Safe Bulkers to Amend Loan Pact with RBS
Safe Bulkers, Inc., an international provider of marine drybulk transportation services, has agreed with the Royal Bank of Scotland plc (RBS) to amend certain financial covenants and terms to an existing term loan facility with an outstanding balance of US $73.4 million.
Following this amendment the term loan facility contains the following:
The total consolidated liabilities of the Company divided by its total consolidated assets charter inclusive must not exceed 90% until and including year-end 2017 and 85% from 2018 onwards.
The ratio of the Company's EBITDA(1) to its interest expense must be not less than 2.0:1 on a trailing 12 month basis, applicable from 2018 onwards.
The consolidated net worth of the Company, defined as total consolidated assets charter inclusive less total consolidated liabilities is waived until and including year-end 2017 and not less than US $150.0 million from 2018 onwards.
The aggregate market value of the vessels under the facility divided by the aggregate outstanding loan value must exceed 110% until year-end 2017 and 120% from 2018 onwards.
Dr. Loukas Barmparis, President of the Company, said: "The agreement with RBS is the fifth in a row which provides for alignment of financial covenants and deferral of about $5.7 million of debt originally payable until 2018, to years after 2019. With this agreement, the amended facilities represent about 76% of our debt, excluding sale and lease back financing arrangements and debt from State institutions."
