Turkish industrial giant Kuzey Star and the mysterious Luxembourg holding Mira Finance Capital are in the running for a 97.13 percent stake in the Pula shipyard. The decision now rests with the government and CERP.
The deadline for submitting binding bids for the purchase of a 97.13 percent business stake in the Pula shipyard ULJANIK Brodogradnja 1856 expired yesterday at noon, and two bids arrived at the Center for Restructuring and Sale (CERP), both exceeding the initial price of 11.08 million euros. Although nine potential investors purchased the tender documentation, only two bidders submitted binding bids by the deadline, as reported by Lider.
The first bid, worth around 14 million euros, came from the Turkish shipyard Kuzey Star Shipyard. This company is privately owned by Turkish businessman Tuncay İmral, who also serves as Chairman of the Board. Its headquarters are located in Tuzla, an important Turkish maritime center near Istanbul, with additional facilities in Yalova.
Kuzey Star is a well-known repair shipyard with large floating docks up to 293 meters in length, enabling it to service Suezmax and Panamax vessels. Throughout the year, they carry out between 80 and 120 complex overhauls and conversions of commercial, LNG, and specialized vessels, and they also have their own newbuilding department. This is a classic industrial investor, and its arrival would give Pula a partner with existing contracts, its own supply chain, and proven experience in the repair and construction of specialized ships.
The second bid, financially somewhat more generous and worth 14.5 million euros, came from Mira Finance Capital Holding S.à.r.l. from Luxembourg. According to Lider, it is a private financial holding company established in August of last year with minimal share capital, without any stated operating revenues, employees, or registered shipbuilding activities.
The company is registered at the address of a mass provider of administrative services in Luxembourg, and virtually nothing can be learned about this holding, its founders, or its financiers, even through a thorough search.
CERP is not revealing much, only as much as fits in the first sentence, noting that all other information, until the official decision of the competent body, is considered a business and professional secret. It is now up to the government and CERP, and the key question will be guarantees for the continuation of operations in Pula, not just the offered price.
