China Merchants Bank News

China's business and travel activities are steadily recovering after being disrupted by the coronavirus outbreak, but rapidly rising infections globally will pose a challenge to the country's broader economic resumption.Nomura estimated in a research report on Monday about 61.6% of the firms hardest hit by the health crisis in China have resumed work as of March 8, and 74.1% in the broader economy.China reported on Monday no locally-transmitted cases of infection on the mainland outside of the central province of Hubei…

CMB Financial Leasing (CMBFL) sign a $415.6 million sale and lease back transaction of 20 chemical tankers with Stolt Tankers, a UK-based provider of transportation and storage for liquids, notably specialty and bulk liquid chemicals, the proceeds of which were used to refinance certain debt secured on the vessels.Watson Farley & Williams (WFW), the international law firm based in London, has advised on this transaction. The leases were of a hybrid nature combining elements of both financial and operating leases.Founded in 2008, Shanghai-based CMBFL provides financial leasing solutions to large, medium and small businesses across China.

Greece-based global ship manager of seaborne transportation Star Bulk Carriers Corporation has entered into an en bloc definitive agreement with entities controlled by Delphin Shipping to acquire eleven operating dry bulk vessels.The company focusing on the transportation of dry bulk cargoes said in a press release that the acquisition of bulkers from Delphin, an entity affiliated with Kelso & Company, is for an aggregate purchase price of $139.5 million, payable in the form of a) $80.0 million in cash  and b) 4.503 million common shares of Star Bulk.Star Bulk Carriers has secured exhaust gas cleaning systems (“EGCS” or “Scrubbers”) for all of the Vessels with attractive delivery dates.

Watson Farley & Williams (WFW) has advised CMB Financial Leasing (CMBFL) on a US$180.4m sale and leaseback transaction with Star Bulk Carriers Corp, a Nasdaq-listed global shipping company providing worldwide seaborne transportation of dry bulk cargoes.The funds obtained by Star Bulk under this new five-year capital lease of US$180.4m entered into with CMBFL were used to part-finance the cash portion of the consideration with regards to Star Bulk’s acquisition of 15 dry bulk vessels from Norwegian shipowner Songa Bulk ASA.Founded in 2008, Shanghai-based CMBFL provides financial leasing solutions to large, medium, and small businesses across China.

Greece-based dry bulk shipping firm Star Bulk Carriers has entered into definitive agreements to acquire 18 dry bulk vessels in two all-share transactions. 15 of the vessels will be acquired from Songa Bulk and three of the vessels will be acquired from Oceanbulk Container Carriers. The consideration for the vessels was determined based on average vessel valuations by independent vessel appraisers. The Company has agreed to issue an aggregate of 13.725 million common and pay $145 million in cash for the acquisition of all of Songa’s 15 modern dry bulk vessels . The cash portion of the Songa consideration will be financed through proceeds of a new five-year capital lease of $180 million with China Merchants Bank Leasing with a margin of 280 bps…

Golar LNG Limited announced today that it has received an underwritten financing commitment for the December 2015 delivering newbuild FSRU Golar Tundra. Based on the current cost of the Tundra, the facility of up to $216 million, to be provided by China Merchants Bank Leasing, has a 16 year amortisation profile, will fund the FSRU on a charter free basis, and, at current 10 year interest rate swap levels, will have an all-in cost of less than 6%. Subject to an acceptable charter, Golar expects the facility amount and profile to increase. The facility also provides for the Tundra's eventual sale to Golar LNG Partners L.P. On the current…

Financially troubled Chinese shipbuilder Sainty Marine has announced Bank of China and China Exim Bank have frozen its bank accounts. Shenzhen-listed Sainty Marine has also announced that it has reached an agreement with Dutch ship investment firm, Universal Marine, for the cancellation of four 2,350teu containerships. Universal Marine ordered the vessels at Sainty Marine in March 2014, however, it has been unable to secure the financing to start the newbuilding project, which has led to the cancellation of the vessels. No compensation is involved in the agreement. The struggling shipbuilder said that it had not received a court notice from the banks on their decision. The move comes following last week’s court order on freezing of the company’s assets worth RMB 300 million.

A Chinese court has ordered a unit of debt-laden dry bulk goods shipper Chang Jiang Shipping Group Phoenix Co Ltd to liquidate its assets, displaying further evidence of the troubles faced by the country's beleaguered shippers. The unit, whose Chinese name is translated as Chang Jiang Jiaotong Keji, is unable to pay its debt or stay solvent, prompting three of its creditors to apply to the Wuhan intermediate court to liquidate its assets, Chang Jiang Shipping said in a filing on the Shenzhen stock exchange. The unit, in which Chang Jiang Shipping owns an 89 percent stake, has ceased to operate. China's shipping sector has been plagued by overcapacity since the global financial crisis because new vessels ordered before the downturn have flooded the market.

A Chinese court has ordered a unit of debt-laden dry bulk goods shipper Chang Jiang Shipping Group Phoenix Co. Ltd. to liquidate its assets, displaying further evidence of the troubles faced by the country's beleaguered shippers. The unit, whose Chinese name is translated as Chang Jiang Jiaotong Keji, is unable to pay its debt or stay solvent, prompting three of its creditors to apply to the Wuhan intermediate court to liquidate its assets, Chang Jiang Shipping said in a filing on the Shenzhen stock exchange. The unit, in which Chang Jiang Shipping owns an 89 percent stake, has ceased to operate. China's shipping sector has been plagued by overcapacity since the global financial crisis because new vessels ordered before the downturn have flooded the market.

Commissioner Doyle briefed the Federal Maritime Commission at today's open meeting and provided details and recent information pertaining to efforts to clarify the People's Republic of China new Value Added Tax regime. He also discussed China's interest in establishing a mutual NVOCC legal assistance and mutual bond rider recognition mechanism as well as tax concerns in connection with terminal ownership and operations. On October 28, 2013, the Annual U.S. Bilateral Maritime Consultation with the People’s Republic of China was held in Chicago, Illinois. On behalf of President Obama, the U.S.

According to Bloomberg.com, Asian stocks rose for the first time in four days, led by financial shares, after China Merchants Bank Co. doubled its profit and Citic Securities Co. said net income jumped more than fivefold. China Construction Bank Corp. climbed the most in two weeks in Hong Kong. Fubon Financial Holding Co. led Taiwanese financial companies higher after the Economic Daily News reported they may be allowed to buy stakes in China's banks. Reliance Industries Ltd. paced gains among energy shares after saying it may join rivals to seek oil in India. The MSCI Asia Pacific Index added 0.1 percent to 153.10 as of 7:17 p.m. in Tokyo, following a three-day, 3.4 percent drop. About six stocks climbed for every five that retreated.