This week, Heesen Yachts made a strategic move to, in its words, secure its future. It’s now under full Dutch ownership.
According to a statement, all shares in the shipyard transferred from its primary Dutch holding company to an independent Dutch foundation. “The employment both in Oss and Winterswijk is fully preserved,” the statement also says. Oss is home to the shipyard itself, which includes a 279-foot (85-meter) drydock. An hour’s drive from Oss, Winterswijk is the location of its interiors manufacturing division, Heesen Yachts Interiors.
The move follows Heesen’s ultimate beneficial owner landing on the UK’s sanctions list. That owner is Vagit Alekperov, the president and CEO of Lukoil. The UK placed Alekperov on its sanctions list last month, following the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Alekperov acquired the shipyard from its founder, Frans Heesen, in 2008 through an investment company, Morcell Ltd. Morcell served as Heesen’s sole shareholder. When the sanctions against Alekperov were revealed, Heesen indicated that it only reported directly to Morcell. “Heesen’s UBO does not actively or directly manage our business in any capacity,” it added. Furthermore, the yard said, a professional management board oversaw operations, with an independent supervisory board making management board appointments.
Similarly, the foundation serving as the full Dutch ownership for Heesen Yachts has a board. Its members are Arthur Brouwer and Anjo Joldersma. Brouwer has further been Heesen’s CEO since 2016, and executive chairman prior to that. Joldersma, meanwhile, has been chairman of Heesen’s supervisory board since 2010. “The objective of the Foundation is to guarantee the successful future of the shipyard and the continuity of employment,” the shipyard indicates.
Currently, 13 yachts are under construction, a combination of spec builds and owners’ contracts.
Heesen Yachts heesenyachts.com
Leave a Reply