The Croatia based DIV Group has signed an agreement to buy the Norwegian shipbuilder Kleven Verft from Hurtigruten, the Norwegian coastal express and expedition cruise company, Kleven Verft said in a statement.

Hurtigruten had to acquire the shipbuilder in order to secure the completion of Fritdjof Nansen and Roald Amundsen, two advanced expedition cruise ships of about 21,000 gross tons each.

DIV Group is one of the largest industrial groups in Croatia and it owns e.g. the Brodosplit shipyard.