Wah Kwong Goes Private

Wah Kwong Shippping Holdings said its shareholders approved a joint HK$50 million buy-out bid from Belgium's Compagnie Maritime Belge SA (CMB) and Wah Kwong president George Chao. Company shares will resume trading in Hong Kong on Wednesday. The last day of trading for Wah Kwong shares in London is July 21, and July 24 for Hong Kong. Delisting is scheduled for July 26.

The joint offer from CMB and Chao was made at HK$5.65 per share, to acquire 57.7 percent of Wah Kwong shares. CMB's Bocimar Far East Holdings unit owned 27.1 percent of the company, whilst Chao held a 15.2 percent stake. Wah Kwong shares closed at HK$5.50 on Tuesday. The company is engaged in the transport of bulk cargo such as coal and iron ore.