Heerema, Wilh. Wilhelmsen sell off Dockwise to equity firm

Heerema, Wilh. Wilhelmsen sell off Dockwise to equity firm Offshore services company Heerema Group and Norwegian maritime group Wilh. Wilhelmsen ASA over the weekend agreed to the buyout of Dockwise Transport N.V., a Dutch heavy transportation company based in Breda, by private equity firm 3i.
   The deal is valued at more than $700 million, according to a release from Wilh. Wilhelmsen. Deutsche Bank Securities advised the two companies to explore strategic alternatives, the statement said.
   Dockwise is a specialist in heavy-lift transportation for the marine and oil and gas industry. It has a fleet of 15 semi-submersible vessels, of which four are specialized yacht carriers. Prior to the sale, the Heerema Group and Wilh. Wilhelmsen ASA owned 76 percent and 24 percent of Dockwise, respectively.