OREANDA-NEWS. Maersk A/S announces the launch of an accelerated bookbuilt offering, of up to its total holding, of 4,657,365 shares equivalent to 31.3% of the total issued shares in DFDS A/S (the “Transaction”). Danske Bank A/S and Nordea Markets are acting as joint bookrunners in the Transaction.

”As we have said earlier, we have been interested in selling our stake in DFDS, when the timing was right. This is in line with our continued portfolio optimization,” says Group CFO Trond Westlie.

Bookbuilding will commence immediately and it is anticipated that books will close 5 September 2013. A further announcement will be made following completion of the bookbuilding and pricing of the Transaction.

In connection with the Transaction DFDS A/S and the Lauritzen Foundation have committed to buy 1,782,730 shares and 300,000 shares respectively, which corresponds to a total commitment of 2,082,730 shares.

DFDS A/S has informed A.P. Moller - Maersk A/S that shares bought by DFDS A/S will be cancelled.