Jean Fitzgerald News

On June 2, J. Erik Hvide, chairman and CEO of Hvide Marine has decided to step down from his position effective immediately. Hvide's decision, formally stated at Hvide Marine's Board of Directors meeting was furthered by two factors - Mr. Hvide's own personal reasons and the company's declining profits. Hvide, who has been with the company that bears his name for the past 29 years, took the small-family-owned operation started by his father, Hans J. Hvide in 1958, to a leading international provider of marine support and transportation services. The former head executive was a key player in crossing Hvide Marine over to a publicly-traded company in 1996, as well as skyrocketing the company's profits from $40 million to $400 million over the past five years.

The world's marine insurers collectively lost $3 billion in 1999, Norway's Central Union of Marine Underwriters (CEFOR) said. Cefor's calculation uses the collective experience of marine insurers in Norway - one of the world's major marine insurance markets - and extrapolates the results to the global industry. Cefor's md said that not even in their previous worst case estimates did CEFOR anticipate anything like this. The principal reason for the losses is continuing reduction in insurance premium rates, said Formso. On CEFOR's current estimates, rates in 2000 have dropped to 31 per cent of their 1994 levels. Hvide Marine Inc. Hvide Marine Inc. said last Monday that chairman and CEO Jean Fitzgerald has been hospitalized with a heart condition and was to undergo surgery.

Hvide Marine Inc. chairman and CEO Jean Fitzgerald has been hospitalized with a heart condition and was to undergo surgery Monday. Hvide, which provides marine support and transportation services, said Fitzgerald will be out of the office for at least four to six weeks. During his absence, president and COO Eugene Sweeney will assume responsibility for day-to-day operations and board member James Gaffney will serve as interim chairman.

In the latest of various corporate changes that have occurred at Fort Lauderdale, Fla.-based Hvide Marine, the company has elected Gerhard E. Kurz as CEO and a member of its Board of Directors. He replaces James J. Gaffney, who had been serving as interim chairman and will now hold the position of non-executive chairman of the board. Jean Fitzgerald, who managed to bring Hvide to new levels by taking the fledgling company out of Chapter 11 bankruptcy, took on Hvide's reins as chairman and CEO following the resignation of longtime CEO, Erik Hvide last year. Fitzgerald, who recently underwent successful heart surgery, will continue to serve Hvide as a consultant and member of its Board.

Hvide Marine Inc. announced approval by the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware of the Disclosure Statement regarding the company's proposed Plan of Reorganization. The Plan, which was filed on Oct. 1 and amended on Nov. 1, has the support of the Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors in Hvide's Chapter 11 case, including representatives of the holders of approximately 63% of Hvide Marine's $300 million of 8 3/8 percent Senior Notes and nearly 50 percent of its outstanding Trust Convertible Preferred Securities. "The decision by the Court allows us to proceed with the solicitation of votes on the Plan of Reorganization," commented Jean Fitzgerald, Chairman, President and CEO.

Hvide Marine Incorporated has filed a proposed Plan of Reorganization, which - if confirmed - would deleverage its balance sheet, restore liquidity, and enhance the company's competitive position in the marketplace. The plan results from discussions with the Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors appointed in Hvide's Chapter 11 case, including representatives of the holders of approximately 63 percent of Hvide Marine's $300 million of 8.375 percent Senior Notes and nearly 50 percent of its outstanding Trust Convertible Preferred Securities. Under the plan, holders of the company's 8.375 percent Senior Notes would exchange their Senior Notes for 9…

Hvide Marine Incorporated reported a net loss of $20.1 million or on revenues of $86 million for the quarter ended September 30, 1999. In the year-earlier period, the company had net income of $3.9 million on revenues of $100.1 million. Results in the current quarter and year-to-date have been adjusted to reflect the consolidation, as of September 30, 1999, of Lightship Tankers, LLC, a 50.75 percent-owned subsidiary, which was previously accounted for under the equity method. On an operating basis (results from operations before interest and taxes), the company had an operating loss of $6.2 million during the 1999 quarter versus operating income of $19.0 million in the 1998 quarter.

Hvide Marine Incorporated has completed its exit financing arrangements and that its Plan of Reorganization has become effective, thereby marking the company's formal emergence from Chapter 11, 98 days after its initial filing on September 8. "This is a historic day for the Company," said Jean Fitzgerald, Chairman, President and CEO. "We have put Chapter 11 behind us and, in the process, shed more than $430 million in debt and reduced overhead costs substantially. As previously announced, the exit financing facility is being provided by a group of financial institutions led by Deutsche Bank and consists of $200 million in term loans, a $25 million revolving credit facility, and $85.5 million of proceeds from senior secured second lien notes.

J. Erik Hvide Steps Down Hvide Marine named Jean Fitzgerald chairman, president and chief executive officer, replacing J. Erik Hvide, who resigned for personal reasons. Hvide will remain a member of the board of directors, the company said. Fitzgerald, 73, has been a director of the company since 1994. He will take up his position immediately, it said. Hvide, 50, steps down from active duty after 29 years of service with the company, which was founded by his father, Hans Hvide, in 1958.