Oceana : sells CCS Logistics to focus on core fishing business

The Oceana Group Limited is selling its Commercial Cold Storage (CCS) business for R760 million in a transaction that will enable it to invest in and expand its core fishing business.

CCS is being bought by a consortium comprising African Infrastructure Investment Managers (AIIM), a subsidiary of Old Mutual Alternative Investments dedicated to infrastructure investment in Africa; Bauta Logistics, a specialist food logistics company in mid- and East Africa and Mokobela Shakati, a strategic investment and empowerment partner.

"This deal is a win-win. The transaction offers good value for Oceana. It strengthens our balance sheet allowing us to focus on leveraging the scale and capabilities of our fishing and fish-processing operations. It also gives CCS the access to capital it needs to remain competitive and grow," says Oceana CEO, Neville Brink.

He says the transaction will come as no surprise to anyone who knows Oceana. CCS has been considered non-core for some time and has not been prioritised in terms of expansive capital allocation.

AIIM Investment Director Damilola Agbaje says "the cold chain logistical infrastructure sector is underdeveloped, and in places non-existent, across Sub-Saharan Africa and this investment diversifies AIIM's current portfolio into a high growth and high impact area. CCS's technical expertise and operational track record provides a crucial platform for regional expansion and securing strategic customer relationships."

CCS has six cold stores, five in South Africa and one in Namibia, of which three are owned and three are long-term leases. Total storage capacity is some 100 000 pallet spaces. Oceana, mainly its Lucky Star fish imports, represents between 15% to 20% of CCS' revenue, with the bulk of its business coming from third-party manufacturers, importers and exporters.

Brink says that Oceana will retain its relationship with CCS as long as service levels are maintained, and rates remain market related. As part of the transaction, Oceana has entered into a three-year contract with CCS from the date of implementation, with an option to renew. Oceana will continue to provide transitional services to CCS for a year following implementation.

The parties aim to conclude the transaction by 28 February 2023, subject to regulatory approval. These include approval from the competition authorities in South Africa and Namibia and the exemption or transfer of fish processing establishment rights in terms of the Marine Living Resources Act.

Webber Wentzel acted as legal advisor and Investec as financial advisor to Oceana on the transaction.

Commercial Cold Storage Group Limited (CCS Logistics) is a wholly owned subsidiary of Oceana, with a dependable 50-year track record. It is a leading cold-storage provider in Southern Africa providing primarily temperature-controlled storage and handling services of mainly perishable products.

It has six cold-storage facilities in South African and Namibia, three of which are owned and three leased. Owned facilities are in Paarden Island, Epping and City Deep. The Walvis Bay facility has a 10-year lease until February 2031. The Duncan Dock 10-year lease runs until October 2032 and the Midrand lease expires in December 2023.