GoodBulk Acquires up to 13 Capesize Vessels
GoodBulk, an owner and operator of dry bulk vessels announced that it has entered into an agreement to acquire 7 to 13 Capesize dry bulk carriers from entities managed by CarVal Investors.
Delivery of the vessels is expected to occur during the 4th Quarter of 2017 and the 1st Quarter of 2018.
“We are excited to partner with CarVal Investors in this transaction as we continue to execute upon the Company’s strategy of building an industry leading platform for investment in dry bulk vessels,” commented Chairman and CEO John Michael Radziwill.
“Not only does this transaction provide GoodBulk’s shareholders with increased Capesize exposure at what we believe to be an opportune time in a recovering market, it is expected to be immediately accretive to Net Asset Value per share while reducing the Company’s normalized break even cost by ship ownership day and reducing the average fleet age by approximately 1.4 years. Furthermore, with a significant share component priced at a premium to NAV this transaction underscores the value of the GoodBulk platform,” Michael added.
Funds managed by CarVal Investors will receive for the initial 7 vessels up to 10.5 million common shares in GoodBulk, with $61 million of existing borrowings expected to be refinanced under current and new GoodBulk credit facilities.
Upon completion of the base transaction of 7 Capesize vessels, GoodBulk will control a fleet of 19 vessels with an average age of 9 years, consisting of 16 Capesize, 1 Panamax, and 2 Supramax vessels. The Company’s leverage ratio of net debt to gross asset value is expected to remain below 30%. GoodBulk will have the option to acquire up to an additional 6 Capesize vessels.
“As an investor in the shipping industry we believe GoodBulk’s management and founders have created a best in class platform for consolidation in the highly fragmented dry bulk sector,” added CarVal Investors’ Principal Gregory Belonogoff. “The Company’s flat corporate structure results in a very cost-efficient company while its long-term strategic partnership with its manager C Transport Maritime brings immediate benefits of scale through commercial consolidation. We look forward to working with GoodBulk’s management, and current and future shareholders as we continue to grow the Company.”
Following completion of the transaction, funds managed by CarVal Investors will be GoodBulk’s largest shareholder. The Company’s board of directors (the “Board”) will increase by two members. Gregory Belonogoff, a Principal of CarVal Investors will join the Board, and an Independent Director to be elected by the Company’s shareholders.
“This acquisition constitutes a great development for GoodBulk,” said Milos Brajovic, Partner of Lantern Capital Partners, on behalf of the GoodBulk Board. “CarVal’s decision to partner with the Company in this transaction further validates GoodBulk’s market positioning and ability to develop into a landmark dry bulk shipping platform.”
Morgan Stanley acted as financial advisor and Brown Rudnick LLP, Conyers Dill & Pearman Limited and Advokatfirmaet Thommessen AS acted as legal advisors to the Company in connection with the transaction. CarVal Investors were represented by Richards Kibbe & Orbe and Reed Smith LLP.
