FRNT - Knightsbridge Tankers Limited and Frontline 2012 Ltd. agree to create the leading US listed Capesize company with a fl...
April 24 2014 - 6:20AM
Knightsbridge Tankers Limited
(Nasdaq: VLCCF) ("Knightsbridge") and Frontline 2012 Ltd.
("Frontline 2012") today announced that they have agreed to combine
Frontline 2012's remaining fleet of 25 fuel efficient vessels with
Knightsbridge. The newbuildings have expected deliveries
between September 2014 and September 2016, with five vessels
delivering in 2014, 14 vessels in 2015 and six vessels in 2016.
Knightsbridge recently acquired five Capesize newbuildings from
Frontline 2012 and one vessel from Hemen Holding Ltd. ("Hemen").
The combination of Knightsbridge and Frontline 2012 Capesize fleet
will create the leading US listed Capesize company with a unique
fleet of 39 modern vessels.
Under the agreement in principle,
the exchange ratio for the acquisition and share issuance will be
based on NAV using March 31, 2014 broker values. The
Knightsbridge/Frontline 2012 exchange ratio will be 44%/56%.
Accordingly, Knightsbridge has agreed to issue 62.0 million shares
to Frontline 2012. The closing will be executed in two stages, with
31.0 million shares expected to be issued around September 15, 2014
and 31.0 million shares around March 15, 2015. Following the
issuance of the shares, Knightsbridge will have 111 million shares
outstanding. Including the Knightsbridge shares already owned by
Frontline 2012 and Hemen, Frontline 2012 will own 70%, other
existing Knightsbridge shareholders 27% and Hemen 3% of
Knightsbridge.
It is expected that Frontline 2012
will distribute its shares in Knightsbridge to its shareholders
over time.
The transaction is subject to
execution of definitive documentation, normal closing conditions
and regulatory approvals. The transaction will also be
subject to consent from Knightsbridge's shareholders to increase
the Company's authorized share capital to enable and approve the
issuance of the new shares to Frontline 2012.
The net remaining estimated Capex
of the 25 Capesize newbuildings is $894 million. Assuming average
debt of around $33 million per vessel the newbuilding program in
Knightsbridge is expected to be fully financed. The Knightsbridge's
Board of Directors will seek to optimize Knightsbridge's capital
structure following the transaction to achieve cash breakeven rates
below $15,000 per day.
The Knightsbridge Board of
Directors will seek to grow the Company's dividend per share as the
dry bulk market recovers and newbuildings commence operation.
Commenting on the transaction, Ola
Lorentzon, Chief Executive Officer of Knightsbridge, stated:
"The Frontline 2012 transaction will be a transformative step for
the Company and will make us the leading US listed Capesize
owner. With a fleet of 39 modern vessels, of which 34 are "Eco
design" fuel efficient vessels, which could achieve higher time
charter equivalent earnings than existing vessels in any market
situation and a targeted breakeven rate below $15,000 per day, we
are setting the groundwork to be in a unique position to benefit
from an expected dry bulk market recovery. As the market recovers
we expect this transaction to be highly accretive to our cash flow
per share and give us the ability to pay high dividend to our
shareholders."
The Chairman of Frontline 2012,
John Fredriksen, said: "We are very pleased to be able to
enter into this transaction with Knightsbridge for the remaining
Capesize fleet of 25 newbuidings, which is in line with our
strategic plan of creating pure plays in different shipping
segments through consolidation, divestments and spin offs."
Forward Looking Statements
This press release contains
forward looking statements. These statements are based upon various
assumptions, many of which are based, in turn, upon further
assumptions, including management's examination of historical
operating trends. Although the Board believes that these
assumptions were reasonable when made, because assumptions are
inherently subject to significant uncertainties and contingencies
which are difficult or impossible to predict and are beyond its
control, Frontline 2012 cannot give assurance that it will achieve
or accomplish these expectations, beliefs or intentions.
Important factors that, in the
Company's view, could cause actual results to differ materially
from those discussed in this press release include the strength of
world economies and currencies, general market conditions including
fluctuations in charter hire rates and vessel values, changes in
demand in the tanker market as a result of changes in OPEC's
petroleum production levels and world wide oil consumption and
storage, changes in the Company's operating expenses including
bunker prices, dry-docking and insurance costs, changes in
governmental rules and regulations or actions taken by regulatory
authorities, potential liability from pending or future litigation,
general domestic and international political conditions, potential
disruption of shipping routes due to accidents or political events,
and other important factors described from time to time in the
reports filed by the Company.
The Board of Directors
Frontline 2012 Ltd.
Hamilton, Bermuda
April 24, 2014
Questions should be directed
to:
Jens Martin Jensen: Chief
Executive Officer, Frontline Management AS
+47 23 11 40 99
Inger M. Klemp: Chief Financial
Officer, Frontline Management AS
+47 23 11 40 76
This
announcement is distributed by NASDAQ OMX Corporate Solutions on
behalf of NASDAQ OMX Corporate Solutions clients.
The issuer of this announcement warrants that they are solely
responsible for the content, accuracy and originality of the
information contained therein.
Source: Frontline 2012 Ltd. via Globenewswire
HUG#1779594
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