EX-99.J 3 d483081dex99j.htm EXHIBIT J EXHIBIT J

Exhibit J

 

LOGO

PRESS RELEASE

CMB, Frontline and Famatown agree on integrated solution for strategic and structural deadlock at Euronav

 

Antwerp, 9 October 2023, 8:00 AM – CMB NV (“CMB”) is pleased to announce that it has reached an agreement with Frontline plc (“Frontline”) and Famatown Finance Limited (“Famatown”), the other reference shareholders of Euronav NV (“Euronav”) (NYSE: EURN & Euronext: EURN), for an integrated solution to the current strategic and structural deadlock within Euronav. CMB and its affiliates currently own 22.93% of Euronav’s issued shares. Frontline and Famatown together own 26.12% of Euronav’s issued shares. Euronav owns 8.23% of its issued shares in treasury.

The integrated solution entails (i) the acquisition by CMB of all Euronav shares held by Frontline and Famatown (the “Share Purchase”) in parallel with (ii) the sale of 24 vessels by Euronav to Frontline or an affiliate thereof (the “Vessel Sale”) which is subject to completion of the Share Purchase (together the “Transaction”). In light of this Transaction, the arbitration proceedings between Euronav and Frontline in respect of the combination agreement entered into between them on 10 July 2022 will be terminated.

Acquisition of shares by CMB

CMB has entered into a share purchase agreement (“SPA”) with Frontline plc and Famatown (together the “Sellers”) to acquire all of the 57,479,744 Euronav shares (representing 26.12% of Euronav’s issued shares) currently owned by the Sellers for a purchase price of USD 18.43 per share.

The completion of the Share Purchase is subject to merger control approvals and approval by Euronav’s shareholders’ meeting of the conditionality of the Vessel Sale on the completion of the Share Purchase in accordance with Article 7:151 of the Belgian Code of companies and associations (the “BCCA”).

Mandatory Bid by CMB

Following completion of the Share Purchase expected in Q4 2023, CMB will launch a mandatory public takeover bid on the remaining shares in Euronav that are not already owned by CMB or its affiliates, in accordance with applicable Belgian law (the “Mandatory Bid”).

The Mandatory Bid will be launched at a price of USD 18.43 per share, reduced on a dollar-for-dollar basis by the gross amount per share of any future distributions by Euronav to its shareholders with an ex-dividend date prior to the settlement date of the Mandatory Bid. The bid price will be paid in cash.

As CMB intends to maintain Euronav’s listing on Euronext Brussels and the New York Stock Exchange, it has no intention to launch a squeeze-out bid following the closing of the Mandatory Bid.

CMB has published a notice in accordance with article 8, §1 of the Belgian Royal Decree of 27 April 2007 on public takeover bids regarding its intention to launch the Mandatory Offer subject to completion of the Share Purchase, which can be found in this link.

Sale of 24 vessels to Frontline

Concomitantly, Euronav and Frontline agreed on the sale of 24 vessels (see Annex 1) by Euronav to Frontline or an affiliate thereof for an aggregate purchase price of USD 2.35 billion, subject to completion of the Share Purchase.

The Vessel Sale is also subject to merger control approvals and approval by Euronav’s shareholders’ meeting of the conditionality of the Vessel Sale and the Termination of the Arbitration (see below) on the completion of the Share Purchase in accordance with Article 7:151 of the BCCA.

Termination of Arbitration

In light of the Transaction, the arbitration proceedings between Euronav, Frontline, Famatown, Hemen Holding Limited and Geveran Trading Co. Limited in respect of the combination agreement entered into between them on 10 July 2022 will be terminated, subject to completion of the Share Purchase (the “Termination of the Arbitration”).

Corporate governance

The transactions to which Euronav is a party, namely the Vessel Sale and the Termination of the Arbitration, fall within the scope of the related parties transactions procedure set out in article 7:116 BCCA. In accordance with this procedure, these transactions have been approved by Euronav’s supervisory board, on the advice of the committee of independent directors. Further information can be found in Euronav’s public announcement regarding this procedure in accordance with article 7:116, §4/1 BCCA.

As the Share Purchase would result in a change of control over Euronav, the conditionality of the Vessel Sale and the Termination of the Arbitration on the completion of the Share Purchase will be submitted to a special general meeting of shareholders of Euronav in accordance with article 7:151 BCCA.

 

Page 2 of 5

CMB’s future strategy for Euronav

CMB has a clear strategy for Euronav which is based on three axes:

 

  1.

Diversification of the fleet

CMB wants to diversify the fleet of Euronav into different shipping segments to decrease the dependence on the transportation of crude oil. This does not mean exiting the tanker business altogether, but a gradual decrease of the share of revenues coming from pure crude oil transportation by adding different shipping asset types to the Euronav portfolio.

This diversification could be realized through :

 

  •  

The acquisition of second-hand future-proof tonnage

 

  •  

The ordering of future-proof newbuildings

 

  •  

The acquisition of part or the totality of the CMB and CMB.TECH future-proof fleet (see fleet list in Annex 2)

Future-proof in CMB’s view means efficient low-carbon emitting ships and/or ships powered by hydrogen and/or ships powered by ammonia.

 

  2.

Decarbonization of the fleet

CMB believes a key trend in shipping is offering low-emission ships to its customers. It will be crucially important to dedicate significant amounts of capital from the industry and shipping companies to the development of low-carbon engines, fuel supply systems and the production of low-carbon fuels. CMB wants Euronav to play a leading role in the decarbonization of the shipping industry and be the reference shipowner when it comes to green ships.

 

  3.

Optimization of the existing fleet

Euronav’s fleet standards have always been excellent. By divesting less efficient/older tankers and re-investing the proceeds in newbuildings/modern second hand tonnage or technical upgrades (e.g. energy saving devices), CMB wants to optimize Euronav’s large remaining fleet of tankers to continue offering the best fleet to its customers.

Subject to completion of the transaction, CMB is investigating options for Euronav to invest part of the proceeds of the Vessel Sale to accelerate this strategy.

CMB is being assisted in respect of the Mandatory Bid by Crédit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank, KBC Securities NV and Sociéte Générale as financial advisors, and by Argo Law and Reed Smith LLP as legal advisors.

 

Page 3 of 5

About CMB

CMB (Compagnie Maritime Belge) is a diversified shipping and cleantech group based in Antwerp, Belgium. CMB owns and operates 150 vessels in dry bulk (Bocimar), containers (Delphis), chemicals (Bochem) and offshore wind (Windcat). CMB is also active in cleantech (CMB.TECH) and real estate (MCA Facilities, Maritime Campus Antwerp). CMB has offices in Japan, Namibia, Singapore, China, Germany, UK and The Netherlands.

More information can be found at www.cmb.be.

About Euronav

Founded in 1995, Euronav is a leading independent tanker company engaged in the ocean transportation and storage of crude oil. Euronav, incorporated in Belgium, is headquartered in Antwerp and has offices throughout Europe and Asia. Euronav is listed on Euronext Brussels and on the NYSE under the symbol ‘EURN’.

More information can be found at www.euronav.com.

Disclaimer

This announcement does not constitute a formal notification of a public takeover bid within the meaning of the Belgian Law of 1 April 2007 on public takeover bids and the Belgian Royal Decree of 27 April 2007 on public takeover bids. If the Share Purchase is completed and CMB becomes obliged to launch the Mandatory Bid, full details thereof will be included in the prospectus to be filed with the Belgian Financial Services and Markets Authority. In the event that the Share Purchase is not completed and the Mandatory Bid is not triggered, CMB will issue a further press release to that effect.

This notice is also published in Dutch. If ambiguities should arise from the different language versions, the Dutch version will prevail.

This notice does not constitute a bid to purchase securities of Euronav nor a solicitation by anyone in any jurisdiction in respect thereof. If a bid to purchase securities of Euronav through a public takeover bid is proceeded with, such bid will and can only be made on the basis of a prospectus approved by the FSMA. No action has been taken to enable a public takeover bid in any jurisdiction and no such actions will be taken before the Share Purchase is completed. Neither this notice nor any other information in respect of the matters contained herein may be supplied in any jurisdiction where a registration, qualification or any other obligation is in force or would be with regard to the content hereof or thereof. Any failure to comply with these restrictions may constitute a violation of the financial laws and regulations in such jurisdictions. CMB and its affiliates explicitly decline any liability for breach of these restrictions by any person.

 

Page 4 of 5

Additional Information for U.S. Investors and Where to Find It

The tender offer referred to in this press release has not yet commenced. This press release is for informational purposes only and is neither an offer to purchase nor a solicitation of an offer to sell any ordinary shares of Euronav or any other securities. On the commencement date of the tender offer, a tender offer statement on Schedule TO, including an offer to purchase, a letter of transmittal and related documents, will be filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) by CMB, and a solicitation/recommendation statement on Schedule 14D-9 will be filed with the SEC by Euronav. The offer to purchase all the issued and outstanding ordinary shares of Euronav not already owned by CMB and its affiliates will only be made pursuant to the offer to purchase, the letter of transmittal and related documents filed as a part of the tender offer statement on Schedule TO. THE TENDER OFFER MATERIALS (INCLUDING AN OFFER TO PURCHASE, A RELATED LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL AND CERTAIN OTHER TENDER OFFER DOCUMENTS) AND THE SOLICITATION/RECOMMENDATION STATEMENT ON SCHEDULE 14D-9 WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION. U.S. SHAREHOLDERS OF EURONAV ARE URGED TO READ THESE DOCUMENTS CAREFULLY WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION THAT SUCH HOLDERS SHOULD CONSIDER BEFORE MAKING ANY DECISION REGARDING TENDERING THEIR ORDINARY SHARES. U.S. Shareholders may obtain a free copy of these statements (when available) and other documents filed with the SEC at the website maintained by the SEC at www.sec.gov or by directing such requests to the Information Agent for the tender offer that will be named in the tender offer statement on Schedule TO.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements related to CMB’s share purchase and the proposed tender offer for ordinary shares of Euronav, including statements regarding the structure of the proposed tender offer and the continued listing of Euronav’s shares after completion of the tender offer. Words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “forecast,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “project,” “predict,” “should,” “would” and “will” and variations of such words and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. Such statements are based on CMB’s expectations as of the date they were first made and involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in our forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, among others, the outcome and timing of regulatory reviews and shareholder approval, and the termination of the arbitration proceedings and the timing of the launch of the tender offer. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of their dates. Unless as otherwise stated or required by applicable law, CMB undertakes no obligation and does not intend to update these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

 

Page 5 of 5

LOGO

ANNEX 1 : Vessel Sale

 

 
Overview of Euronav fleet subject to Vessel Sale
Number      Vessel name    Flag    Built year    Size (dwt)    Shipyard

Very Large Crude Carrier

                    
1      Alex    BE    2016    298,991    Hyundai
2      Alboran    LR    2016    299,000    Hyundai
3      Alice    BE    2016    299,300    Hyundai
4      Andaman    LR    2016    299,392    Hyundai
5      Anne    FR    2016    299,533    Hyundai
6      Arafura    BE    2016    298,991    Hyundai
7      Aral    BE    2016    299,999    Hyundai
8      Desirade    LR    2016    299,999    Daewoo
9      Dominica    LR    2015    299,999    Daewoo
10      Drenec    LR    2016    299,999    Daewoo
11      Amundsen    FR    2017    298,991    Hyundai
12      Aquitaine    BE    2017    298,767    Hyundai
13      Ardeche    BE    2017    298,642    Hyundai
14      Hatteras    LR    2017    297,363    Hanjin Subic
15      Heron    LR    2017    297,363    Hanjin Subic
16      Derius    LR    2019    299,995    Okpo shipyard
17      Dalis    LR    2020    299,995    Okpo Shipyard
18      Delos    BE    2021    300,200    Daewoo
19      Dickens    BE    2021    299,550    Daewoo
20      Diodorus    BE    2021    300,200    Daewoo
21      Doris    BE    2021    300,200    Daewoo
22      Camus    BE    2023    299,158    HSHI
23      Cassius    BE    2023    299,158    HSHI
24      Clovis    BE    2023    299,158    HSHI

LOGO

ANNEX 2 : CMB and CMB.TECH’s future-proof fleet

 

Overview of CMB and CMB.TECH’s future-proof fleet
Number   Vessel name   Built date    Size   Shipyard    H2 / NH31

Newcastlemax bulk carrier

                  
1   Mineral Belgie   Jul-23    210,000 dwt   Qingdao Beihai Shipyard    Super-Eco (MAN)
2   Mineral Nederland   Aug-23    210,000 dwt   Qingdao Beihai Shipyard    Super-Eco (MAN)
3   Mineral Luxembourg   Jan-24    210,000 dwt   Qingdao Beihai Shipyard    Super-Eco (MAN)
4   Mineral France   Jan-24    210,000 dwt   Qingdao Beihai Shipyard    Super-Eco (MAN)
5   Mineral Deutschland   May-24    210,000 dwt   Qingdao Beihai Shipyard    Super-Eco (MAN); NH3 Ready
6   Mineral Italia   Jul-24    210,000 dwt   Qingdao Beihai Shipyard    Super-Eco (MAN); NH3 Ready
7   Mineral Danmark   Jul-24    210,000 dwt   Qingdao Beihai Shipyard    Super-Eco (MAN); NH3 Ready
8   Mineral Eire   Aug-24    210,000 dwt   Qingdao Beihai Shipyard    Super-Eco (MAN); NH3 Ready
9   Mineral Hellas   Sep-24    210,000 dwt   Qingdao Beihai Shipyard    Super-Eco (MAN); NH3 Ready
10   Mineral Espana   Oct-24    210,000 dwt   Qingdao Beihai Shipyard    Super-Eco (MAN); NH3 Ready
11   Mineral Portugal   Nov-24    210,000 dwt   Qingdao Beihai Shipyard    Super-Eco (WINGD); NH3 Ready
12   Mineral Osterreich   Dec-24    210,000 dwt   Qingdao Beihai Shipyard    Super-Eco (WINGD); NH3 Ready
13   Mineral Sverige   Mar-25    210,000 dwt   Qingdao Beihai Shipyard    Super-Eco (WINGD); NH3 Ready
14   Mineral Suomi   May-25    210,000 dwt   Qingdao Beihai Shipyard    Super-Eco (WINGD); NH3 Ready
15   Mineral Polska   Jul-25    210,000 dwt   Qingdao Beihai Shipyard    Super-Eco (WINGD); NH3 FITTED
16   Mineral Cesko   Sep-25    210,000 dwt   Qingdao Beihai Shipyard    Super-Eco (WINGD); NH3 FITTED
17   Mineral Slovensko   Sep-25    210,000 dwt   Qingdao Beihai Shipyard    Super-Eco (WINGD); NH3 FITTED
18   Mineral Slovenija   Oct-25    210,000 dwt   Qingdao Beihai Shipyard    Super-Eco (WINGD); NH3 FITTED
19   Mineral Malta   Nov-25    210,000 dwt   Qingdao Beihai Shipyard    Super-Eco (WINGD); NH3 FITTED
20   Mineral Kypros   Dec-25    210,000 dwt   Qingdao Beihai Shipyard    Super-Eco (WINGD); NH3 FITTED
21   Mineral Eesti   Jan-26    210,000 dwt   Qingdao Beihai Shipyard    Super-Eco (WINGD); NH3 FITTED

 

1 H2: Hydrogen, NH3: Ammonia

22   Mineral Latvija   Mar-26    210,000 dwt   Qingdao Beihai Shipyard    Super-Eco (WINGD); NH3 FITTED
23   Mineral Lietuva   Mar-26    210,000 dwt   Qingdao Beihai Shipyard    Super-Eco (WINGD); NH3 FITTED
24   Mineral Magyar   May-26    210,000 dwt   Qingdao Beihai Shipyard    Super-Eco (WINGD); NH3 FITTED
Container vessel                  
25   CMA CGM Masai Mara   Jun-23    6,000 TEU   Yangfan Shipyard    Super-Eco (MAN); NH3 Ready
26   CMA CGM Zingaro   Jan-24    6,000 TEU   Yangfan Shipyard    Super-Eco (MAN); NH3 Ready
27   CMA CGM Etosha   Jun-24    6,000 TEU   Yangfan Shipyard    Super-Eco (MAN); NH3 Ready
28   CMA CGM Dolomites   Aug-24    6,000 TEU   Yangfan Shipyard    Super-Eco (MAN); NH3 Ready
Chemical tanker                  
29   Bochem Houston   Jun-23    25,000 dwt   CMJL Dingheng    Super-Eco (MAN); NH3 Ready
30   Bochem Rotterdam   Oct-23    25,000 dwt   CMJL Dingheng    Super-Eco (MAN); NH3 Ready
31   Bochem Casablanca   Apr-24    25,000 dwt   CMJL Dingheng    Super-Eco (MAN); NH3 Ready
32   Bochem Shanghai   Jun-24    25,000 dwt   CMJL Dingheng    Super-Eco (MAN); NH3 Ready
33   Bochem New Orleans   Jul-24    25,000 dwt   CMJL Dingheng    Super-Eco (MAN); NH3 Ready
34   Bochem Brisbane   Sep-24    25,000 dwt   CMJL Dingheng    Super-Eco (MAN); NH3 Ready
Commissioning Service Operation Vessels              
35   CSOV 552205   May-25    120 pax   Damen Vietnam    H2 powered
36   CSOV 552206   Jul-25    120 pax   Damen Vietnam    H2 powered
37   CSOV 552207   Oct-25    120 pax   Damen Vietnam    H2 powered
Crew Transfer Vessels                  
38   Windcat 1   Feb-04    3   AF Theriault    Volvo D16
39   Windcat 2   Apr-05    1   AF Theriault    Volvo D12
40   Windcat 3   Mar-05    1   AF Theriault    Volvo D12
41   Windcat 4   Nov-05    1   AF Theriault    Volvo D12
42   Windcat 6   Jul-07    2   AF Theriault    Volvo D16
43   Windcat 7   May-07    2   Island Boats Inc    Volvo D16
44   Windcat 10   May-08    3XLR   AF Theriault    Volvo D16
45   Windcat 11   Jul-08    3XL   AF Theriault    Volvo D16
46   Windcat 14   Mar-09    3   Kuipers Wouds.    Volvo D16
47   Windcat 15   Mar-09    3XLR   Kuipers Wouds.    Volvo D16
48   Windcat 16   Oct-08    3   AF Theriault    Volvo D16
49   Windcat 17   Mar-09    3XLR   AF Theriault    Volvo D16
50   Windcat 18   May-09    3XLR   AF Theriault    Volvo D16
51   Windcat 19   Mar-08    3XLR   AF Theriault    Volvo D16
52   Windcat 20   Sep-09    3   Kuipers Wouds.    Volvo D16
53   Windcat 21   Feb-10    3   AF Theriault    MTU 8V
54   Windcat 22   Feb-10    3XL   Kuipers Wouds.    Volvo D16
55   Windcat 23   May-10    3   AF Theriault    MTU 8V

56   Windcat 24   Jun-10    3XLR   Kuipers Wouds.    MTU 8V
57   Windcat 25   Dec-10    3   Kuipers Wouds.    MTU 8V
58   Windcat 26   Apr-11    3   Kuipers Wouds.    MTU 8V
59   Windcat 27   Apr-11    3   AF Theriault    MTU 8V
60   Windcat 28   Mar-12    3   Kuipers Wouds.    MTU 8V
61   Windcat 29   Aug-11    3XL   AF Theriault    MTU 8V
62   Windcat 30   Oct-12    3RW   Kuipers Wouds.    Volvo D16
63   Windcat 31   Apr-13    3RW   Kuipers Wouds.    Volvo D16
64   Windcat 32   Jul-13    3RW   Kuipers Wouds.    Volvo D16
65   Windcat 33   Dec-13    3RW   Kuipers Wouds.    Volvo D16
66   Windcat 34   Oct-13    3,2XL   Kuipers Wouds.    Volvo D16
67   Windcat 35   Apr-14    3,2   Kuipers Wouds.    Volvo D16
68   Windcat 36   Sep-14    3,2   Kuipers Wouds.    Volvo D16
69   Windcat 37   Feb-15    3,2XL   Kuipers Wouds.    Volvo D16
70   Windcat 38   Jul-15    3,2   Kuipers Wouds.    Volvo D16
71   Windcat 39   Jan-16    3,2   Kuipers Wouds.    Volvo D16
72   Windcat 40   Apr-17    3,5   Kuipers Wouds.    MTU 8V
73   Windcat 41   Jan-18    3,5   Kuipers Wouds.    MTU 8V
74   Windcat 42   Jun-18    3,5   Kuipers Wouds.    MTU 8V
75   Windcat 43   Nov-18    3,5   Kuipers Wouds.    MTU 8V
76   Windcat 44   Apr-19    3,5   Kuipers Wouds.    MTU 8V
77   Windcat 45   Sep-19    3,5   Kuipers Wouds.    MTU 8V
78   Windcat 46   Mar-20    3,5   Kuipers Wouds.    MTU 8V
79   Windcat 47   Sep-20    3,5   Kuipers Wouds.    MTU 8V
80   Windcat 48   Oct-21    H2   Kuipers Wouds.    MAN H2
81   Windcat 49   Jul-21    3,5   Kuipers Wouds.    MAN H2
82   Windcat 50   Mar-22    3,5   Kuipers Wouds.    MTU 8V
83   Windcat 51   May-22    3,5   Kuipers Wouds.    MTU 8V
84   Windcat 52   Jan-22    3,5   Neptune Constr.    MAN H2
85   Windcat 53   Jul-22    3,5   Neptune Constr.    MAN H2
86   Windcat 54   Dec-22    3,5   Neptune Constr.    MAN H2
87   Windcat 55   Jan-23    3,5   Kuipers Wouds.    MAN H2
88   Windcat 56   Jan-24    3,5   Neptune Constr.    MAN H2
89   Windcat 57   Mar-24    3,5   Kuipers Wouds.    MAN H2
90   Windcat 58   Aug-24    5   Neptune Constr.    MAN H2
91   Windcat 59   Nov-24    5   Kuipers Wouds.    MAN H2
92   Windcat 60   Dec-24    5   Kuipers Wouds.    MAN H2
93   Windcat 101   Apr-11    4   Bloemsma vBremen    MTU 8V
94   Dorothea   Feb-11    n.a.  

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