Denmark's Maersk says to issue euro bonds

COPENHAGEN Oct 23 (Reuters) - Danish shipping and oil group A.P. Moller-Maersk (MAERSKb.CO) launched on Friday an issue of euro bonds as part of a strategy to diversity its funding, the company said on Friday.

"The issuance of bonds will be A.P. Moller-Maersk A/S' first in the international capital markets," it said in a statement.

"The issuance is expected to be a benchmark transaction in terms of volume," Maersk said, adding that the fhe final size of the issue, maturity and coupon would be decided once a book-building is completed later in the day.

Proceeds will be used for general purposes and repayment of funds drawn on revolving bank facilities, it said.

Danske Bank, HSBC, ING, J.P. Morgan and Nordea Bank have been engaged to place the bonds, Maersk said.

(Reporting by John Acher)