Weil has advised Antin Infrastructure Partners (Antin), through its Flagship Fund III, on the sale of a minority stake in Sølvtrans to UK investment fund GLIL Infrastructure LLP (GLIL), bringing in a new long-term partner for the world-leading wellboat operator’s next growth phase. As part of the transaction, GLIL will acquire a 30% stake in Sølvtrans, providing liquidity to investors in Antin’s Flagship Fund III. Antin maintains its majority holding alongside the company’s founder Roger Halsebakk and his family.

In addition to providing capital, GLIL, the investment fund established by pension funds to invest collaboratively in infrastructure, will use its expertise and active asset management approach to support Sølvtrans’ rapid global expansion.

Headquartered in Ålesund, Norway, Sølvtrans is the world’s #1 provider of mission-critical wellboats (a vessel equipped with tanks for the safe transport of farmed fish) to the growing aquaculture industry. Since Antin’s investment in 2018, the company has delivered strong growth, including enlarging its fleet to 48 vessels from 21, geographical expansion to Canada, Iceland and New Zealand and diversification to additional fish species beyond salmon, including cod, as well as the strategic acquisition of Dess Aquaculture Shipping.

The Weil team was led by Corporate partners Brendan Moylan and Murray Cox with support from counsel Jamie Macdonagh, and associates Henrietta Wirta, Holly Mackay and Jack Spain; Tax partner Oliver Walker, counsel Ellie Marques and associate Anna Ritchie; and Antitrust partner Jenine Hulsmann and associate Agnès de Fortanier.