International marine services provider Paris-headquartered Bourbon announced on July 22 that it has agreed to sell 16 bulk carriers for $545 million to US-based Genco Shipping and Trading Ltd, as a part of its Bourbon 2015 strategy, by which the group intends to be the world leader in offshore marine services with a fleet of 600 vessels by 2015.
According to the Bourbon 2015 strategy, the group announced that the $2 billion investment program would be financed by asset sales in the amount of €500 million, mainly in 2010.
By adding 80 supply vessels and 64 crewboats through a $2 billion investment plan in new buildings, Bourbon plans to be operating a fleet of 600 vessels for deepwater and shallow water logistics services by 2015.