Kvaerner Chairman To Step Down

Kvaerner ASA Chairman Christian Bjelland reportedly he won't seek re-election because of conflict between the Norwegian maker of equipment for the energy industry and Aker Maritime ASA, its major shareholder and a rival, Reuters reported. Aker, controlled by Kjell Inge Roekke, bought options in July to purchase 26.7 percent of Kvaerner. Aker scaled back its plan to take control of Kvaerner in December after the European Commission agreed to drop a probe into the purchase.