22/01/2026
Joint press release - 22.01.2026
Norwest Ship Management acquires MN PELICAN (TBN Link Neptune)
from Compagnie Maritime Nantaise - MN
Today, Thursday, 22 January 2026, the representatives of Norwest Ship Management and Compagnie Maritime Nantaise – MN were in Le Havre, Normandy, France, to sign the sale contract for the Ro-Ro vessel MN PELICAN (TBN Link Neptune).
Both parties would like to express their sincere appreciation for the smooth and professional closing process. MN PELICAN is a high-quality, well-proven vessel, and Norwest looks forward to her continued operation as part of its fleet.
Statement from Robert Bårdsen, Managing Director of Norwest Ship Management AS:
«Welcoming Link Neptune to our fleet is a strategic step that supports our long-term ambitions. The vessel enhances our operational flexibility and reinforces our commitment to delivering efficient and dependable shipping solutions to our customers.»
Statement from Jérôme Navarro, General Manager of Compagnie Maritime Nantaise – MN:
«I would like to thank the crew and all the Company’s teams for having taken great care of the vessel up to her handover. We are very pleased to transfer the ship to such a reliable shipowner who will take good care of her. She will be assigned to operations that perfectly suit her design. I, and all the Company, wish the new crew and Link Neptune fair winds and smooth voyages.»
Some information about MN Pelican
MN PELICAN (formerly Trans Botnia) was built at the Fosen shipyard in Norway in 1999. She is therefore returning today to her country of origin.
MN PELICAN has belonged to Compagnie Maritime Nantaise - MN since 2007. She was first chartered on behalf of the French Ministry of Defence for missions around the globe (2007-2016), and later, on behalf of BAI (Brittany Ferries) for conventional freight transport between Poole and Bilbao (2016–2025).
Length overall 154.50 m
Breadth extreme 22.70 m
Depth 14.80 m
Summer draft 6.95 m
Summer deadweight 8,604 MT
TPC 27.60
Gross tonnage 12,076 UMS
Net tonnage 3,623 UMS
Speed Up to 20 knots
Overview of the two shipping companies
Norwest Ship Management and Compagnie Maritime Nantaise – MN are both shipowners, each owning their vessels.
Norwest Ship Management AS is a Norwegian ship owning and management company who owns ten vessels and have management on further two, based in Avaldsnes. Carrying project cargo, aluminium, frozen cargoes, fish feed and building materials. Trading area are in Northern Europe.
Compagnie Maritime Nantaise – MN is a French shipping company specialized in industrial and specialized transport, such as aerospace and military equipment. Based in Nantes, MN owns a fleet of four Ro-Ro vessels and one research vessel operating across all the world’s oceans, as well as six passenger launches dedicated to transporting military personnel in the Brest roadstead.
MN is a subsidiary of Sogestran Group. A barging and maritime French shipowner, Sogestran specializes in the transport and logistics of high value-added goods, as well as the operation of industrial service platforms in France and Europe (EUR 322 million in revenue in 2024, more than 1,200 employees).
