York Capital News

Swedish financial group Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken AB (SEB) is providing US$71.42m term facility to Star Bulk Carriers for the refinancing of two Newcastlemax-size bulk carriers. Watson Farley & Williams (WFW) is the advisor for the deal.The London based international law firm said that the deal also involved partly financing the prospective capital expense for the retrofitting of the ships with scrubbers, ahead of the entry into force of the 2020 IMO regulations.The two ships were part of a portfolio of 16 vessels acquired from Augustea Atlantica SpA and York Capital Management in an all-share transaction concluded in May 2018, on…

A growing number of hedge funds are moving into shipping debt, an asset class few have invested in before, looking to buy up loans and bonds as banks cut their exposure to the troubled sector.World economy worries and cost pressures are dampening prospects for a proper recovery in many segments of the shipping sector, which has struggled with tough markets for a decade.Meanwhile European banks, particularly German lenders, are trying to offload distressed and performing loans…

The owner and provider of containerships for charter Costamare announced the acquisition of the 60% equity interest of York Capital in five 2016 - built 14,000 TEU containerships.The acquisition brings the Company’s ownership interest in these five vessels to 100%. The five vessels were initially contracted as new buildings under the joint venture with York Capital in 2014. The vessels currently operate under long term charters to Evergreen expiring in 2026.The terms of the acquisition include the option to defer 75% of the purchase price for up to 18 months after closing, as well as the option to pay part of the purchase price with shares of the Company’s common stock.Gregory Zikos…

International law firm Watson Farley & Williams (WFW) advised Norway’s DNB Bank ASA (DNB), as facility agent and security agent for a syndicate of banks comprising itself, ABN AMRO Bank N.V., BNP Paribas, Danish Ship Finance and Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken AB, in relation to a US$310m loan facility provided to Star Bulk Carriers Corp.Secured on 26 vessels in Star Bulk’s fleet, the facility consists of two tranches: (a) a first tranche of US$240m used to refinance Star Bulk’s debt under five existing facility agreements; and (b) a second tranche of US$70m used to finance the prospective capital expense for the retrofitting of vessels…

Star Bulk Carriers has announced a net income of US$10.73 million for the second quarter of 2018, a significant improvement over the company’s net loss of US$10.28 million for the same period last year.The global shipping company focusing on the transportation of dry bulk cargoes said that voyage revenues for the quarter totalled US$132.6 million, almost double the US$78.6 million generated in the second quarter of 2017.Petros Pappas, Chief Executive Officer of Star Bulk, said: "We are optimistic about market fundamentals of the industry given the strengthening rate and asset value environment. Dry bulk supply is presently expanding at the lowest pace of the last decade while demand is supported by healthy ton-mile growth due to continued Chinese demand for higher quality raw materials.

Star Bulk Carriers Corp. announced that it has consummated the previously announced acquisition of 16 dry bulk vessels in an all-share transaction, from entities affiliated with Augustea Atlantica SpA and York Capital Management.The final consideration for the Augustea Vessel Purchase is 10.3 million common shares of the Company, equal to approximately 11.3% of Star Bulk’s common shares after the closing of the Augustea Vessel Purchase.As part of the transaction, the Company will assume debt of approximately $309 million.Following the closing of the Augustea Vessel Purchase, Raffaele Zagari will be appointed to the Board of Directors of Star Bulk as a Class C Director.

Costamare announced the conclusion of shipbuilding contracts and long term charter agreements for five newbuild containerships, as well as the acquisition and chartering of two secondhand containerships. The Company has ordered five newbuild containerships from Jiangsu Yangzijiang Shipbuilding Group, each of approximately 12,690 TEU capacity. The vessels are expected to be delivered between the second quarter of 2020 and the second quarter of 2021 and upon delivery they will commence a ten-year time charter to Yang Ming Marine Transport Corp. The acquisition is expected to be financed with cash on hand and debt. In June 2018, the Company agreed to purchase two 2013-built, 5,000 TEU wide-beam containerships, the c/v Megalopolis and the c/v Marathopolis.

Star Bulk Carriers Corp. agreed to acquire 16 vessels from entities affiliated with Augustea Atlantica SpA and York Capital Management in an all-share transaction. As consideration for the Vessel Acquisition, Star Bulk has agreed to issue approximately 10.5 million common shares to the sellers of the 16 vessels, equal to approximately 14.1% of Star Bulk’s common shares after the closing of the Vessel Acquisition. Under the terms of the agreement with the sellers, the consideration will be determined based on the average vessel valuations by independent vessel appraisers and is subject to adjustments for cash, debt and capex on the closing date. As part of the transaction, the Company will assume debt of $310.0 million.

Star Bulk Carriers Corp announced that it has agreed to acquire 16 vessels from entities affiliated with Augustea Atlantica SpA and York Capital Management in an all-share transaction. As consideration for the Vessel Acquisition, Star Bulk has agreed to issue approximately 10.5 million common shares to the sellers of the 16 vessels, equal to approximately 14.1% of Star Bulk’s common shares after the closing of the Vessel Acquisition. Under the terms of the agreement with the sellers, the consideration will be determined based on the average vessel valuations by independent vessel appraisers and is subject to adjustments for cash, debt and capex on the closing date. As part of the transaction, the Company will assume debt of $310.0 million.

Athens-based containership owner Costamare Inc. pushes back 11,000-teu newbuildings into 2017 as it reports strong third quarter figures which topped Wall Street expectations. It has agreed to postpone the deliveries of the remaining four newbuilding 11,010 TEU containerships, ordered through the company’s joint venture with York Capital. The four vessels, three of which were scheduled to join the company’s fleet in October 2016, are now expected to be delivered from South Korean shipbuilder Hanjin Heavy Industries in the first quarter of 2017. During the third quarter of 2016, Costamare took delivery of three vessels. "we accepted delivery of the 14,424 TEU containerships Talos, Taurus and Theseus, three containerships acquired pursuant to our joint venture with York.

Greek ship-owner Costamare and US-based hedge fund York Capital Management are considering extending the life of their investment joint venture that has already spent more than $1 billion on new and secondhand container ships. “Our joint venture with York has been progressing quite well and since inception we have done deals of $1.1bn. All investments have been performing well and we are currently in discussions with our partner regarding the extension of the investment period,” Gregory Zikos, the CFO of Costamare commented in a statement. Costamare has teamed up with York Capital for an 11,000 teu newbuild which has been ordered at Hanjin Heavy Industries & Construction yard in Subic Bay in the Philippines. The vessel is expected to be delivered in December 2016.

As global shipping grapples with its worst downturn in 30 years, private equity firms are unwinding massive bets made on the sector in a move set to accelerate a restructuring of the shipping industry. Private equity invested tens of billions in global shipping after the 2008 financial crisis, but weaker Chinese demand and an oversupply of ships has driven down freight rates and caused firms to idle vessels and in some cases file for bankruptcy. At least five private-equity backed shipping firms are seeking share listings…

Cecon ASA has petitioned for a debt restructuring agreement (in Norwegian: gjeldsforhandling). Certain funds managed by York Capital Management Global Advisors, LLC, the principal bondholder under the group's senior bond loan agreement, has confirmed its continued support for the Cecon shipbuilding program in Canada, and that it will not take any action to declare or have declared any senior bonds to be in default  due to the debt restructuring process. Cecon said it is confident that York's continued support together with the inter-creditor arrangements in place between the senior and junior bondholders means that the debt restructuring…

On November 13, the newly formed New York Maritime Consortium, a coalition of leaders from New York Maritime Inc. (NYMAR), the Society of Maritime Arbitrators (SMA), the Maritime Law Association (MLA) and the Association of Shipbrokers and Agents (ASBA), will host an event entitled “New York and London: Perception and Reality”. According to the event’s organizers, key industry figures from the areas of finance, arbitration and law from both sides of the Atlantic have been invited to illustrate the strengths of each jurisdiction, and how the two relate to each other. Chief Judge Loretta Preska of the Southern District of New York Federal Court will moderate the event. The forum will be held from 2:30-6 p.m. at The Harvard Club.

On 5 January 2014, Euronav announced the acquisition of fifteen (15) Very Large Crude Carriers (VLCC) from Maersk Tankers Singapore Pte Ltd. for a total acquisition price of USD 980 million. Euronav follows that announcement by advising its intent to raise USD 50,000,000 by way of a capital increase under the authorized capital and that 5,473,571 new shares will be issued upon full payment of the subscription price, which is expected to be at or around 10 January 2014. The subscription…

The board of directors of Euronav NV announced that the company has raised $150 million (USD) via a private placement of a perpetual convertible preferred equity instrument. The instrument will be issued at par and will bear an interest of 6% during the first five years payable annually in arrears in cash or in shares at the option of the company. The price against which the securities can be contributed is €5.776 (or $7.928715 at EUR/USD exchange rate of 1.3727) per common share.

Scorpio Tankers Inc. has announced that it has entered into agreements for the construction of seven Very Large Crude Carriers (VLCCs) and entered into an agreement with an unaffiliated third party to issue shares in exchange for the transfer of ownership to the company of four MR product tankers currently under construction in South Korea. The company has reached agreements with Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering Co., Ltd and Hyundai Samho Heavy Industries for the construction of seven VLCCs for an aggregate price of approximately $652.5 million. One vessel is scheduled for delivery in the third quarter of 2015, two in the fourth quarter of 2015, two in the first quarter of 2016 and two in the fourth quarter of 2016.

Augustea Bunge Maritime Limited ("ABML") a joint venture company of Augustea Atlantica S.p.A. and Bunge Limited (NYSE: BG), has announced the formation of a new joint venture with York Capital Management The new company, ABY Holding Limited ("ABY"), will operate an independent fleet of ocean-going dry-bulk vessels. The Malta-based venture intends to grow through the acquisition and chartering of modern ships. The ABY fleet currently includes two ships that are in-service, the ABML Eva (106,000 dwt, built in 2012) and the ABML Grace (172,000 dwt, built in 2002). ABY also owns three additional ships that are under construction at Japanese shipyards.

Although somewhat quieter this week with a number of the yards in the Far East approaching their summer vacations, Clarkson Hellas Weekly S+P Bulletin reports continued activity in the newbuilding market with orders coming to light in the dry, container and gas sectors. Starting with the larger sizes, this week Clarkson Hellas has seen further orders being placed for VLOCs at Guangzhou Longxue. Following a similar order from Berge Bulk in May this year, Henghou Industries are reported this week to have placed an order for two firm 250,000 DWT VLOCs at the GSI controlled Longxue. Pricing is understood to be in the region USD 59 Mill with delivery of the first vessel in 2015 and second in 2016.

Medina International Holdings, Inc., (OTC Bulletin Board: MIHI) has received an order for a Firehawk 2426 fire rescue boat from the City of Poughkeepsie Fire Department, New York, through its wholly owned subsidiary, Harbor Guard Boats, Inc. Daniel Medina, President of Medina International Holdings, Inc.  said, "This boat will be used for fire suppression, dive and rescue purposes on the Hudson River.  This is the third Firehawk order from the New York capital region and is becoming a primary choice for fire rescue and dive teams."