The sailor spends Christmas at sea. At the same time, high-profile investors are arguing about his workplace.
WANT CHRISTMAS PEACE: The billionaires who own Solstad Offshore are in an intense public war of words. Trustee Kristian Straume says the ownership dispute leads to uncertainty. Here he is on board the ship “Normand Ferking” in Bømlafjorden on Thursday. Photo: PrivatePublished: Published:
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Billionaires Christen Sveaas and Kjell Inge Røkker continue to fight for money and power in the shipping company Solstad Offshore.
The argument started earlier this month, when Sveaas came out hard against Røkke.
There is now dialogue between the shareholders, but the temperature is still high. The two high profile investors continue to come up with jabs and sensational moves aimed at each other.
Kristian Straume works as a sailor in Solstad Offshore and is a club leader in the trade union Safe. He believes that the employees are affected by the uncertainty caused by the ownership dispute.
– It is stupid that there is a dispute about the refinancing. If it continues like this, it could affect the seafarers, says Straume to E24.
Read on E24+
Comment: “In 2024, the question will be why”
For the company and its employees, the case is about securing a plan to save the debt-ridden shipping company and safe workplaces.
For the billionaires, it is a battle for values.
The core of Kistefos’s criticism has been that the agreement which clears up Solstad’s debts grossly discriminates against the shareholders in favor of Aker.
– Very bad “timing”
Straume works on the anchor handling ship «Norman Ferking». He will spend Christmas at sea.
He believes the quarrel between the billionaires comes at a bad time.
– It is not nice that there is so much uncertainty around the shipping company we work for now around Christmas. It is very bad “timing”.
Straume says that he and the employees have received little information from the management, beyond what has come to light in the media.
Røkke recently made a large purchase of shares in Solstad. He justified the share purchase by saying that Aker will “ensure completion of the refinancing in the best interests of Solstad Offshore, the shareholders, lenders and the company’s 2,500 employees”.
– We register that certain shareholders have put the refinancing at risk, said Røkke.
FIGHTERS: Christen Sveaas and Kjell Inge Røkke. Photo: Terje Pedersen / NTB / Berit Roald / NTB
Solstad Offshore has billions of kroner in debt due in March 2024. The proposal for refinancing involves new billions in loans to pay off the old debt.
According to the plan, the refinancing was expected to be completed around the turn of the year.
Don’t fear the jobs
Straume says that the employees do not fear for their jobs.
– We hope they will come to a solution and close the case soon, so that we can continue to do our work and have peace and quiet, says Straume.
In an interview with Today’s business Røkke commented further on the matter. He said that Aker has contributed to a “correct” solution for Solstad.
– Aker has a binding agreement with Solstad, and Solstad has a binding agreement with the banks, Røkke told the newspaper.
At the same time, the parties are silent on whether there is movement between them.
Neither Kistefos, Solstad Offshore CEO Lars Peder Solstad, Solstad board chairman Harald Espedal or Aker have any comments on the dialogue between them.
Sveaas and Røkkes Aker have rejected requests from E24 for an interview in connection with the case.
– Serious
Hans Sande, head of the Norwegian Naval Officers’ Association, spoke about the matter earlier this week.
– It is clear that it is serious, said Sande.
He fears that Solstad will have to sell ships if the refinancing fails.
– The ships are crewed by Norwegians. If the ships go into foreign hands, the crew disappears, is our experience.
Nevertheless, Sande is optimistic. He believes they will find a solution, and believes that anything else would be “disappointing”.
2023-12-27 05:18:57
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