Finance News

Early 2024 saw a group of financial deals that have implications, in a broad sense, for how offshore wind projects may be financed. While offshore wind projects might be thought of as being in the ‘utility finance’ basket, they are ultimately high-risk deals that might better suit the portfolios of ‘infrastructure investment’ which, in recent years, has taken a shift towards tolerating more uncertainty when it comes to cash flows.A 2022 article from consultants McKinsey, titled “Infrastructure investing will never be the same”…

Shipping group Maersk raised its full-year earnings and market demand forecasts on Thursday, partly due to disruptions to Red Sea trading routes, but also said prospects for the fourth quarter were uncertain.The Danish group, seen as a barometer of world trade, said it now expected global container market volumes to increase 4-6% this year, up from its previous forecast of growth at the upper end of a 2.5-4% range.It added, however, that there was a lack of clarity around supply and demand in the fourth quarter of the year.Maersk's share price initially rose on the news…

Huntington Ingalls Industries on Thursday reported better-than-expected second-quarter results, as heightened global tensions drove up demand for aircraft carriers, amphibious assault ships and submarines.The Virginia-based company reported a profit of $4.38 per share for the quarter ended June 30, ahead of analysts' estimates of $3.62. Demand for submarines and aircraft carriers is surging, fueled by China's expanding naval footprint and high global tensions.Huntington Ingalls, the largest U.S.

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings on Wednesday raised its annual profit forecast for a third time this year, riding on sustained demand for luxury voyages and higher ticket prices.With people continuing to splurge on experiences and services over discretionary goods, operators have seen record booking rates for affordable cruise vacations, giving them enough opportunity to increase ticket prices."We are witnessing robust demand with strong pricing and booking volumes leading to record-breaking advanced ticket sales…

Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri reported a 16% jump in first-half earnings to 214 million euros ($231.31 million) and a six-fold increase in its order book to 7.6 billion euros, mainly driven by the cruise and defense sectors.Revenues remained stable at 3.68 billion euros, as shipbuilding revenue, amounting to 69% of the total, decreased due to changes made to the production schedule for some ships.($1 = 0.9252 euros)(Reuters - Reporting by Philippe Leroy, Editing by Louise Heavens)

Hornblower Group has emerged from Chapter 11 bankruptcy under new ownership following the completion of its court-approved financial restructuring plan, the marine transportation and experiences company announced on Friday.Under the plan approved by the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas, majority ownership of San Francisco-based Hornblower has transitioned to funds managed by investment firm Strategic Value Partners (SVP), while private equity firm Crestview…

The German government is considering support for Meyer Werft, one of the world's biggest cruise ship builders, an economy ministry spokesperson said on Wednesday, as the cash-strapped company mapped out hundreds of planned job cuts to stem costs.The government is considering federal assistance for Meyer Werft together with the state of Lower Saxony, home of the shipyard in Papenburg where the over 200-year-old company is based.Meyer Werft needs to raise around 2.7 billion euros ($2.91 billion) in the coming years, according to restructuring chief Ralf Schmitz.

Carnival Corp raised its annual profit forecast on Tuesday for the second time this year, banking on higher prices for its itineraries and sustained demand for cruise holidays to destinations such as the Caribbean and Alaska.The company's U.S.-listed shares, which have fallen more than 11% this year, rose 4.3% to $17.05 in premarket trading.2024 has been a record year for cruise operators, with booking volumes hitting an all-time high as travelers continue to seek out newer experiences and fun activities at affordable rates…

The prices for newbuild vessels have risen to their highest level in 16 years, according to latest figures from shipping association BIMCO.“Since the start of the year, newbuilding prices have risen 3% to their highest level since 2008. Compared to their most recent low in late 2020 they are up 53%. During the same period, the order book has grown by 72%, reaching its highest level since early 2012 and is up 2% year-to-date,” says Niels Rasmussen, Chief Shipping Analyst at BIMCO.Shipyards’ global order book currently stands at 133m compensated gross tonnage (CGT)…

Hornblower Group on Friday announced its financial restructuring plan has gained court approval, clearing way for the marine transportation and experiences company to emerge from Chapter 11 bankruptcy in the coming weeks.Under the plan approved by the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas, majority ownership of San Francisco-based Hornblower will transition to funds managed by investment firm Strategic Value Partners (SVP), while private equity firm Crestview…

Russia's leading tanker group Sovcomflot said western sanctions and changing market conditions may cut its revenues this year, a rare admission from a major Russian business of the damage western restrictions against Moscow are having.The U.S. imposed sanctions on Sovcomflot, which was previously one of the world's leading tanker operators, in February, in an attempt to reduce Russia's revenues from oil sales that it can use to support its military actions in Ukraine."The main reasons are that the company is under relentless sanctions pressure…

Armada Technologies announced the close of its seed funding round, raising a total of $3.2 million, including contributions from both strategic partners and traditional financial investors to advance eco-friendly maritime solutions.Cool Company Management Ltd. (CoolCo) a strategic partner within the liquefied natural gas (LNG) space, is to part-fund Armada equipment that will be installed on its vessels with this seed round. Ecochlor, Inc. continues to provide investment and technical support to the company as its growth partner.

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings on Monday raised its full-year profit forecast for a second time in less than three weeks, betting on record demand for cruise vacations and higher ticket prices, sending its shares up as much as 7.7%.More travelers are choosing sea-based vacations that offer a range of fun activities under one roof, compared to expensive land-based holidays, benefiting cruise operators and giving them room to raise prices.Expectations have also been high for the Miami-based Norwegian after strong booking trends drove up results and shares last year, and rival Royal Caribbean Gro

German container firm Hapag-Lloyd on Wednesday raised the lower end of its 2024 outlook amid rising demand and freight rates, but posted an 84% drop in first-quarter net profit.Commercial shipping has faced global disruptions, including in the Red Sea region, where operators are avoiding the Suez Canal because of attacks on vessels by Yemen-based Houthi militants.The crisis has raised freight rates because alternative trips around Africa's southern tip are longer and expensive."Global container volumes were up quite significantly especially in January and February…

HD Hyundai Marine shares closed up 97% versus their initial public offering (IPO) price in the company's trading debut on Wednesday, after a 742 billion won ($538 million) IPO, South Korea's largest in two years.The successful listing of the ship maintenance and repair firm, backed by U.S. private equity giant KKR, paves the way for other potential offerings to come to market. Sizeable South Korean IPOs had dried up during much of 2023 on uncertain market conditions.HD Hyundai Marine Solution shares opened at 119…

Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) reported a better-than-expected quarterly earnings on Thursday, on the back of demand for aircraft carriers, amphibious assault ships and submarines amid high geopolitical tension.Demand for submarines and aircraft carriers is surging, fueled by China's expanding naval footprint and high global tensions, benefiting shipbuilding giants such as Huntington Ingalls.Huntington is the only major pure-play defense company that has outperformed S&P 500 index…

Shipping group Maersk raised its full-year profit guidance after reporting first-quarter earnings on Thursday, citing strong demand and higher freight rates as ships sail for longer to avoid conflict in the Red Sea.The company, viewed as a barometer of world trade, said that shipping disruptions caused by Houthi militants' attacks on vessels in the Red Sea were expected to last at least until the end of the year, adding that growth in demand for container shipping had been stronger than forecast."The container volumes we see today are quite high compared to GDP growth in the world economy…

Shares of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings fell more than 12% after the operator's downbeat first-quarter revenue overshadowed a raise in annual profit forecast on Wednesday.Expectations for cruise operators have generally become high after strong booking trends and demand drove up their results and shares last year.Shares of Norwegian and its rival Carnival have seen their growth temper from those highs, in part due to concerns around cost pressures and their brands' exposure to the Middle East conflict.Meanwhile…

Shares of Viking Holdings rose 9% in their debut on the New York Stock Exchange on Wednesday, giving the travel and cruising company a valuation of $11 billion.Viking opened at $26.15 compared with its initial public offering (IPO) price of $24 in a stellar debut, amid a rebound in stock market listings and at a time when cruise stocks have delivered outsized returns.Founded in 1997, Viking provides destination-focused itineraries including a shore excursion at every port and an onboard and onshore program through performances of music and art, cooking demonstrations, port talks and guest lect

Royal Caribbean Group raised its annual profit forecast for a second time and beat expectations for first-quarter profit and revenue on Thursday, with half of its growth coming from higher ticket pricing.Soaring demand for vacations at sea has given cruise operators ample room to raise ticket prices as the industry looks to close the pricing gap with land-based vacations and give their profits a lift."What transpired over the past three months was even better than our already elevated expectations," Royal Caribbean Group CEO Jason Liberty said.

Saudi Arabia’s Ras Al-Khair Special Economic Zone (SEZ) said it is seeking local and foreign investors to help boost the Kingdom’s maritime infrastructure.With an initial area of 20 square kilometers, Ras Al-Khair SEZ, operated by the Royal Commission for Jubail and Yanbu, is an expanding zone with two focus areas, The King Salman International Complex for Maritime Industries and Services, and the Offshore Cluster supply chain. The SEZ is located next to Ras Al-Khair Port, the Kingdom’s newest industrial port.Ahmed M.

Maritime Partners,a Louisiana-based provider of maritime financing solutions primarily focused on Jones Act vessels, announced the addition of Stephen J. Bordes and Greg Chase to its executive leadership team.Bordes joins Maritime Partners as its chief financial officer, and Chase as as the firm’s chief legal officer.Bordes brings to the company more than 20 years of experience in the fields of finance and fund management. Prior to joining Maritime Partners, he served as the CFO for New York-based American Industrial Partners…

Newcastle United football club co-owner Amanda Staveley on Monday lost a London High Court battle with a Greek shipping tycoon over a historic debt of nearly 3.5 million pounds ($4.4 million).Staveley, who owns 10% of the Premier League side with her husband, denied she was liable to Victor Restis for a sum that had snowballed with interest to over 36 million pounds.The total bill had included around 31 million pounds in interest, accruing at 505,000 pounds per day. Restis' lawyers…