Vroon sells Livestock Express

ONE of the most prominent names in sheep and cattle transport, Livestock Express, has been sold by Dutch owners Vroon to Australian agribusiness Heytesbury.

The agreement, announced overnight in Europe, includes all eleven of the Vroon subsidiary’s owned livestock vessels, plus 100% of its shares in Livestock Express Pte Ltd. Heytesbury will also assume Livestock Express’ Singapore office and its technical management services for third-party vessels. No sale price has been disclosed.

Heytesbury CEO Paul Holmes à Court (left) & Vroon CEO Martijn Schouten. Image: Vroon

The family-owned Vroon said the transaction marks another important step in the reshaping of the company, allowing focus on its key niche markets in energy, liquids, infrastructure and offshore wind.

The Holmes à Court-family owned Heytesbury is an established participant in the northern Australian cattle trade, as well as a livestock vessel owner in its own right, as owner of the former Wellard vessel Ocean Swagman, now operated by Livestock Express. It has long been a large breeder and trader of cattle servicing all major markets in South-East Asia, particularly Indonesia.

“Today marks a special moment, which sees the final chapter of Livestock Express within the Vroon group and the beginning of a new chapter under its future owner,” Vroon CEO Martijn Schouten said.

“We are proud of everyone who has helped build Livestock Express over the past 60 years into the world’s largest independent livestock carrier, with a fleet of modern, purpose-built vessels. With Heytesbury as a strategic owner, we are pleased that all the staff and the legacy of Vroon in the trade are in safe and reputable hands, with a solid outlook for the future.”

Under its new ownership, Livestock Express will continue to operate as an independent carrier, with Heytesbury committed to maintaining ‘business as usual’ for its newly acquired outfit.

“We have a strong relationship with the Livestock Express team already, and we're delighted to be coming together as one,” Heytesbury CEO Paul Holmes à Court said.

“It's really important that Livestock Express remains operating independently and keeps servicing markets all around the globe under its own brand. We're both part of a vital global protein trade, and tens of millions of people around the world rely on this fleet to help secure their food supply.”