MSC Acquires Wilson Sons for Over BRL 4 Billion, Expands Operations in Santos and Latin America

Global shipping giant MSC, which owns vessels and terminals, aims to expand its presence in Latin America—especially in Brazil—by acquiring a controlling stake in Wilson Sons for BRL 4.35 billion. “Our goal is to strengthen logistics capabilities in the region, generate operational synergies, and achieve efficiency gains,” MSC stated.

The negotiation, which began in October last year, was finalized on June 4 following approval by Brazil’s National Waterway Transport Agency (Antaq).

According to the shipping company, with the transaction now completed, MSC has acquired just over 248,600 common shares issued by Wilson Sons, representing approximately 56.39% of the company’s total voting capital.

Including a previous acquisition of 52,900 shares on the stock exchange, MSC now holds a total of 301,500 common shares, equating to approximately 68.39% of Wilson Sons’ share capital.

MSC also intends to buy out the remaining minority shareholders and delist Wilson Sons from the Brazilian stock exchange (B3). To do so, it will file for registration of a unified tender offer with Brazil’s Securities and Exchange Commission (CVM).

The company stated that the unified public offering will target the acquisition of all outstanding common shares “to be paid in cash and local currency to the shareholders who accept the unified tender offer,” according to the release.

Board Changes

MSC received resignation letters from William Henry Salomon and Christopher Robert William Townsend, who stepped down from their positions on Wilson Sons’ Board of Directors. They will be replaced by MSC’s Chief Investment Officer, Hugues Ronan Favard, and MSC Brazil’s CEO, Elber Alves Justo.

About Wilson Sons

Founded 187 years ago, Wilson Sons operates extensive port and logistics infrastructure, including the Salvador Container Terminal (Tecon Salvador) in Bahia, Tecon Rio Grande in Rio Grande do Sul, the Santo André Logistics Center in Greater São Paulo, a tugboat fleet, a maritime agency, a shipyard in Guarujá (outside the boundaries of the Port of Santos), offshore support bases in Salvador and Rio de Janeiro (Niterói and the capital), offshore support vessels, and international logistics solutions.

Companies’ Statements

In a public note, Wilson Sons confirmed the sale. They said that “any developments resulting from the transaction will be duly communicated through material facts, by capital markets regulations.”

A Tribuna also contacted MSC but had not received a response by the time of publication.

Increasing Attractiveness

For Anderson Pomini, President of the Santos Port Authority (APS), the acquisition reflects the global appeal of the Port of Santos. “Recently, French shipping group CMA CGM acquired a major terminal on the Left Bank (Santos Brasil). Now, MSC is increasing its investment in the tugboat sector. This shows that the Port of Santos is becoming more and more attractive to major global players.”

Tugboat Market

According to APS, five companies provide navigation assistance at the Port of Santos, operating a fleet of 21 tugboats. Most of these vessels belong to Wilson Sons, considered the market leader in Brazil. The company has more than 80 vessels in its Brazilian fleet, serving various ships that arrive and depart at ports. Every vessel entering or leaving the Port of Santos is assisted by two or more tugboats between the entrance of the navigation channel and the berth, ensuring safe maneuvering by pilots aboard the ships. Wilson Sons also operates a shipyard in Guarujá, outside the designated boundaries of the Port of Santos.

Source: A Tribuna

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