Best Global Logistics and Marinetrans team up with Waterland Private Equity

Oaklins served as exclusive sell-side advisor to the shareholders of Best Global Logistics ('BGL') and Marinetrans, both logistics service providers, in completing the combined sale to Waterland Private Equity ('Waterland'). Selling shareholders of BGL and Marinetrans will invest alongside Waterland in the combined company.

Partnering up with Waterland enables the combined company to accelerate its growth in the coming years, which is mainly focused on realizing synergy opportunities between BGL and Marinetrans, further growing the business organically as well as by pursuing an active buy-and-build strategy. Jørgen Fausko, CEO and shareholder of Marinetrans commented on the transaction: “We are excited about teaming up with Waterland, who we believe is the right partner for BGL and Marinetrans to expand the combined companies’ success. I would like to thank the Oaklins team who did an excellent job in providing expert advice throughout the process.”

Waterland's active buy-and-build approach and experience in the logistics sector will enable us to strengthen our position in the international logistics market Michel Loots, Co-CEO and shareholder of Best Global Logistics

BGL and Marinetrans are strongly intertwined and have a long history of mutual cooperation. The combined sale of BGL and Marinetrans to Waterland is an important step for both. “We see great opportunities to grow our combined business in cooperation with Waterland who – with its active buy-and-build approach and experience in the logistics sector – will enable us to strengthen our position in the international logistics market. Oaklins’ industry knowledge, creativity and energetic approach have been instrumental in realizing this transaction.” According to Michel Loots, Co-CEO and shareholder of Best Global Logistics.

Oaklins’ transaction team consisted of Arjen Kostelijk, Wouter Ammeraal, Silke Kranz and Robbert Bon.

Arjen Kostelijk, partner of Oaklins, stated: “We are very proud to have advised the shareholders of BGL and Marinetrans in realizing the transaction with Waterland. With a large number of different stakeholders involved, the transaction was quite complex, but with the combined effort of all parties, we have been able to work out a transaction with a satisfactory outcome for all.”

Financial deal terms are not disclosed.

About

BGL is an independent third-party logistics service provider offering relatively complex logistics solutions on a global scale. The company operates two bonded and free-zone warehouses located in Lijnden and Rotterdam, the Netherlands. BGL has a strong foothold in the maritime industry, while also serving a range of other industries.

Marinetrans is the world’s largest fourth-party logistics service provider dealing exclusively with marine spare parts forwarding and logistics. The company is headquartered in Singapore and has 6 additional offices around the globe. Through a network of dedicated partners, Marinetrans uses 22 warehouses and provides services in 2,000 ports worldwide.

Founded in 1999 and headquartered in Bussum, the Netherlands, Waterland is an independent private equity investment group with 8 offices across Europe. Waterland acts as an active shareholder and aims to play a key role in the strategic and operational development, growth and performance of its portfolio companies.