In International Shipping News 12/10/2016
JERA Co., Inc. (“JERA”) and EDF Trading Limited (“EDF Trading”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of EDF S.A., are pleased to announce the signing of a non-binding agreement for the acquisition of EDF Trading’s coal and freight business by JERA Trading Singapore Pte Ltd (“JERA Trading Singapore”), a subsidiary of JERA.
JERA and EDF Trading have had a long standing coal optimisation and trading joint venture founded in 2008 (originally between Chubu Electric Power Company and EDF Trading, and subsequently succeeded to by JERA). This new agreement strengthens our relationship further by affirming the intention to combine EDF Trading’s coal and freight expertise in the Atlantic Basin with JERA’s footprint in Asia and the Pacific creating a truly global coal and freight trading business.
Subject to final agreement, EDF Trading’s existing contractual agreement with JERA will be converted into a minority equity interest in JERA Trading Singapore. JERA Trading Singapore will also acquire 100% of the shares of EDF Trading Australia Pty Limited (which holds a 7.5% interest in the Narrabri coal mining joint venture in Australia) and 100% of the shares of Amstuw BV (which operates the Rietlanden coal terminal in the Netherlands). EDF Trading’s coal and freight employees will transfer to JERA Trading Singapore.
Coal remains an important part of the fuel mix in the global energy markets and demand is expected to increase in Asia as it reduces in Europe. JERA will through the enhanced relationship with EDF Trading have the trading expertise and in-depth market knowledge to expand its Asian trading activities globally thereby strengthening its competitive procurement capability.
Discussions will continue towards a final agreement which is expected to be reached in December 2016.
Source: EDF Trading
