Wilhelmsen launches new share buyback offer
Norwegian maritime group Wilh. Wilhelmsen Holding ASA has launched a new tender offer to repurchase its own shares, continuing its capital management activities under the authorisation granted by shareholders earlier this year.
The company announced on November 9, 2026, that it is seeking to acquire up to 220,000 shares through a reverse book building process, allowing existing shareholders to submit offers specifying the number of shares they wish to sell and their proposed prices.
The programme covers both A-shares and B-shares, with the final allocation between the two classes dependent on shareholder demand, pricing and a decision by the company’s board of directors. Wilhelmsen has reserved the right to purchase fewer shares than the maximum amount or to make no purchases.
Share repurchase process and timetable
The offer follows an authorisation approved at Wilhelmsen’s Annual General Meeting on April 30, 2026, permitting the board to acquire up to 10% of the company’s outstanding shares.
Clarksons Securities AS has been appointed sole bookrunner for the transaction and will collect shareholders’ offers through the reverse book building process.
The application period opened at 09:00 CET on November 9 and is expected to close at 16:30 CET on November 10. Wilhelmsen expects to determine the final purchase price and allocation on or around November 10, with the transaction date anticipated around November 11 and settlement around November 13.
These dates remain subject to change, as the company retains the right to extend, amend or withdraw the offer before completion.
According to the announcement, the shares acquired may either be cancelled or used to settle obligations under the company’s employee share programme. Wilhelmsen also confirmed that the proposed repurchase will not affect its previously announced dividend guidance.
Before the launch of the offer, the company had 42.35 million issued shares and held 663,078 A-shares and 190,025 B-shares in treasury.
The latest initiative follows an earlier share repurchase programme conducted in May 2026, under which Wilhelmsen acquired 445,201 A-shares and 25,716 B-shares.
The new offer represents a further potential use of the group’s capital for shareholder-related purposes, although the final number of shares acquired and the total consideration will depend on the outcome of the tender process.
