Billionaire takes over Murmansk

摘要

Russian billionaire Andrey Mel-nichenko has assumed control of almost 98% of voting shares in the Merchant Seaport of Murmansk (MMTP) through his companies EuroChem and Siberian Coal Energy Company (SUEK). MMTP is the fourth largest stevedoring operator in Russia and the largest at the key Barents Sea harbour. EuroChem, Russia's biggest mineral fertiliser producer, has completed the acquisition of 47.67% of MMTP shares for an estimated US$100M from offshore firms Montague Management (21.72%), Roman Capital Holdings (16.9%) and Alfa Capital Holdings (ACH) (9.05%). The two former firms are reportedly associated with Meln-ichenko, while ACH is part of Russia's Alfa Group which combined with SUEK last year to buy the state-owned 34% shareholding in MMTP for around US$70M.