December 5th 2024 - Rotterdam, Netherlands – HES International ("HES"), a leading European operator of seaport bulk terminals, today announced the completion of the sale of its 70% shareholding in Somef (inland terminal in Belgium) to Shipit, a leading Belgian waterway transportation company, providing an extensive range of innovative projects well beyond traditional transportation operations. The terms of the sale remain undisclosed.
This divestiture concludes a series of inland terminal sales by HES, including the recent Deschieter transaction and the sale of DHUG in 2023, as part of its strategic focus on strengthening its infrastructure in Europe’s gateway seaports to industrial hinterlands.
“We extend our deepest gratitude to the management and talented team at Somef for their exceptional contributions to HES and their unwavering dedication throughout this transition,” said Jeroen van der Neut, Chief Operating Officer at HES International.
Shipit’s acquisition of the Somef terminal represents a significant step in its strategic growth. “We are delighted to bring Somef into the Shipit family,” stated Jan D’Haeyer and Bernard Boel, Managing Directors of Shipit. “This acquisition is a perfect fit for our growth ambitions, offering strategic advantages and enabling us to deliver enhanced value and a diversified service offering to our customers.” Somef will continue its operations as before, ensuring continuity for its customers and employees.
HES International and Shipit are committed to ensuring a seamless transition and continued value creation for customers, employees, and other stakeholders throughout this process.
For further information, please contact: Firas Ezzeddine (f.ezzeddine@hesinternational.eu)
ABOUT HES INTERNATIONAL
HES International is one of Europe's largest independent bulk handling companies for liquid, dry, and breakbulk products. Our companies hold a unique independent position in the supply chain of bulk goods for a wide range of products providing first class access to Europe's deep draft terminals and excellent hinterland connectivity by barge, rail and truck. With 13 terminals in 4 countries at strategic located ports in Europe we are an important switch in the continuous delivery of essential building blocks for our everyday life needed to develop, sustain and improve the world around us. Our professional staff ensure that bulk commodities are safely stored, handled and processed 24/7 for customers from all corners of the globe. We have a strong ambition to further broaden our product portfolio and also want to respond optimally to the opportunities that the energy transition offers us.
HES International is headquartered in Rotterdam and has already been carefully handling bulk raw materials since 1908. Macquarie Asset Management, via Macquarie European Infrastructure Fund 5, and West Street Infrastructure Partners III, managed by the Goldman Sachs Asset Management Infrastructure business, each indirectly control 50% of the shares of HES International B.V. For more information, please visit www.hesinternational.eu.