FRENCH shipowner and marine services company Louis Dreyfus Armateurs has confirmed exclusive negotiations with private equity firm InfraVia to buy a majority stake in the company.

The deal will see Paris-headquartered InfraVia, through its InfraVia European Fund VI, acquire an 80% stake in LDA to support the group’s development.

French media reported last year that LDA had been courting outside investors and appointed Rothschild & Co to assist with the process.           

LDA controls a fleet of 23 ships in the offshore, ro-ro cargoship and cable layer sectors. Until 2022, the company had been an important player in the dry cargo segment before it sold its last bulk carriers to a JP Morgan-linked shipowner.           

The company has a considerable backlog of newbuildings, including three high specification, sail-assisted, ro-ro ships which have been ordered against a long-term contract to ship aircraft parts for Airbus.

LDA said the transaction will fund some €1bn of investments over the next few years and allow a doubling in the size of its vessel fleet. In addition, the group plans to accelerate its development in technological innovation and energy transition.

The Louis-Dreyfus family will retain a 20% ownership in the group. Edouard Louis-Dreyfus will continue as LDA president.

“We are delighted by InfraVia’s investment in LDA because we share the same vision, the same values and, of course, the same ambitions for our group,” said Edouard Louis-Dreyfus.

“In our sectors, we are convinced that great opportunities lie ahead and are within our reach. It is this conviction that drives us to accelerate our ambitions, to propel Louis Dreyfus Armateurs into a new dynamic of growth and innovation,” added Louis-Dreyfus. 

LDA said the transaction is subject to prior consultation with employee representative bodies with the transaction expected to be completed in the first half of 2025.