Baltic Trading Arrange Funding Buy Bulk Carriers
Baltic Trading Limited has taken delivery of the 2010-built 'Baltic Fox' and the 2009-built 'Baltic Hare', two Handysize vessels of approximately 32,000 dwt. Both vessels have entered into the Clipper Logger Pool, a spot market-related Handysize pool operated by Clipper Bulk.
John C. Wobensmith, President and Chief Financial Officer, commented, "We are pleased to take delivery of the Baltic Fox and the Baltic Hare, as planned, and enter the vessels into a spot market-related vessel pool consistent with our fleet deployment strategy. The Baltic Fox and the Baltic Hare combine to expand our modern, high-quality fleet by approximately 10% on a tonnage basis while further strengthening our position in the global transportation of essential commodities and increasing our long-term earnings potential."
The Company also has executed a $22 million credit agreement with DVB Bank SE, as previously announced on July 8, 2013. Under the terms of the six-year facility, amounts borrowed will bear interest at LIBOR plus a margin of 3.35%. The credit facility is to be repaid in 24 quarterly repayment installments of $375,000 each, the first of which is payable in December 2013, and a balloon payment of approximately $13 million payable concurrently with the last repayment installment. The Company used the entire proceeds from the new facility as well as proceeds from its May 2013 equity offering to fund the acquisition of the Baltic Fox and the Baltic Hare.
Mr. Wobensmith added, "In support of our growth initiatives, management has taken active measures to increase Baltic Trading's financial flexibility by closing a new $22 million credit facility with a global lending institution and amending our 2010 credit facility under favorable terms to allow for the incurrence of additional debt going forward. We appreciate the support that we have received from our expanded lending group and remain focused on preserving a sound capital structure as we pursue additional opportunities to take advantage of an attractive acquisition environment."
