Braemar Shipping Services PLC Sale of AqualisBraemar Shares (2138Z)

TIDMBMS

RNS Number : 2138Z

Braemar Shipping Services PLC

20 May 2021

   BRAEMAR   SHIPPING SERVICES PLC

("Braemar", the "Company" or the "Group")

20 May 2021

Sale of AqualisBraemar LOC ASA Shares

Braemar Shipping Services plc (LSE: BMS), a leading international Shipbroker and provider of expert advice in shipping investment, chartering and risk management, announces that it has sold its remaining AqualisBraemar LOC ASA ("AQB") shares, reducing net debt by GBP7.3 million* and realising a profit on sale of GBP3.9 million.

Braemar received its investment in AQB as a result of the Braemar board's decision to exit technical services and dispose of its Technical Services division to Aqualis ASA in June 2019 in exchange for a minority equity stake in the combined entity. AQB is listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange . Braemar sold 9.6 million of its shares in AQB, or around one half of its original interest, in January this year, and its remaining 9,640,261 shares have now been sold at a price of NOK9.0.

The net proceeds of the sale, totalling GBP7.3 million*, will be used to increase the resources available to the Group to pursue its new growth strategy centred on Shipbroking. The Group's net bank debt was approximately GBP10 million at 28 February 2021. The carrying value of the AQB shares sold was GBP3.3 million, realising an estimated profit on disposal of GBP3.9 million.

Following the sale, Braemar's interest in AQB shares will be limited to its holding of 6,523,977 performance-based warrants, of which one million are expected to vest shortly.

James Gundy, Chief Executive Officer of Braemar, commented:

"We are pleased to have completed the sale of our remaining shares in AqualisBraemar LOC on the back of their strong recent trading, in order to focus on the delivery of our new growth strategy centred on Shipbroking. The sale also helps to continue to reduce the Group's net debt and strengthen our balance sheet, positioning the Group well for future growth."

*NOK/GBP 0.085

For further information, contact:

 
 Braemar Shipping Services 
  James Gundy, Chief Executive Officer   Tel +44 (0) 20 3142 4100 
  Nick Stone, Chief Operating Officer 
   & Finance Director 
  Peter Mason, Company Secretary 
 finnCap 
  Matt Goode / James Thompson            Tel +44 (0) 20 7220 0500 
 
 
  Buchanan 
  Charles Ryland / Victoria Hayns /      Tel +44 (0) 20 7466 5000 
   Stephanie Watson / Matilda Abraham

Notes to Editors:

About Braemar Shipping Services plc

Braemar is a leading international Shipbroker and provider of expert advice in shipping investment, chartering and risk management. Braemar employs approximately 530 people in 30 locations worldwide across its Shipbroking, Financial and Logistics divisions.

Braemar joined the Official List of the London Stock Exchange in November 1997 and trades under the symbol BMS.

For more information, including our investor presentation, visit www.braemar.com

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