Norway's Wilson has signed agreements to buy two small bulkers from Ireland's Arklow Shipping, which rose to fame this year for very different reasons.
Wilson has agreed to buy the 5,000-dwt, open-hatch vessels Arklow Rover and Arklow Resolve (both built 2004).
"The purchase is financed through equity and draw on the company's bank loan facility," Wilson said in a filing to the Oslo Stock Exchange on Monday.
"The acquisition underpins Wilson's long-term positive outlook market and is the company's second investment in the 5,000-dwt segment in a short time."
The price of the transaction was not disclosed, but VesselsValue estimates the Arklow River is worth $2.96m, while the Arklow Resolve is valued at some $2.86m.
The Bergen-based company acquired the 5,000-dwt vessels Lauren C (built 2007) and Nicole C (built 2008) from Carisbrooke Shipping in mid-November with equity and debt financing.
100-strong fleet
Focusing on the European shortsea trade, Wilson operates a fleet of over 100 bulkers between 1,500 dwt and 8,500 dwt, of which it owns 90.
The two latest acquisitions are expected to be delivered in the first quarter of 2020.
Arklow Shipping became a household name in the UK earlier this year when it emerged that the firm had been secretly backing a company named Seaborne Freight.
Seaborne was one of three companies awarded a contract by the Department for Transport to operate ferries from the UK, in an effort to alleviate the anticipated queues at the Port of Dover in the event of a no-deal Brexit.
The deal with Seaborne Freight was cancelled in February after Arklow pulled out.
