Genco Shipping & Trading Limited announced that it has agreed to acquire six drybulk vessels with an average age of approximately 2 years from affiliates of Evalend Shipping Co. S.A. for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $336m. The acquisition is subject to the completion of customary additional documentation and closing conditions. Genco plans to finance the acquisition through borrowings under its $1.4b revolving credit facility.
The six vessels, comprised of three Supramax vessels and three Handysize vessels, are expected to be delivered to Genco during the fourth quarter of 2007. Upon completion of the acquisition, and including the nine Capesize vessels to be acquired from companies within the Metrostar Management Corporation group announced on July 18, 2007, Genco's fleet will consist of nine Capesize, seven Panamax, three Supramax, seven Handymax, and eight Handysize drybulk carriers, with a total carrying capacity of approximately 2,814,000 dwt and an average age of approximately 8 years.