Maritime Industry Briefing: Klaveness Reduces KCC Stake for $66M, Lyman-Morse Wins Research Vessel Contract

## Klaveness Sells Down KCC Stake in $66.5M Block Trade Torvald Klaveness, the largest shareholder in Oslo-listed Klaveness Combination Carriers (KCC), has sold an 11% stake in the shipowner through an accelerated book-build, pocketing approximately NOK619 million ($66.5 million) in the process, according to Splash247. The transaction involved the sale of 6.54 million KCC shares at NOK94.70 per share. While the sell-down reduces Torvald Klaveness's holding below majority ownership, the founding family entity retains a sizeable and controlling position in the combination carrier specialist. KCC operates a fleet of vessels capable of carrying both dry bulk commodities and caustic soda in liquid form — a dual-purpose design that provides commercial flexibility and has attracted investor interest in recent years. The share sale is consistent with a broader trend among major shipping families of monetising partial stakes in listed subsidiaries while maintaining strategic control. The transaction is expected to improve KCC's free float and may enhance liquidity for institutional investors in the stock. --- ## Lyman-Morse Workboats to Deliver Custom Research Vessel for Maryland DNR LM Workboats, a division of Maine-based Lyman-Morse, has been contracted to construct a purpose-built 59-foot research vessel for the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, according to a PR Newswire release dated September 3, 2026. The custom aluminum vessel will be certified under USCG Subchapter T regulations and is specifically designed for research, water sampling, and operational activities in the coastal waters of the Atlantic Ocean. The contract underscores continued government investment in marine research infrastructure along the US East Coast. Lyman-Morse has established a strong reputation in the construction of specialised workboats and research platforms, and the Maryland DNR contract adds to a growing portfolio of government and scientific agency clients. Aluminium construction offers advantages in terms of weight reduction, corrosion resistance, and longevity — particularly important for vessels operating in demanding coastal and estuarine environments. The vessel will support Maryland DNR's ongoing efforts to monitor and manage the state's marine and coastal ecosystems, including fisheries assessment and environmental sampling programmes. --- *Note: A PR Newswire release regarding a reverse stock split by CytoSorbents, a biomedical company, was included in this feed but falls outside the scope of maritime industry coverage.*