Transportation Finance News

San Francisco, California-based CAI International Inc. (CAI) has reported a fourth-quarter loss of $12.6 million, compared to the profit in the same period a year earlier. CAI aid it had a loss of 62 cents on a per-share basis. Earnings, adjusted for one-time gains and costs, came to 52 cents per share. The transportation finance and logistics company eported revenue for the fourth quarter of 2015 of $65.7 million, an increase of $6.9 million or 12% compared to the fourth quarter of 2014. Lease-related revenue for the fourth quarter of 2015 was $59.7 million, an increase of $0.9 million, or 1%, compared to the fourth quarter of 2014. Lease-related revenue for the full year increased 5% to $238.2 million.

China's cabinet on Tuesday (Dec 29) approved a deal that fuses two of the country's biggest state-owned transport and logistics firms, reports Reuters. China's cabinet has approved China Merchants Group's acquisition of Sinotrans & CSC Holdings Co, the state asset regulator said on Tuesday. Previously directly supervised by the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of the State Council (SASAC), Sinotrans & CSC Holdings is the biggest integrated logistics service provider with total asset of well over 100 billion yuan (16 billion U.S. dollars). Based in Hong Kong, China Merchants Group is a state-owned conglomerate with businesses in transportation, finance and real estate. By the end of 2014, its total asset stood at 624 billion (US$96 billion) yuan.

Dorian LPG Ltd. a leading owner and manager of modern VLGC's (very large gas carriers), today announced that it has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding ("MOU"), with HNA Logistics Group Co., Ltd. to explore opportunities in the liquefied petroleum gas logistics market. John Hadjipateras, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer commented, "We are very pleased to form a strategic relationship with HNA Logistics. Their unique presence in the Chinese market creates opportunities to develop energy related transportation, finance, infrastructure and distribution. "The MOU with Dorian LPG presents a significant opportunity for our company to collaborate with a leader in the LPG industry." Director and Vice President of HNA Logistics, Mr.

Hastings Funds Management and China Merchants Group have won a state government auction for a 98-year lease on Australia's Port of Newcastle, the world's biggest coal export terminal, paying a higher-than-expected A$1.75 billion ($1.6 billion). An initial New South Wales state budget plan had valued the lease on the port terminal at A$700 million, but fierce competition for Australian infrastructure assets coming on to market has seen a steady rise in multiples paid. The winning bid for Newcastle port came in at 27 times earnings, matching the 27 times earnings Transurban Group, Australia's biggest toll road owner, paid last week for a Queensland state toll road firm.

CIT Maritime Finance has entered into a Cooperation Agreement with RS Platou Finans AS that will help them expand into the leasing market. CIT Maritime Finance offers senior secured loans, sale-leasebacks and bareboat charters to owners and operators of oceangoing cargo vessels including tankers, bulkers, container ships, car carriers, as well as offshore vessels and drilling rigs. “Through this agreement CIT Maritime Finance will have access to the RS Platou Group network of services, which will help us to further build a high quality portfolio of maritime assets,” said C. Jeffrey Knittel, President, CIT Transportation Finance. RS Platou Finans AS was established 2004 as part of the RS Platou Group.

The forecasts and business strategies of carriers and manufacturers of transport-oriented capital goods indicate the industry is bracing for an era of higher energy prices and increased regulations, according to 'Transportation Outlook', a study conducted by Forbes Insights on behalf of CIT Transportation Finance. “This study highlights the fact that transportation executives are preparing for a future of uncertainty, both in terms of fuel prices and regulations,” said Jeff Knittel , President of CIT Transportation Finance . Fuel prices and rising energy costs are impacting the global economy: More than eight out of 10 (81%) executives say uncertainty surrounding energy policies is hampering global economic recovery.

The new company, CIT Maritime Finance will originate & underwrite blue water vessel financing & its managing director is Svein Engh. CIT Maritime Finance will offer senior secured loans, sale-leasebacks, and bareboat charters to owners and operators of oceangoing cargo vessels including tankers, bulkers, container ships, car carriers, as well as offshore vessels and drilling rigs. It will offer financing solutions that will help add value and drive business for customers. “The…

KfW Group, Germany’s state-owned development lender, may make 1.5 billion Euros ($2 billion) of new shipping loans this year, even as rivals scale back operations in the crisis-hit industry. While that is less than new lending of 2 billion Euros in 2011, KfW IPEX-Bank plans to keep the size of its 13.5 billion- euro shipping portfolio “stable,” Christian K. Murach, head of transportation finance and a member of the lender’s management board, said in an interview in Frankfurt. Commerzbank AG (CBK), Germany’s second-largest lender, and Hamburg-based HSH Nordbank AG are scaling back their shipping portfolios amid new capital rules and to obtain approval for bailouts they received during the global financial crisis.

Northrop Grumman Corporation’s (NYSE: NOC) Sperry Marine business unit has been awarded a one-year contract by Peter Döhle Schiffahrts-KG (PDS-KG) and HAMMONIA Reederei (a joint venture between PDS-KG, HCI Capital AG and GE Transportation Finance, Inc.) to provide worldwide service and maintenance for more than 135 ships. Under the contract, Northrop Grumman Sperry Marine will be responsible for all shipboard service, support and maintenance of the ships’ navigation and communication equipment, including repairs, spares management and required annual inspections and certifications.

First Ship Lease Ltd., a commercial finance company focused on diverse shipping assets, today announced the successful completion of a $100 million mezzanine financing facility. The mezzanine facility, combined with previous equity financing and senior debt to be raised on a transactional basis, allows First Ship Lease to provide in excess of $500 million in operating and finance leases to shipping and industrial companies that meet its credit criteria. The mezzanine financing was fully underwritten by BTM Capital Corporation of Boston, a subsidiary of Japan's premier bank, The Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi, Ltd.; Germany-based HSH Nordbank AG, the world's largest ship mortgage lender; and Vereins -und Westbank Group, a subsidiary of Germany's second-largest bank, HypoVereinsbank.

The partners of SSY announced the formation of SSY Capital LLC to serve global shipowners in the capital markets. The new unit will be led by Tom Kane, a leading American finance expert with particular expertise in international finance. SSY Capital will offer financial products tailored to its clients’ needs. Several products will be available to clients, including project and asset finance facilities, a variety of lease and debt financing structures, as well as non-traditional forms and capital sources. SSY recently celebrated its 125th anniversary. In the last 20 years, SSY has expanded its traditional broking expertise to include maritime consultancy and research, gas, chemicals, containers and freight derivatives.

New York Maritime Inc. (NYMAR) has elected new officers and three new directors. William J. Honan III, a partner in the New York office of law firm Holland & Knight, has been elected chairman, succeeding founding chairman Robert J. Gruendel. "This is an exciting time to be at the helm of NYMAR as we grow and promote the exceptional opportunities for the shipping industry in New York," Honan said. "The city’s creativity, energy and perseverance are unmatched anywhere else. Other officers elected at a board meeting on January 12 were Keith W. Heard, a partner in the law firm of Burke & Parsons, as vice-chairman; Lawrence Rutkowski, partner and head of the Transportation Finance group in the law firm of Seward & Kissel…