With this operation, Inverlussa adds three more ships to its own fleet, two of which were already operating for the group under bareboat charter.
Photo: Inverlussa Marine Services.
Inverlussa Marine Services announced it has completed the acquisition of a 60% shareholding in LCL Shipping Limited, a feed logistics operator co-owned by Danish aquafeed group BioMar. This move strengthens the Scottish aquaculture support company's feed logistics operations and expands its presence in the Shetland Islands.
As part of the transaction, Inverlussa will assume full day-to-day management of the business, which will continue to operate under the LCL Shipping brand, while BioMar will retain its 40% stake.
Based in Whalasy, Shetland, Scotland, LCL Shipping is an established maritime logistics company specializing in the transport of aquaculture feed that has built a strong reputation for the reliability of its services throughout the Shetland archipelago over the years.
Following the acquisition, the existing LCL Shipping crew will remain in their positions and, as mentioned above, the company will continue to operate under the same brand and from Shetland, with no changes to day-to-day operations or customer contacts.
Inverlussa pointed out that, in this way, while ensuring continuity of service for customers, LCL Shipping's crew will benefit from the additional operational support, resilience and investment that comes from being part of the Inverlussa Marine Services Group.
For its part, with this move, the shipping and aquaculture services company is expanding its feed logistics division, reinforcing its presence in Shetland and incorporating three more vessels into the group's owned fleet.
The company also noted that, although two of these vessels have already been operating under bareboat charter to Inverlussa, bringing LCL Shipping into the group provides a stronger platform for future investment and growth, complementing its existing marine services and strengthening its feed logistics operations across Scotland.
Investing in Scotland for the long term
Commenting on the acquisition, Ben Wilson, CEO of Inverlussa, highlighted that it represents another significant step in the company's long-term growth strategy and strengthens its position within the aquaculture supply chain in Scotland.
"LCL Shipping has built an excellent reputation over many years, and we are delighted to welcome the business into the Inverlussa Group," he said.
"This acquisition is about investing for the long term. LCL has a highly experienced team, strong customer relationships and an excellent operational track record. We believe bringing our businesses together creates an even stronger platform to support Scotland's aquaculture sector," Wilson continued.
"Shetland is a hugely important part of the Scottish salmon industry, and this investment demonstrates our commitment to the islands and to providing customers with reliable, high-quality marine services for many years to come," the CEO of Inverlussa concluded.
As the marine services company noted in the release, this acquisition follows its recent investment program, which includes the construction of three new hybrid vessels designed by Macduff Ship Design in close collaboration with Inverlussa and scheduled to enter service in 2027.
Now that the acquisition of LCL Shipping Limited is complete, Inverlussa Marine Services employs around 146 people and has a fleet of 23 vessels, providing a wide range of maritime services to the aquaculture industry throughout Scotland.