Watson Farley & Williams (“WFW”) advised Heytesbury Holding Company Pty Ltd (“Heytesbury”) on the acquisition of the livestock export fleet and business of Dutch-based shipping company Vroon.
Under the deal, Vroon will sell all eleven of its owned livestock vessels and all its shares in Livestock Express Pte Ltd (“Livestock Express”) to Heytesbury. Heytesbury will also take over Livestock Express’ Singapore office and its technical management services for third-party vessels.
Owned by the Holmes à Court family, Heytesbury is an established participant in the cattle trade running 165,000 head of cattle across 2.7 million hectares in northern Australia, as well as owning livestock vessels.
The WFW London Maritime team that advised Heytesbury was led by Corporate Partner Daniel Saunders, supported by Senior Associate Florence Childs and Associate Idil Yusuf.
Daniel commented: “We are delighted to have advised Heytesbury on this highly significant transaction, underscoring the range of expertise across WFW’s maritime practice. Livestock export vessels may represent a small segment of global maritime trade, but they play a crucial role, making it a privilege to assist with such a major transaction in the sector. We take pride in helping Heytesbury expand its fleet and succeed with its strategic goals”.
Heytesbury CEO Paul Holmes à Court added: “We have a strong relationship with the Livestock Express team already, and we’re delighted to be coming together as one. It’s really important that Livestock Express remains operating independently and keeps servicing markets all around the globe under its own brand. We’re both part of a vital global protein trade and tens of millions of people around the world rely on this fleet to help secure their food supply”.
WFW worked together with leading Australian firm Gilbert + Tobin, led by Partner Justin Mannolini.
