Euronav to Acquire Metrostar VLCCs
The world’s largest listed crude-tanker operator Euronav is planning to buy 18 tankers for around $1.2 billion in one of the biggest deals involving oil carriers this year, reports WSJ. The reports says that Euronav is in advanced discussions with Greece’s Metrostar to buy eight very large crude carriers, The deal to buy four of the VLCCs, plus an option for another four, will be signed as early as next week. Euronav also is in the market to buy 10 smaller Suezmax tankers from Southport, Conn.-based Principal Maritime Tankers Corp. However, Euronav stated that company policy is no to comment on market speculation but it can confirm that it is in advanced discussions to acquire four VLCCs and if concluded…
Shipping Industry Faces Shake Up
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…
Shipping Turns From Banks to Equity Markets for Cash
Shipping companies are turning to equity markets to fill a growing funding gap, betting that investors hungry for decent returns will provide capital to a sector recovering from its worst downturn since the 1980s. Ship owners ordered large numbers of vessels between 2007 and 2009, just as the global economy sank into crisis. Prospects have brightened in recent months as world trade picks up and the ship glut is absorbed. The industry still faces a multi-billion dollar financing hole after banks, its traditional source of funding, cut back lending to boost capital in the wake of the financial crisis. Alternative investors such as private equity firms have been snapping up shipping assets including loan portfolios from the banks.
Shippers Turn to Equity Markets as Sector Eyes Recovery
Shipping companies are turning to equity markets to fill a growing funding gap, betting that investors hungry for decent returns will provide capital to a sector recovering from its worst downturn since the 1980s. Ship owners ordered large numbers of vessels between 2007 and 2009, just as the global economy sank into crisis. Prospects have brightened in recent months as world trade picks up and the ship glut is absorbed. The industry still faces a multi-billion dollar financing hole after banks…
Principal Maritime Tankers Files for IPO of up to $100m
Principal Maritime Tankers Corp, which is backed by Apollo Global Management LLC, filed with U.S. regulators to raise up to $100 million in an initial public offering of common stock. UBS Investment Bank was underwriting the IPO, the company told the U.S Securities and Exchange Commission in a preliminary prospectus on Wednesday. Principal Maritime owns tankers used to transport crude oil and petroleum products. The company had 12 modern Suezmax tankers as of March 31, according to the filing. The filing did not reveal how many shares the company planned to sell or their expected price. Net proceeds from the offering would be used to reduce outstanding debt under its credit facility, the Southport, Connecticut-based company said in the filing.
