UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

SCHEDULE 13D

Under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

(AMENDMENT NO. 23)*

 

 

Euronav NV

(Name of Issuer)

Ordinary Shares, no par value

(Title of Class of Securities)

B38564108

(CUSIP Number)

Compagnie Maritime Belge NV

De Gerlachekaai 20

2000 Antwerp

Belgium

Attention: Ludovic Saverys

Chief Financial Officer

Tel: +32 3 247 59 11

With a Copy to:

Robert E. Lustrin, Esq.

Reed Smith LLP

599 Lexington Avenue

New York, NY 10022-7650

Tel: (212) 521-5400

(Name, Address and Telephone Number of Person Authorized to Receive Notices and Communications)

February 14, 2024

(Date of Event which Requires Filing of this Statement)

 

 

If the filing person has previously filed a statement on Schedule 13G to report the acquisition that is the subject of this Schedule 13D, and is filing this schedule because of 240.13d-1(e), 240.13d-1(f) or 240.13d-1(g), check the following box ☐.

 

 

Note: Schedules filed in paper format shall include a signed original and five copies of the schedule, including all exhibits. See 240.13d-7(b) for other parties to whom copies are to be sent.

 

 

*

The remainder of this cover page shall be filled out for a reporting person’s initial filing on this form with respect to the subject class of securities, and for any subsequent amendment containing information which would alter disclosures provided in a prior cover page.

The information required on the remainder of this cover page shall not be deemed to be “filed” for the purpose of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (“Act”) or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section of the Act but shall be subject to all other provisions of the Act (however, see the Notes).

 

 

 


CUSIP No. B38564108

 

 1   

 NAMES OF REPORTING PERSONS

 I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NOS. OF ABOVE PERSONS (ENTITIES ONLY)

 

 Compagnie Maritime Belge NV

 2  

 CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP

 (a) ☐  (b) ☐

 

 3  

 SEC USE ONLY

 

 4  

 SOURCE OF FUNDS (See Instructions)

 

 WC, BK

 5  

 CHECK IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEMS 2(D) OR 2(E)

 

 ☐

 6  

 CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION

 

 Belgium

NUMBER OF

SHARES  BENEFICIALLY 

OWNED BY

EACH

REPORTING

PERSON

WITH

 

    7   

 SOLE VOTING POWER

 

 0

    8  

 SHARED VOTING POWER

 

 107,905,344

    9  

 SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER

 

 0

   10  

 SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER

 

 107,905,344

11   

 AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON

 

 107,905,344

12  

 CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES (See Instructions)

 

 ☐

13  

 PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)

 

 53.36%*

14  

 TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON (See Instructions)

 

 CO

 

*

Based on 202,233,997 Ordinary Shares outstanding as of December 31, 2023 (not including treasury shares), as reported in the Issuer’s Current Report on Form 6-K furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 1, 2024.


CUSIP No. B38564108

 

 1   

 NAMES OF REPORTING PERSONS

 I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NOS. OF ABOVE PERSONS (ENTITIES ONLY)

 

 Saverco NV

 2  

 CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP

 (a) ☐  (b) ☐

 

 3  

 SEC USE ONLY

 

 4  

 SOURCE OF FUNDS (See Instructions)

 

 WC*

 5  

 CHECK IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEMS 2(D) OR 2(E)

 

 ☐

 6  

 CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION

 

 Belgium

NUMBER OF

SHARES  BENEFICIALLY 

OWNED BY

EACH

REPORTING

PERSON

WITH

 

    7   

 SOLE VOTING POWER

 

 24,400

    8  

 SHARED VOTING POWER

 

 107,929,744

    9  

 SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER

 

 24,400

   10  

 SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER

 

 107,929,744

11   

 AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON

 

 107,929,744

12  

 CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES (See Instructions)

 

 ☐

13  

 PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)

 

 53.37%**

14  

 TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON (See Instructions)

 

 CO

 

*

As to 24,400 Ordinary Shares owned directly by Saverco NV.

**

Based on 202,233,997 Ordinary Shares outstanding as of December 31, 2023 (not including treasury shares), as reported in the Issuer’s Current Report on Form 6-K furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 1, 2024.


CUSIP No. B38564108

 

 1   

 NAMES OF REPORTING PERSONS

 I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NOS. OF ABOVE PERSONS (ENTITIES ONLY)

 

 Alexander Saverys

 2  

 CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP

 (a) ☐  (b) ☐

 

 3  

 SEC USE ONLY

 

 4  

 SOURCE OF FUNDS (See Instructions)

 

 OO

 5  

 CHECK IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEMS 2(D) OR 2(E)

 

 ☐

 6  

 CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION

 

 Belgium

NUMBER OF

SHARES  BENEFICIALLY 

OWNED BY

EACH

REPORTING

PERSON

WITH

 

    7   

 SOLE VOTING POWER

 

 0

    8  

 SHARED VOTING POWER

 

 107,929,744

    9  

 SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER

 

 0

   10  

 SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER

 

 107,929,744

11   

 AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON

 

 107,929,744

12  

 CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES (See Instructions)

 

 ☐

13  

 PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)

 

 53.37%*

14  

 TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON (See Instructions)

 

 IN

 

*

Based on 202,233,997 Ordinary Shares outstanding as of December 31, 2023 (not including treasury shares), as reported in the Issuer’s Current Report on Form 6-K furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 1, 2024.


CUSIP No. B38564108

 

 1   

 NAMES OF REPORTING PERSONS

 I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NOS. OF ABOVE PERSONS (ENTITIES ONLY)

 

 Ludovic Saverys

 2  

 CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP

 (a) ☐  (b) ☐

 

 3  

 SEC USE ONLY

 

 4  

 SOURCE OF FUNDS (See Instructions)

 

 OO

 5  

 CHECK IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEMS 2(D) OR 2(E)

 

 ☐

 6  

 CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION

 

 Belgium

NUMBER OF

SHARES  BENEFICIALLY 

OWNED BY

EACH

REPORTING

PERSON

WITH

 

    7   

 SOLE VOTING POWER

 

 0

    8  

 SHARED VOTING POWER

 

 107,929,744

    9  

 SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER

 

 0

   10  

 SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER

 

 107,929,744

11   

 AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON

 

 107,929,744

12  

 CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES (See Instructions)

 

 ☐

13  

 PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)

 

 53.37%*

14  

 TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON (See Instructions)

 

 IN

 

*

Based on 202,233,997 Ordinary Shares outstanding as of December 31, 2023 (not including treasury shares), as reported in the Issuer’s Current Report on Form 6-K furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 1, 2024.


CUSIP No. B38564108

 

 1   

 NAMES OF REPORTING PERSONS

 I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NOS. OF ABOVE PERSONS (ENTITIES ONLY)

 

 Michael Saverys

 2  

 CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP

 (a) ☐  (b) ☐

 

 3  

 SEC USE ONLY

 

 4  

 SOURCE OF FUNDS (See Instructions)

 

 OO

 5  

 CHECK IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEMS 2(D) OR 2(E)

 

 ☐

 6  

 CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION

 

 Belgium

NUMBER OF

SHARES  BENEFICIALLY 

OWNED BY

EACH

REPORTING

PERSON

WITH

 

    7   

 SOLE VOTING POWER

 

 0

    8  

 SHARED VOTING POWER

 

 107,929,744

    9  

 SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER

 

 0

   10  

 SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER

 

 107,929,744

11   

 AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON

 

 107,929,744

12  

 CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES (See Instructions)

 

 ☐

13  

 PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)

 

 53.37%*

14  

 TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON (See Instructions)

 

 IN

 

*

Based on 202,233,997 Ordinary Shares outstanding as of December 31, 2023 (not including treasury shares), as reported in the Issuer’s Current Report on Form 6-K furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 1, 2024.


Explanatory Note

This Amendment No. 23 (this “Amendment”) to Schedule 13D relates to ordinary shares, no par value (the “Ordinary Shares”), of Euronav NV (the “Issuer”) and amends and supplements the initial statement on Schedule 13D filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) on February 14, 2022, as amended by Amendment No. 1 thereto filed with the Commission on February 23, 2022, Amendment No. 2 thereto filed with the Commission on March 9, 2022, Amendment No. 3 thereto filed with the Commission on April 1, 2022, Amendment No. 4 thereto filed with the Commission on April 4, 2022, Amendment No. 5 thereto filed with the Commission on April 12, 2022, Amendment No. 6 thereto filed with the Commission on April 26, 2022, Amendment No. 7 thereto filed with the Commission on May 4, 2022, Amendment No. 8 thereto filed with the Commission on May 17, 2022, Amendment No. 9 thereto filed with the Commission on May 24, 2022, Amendment No. 10 thereto filed with the Commission on July 13, 2022, Amendment No. 11 thereto filed with the Commission on October 11, 2022, Amendment No. 12 thereto filed with the Commission on December 2, 2022, Amendment No. 13 thereto filed with the Commission on December 5, 2022, Amendment No. 14 thereto filed with the Commission on December 12, 2022, Amendment No. 15 thereto filed with the Commission on December 14, 2022, Amendment No. 16 thereto filed with the Commission on January 18, 2023, Amendment No. 17 thereto filed with the Commission on February 10, 2023, Amendment No. 18 thereto filed with the Commission on February 16, 2023, Amendment No. 19 thereto filed with the Commission on March 24, 2023, Amendment No. 20 thereto filed with the Commission on October 10, 2023, Amendment No. 21 thereto filed with the Commission on November 24, 2023, and Amendment No. 22 thereto filed with the Commission on December 22, 2023 (as amended and supplemented, the “Original Schedule 13D,” and as further amended and supplemented by this Amendment No. 23, the “Schedule 13D”).

Capitalized terms used but not defined in this Amendment No. 23 have the same meanings ascribed to them in the Original Schedule 13D. Except as specifically provided herein, this Amendment No. 23 does not modify any of the information previously reported in the Original Schedule 13D.

The tender offer by Compagnie Maritime Belge NV, a public limited liability company (“naamloze vennootschap”) under Belgian law (“CMB” or the “Offeror”), one of the Reporting Persons referred to in this Schedule 13D, commenced on February 14, 2024. This Schedule 13D is for informational purposes only, and is neither an offer to purchase nor a solicitation of an offer to sell any Ordinary Shares of the Issuer or any other securities, nor is it a substitute for the Tender Offer Statement on Schedule TO (the “Tender Offer Statement”) that the Offeror has filed with the Commission, and the Solicitation/Recommendation Statement on Schedule 14D-9 (the “Schedule 14D-9”) that the Issuer has filed with the Commission. Any solicitation and offer to buy Ordinary Shares is only being made pursuant to the Offer to Purchase dated February 14, 2024 (the “Offer to Purchase”), and the related Letter of Transmittal (the “Letter of Transmittal”). The Tender Offer Statement (including the Offer to Purchase, the related Letter of Transmittal and certain other offer documents) and the Solicitation/Recommendation Statement on Schedule 14D-9 of the Issuer contain important information that U.S. Holders of Ordinary Shares should consider before making any decision with respect to the tender offer. U.S. Holders of Ordinary Shares are urged to read these documents carefully. The Offer to Purchase, the related Letter of Transmittal and the Issuer’s Schedule 14D-9 and other filings related to the tender offer are available for free at the Commission’s website at www.sec.gov. The Offer to Purchase, the related Letter of Transmittal and other offer documents may also be obtained free of charge from Georgeson LLC, the information agent for the U.S. Offer at the telephone number and addresses on the back cover page of the Offer to Purchase, or from brokers, dealers, commercial banks, trust companies or other nominees.


Item 2. Identity and Background

Item 2 of the Original Schedule 13D is hereby amended and supplemented as follows:

 

  (c), (f)

The principal business of CMB is marine transportation. The principal business of Saverco is acting as an investment holding company. Saverco owns 100% of the outstanding shares of CMB. Alexander Saverys, Ludovic Saverys and Michael Saverys each own approximately 33.33% of the issued shares of Saverco.

The name, citizenship, present principal occupation or employment and business address of each executive officer and director of CMB is set forth below. If no business address is given, the executive officer’s or director’s address is De Gerlachekaai 20, 2000 Antwerp, Belgium.

 

Name

  

Position of Officer or

Director

  

Principal Occupation, Principal Business
Address and Citizenship

Ludwig Criel    Director    Mr. Criel is an independent consultant. Mr. Criel is a citizen of Belgium.
Patrick De Brabandere    Director    Mr. De Brabandere is an independent consultant. Mr. De Brabandere is a member of the Issuer’s Supervisory Board. Mr. De Brabandere is a citizen of Belgium.
Alexander Saverys    Director and Chief Executive Officer    Mr. Saverys is the Chief Executive Officer of the Issuer. Mr. Saverys is also a Director of Saverco. Mr. Saverys is a citizen of Belgium.
Ludovic Saverys    Director and Chief Financial Officer    Mr. Saverys is the Chief Financial Officer of the Issuer. Mr. Saverys is also a Director of Saverco. Mr. Saverys is a citizen of Belgium.
Michael Saverys    Director and Chartering Manager    Mr. Saverys is the Chief Chartering Officer of the Issuer. Mr. Saverys is also a Director of Saverco. Mr. Saverys is a citizen of Belgium.
Marc Saverys    Director and Chairman    Mr. Saverys is a member of the Issuer’s Supervisory Board. Mr. Saverys is a citizen of Belgium.
Maxime Van Eecke    Director and Chief Commercial Officer    Mr. Van Eecke is the Chief Commercial Officer of the Issuer. Mr. Van Eecke is a citizen of Belgium.
Benoit Timmermans    Chief Strategy Officer and Director    Mr. Timmermans is the Chief Strategy Officer of the Issuer. Mr. Timmermans is a citizen of Belgium.


The name, citizenship, present principal occupation or employment and business address of each executive officer and director of Saverco is set forth below. If no business address is given, the executive officer’s or director’s address is De Gerlachekaai 20, 2000 Antwerp, Belgium.

 

Name

  

Position of Officer or Director

  

Principal Occupation, Principal Business

Address and Citizenship

Alexander Saverys    Director   

Mr. Saverys is the Chief Executive Officer of CMB and the Issuer. He is also a Director of CMB.

Mr. Saverys is a citizen of Belgium.

Ludovic Saverys    Director   

Mr. Saverys is the Chief Financial Officer of CMB and the Issuer. He is also a Director of CMB.

Mr. Saverys is a citizen of Belgium.

Michael Saverys    Director    Mr. Saverys is the Chartering Manager and a Director of CMB and the Chief Chartering Officer of the Issuer. Mr. Saverys is a citizen of Belgium.


Item 3. Source and Amount of Funds or Other Consideration

Item 3 of the Original Schedule 13D is hereby amended and supplemented by adding the following information:

CMB estimates that the maximum amount of funds required to consummate the Offers (as defined and described in Item 4 below) is approximately $1.68 billion. The consummation of the Offers is not subject to any financing condition. The aggregate purchase price for Ordinary Shares validly tendered and accepted in the Offers will be funded with borrowings under the Bid Acquisition Bridge Facility (as defined below), and the unconditional and irrevocable availability of funds necessary for the payment of the aggregate purchase price for all Ordinary Shares subject to the Offers in the form of an irrevocable and unconditional credit facility made available by the Arrangers (as defined below) has been confirmed by KBC Bank NV (“KBC”) to the Belgian Financial Services and Markets Authority in accordance with Belgian law.

Facilities Agreement

As previously reported, the aggregate purchase price for Ordinary Shares validly tendered and accepted in the Offers will be funded with borrowings under a $3.2 billion bridge facilities agreement entered into among CMB and Crédit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank, KBC, and Société Générale (collectively, the “Bookrunning Mandated Lead Arrangers”), Belfius Bank NV/SA, DNB (UK) Limited, ING Belgium SA/NV and Nordea Bank Abp filial i Norge (collectively, the “Mandated Lead Arrangers”) and Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken AB (publ) (the “Lead Arranger” and together with the Bookrunning Mandated Lead Arrangers and the Mandated Lead Arrangers, the “Arrangers”) dated November 20, 2023 (the “Facilities Agreement”). The Facilities Agreement provides for a $1,110,000,000 term loan bridge facility which was used to pay the purchase price for the purchase by CMB of an aggregate of 57,479,744 Ordinary Shares, representing 28.47% of the then outstanding Ordinary Shares (excluding treasury shares) from Frontline and Famatown and related transaction costs (the “SPA Acquisition Bridge Facility”), a $1,740,000,000 term loan bridge facility which will be used to fund the Offers (the “Bid Acquisition Bridge Facility”) and a $350,000,000 term loan bridge facility (the “Margin Loan Bridge Facility”) which was used to refinance the outstanding amounts under existing margin loan facilities (the “Existing Margin Loans”).

Term. The Facilities Agreement has an initial term of nine months expiring on August 20, 2024, which, subject to certain conditions and at the option of CMB, may be extended for an additional six months. Such extension is subject to (i) no default having occurred and is then continuing or would occur as a result of the extension; (ii) all repeating representations made by CMB being correct in all material respects; and (iii) the payment of an extension fee as agreed in the Facilities Agreement. The principal amounts outstanding under the Facilities Agreement must be repaid in full not later than its maturity date, subject to any extension. CMB may utilize the Facilities Agreement in one or several installments.

Prepayment. The Facilities Agreement contains customary prepayment events (including but not limited to: (i) when it becomes illegal for a lender to fund or maintain its participation; (ii) when a sanctions event occurs; (iii) where there is a change of control of CMB or if CMB no longer controls the Issuer; (iv) from disposal proceeds; or (v) from proceeds of a claims under an acquisition document). CMB is required to prepay loans under the Facilities Agreement out of the net proceeds received from a permitted sale of CMB.TECH and/or the sale of Ordinary Shares of the Issuer, provided that CMB retains at least a 50% ownership interest in the Issuer (excluding treasury shares). CMB also can voluntarily cancel commitments or repay amounts outstanding under the Facilities Agreement.

Interest Rates. Interest on amounts outstanding under the Facilities Agreement is payable on the last day of each interest period (which interest period may be 1 week or 1 month) and is comprised of the applicable Margin (as defined in the Facilities Agreement) and the compounded reference rate for that day (including any Bloomberg Credit Adjustment Spread). The Margin is determined as follows: (i) from the date of the Facilities Agreement to (but excluding) the date falling 6 months after the date of the Facilities Agreement, the Margin per annum is 2.75%; (ii) from the date falling 6 months after the date of the Facilities Agreement to (but excluding in case of an extension) the date falling 9 months after the date of the


Facilities Agreement, the Margin per annum is 3.25%; (iii) subject to the extension being exercised, from the date falling 9 months after the date of the Facilities Agreement to (but excluding) the date falling 12 months after the date of the Facilities Agreement, the Margin per annum is 3.75%; and (iv) subject to the extension being exercised, from the date falling 12 months after the date of the Facilities Agreement to the Termination Date (as defined in the Facilities Agreement), the Margin per annum is 4.50%. However, while an event of default has occurred and is continuing, the Margin for each loan will be the highest percentage per annum set forth above.

Representations and warranties, undertakings and events of default. The Facilities Agreement contains representations, warranties, undertakings and events of default that are customary for facilities of this type, with such adjustments as are necessary to reflect the transaction structure.

Security. CMB’s obligations under the Facilities Agreement are secured by a pledge of all shares of the Issuer held by CMB (or to be acquired pursuant to the Offers). The Facilities Agreement was also secured by a pledge by CMB of all shares owned by CMB in CMB.TECH, which pledge was released upon the consummation of the CMB.TECH Sale Transaction. On February 8, 2024, CMB repaid $1,110,000,000 under the SPA Acquisition Bridge Facility and $20,000,000 under the Margin Loan Bridge Facility from the proceeds of the CMB.TECH Sale Transaction and cash held in prepayment accounts. The borrowings under the Facilities Agreement are also secured by any cash held in prepayment accounts into which funds from permitted sales of the pledged securities are required to be deposited.

Refinancing Plans. Pursuant to the terms of the Facilities Agreement, CMB was required to prepay loans under the SPA Acquisition Bridge Facility and the Margin Loan Bridge Facility (pro rata) out of the net proceeds received from the CMB.TECH Sale Transaction. CMB intends to repay the amounts borrowed under the Bid Acquisition Bridge Facility and the Margin Loan Bridge Facility with, among other things, the proceeds from the CMB.TECH Sale Transaction and distributions by Euronav.

A copy of the Facilities Agreement has been filed as Exhibit M to the Original 13D and is incorporated herein by reference.


Item 4. Purpose of the Transaction

The Offers

As previously reported in this Schedule 13D, on November 22, 2023, the Share Purchase was consummated. As a result, CMB acquired in excess of 30% of the Issuer’s issued Ordinary Shares and became obligated under Belgian law to make a mandatory unconditional public takeover bid on the remaining Ordinary Shares of the Issuer that it and its affiliates do not already own. Also as previously reported in this Schedule 13D, CMB announced that it would make the public takeover bid concurrently in the United States and Belgium at an offer price of US$18.43 per Ordinary Share, reduced on a dollar-for-dollar basis by the gross amount per share of any future dividends and other distributions by the Issuer to its shareholders after the closing of the Share Purchase with an ex-dividend date prior to the settlement date of the public takeover bid (the “Announced Offer Price”). CMB’s purpose in effecting the Share Purchase was to resolve the strategic and structural deadlock within the Issuer that existed prior to the consummation of the Share Purchase and to enable CMB to implement its medium to long-term strategy of transforming the Issuer into a Europe-based leading company in the field of maritime and industrial cleantech by gradually diversifying the Issuer’s fleet away from pure crude oil transportation and focusing on diversification and decarbonization of the fleet.

The Commencement of the Offers. On February 14, 2024 (the “Commencement Date”), CMB issued a press release (which is filed as Exhibit O hereto and is incorporated by reference herein) announcing that CMB commenced its mandatory public takeover bid as two separate, but concurrent and related unconditional offers, one in the United States (the “U.S. Offer”) and one in Belgium (the “Belgian Offer” and together with the U.S. Offer, the “Offers”) to purchase all outstanding Ordinary Shares of the Issuer that CMB and its affiliates do not already own. As a result of the dividend of $0.57 per Ordinary Share paid by the Issuer on December 20, 2023, to holders of record of Ordinary Shares on December 13, 2023, the Announced Offer Price has been reduced by US$0.57 to US$17.86 per share in cash, to be further reduced on a dollar-for-dollar basis by the gross amount of any distributions by the Issuer to its shareholders (including in the form of a dividend, distribution of share premium, decrease of share capital or in any other form) with a payment date falling after the Commencement Date and before the settlement date (the “Offer Price”). The U.S. Offer is open to all U.S. holders of Ordinary Shares and the Belgian Offer is open to all holders of Ordinary Shares, wherever located. Each of the Offers provides the equivalent consideration for Ordinary Shares tendered, and each of the Offers is being made on substantially the same terms.

CMB estimates that the maximum amount of funds required to consummate the Offers at the Offer Price is approximately $1.68 billion, which it will fund with the proceeds of loans under the Bid Acquisition Bridge Facility. The discussion of the Facilities Agreement in Item 3 of this Schedule 13D is incorporated herein by reference.

The Offers expire at 10:00 A.M., New York City time (4:00 P.M., Brussels, Belgium time), on March 15, 2024, unless the expiration of the Offers is extended to a subsequent date in accordance with U.S. and Belgian law. While permitted under Belgian law in certain circumstances, CMB does not intend to undertake a voluntary subsequent offer or a squeeze-out offer after the expiration of the Offers.

CMB’s sole purpose in making the Offers is to comply with its legal obligation to launch a public takeover bid in accordance with Belgian law. CMB does not intend to delist the Issuer from the NYSE or Euronext Brussels.

Effects on the Issuer’s Stock Exchange Listings. The Ordinary Shares are listed on the NYSE and Euronext Brussels. CMB does not intend to delist the Ordinary Shares from trading on the NYSE and expects that the Ordinary Shares will continue to trade on the NYSE after consummation of the Offers. While CMB believes that the unaffiliated public float of the Ordinary Shares will remain sufficient, the number of Ordinary Shares that are publicly held and the liquidity of the public markets for the Ordinary Shares may be significantly reduced because as a result of the Offers. It is possible that the Issuer may, upon the closing of the Offers, fail to meet the criteria for continued listing on the NYSE or Euronext Brussels. If the Issuer’s Ordinary Shares were delisted by the NYSE and/or Euronext Brussels, it could make it more difficult to dispose of, or obtain accurate quotations for the price of, the Ordinary Shares and the public reporting obligations of the Issuer would be suspended. Under certain of the Issuer’s financing agreements, the delisting of the Ordinary Shares from both the NYSE and Euronext Brussels may constitute an event of default.

Effects on the Issuer’s Dividend Policy. As a strategic and long-term investor, CMB’s investment in the Issuer is not driven by set expectations regarding an annual dividend or other form of return to shareholders. The Issuer’s future dividend policy will be determined in the discretion of the Issuer’s Supervisory Board, on an ad hoc basis, in light of possible future investments (in particular taking into account CMB’s strategic plans for the Issuer), profitability of the underlying assets, the leverage ratio of the Issuer, CMB’s shareholding in the Issuer and the refinancing of CMB. See Item 3 above.

Change in the Issuer’s Corporate Name. The Issuer has announced its intention to, after the completion of the Offers, change its name to “CMB.TECH NV” and the trading symbol under which the Ordinary Shares are listed on the NYSE and on Euronext Brussels to “CMBT”. The Issuer’s current name, “Euronav,” will be retained as the brand name for its tanker division.


Changes to the Issuer’s Charter and Bylaws. Following the completion of the Offers, CMB expects that the Issuer’s corporate governance and nomination committee will undertake a review the Issuer’s current article of association and its corporate governance charter, however, CMB does not have any current plans to make any changes. Mr. Bjarte Bøe, who was nominated by CMB to the Issuer’s Supervisory Board, is a member of the Issuer’s corporate governance and nomination committee.

CMB.TECH Sale Transaction

As previously reported in this Schedule 13D, on December 22, 2023, the Issuer and CMB entered into the CMB.TECH Share Purchase Agreement, pursuant to which CMB agreed to sell 100% of the issued shares of its wholly owned subsidiary, CMB.TECH, and the Issuer agreed to purchase such shares for a purchase price of $1.15 billion in cash. On February 7, 2024, the CMB.TECH Sale Transaction was approved by the Issuer’s shareholders’ meeting pursuant to Article 7:152 of the BCCA. On February 8, 2024, CMB.TECH Sale Transaction was consummated.

As previously disclosed in this Schedule 13D, the Issuer and CMB have agreed to indemnify each other for any losses arising from any breach of warranty by the Issuer or CMB, as the case may be, which would not have been incurred by it if all facts stated in their respective warranties made in the CMB.TECH Share Purchase Agreement had been true, accurate and not misleading. The Issuer has taken out warranty and indemnity insurance to cover most of the warranties provided by CMB to the Issuer under the CMB.TECH Share Purchase Agreement. The insurance premium was deducted from the purchase price.

The CMB.TECH Share Purchase Agreement also provided that, between signing and completion of the transaction, CMB would, to the extent necessary in view of contractual commitments or obligations of CMB.TECH, or investments or capital expenditure contemplated by the business plan of CMB.TECH, provide additional funding to CMB.TECH by means of shareholder loans. At the closing of the CMB.TECH Transaction, the Issuer acquired the receivables of CMB vis-à-vis CMB.TECH under these shareholder loans for a total amount of approximately $79.2 million. The purchase price for the shares of CMB.TECH and for the shareholder loans was paid in full in cash by the Issuer.

At the closing of the CMB.TECH Transaction, CMB granted the Issuer (i) a royalty-free, worldwide license (the “License”) to use the trademarks and the tradenames “Bocimar”, “Bochem” and ”Delphis”, so that the Issuer can continue to commercially deploy dry bulk vessels, container vessels and chemical tankers under these trademarks; and (ii) a priority right with respect to charters with a term exceeding three months for those vessels in the Issuer’s fleet that compete with CMB’s vessels (the “Priority Right”). The License became effective on February 8, 2024 and is valid for the duration of the relevant licensed intellectual property rights, but will expire when CMB no longer owns 25% of all Ordinary Shares. The Priority Right will remain in force until the earlier of (i) the date on which CMB is no longer solely controlling the Issuer (as determined by applicable antitrust law) or (ii) the tenth anniversary, automatically renewed with consecutive five-year periods, unless either CMB or the Issuer terminates the Priority Right upon three-months’ notice.

A copy of the CMB.TECH Share Purchase Agreement has been filed as Exhibit O to the Original 13D and is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 5. Interest in Securities of the Issuer

Item 5 of the Original Schedule 13D is hereby amended and amended and supplemented by adding the following information:

 

  (a) and (b)

The percentage of outstanding Ordinary Shares that may be deemed to be beneficially owned by each Reporting Person is set forth on line 13 of such Reporting Person’s cover sheet and is incorporated herein. Such percentage was calculated for each Reporting Person based on 202,233,997 Ordinary Shares outstanding as of December 31, 2023 (not including treasury shares), as reported in the Issuer’s Current Report on Form 6-K furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 1, 2024.

 

  (c)

As previously reported, on November 22, 2023, CMB acquired the Sale Shares from Frontline and Famatown for an aggregate purchase price of US$1,059,351,682 in cash. Except for the purchase of the Sale Shares, none of the Reporting Persons nor (to the Reporting Persons’ knowledge) any person set forth in Item 2 of the Original 13D, has engaged in any transactions in the Ordinary Shares during the past 60 days.

 

  (d)

To the best knowledge of the Reporting Persons, no other person other than the Reporting Persons has the right to receive or the power to direct the receipt of dividends from, or the proceeds from the sale of, the securities beneficially owned by the Reporting Persons identified in this Item 5.


Item 6. Contracts, Arrangements, Understandings or Relationships with Respect to Securities of the Issuer

Item 6 of this Schedule 13D is hereby amended and supplemented by adding the following information:

The information set forth under Item 3 and Item 4 is incorporated herein by reference. Except as otherwise described in this Schedule 13D, including the Exhibits attached hereto, there are no contracts, arrangements, understandings, or relationships (legal or otherwise) among the Reporting Persons, or between any Reporting Person(s) and any third party, with respect to any securities of the Issuer, including, but not limited to, those involving the transfer or voting of any of the securities, finder’s fees, joint ventures, loan or option arrangements, puts or calls, guarantees of profits, division of profits or losses, or the giving or withholding of proxies, including any securities pledged or otherwise subject to a contingency the occurrence of which would give another person voting power or investment power over such securities other than standard default and similar provisions contained in loan agreements.


Item 7. Material to Be Filed as Exhibits

 

Exhibit A    Joint Filing Agreement
Exhibit B    N/A
Exhibit C    Press Release dated April 8, 20221
Exhibit D    Letter to Euronav NV dated April 26, 20222
Exhibit E    Press release dated July 12, 20223
Exhibit F    Letter to Supervisory Board of Euronav NV dated December 14, 20224
Exhibit G    Letter to Euronav NV dated January 16, 20235
Exhibit H    Press Release dated February 9, 20236
Exhibit I    Transcript of CMB Conference Call held on February 15, 20237
Exhibit J    Press Release dated October 9, 20238
Exhibit K    Press Release of CMB under Article 8 of the Takeover RD dated October 9, 20239
Exhibit L    Share Purchase Agreement among CMB, Frontline plc and Famatown Finance Limited dated October 9, 202310
Exhibit M    Bridge facilities agreement among CMB and Crédit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank, KBC Bank NV, and Société Générale and the other lenders thereunder dated November 20, 202311
Exhibit N    Press Release dated December 22, 202312
Exhibit O    Share Purchase Agreement between CMB and Euronav dated December 22, 2023, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1 to Euronav NV’s Form 6-K (File No. 001-36810) filed with the Commission on December 22, 2023
Exhibit P    Press Release dated February 14, 2024

 

 

1

Previously filed with Amendment No. 5 on April 12, 2022

2

Previously filed with Amendment No. 6 on April 26, 2022

3

Previously filed with Amendment No. 10 on July 13, 2022

4

Previously filed with Amendment No. 15 on December 14, 2022

5

Previously filed with Amendment No. 16 on January 18, 2023

6

Previously filed with Amendment No. 17 on February 10, 2023

7

Previously filed with Amendment No. 18 on February 16, 2023

8

Previously filed with Amendment No. 20 on October 10, 2023

9

Previously filed with Amendment No. 20 on October 10, 2023

10

Previously filed with Amendment No. 20 on October 10, 2023

11

Previously filed with Amendment No. 21 on November 24, 2023

12

Previously filed with Amendment No. 22 on December 22, 2024


Signatures

After reasonable inquiry and to the best of my knowledge and belief, the undersigned certifies that the information set forth in this statement is true, complete and correct.

February 16, 2024

Dated

 

COMPAGNIE MARITIME BELGE NV
By:   /s/ Ludovic Saverys
Name:   Ludovic Saverys
Title:   Chief Financial Officer

 

SAVERCO NV
By:   /s/ Ludovic Saverys
Name:   Ludovic Saverys
Title:   Director

 

ALEXANDER SAVERYS
/s/ Alexander Saverys

 

LUDOVIC SAVERYS
/s/ Ludovic Saverys

 

MICHAEL SAVERYS
/s/ Michael Saverys

Exhibit A

JOINT FILING AGREEMENT

In accordance with Rule 13d-1(k)(1) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the undersigned hereby agree that they are jointly filing this statement on Schedule 13D. Each of them is responsible for the timely filing of such statement and any amendments thereto, and for the completeness and accuracy of the information concerning such person contained therein; but none of them is responsible for the completeness or accuracy of the information concerning the other persons making the filing, unless such person knows or has reason to believe that such information is inaccurate.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned hereby execute this Joint Filing Agreement as of February 16, 2024.

 

COMPAGNIE MARITIME BELGE NV
By:  

/s/ Ludovic Saverys

Name:   Ludovic Saverys
Title:   Chief Financial Officer
SAVERCO NV
By:  

/s/ Ludovic Saverys

Name:   Ludovic Saverys
Title:   Director
ALEXANDER SAVERYS

/s/ Alexander Saverys

LUDOVIC SAVERYS

/s/ Ludovic Saverys

MICHAEL SAVERYS

/s/ Michael Saverys

Exhibit P

 

LOGO

NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION IN ANY JURISDICTION WHERE ITS PUBLICATION WOULD BE UNLAWFUL

CMB NV launches its mandatory public takeover bid on Euronav NV

 

Antwerp, February 14, 2024, 8:00 a.m. – CMB NV (“CMB”) announces that on February 13, 2024 the Belgian Financial Services and Markets Authority (the “FSMA”) approved the prospectus (the “Prospectus”) regarding the previously announced mandatory public takeover bid by CMB on all shares in Euronav NV (“Euronav” or the “Target”) that are not already directly or indirectly owned by CMB or its affiliates (the “Bid”).

The acceptance period in respect of the Bid will open on February 14, 2024. During the acceptance period, shareholders may choose to either tender their shares to the Bidder or to remain invested in the Target. The Bid Price amounts to USD 17.86 per share in cash, i.e. USD 18.43 per share, less USD 0.57 dividend per share paid by Euronav on December 20, 2023.

The Bid is made in accordance with applicable Belgian law and is addressed to all shareholders regardless of their location. Concurrently with the Bid, CMB is making a U.S. offer in accordance with applicable U.S. federal securities laws (the “U.S. Offer”), addressed to U.S. shareholders within the meaning of Rule 14d-1(d) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (“U.S. Holders”).

Shareholders holding U.S. Shares (i.e. shares formatted for trading on the NYSE and reflected on the U.S. component of Euronav’s share register) who wish to tender their shares into the Bid are required to first reposition such U.S. Shares to Belgian Shares (i.e. shares formatted for trading on Euronext Brussels and reflected on the Belgian component of Euronav’s share register) and are therefore urged to contact their financial intermediary or custodian to ensure that such repositioning takes place prior to the closing of the Acceptance Period (see Acceptance and repositioning below).

Main features of the Bid

 

Acceptance Period 

from February 14, 2024 to March 15, 2024 at 16:00 (Belgian time)

 

Bid price  

USD 17.86 per share in cash, i.e. USD 18.43 per share, less USD 0.57 dividend per share paid by Euronav on December 20, 2023.

 

  The bid price will be further reduced on a dollar-for-dollar basis by the gross amount of any additional distributions by Euronav to its shareholders (including in the form of a dividend, distribution of share premium, decrease of share capital or in any other form) with a payment date falling before the payment date of the Bid.

 

Announcement of the results of the Acceptance Period 

The results of the Acceptance Period shall be announced no later than March 22, 2024.

 

Payment date and payment  

The Bidder shall pay the Bid Price to the Shareholders who have validly tendered their Shares during the Acceptance Period within ten Business Days following the announcement of the results of the Acceptance Period. Payment of the Bid Price is currently scheduled for April 9, 2024.


  Shareholders tendering Belgian Shares in the Bid will receive an equivalent amount of the Bid Price in euros calculated using the WM/Reuters spot exchange rate for euros per U.S. dollar at 5:00 p.m. CET on the date of the announcement of the results of the Acceptance Period.

 

Conditions 

The Bid is unconditional.

 

No simplified squeeze-out contemplated 

The Bidder has no intention to launch a simplified squeeze-out as it intends to maintain Euronav’s listing on Euronext Brussels and the NYSE (subject to compliance with the NYSE’s continuing listing standards and criteria).

 

Prospectus, Acceptance forms and response memorandum  

The Prospectus and the response memorandum to the Bid were approved by the FSMA on February 13, 2024. This approval does not imply an assessment of the merits or the quality of the Bid, nor of the position of the Bidder.

 

  This Prospectus has been published in Belgium in Dutch, which is the official version.

 

  The Prospectus and the Acceptance Forms may be obtained free of charge at the counters of KBC Bank NV, or by telephoning KBC Bank NV on +32 78 152 153 (KBC Live). The Prospectus and the Acceptance Forms are also available on the following websites: www.cmb.be/mandatorybid and http://www.kbc.be/euronav2024. The response memorandum is attached to the Prospectus.

 

  An English translation of the Prospectus and an English and French translation of the summary of the Prospectus are made available in electronic form on the abovementioned websites. In case of any inconsistency between the English translation of the Prospectus or the English and/or French translation of the summary of the Prospectus on the one hand and the official Dutch version on the other hand, the Dutch version shall prevail. The Bidder has reviewed the respective versions and is responsible for the consistency between all versions.

 

Acceptance and repositioning  

Euronav’s shares are listed for trading on both Euronext Brussels and the NYSE. The share register of Euronav is divided into two components: one which is kept in electronic form by Euroclear in Belgium (the “Belgian Share Register”), and one which is kept by Computershare in the United States (the “U.S. Share Register”). “U.S. Shares” are shares in Euronav that are reflected in the U.S. Share Register. “Belgian Shares” are shares in Euronav that are reflected in the Belgian Share Register.

 

 

Shareholders holding U.S. Shares who wish to tender their Shares into the Bid are required to first reposition such U.S. Shares to Belgian Shares and are therefore urged to contact their financial intermediary or custodian to ensure that such repositioning takes place prior to the closing of the Acceptance Period. Shareholders should inquire with their


 

financial intermediary or custodian for any fees that may be charged by such parties for repositioning and are responsible for paying such fees. Further information on the repositioning process is available in section 7.9.1 of the Prospectus and on Euronav’s website (www.euronav.com).

 

  Shareholders may tender their Belgian Shares (as the case may be after repositioning in accordance with the foregoing) in the Bid by duly completing, signing and submitting the applicable Acceptance Form in accordance with the instructions set out in the form no later than at 4 p.m. (Belgian time) on the last day of the Acceptance Period, or, as the case may be, of the subsequent acceptance period of a reopening of the Bid, or such earlier deadline as may be set by the relevant Shareholder’s financial intermediary or custodian.

 

  Shareholders who register their acceptance with a financial intermediary must inform themselves of any additional fees that may be charged by such parties and are responsible for the payment of such additional fees. All financial intermediaries must, where applicable, comply with the procedures described in this Prospectus and the Acceptance Form. In particular, such financial intermediaries are responsible for collecting all information requested in the Acceptance Form and submitting this information with the Centralizing Agent within the deadline(s) set out in the Prospectus.

 

  Shareholders who hold Shares in dematerialized form and who wish to tender their Shares in the Bid, should instruct the financial intermediary where such dematerialized Shares are held to (i) if applicable, have the tendered Shares repositioned in accordance with the foregoing and (ii) to transfer the tendered Shares directly from their securities account to (the Centralizing Agent on behalf of) the Bidder and to provide the Centralizing Agent with all information requested in the Acceptance Form.

 

  Shareholders who hold registered Shares will receive a letter from the Target (including a copy of the relevant page of the share register) indicating the procedure to be followed by Shareholders to (i) if applicable, have their Shares repositioned in accordance with section 7.9.1 of the Prospectus and (ii) to tender their registered Shares in the Bid, as well as the information they are required to provide to the Target.

 

  Shareholders holding both registered Shares and dematerialized Shares must complete two separate Acceptance Forms: (i) a form for the registered Shares to be submitted to the Target and (ii) a form for the dematerialized Shares to be submitted to the financial intermediary where such dematerialized Shares are held.

 

Taxes  

The Bidder shall bear the tax on stock market transactions (reference is made to section 8.2 of the Prospectus for further information).


Centralizing Agent    LOGO

CMB is being assisted in respect of the Bid by KBC Securities NV, Crédit Agricole Corporate & Investment Bank and Société Générale as financial advisors, by KBC Securities NV as centralizing agent and by Argo Law as legal advisor. Euronav is being assisted by Linklaters LLP as legal advisor.

About CMB

CMB (Compagnie Maritime Belge) is a diversified shipping group based in Antwerp, Belgium. CMB is the majority shareholder of Euronav.

More information can be found at www.cmb.be.

About Euronav NV & CMB.TECH

Euronav and CMB.TECH together represent a group with around 150 ocean-going vessels in dry bulk, container shipping, chemical tankers, offshore wind and oil tankers. The group focuses on large marine and industrial applications on hydrogen or ammonia. They also offer hydrogen and ammonia fuel to customers, through own production or third-party producers. The company is headquartered in Antwerp, Belgium, and has offices across Europe and Asia.

Euronav is listed on Euronext Brussels and on the NYSE under the symbol EURN.

Euronav plans to change the group’s name to CMB.TECH. Euronav will remain the oil tanker shipping division within the group.

More information can be found at www.euronav.com.

Disclaimer

This press release is also published in Dutch. If ambiguities should arise from the different language versions, the Dutch version will prevail.

This notice does not constitute a takeover bid to purchase securities of Euronav nor a solicitation by anyone in any jurisdiction with respect to Euronav. The public takeover bid is only made on the basis of the prospectus approved by the FSMA. Neither this notice nor any other information in respect of the matters contained herein may be supplied in any jurisdiction where a registration, qualification or any other obligation is in force or would be with regard to the content hereof or thereof. Any failure to comply with these restrictions may constitute a violation of the financial laws and regulations in such jurisdictions. CMB and its affiliates explicitly decline any liability for breach of these restrictions by any person.


Additional Information for U.S. Holders

This press release is for informational purposes only and is neither an offer to purchase nor a solicitation of an offer to sell any ordinary shares, no par value, of Euronav (“Ordinary Shares”) or any other securities.

The U.S. Offer is only being made to U.S. Holders who are the beneficial owners of Ordinary Shares. The U.S. Offer is made solely by the Offer to Purchase and related Letter of Transmittal, which are included in CMB’s Schedule TO filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The U.S. Offer commences on February 14, 2024, and will expire at 10:00 A.M., New York City time, on March 15, 2024, unless the expiration of the U.S. Offer is extended to a subsequent date in accordance with U.S. and Belgian law. U.S. Holders of Ordinary Shares tendering their Ordinary Shares will have withdrawal rights during this period as required by U.S. securities laws. U.S. Holders holding Ordinary Shares through a securities intermediary should comply with the dates communicated by such securities intermediary, as such dates may differ from the dates and times noted in the U.S. Offer to Purchase. U.S. Holders of Ordinary Shares are responsible for determining and complying with any applicable cut-off times and dates. Any U.S. Holder of Ordinary Shares desiring to tender all or any portion of the Ordinary Shares owned by such U.S. Holder can accept the U.S. Offer by (1) completing and signing a letter of transmittal (or a copy thereof, provided the signature is original) in accordance with the instructions in the letter of transmittal and mail or deliver it and all other required documents to the U.S. Tender Agent (as defined below), at the address on the back cover page of the Offer to Purchase or (2) tendering such Ordinary Shares pursuant to the procedures for book-entry transfer set forth in the Offer to Purchase. Any U.S. Holder of Ordinary Shares registered in the name of a broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other nominee must contact such broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other nominee if such U.S. Holder desires to tender such Ordinary Shares.

CMB has retained Georgeson LLC to act as information agent for the U.S. Offer and Computershare Trust Company, N.A., the depositary and paying agent for the U.S. Offer (the “U.S. Tender Agent”).

Each Shareholder that is a U.S. Holder is urged to consult with his or her independent professional adviser regarding any acceptance of the Bid including, without limitation, to consider the tax consequences associated with such Shareholder’s election to participate in the Bid. No offer to acquire securities has been made, or will be made, directly or indirectly, in or into, or by the use of mails or any means of instrumentality of interstate or foreign commerce or any facilities of a national securities exchange of, the United States or any other country in which such offer may not be made other than (i) in accordance with the requirements of Regulations 14D and 14E under the Exchange Act or the securities laws of such other country, as the case may be or (ii) pursuant to an available exemption from such requirements. NEITHER THE PROSPECTUS NOR THE SCHEDULE TO HAS BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SEC OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION, NOR HAS THE SEC OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE FAIRNESS OR MERITS OF THE PROSPECTUS OR THE SCHEDULE TO OR UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THE PROSPECTUS OR THE SCHEDULE TO. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS UNLAWFUL AND A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.

Shareholders that are U.S. Holders who wish to participate in the U.S. Tender Offer, are urged to read the tender offer statement on Schedule TO (including an offer to purchase, a related letter of transmittal and certain other offer documents) that will be filed with the SEC by CMB and the related


solicitation/recommendation statement on Schedule 14D-9 that will be filed with the SEC by Euronav relating to the U.S. Tender Offer because such documents will contain important information that U.S. Holders should consider before making any decision with respect to the U.S. Tender Offer. U.S. Holders may obtain a free copy of these documents after they have been filed with the SEC, at the SEC’s website at https://www.sec.gov, or by contacting Georgeson LLC, the information agent for the U.S. Tender Offer via telephone by calling +1 (888) 815-4902 for U.S. Holders or via +1 (781) 819-4572 for shareholders outside the US, or via email to euronavoffer@georgeson.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements related to the public takeover bid by CMB on Euronav, including statements regarding the structure and course of the takeover bid and the continued listing of Euronav’s shares after completion of the takeover bid. Words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “forecast,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “project,” “predict,” “should,” “would” and “will” and variations of such words and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of their dates. Unless as otherwise stated or required by applicable law, CMB undertakes no obligation and does not intend to update these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.


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