Tbs International News

German shipowner Ernst Komrowski topped the list of the worst global dumpers with 14 end-of-life vessels sold to the beaches, according to a press release from NGO Ship-breaking Platform (NSP). All of these were formerly part of the Maersk fleet and had been on a long-term charter with the Danish containership giant, which oppositely to Komrowski has a strict ship recycling policy for its own vessels. Second ranks South Korea’s largest container ship owner Hanjin Shipping with 11 ships, followed by Swiss-based Mediterranean Shipping Company. Hanjin and MSC’s bad practice stands in sharp contrast to that of their competitors Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd…

In the past two or three years, we have seen a wave of shipping companies file Chapter 11 bankruptcy cases in the United States. This latest wave started hitting the street in about 2011 and has included such names as General Maritime, Omega Navigation, Marco Polo, TBS International, B&H, and OSG. The timing is no mystery to anyone who has been following our industry, and I do not think it is too controversial to suggest that what we are seeing now are the continuing effects of the precipitous collapse of freight markets starting in 2008 which…

TBS International plc announced that the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York has confirmed the Company's Plan of Reorganization, paving the way for the reorganized Company's expedited emergence from chapter 11 proceedings, less than 60 days after its February 6 filing. The Plan reflects overwhelming support from its voting lenders to restructure the Company's secured debt and to pay in full in cash all allowed claims of unsecured creditors, including all vendors. As a result, the reorganized Company will emerge from its pre-packaged restructuring with a healthy capital structure, including approximately $40.0 million in new money financing…

TBS International plc (NASDAQ: TBSI) has reached agreements with its bank lenders on terms to reduce its leverage and refresh its fleet. As part of these agreements, TBS and the syndicates led by Bank of America and DVB Group Merchant Bank have agreed on terms to restructure outstanding indebtedness that contemplate exchanging existing senior debt for new senior debt and equity and the refreshing of the TBS fleet by long-term charters of modern tweendeckers and bulk carriers. These terms provide for payment in full of the amounts owed to the Bank of America and DVB syndicates over a significantly extended maturity period, the continued business operations of TBS under current management and the same quality of Five Star service that TBS's customers have always experienced.

TBS International plc (NASDAQ: TBSI) announced today that it has taken delivery of the newly-constructed vessel M/V Maya Princess from China Communications Construction Company Ltd./ Nantong Yahua Shipbuilding Group Co., Ltd. The M/V Maya Princes is the sixth and final delivery in the series of six "Roymar Class" 34,000 dwt multipurpose tweendecker vessels that the Company ordered at a purchase price of $35.4 million per vessel. This vessel, like her sister ships, has box-shaped holds…

DUBLIN, IRELAND, May 09, 2011 (MARKETWIRE via COMTEX) -- TBS International plc (NASDAQ: TBSI) announced today its financial and operating results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2011. Ferdinand V. "The weakening freight and charter rate environment that began in the second half of 2010 continued into early 2011, and adversely affected our revenues and our ability to maintain financial ratios as required by our credit facilities. "Our lenders, as previously announced on April 18…

DUBLIN, IRELAND, Mar 15, 2011 (MARKETWIRE via COMTEX) --TBS International plc (NASDAQ: TBSI) announced today its financial and operating results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2010. Joseph E. "The TBS results for the fourth quarter 2010 reflect the ongoing downward pressure on dry cargo freight rates that have continued into the first quarter of 2011, as evidenced by the Baltic Dry Indices. "The Baltic Dry Index ('BDI') which was at 2,446 on September 30, 2010 descended to 1,773 on December 24th (the last reporting date in 2010) and was at 1,559 on March 14, 2011.

Green Marine, a program aimed at improving the shipping industry’s environmental footprint, announced that New York-based Roymar Ship Management has become its newest participant. Roymar, a wholly-owned subsidiary of TBS International, manages TBS' entire international fleet including 50 multipurpose vessels and bulk carriers. With a client base of approximately 300 customers in 20 countries, TBS has developed its business around key trade routes between Latin America and China, Japan and South Korea, as well as ports in North America, Africa, the Caribbean, and the Middle East transporting steel products, project cargo, general and dry bulk cargo. Roymar, based in Scarsdale, NY, becomes the 50th company and the first major U.S.-based shipowner to join Green Marine.

TBS International plc (NASDAQ: TBSI) has taken delivery of the newly-constructed vessel M/V Omaha Belle from China Communications Construction Company Ltd./ Nantong Yahua Shipbuilding Group Co., Ltd. The M/V Omaha Belle is the fourth in a series of six Roymar Class 34,000 dwt multipurpose tweendecker vessels that the Company ordered at a purchase price of $35.4m per vessel. TBS expects to take delivery of the remaining two vessels by the third quarter of 2011. The Company has in place the requisite bank financing for these vessels. With the delivery of the M/V Omaha Belle, TBS's current fleet expands to 50 vessels with an aggregate of 1.51 million dwt, consisting of 28 tweendeckers and 22 handymax/ handysize bulk carriers.

TBS International plc (NASDAQ: TBSI) announced it has taken delivery of the newly-constructed vessel M/V Montauk Maiden from Nantong Yahua Shipbuilding Group Co., Ltd. The M/V Montauk Maiden is the third in a series of six “Roymar Class” 34,000 dwt multipurpose tweendecker vessels that the company has ordered with China Communications Construction Company Ltd./ Nantong Yahua Shipbuilding Group Co., Ltd. for a purchase price of $35.4m per vessel. This vessel, like its sister ships, has box-shaped holds, open hatches and fully retractable hydraulic tweendecks, is geared with 35 and 40 ton cranes combinable up to 80 tons, and has a modern fuel-efficient engine enabling the vessel to operate effectively at 15 knots.

TBS International plc (NASDAQ: TBSI) announced its joint venture, Log.Star Navegacao S.A., obtained an operational license in Brazil to provide domestic shipping services. Lof.Star is a Brazilian flag shipping company that will concentrate on the movement of breakbulk, bulk parcels, heavy lift, general and project cargoes along Brazil's coastline and Amazon River basin. TBS owns 70% of the joint venture with the remaining 30% owned by Log-In Logistica Intermodal S/A (BOVESPA: LOGN3), a publicly-traded Brazilian logistics company with major shareholders including Vale and Petros (pension fund of Petrobras). TBS expects to use its international breakbulk shipping expertise to meet the growing demand of a Brazilian coastal and Amazon River domestic transportation service. Joseph E.

TBS International plc (NASDAQ: TBSI) announced that it has taken delivery of the newbuild vessel M/V Dakota Princess from China Communications Construction Company Ltd/ Nantong Yahua Shipbuilding Group Co., Ltd on March 26, 2010.The M/V Dakota Princess is the second of a series of six TBS-designed Roymar Class 34,000 dwt multipurpose tweendecker vessels that the company had ordered for a purchase price of $35.4m per vessel. Of the remaining four vessels, the company expects to take delivery of two vessels in 2010 and two in 2011. The company has in place the requisite bank financing for all of these. With this delivery, TBS' current fleet is comprised of 49 vessels with an aggregate of 1.47 million dwt, consisting of 26 tweendeckers and 23 handymax/ handysize bulk carriers.

TBS International Limited announced that on December 17, 2007, through its wholly owned subsidiaries, it exercised its options to purchase 7 of its multipurpose tweendeck vessels for $2.85m each. The 7 vessels are part of TBS' operational fleet and since December 2003 have been under a 66-month sale-leaseback arrangement, which provided TBS with purchase options. These seven multipurpose tweendeck vessels are the MVs Kickapoo Belle, 1987 built, 23,319 dwt; Seneca Maiden, 1986 built, 19,762 dwt; Navajo Princess, 1987 built, 21,902 dwt; Kiowa Princess, 1986 built, 19,762 dwt; Cherokee Princess, 1990 built, 23,286 dwt; Inca Maiden, 1986 built, 22,133 dwt; and Apache Maiden, 1987 built, 23,319 dwt.

TBS International Limited entered into agreements to acquire two sister tweendeckers, the M.V. Wedellsborg and the M.V. Frijsenborg. TBS has agreed to acquire these vessels en bloc for $46m charter free and they are expected to be delivered to the Company in the first quarter of 2008. The M.V. Wedellsborg, to be renamed the M.V. Ottawa Princess, is a 1987 built tweendecker of 22,800 dwt and the M.V. Frijsenborg, to be renamed the M.V. Caribe Maiden, is also a 1987 built 22,800 dwt tweendecker. In addition to these two vessels, TBS also expects to take delivery of three handysize bulk carriers (the MVs Oneida Princess, Mohave Maiden, and Zuni Princess) and one additional multipurpose tweendecker (the M.V. Hopi Princess) by the end of the first quarter 2008.

Peter Shaerf, a Managing Director of investment house AMA Capital Partners LLC, was recently elected the new Chairman of the Board of NYMAR (New York Maritime Inc.). He takes over the reins from Bill Honan of Holland and Knight. In his first week in office, Peter has stated his intent to better market New York as “The Capital for Shipping”. Peter joined AMA in 2002. He started in the industry over 30 years ago and worked for many years as a shipbroker for container and dry cargo vessels. Peter is also a Director of General Maritime Corp (NYSE), Seaspan Corporation (NYSE), and TBS International (NASDAQ).

TBS International Limited has taken delivery of the M.V. Hopi Princess, previously the M.V. African Sanderling, a 1984 built, 20,401 dwt multipurpose tweendecker. TBS had agreed to acquire this vessel charter free for $18.3 million in November 2007. With the delivery of the M.V. Hopi Princess, TBS' current fleet consists of 39 multipurpose tweendecker, handymax and handysize vessels. TBS expects to take delivery of two additional multipurpose tweendeckers (the M.V. Ottawa Princess and M.V. Caribe Maiden) and one handysize bulk carrier (the M.V. Mohave Maiden) by end of the first quarter of 2008. Once these deliveries are concluded, TBS' fleet will be comprised of 42 vessels with an aggregate of 1,225,560 dwt, consisting of 23 tweendeckers and 19 handymax/handysize bulk carriers.

TBS International Limited has taken delivery of the M.V. Mohave Maiden, formerly known as the M.V. Diasozousa, an acquisition it had announced in October 2007. The M.V. Mohave Maiden is a 1984 built, 28,074 dwt handysize bulk carrier that the Company agreed to acquire charter free for $26.0 million. With this delivery, TBS' currently fleet consists 40 multipurpose tweendecker, handymax and handysize vessels. TBS expects to take delivery of two multipurpose tweendeckers (the M.V.s Ottawa Princess and Caribe Maiden) by the end of the first quarter of 2008, and one handymax bulk carrier (M.V. Canarsie Princess) by the end of the second quarter of 2008.

TBS International Limited announced that it and certain of its shareholders have commenced a follow-on offering of a combined 3,400,000 Class A Common Shares. Jefferies & Company, Inc. and Banc of America Securities LLC are acting as joint book-running managers for the offering. The company is offering 2,000,000 Class A common shares and the selling shareholders are offering an additional 1,400,000 Class A common shares. The company has granted the underwriters an option to purchase an additional 510,000 Class A Common Shares. The offering is subject to market conditions, and there can be no assurance as to whether or when the offering may be completed, or as to the actual size or terms of the offering.

TBS International Limited announced that it has entered into an agreement to acquire the M.V. Desert Explorer, to be renamed M.V. Fox Maiden, a 1985 built, 40,902 dwt handymax bulk carrier. TBS has agreed to acquire this vessel charter free for $35.5 million with expected delivery within the third quarter of 2008. Following this acquisition and the deliveries of the previously announced vessels, TBS' fleet will be comprised of 45 vessels with an aggregate of 1,351,621 dwt, consisting of 23 tweendeckers and a combination of 22 handymax/handysize bulk carriers.

TBS International Limited has taken delivery of the M.V. Canarsie Princess, formerly known as the M.V. Athinoula, and the M.V. Houma Belle, previously known as the M.V. North Star. M.V. Canarsie Princess is a 1985 built, 42,842 dwt handymax bulk carrier that the Company agreed to acquire charter free for $30.3 million in February 2008. The acquisition of M.V. Houma Belle, which was announced in April 2008, is a 1985 built, 42,219 dwt handymax bulk carrier that the Company agreed to acquire for $34 million charter free. With these deliveries, TBS's current fleet consists of 44 multipurpose tweendecker, handymax and handysize vessels. TBS expects to take delivery of an additional handymax bulk carrier (M.V. Fox Maiden) by the end of Q3 2008.

TBS International Limited has taken delivery of the M.V. Tupi Maiden, formerly known as the M.V. Ken Blossom, an acquisition it announced in June 2008. The M.V. Tupi Maiden is a 1992 built, 38,852 dwt handymax bulk carrier that the Company agreed to acquire charter free for $44.0 million. With this delivery, TBS' current fleet consists of 45 multipurpose tweendecker, handymax and handysize vessels. TBS expects to take delivery of one more handymax bulk carrier (M.V. Fox Maiden) by the end of Q3 2008. Once this delivery is concluded, TBS' fleet will be comprised of 46 vessels with an aggregate of 1,390,473 dwt, consisting of 23 tweendeckers and 23 handymax/ handysize bulk carriers.

TBS International Limited has taken delivery of the M.V. Fox Maiden, previously known as the Explorer, a 1985 built, 40,902 dwt handymax bulk carrier. The Company had agreed to acquire this vessel charter free for $35.5 million in June 2008. With this delivery, TBS' current fleet comprises 46 vessels with an aggregate of 1,390,473 dwt, consisting of 23 tweendeckers and 23 handymax/ handysize bulk carriers.

Joseph E. Royce, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer and President of TBS International Limited, stated: "We attribute these record results to the efforts of our worldwide team of shipping professionals delivering our TBS Five Star Service (Ocean Transportation, Logistics, Portside Services, Operations and Strategic Planning) to our global customer base. TBS owns its vessels, deals directly with our clients and presently does not have vessels on long term time charters. "We are in unprecedented times for the global economy and dry cargo shipping industry. The stagnation caused by the crisis in the financial community has interrupted normal trade and reduced cargo movement.