Keppel unit's partner sues to block 2.9b yuan sale of China marina stake

KEPPEL CORP's planned 2.9 billion yuan (S$593 million) disposal of its stake in a China marina project is being blocked for now by the minority shareholder of that project through legal proceedings in Singapore.

Keppel, a conglomerate with businesses in rigbuilding and property, among others, said that it will vigorously defend against those attempts.

In a Tuesday announcement, Keppel said that wholly owned subsidiary Keppel Land China Ltd (KLC) and KLC's fully owned unit Keppel China Marina Holdings (KCMH) have been served with writs of summons by Sunsea Yacht Club (Hong Kong) Co seeking to stop KLC from selling KCMH. KCMH owns 80 per cent of a joint venture that owns and develops Keppel Cove, a residential and marina development in Zhongshan City, China, with Sunsea owning the remaining 20 per cent.

KLC had inked an agreement on Oct 25 to divest its entire stake in KCMH to Delight Prime, a unit of Hong Kong-listed Logan Property, for 2.9 billion yuan.

If the deal is completed, KLC would be able to recognise a gain of about S$290 million from the divestment, which Keppel said was in line with its "strategy to recycle assets to seek higher returns and rebalance its portfolio to focus on selected high-growth cities in China".

A hearing on the matter took place on the afternoon of Nov 20, where the Court ordered that affidavits be filed, Keppel said. Another hearing is expected to take place in the later part of the week starting Dec 4, 2017.

Keppel shares traded at $7.42 as at 9.20am on Tuesday, up by 0.7 per cent or 5 Singapore cents on the day.