40 years in Swedish shipping

Work on dividing the Group into two independent listed companies continues.

TransAtlantic acquires the shipping and logistics company Österströms and SBS Marine, launches the TransBothnia Line and decides to relocate its headquarters from Skärhamn to Gothenburg at year-end 2011. A multiyear contract is signed with the Sakhalin Energy oil consortium concerning icebreaking of the coast of Sakhalin, Russia*. Delivery of Njord and Magne Viking. TransAtlantic decides to divide the Group into two separate companies and prepare for a listing on the Oslo Stock Exchange of the Viking Supply Ships A/S subsidiary. TransAtlantic will remain listed on the NASDAQ OMX Stockholm and comprise the operations in the Industrial Shipping business area.

TransAtlantic acquires the outstanding shares and participations in the Trans Viking joint venture company, resulting in Norway’s Kistefos becoming the new principal owner of Trans­Atlantic. Ice Management assignments are ­conducted off the coast of Greenland using the Vidar, Balder and Tor Viking II vessels. A four-year contract is signed with ENI Norge for Ice Management services in the Barents Sea between 2011 and 2015. Delivery of Loke Viking.

In June, the previously announced sale of the Atlantic division is cancelled.

2008

A new integrated offshore service is developed for operations in arctic waterways. The TransAtlantic Ice Academy and TransAtlantic Ice Council systems are launched. Assignments are conducted on behalf of Shell outside Alaska.

2007

Another two ice-going AHTS vessels are ordered for delivery in 2011. The third vessel, TransTimber, also to be used under a long-term contract for Stora Enso, is delivered.

2006

The Offshore/Icebreaking business area acquires another AHTS vessel, Odin Viking. Another two ice-going vessels are ordered for delivery in 2009–2011. During the second half of the year, two of three new vessels under a long-term contract for Stora Enso are delivered to the Industrial Shipping business area. The contract has a term of 15 years. StoraEnso will fill the ­vessels with its loads to about 60%, after which, TransLumi Line will market the remaining tonnage capacity to third parties to effectively capitalize on the load capacity. Older vessels in the Atlantic division will be divested and leased for brief periods.

2005

The merger between B&N Nordsjöfrakt and ­Gorthon Lines is finalized in March and B&N ­Nordsjöfrakt is renamed Rederi AB TransAtlantic. B&N Transbulk is sold during the first quarter. During the year, TransAtlantic’s share is moved to Stockholm’s Attract 40 List. TransAtlantic launches the company TransLumi Line AB.

2004

In April, the 50/50 co-owned joint venture, ­Gorthon-B&N TransAtlantic, is formed. The outstanding share of Paltrans is acquired and thus becomes wholly owned. In October, the proposal concerning a full merger with Gorthon Lines is announced.

2001-2003

B&N acquires 34% of Gorthon Lines. Offshore/Icebreaking has all three vessels in operation. In 2001–2002, a total of four new vessels are launched into traffic across the Atlantic. A tonnage partnership is initiated with Gorthon Lines. In 2002–2003, the bulk segment and RoRo operations report significant losses, which leads to major restructuring and impairment costs.

1998-2000

B&N purchases 74% of Paltrans Shipping. The new Offshore/Icebreaking business area is established for whose operations three new combination vessels are built. Trans Viking is established as a joint venture, of which 50% is owned by TransAtlantic and 50% by Kistefos through the wholly owned subsidiary Viking Supply Ships AS.

1997

B&N is restructured. Gorthon Lines is spun off to shareholders and listed on the O List of the Stockholm Stock Exchange. 75% of Svenska ­Orient Linien is divested through an initial public offering (also on the O List). B&N is also moved to the O List. The remaining business primarily comprises bulk operations and a fleet of time-charter leased RoRo vessels.

1994-1996

The Dutch shipping company Moerman (including a small fleet of bulk and RoRo tonnage) and the Panamax operator Transbulk are acquired. Three new RoRo vessels are delivered and leased by Gorthon Lines to serve SCA under an extended charter contract.

1993

Between 1990 and 1993, the operation grows through various vessel purchases. In 1993, Svenska Orient Linien is also acquired from ­Bilspedition. B&N is moved to the A List of the Stockholm Stock Exchange.

1991

B&N is listed on the O List of the Stockholm Stock Exchange.

1990

Gorthon Lines is acquired from Bilspedition ­(currently Schenker).

1972-1989

Nordsjöfrakt is formed and operated from Skärhamn, Tjörn, and is gradually expanded with minor bulk and RoRo tonnage. In 1989, the operation encompasses 15 vessels, including three reefer vessels, which were acquired together with the Bylock Group. Bylock & Nordsjöfrakt (B&N) was formed on December 31, 1989 by merger of Nordsjöfrakt’s operations with the Bylock Group.