Leasing Services News

Eurotainer US, Inc. has selected APM Terminals Inland Services Argentina as the exclusive agent for the sales and marketing of its tank container leasing services in Argentina.APM Terminals serves the Argentinian market through five strategically located Inland Service Depots located in key markets along the full length of the country. The company offers equipment lifecycle management, transportation services and cargo support.The company's Puerto Deseaso Depot has an established container sales and leasing business and its depot in Ushuaia is one of the main container repair centers in South America. Continuous training ensures that its personnel are familiar with international repair criteria and the latest technologies.

FSL Trust Management, as trusteemanager of First Ship Lease Trust (FSL Trust), announces that the Trust has sold its chemical tanker, FSL Tokyo, for a cash consideration of US$13.8 million. FSL Tokyo is a 2006, Japanese-built, 20,938 DWT chemical tanker that has been deployed in the spot market. The net proceeds from this Disposal will be applied in full to the outstanding loan facility in 1Q2018. FSL Trust will record a related impairment charge of approximately US$9.0 million in 4Q2017. Roger Woods, Chief Executive Officer of FSLTM commented: "The sale of the vessel was undertaken to further reduce the debt due under the Syndicated Loan facility.

FSL Trust Management Pte. Ltd. (“FSLTM”), as Trustee- Manager of First Ship Lease Trust (“FSL Trust” ) informs it has appointed Esben Sofren Poulsson as Non-Executive Independent Director of FSLTM, effective from 30 September 2014. The Trust adds that Mr. Poulsson is a well-respected senior figure in the global shipping community with more than 40 years of industry experience. He has been a significant contributor in positioning Singapore as a world class maritime center, acting as an advisor to a number of key trade associations and related bodies in Singapore. He is currently a Council Member and Honorary Secretary of the Singapore Shipping Association and represents Singapore on the Board of the International Chamber of Shipping in London, of which he is a Vice Chairman.

Singapore-based First Ship Lease Trust (“FSL Trust”) informs in its Q1 2014 financial report that its loss  for the quarter was reduced by nearly 30% to US$4.9 million from US$7.0 million posted the year before. The reduced loss was partly due to the impairment loss on financial assets available-for- sale in the first quarter ended 31 March 2013. “Despite the many challenges faced over the past year, we are now in much stronger stead and have addressed many long-standing issues in order to improve the performance of the Trust,” said Alan Hatton, Chief Executive Officer of FSLTM. He pointed out that amongst other initiatives, The Trust now have an experienced management team on board…

Formerly financially troubled FSL Trust Management (FSL Trust) says in its latest FY 2013 report that it has successfully secured a loan covenant relaxation until 31 December 2014, which they hope will enable them to move forward. FSL Trust Management Pte Ltd, as trustee-manager of First Ship Lease Trust, also announces the Trust’s financial results for the financial year ended 31 December 2013 with a 15.2% decline in revenue to US$90.0 million from US$106.1 million in the previous financial year 2012.

Following the 19 November 2013 suspension of trading of First Ship Lease Trust (FSL) on the Singapore Stock Exchange, the Board of Directors informs that the company remains in on-going discussions with lenders to seek a longer loan covenant relaxation and are working hard to resolve the situation. First Ship Lease Trust is a Singapore-listed business trust that provides ship leasing services on a long-term bareboat charter basis to the shipping industry. According to the company's web-site…

FSL Trust Management Pte. Ltd. as trustee- manager of First Ship Lease Trust  say that the lessee of its two dry bulk carriers, OMNI Ships Pte. Ltd. has defaulted on its lease payments. Accordingly FSLT has issued a notice for the redelivery of the 'Stella Fomalhaut' and 'Stella Eltanin'. During the first quarter of 2013, FSLTM concluded restructuring discussions with OMNI Ships, which included a reduction in bareboat charter rates for the two dry bulk carriers. Despite the restructured terms, OMNI Ships failed to pay FSL Trust the charter hires due. Stella Fomalhaut and Stella Eltanin are currently employed under short-term sub-time charter contracts and FSLTM has agreed with the sub-time charterers to continue the contracts directly with FSL Trust.

The Board of Singapore's financially-turbulent FSL Trust Management Pte. Ltd. has appointed Investment Banker Alan Hatton to be CEO of the Trust. Alan Hatton joins FSL Trust from FR8 where he has been CEO since 2008. He joined FR8 as CFO in 2007 and has significant commercial shipping experience including negotiating and executing time charters, sale & purchase deals and risk management strategies. Previously, Alan was an investment banker working in Mergers & Acquisitions and Corporate Finance for Lazard and Dresdner Kleinwort in London. Alan has an M.Sc. and B.Sc.

By James W. In recent years maximizing budget dollars has become an increasing concern for many businesses. Fortunately marine assets have long, useful lives, but the debt required to finance their acquisition often creates a strain on the operator's balance sheet and cash flow. According to the Equipment Leasing Association (ELA), 8 out of 10 businesses in the United States lease some kind of equipment. However, fewer know that leasing, accomplished through a bare-boat charter, is also a smart business decision for obtaining vessels. Because marine assets have long lives, lease payments can be relatively low. Companies can use these cost-savings to improve day-to-day cash flow or to gain a competitive edge by passing the cost-savings along to customers.