April 7 - With more than 95 percent of shareholders having accepted the offer made by dredging company Royal Boskalis Westminster to acquire heavy lift shipping, tug and salvage company SMIT International, the merger of the two is now set to go ahead.

"The fact that more than 95 percent of the Smit shares were tendered within such a short period is extremely positive," said Peter Berdowski, chief executive officer of Boskalis. "This paves the way for the Smit Boskalis merger, creating clarity for our employees and all stakeholders. It enables us to expedite the integration of the two companies, realise the market and cost synergies and create the foundation for the leading maritime player we can become."

Shareholders who have not yet tendered their shares under the offer still have the opportunity to do so during the Post Closing Acceptance Period.

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