Safe Bulkers Reports 2Q Loss, Buys Newbuild

Net loss for the six months of 2017 was $4.9 million as compared to $26.8 million, during the same period in 2016.

The remaining order book consisted of one newbuild vessel; its  wholly-owned subsidiary Pinewood Shipping Corporation has contracted to acquire Hull No. 1552 with scheduled delivery date in 2018 and has agreed to issue $16.9 million of preferred equity to an unaffiliated investor upon delivery.

In June 2017, Safe Bulkers exercised options under the sale and leaseback agreements to purchase two Kamsarmax class vessels at an aggregate predetermined price of $43.8 million. 

The transaction will consummate in September 2017, and the Company will finance the acquisition of the vessels through cash on hand and committed credit facilities of up to $30.0 million.

The sale and leaseback transaction has been accounted as a financing transaction. Following the exercise of the purchase options, the outstanding obligation of these two vessels, amounting to $43.5 million as of end June 2017, has been included in the current portion of long term debt. Deferred finance costs will be written off upon the consummation of the transaction.

As of July 19, 2017, Safe Bulkers' operational fleet comprised of 38 drybulk vessels with an average age of 7.1 years and an aggregate carrying capacity of 3.4 million dwt. 

Safe Bulkers' fleet consists of 14 Panamax class vessels, nine Kamsarmax class vessels, 12 post- Panamax class vessels and three Capesize class vessels, all built 2003 onwards. 

Taking into account its last contracted drybulk newbuild Kamsarmax class vessel, scheduled for delivery in 2018, our fleet will comprise of 39 vessels, 11 of which will be eco-design vessels, with an aggregate carrying capacity of 3.5 million dwt, assuming no additional vessel acquisitions or disposals.