Wallenius Wilhelmsen Logistics: No Change in Long Term Ownership Structure

* The Norwegian Wilhelmsen family sees no change in the planned ownership structure in Wilh. Wilhelmsen ASA in the foreseeable future after the merger with Wallenius

* Wilhelmsen and Wallenius aim to merge its ownership in the jointly owned entities Wallenius Wilhelmsen Logistics (jointly owned 100 pct), EUKOR Car Carriers (jointly owned 80 pct) and American Roll-on Roll-off Carrier (jointly owned 100 pct)

* The current plan is that Wilh. Wilhelmsen Holding, where the Wilhelmsen family is the majority owner, and the Wallenius family will have around 40 percent each in Wallenius Wilhelmsen Logistics ASA, which is the new name of the company, and other shareholders the remaining 20 percent

* "I don't think their plan is to sell shares (from the planned 40 percent). There has been no indication on that. We both have good long term systems and we want to the see the effects of this in the merger and to improve the constellation", chief executive officer Thomas Wilhelmsen in Wilh. Wilhelmsen Holding told Reuters at the capital markets day on Thursday

* "I don't think it is a bigger probability for them (Wallenius) to weight down in Wallenius Logistics ASA than we should do it," Thomas Wilhelmsen said

* The merged company will own about 22 percent of the global fleet in the car/truck carrier shipping market

* Wilhelmsen and Wallenius expect to sign final legal merger agreements before the end of the year