsen will take delivery of four of the tankers - ordered in 2006 from SLS Shipbuilding in South Korea - during 2008 and 2009. Gulf Navigation will take delivery of two additional sister ships in 2009, having taken over options previously held by Stolt-Nielsen.