UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE 13E-3
(Rule 13e-100)
TRANSACTION STATEMENT UNDER SECTION 13(e)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
AND RULE 13e-3 THEREUNDER
Rule 13e-3 Transaction Statement Under Section
13(e)
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
GRINDROD SHIPPING
HOLDINGS LTD.
(Name of the Issuer)
GRINDROD SHIPPING HOLDINGS LTD.
TAYLOR MARITIME INVESTMENTS LIMITED
GOOD FALKIRK (MI) LIMITED
(Names of Persons Filing Statement)
Ordinary shares, no par value
(Title of Classes of Securities)
Y28895103
(CUSIP Number of Class of Securities)
Grindrod Shipping Holdings Ltd.
1 Temasek Avenue
#10-02 Millenia Tower
Singapore 039192
65 6323 0048
Attn: Edward Buttery |
|
Taylor
Maritime Investments Limited
Good Falkirk (MI) Limited
1 Royal Plaza
Royal Avenue, St Peter Port
Guernsey GY1 2HL
44 20 3838 0530
Attn: Edward Buttery |
(Name, Address and Telephone Numbers of Person
Authorized To Receive Notices and Communications on Behalf of the Persons Filing Statement)
With copies to:
Philip Richter
Roy Tannenbaum
Joshua Wechsler
Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP
One New York Plaza
New York, New York 10004
(212) 859-8000
This statement is filed in connection with (check the appropriate box):
a. |
¨ |
The filing of solicitation materials or an information statement subject to Regulation 14A, Regulation 14C or Rule 13e-3(c) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. |
|
|
|
b. |
¨ |
The filing of a registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933. |
|
|
|
c. |
¨ |
A tender offer. |
|
|
|
d. |
x |
None of the above. |
Check the following box if the soliciting materials or information
statement referred to in checking box (a) are preliminary copies: ¨
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission
nor any state securities commission has: approved or disapproved of the transaction contemplated herein; passed upon the merits or fairness
of such transaction; or passed upon the adequacy or accuracy of the disclosure in this document. Any representation to the contrary is
a criminal offense.
Introduction
This transaction statement on Schedule 13E-3 (this
“Schedule 13E-3”) is being filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) pursuant to
Section 13(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, jointly by (1) Grindrod Shipping Holdings Ltd., a public company incorporated
under the laws of the Republic of Singapore (“Grindrod” or the “Company”), (2) Taylor Maritime Investments
Limited, a Guernsey company limited by shares (“TMI”), and (3) Good Falkirk (MI) Limited, a Republic of the Marshall
Islands company (“GF”) and wholly owned subsidiary of TMI.
This Schedule 13E-3 relates to the proposal to
cancel all of the issued and ordinary shares, no par value (the “Shares”), in the capital of the Company held by holders
of Shares (the “Shareholders”) other than GF (the “Participating Shareholders”), comprising 3,479,225
Shares (the “Participating Shares”), resulting in a reduction of the issued share capital of the Company (the “Selective
Capital Reduction”). The Board of Directors of the Company has convened an extraordinary general meeting at which the Participating
Shareholders will be asked to consider and vote on the special resolution relating to the Selective Capital Reduction.
On the effective date of the Selective Capital
Reduction, (1) the Company will cancel $49,578,956, the amount constituting part of the total paid-up share capital of the Company held
by the Participating Shareholders, and 3,479,225 Participating Shares, constituting the part of the total issued share capital of the
Company that is held by the Participating Shareholders, and (2) the Participating Shareholders will be entitled to receive a distribution
of $14.25 in cash for each Participating Share.
The information contained in the Circular to Shareholders,
dated as of May 14, 2024 (the “Circular”), filed with this Schedule 13E-3 as Exhibit (a)(5)(i), is incorporated by
reference herein and, except as described below, the responses to each item in this Schedule 13E-3 are qualified in their entirety by
the information contained in the Circular. The cross references identified herein are being supplied pursuant to General Instruction G
to Schedule 13E-3 and indicate the location in the Circular of the information required to be included in response to the respective Items
of this Schedule 13E-3.
Any information contained in the documents incorporated
herein by reference shall be deemed modified or superseded for purposes of this Schedule 13E-3 to the extent that any information contained
herein modifies or supersedes such information. All information contained in, or incorporated by reference into, this Schedule 13E-3 concerning
each Filing Person has been supplied by such Filing Person.
Item 1. Summary Term Sheet.
The information set forth in the Circular under
the caption “—Part I—Summary Term Sheet” is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 2. Subject Company Information.
| (a) | Name and Address: The name of the subject company and the issuer of the securities to which this
Schedule 13E-3 relates is Grindrod Shipping Holdings Ltd., a company incorporated under the laws of the Republic of Singapore. Its principal
executive office is 1 Temasek Avenue #10-02 Millenia Tower, Singapore 039192 and the telephone number of its principal executive office
is +65 6323 0048. |
| (b) | Securities: The information set forth in the Circular under the captions “—Part I—Summary
Term Sheet” and “—Part IV—Letter to Shareholders—Introduction” and in Appendix E of the Circular under
the caption “—Share Capital—Issued Capital” is incorporated herein by reference. |
| (c) | Trading Market and Price: The information set forth in the
Circular under the caption “—Part I—Summary Term Sheet” and in Appendix E of the Circular under the caption “—Market
Quotations” is incorporated herein by reference. |
| (d) | Dividends: The information set forth in Appendix E of the Circular under the caption “—Market
Quotations—Dividends” and in the Company’s annual report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, which
has been filed with the SEC on March 27, 2024, under the caption “ITEM 8. FINANCIAL INFORMATION—Dividend Policy and Dividend
Distributions” is incorporated herein by reference. |
| (e) | Prior Public Offerings: The information set forth in Appendix E of the Circular under the caption
“—Prior Public Offerings” is incorporated herein by reference. |
| (f) | Prior Stock Purchases: The information set forth in Appendix C of the Circular under the caption
“—Dealings in Company Securities” is incorporated herein by reference. |
Item 3. Identity and Background of Filing Persons.
| (a) | Name and Address: The information set forth in Appendix B of the Circular under the captions “—Part
A—Taylor Maritime Investments Limited—Directors and Executive Officers” and “—Part B—Good Falkirk
(MI) Limited—Director” and in Appendix E of the Circular under the caption “—Directors and Executive Officers”
is incorporated herein by reference. |
| (b) | Business and Background: The information set forth in Appendix B of the Circular under the captions
“—Part A—Taylor Maritime Investments Limited—Principal Activities” and “—Part B—Good Falkirk
(MI) Limited—Principal Activities” and in Appendix E of the Circular under the caption “—Principal Activity”
is incorporated herein by reference. |
| (c) | Business and Background of Natural Persons: The information set forth in Appendix B of the Circular
under the captions “—Part A—Taylor Maritime Investments Limited—Directors and Executive Officers” and “—Part
B—Good Falkirk (MI) Limited—Director” and in Appendix E of the Circular under the caption “—Directors and
Executive Officers” is incorporated herein by reference. |
Item 4. Terms of the Transaction
| (1) | Tender Offers: Not applicable. |
| (2) | Mergers or Similar Transactions: The information set forth in the Circular under the captions “—Part
I—Summary Term Sheet;” “—Part III—Special Factors—Purpose, Reasons, Alternatives and Effects;”
“—Part III—Special Factors—Past Contacts, Transactions, Negotiations and Agreements;” “—Part
III—Special Factors—Fairness of Selective Capital Reduction—Factors Considered in Fairness;” “—Part
IV—Letter to Shareholders—Selective Capital Reduction;” “—Part IV—Letter to Shareholders—Rationale;”
“—Part IV—Letter to Shareholders—Shareholders’ and Court Approval;” “—Part IV—Letter
to Shareholders—Extraordinary General Meeting;” “—Part IV—Letter to Shareholders—Actions to be Taken
by Shareholders” and “—Part IV—Letter to Shareholders—Certain Income Tax Consequences of the Selective Capital
Reduction” is incorporated herein by reference. |
| (b) | Purchases: Not applicable. |
| (c) | Different Terms: The information set forth in the Circular under the captions “—Part
I—Summary Term Sheet;” “—Part III—Special Factors—Purpose, Reasons, Alternatives and Effects;”
“—Part III—Special Factors—Fairness of the Selective Capital Reduction;” “—Part IV—Letter
to Shareholders—Selective Capital Reduction;” “—Part IV—Letter to Shareholders—Abstentions;”
“—Part IV—Letter to Shareholders—Exemptions by the Securities Industry Council—Exemptions;” “—Part
IV—Letter to Shareholders—Extraordinary General Meeting” and “—Part IV—Letter to Shareholders—Actions
to be Taken by Shareholders” and in Appendix D of the Circular under the caption “—Disclosure of Interests—the
Non-Participating Shareholders” is incorporated herein by reference. |
|
(d) |
Appraisal Rights: The information set forth in the Circular under the captions “—Part I—Summary Term Sheet;” “—Part III—Special Factors—Fairness of Selective Capital Reduction—Factors Considered in Fairness” and “—Part IV—Letter to Shareholders—Selective Capital Reduction—Appraisal” is incorporated herein by reference. |
| (e) | Provisions for Unaffiliated Security Holders: The information set forth in the Circular under the
caption “—Part IV—Letter to Shareholders—Selective Capital Reduction—Provisions for Participating Shareholders”
is incorporated herein by reference. |
| (f) | Eligibility for Listing or Trading: Not applicable. |
Item 5. Past Contacts, Transactions, Negotiations
and Agreements.
| (a)-(c) | Transactions; Significant Corporate Events; Negotiations or
Contacts: The information set forth in the Circular under the captions “—Part I—Summary Term Sheet;” “—Part
III—Special Factors—Past Contacts, Transactions, Negotiations and Agreements—Background of the Selective Capital Reduction;”
and “—Part IV—Letter to Shareholders—Introduction;” in Appendix C of the Circular under the captions “—Dealings
in Company Securities” and “—Dealings in Company Securities;” and in Appendix E of the Circular under the captions
“—Directors and Executive Officers” and “—Interests and Dealings of Directors in Non-Participating Shareholders’
Securities” is incorporated herein by reference. |
| (e) | Agreements Involving the Subject Company’s Securities: The information set forth in the Circular
under the captions “—Part III—Special Factors— Past Contacts, Transactions, Negotiations and Agreements—Background
of the Selective Capital Reduction” and “—Part IV— Letter to Shareholders—Non-Participating Shareholders:
Disclosure of Shareholdings, Dealings and Other Arrangements;” in Appendix C of the Circular under the caption “—Dealings
in Company Securities” and in Appendix D of the Circular under the caption “—Disclosure of Interests—the Non-Participating
Shareholders” is incorporated herein by reference. |
Item 6. Purposes of the Transaction and Plans
or Proposals.
| (a) | Purposes: The information set forth in the Circular under the captions “—Part I—Summary
Term Sheet;” “—Part III—Special Factors—Purpose, Reasons, Alternatives and Effects;” “—Part
IV—Letter to Shareholders—Selective Capital Reduction;” “—Part IV—Letter to Shareholders—Rationale”
and “—Part IV—Letter to Shareholders—Delisting from Nasdaq and the JSE” is incorporated herein by reference. |
| (b) | Use of Securities Acquired: The information
set forth in the Circular under the captions “—Part I—Summary Term Sheet;”
“—Part III—Special Factors—Purpose, Reasons, Alternatives and Effects—Effects;”
“—Part IV—Letter to Shareholders—Selective Capital Reduction;”
“—Part IV—Letter to Shareholders—Intentions Relating to the Company
and its Employees” and “—Part IV—Letter to Shareholders—Delisting
from Nasdaq and the JSE” is incorporated herein by reference. |
| (c)(1)-(8) | Plans: The information set forth in the Circular under
the captions “—Part I—Summary Term Sheet;” “—Part III—Special Factors—Purpose, Reasons,
Alternatives and Effects;” “—Part IV—Letter to Shareholders—Selective Capital Reduction;” “—Part
IV—Letter to Shareholders—Intentions Relating to the Company and its Employees” and “Part IV—Letter to
Shareholders—Delisting from Nasdaq and the JSE” is incorporated herein by reference. |
| (d) | Subject Company Negotiations: Not applicable. |
Item 7. Purposes, Alternatives, Reasons and
Effects.
| (a) | Purposes: The information set forth in the Circular under the captions “—Part I—Summary
Term Sheet;” “—Part III—Special Factors—Purpose, Reasons, Alternatives and Effects;” “—Part
IV—Letter to Shareholders—Selective Capital Reduction;” “—Part IV—Letter to Shareholders—Rationale”
and “—Part IV—Letter to Shareholders—Delisting from Nasdaq and the JSE” is incorporated herein by reference. |
| (b) | Alternatives: The information set forth in the Circular under the captions “—Part III—Special
Factors—Past Contacts, Transactions, Negotiations and Agreements—Background of the Selective Capital Reduction” and
“—Part III—Special Factors—Purpose, Reasons, Alternatives and Effects—Purpose, Reasons and Alternatives”
is incorporated herein by reference. |
| (c) | Reasons: The information set forth in the Circular under the captions “—Part I—Summary
Term Sheet;” “—Part III—Special Factors—Purpose, Reasons, Alternatives and Effects;” “—Part
III—Special Factors—Fairness of the Selective Capital Reduction;” “—Part IV—Letter to Shareholders—Rationale;”
“—Part IV—Letter to Shareholders—Intentions Relating the Company and its Employees” and “—Part
IV—Letter to Shareholders—Delisting from Nasdaq and the JSE” is incorporated herein by reference. |
| (d) | Effects: The information set forth in the Circular under the captions “—Part I—Summary Term Sheet;”
“—Part III—Special Factors—Purpose, Reasons, Alternatives and Effects—Effects;” “—Part
III—Special Factors—Fairness of the Selective Capital Reduction;” “—Part IV—Letter to Shareholders—Rationale;”
“—Part IV—Letter to Shareholders—Intentions Relating to the Company and its Employees;” “—Part
IV—Letter to Shareholders—Delisting from Nasdaq and the JSE” and “—Part IV—Letter to Shareholders—Certain
Income Tax Consequences of the Selective Capital Reduction—Certain Material US Federal Income Tax Consequences” is incorporated
herein by reference. |
Item 8. Fairness of the Transaction.
| (a) | Fairness: The information set forth in the Circular under the captions “—Part I—Summary
Term Sheet;” “—Part III—Special Factors—Past Contacts, Transactions, Negotiations and Agreements—Background
of the Selective Capital Reduction;” “—Part III—Special Factors—Purpose, Reasons, Alternatives and Effect—Purpose,
Reasons and Alternatives;” “—Part III—Special Factors—Fairness of the Selective Capital Reduction;”
“—Part IV—Letter to Shareholders—Rationale;” “—Part IV—Letter to Shareholders—Abstentions”
and “—Part IV—Letter to Shareholders—Exemptions by the Securities Industry Council” is incorporated herein
by reference. |
| (b) | Factors Considered in Determining Fairness: The information
set forth in the Circular under the captions “—Part I—Summary Term Sheet;” “—Part III—Special
Factors—Purpose, Reasons, Alternatives and Effects;” “—Part III—Special Factors—Fairness of the Selective
Capital Reduction;” “—Part III—Special Factors—Reports, Opinions, Appraisals and Negotiations;” “—Part
IV—Letter to Shareholders—Selective Capital Reduction;” “—Part IV—Letter to Shareholders—Rationale;”
“—Part IV—Letter to Shareholders—Advice of the IFA to the Board (Other Than the Recused Directors);” “—Part
IV—Letter to Shareholders—Position of the Company as to Fairness; Recommendation of the Board (Other Than the Recused Directors)”
and “—Part IV—Letter to Shareholders—Delisting from the Nasdaq and the JSE” and in Appendix A of the Circular
is incorporated herein by reference. |
|
(c) |
Approval of Security Holders: The information set forth in the Circular under the captions “—Part I—Summary Term Sheet;” “—Part III—Special Factors—Purpose, Reasons, Alternatives and Effects;” “—Part III—Special Factors—Fairness of the Selective Capital Reduction—Factors Considered in Determining Fairness;” “—Part IV—Letter to Shareholders—Selective Capital Reduction” and “—Part IV—Letter to Shareholders—Shareholders’ and Court Approval” is incorporated herein by reference. |
| (d) | Unaffiliated Representative: The information set forth in the Circular under the caption “—Part
III—Special Factors—Fairness of the Selective Capital Reduction—Factors Considered in Determining Fairness” is
incorporated herein by reference. An unaffiliated representative was not retained solely to act on behalf of unaffiliated security holders
for purposes of negotiating the terms of the Selective Capital Reduction or preparing a report concerning the fairness of the Selective
Capital Reduction. |
|
(e) |
Approval of Directors: The information set forth in the Circular under the captions “—Part I—Summary Term Sheet;” “—Part III—Special Factors—Fairness of the Selective Capital Reduction—Position of the Company as to Fairness; Recommendation of the Board (Other Than the Recused Directors)” and “—Part IV—Letter to Shareholders—Position of the Company as to Fairness; Recommendation of the Board (Other Than the Recused Directors)” is incorporated herein by reference. |
| (f) | Other Offers: Not applicable. |
Item 9. Reports, Opinions, Appraisals and Negotiations.
| (a) | Report, Opinion or Appraisal: The information set forth in the Circular under the captions “—Part
I—Summary Term Sheet;” “—Part III—Special Factors—Past Contacts, Transactions, Negotiations and Agreements—Background
of the Selective Capital Reduction;” “—Part III—Special Factors—Fairness of the Selective Capital Reduction—Position
of the Company as to Fairness; Recommendation of the Board (Other Than the Recused Directors);” “—Part IV—Letter
to Shareholders—Advice of the IFA” and “—Part IV—Letter to Shareholders—Position of the Company as
to Fairness; Recommendation of the Board (Other Than the Recused Directors)” and in Appendix A of the Circular is incorporated herein
by reference. |
| (b) | Preparer and Summary of the Report, Opinion or Appraisal: The information set forth in the Circular
under the captions “—Part III—Special Factors—Reports, Opinions, Appraisals and Negotiations” and “—Part
IV—Letter to Shareholders—Advice of the IFA to the Board (Other Than the Recused Directors)” and in Appendix A of the
Circular is incorporated herein by reference. |
| (c) | Availability of Documents: The reports, opinions or appraisals referenced in this Item 9 will be
made available for inspection and copying at the principal executive offices of the Company during its regular business hours by any interested
Shareholder or representative of any such interested Shareholder who has been so designated in writing by such interested Shareholder. |
Item 10. Source and Amounts of Funds or Other
Consideration.
| (a) | Source of Funds: The information set forth in the Circular under the captions “—Part
I—Summary Term Sheet;” “—Part IV—Letter to Shareholders—Selective Capital Reduction” and “—Part
IV—Letter to Shareholders—Financial Resources—Funds for the Selective Capital Reduction” is incorporated herein
by reference. |
| (b) | Conditions: The information set forth in the Circular under the caption “—Part IV—Letter
to Shareholders—Financial Resources—Funds for the Selective Capital Reduction” is incorporated herein by reference. |
| (c) | Expenses: The information set forth in Appendix E of the Circular under the caption “—Costs
and Expenses” is incorporated herein by reference. |
| (d) | Borrowed Funds: Not applicable. |
Item 11. Interest in Securities of the Subject
Company.
| (a) | Securities Ownership: The information set forth in Appendix C of the Circular under the caption
“—Holdings of Company Securities” is incorporated herein by reference. |
| (b) | Securities Transactions: The information set forth in Appendix C of the Circular under the caption
“—Dealings in Company Securities” is incorporated herein by reference. |
Item 12. The Solicitation or Recommendation.
| (a) | Solicitation or Recommendation: Not applicable. |
| (b) | Reasons: Not applicable. |
| (c) | Intent to Tender: Not applicable. |
| (d)-(e) | Intent to Tender or Vote in a Going-Private Transaction; Recommendations
of Others: The information set forth in the Circular under the captions “—Part I—Summary Term Sheet;” “—Part
III—Special Factors—Fairness of the Selective Capital Reduction” and “—Part IV—Letter
to Shareholders—Position of the Company as to Fairness; Recommendation of the Board (Other Than the Recused Directors)” is
incorporated herein by reference. |
Item 13. Financial Statements.
| (a) | Financial Information: The information set forth in the audited financial statements of the Company
as of and for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022 is incorporated herein by reference to the Company’s
annual report on Form 20-F filed with the SEC on March 27, 2024 and March 23, 2023, respectively. The information set forth on the Form
6-K filed with the SEC on February 28, 2024 is incorporated herein by reference. |
| (b) | Pro Forma Information: Not applicable. |
Item 14. Persons/Assets Retained, Employed,
Compensated or Used.
| (a) | Solicitations or Recommendations: Not applicable. |
| (b) | Employees and Corporate Assets: Not applicable. |
Item 15. Additional Information.
| (c) | Other Material Information: The information contained in the Circular and the Exhibits referred
to in Item 16 below is incorporated herein by reference. |
Item 16. Exhibits.
Exhibit |
|
Number Description |
|
|
|
(a)(5)(i) |
|
Circular to Shareholders, including all appendices attached thereto, dated May 14, 2024. |
|
|
|
(a)(5)(ii) |
|
Announcement of Proposed Selective Capital Reduction issued by the Company, dated April 4, 2024 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1 to the Form 6-K filed with the SEC on April 4, 2024). |
|
|
|
(a)(5)(iii) |
|
Announcement of Despatch of Circular and Notice of Extraordinary General Meeting to Shareholders issued by the Company, dated May 14, 2024 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1 to the Form 6-K filed with the SEC on May 14, 2024). |
|
|
|
(a)(5)(iv) |
|
Announcement of Despatch of Circular to Shareholders issued by TMI,
dated May 14, 2024. |
|
|
|
(a)(5)(v) |
|
Notice of Extraordinary General Meeting of Shareholders to be held on June 20, 2024 (incorporated by reference to Appendix H to the Circular). |
|
|
|
(a)(5)(vi) |
|
Form of Proxy and Voting Instruction of the Extraordinary General Meeting (incorporated by reference to Appendix H to the Circular). |
|
|
|
(c)(i) |
|
Letter from CEL Investment Corporate Finance Pte. Ltd. to the Board of Directors (Other than the Recused Directors) of Grindrod Shipping Holdings Ltd., dated May 14, 2024 (incorporated by reference to Appendix A to the Circular). |
|
|
|
(c)(ii) |
|
Certificate of Valuation of Braemar Valuations Limited, dated March
21, 2024 (incorporated by reference to Appendix G to the Circular). |
|
|
|
(c)(iii) |
|
Valuation of Hartland Shipping Services Limited, dated January 10,
2024 (incorporated by reference to Appendix G to the Circular). |
|
|
|
(107) |
|
There is no filing fee required in connection with the Selective Capital
Reduction. |
SIGNATURE
After due inquiry and to the best of my knowledge and belief, I certify
that the information set forth in this statement is true, complete and correct.
Dated May 14, 2024
|
GRINDROD SHIPPING HOLDINGS LTD. |
|
|
|
|
By: |
/s/ Kurt Klemme |
|
Name: |
Dr. Kurt Klemme |
|
Title: |
Chairman |
|
|
|
|
TAYLOR MARITIME INVESTMENTS LIMITED |
|
|
|
|
By: |
/s/ Sandra Platts |
|
Name: |
Sandra Platts |
|
Title: |
Director |
|
|
|
|
GOOD FALKIRK (MI) LIMITED |
|
|
|
|
By: |
/s/ Sandra Platts |
|
Name: |
Sandra Platts |
|
Title: |
Duly authorized signatory for TMI Director 1 Limited, the sole director of Good Falkirk (MI) Limited |
CIRCULAR DATED 14 May 2024
THIS CIRCULAR IS IMPORTANT AND REQUIRES YOUR IMMEDIATE
ATTENTION.
If you are in any doubt in relation to the contents
of this Circular or as to the action you should take, you should consult your stockbroker, bank manager, accountant, solicitor, tax advisor
or other professional adviser immediately.
If you have sold or transferred all your shares in
the capital of Grindrod Shipping Holdings Ltd., you should immediately forward this Circular together with the Notice of Extraordinary
General Meeting and the accompanying Form of Proxy and Voting Instruction to the purchaser or transferee or to the bank, stockbroker or
other agent through whom the sale or transfer was effected for onward transmission to the purchaser or transferee.
THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED BY THIS
CIRCULAR HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE US SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR BY ANY US STATE SECURITIES
COMMISSION, OR THE SECURITIES INDUSTRY COUNCIL, NOR HAS THE SEC OR ANY US STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION OR THE SIC PASSED UPON THE
MERITS OR FAIRNESS OF THE TRANSACTIONS OR UPON THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS CIRCULAR. ANY
REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
![](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1725293/000157587224000529/gsh144_img01.jpg)
GRINDROD SHIPPING
HOLDINGS LTD.
(Registration No.: 201731497H)
(Incorporated in the Republic of Singapore)
(JSE Share Code: GSH)
(ISIN: SG9999019087)
CIRCULAR TO SHAREHOLDERS
in relation to
THE PROPOSED SELECTIVE CAPITAL REDUCTION OF US$14.25
IN CASH
FOR EACH SHARE CANCELLED
Independent Financial Adviser to the Board (other
than the Recused Directors) in respect of
the
Proposed Selective Capital Reduction
![](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1725293/000157587224000529/gsh144_img02.jpg)
CEL INVESTMENT CORPORATE FINANCE PTE. LTD.
(Registration No.: 201631484Z)
(Incorporated in the Republic of Singapore)
IMPORTANT DATES AND TIMES
Record date for the Extraordinary General Meeting |
|
Friday, 10 May 2024 at 18:00 Singapore Standard Time (12:00 South Africa Standard Time, 06:00 US Eastern Daylight Time) |
Last date and time for lodgement of Form of Proxy and Voting Instruction: |
|
Monday, 17 June 2024 at 18:00 Singapore Standard Time (12:00 South Africa Standard Time, 06:00 US Eastern Daylight Time) |
Date and time of Extraordinary General Meeting: |
|
Thursday, 20 June 2024 at 18:00 Singapore Standard Time (12:00 South Africa Standard Time, 06:00 US Eastern Daylight Time) |
Place of Extraordinary General Meeting: |
|
To be convened by electronic means |
Unless the context requires otherwise, capitalised
terms used in this Circular are defined under the “Definitions” section in this Circular.
A letter from CEL Investment Corporate Finance Pte.
Ltd., being the independent financial adviser to the Board (other than the Recused Directors), containing its advice to the Board (other
than the Recused Directors) in relation to the Selective Capital Reduction, is set forth in Section 10 of the Letter to Shareholders.
The actions to be taken by the Participating Shareholders
are set forth in the section entitled “Actions to be Taken by Shareholders” set forth at Section 16 of the Letter to Shareholders.
Notices convening the EGM to be held electronically
on 20 June 2024, at 18:00 Singapore Standard Time (12:00 South Africa Standard Time, 06:00 United States Eastern Daylight Time), are
set out in Appendix H of this Circular. Whether or not you are able to attend the EGM or any adjournment thereof, Participating Shareholders
are strongly urged to complete and sign the enclosed Form of Proxy and Voting Instruction set out in Appendix H of this Circular in respect
of the EGM, in accordance with the instructions printed thereon. In particular:
|
(i) |
Shareholders outside of South Africa are to submit the ”Form of Proxy and Voting Instruction” to (a) their respective broker, dealer, securities depository or other intermediary through which their interests are held or (b) Vote Processing c/o Broadridge at 51 Mercedes Way, Edgewood, NY 11717; or (c) via telephone voting at BROADRIDGE at +1-800-454-8683, or (d) via online voting at PROXYVOTE.COM, which requires the 16-digit Control Number printed on the Voting Instruction Form from Broadridge. |
|
(ii) |
Shareholders in South Africa are to submit the “Form of Proxy and Voting Instruction” to their brokers, dealers, securities depositories or other intermediary through which their interests are held in South Africa; and |
(iii) |
Shareholders whose name is reflected in the Company’s register of members are to submit the “Form of Proxy and Voting Instruction” to Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company by posting it to 1 State Street, 30th Floor, New York, NY 10004-1561 or by emailing it to proxy@continentalstock.com; |
as soon as possible but in any event not later than
the respective times and dates as stated under the section entitled “Actions to be Taken by Shareholders” set forth at Section
16 of the Letter to Shareholders. This Circular is issued by the Company.
Recommendation
of the Board (other than the Recused Directors)
☑ The
Board (other than the Recused Directors) recommends that the Participating Shareholders vote in favour of the special resolution approving
the Selective Capital Reduction at the EGM.
EXERCISE YOUR RIGHT TO VOTE
IF YOU ARE A PARTICIPATING SHAREHOLDER, THE COMPANY
STRONGLY ENCOURAGES YOU TO EXERCISE YOUR RIGHT TO VOTE BY PROXY AT THE EGM. IF YOU KEEP ANY SHARES IN A SHARE LENDING PROGRAMME, WE URGE
YOU TO RECALL ANY OUTSTANDING SHARES ON LOAN TO AVOID MARKET PARTICIPANTS USING BORROWED STOCK TO VOTE.
IF YOU ARE A PARTICIPATING SHAREHOLDER AND WITH
RESPECT TO ANY SHARES OF WHICH REMAIN WITH THEIR RELEVANT BROKER, DEALER, SECURITIES DEPOSITORY OR OTHER INTERMEDIARY, WE ENCOURAGE YOU
TO PROVIDE INSTRUCTIONS OR MAKE ARRANGEMENTS IN RELATION TO THE MANNER IN WHICH THOSE SHARES SHOULD BE VOTED AT THE EGM WITHOUT DELAY.
IF YOU ARE A REGISTERED OWNER HOLDING SHARES ON
BEHALF OF BENEFICIAL OWNERS, WE WOULD BE GRATEFUL IF YOU WOULD INFORM THE RELEVANT BENEFICIAL OWNERS ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF EXERCISING
THEIR VOTE.
IF YOU ARE IN ANY DOUBT AS TO THE ACTION TO BE
TAKEN, YOU ARE ENCOURAGED TO CONSULT YOUR LICENSED SECURITIES DEALER, BANK MANAGER, SOLICITOR, PROFESSIONAL ACCOUNTANT OR OTHER PROFESSIONAL
ADVISER.
The distribution of this Circular in jurisdictions
other than the Republic of Singapore, South Africa and the US may be restricted by law, and therefore persons who come into possession
of this Circular should inform themselves about and observe such restrictions. Any failure to comply with the restrictions may constitute
a violation of the securities laws of such jurisdictions.
This Circular does not constitute an offer to sell
or issue, or the solicitation of an offer to buy or subscribe shares in any jurisdiction in which such offer or solicitation is unlawful.
No person has been authorised to give any information
or to make any representation not contained in this Circular and, if given or made, such information or representation should not be relied
on as having been authorised by the Company, the IFA or any of their respective affiliates. The delivery of this Circular shall not imply
that there has been no change in the information set forth herein or in the affairs of the Company since the Latest Practicable Date,
or that the information contained herein is correct as of any time after its date or, where applicable, the Latest Practicable Date.
INFORMATION FOR US PARTICIPATING SHAREHOLDERS
The Selective Capital Reduction is being made in relation
to securities of the Company, a company incorporated in the Republic of Singapore, the Shares of which are listed on the JSE and Nasdaq.
While the Selective Capital Reduction is subject to each of South Africa’s, the Republic of Singapore’s and the US’
disclosure requirements, US investors should be aware that this Circular has been prepared in accordance with a format and style in accordance
with the Republic of Singapore, which may differ from the US format and style. The financial information relating to the Company included
in this Circular has been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting
Standards Board, or IFRS. The financial information may not be wholly comparable to financial information of US companies or companies
whose financial statements are prepared in accordance with US GAAP. In addition, the settlement procedure with respect to the Selective
Capital Reduction will comply with the rules of the Companies Act, as amended, which differ from US domestic settlement procedures in
certain material respects, particularly with regard to the date of payment of consideration.
The Selective Capital Reduction is a “going
private transaction” for purposes of Rule 13e-3 under the Exchange Act, which governs going private transactions by certain issuers
and affiliates. Therefore, this Circular contains disclosures complying with the requirements of Rule 13e-3 and Schedule 13E-3. TMI, GF,
and the Company have jointly filed a Schedule 13E-3 with the SEC that incorporates this Circular by reference. The disclosure requirements
mandated by Rule 13e-3 contain important information. Participating Shareholders are urged to read this Circular and the Schedule 13E-3
carefully before casting any vote at (or providing any voting instructions or proxy in respect of) the EGM.
This Circular will be dispatched to the Participating
Shareholders, subject to applicable legal and regulatory requirements of the relevant jurisdiction in which the Participating Shareholders
are located. You should be aware that the Company is incorporated under the laws of the Republic of Singapore, and some or all of the
officers and directors of the Company are residents of countries other than the US. In addition, most or all of the assets of the Company
are located outside the US.
WARNING REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This Circular contains forward-looking statements.
These forward-looking statements, including, among others, those relating to the Company’s future business prospects, revenue and
income, are necessarily estimates and involve a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially
from those suggested by the forward-looking statements. Accordingly, these forward-looking statements should be considered in light of
various important factors, including those set forth in detail in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended 31
December 2023 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on 27 March 2023 (US Eastern Daylight Time) and summarised below.
Important factors that could cause actual results
to differ materially from estimates or projections contained in the forward-looking statements include, without limitation:
|
· |
the Company’s future operating or financial results; |
|
· |
the strength of world economies, including, in particular, in China and the rest of the Asia-Pacific region; |
|
· |
cyclicality of the drybulk industry, including general drybulk shipping market conditions and trends, including fluctuations in charter hire rates and vessel values; |
|
· |
changes in supply and demand in the drybulk shipping industry, including the market for the Company’s vessels; |
|
· |
changes in the value of the Company’s vessels; |
|
· |
changes in the Company’s business strategy and expected capital spending or operating expenses, including drydocking, surveys, upgrades and insurance costs; |
|
· |
competition within the drybulk industry; |
|
· |
seasonal fluctuations within the drybulk industry; |
|
· |
the Company’s ability to employ the Company’s vessels in the spot market and the Company’s ability to enter into time charters after the Company’s current charters expire; |
|
· |
general economic conditions and conditions in the coal industry; |
|
· |
the Company’s ability to satisfy the technical, health, safety and compliance standards of the Company’s customers; |
|
· |
the failure of counterparties to the Company’s contracts to fully perform their obligations with the Company; |
|
· |
the Company’s ability to execute the Company’s growth strategy; |
|
· |
international political conditions, including additional tariffs imposed by China and the US; |
|
· |
potential disruption of shipping routes due to weather, accidents, political events, natural disasters or other catastrophic events; |
|
· |
vessel breakdowns; |
|
· |
corruption, piracy, military conflicts, political instability and terrorism in locations where we may operate, including the conflict between Russia and Ukraine; |
|
· |
fluctuations in interest rates and foreign exchange rates and changes in the method pursuant to which the Secured Overnight Financing Rate and other benchmark rates are determined; |
|
· |
changes in the costs associated with owning and operating the Company’s vessels; |
|
· |
changes in, and the Company’s compliance with, governmental, tax, environmental, health and safety regulations; |
|
· |
potential liability from pending or future litigation; |
|
· |
the Company’s ability to procure or have access to financing, the Company’s liquidity and the adequacy of cash flows for the Company’s operations; |
|
· |
the continued borrowing availability under the Company’s debt agreements and compliance with the covenants contained therein; |
|
· |
the Company’s ability to fund future capital expenditures and investments in the construction, acquisition and refurbishment of the Company’s vessels; |
|
· |
the Company’s dependence on key personnel; |
|
· |
the Company’s expectations regarding the availability of vessel acquisitions and the Company’s ability to buy and sell vessels and to charter-in vessels as planned or at prices we deem satisfactory; |
|
· |
adequacy of the Company’s insurance coverage; |
|
· |
effects of new technological innovation and advances in vessel design; |
|
· |
the effects of any outbreaks of epidemic or pandemic diseases, and governmental responses thereto on the Company’s operations and the demand and trading patterns for the drybulk markets, and the duration of these effects; and |
|
· |
the other risks associated with the Company’s industry, business and Shares. |
The Company directs readers to its Annual Report on
Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023, and the other documents it files with the SEC for other risks associated with
the Company’s future performance. These documents contain and identify important factors that could cause the Company’s actual
results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements.
All information in this Circular statement is as of
the date hereof. The Company undertakes no duty to update any forward-looking statement whether as a result of new information, future
events or otherwise, except as required by applicable law.
|
|
Page |
|
|
|
DEFINITIONS |
vii |
PART I — SUMMARY TERM SHEET |
ST-1 |
PART II — INDICATIVE TIMETABLE |
IT-1 |
PART III — SPECIAL FACTORS |
SP-1 |
1 |
Past Contacts, Transactions, Negotiations and Agreements |
SP-1 |
2 |
Purpose, Reasons, Alternatives and Effects |
SP-3 |
3 |
Fairness of the Selective Capital Reduction |
SP-4 |
4 |
Reports, Opinions, Appraisals and Negotiations |
SP-8 |
PART IV — LETTER TO SHAREHOLDERS |
1 |
1 |
INTRODUCTION |
1 |
2 |
SELECTIVE CAPITAL REDUCTION |
1 |
3 |
FINANCIAL RESOURCES |
3 |
4 |
RATIONALE |
3 |
5 |
INTENTIONS RELATING TO THE COMPANY AND ITS EMPLOYEES |
4 |
6 |
NON-PARTICIPATING SHAREHOLDERS: DISCLOSURE OF SHAREHOLDINGS, DEALINGS AND OTHER ARRANGEMENTS |
5 |
7 |
SHAREHOLDERS' AND COURT APPROVAL |
6 |
8 |
ABSTENTIONS |
6 |
9 |
EXEMPTIONS BY THE SECURITIES INDUSTRY COUNCIL |
6 |
10 |
ADVICE OF THE IFA TO THE BOARD (OTHER THAN THE RECUSED DIRECTORS) |
7 |
11 |
POSITION OF THE COMPANY AS TO FAIRNESS; RECOMMENDATION OF THE BOARD (OTHER THAN THE RECUSED DIRECTORS) |
7 |
12 |
DELISTING FROM NASDAQ AND THE JSE |
8 |
13 |
CERTAIN INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES OF THE SELECTIVE CAPITAL REDUCTION |
8 |
14 |
PERSONS/ASSETS RETAINED, EMPLOYED, COMPENSATED OR USED |
11 |
15 |
EXTRAORDINARY GENERAL MEETING |
11 |
16 |
ACTIONS TO BE TAKEN BY SHAREHOLDERS |
12 |
17 |
ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES |
12 |
18 |
DIRECTORS’ RESPONSIBILITY STATEMENT |
13 |
19 |
AVAILABLE INFORMATION STATEMENT |
13 |
20 |
DOCUMENTS FOR INSPECTION |
13 |
APPENDIX A – IFA LETTER |
A-1 |
APPENDIX B – ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON THE NON-PARTICIPATING SHAREHOLDERS |
B-1 |
PART A - TAYLOR MARITIME
INVESTMENTS LIMITED |
B-1 |
1 |
DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS |
B-1 |
2 |
REGISTERED OFFICE |
B-3 |
3 |
PRINCIPAL ACTIVITIES |
B-3 |
4 |
SHARES |
B-3 |
5 |
FINANCIAL INFORMATION |
B-3 |
6 |
MATERIAL CHANGES IN FINANCIAL POSITION OR PROSPECTS OF TMI |
B-7 |
7 |
MATERIAL CHANGES IN FINANCIAL POSITION OR PROSPECTS OF THE GROUP |
B-7 |
8 |
RESPONSIBILITY STATEMENT |
B-7 |
PART B - GOOD FALKIRK
(MI) LIMITED |
B-8 |
1 |
DIRECTOR |
B-8 |
2 |
REGISTERED OFFICE |
B-8 |
3 |
PRINCIPAL ACTIVITIES |
B-8 |
4 |
SHARES |
B-8 |
5 |
FINANCIAL INFORMATION |
B-8 |
6 |
MATERIAL CHANGES IN FINANCIAL POSITION OR PROSPECTS OF GF |
B-9 |
7 |
MATERIAL CHANGES IN FINANCIAL POSITION OR PROSPECTS OF THE GROUP |
B-9 |
8 |
RESPONSIBILITY STATEMENT |
B-10 |
APPENDIX C – DISCLOSURES OF HOLDINGS AND DEALINGS IN COMPANY SECURITIES |
C-1 |
1 |
HOLDINGS OF COMPANY SECURITIES |
C-1 |
2 |
DEALINGS IN COMPANY SECURITIES |
C-1 |
APPENDIX D – GENERAL INFORMATION ON THE NON-PARTICIPATING SHAREHOLDERS |
D-1 |
1 |
DISCLOSURE OF INTERESTS – THE NON-PARTICIPATING SHAREHOLDERS |
D-1 |
APPENDIX E – ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON THE COMPANY |
E-1 |
1 |
DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS |
E-1 |
2 |
PRINCIPAL ACTIVITY |
E-3 |
3 |
REGISTERED OFFICE |
E-3 |
4 |
SHARE CAPITAL |
E-3 |
5 |
DISCLOSURE OF INTERESTS |
E-4 |
6 |
OTHER DISCLOSURES AND ARRANGEMENTS AFFECTING DIRECTORS |
E-5 |
7 |
FINANCIAL INFORMATION |
E-6 |
8 |
MATERIAL CHANGES IN FINANCIAL POSITION OR PROSPECTS OF THE GROUP |
E-7 |
9 |
MATERIAL CHANGE IN INFORMATION |
E-7 |
10 |
MATERIAL CONTRACTS WITH INTERESTED PERSONS |
E-7 |
11 |
MATERIAL LITIGATION |
E-7 |
12 |
Prior Public Offerings |
E-7 |
13 |
VALUATION REPORTs |
E-8 |
14 |
MARKET QUOTATIONS |
E-9 |
15 |
Costs and Expenses |
E-10 |
16 |
GENERAL |
E-10 |
APPENDIX F – EXTRACTS FROM THE COMPANY’S CONSTITUTION |
F-1 |
APPENDIX G – VALUATION REPORTS |
G-1 |
Appendix H – Notice of EGM |
H-1 |
In this Circular, the following definitions apply
throughout unless otherwise stated:
“Acquisition” |
: |
Has the meaning
ascribed to it at page SP-2 of the Special Factors |
|
|
|
“Acting in Concert” |
: |
Shall have the meaning
ascribed to it in the Code |
|
|
|
“Announcement” |
: |
The announcement of the
Selective Capital Reduction on the Announcement Date, published by the Company through the SENS electronic platform of the JSE and
the electronic platform of Nasdaq |
|
|
|
“Announcement Date” |
: |
4 April 2024 (US
Eastern Daylight Time), being the date of the Announcement |
|
|
|
“Beneficial Shareholders” |
: |
Persons or entities holding
their interests in the Company’s Shares as, or through, a participant in the Depository Trust Company, or DTC, in book entry
form at a broker, dealer, securities depository or other intermediary and who are reflected in the books of such intermediary; also
commonly referred to in the United States as “street name holders” |
|
|
|
“Board” |
: |
The board of Directors
of the Company |
|
|
|
“Braemar” |
: |
Braemar Valuations Limited |
|
|
|
“Business Days” |
: |
A day other than a Saturday,
Sunday or gazetted public holiday on which commercial banks are open for business in Singapore |
|
|
|
“Cash Distribution” |
: |
Has the meaning ascribed
to it in paragraph 2.1 of the Letter |
|
|
|
“Circular” |
: |
This
Circular dated 14 May 2024 (US Eastern Daylight Time)
to Shareholders |
|
|
|
“Code” |
: |
The Singapore Code on Take-overs
and Mergers |
|
|
|
“Companies Act” |
: |
The Companies Act 1967
of Singapore |
|
|
|
“Company” |
: |
Grindrod Shipping Holdings
Ltd. |
|
|
|
“Company Securities” |
: |
Collectively, any (a) Shares;
(b) securities which carry voting rights in the Company; or (c) convertible securities, warrants, options or derivatives in respect
of any Shares or securities which carry voting rights in the Company |
|
|
|
“Company Website” |
: |
https://www.grinshipping.com/Content/EventsPresentationsAndNotices |
|
|
|
“Compulsory Acquisition” |
: |
Has the meaning ascribed
to it at page SP-1 of the Special Factors |
|
|
|
“Conditions” |
: |
Has the meaning ascribed
to it in paragraph 2.5 of the Letter |
|
|
|
“Council” or “SIC” |
: |
The Securities Industry
Council |
|
|
|
“Court” |
: |
The High Court of the Republic
of Singapore |
|
|
|
“Court Order” |
: |
Has the meaning ascribed
to it in paragraph 2.5(c) of the Letter |
|
|
|
“Directors” |
: |
The directors of the Company
as at the Latest Practicable Date |
|
|
|
“Disclosure Date” |
: |
28 March 2024
(US Eastern Daylight Time), being the last practicable full day of trading in the Shares
on each of Nasdaq and the JSE respectively preceding the Announcement Date |
|
|
|
“Effective Date” |
: |
The date on
which the Selective Capital Reduction shall take effect by lodging with the Registrar the Court Order, together with the other documents
prescribed under the Companies Act |
|
|
|
“EGM” |
: |
The extraordinary general
meeting of the Company, notice of which is given on page H-1 of this Circular |
|
|
|
“Exchange Act” |
: |
The US Securities Exchange
Act of 1934, as amended |
|
|
|
“Financial Adviser” |
: |
ZICO Capital Pte. Ltd. |
“FP2024” |
: |
The financial six-month period ended 30 September 2023 |
|
|
|
“FY” |
: |
The financial year ended 31 March or 31 December of the relevant year (as the case may be) |
|
|
|
“FY2021 Results” |
: |
The Group’s audited consolidated financial statements for FY2021, as contained in the annual report of the Company announced by the Company on 25 March 2022 (US Eastern Daylight Time) |
|
|
|
“FY2022 Results” |
: |
The Group’s audited consolidated financial statements for FY2022, as contained in the annual report of the Company announced by the Company on 23 March 2023 (US Eastern Daylight Time) |
|
|
|
“FY2023 Results” |
: |
The Group’s audited consolidated financial statements for FY2023, as contained in the annual report of the Company, announced by the Company on 27 March 2024 (US Eastern Daylight Time) |
|
|
|
“GF” |
: |
Good Falkirk (MI) Limited |
|
|
|
“Group” |
: |
The Company and its Subsidiaries as at the date of this Circular, and “Group Company” shall mean any one of such companies |
|
|
|
“Hartland” |
: |
Hartland Shipping Services Limited |
|
|
|
“IFA” |
: |
CEL Investment Corporate Finance Pte. Ltd. |
|
|
|
“IFA Letter” |
: |
Letter
dated 14 May 2024 from the IFA addressed to the Board (other than the Recused Directors)
in respect of the Selective Capital Reduction as set forth in Appendix A hereto |
|
|
|
“IFRS” |
: |
International Financial Reporting Standards |
|
|
|
|
“Interested Person” |
: |
As defined in the Note on Rule 24.6 of the Code and read with the Note on Rule 23.12 of the Code, an interested person is: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(a) |
a director, chief executive officer, or substantial shareholder of the company; |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(b) |
the immediate family of a director, the chief executive officer, or a substantial shareholder (being an individual) of the company; |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(c) |
the trustees, acting in their capacity as such trustees, of any trust of which a director, the chief executive officer or a substantial shareholder (being an individual) and his immediate family is a beneficiary; |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(d) |
any company in which a director, the chief executive officer or a substantial shareholder (being an individual) together and his immediate family together (directly or indirectly) have an interest of 30% or more; |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(e) |
any company that is the Subsidiary, holding company or fellow Subsidiary of the substantial shareholder (being a company); or |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(f) |
any company in which a substantial shareholder (being a company) and any of the companies listed in (e) above together (directly or indirectly) have an interest of 30% or more |
|
|
|
|
“International Shareholders” |
: |
Beneficial Shareholders, other than South African Shareholders |
|
|
|
|
“IRS” |
: |
The United States Internal Revenue Service |
|
|
|
|
“IRS Code” |
: |
The United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended |
|
|
|
|
“JSE” |
: |
The Johannesburg Stock Exchange in South Africa |
|
|
|
|
“JSE Business Days” |
: |
Any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or any other day on which the JSE is closed |
|
|
|
|
“Latest Practicable Date” |
: |
The latest practicable date prior to the printing of this Circular, being 6 May 2024 (US Eastern Daylight Time) |
|
|
|
|
“Letter” |
: |
The letter to Shareholders as set forth in this Circular |
“List” |
: |
The list maintained by the JSE of securities admitted to listing |
|
|
|
|
“LTIP” |
: |
Has the meaning ascribed to it in paragraph 5.2(a) of Appendix E |
|
|
|
|
“Nasdaq” |
: |
The Nasdaq Global Select Market in the United States |
|
|
|
|
“Non-Participating Shareholders” |
: |
Has the meaning ascribed to it in paragraph 1.1 of the Letter |
|
|
|
“Non-Participating Shareholder Securities” |
: |
Collectively:
|
|
|
(a) |
shares in the capital of TMI or GF; |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(b) |
securities which carry voting rights in TMI or GF; and |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(c) |
convertible securities, warrants, options or derivatives in respect of any shares in the capital of TMI or GF or securities which carry voting rights in TMI or GF |
|
|
|
|
“Non-US Holders” |
: |
A beneficial owner of Participating Shares that is not a US Holder and not a partnership for US federal income tax purposes |
|
|
|
|
“Participating Shareholders” |
: |
Shareholders other than GF |
|
|
|
|
“Participating Shares” |
: |
The 3,479,225 Shares held by the Participating Shareholders to be cancelled pursuant to the Selective Capital Reduction |
|
|
|
|
“PFIC” |
: |
Passive foreign investment company |
|
|
|
|
“Potential Tax Liabilities” |
: |
The estimated potential tax liabilities that may be incurred by the Group on the hypothetical disposal of its assets on an “as is” basis |
|
|
|
|
“Qualifying Creditor” |
: |
A creditor of the Company who, at a date fixed by the Court, is entitled to any debt or claim which, if that date were the commencement of the winding up of the Company, would be admissible in proof against the Company |
|
|
|
|
“Recused Directors” |
: |
Mr. Edward David Christopher Buttery (Executive Director) and Mr. Paul Charles Over (Non-Executive Director) |
|
|
|
|
“Reference Period” |
: |
The period commencing three months prior to the Announcement Date and ending on the Latest Practicable Date |
|
|
|
|
“Registrar” |
: |
The Registrar of Companies of Singapore |
|
|
|
|
“Related Corporation” |
: |
Shall have the meaning ascribed to it in Section 6 of the Companies Act |
|
|
|
|
“Sale and Purchase Agreements” |
: |
Has the meaning ascribed to it at page SP-2 of the Special Factors |
|
|
|
|
“SA” or “South Africa” |
: |
The Republic of South Africa |
|
|
|
|
“SA Cash Distribution” |
: |
Has the meaning ascribed to it at page ST-3 of the Summary Term Sheet |
|
|
|
|
“SA Participating Shareholders” |
: |
Has the meaning ascribed to it at page ST-3 of the Summary Term Sheet |
|
|
|
|
“SA ITA” |
: |
Has the meaning ascribed to it at page ST-3 of the Summary Term Sheet |
|
|
|
|
“SARB” |
: |
The Financial Surveillance Department of the South African Reserve Bank |
|
|
|
|
“SA STT” |
: |
Has the meaning ascribed to it in paragraph 13.2 of the Letter |
|
|
|
|
“SA STT Act” |
: |
Has the meaning ascribed to it in paragraph 13.2 of the Letter |
“SEC” |
: |
The United States Securities and Exchange Commission |
|
|
|
“Securities Account” |
: |
Securities accounts maintained by depositors with a relevant securities depository |
|
|
|
“Securities and Futures Act” |
: |
The Securities and Futures Act 2001 of Singapore |
“Selective Capital Reduction” |
: |
The proposed selective capital reduction of the Company pursuant to Section 78G of the Companies Act, as detailed in paragraph 2 of the Letter |
|
|
|
|
“Shareholders” |
: |
Shareholders of the Company |
|
|
|
|
“Shareholders of Record” |
: |
A person or entity whose name is reflected in the Company’s register of members, and who is not necessarily a Beneficial Shareholder |
|
|
|
|
“Shares” |
: |
The issued ordinary shares in the capital of the Company |
|
|
|
|
“South African Shareholders” |
: |
Beneficial Shareholders whose interests are reflected on the South African administrative depository register (in general terms, this reflects the shareholders who trade on the JSE) |
|
|
|
|
“STIP” |
: |
Has the meaning ascribed to it in paragraph 5.2(a) of Appendix E |
|
|
|
|
“Subsidiary” |
: |
Shall have the meaning ascribed to it in Section 5 of the Companies Act |
|
|
|
|
“Substantial Shareholder” |
|
Shall have the meaning ascribed to it in Section 81 of the Companies Act |
|
|
|
|
“Temeraire” |
: |
Temeraire Holding (MI) Limited, a company incorporated in the Republic of the Marshall Islands |
|
|
|
“TMG” |
: |
Taylor Maritime Group Limited, a company incorporated in the Republic of the Marshall Islands |
|
|
|
|
“TMI” |
: |
Taylor Maritime Investments Limited |
|
|
|
|
“TMI Group” |
: |
TMI and its four wholly owned Subsidiaries, namely, TMI Advisors (UK) Limited, TMI Advisor Pte. Limited, TMI Management (HK) Limited and TMI Director 1 Limited |
|
|
|
|
“TMI Financial Statements” |
: |
Has the meaning ascribed to it in paragraph 5.1 of Appendix B |
|
|
|
|
“US” or “United States” |
: |
The United States of America |
“US Holders” |
: |
A Beneficial Shareholder that is, for US federal income tax purposes: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(a) |
a citizen or resident of the United States; |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(b) |
a corporation, or other entity treated as a corporation for US federal income tax purposes, created or organised in or under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia; |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(c) |
an estate the income of which is subject to US federal income taxation regardless of its source; or |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(d) |
a trust (A) the administration of which is subject to the primary supervision of a United States court and which has one or more “United States persons” (within the meaning of the IRS Code) who have the authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust, or (B) that was in existence on August 20, 1996, was treated as a United States person on the previous day, and elected to continue to be so treated |
|
|
|
|
“US$” |
: |
The lawful currency for the time being of the United States |
|
|
|
|
“Valuation Certificates” |
: |
Has the meaning ascribed to it at paragraph 13.1 of Appendix E |
|
|
|
|
“Valuers” |
: |
Braemar and Hartland collectively |
|
|
|
|
“Vessels” |
: |
Has the meaning ascribed to it at paragraph 13.1 of Appendix E |
|
|
|
|
“VGO” |
: |
The voluntary conditional cash offer made by GF for all the Shares (other than Shares held by GF and Shares held in treasury) on 28 October 2022 (US Eastern Daylight Time) |
|
|
|
|
“VWAP” |
: |
Volume-weighted average price |
|
|
|
|
“ZAR” |
: |
The lawful currency for the time being of South Africa |
|
|
|
|
“%” or “per cent.” |
: |
Per centum or percentage |
“30-day VWAP Period” |
: |
Has the meaning ascribed to it in paragraph 4.2(b) of the Letter |
|
|
|
|
“60-day VWAP Period” |
: |
Has the meaning ascribed to it in paragraph 4.2(b) of the Letter |
|
|
|
|
“90-day VWAP Period” |
: |
Has the meaning ascribed to it in paragraph 4.2(b) of the Letter |
|
|
|
|
“180-day VWAP Period” |
: |
Has the meaning ascribed to it in paragraph 4.2(b) of the Letter |
Unless the context otherwise requires:
| (i) | words
importing the singular shall, where applicable, include the plural and vice versa. Words importing a single gender shall, where
applicable, include any or all genders. References to persons shall, where applicable, include individuals, corporate bodies (wherever
incorporated), unincorporated associations and partnerships; |
| (ii) | any
reference in this Circular to any enactment is a reference to that enactment as for the time being amended or re-enacted. Any word defined
under the Companies Act, the Securities and Futures Act, the Code or any modification thereof and not otherwise defined in this Circular
shall, where applicable, have the same meaning assigned to it under the Companies Act, the Securities and Futures Act, the Code or any
modification thereof, as the case may be, unless the context otherwise requires; |
| (iii) | any
reference to a date or time of day in this Circular is made by reference to Singapore time unless otherwise stated; |
| (iv) | any
discrepancies between the figures listed and the totals thereof are due to rounding. Accordingly, figures shown as totals in this Circular
may not be an arithmetic aggregation of the figures that precede them; |
| (v) | the
headings in this Circular are inserted for convenience only and shall be ignored in construing this Circular; and |
| (vi) | in
this Circular, the total number of Shares is a reference to a total of 19,685,590 Shares, as at the Latest Practicable Date, unless the
context otherwise requires. As at the Latest Practicable Date, the Company does not hold any Shares in treasury. Unless otherwise specified,
all references to a percentage shareholding in the capital of the Company in this Circular are based on 19,685,590 Shares, as at the
Latest Practicable Date. |
PART I — SUMMARY TERM SHEET |
Summary Term Sheet
The Company, which is incorporated
under the laws of the Republic of Singapore, is proposing to cancel the Shares held by the Shareholders other than Shares held by GF.
The EGM has been convened at the direction of the Board at which the Participating Shareholders will be asked to consider and vote on
the special resolution relating to the Selective Capital Reduction.
This
summary term sheet highlights important information contained in this Circular, but it is intended to be an overview only and may not
contain all of the information that is important to you. You should carefully read this Circular and the accompanying Form
of Proxy and Voting Instruction in their entirety because the information in this summary term sheet is not complete and additional
important information is contained in the remainder of this Circular and the accompanying Form of Proxy and Voting Instruction.
What is the Selective
Capital Reduction?
|
· |
The Selective Capital Reduction is a proposal by the Company involving the cancellation of all of the Shares held by the Participating Shareholders, comprising 3,479,225 Participating Shares, resulting in a reduction of the issued share capital of the Company. |
|
· |
The purpose of the Selective Capital Reduction is to reduce the Company’s costs and expenses associated with its listing on Nasdaq and the JSE and to provide the Participating Shareholders with an opportunity to receive the Cash Distribution in cash at an attractive premium over the historical market prices of the Shares. As a result of the Selective Capital Reduction, GF will own 100% of the Shares. |
Who is participating in
the Selective Capital Reduction?
|
· |
Each Participating Shareholder will have the opportunity to participate in and vote on the special resolution relating to the Selective Capital Reduction at the EGM. GF, who holds 82.33% of the issued share capital of the Company, will not participate in the Selective Capital Reduction. The Non-Participating Shareholders and the parties Acting in Concert with them will abstain from voting on the special resolution relating to the Selective Capital Reduction. |
What is the number of
Shares sought to be reduced in the Selective Capital Reduction?
|
· |
The Company is seeking to reduce its issued share capital from US$290,193,001 comprising 19,685,590 Shares to US$240,614,044 comprising 16,206,365 Shares, representing a reduction of the total number of issued Shares by approximately 17.67%. |
What will I receive in
the Selective Capital Reduction and when will I receive it?
|
· |
The Participating Shareholders as at the Effective Date (for holders of Shares listed on Nasdaq) will be entitled to receive the Cash Distribution of US$14.25 in cash for each Participating Share cancelled as a result of the Selective Capital Reduction, representing an attractive premium of 56.8% to the 180-day VWAP Period. |
|
· |
The Participating Shareholders as at the Effective Date (for holders of Shares listed on the JSE) will be entitled to receive the Cash Distribution in an equivalent amount in ZAR in cash for each Participating Share cancelled as a result of the Selective Capital Reduction, representing an attractive premium of 55.4% to the 180-day VWAP Period. |
|
· |
The Participating Shareholders will receive the Cash Distribution no later than seven (7) Business Days after the Effective Date. The Company’s transfer agent, Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, will distribute the Cash Distribution to Shareholders located in the United States and outside of South Africa and the Company’s South African Administrative Depository Agent, Computershare Investor Services (Pty) Ltd, will distribute the Cash Distribution to the Company’s Shareholders located in South Africa. |
Will any Shareholders
abstain from voting on the special resolution relating to the Selective Capital Reduction?
|
· |
Yes. The Non-Participating Shareholders and parties Acting in Concert with them will abstain from voting on the special resolution relating to the Selective Capital Reduction. |
Are
there conditions to the Selective Capital Reduction?
|
· |
Yes. The Selective Capital Reduction, will not be effective unless the following conditions have been satisfied: |
|
○ |
the Company obtaining the Shareholders’ approval by way of a special resolution at the EGM to be convened to approve the Selective Capital Reduction pursuant to Section 78G of the Companies Act; |
|
○ |
the Court granting the Court Order and such Court Order becoming final; and |
|
○ |
the lodgement of the Court Order (and such other documents as prescribed by Section 78I(3) of the Companies Act) with the Registrar within 90 days beginning with the date the Court Order is made, or within such longer period as the Registrar may allow. |
PART I — SUMMARY TERM SHEET |
Why is the Selective Capital
Reduction being proposed?
|
· |
The Selective Capital Reduction will provide the Participating Shareholders with an immediate and certain exit opportunity to realise their investment at an attractive premium over the historical market prices of the Shares. It will also, following the delisting of the Company from Nasdaq and the JSE and the deregistering of Shares under the Exchange Act, allow the Company to eliminate the costs and expenses associated with being a publicly listed company and will allow the Company to redirect its resources and funds among the Company’s business operations. |
When
do you expect the Selective Capital Reduction to become effective?
|
· |
Assuming that (a) the Selective Capital Reduction is approved by the Shareholders at the EGM, (b) the Selective Capital Reduction is approved by the Court pursuant to the grant of the Court Order and such Court Order having become final, and (c) the Court Order is lodged with the Registrar within the applicable period, it is currently expected that the Selective Capital Reduction will become effective on or around 23 August 2024 (being the expected Effective Date). The Effective Date will be announced by the Company following the Company’s receipt of the Court Order. |
How does the Cash Distribution compare with recent
prices of the Shares?
|
· |
The Cash Distribution will provide the Participating Shareholders with attractive premia over historical market prices of Shares as set forth in the section captioned “Letter to Shareholders—Rationale—Certainty of a Premium.” |
What is the position of
the Board (other than the Recused Directors) with respect to the Selective Capital Reduction?
|
· |
The Board (other than the Recused Directors) considered the terms of the Selective Capital Reduction and consulted with and considered the advice of the Company’s senior management and legal advisers, and advice provided by the IFA in the IFA Letter, in respect of the Selective Capital Reduction, and unanimously (a) determined that the Selective Capital Reduction is both substantively and procedurally fair to the Participating Shareholders, (b) determined that the Selective Capital Reduction is in the interests of the Company, (c) approved the Selective Capital Reduction and the performance by the Company of its obligations thereunder upon the terms and subject to the conditions contained herein, and (d) resolved to recommend that the Participating Shareholders vote in favour of the special resolution approving the Selective Capital Reduction at the EGM. In coming to this conclusion, the Board (other than the Recused Directors) considered the factors summarised in the section captioned “—Special Factors—Factors Considered in Determining Fairness.” |
☑
The Board (other
than the Recused Directors) recommends that the Participating Shareholders vote in favour of the special resolution approving the
Selective Capital Reduction at the EGM.
Is any director abstaining
from making a recommendation on the Selective Capital Reduction?
|
· |
Yes. Each of Mr. Edward David Christopher Buttery and Mr. Paul Charles Over will be abstaining from making a recommendation on the Selective Capital Reduction. Mr. Edward David Christopher Buttery is the Chief Executive Officer and executive director of each of the Company and TMI. Mr. Paul Charles Over, a non-executive director of the Company, was, on 17 February 2022, nominated to the board of the Company by TMI following GF’s acquisition of approximately 26% of the Shares. Each of Mr. Edward David Christopher Buttery and Mr. Paul Over would face irreconcilable conflicts of interest in connection with their respective relationships with TMI, and the SIC has ruled that each of them will be exempt from making a recommendation on the Selective Capital Reduction to the Participating Shareholders. |
What is the advice of
the Independent Financial Adviser with respect to the Selective Capital Reduction?
|
· |
The Company has appointed the IFA to act as the independent financial adviser to the Board (other than the Recused Directors) to advise the Board (other than the Recused Directors) in respect of the Selective Capital Reduction in compliance with the Code. The IFA has advised the Board (other than the Recused Directors) that on balance, subject to the various considerations set forth in the IFA Letter, the financial terms of the Selective Capital Reduction are fair and reasonable. Accordingly, the IFA has advised the Board (other than the Recused Directors) to recommend that the Participating Shareholders vote in favour of the Selective Capital Reduction unless Shareholders are able to obtain a price higher than the Cash Distribution on the open market, after taking into account the brokerage and related costs in connection with open market transactions. For more information see the section captioned “Letter to Shareholders—Advice of the IFA to the Board (other than the Recused Directors)—Advice of the IFA” and the full text of the IFA Letter as set forth in Appendix A hereto. |
Has the Company
received an irrevocable undertaking from a Shareholder with respect to the Selective Capital Reduction?
|
· |
No. No Shareholder has provided the Company with any irrevocable undertaking to vote in favour of the Selective Capital Reduction. |
PART I — SUMMARY TERM SHEET |
Will
I need to pay any fees, costs or commissions?
|
· |
You will not incur any brokerage fees, costs or commissions if you are the Shareholder of Record (i.e., your name is reflected in the Company’s register of members or you have a share certificate representing Shares have been issued to you). If you are a Beneficial Shareholder, you may be charged a fee for your dealer’s, securities depository’s or other intermediary’s services in connection with the Selective Capital Reduction. |
Is there an agreement
governing the Selective Capital Reduction?
|
· |
No. There is no agreement governing the Selective Capital Reduction. |
What will happen to the
Company following the Selective Capital Reduction becoming effective?
|
· |
The Company will as soon as practicable delist the Shares from each of Nasdaq and the JSE and deregister the Shares under the Exchange Act. Accordingly, the Shares will no longer be publicly traded. |
|
· |
The Non-Participating Shareholders currently intend for the Company to continue with its existing business operations. |
Will I have
the right to have my Shares appraised?
|
· |
No. Appraisal rights are not available in connection with the Selective Capital Reduction. See the section captioned “Letter to Shareholders—Selective Capital Reduction—Appraisal.” |
What
governs the Selective Capital Reduction?
|
· |
The Selective Capital Reduction is governed by the Companies Act and requires the approval and confirmation of the Court. |
What factors will the
Court take into account in considering whether or not to grant the order to approve the Selective Capital Reduction?
|
· |
Under the Companies Act, the Court will consider the impact of the Selective Capital Reduction on Qualifying Creditors of the Company. The Court will not issue an order approving the Selective Capital Reduction unless it is satisfied that: |
|
○ |
the Qualifying Creditor(s) have consented to Selective Capital Reduction; |
|
○ |
the Qualifying Creditor(s)’ debt or claim has been secured or the Qualifying Creditor has other adequate safeguards for it; or |
|
○ |
security or other safeguards are unnecessary given the available assets to the Company following the Selective Capital Reduction. |
What
happens if the conditions to the Selective Capital Reduction are not met?
|
· |
If all of the conditions set forth in the section of this Circular captioned “Letter to Shareholders——Selective Capital Reduction—Conditions” are not satisfied or waived, the Participating Shareholders will not receive the Cash Distribution. The Company will remain a publicly traded company and the Shares will continue to be listed and traded on each of Nasdaq and the JSE and registered under the Exchange Act, and the Company will continue to file periodic and other reports with the SEC and JSE, respectively. |
What
are the material US federal income tax consequences of the Selective Capital Reduction to the Participating Shareholders?
|
· |
The cancellation of the Participating Shares for cash pursuant to the Selective Capital Reduction will be a taxable transaction for US federal income tax purposes. Accordingly, subject to the PFIC rules, a US Holder will recognize capital gain or loss for US federal income tax purposes in an amount equal to the difference, if any, between the amount of the Cash Distribution received and the US Holder’s adjusted tax basis in the Participating Shares. For more information, see the section captioned “Letter to Shareholders—Certain Income Tax Consequences of the Selective Capital Reduction—Certain Material US Federal Income Tax Consequences.” |
What
are the material South African income tax consequences of the Selective Capital Reduction to the Participating Shareholders?
|
· |
Generally, the South African income tax consequences arising for the Participating Shareholders who/which constitute South African tax resident shareholders (hereinafter the “SA Participating Shareholders”) from the cancellation of the Participating Shares in terms of the Selective Capital Reduction and the distribution in cash to be paid to the SA Participating Shareholders in connection therewith (the “SA Cash Distribution”) depends on whether the Participating Shares are held by the SA Participating Shareholders on (i) revenue account or as “trading stock” (as defined in section 1 of the Income Tax Act, 58 of 1962 (“SA ITA”)) or (ii) as a capital asset (or in respect of Participating Shares to which the provisions of section 9C of the SA ITA apply). For more information, see the section captioned “Letter to Shareholders—Certain Income Tax Consequences of the Selective Capital Reduction—South African Tax Consequences.” |
PART I — SUMMARY TERM SHEET |
Does
the Company have the financial resources to make cash distributions under the Selective Capital Reduction?
|
· |
The Company intends to fund the cash distributions for the Participating Shares solely through cash and cash equivalents on hand. The Financial Adviser is satisfied that sufficient financial resources are available to the Company to fund the aggregate Cash Distribution pursuant to the Selective Capital Reduction. |
In
what currency will I receive payment for my Participating Shares?
|
· |
If the Selective Capital Reduction becomes effective, the Participating Shareholders will be entitled to receive the Cash Distribution, irrespective of their location. As mandated by the SARB, the Participating Shareholders holding their Shares on the JSE will receive the Cash Distribution in the equivalent amount of ZAR. The Company expects that the USD-ZAR exchange rate for the Cash Distribution will be announced following the Company’s receipt of the Court Order. |
What
is the location, date and time of the EGM?
|
· |
The EGM will be held by electronic means on 20 June 2024 at 18:00 Singapore Standard Time (12:00 South Africa Standard Time, 06:00 US Eastern Daylight Time). |
Who is entitled to attend the EGM and vote on the
special resolution relating to the Selective Capital Reduction?
|
· |
The Shareholders as of the record date of 10 May 2024 at 18:00 Singapore Standard Time may vote at the EGM. Each Shareholder shall be entitled to cast one vote for each such Share owned at the close of business on the record date as of 10 May 2024 at 18:00 Singapore Standard Time. However, the Non-Participating Shareholders and parties Acting in Concert with them will abstain from voting. A live audio-visual webcast and a live audio-only stream will allow Shareholders to view and/or listen to the EGM proceedings. Shareholders will not be able to ask questions during the course of the EGM but can submit their questions in advance before the cut-off date of 17 June 2024. |
How do I vote on the Selective Capital Reduction?
|
· |
Eligible Shares held by Beneficial Shareholders may
be voted at the EGM by completing the Form of Proxy and Voting Instruction in accordance with his/her/its instructions and must be
submitted by (a) Shareholders in South Africa by no later than 17 June 2024 at 12:00
South Africa Standard Time, to his/her/its broker, dealer, securities depository or other intermediaries through which their
interests are held in South Africa and (b) by Shareholders in the United States and outside of South Africa, by no later than 17
June 2024 at 06:00 US Eastern Daylight Time, to (i) their respective broker, dealer,
securities depository or other intermediary through which their interests are held or (ii) Vote Processing, c/o Broadridge, 51
Mercedes Way, Edgewood, NY 11717, (iii) via telephone voting at Broadridge is +1-800-454-8683, or (iv) via online voting at
PROXYVOTE.COM, which requires the 16-digit Control Number printed on the Form of Proxy and Voting Instruction provided by
Broadridge. |
|
· |
Eligible Shares held by Shareholders whose name is reflected on the Company’s register of members may be voted by completing a Form of Proxy and Voting Instruction and emailing it to proxy@continentalstock.com or by posting it to 1 State Street, 30th Floor, New York, NY10004-1561 no later than 17 June 2024, 06:00 US Eastern Daylight Time. |
If my broker holds my Shares in “street name,”
will my broker vote my Shares for me?
|
· |
No. Your bank, broker or other nominee is permitted to vote your Shares on any proposal currently
scheduled to be considered at the EGM only if you instruct your bank, broker or other nominee how to vote. You should follow the procedures
provided by your bank, broker or other nominee to vote your Shares. Without instructions, your Shares will not be voted on such proposals. |
What is a “broker non-vote”?
|
· |
A “broker non-vote” results when banks, brokers and other nominees return a valid proxy
voting upon a matter or matters for which the applicable rules provide discretionary authority but do not vote on a particular proposal
because they do not have discretionary authority to vote on the matter and have not received specific voting instructions from the beneficial
owner of such shares. The Company does not expect any broker non-votes at the EGM because the rules applicable to banks, brokers and
other nominees only provide brokers with discretionary authority to vote on proposals that are considered “routine,” whereas
the proposal to be presented at the EGM is considered “non-routine.” As a result, no broker will be permitted to vote your
Shares at the EGM without receiving instructions. Failure to instruct your broker on how to vote your Shares will result in your Shares
not being voted on such proposals. |
PART I — SUMMARY TERM SHEET |
What vote is required from the Participating Shareholders
to approve the Selective Capital Reduction?
|
· |
In order for the Selective Capital Reduction to be approved, the special resolution relating to the Selective Capital Resolution requires the approval of at least 75% of all of the Participating Shares voted by the Participating Shareholders present in person or by proxy and voting at the EGM. |
May I revoke my vote after I have submitted my
Form of Proxy and Voting Instruction?
|
· |
Yes. You can revoke your proxy before the EGM in the manner described in the Form of Proxy and Voting
Instruction. If you wish to revoke a Form of Proxy and Voting Instruction, a Beneficial Shareholder must notify the relevant broker,
dealer, securities depository or other intermediary and a Shareholder of Record must notify Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company,
in each case via email by 17 June 2024, 06:00 US Eastern Daylight Time. |
How will the votes at the EGM be counted?
|
· |
At the EGM, votes will be taken on a poll with one vote for each eligible Share. The poll will be taken in such manner (including the use of ballot or voting papers) as the chairman may direct and the result of a poll shall be deemed to be the resolution of the EGM. While Shares for which an abstention from voting has been recorded are counted toward the quorum of the meeting, the calculation of the percentage of votes cast in favour of the resolution disregards abstained votes. A person entitled to more than one vote need not use all his votes or cast all the votes he/she/it uses in the same way. |
Who
can help answer my questions?
|
· |
If you have any questions concerning the Selective Capital Reduction, the EGM or the accompanying Form of Proxy and Voting Instruction, would like additional copies of the accompanying Form of Proxy and Voting Instruction or need help voting your Shares, please contact EGM2024@grindrodshipping.com. |
PART II — INDICATIVE TIMETABLE |
The following
are the indicative dates and times for the Selective Capital Reduction: (1) |
Record Date for the EGM |
|
Friday, 10 May 2024 |
|
|
|
Notice of the EGM |
|
Tuesday, 14 May 2024 |
|
|
|
Last date and time for lodgement of Forms of Proxy and Voting Instruction |
|
Monday, 17 June 2024 at 18:00 Singapore Standard Time (12:00 South Africa Standard Time, 06:00 US Eastern Daylight Time) |
|
|
|
Date and time of EGM |
|
Thursday, 20 June 2024 at 18:00 Singapore Standard Time (12:00 South Africa Standard Time, 06:00 US Eastern Daylight Time) |
|
|
|
Announcement of results of EGM on Nasdaq |
|
Thursday, 20 June 2024 at 16:30 US Eastern Daylight Time |
|
|
|
Announcement of results of EGM on the JSE |
|
Friday, 21 June 2024 at 08:00 South Africa Standard Time |
|
|
|
Expected submission of the application to the Court to approve the Selective Capital Reduction |
|
Friday, 21 June 2024, approximately 1 working day after the passing of the special resolution at the EGM |
|
|
|
Court Approval on Selective Capital Reduction |
|
Friday, 26 July 2024, approximately 5 weeks after the submission of the application |
|
|
|
Report in Form 6-K furnished to the SEC and publication of the SENS Announcement in relation to: (a) the receipt of Court Approval, (b) the Effective Date and (c) the USD:ZAR Exchange rate (such announcement the Declaration and Finalisation Date Announcement for JSE purposes) |
|
Monday, 5 August 2024, to be within 1 working day after receipt of JSE approval on the Selective Capital Reduction timeline |
|
|
|
Expected date of announcement of intention to delist the Company from Nasdaq |
|
Tuesday, 13 August 2024 (10 days prior to filing Form 25) |
|
|
|
Expected date of announcement of intention to delist the Company from Nasdaq, released on SENS |
|
Wednesday, 14 August 2024 |
|
|
|
Expected last day of trading on Nasdaq |
|
Thursday, 22 August 2024 |
|
|
|
Expected last day to trade on the JSE to be eligible to participate in the Selective Capital Reduction and receive the Cash Distribution |
|
Thursday, 22 August 2024 |
|
|
|
Expected suspension of trading in Shares on the JSE |
|
Friday, 23 August 2024 |
|
|
|
Expected Effective Date of the Selective Capital Reduction |
|
Friday, 23 August 2024 |
|
|
|
Record date for Cash Distribution for JSE purposes |
|
Tuesday, 27 August 2024 |
|
|
|
Expected date of payment of the Cash Distribution |
|
Wednesday, 28 August 2024 (and in any event within 7 Business Days after the Effective Date) |
|
|
|
Expected date of submission of application letter to delist from the JSE |
|
Monday, 2 September 2024 |
|
|
|
Expected date of delisting of the Company from Nasdaq |
|
Tuesday, 3 September 2024 (10 calendar days after filing Form 25) |
|
|
|
Expected date of delisting of the Company from the JSE |
|
Friday, 6 September 2024 |
Note:
| (1) | Apart
from the last date and time for lodgement of Forms of Proxy and Voting Instruction, and the date and time of EGM, the above dates are
indicative only and are subject to change. The actual dates of the above events will be announced in due course by the Company to its
Shareholders through the SENS electronic platform of the JSE, and the electronic platform of Nasdaq. |
| (2) | Shareholders
registered on the JSE Register will not be allowed to dematerialise or rematerialize their shareholdings and shareholders may not reposition
shares between the JSE and the U.S. Register between Thursday, 22 August 2024 and Tuesday, 27 August 2024. |
PART III — SPECIAL FACTORS |
| 1 | Past
Contacts, Transactions, Negotiations and Agreements |
| 1.1 | Background
of the Selective Capital Reduction |
The Company was
incorporated as a private company, Grindrod Shipping Holdings Pte. Ltd., on 2 November 2017 in accordance with the laws of the Republic
of Singapore for the purpose of acquiring the shipping business from Grindrod Limited, a public company incorporated in accordance with
the laws of the Republic of South Africa. On 25 April 2018, Grindrod Shipping Holdings Pte. Ltd. was converted from a private company
to a public company incorporated in accordance with the laws of the Republic of Singapore and changed its name to “Grindrod Shipping
Holdings Ltd.” The Company owns and operates a diversified fleet of owned, long-term and short-term chartered-in drybulk vessels
predominantly in the handysize and supramax/ultramax segments. The drybulk business, which operates under the brand “Island View
Shipping”, includes a core fleet of 24 vessels consisting of 11 handysize drybulk carriers and 13 supramax/ultramax drybulk
carriers. The Company is based in Singapore, with offices in London, Durban, Tokyo and Rotterdam. The Company is listed on Nasdaq under
the ticker “GRIN” and on the JSE under the ticker “GSH”.
TMI was registered
in Guernsey under the Companies (Guernsey) Law, 2008 on 31 March 2021. TMI’s registration number is 69031 and it is regulated by
the Guernsey Financial Services Commission as a registered closed-ended collective investment scheme pursuant to the Protection of Investors
(Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law, 2020, the Registered Collective Investment Scheme Rules 2021 and the Prospectus Rules 2021. TMI’s ordinary
shares were admitted to the premium listing segment of the Official List of the UK Listing Authority and began trading on the Main Market
of the London Stock Exchange on 27 May 2021. TMI specialises in the acquisition and chartering of vessels in the handysize and supramax/ultramax
bulk carrier segments of the global shipping sector. TMI invests in a diversified portfolio of vessels which are primarily second-hand.
The current portfolio numbers 18 vessels in the geared drybulk segment. The ships are employed utilising a variety of employment/charter
strategies.
In the fourth
quarter of 2021, GF acquired 595,443 Shares in the open market for an aggregate purchase price of US$8,915,092, excluding commissions.
Pursuant to an
agreement with Industrial Partnership Investments Proprietary Limited and Remgro Limited, dated 10 December 2021, TMI and GF agreed
to acquire from Industrial Partnership Investments Proprietary Limited 4,329,580 Shares for a purchase price of US$18.00 per Share and
an aggregate purchase price of US$77,932,440. On 28 January 2022, GF completed this acquisition, which resulted in its equity ownership
interest in the Company increasing from approximately 3% to approximately 26%.
On 7 March 2022,
TMI submitted to the Company an initial draft non-binding indicative proposal to acquire all of the Shares it did not already own, at
a cash price between US$23.00 and US$26.00 per Share.
On 18 June 2022,
after discussions with representatives of the Company, TMI submitted to the Company a revised non-binding indicative proposal to acquire
the Shares it did not already own at a cash price of US$23.00 per Share, to be paid in conjunction with a special dividend from the Company
of US$5.00 per Share.
On 24 August
2022, TMI and the Company entered into a non-disclosure agreement in connection with a possible voluntary general offer by TMI to acquire
all of the Shares.
On 25 August 2022,
after further discussion with representatives of the Company, TMI submitted to the Company a further revised non-binding indication of
interest to acquire all of the Shares it did not already own for an aggregate cash consideration of US$26.00 per Share, consisting of
US$21.00 per Share in cash to be paid in the offer and a special dividend from the Company of US$5.00 per Share to be paid by the Company
to its Shareholders.
Also on 25 August
2022, the Company and TMI entered into an exclusivity agreement granting TMI a period of exclusivity until 28 September 2022 to negotiate
a transaction with the Company, which was subsequently amended on 28 September 2022 to extend the exclusivity period until 10 October 2022.
On 11 October 2022,
the Company, TMI and GF entered into a transaction implementation agreement and, in accordance with such agreement, (i) on 28 October
2022, GF commenced the VGO to purchase all of the Shares not then owned by GF for a purchase price of US$21.00 in cash per Share and (ii)
the Board declared a special dividend of US$5.00 per Share, which was paid by the Company on or about 5 December 2022 to Shareholders
of record as of 25 November 2022. Pursuant to the transaction implementation agreement, if GF acquired no less than 90% of the total Shares
in the VGO, it was obligated to exercise its rights under Section 215(1) of the Companies Act to compulsorily acquire all of the Shares
that were not tendered at the offer price (the “Compulsory Acquisition”).
On
28 November 2022, the initial tender offer expired and a total of 8,966,040 Shares were validly tendered and accepted for payment by GF,
following which GF owned approximately 73.78% of the Shares. A subsequent offer period began immediately thereafter and expired on 19
December 2022. A total of 1,839,787 Shares
were validly tendered and accepted for payment by GF in the subsequent offering period, following which GF owned a total of 16,206,365
Shares, representing an approximately 83.23% ownership of the Shares (including the number of Shares resulting from the valid vesting
and settlement in full of certain forfeitable Shares of the Company), which was below the Compulsory Acquisition threshold.
PART III — SPECIAL FACTORS |
On 6 December
2022, the Company appointed Mr. Edward Buttery as a director of the Company.
Following the expiration of the VGO, the
Board and members of senior management of the Company have continued to regularly review and assess the Company’s industry, financial
performance, prospects and short-term and long-term strategic plan with the goals of strengthening the Company’s business and enhancing
Shareholder value. As part of this process, the Board and members of senior management of the Company have from time to time discussed
and evaluated potential alternatives relating to the Company and its business, taking into account GF’s control of the Company,
including, among other things, the privatisation of the Company, the continuation of, and potential improvements to, current business
plans, capital raising activities and potential expansion opportunities through acquisitions, partnerships or other commercial relationships.
Members of senior management of the Company have also regularly interacted with representatives of TMI in connection with TMI’s
evaluation of the Company’s strategic direction and ongoing business plans and potential strategic alternatives.
On 20 March 2023, the Company announced
that the Board appointed Mr. Edward Buttery as the Chief Executive Officer of the Company effective as of 1 April 2023 and the Company
and Mr. Edward Buttery entered into an employment agreement containing customary provisions and representations, including confidentiality,
non-competition, non-solicitation and inventions assignment undertakings.
On 24 July 2023, the Company entered into
a purchase agreement with Billy (MI) Ltd, a wholly owned Subsidiary of TMI, to purchase a handysize bulk carrier for delivery by 31 July
2023 for the consideration of approximately US$15.0 million (before costs). Such acquisition, which price was consistent with three independent
broker valuations obtained in connection with such transaction, was unanimously approved by the Board (other than the Recused Directors).
On 28 July 2023, the Company entered into
a purchase agreement with Good Viscount (MI) Ltd, a wholly owned Subsidiary of TMI, to purchase a handysize bulk carrier newbuilding for
delivery by 31 March 2024, for the consideration of approximately US$33.75 million (before costs), which price was consistent with two
independent broker valuations obtained in connection with such transaction, and was unanimously approved by the Board (other than the
Recused Directors).
On 25 September 2023, the Company and
Grindrod Shipping Pte. Ltd., a wholly owned Subsidiary of the Company, entered into two sale and purchase agreements (the “Sale
and Purchase Agreements”) namely, (a) a sale and purchase agreement with TMG to acquire the entire issued share capital of Taylor
Maritime Management Limited and (b) a sale and purchase agreement with TMG and Temeraire to acquire the entire issued share capital of
Tamar Ship Management Limited, together for an aggregate consideration ranging from approximately US$11.75 million to US$13.5 million
(collectively the “Acquisition”).
On 28 November 2023, the Company held
a regularly scheduled meeting of the Board virtually, during which members of each of the Company’s management and TMI’s management
attended. During the meeting, members of the Company’s management discussed with the Board the potential privatisation of the Company
in light of the ongoing costs and expenses incurred and resources expended to remain listed on two public exchanges in two respective
jurisdictions compared to the limited benefits of remaining a publicly listed company. Members of the Company’s management further
discussed the benefits of a privatisation including simplifying the Company’s corporate structure, increasing cost efficiencies
and realising certain operational synergies and presented various methods to effecting such privatisation including the Selective Capital
Reduction. The Board determined that the Selective Capital Reduction was the most cost efficient and appropriate alternative to remaining
a publicly listed company.
On 10 January 2024, the Company met with
the IFA to discuss the Selective Capital Reduction and on 31 January 2024, the Company engaged the IFA to act as the independent financial
adviser to the Board (other than the Recused Directors) for the purpose of advising the Board (other than the Recused Directors) in respect
of the Selective Capital Reduction in compliance with the Code.
On 23 January 2024, the Company met virtually
with the Financial Adviser to discuss the Selective Capital Reduction and its role and on 15 February 2024, the Company executed an engagement
letter pursuant to which the Financial Adviser was engaged, solely to provide confirmation that the Company has sufficient financial resources
available to fund the aggregate Cash Distribution pursuant to the Selective Capital Reduction.
On 28 February 2024, the Company held
a regularly scheduled meeting of the Board virtually, during which members of each of the Company’s management and TMI’s management
attended. Members of the Company’s management provided an update on the Selective Capital Reduction process and a preliminary analysis
on the potential cash distribution to the Participating Shareholders.
On 12 March 2024, the IFA delivered its
disclosure letter to the Board regarding the IFA’s holdings and dealings of Company Securities and Non-Participating Shareholder
Securities.
On 14 March 2024, the Company held a special
meeting of the Board virtually, during which members of the Company’s management and representatives from TMI attended. Members
of the Company’s management discussed a status update on the Selective Capital Reduction and a preliminary timeline to effectuate
the Selective Capital Reduction. Members of the Company’s management also discussed a preliminary range of the cash distribution
to be made to the Participating Shareholders and indicated their belief that TMI would likely support a cash distribution within such
range. Following this meeting, the Board (other than the Recused Directors) approved the release of a draft of the Announcement.
PART III — SPECIAL FACTORS |
On 15 March 2024, the Financial Adviser
delivered its disclosure letter to the Board regarding the Financial Adviser’s holdings and dealings of Company Securities and
Non-Participating Shareholder Securities.
On 25 April 2024, the Company held a
special meeting of the Board virtually, during which members of the management of the Company, and representatives of Shook Lin &
Bok LLP participated. Members of the Company’s management provided an update on the Circular and the Selective Capital Reduction
process. At that meeting, a near final draft of the Circular was presented to the Board. Representatives of Shook Lin & Bok LLP provided
an overview of the contents of the draft Circular to the Board. Following consultation with members of management, the Board (other than
the Recused Directors) unanimously (a) determined that it is in the interests of the Company to undertake the Selective Capital Reduction
and approved the Company to undertake the Selective Capital Reduction upon the terms and subject to the conditions set out in the Circular,
(b) approved the draft Circular and (c) authorized any of the Directors to finalise and file the Circular to effectuate the Selective
Capital Reduction.
On 13 May 2024, the Company held a special
meeting of the Board virtually, during which members of the management of the Company, representatives of the IFA, and representatives
of Shook Lin & Bok LLP participated. At that meeting, a final draft of the Circular was presented to the Board. Representatives of
the IFA presented to the Board the IFA Letter and sought confirmations to certain sections of the IFA Letter from the Board. The IFA noted
that, as set forth in the IFA Letter, in the IFA’s opinion, on balance, subject to the various considerations set forth in the IFA
Letter, the financial terms of the Selective Capital Reduction are fair and reasonable. Accordingly, the IFA has advised the Board (other
than the Recused Directors) to recommend that the Participating Shareholders vote in favour of the Selective Capital Reduction unless
Shareholders are able to obtain a price higher than the Cash Distribution on the open market, after taking into account the brokerage
and related costs in connection with open market transactions, as more fully described in the section of this Circular captioned “Letter
to Shareholders— Advice of the IFA to the Board (other than the Recused Directors)—Advice of the IFA.” Representatives
of Shook Lin & Bok LLP provided an overview of the Circular to, and sought confirmations from, the Board and the management of the
Company to certain sections of the Circular. At that meeting, following discussion, and after taking into consideration the information
provided by and discussed with the Company’s management and advisors, including the factors described below in greater detail in
the section of this Circular captioned “—Fairness of the Selective Capital Reduction—Factors Considered in Determining
Fairness,” the Board (other than the Recused Directors) unanimously (a) determined that the Selective Capital Reduction is fair
(both substantively and procedurally) to the Participating Shareholders, (b) determined that the Selective Capital Reduction is in the
interests of the Company, (c) approved the Selective Capital Reduction and the performance by the Company of its obligations thereunder
upon the terms and subject to the conditions contained herein, and (d) resolved to recommend that the Participating Shareholders vote
in favour of the special resolution approving the Selective Capital Reduction at the EGM. The Recused Directors did not vote at the meeting.
Except for the
acquisition of the Shares as further described in the section above captioned “—Background of the Selective Capital Reduction”
and as otherwise set forth in this Circular, there have not been any negotiations, transactions or material contacts during the past two
years concerning a merger, consolidation, or acquisition, a tender offer for, or other acquisition of, any securities of the Company,
an election of directors of the Company or a sale or other transfer of a material amount of assets of the Company, between (a) TMI, GF
or any of their respective Subsidiaries, or, to the best of their knowledge, any persons listed in Appendix B hereto, on the one hand,
and (b) the Company or any of its affiliates (excluding TMI, GF or any of their respective affiliates), on the other hand.
Except as set
forth in this Circular, none of TMI or GF, or, to the best of their knowledge, any of the persons listed in Appendix B hereto, has any
agreement, arrangement, or understanding or potential conflict of interest with respect to the Selective Capital Reduction with any other
person with respect to any securities of the Company, including, but not limited to, any contract, arrangement, understanding or relationship
concerning the transfer or voting of securities, joint ventures, loan or option arrangements, puts or calls, guarantees of loans, guarantees
against loss, or the giving or withholding of proxies, consents or authorizations.
| 2 | Purpose,
Reasons, Alternatives and Effects |
| 2.1 | Purpose,
Reasons and Alternatives |
The Company is proposing to implement
the Selective Capital Reduction, which will cancel all of the Participating Shares, simultaneously reducing the Company’s issued
share capital in order to (a) delist from both Nasdaq and the JSE, which will achieve cost savings and increase operational efficiency,
and (b) provide the Participating Shareholders with an opportunity to receive the Cash Distribution in cash at an attractive premium over
the historical market prices of the Shares. As a result of the Selective Capital Reduction, GF will own 100% of the Shares and the Participating
Shareholders will accordingly cease to hold any Shares and will not bear the risk of any losses generated by the Company’s operations
or of any subsequent decrease in the value of the Company.
The Selective Capital Reduction provides
an immediate and certain exit opportunity for the Participating Shareholders to realise their investment during a period of adverse economic
conditions.
PART III — SPECIAL FACTORS |
If the Selective Capital Reduction becomes
effective, the Company intends to, as soon as practicable, delist the Shares from both Nasdaq and the JSE and deregister the
Shares under the Exchange Act. As a company with publicly traded Shares, the Company incurs, among other things, significant administrative,
compliance, legal, accounting and other listing-related costs and expenses as well as an expenditure of a significant amount of resources
to comply with the rules and regulations of the Exchange Act, Nasdaq and the JSE. Such costs and expenses in the aggregate total approximately
US$2.2 million per year and include, among other things, the costs associated with preparing its annual report on Form 20-F, compliance
with Exchange Act-related requirements and the rules and regulations of each of Nasdaq and the JSE and fees for external legal counsel.
The delisting from Nasdaq and the JSE eliminates such costs and expenses and will allow the Company to redirect its resources and funds
among the Company’s business operations.
The Company considered various alternatives
to privatise the Company, and determined that the Selective Capital Reduction was the most cost efficient and appropriate alternative
to privatise the Company and to allow the Participating Shareholders to monetise their investment in the Company at an attractive premium
over the historical market prices of the Shares. The Company concluded that each alternative would take considerably longer to execute
and had a greater likelihood of resulting in higher transaction costs and expenses relative to the Selective Capital Reduction.
If the Selective Capital Reduction becomes
effective, GF will own 100% of the Shares and all Participating Shares will be cancelled and any share certificates will thereafter cease
to have effect as documents or evidence of title. As a result, the Participating Shareholders will cease to have ownership interests in
the Company and rights as Shareholders, and, as a result, such Participating Shareholders will neither participate in the earnings and
growth of the Company following the Selective Capital Reduction nor will they have any right to vote on corporate matters. Similarly,
the Participating Shareholders will not face the risk of losses generated by the Company’s operations or decline in the Company’s
value following the Selective Capital Reduction. The Cash Distribution may be considered a taxable transaction for US federal income tax
and South African income tax purposes.
If the Selective Capital Reduction becomes
effective, the Company intends to as soon as practicable delist the Shares from Nasdaq and will issue an announcement of the
delisting of the Shares on Nasdaq.
If the Selective Capital Reduction becomes
effective, the Company intends to apply for the removal of the Shares from List, subject to satisfying applicable legal and regulatory
requirements (including any requirements imposed by the JSE) at the relevant time. It is anticipated that the application for the removal
of the Shares from the List will be approved by the JSE and take effect within 30 JSE Business Days after the publication by the Company
of an announcement that the Selective Capital Reduction has become effective.
If the Selective Capital Reduction becomes
effective, GF will directly own 100% of the Shares and will have a corresponding 100% interest in the Company’s net book value and
net earnings. The table below sets forth GF’s ownership of the Shares and resulting interests in the Company’s net book value
and loss for the year prior to and immediately following the Effective Date, based on the Company’s historical net book value and
loss for the year as of 31 December 2023 and for the year ended 31 December 2023.
| |
Ownership Prior to the Selective
Capital Reduction | | |
Ownership After the Selective
Capital Reduction | |
| |
Net Book Value | | |
Loss for the
Year | | |
Net Book Value | | |
Loss
for the
Year | |
Name | |
| US$’000 | | |
| % | | |
| US$’000 | | |
| %(1) | | |
| US$’000 | | |
| % | | |
| US$’000 | | |
| %(1) |
GF | |
| 202,631 | | |
| 82.33 | | |
| 7,922 | | |
| 82.33 | | |
| 246,120 | | |
| 100 | % | |
| 9,622 | | |
| 100 | |
| (1) | Based
on 19,685,590 issued Shares as of 31 December 2023. |
If the Selective Capital Reduction is
not completed for any reason, including, but not limited to, a condition not being satisfied, the Participating Shareholders will not
receive the Cash Distribution that is contemplated by the Selective Capital Reduction and the Company expects that its management will
continue to operate the business as it is currently being operated. The Company will remain a publicly traded company and its Shares will
continue to be listed and traded on each of Nasdaq and the JSE and registered under the Exchange Act, and the Company will continue to
file periodic and other reports with the SEC and JSE, respectively, for so long as the Company remains listed. Participating Shareholders
would therefore continue to be subject to similar risks and opportunities as they currently are with respect to their ownership of the
Shares. The effect of these risks and opportunities on the future value of the Shares cannot be predicted with any certainty. There is
also a risk that the market price of the Shares would decline if the Selective Capital Reduction is not completed.
| 3 | Fairness
of the Selective Capital Reduction |
The Company is a Singapore company subject
to Singapore law. The Company will implement the proposed Selective Capital Reduction in accordance with the requirements of the Code
and the Companies Act.
PART III — SPECIAL FACTORS |
Nonetheless, the Selective Capital Reduction
will be treated as a “going private” transaction under the applicable rules and regulations of the Exchange Act. Pursuant
to such rules and regulations, each of the Non-Participating Shareholders and the Company is required to state whether they reasonably
believe that the Selective Capital Reduction is fair or unfair to the Company’s unaffiliated security holders. Accordingly, the
Non-Participating Shareholders and the Company are making the statements included in this section solely for the purposes of complying
with the requirements of Rule 13e-3 and related requirements under the Exchange Act.
| 3.1 | Position
of the Non-Participating Shareholders as to Fairness |
The Non-Participating Shareholders reasonably
believe that the Selective Capital Reduction is fair (both substantively and procedurally) to the Participating Shareholders of the Company
based on discussions with members of the Company’s senior management regarding the Company and its business, and the various factors
considered by the Board (other than the Recused Directors), all as more fully described below under the caption “—Factors
Considered in Determining Fairness”, which the Non-Participating Shareholders have adopted as their own.
The views of the Non-Participating Shareholders
as to the fairness of the Selective Capital Reduction should not be construed as a recommendation to any Shareholder as to how such Shareholder
should vote at the EGM. The Non-Participating Shareholders have interests in the Selective Capital Reduction different from, and in addition
to, those of the Participating Shareholders. These interests are described in Appendix C under the caption “—Holdings of Company
Securities” and Appendix D under the caption “—Disclosure of Interests—The Non-Participating Shareholders.”
| 3.2 | Position
of the Company as to Fairness; Recommendation of the Board (other than the Recused Directors) |
In evaluating the fairness (both substantively
and procedurally) and advisability of the Selective Capital Reduction to the Participating Shareholders and unanimously recommending that
the Participating Shareholders vote in favour of the special resolution approving the Selective Capital Reduction at the EGM, the Board
(other than the Recused Directors) considered the terms of the Selective Capital Reduction, consulted with and considered the advice of
the Company’s senior management and legal and financial advisers, and the advice given by the IFA in the IFA Letter (summarized
below in the sectioned captioned “Letter to Shareholders—Advice of the IFA to the Board (other than the Recused Directors)—Advice
of the IFA”) which the Board (other than the Recused Directors) has adopted as its own, considered information with respect to the
Company’s financial condition, results of operations, business, competitive position and business strategy, as well as current industry,
economic and market conditions and trends, and considered and analysed a wide and complex range of factors as discussed below under the
caption “—Factors Considered in Determining Fairness”.
Based on these consultations, analyses
and considerations, the Board (except for the Recused Directors) unanimously: (a) determined that the Selective Capital Reduction is fair
(both substantively and procedurally) to the Participating Shareholders, (b) determined that the Selective Capital Reduction is in the
interests of the Company, (c) approved the Selective Capital Reduction and the performance by the Company of its obligations thereunder
upon the terms and subject to the conditions contained herein, and (d) resolved to recommend that the Participating Shareholders vote
in favour of the special resolution approving the Selective Capital Reduction at the EGM. The Recused Directors were not present for the
vote at the meeting.
Accordingly, the Board (other than
the Recused Directors), having considered carefully the various factors described below under the caption “—Factors
Considered in Determining Fairness,” hereby unanimously recommends that the Participating Shareholders vote in favour
of the special resolution approving the Selective Capital Reduction at the EGM.
| 3.3 | Factors
Considered in Determining Fairness |
In reaching its determinations that the
Selective Capital Reduction is fair (both substantively and procedurally) to the Participating Shareholders and making its recommendation
that the Participating Shareholders vote in favour of the special resolution approving the Selective Capital Reduction at the EGM, the
Board (other than the Recused Directors) considered the following factors as being generally supportive of their determination and recommendations:
|
(a) |
The Selective Capital Reduction provides an opportunity for the Participating Shareholders to realize their investment at an attractive premium. The Board (other than the Recused Directors) considered the current and historical market prices of the Shares and the fact that the Cash Distribution of US$14.25 to be received for each Participating Share that is cancelled as a result of the Selective Capital Reduction represented an attractive premium over historical market prices of the Shares. In particular, the Cash Distribution of US$14.25 per Share represents: |
|
(i) |
a 37.7% premium to the last traded price per Share on the Disclosure Date (being 28 March 2024 (US Eastern Daylight Time)); |
|
(ii) |
a 49.5% premium to the VWAP for the 30-day VWAP Period ended on the Disclosure Date; |
|
(iii) |
a 53.1% premium to the VWAP for the 60-day VWAP Period ended on the Disclosure Date; |
|
(iv) |
a 52.4% premium to the VWAP for the 90-day VWAP Period ended on the Disclosure Date; and |
PART III — SPECIAL FACTORS |
|
(v) |
a 56.8% premium to the VWAP for the 180-day VWAP Period ended on the Disclosure Date. |
|
(b) |
The Cash Distribution of US$14.25 per Share to be received by the Participating Shareholders will consist entirely of cash, which provides liquidity and certainty of value to the Participating Shareholders. Considering that liquidity and trading volumes of the Shares have declined, it may not be sufficient for the Participating Shareholders to sell significant numbers of their Shares in the market without a substantial discount to the market price of the Shares. |
|
(c) |
The Company has appointed the IFA as independent financial adviser to the Board (other than the Recused Directors) to advise the Board (other than the Recused Directors) in respect of the Selective Capital Reduction in compliance with the Code. Having considered the matters set forth in the IFA Letter, including the various considerations set forth in the IFA Letter, the IFA is of the view that the financial terms of the Selective Capital Reduction are fair and reasonable. Accordingly, the IFA has advised the Board (other than the Recused Directors) to recommend that the Participating Shareholders vote in favour of the Selective Capital Reduction unless Shareholders are able to obtain a price higher than the Cash Distribution on the open market, after taking into account the brokerage and related costs in connection with open market transactions, as more fully described below in the section titled “Letter to Shareholders—Advice of the IFA to the Board (other than the Recused Directors)—Advice of the IFA.” |
|
(d) |
The Selective Capital Reduction is subject only to a limited number of conditions, and no financing condition or deferral, and the Financial Adviser confirmed that sufficient financial resources are available to the Company to fund the aggregate Cash Distribution which will be returned to the Participating Shareholders if the Selective Capital Reduction becomes effective. |
|
(e) |
The anticipated timing of consummation of the Selective Capital Reduction will allow the Participating Shareholders to receive the Cash Distribution of US$14.25 per Share within a reasonable period of time. |
In reaching its determination and making
its recommendation, the Board (other than the Recused Directors) did not consider the Company’s net book value, which is an accounting
concept based on historical costs (defined as total assets minus total liabilities attributable to the Shareholders), as a factor in reaching
its determination and making its recommendation. The Board (other than the Recused Directors) believes that net book value is not a relevant
measure in determining the fairness of the Selective Capital Reduction, because it is not a material indicator of the value of the Company
as a going concern but rather is indicative of historical costs and does not, for example, take into account the current or future charter-free
market value of the Company’s vessels, quality of earnings, cash generation capability, the future prospects of the Company, market
conditions, trends in the drybulk and offshore support shipping industries in which the Company conducts its business or the business
risks inherent in competing with other shipping companies in the same industries.
The Board (other than the Recused Directors)
did not consider the liquidation of the Company’s assets to be a viable course of action. Therefore, it did not appraise the liquidation
value of the Company’s businesses in evaluating the Selective Capital Reduction. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Board (other
than the Recused Directors), after consultation with the management of the Company, was of the view that the likely net present value
of distributions to be received by the Participating Shareholders in a liquidation of the Company, after taking into account, among other
factors, the cost and expenses of liquidation, and the cost and expense that would be incurred in maintaining the Company as the liquidation
assets are sold in the liquidation, as well as the likely difficulty of optimizing the purchase price to be received for assets in a liquidation,
could be less than the amount which will be returned to the Participating Shareholders if the Selective Capital Reduction becomes effective.
The Board (other than the Recused Directors)
did not separately consider the Company’s going concern value as it believed that certain financial analyses summarized under the
caption “Reports, Opinions, Appraisals and Negotiations” were indicative of the Company’s going concern value if the
Company continued to operate its business on a standalone basis.
The Board (other than the Recused Directors)
are not aware of any other potential offers made by any unaffiliated third parties with respect to any tender offer, merger, consolidation,
sale or other transfer of all or any substantial part of the assets of the Company or purchase of the Company’s securities that
would enable such unaffiliated third party to gain control of the Company.
The Board (other than the Recused Directors)
also considered a number of factors discussed below, relating to the procedural safeguards that it believes were and are present to ensure
the fairness of the Selective Capital Reduction to the Participating Shareholders. The Board (other than the Recused Directors) believes
these factors support its determinations and recommendations and provide assurance of the procedural fairness of the Selective Capital
Reduction to the Participating Shareholders:
|
(a) |
The Selective Capital Reduction must, among other things, be approved by the Participating Shareholders holding at least 75% of the votes attached to the Shares held by the Participating Shareholders that are voted either in person or by proxy at the EGM, thereby presenting an opportunity for the Participating Shareholders to express their views on and approve or reject the Selective Capital Reduction. |
|
(b) |
The Non-Participating Shareholders and parties to be Acting in Concert with them will abstain from voting on the special resolution relating to the Selective Capital Reduction. |
PART III — SPECIAL FACTORS |
|
(c) |
The SIC had on 5 March 2024 and 3 April 2024 ruled that the Recused Directors are exempt from the requirement to make recommendations to the Participating Shareholders on the Selective Capital Reduction on the grounds that each of them will face a conflict of interest in relation to the Selective Capital Reduction that would render it inappropriate for each of them to join the remainder of the Board in making such recommendation. |
|
(d) |
The Board (other than the Recused Directors) consisted solely of directors who, under the Code, are deemed independent in respect of the Selective Capital Reduction. |
|
(e) |
The Board (other than the Recused Directors) held multiple meetings to discuss and evaluate the proposed Selective Capital Reduction. |
|
(f) |
Under the Companies Act, the Court will consider the impact of the Selective Capital Reduction on Qualifying Creditors of the Company. The Court will not issue an order approving the Selective Capital Reduction unless it is satisfied that (i) the Qualifying Creditor(s) have consented to Selective Capital Reduction, (ii) the Qualifying Creditor(s)’ debt or claim has been secured or the Qualifying Creditor has other adequate safeguards for it; or (iii) security or other safeguards are unnecessary given the available assets to the Company following the Selective Capital Reduction. |
|
(g) |
The SIC had in its rulings of 5 March 2024 and 3 April 2024 granted exemptions from certain provisions of the Code, as set forth in this Circular under the caption “Letter to Shareholders—Exemptions by The Securities Industry Council.” |
|
(h) |
In connection with the Selective Capital Reduction and in compliance with the Code, the Company has appointed the IFA to act as the independent financial adviser to the Board (other than the Recused Directors) to advise the Board (other than the Recused Directors) in respect of the Selective Capital Reduction. |
In light of the procedural safeguards
to the Participating Shareholders described above, the Board (other than the Recused Directors) did not consider it necessary to retain
an unaffiliated representative to act solely on behalf of the Participating Shareholders for purposes of negotiating the terms of the
Selective Capital Reduction or preparing a report concerning the fairness of the Selective Capital Reduction.
The Board (other than the Recused Directors)
also considered a variety of uncertainties and risks and other potentially negative factors in its deliberations concerning the Selective
Capital Reduction including, but not limited to, the following:
|
(a) |
The nature of the Selective Capital Reduction means that the Participating Shareholders will not participate in future earnings or growth of the Company, and will not benefit from any other appreciation in value of the Company. |
|
(b) |
There are no dissenters’ or appraisal rights available in the Selective Capital Reduction to the Shareholders. |
|
(c) |
While the Selective Capital Reduction is expected to be consummated, there can be no guarantee that all conditions to the Selective Capital Reduction will be satisfied, and as a result, it is possible that the Selective Capital Reduction may not be consummated. |
|
(d) |
The gains from the consideration to be received by the Shareholders in the Selective Capital Reduction will generally be taxable to the Shareholders under applicable tax jurisdictions (as more fully described in this Circular under the caption “Letter to Shareholders—Certain Income Tax Consequences of the Selective Capital Reduction).” |
|
(e) |
Certain Participating Shareholders, as well as the Company’s officers and directors, may have interests in the Selective Capital Reduction that are different from, or in addition to, those of other Participating Shareholders. |
|
(f) |
Given the Participating Shareholders’ percentage of ownership of the Company and the improbability of competing offers or strategic alternatives not consistent with the Participating Shareholders’ interests, the Board (other than the Recused Directors) did not contact third parties that might have made such offers, and did not evaluate the prices potentially attainable in alternative transactions. |
The foregoing discussion of the information
and factors considered by the Board (other than the Recused Directors) is intended to be illustrative and not exhaustive, but includes
the material reasons and factors considered by the Board (other than the Recused Directors) in reaching its conclusions and recommendation
in relation to the Selective Capital Reduction. In view of the wide variety of reasons and factors considered and the complexity of these
matters, the Board (other than the Recused Directors) did not find it practical to, and did not, quantify or otherwise assign relative
weights to the specified factors considered in reaching its determinations or the reasons for such determinations. Individual Directors
may have given differing weights to different factors or may have had different reasons for their ultimate determination. In addition,
the Board (other than the Recused Directors) did not reach any specific conclusion with respect to any of the factors or reasons considered.
Instead, the Board (other than the Recused Directors) conducted an overall analysis of the factors and reasons described above and determined
in its business judgment that, in the aggregate, the potential benefits of the Selective Capital Reduction to the Participating Shareholders
outweighed the risks or potential negative consequences.
PART III — SPECIAL FACTORS |
| 4 | Reports,
Opinions, Appraisals and Negotiations |
| 4.1 | The Company has appointed the IFA to act as the independent financial
adviser to the Board (other than the Recused Directors) to advise the Board (other than the Recused Directors) in respect of the Selective
Capital Reduction in compliance with the Code. On 14 May 2024, the IFA delivered the IFA Letter to the Board (other than the Recused Directors)
stating that on balance, subject to the various considerations set forth in the IFA Letter, the financial terms of the Selective Capital
Reduction are fair and reasonable. Accordingly, the IFA has advised the Board (other than the Recused Directors) to recommend that the
Participating Shareholders vote in favour of the Selective Capital Reduction unless Shareholders are able to obtain a price higher than
the Cash Distribution on the open market, after taking into account the brokerage and related costs in connection with open market transactions. |
In formulating its opinion, the IFA relied
on and assumed, without independent verification, the accuracy and completeness of the information supplied to it for the purposes of
its opinion. The IFA noted that the Board (other than the Recused Directors) and the Company’s management, after the IFA made reasonable
enquiries and exercised its judgement on the reasonable use of the information provided to it, had confirmed to the best of Board’s
(other than the Recused Directors) and management’s knowledge and belief that all of the information provided was complete and accurate
as to all material facts.
The IFA’s opinion is directed to
the Board (other than the Recused Directors) and addresses only the financial terms of the Selective Capital Reduction and its recommendation
to the Board (other than the Recused Directors) to the Participating Shareholders regarding the Selective Capital Reduction. It does not
address, nor required the IFA to consider, evaluate, comment, advise or form a view on the rationale and/or merits of the Selective Capital
Reduction or the Company’s listing status or future prospects. The IFA’s opinion also does not comment nor express any views
on the growth prospects and earning potential of the Company. The summary of the IFA’s opinion set forth in this Circular is qualified
in its entirety by reference to the full text of the IFA Letter as set forth in Appendix A hereto. You should read the IFA Letter carefully
and in its entirety.
In connection with the evaluation and assessment
of the financial terms of the Selective Capital Reduction, the IFA considered:
| (a) | An assessment of the financial performance and position of the
Company: |
|
(i) |
the Company incurred losses of US$9.6 million in FY2023 but reported profits of US$103.4 million and US$129.5 million for FY2022 and FY2021 respectively; |
|
(ii) |
the Company’s net asset value decreased over the three (3) years from US$319.6 million in FY2021, to US$287.4 million in FY2022 followed by US$246.1 million in FY2023; and |
|
(iii) |
the Company’s working capital decreased from US$61.1 million as at 31 December 2021 to a working capital of US$11.5 million in FY2023. |
| (b) | An assessment of the historical market price and trading activities
of the Shares: |
|
(i) |
the Cash Distribution is higher than the closing prices for the Shares for all the trading days for 100% of the time within the last 12-month period prior to the last full day of trading on the Nasdaq prior to the Announcement Date; |
|
(ii) |
the Cash Distribution represents a premium of 47.50%, 40.37%, 51.05% and 44.14% to the VWAP for the 12-month, 6-month, 3-month and 1-month periods on the last full day of trading on the Nasdaq prior the Announcement Date; |
|
(iii) |
the Cash Distribution represents
a premium of 4.40% to the closing price on the trading day on the Nasdaq immediately after the Announcement Date; |
|
(iv) |
the Cash Distribution is at a premium of 5.13% to the VWAP for the period between the trading day on the Nasdaq immediately after the Announcement Date and the Latest Practicable Date and a premium of 4.01% to the last transacted price as at the Latest Practicable Date, respectively; |
|
(v) |
the average daily traded volume of the Shares for the 12-month, 6-month, 3-month and 1-month periods prior and up to the last full day of trading on the Nasdaq prior to the Announcement Date represents approximately 0.90%, 0.77%, 0.39% and 0.48% of the free float of 3,479,225 Shares, respectively; |
|
(vi) |
the average daily traded volume of the Shares on the last full day of trading on the Nasdaq prior to the Announcement Date represents 0.43% of the free float of 3,479,225 Shares; |
|
(vii) |
the average daily traded volume of the Shares on the trading day on the Nasdaq immediately after the Announcement Date represents 8.34% of the free float of 3,479,225 Shares; |
PART III — SPECIAL FACTORS |
|
(viii) |
the average daily traded volume of the Shares for the period between the trading day on the Nasdaq immediately after the Announcement Date and the Latest Practicable Date represents 1.05% of the free float of 3,479,225 Shares; and |
|
(ix) |
the average daily traded volume of the Shares on the Latest Practicable Date represents 0.79% of the free float of 3,479,225 Shares. |
|
(c) |
An assessment of the historical Share price performance relative to the Nasdaq Composite Index showed that (i) for the 12-month period prior to the last full day of trading on the Nasdaq prior the Announcement Date, the Shares had generally underperformed the Nasdaq Composite Index on a normalised basis; and (ii) the closing price of the Shares had increased by approximately 33.66% while the Nasdaq Composite Index had increased by 0.44% between the last full day of trading on the Nasdaq prior the Announcement Date and the Latest Practicable Date. |
|
(d) |
An assessment of the net asset value and revalued net asset value of the Company as follows: |
|
(i) |
the Cash Distribution represents a premium of approximately 14.0% to the audited net asset value per Share; and |
|
(ii) |
the Cash Distribution is at a discount of approximately 22.0% to the audited revalued net asset value per Share. |
|
(e) |
An assessment of the net tangible asset and revalued net tangible asset of the Company as follows: |
|
(i) |
the Cash Distribution represents a premium of approximately 41.6% to the audited net tangible asset per Share; and |
|
(ii) |
the Cash Distribution is at a discount of approximately 10.0% to the audited revalued net tangible asset per Share. |
|
(f) |
A comparison with the valuation ratios of publicly listed companies whose business activities and industries are comparable to the Company as follows: |
|
(i) |
the enterprise value to earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization ratio of the Company of 6.30x, as implied by the Cash Distribution, is below the range of the enterprise value to earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization ratios of publicly listed companies whose business activities and industries are comparable to the Company; |
|
(ii) |
the price to earnings ratio of the Company, as implied by the Cash Distribution, is negative and not meaningful as the Company incurred a loss after tax of approximately US$9.6 million for FY2023. Meanwhile publicly listed companies whose business activities and industries are comparable to the Company were traded at a price to earnings ratio of an average of 7.63x; |
|
(iii) |
the price to net asset value ratio of the Company of 1.14x, as implied by the Cash Distribution, is positive and above the range of the price to net asset value ratios of publicly listed companies whose business activities and industries are comparable to the Company; |
|
(iv) |
the price to revalued net asset value ratio of the Company of 0.78x, as implied by the Cash Distribution, is within the range, below the mean and on par with the median of the price to net asset value ratios of publicly listed companies whose business activities and industries are comparable to the Company; |
|
(v) |
the price to net tangible asset ratio of the Company of 1.42x, as implied by the Cash Distribution, is positive and above the range of the price to net tangible asset ratios of publicly listed companies whose business activities and industries are comparable to the Company; and |
|
(vi) |
The price to revalued net tangible asset ratio of the Company of 0.90x, as implied by the Cash Distribution, is within the range and above the mean and median of the price to net tangible asset ratios of publicly listed companies whose business activities and industries are comparable to the Company. |
Having considered the above and subject
to the assumptions and qualifications set out in the IFA Letter, the IFA is of the opinion that on balance, the financial terms of the
Selective Capital Reduction are fair and reasonable.
In determining that the Selective Capital
Reduction is fair, the IFA considered the following pertinent factors and have placed greater emphasis on asset-based financial
ratios given that the Company is in asset intensive business:
|
(a) |
the Cash Distribution represents a premium of between 47.50%, 40.37%, 51.05% and 44.14% over the VWAPs of the Shares for each of the 12-month, 6-month, 3-month and 1-month periods prior to and including the last full day of trading on the Nasdaq prior the Announcement Date; |
PART III — SPECIAL FACTORS |
|
(b) |
the Cash Distribution represents a premium over the net asset value and the net tangible asset per Share of the Company whilst publicly listed companies whose business activities and industries are comparable to the Company’s share prices are mostly trading at a discount to their respective net asset value and net tangible asset per Share; and |
|
(c) |
the Cash Distribution represents a discount to the revalued net asset value and revalued net tangible asset per Share of the Company which is within the range of discounts at which publicly listed companies whose business activities and industries are comparable to the Company shares prices are trading to their respective net asset value and net tangible asset per Share. |
In determining that the Selective Capital
Reduction is reasonable, the IFA considered the following pertinent factors:
|
(a) |
the Company’s net profits have been declining for the last three financial years ended 31 December 2021, 31 December 2022 and 31 December 2023 (the “Period Under Review”). In addition, the Company’s working capital has been decreasing over the Period Under Review; |
|
(b) |
the Cash Distribution is higher than all of the Company’s closing share price since 5 April 2023, being 12 months prior to the Announcement Date, and up to the last full day of trading on the Nasdaq prior the Announcement Date; |
|
(c) |
the average daily trading volume of the Shares was less than 1% of free float of 3,479,225 Shares over the last 12-month period prior to the last full day of trading on the Nasdaq prior the Announcement Date, the Selective Capital Reduction represent an opportunity for Shareholders to completely divest their interest at a premium and with certainty; |
|
(d) |
the Company has paid dividends during the Period Under Review, and announced on 13 July 2023 that it does not intend to declare any further dividends for 2023 in light of the proposed capital reduction announced on 10 August 2023. There is no assurance that dividends will be paid in the future. The IFA further noted there were no further Shares repurchased for the period from 1 January 2022 to 31 December 2023; and |
|
(e) |
there is no alternative offer for the Shares as at the Latest Practicable Date. |
Accordingly, the IFA has advised
the Board (other than the Recused Directors) to recommend that Participating Shareholders to VOTE IN FAVOUR of the Selective Capital Reduction,
unless Shareholders are able to obtain a price higher than the Cash Distribution on the open market, after taking into account the brokerage
and related costs in connection with open market transactions.
The full text of the IFA Letter is forth
in Appendix A hereto. A copy of the IFA Letter will be made available for inspection at the principal executive offices of the Company
during its regular business hours by any interested Shareholder or representative of any such interested holder who has been so designated
in writing by such interested Shareholder. A copy of the IFA Letter will be transmitted by the Company to any interested Shareholder,
or such Shareholder’s representative who has been so designated in writing, upon written request and at the expense of the requesting
Shareholder.
The Company has engaged the IFA based
on its qualifications, expertise and reputation. The IFA is licensed to carry out corporate finance advisory services under the Monetary
Authority of Singapore.
During the two-year period prior to the
date of its opinion, neither the IFA nor its affiliates have been otherwise engaged to provide financial advisory or other services to
the Company or the Non-Participating Shareholders. Additionally, the IFA has not received any compensation from the Company or the Non-Participating
Shareholders during such period.
Pursuant to an engagement letter, dated
31 January 2024 between the Company and the IFA, the Company has agreed to pay the IFA a fee for its services in the amount of approximately
US$89,000, approximately US$29,700 of which is payable upon the delivery of the IFA Letter to the Board (other than the Recused Directors).
PART IV — LETTER TO SHAREHOLDERS |
GRINDROD SHIPPING
HOLDINGS LTD.
(Registration No.: 201731497H)
(Incorporated in the Republic of Singapore)
Directors |
|
Registered Office |
Dr. Kurt Ernst Moritz Klemme (Non-Executive Chairman) |
|
1 Temasek Avenue
|
Mr. Alan Ian Hatton (Non-Executive Director) |
|
#10-02 Millenia Tower |
Mr. Edward David Christopher Buttery (Director and Chief Executive Officer) |
|
Singapore 039192
Tel: (65) 6323 0048 |
Mr. Paul Charles Over (Non-Executive Director) |
|
|
Mr. Cullen Michael Schaar (Non-Executive Director) |
|
|
Mr. Gordon William French (Non-Executive Director) |
|
|
Ms. Rebecca Brosnan (Non-Executive Director) |
|
|
14 May 2024
To: The Shareholders of Grindrod Shipping Holdings
Ltd.
Dear Sir/Madam
THE PROPOSED SELECTIVE CAPITAL REDUCTION
On 28 October 2022, Good Falkirk (MI) Limited
(“GF”) a wholly-owned Subsidiary of Taylor Maritime Investments Limited (“TMI”, and together with
GF referred to as the “Non-Participating Shareholders”) made a voluntary conditional cash offer (the “VGO”)
for all the Shares (other than Shares held by GF and Shares held in treasury), in accordance with Rule 15 of the Code and the rules of
the SEC.
As at the close of the VGO at 11:59 p.m.
(US Eastern Daylight Time) on 19 December 2022, the total number of Shares owned, controlled,
or agreed to be acquired by GF and its concert parties and Shares validly tendered into the VGO amounted to an aggregate of 16,206,365
Shares, representing approximately 83.23% of the total number of issued Shares at such date.
As at the Latest Practicable Date, GF
holds 16,206,365 Shares, representing approximately 82.33% of the total number of issued Shares.
| 1.2 | Selective
Capital Reduction |
At the EGM to be convened, the Board (other
than the Recused Directors) proposes to seek the approval of the Shareholders to the Selective Capital Reduction.
The purpose of this Circular is to provide
the Shareholders with relevant information relating to the Selective Capital Reduction, and to seek the approval of the Shareholders for
the special resolution relating to the Selective Capital Reduction, as set forth in the Notice of EGM attached as Appendix H to this Circular.
This Circular also sets out the advice of the IFA to the Board (other than the Recused Directors) and the recommendation of the Board
(other than the Recused Directors) in relation to the Selective Capital Reduction.
| 2 | SELECTIVE
CAPITAL REDUCTION |
The Company proposes to implement the
Selective Capital Reduction and cancel all of the Shares held by the Participating Shareholders, comprising 3,479,225 Shares (the “Participating
Shares”).
The Participating Shareholders will receive
US$14.25 for each Participating Share held that is cancelled as a result of the Selective Capital Reduction (the “Cash Distribution”).
South African shareholders should note
that, as mandated by the SARB, shareholders holding their Shares on the JSE will receive their Cash Distribution of US$14.25 in the equivalent
amount of ZAR. The applicable USD-ZAR exchange rate will be announced by the Company following the
Company’s receipt of the Court Order.
PART IV — LETTER TO SHAREHOLDERS |
| 2.2 | Reduction
of Share Capital |
As at the Latest Practicable Date, the Company’s
issued and paid-up share capital is US$290,193,001, comprising 19,685,590 Shares. There is only one class of shares in issue. The Company
does not hold any Shares in treasury. There are no outstanding instruments convertible into, rights to subscribe for, or options in respect
of, Shares or securities which carry voting rights.
The Selective Capital Reduction will involve
reducing the issued share capital of the Company from US$290,193,001 comprising 19,685,590 Shares to US$240,614,044 comprising 16,206,365
Shares, representing a reduction of the total number of issued Shares by approximately 17.67%.
The Selective Capital Reduction will be
effected by:
|
(a) |
cancelling the amount of US$49,578,956 constituting part of the total paid-up share capital of the Company held by the Participating Shareholders; and |
|
(b) |
cancelling the 3,479,225 Participating Shares constituting the part of the total issued share capital of the Company that is held by the Participating Shareholders. |
An aggregate sum of US$49,578,956 arising
from the Selective Capital Reduction will be returned to the Participating Shareholders in cash through the Cash Distribution.
| 2.4 | Selective
Capital Reduction Conditional |
The Selective Capital Reduction will be
conditional on the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in paragraph 2.5 of this Letter.
As at the date hereof, the Selective Capital
Reduction will be conditional upon the following (the “Conditions”), which are requirements under the Companies Act:
|
(a) |
obtaining the Shareholders’ approval by way of a special resolution at the EGM of the Company to be convened to approve the Selective Capital Reduction pursuant to Section 78G of the Companies Act; |
|
(b) |
the grant of the order of the Court approving the Selective Capital Reduction (the “Court Order”), and such Court Order having become final; and |
|
(c) |
the lodgment of the Court Order (and such other documents as prescribed by Section 78I(3) of the Companies Act) with the Registrar within 90 days beginning with the date the Court Order is made, or within such longer period as the Registrar may allow. |
For completeness, the following Conditions
referred to in paragraphs 3(d) and 3(e) of the Announcement have been fulfilled:
|
(a) |
the approval of the JSE for the corporate action indicative timetable and this Circular have been obtained; and |
|
(b) |
the approval of the SARB for the release of this Circular has been obtained. |
| 2.6 | Irrevocable
Undertakings received by the Company in relation to the Selective Capital Reduction |
As at the Latest Practicable Date, the
Company has not received any irrevocable undertaking from any Participating Shareholder to vote in favour of the Selective Capital Reduction.
Appraisal
rights are not available in connection with the Selective Capital Reduction.
| 2.8 | Provisions
for Participating Shareholders |
None of TMI, GF or the Company have made
any provisions granting Participating Shareholders access to their corporate files or to obtain any counsel or appraisal services for
Participating Shareholders. Furthermore, none of TMI, GF or the Company have any intention of doing so in the future.
PART IV — LETTER TO SHAREHOLDERS |
| 3.1 | Appointment
of Financial Adviser |
The Company engaged ZICO Capital Pte.
Ltd. as its financial adviser in connection with the Selective Capital Reduction solely to provide the confirmation in paragraph 3.2 of
this Letter.
The Financial Adviser confirms that sufficient
financial resources are available to the Company to fund the aggregate Cash Distribution pursuant to the Selective Capital Reduction.
| 3.3 | Funds
for the Selective Capital Reduction |
The Selective Capital Reduction will be
funded from existing cash and cash equivalents of the Company. The Company does not have alternative financing plans.
| 4.1 | Opportunity
for Participating Shareholders to Realise Investment |
The Selective Capital Reduction is an internal
corporate exercise proposed by the Company for the Participating Shareholders to have an opportunity to fully exit their investment in
the Shares in return for cash. The Selective Capital Reduction would enable the Company to return the aggregate sum of US$49,578,956
in cash to the Participating Shareholders in respect of the cancellation of the Participating Shares held by them.
| 4.2 | Certainty
of a Premium |
The Selective Capital Reduction provides
an immediate and certain exit opportunity for the Participating Shareholders to realise their investment at an attractive premium over
historical market prices of the Shares.
The Cash Distribution of US$14.25 per Share
(or an equivalent amount in ZAR in the case of South African Shareholders) represents the following premia over:
|
(a) |
the last traded price per Share as quoted on each of Nasdaq and the JSE respectively, on the Disclosure Date (i.e., 28 March 2024, being the last practicable full day of trading in the Shares on Nasdaq and the JSE preceding the Announcement Date); |
|
(b) |
the following premia over the volume-weighted average price (“VWAP”) per Share as transacted on Nasdaq and the JSE, respectively, for the 30-day, 60-day, 90-day and 180-day periods each ended on the Disclosure Date (respectively, the “30-day VWAP Period”, the “60-day VWAP Period”, the “90-day VWAP Period” and the “180-day VWAP Period”). |
Nasdaq
|
Description |
Share price (1) |
Implied Premium of
Cash Distribution of
US$14.25 per Share
over Share price (2) |
1. |
Last traded price per Share on 28 March 2024, being the Disclosure Date |
US$10.35 |
37.7% |
|
|
|
|
2. |
VWAP for the 30-day VWAP Period |
US$9.53 |
49.5% |
|
|
|
|
3. |
VWAP for the 60-day VWAP Period |
US$9.31 |
53.1% |
|
|
|
|
4. |
VWAP for the 90-day VWAP Period |
US$9.35 |
52.4% |
|
|
|
|
5. |
VWAP for the 180-day VWAP Period |
US$9.09 |
56.8% |
Notes:
|
(1) |
The Company’s share price quoted on Nasdaq based on data extracted from Bloomberg L.P. as at the Disclosure Date, rounded to the nearest two decimal places. |
PART IV — LETTER TO SHAREHOLDERS |
| (2) | The percentage figures are rounded
to the nearest one decimal place. |
JSE
|
Description |
Share Price (1) |
Exchange rate (USD/ZAR) (2) |
USD converted share price (3) |
Premium of
Cash
Distribution
of US$14.25
per Share
over Share
Price (4) |
1. |
Last traded price per Share on 28 March 2024, being the Disclosure Date |
ZAR 200.00 |
18.94 |
US$10.56 |
34.9% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
2. |
VWAP for the 30-day VWAP Period |
ZAR 174.32 |
18.94 |
US$9.20 |
54.8% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
3. |
VWAP for the 60-day VWAP Period |
ZAR 177.30 |
18.94 |
US$9.36 |
52.2% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
4. |
VWAP for the 90-day VWAP Period |
ZAR 177.22 |
18.94 |
US$9.36 |
52.3% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
5. |
VWAP for the 180-day VWAP Period |
ZAR 173.72 |
18.94 |
US$9.17 |
55.4% |
Notes:
|
(1) |
The Company’s share price quoted on the JSE based on data extracted from Bloomberg L.P. as at the Disclosure Date, rounded to the nearest two decimal places. |
|
(2) |
The rate extracted from Bloomberg L.P. as at the Disclosure Date, rounded to the nearest two decimal places. |
|
(3) |
The ZAR price converted to USD at the rate extracted from Bloomberg L.P. as at the Disclosure Date, rounded to the nearest two decimal places. |
|
(4) |
The percentage figures are rounded to the nearest one decimal place. |
Upon the Selective Capital Reduction becoming
effective, the Company intends to, as soon as practicable, delist the Shares from both Nasdaq and the JSE and deregister the
Shares under the Exchange Act. As a company with publicly traded Shares, the Company incurs, among other things, significant administrative,
compliance, legal, accounting and other listing-related costs and expenses as well as an expenditure of a significant amount of resources
to comply with the rules and regulations of the Exchange Act, Nasdaq and the JSE. Such costs and expenses in the aggregate total approximately
US$2.2 million per year and include, among other things, the costs associated with preparing its annual report on Form 20-F, compliance
with Exchange Act-related requirements and the rules and regulations of the JSE and fees for external legal counsel. The delisting from
Nasdaq and the JSE eliminates such costs and expenses and will allow the Company to redirect its resources and funds among the Company’s
business operations.
| 5 | INTENTIONS RELATING TO THE COMPANY AND ITS EMPLOYEES |
The Non-Participating Shareholders and the
Company will evaluate the business and operations of the Company prior to and following the Effective Date and will consider which changes,
if any, would be desirable following the Effective Date. Possible changes include changes in the Company’s corporate structure,
organisational documents, capitalisation, composition of the Board and management of the Company. Any changes will be considered in light
of the then prevailing circumstances of the Company and its business operations and the Non-Participating Shareholders reserve the right
to change their plans and intentions at any time, as deemed appropriate.
PART IV — LETTER TO SHAREHOLDERS |
Except as described elsewhere in this
Circular and in publicly available information and except for the Selective Capital Reduction, neither the Non-Participating Shareholders
nor the Company have any present plans or proposals that would relate to or result in: (a) introduce any major changes to the business
of the Company or any other Group Company, (b) re-deploy the fixed assets of any Group Company, (c) affect the operations of any Group
Company, (d) discontinue the employment of the existing employees of any Group Company, in each case, other than in the ordinary and usual
course of the business, (e) any extraordinary corporate transaction involving the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (such as a merger,
reorganisation, liquidation, relocation of any operations or sale or other transfer of a material amount of assets), (f) any material
change in the Company’s capitalisation, indebtedness or dividend policy, (g) any other material change in the Company’s corporate
structure or business, (h) any class of equity securities of the Company being delisted from a national securities exchange or ceasing
to be authorised to be quoted in an automated quotation system operated by a national securities association, (i) any class of equity
securities of the Company becoming eligible for termination of registration pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Exchange Act, (j) any acquisition
or disposition of Shares or (k) any change in the Company’s governing instruments that could impede the acquisition of control of
the Company.
Nonetheless, the Non-Participating Shareholders
and the Company reserve the right to retain the flexibility to further change their plans and intentions at any time, as deemed appropriate
and in the light of any options and opportunities that present themselves and which the Non-Participating Shareholders may regard to be
in the interests of the Group.
| 5.2 | Compulsory
Acquisition |
Each of the Non-Participating Shareholders
is not entitled to, and will not avail itself of, the rights of compulsory acquisition under Section 215 of the Companies Act. It should
also be noted that the Participating Shareholders will also have no right and are not entitled to require the Non- Participating Shareholders
to acquire their Shares under Section 215(3) of the Companies Act.
| 6 | NON-PARTICIPATING
SHAREHOLDERS: DISCLOSURE OF SHAREHOLDINGS, DEALINGS AND OTHER ARRANGEMENTS |
| 6.1 | Holdings
and Dealings in Company Securities |
As at the Latest Practicable Date, based
on information available to the Non-Participating Shareholders, save as disclosed elsewhere in this Circular (in particular, but without
limitation, in Appendix C), none of the Non-Participating Shareholders or the parties Acting in Concert with them:
|
(a) |
owns, controls or has agreed to acquire any Company Securities; or |
|
(b) |
has dealt for value in any Company Securities during the Reference Period. |
| 6.2 | Interest
of directors of the Non-Participating Shareholders in Company Securities |
As at the Latest Practicable Date, none
of the directors of the Non-Participating Shareholders:
|
(a) |
are interested in any Company Securities; or |
|
(b) |
have dealt for value in any Company Securities during the Reference Period. |
As at the Latest Practicable Date, based
on the latest information available to the Non-Participating Shareholders and save as disclosed elsewhere in this Circular (in particular,
but without limitation, in Appendix C), none of the Non-Participating Shareholders or the parties Acting in Concert with them have:
|
(a) |
entered into any arrangement of the kind referred to in Note 7 on Rule 12 of the Code with any person, including any indemnity or option arrangements, and any agreement or understanding, formal or informal, of whatever nature, relating to any Company Securities which may be an inducement to deal or refrain from dealing; |
|
(b) |
received any irrevocable commitment from any party to vote in favour of the Selective Capital Reduction; |
|
(c) |
granted any security interest in respect of any Company Securities to another person, whether through a charge, pledge or otherwise; |
|
(d) |
borrowed any Company Securities from another person (excluding borrowed securities which have been on-lent or sold); or |
|
(e) |
lent any Company Securities to another person. |
PART IV — LETTER TO SHAREHOLDERS |
| 7 | SHAREHOLDERS'
AND COURT APPROVAL |
As mentioned in paragraph 1.2 of this
Letter, the Company is seeking Shareholders’ approval for the Selective Capital Reduction in accordance with Section 78G of the
Companies Act. Pursuant to Section 78G of the Companies Act, in order for the Selective Capital Reduction to be approved, the Selective
Capital Reduction requires:
|
(a) |
a special resolution, which will require the approval of a majority of at least 75% of all Shares voted by Shareholders present and voting at the EGM, to be passed by the Shareholders approving the Selective Capital Reduction; and |
|
(b) |
the approval and confirmation by the Court of the Selective Capital Reduction. |
Upon the Court Order being made approving
the Selective Capital Reduction, the Selective Capital Reduction will take effect upon the lodgement of a copy of the Court Order, together
with the other documents as prescribed under the Companies Act, with the Registrar within 90 days beginning with the date the Court Order
is made, or within such longer period as the Registrar may allow.
| 8.1 | Non-Participating
Shareholders and their concert parties |
The Non-Participating Shareholders and
the parties Acting in Concert with them will abstain and not vote on the special resolution relating to the Selective Capital Reduction
at the EGM to be convened for the purposes of approving the Selective Capital Reduction. In this regard:
|
(a) |
TMG is Acting in Concert with the Non-Participating Shareholders; and |
|
(b) |
Temeraire is Acting in Concert with the Non-Participating Shareholders. |
Accordingly, GF, TMG, and Temeraire, will
abstain and not vote on the special resolution relating to the Selective Capital Reduction at the EGM to be convened for the purposes
of approving the Selective Capital Reduction. For the avoidance of doubt, TMG and Temeraire are not prohibited from participating in the
Selective Capital Reduction, although they will abstain from voting on the aforementioned special resolution.
Mr. Edward David Christopher Buttery,
is an executive director and the Chief Executive Officer of the Company, and is also an executive director and the Chief Executive Officer
of TMI. Mr. Paul Charles Over, a non-executive director of the Company, was, on 17 February 2022, nominated to the board of the Company
by TMI following GF's acquisition of approximately 26% of the Shares. Each of Mr. Edward David Christopher Buttery and Mr. Paul Over would
face irreconcilable conflicts of interest in connection with their respective relationships with TMI, and the SIC has ruled that each
of them will be exempt from making a recommendation on the Selective Capital Reduction to the Participating Shareholders.
| 9 | EXEMPTIONS
BY THE SECURITIES INDUSTRY COUNCIL |
The SIC has exempted the Selective Capital
Reduction from certain provisions of the Code, including Rules 14, 15, 16, 17, 20.1, 21, 22, 28, 29 and 33.2 and Note 1(b) on Rule 19
of the Code, subject to the following conditions:
|
(a) |
the Non-Participating Shareholders and their concert parties will abstain and not vote on the special resolution relating to the Selective Capital Reduction at the EGM to be convened for the purposes of approving the Selective Capital Reduction; |
|
(b) |
the directors of the Company who are also directors of the Non-Participating Shareholders, or who are acting in concert with the Non-Participating Shareholders and their concert parties, will abstain from making a recommendation to the Participating Shareholders on the Selective Capital Reduction; and |
|
(c) |
the Company appoints an independent financial adviser to advise the Participating Shareholders on the Selective Capital Reduction. |
| 9.2 | Recommendation
and Responsibility |
As at the Latest Practicable Date, the Directors
are Dr. Kurt Klemme, Ms. Rebecca Brosnan, Mr. Edward David Christopher Buttery, Mr. Alan Hatton, Mr. Paul Charles Over, Mr. Cullen Schaar
and Mr. Gordon William French.
PART IV — LETTER TO SHAREHOLDERS |
As the Recused Directors face irreconcilable
conflicts of interest in making a recommendation to the Shareholders on the Selective Capital Reduction, and taking into consideration
Note 3 on Rule 24.1 of the Code which states that directors who have an irreconcilable conflict of interests should not join with the
remainder of the Board in the expression of its views on the offer, the Council has ruled that the Recused Directors will be exempt from
the requirement to make a recommendation on the Selective Capital Reduction to Participating Shareholders.
All Directors (including the Recused Directors)
must, nonetheless, still assume responsibility for the accuracy of the facts stated or opinions expressed in documents and advertisements
issued by, or on behalf of, the Company to the Participating Shareholders in connection with the Selective Capital Reduction.
| 10 | ADVICE
OF THE IFA TO THE BOARD (OTHER THAN THE RECUSED DIRECTORS) |
The Company has appointed CEL Investment
Corporate Finance Pte. Ltd. to act as the independent financial adviser to the Board (other than the Recused Directors) to advise the
Board (other than the Recused Directors) in respect of the Selective Capital Reduction in compliance with the Code. The Shareholders should
consider carefully the advice of the IFA to the Board (other than the Recused Directors) and the recommendation of the Board (other than
the Recused Directors) before deciding whether to vote in favour of or against the Selective Capital Reduction at the EGM.
The IFA’s advice is set forth in
the IFA Letter set forth in Appendix A hereto.
Having considered the advice set forth
in the IFA Letter and the recommendation reproduced in italics below, including the various considerations set forth in the IFA Letter,
the IFA is of the opinion that on balance, the financial terms of the Selective Capital Reduction are fair and reasonable.
Accordingly, the IFA has advised the
Board (other than the Recused Directors) to recommend that the Participating Shareholders VOTE IN FAVOUR of the Selective Capital Reduction.
The considerations and recommendations
of the IFA as more fully described above in the section titled “Special Factors—Reports, Opinions, Appraisals and Negotiations”
should be considered and read in conjunction with, and in the context of, the full text of the IFA Letter set forth in Appendix A hereto.
SHAREHOLDERS ARE ADVISED TO READ THE
FULL TEXT OF THE IFA LETTER SET FORTH IN APPENDIX A HERETO CAREFULLY.
| 11 | POSITION
OF THE COMPANY AS TO FAIRNESS; RECOMMENDATION OF THE BOARD (OTHER THAN THE RECUSED DIRECTORS) |
In evaluating the fairness (both substantively
and procedurally) and advisability of the Selective Capital Reduction to the Participating Shareholders and unanimously recommending that
the Participating Shareholders vote in favour of the special resolution approving the Selective Capital Reduction at the EGM, the Board
(other than the Recused Directors) considered the terms of the Selective Capital Reduction, consulted with and considered the advice of
the Company’s senior management and legal advisers, including the advice given by the IFA in the IFA Letter (summarised above under
the section captioned “—Advice of the IFA”), which the Board (other than the Recused Directors) has adopted as its own,
considered information with respect to the Company’s financial condition, results of operations, business, competitive position
and business strategy, as well as current industry, economic and market conditions and trends, and considered and analysed a wide and
complex range of factors as discussed above under the caption “Special Factors—Fairness of the Selective Capital Reduction—Factors
Considered in Determining Fairness”.
Based on these consultations, analyses
and considerations, the Board (except for the Recused Directors) unanimously: (a) determined that the Selective Capital Reduction is fair
(both substantively and procedurally) to the Participating Shareholders, (b) determined that the Selective Capital Reduction is in the
interests of the Company, (c) approved the Selective Capital Reduction and the performance by the Company of its obligations thereunder
upon the terms and subject to the conditions contained herein, and (d) resolved to recommend that the Participating Shareholders vote
in favour of the special resolution approving the Selective Capital Reduction at the EGM.
þThe
Board (other than the Recused Directors) recommends that the Participating Shareholders VOTE IN FAVOUR of the special resolution approving
the Selective Capital Reduction at the EGM.
PART IV — LETTER TO SHAREHOLDERS |
In making its recommendation, the Board
(other than the Recused Directors) has not had regard to the specific objectives, financial situation, tax status, risk profiles or unique
needs and constraints of any individual Shareholder. Accordingly, the Board (other than the Recused Directors) recommends that any
individual Shareholder who may require advice in the context of his specific investment portfolio should consult his/her stockbroker,
bank manager, solicitor, accountant, tax adviser or other professional adviser immediately.
| 12 | DELISTING
FROM NASDAQ AND THE JSE |
| 12.1 | Listing
Status of the Company on Nasdaq |
Upon the Selective Capital Reduction becoming
effective, the Company intends to as soon as practicable delist the Shares from Nasdaq and will issue an announcement of the
delisting of the Shares on Nasdaq.
| 12.2 | Listing
status of the Company on JSE |
If the Selective Capital Reduction becomes
effective, all the Shares will be owned by GF. In that event, it is expected that the JSE will initiate the removal of the Shares from
the List.
It is anticipated that the removal of
the Shares from the List will take effect within 30 JSE Business Days after the publication by the Company of an announcement that the
Selective Capital Reduction has become effective.
| 12.3 | Implications
of Delisting |
Delisting of the Shares from Nasdaq and
the cancellation of the listing on the List maintained by the JSE would significantly reduce the liquidity and marketability of the Shares.
Delisting of the Shares from the JSE would significantly reduce the liquidity and marketability of the Shares held on the South African
register.
| 13 | CERTAIN
INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES OF THE SELECTIVE CAPITAL REDUCTION |
| 13.1 | Certain
Material US Federal Income Tax Consequences |
The
following discussion summarises certain material US federal income tax consequences of the Selective Capital Reduction and the Cash Distribution
to US Holders and certain Non-US Holders. This discussion is for general information purposes only and is not tax advice. The following
summary is not a complete analysis or description of all potential US federal income tax consequences to a particular US Holder or Non-US
Holder. This discussion applies only to Beneficial Shareholders who hold Participating Shares as capital assets within the meaning of
Section 1221 of the US Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “IRS Code”), and does not purport to consider
all aspects of US federal income taxation that might be relevant to a particular Shareholder or to certain Shareholders that are subject
to special treatment under the US federal income tax laws, such as insurance companies, tax exempt organisations, financial institutions,
regulated investment companies, real estate investment trusts, brokers or dealers in securities, currencies, or commodities, traders in
securities that elect the mark-to-market method of tax accounting, partnerships and other pass-through entities (and partners or investors
therein), controlled foreign corporations, passive foreign investment companies, persons subject to the alternative minimum tax, persons
that own or have owned, actually or constructively, 5% or more of the Company’s Shares (by vote or value), persons whose functional
currency is not the US dollar, persons holding Participating Shares as part of a hedge, straddle, constructive sale or conversion or other
integrated transaction, US Holders that hold the Participating Shares in connection with a trade or business conducted or a permanent
establishment located outside the United States, persons that received Participating Shares pursuant to the exercise of employee stock
options or otherwise as compensation, governmental agencies, pension funds, retirement plans and US expatriates. This discussion is based
on the IRS Code, existing and proposed Treasury Regulations under the IRS Code, and published administrative and judicial interpretations,
each as in effect as of the date hereof, all of which are subject to change, possibly with retroactive effect. Any change could materially
alter the US federal income tax consequences described herein. The conclusions expressed in this discussion are not binding on the United
States Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”) or any court, and there is no assurance that the IRS or a court would not
reach a contrary conclusion. No ruling from the IRS has been obtained or will be requested with respect to any of the US federal income
tax consequences described herein.
This
discussion also does not consider the state, local or non-US tax consequences of the Selective Capital Reduction or the Cash Distribution,
US alternative minimum tax consequences, the Medicare contribution tax on net investment income, trust and estate tax consequences, or
any tax consequence other than US federal income tax consequences.
If
any entity or arrangement that is treated as a partnership for US federal tax purposes holds Participating Shares, the tax treatment of
its partners generally will depend upon the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. An entity or arrangement treated
as a partnership for US federal tax purposes that holds Participating Shares, or a partner in such a partnership, should consult its own
tax advisor.
PART IV — LETTER TO SHAREHOLDERS |
The
summary of US federal income tax consequences set out below is for general information only. Each Participating Shareholder should consult
its tax advisor regarding the tax consequences of the Selective Capital Reduction and the Cash Distribution.
US Holders
The
Selective Capital Reduction and the Cash Distribution will be a taxable transaction for US federal income tax purposes. Subject to the
discussion of the passive foreign investment company (“PFIC”) rules below, a US Holder will recognise capital gain
or loss for US federal income tax purposes in an amount equal to the difference, if any, between the amount of the Cash Distribution
received and the US Holder’s adjusted tax basis in the Participating Shares. Gain or loss
will be calculated separately for each block of Participating Shares (that is, Participating Shares acquired by the US Holder at the same
cost in a single transaction). Any such gain or loss will be long-term capital gain or loss, as the case may be, provided the US Holder’s
holding period for the Shares is more than one year. Long-term capital gains of certain non-corporate US Holders (including individuals)
generally are taxable at preferential tax rates. The deductibility of capital losses is subject to limitations. In addition, gain or loss
recognised on the sale of Shares pursuant to the Selective Capital Reduction generally will
be US source gain or loss for US foreign tax credit purposes.
If
the Cash Distribution is paid in South African Rand, the US Holder’s amount realised will be the US dollar value of the amount received,
translated at the spot rate of exchange on the date of the Cash Distribution. US Holders should consult their tax advisors regarding how
to account for the Cash Distribution if it is paid in South African Rand, including the application of any special US federal income tax
rules if the Shares are treated as traded on an established securities market (including Nasdaq)
for US federal income tax purposes at the relevant time.
The
above discussion assumes that the Company is not a PFIC for US federal income tax purposes. Generally, the Company would be classified
as a PFIC with respect to a US Holder if, during any taxable year of the Company that is wholly or partially included in such US Holder’s
holding period for Shares, (a) the average value of the Company’s gross assets that produce passive income or are held for the production
of passive income is at least 50.0% of the average value of the Company’s gross assets (in each case, generally determined on the
basis of a quarterly average) or (b) 75.0% or more of the Company’s gross income is passive income (such as dividends, interest
and certain rents and royalties). In this regard, in general, income earned, or deemed earned, in connection with the performance of services
would not constitute passive income. By contrast, rental income generally would constitute passive income unless the Company were treated
as deriving its rental income in the active conduct of a trade or business under the applicable rules. For purposes of the foregoing tests,
the Company will be treated as owning its proportionate share of the assets and earning its proportionate share of the gross income of
any corporation of which the Company owns, directly or indirectly, at least 25.0% of the stock (by value).
According
to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended 31 December 2023, based on its then current and projected income,
assets and methods of operations, the Company believes that it should not be treated as a PFIC for its taxable year ended 31 December
2023 and expects that it should not become a PFIC for the foreseeable future.
If
the Company was a PFIC for any taxable year during which a US Holder held its Shares, unless the US Holder has made a mark-to-market election,
as described below, certain potentially adverse US federal income tax rules would apply to such US Holder with respect to the Selective
Capital Reduction and the Cash Distribution. Among other things, the amount of any “excess distributions” (generally distributions
that are greater than 125% of the average annual distributions received during the shorter of the three preceding taxable years or the
US Holder’s holding period of Shares) and any gain realised by the US Holder on the Selective Capital Reduction and the Cash Distribution
would be taxable at ordinary income rates (including additional taxes and interest charges, as discussed below), regardless of whether
the Company continues to be a PFIC in subsequent taxable years unless the Company ceases to be a PFIC and the US Holder makes a special
“purging” election. In particular, to compute the US federal income tax on an excess distribution or any gain from the Selective
Capital Reduction and the Cash Distribution, (a) the excess distribution or gain would be allocated ratably to each day in the US Holder’s
holding period for its Shares, (b) the amount allocated to the current taxable year and any taxable year prior to the first taxable year
in which the Company was a PFIC would be taxed as ordinary income in the current year, (c) the amount allocated to other taxable years
would be taxable at the highest applicable marginal US federal income tax rate in effect for that year, and (d) an interest charge (at
the rate for underpayment of taxes for the periods described in (c) above) would be imposed with respect to any portion of the excess
distribution or gain that is allocated to such period.
A
US Holder would not be able to make a “qualified electing fund” election as the Company does not expect to provide the information
necessary for US Holders to make “qualified electing fund” elections.
A
US Holder that has made a timely “mark-to-market” election with respect to its Shares may avoid the imposition of the rules
described above, provided the Shares are “marketable stock” for US federal income tax purposes. Generally, the Shares will
be considered “marketable stock” as long as they are regularly traded (as determined for US federal income tax purposes) on
a national securities exchange. US Holders that have made (or are considering making) a mark-to-market election with respect to their
Shares are urged to consult their tax advisors regarding the availability and desirability of such an election, and the US federal income
tax consequences to them of the of the Selective Capital Reduction and the Cash Distribution as a result of having properly and timely
made a “mark-to-market” election.
PART IV — LETTER TO SHAREHOLDERS |
The
PFIC rules are complex and affected by various factors in addition to those described above. US Holders are urged to consult their tax
advisors regarding the PFIC rules in connection with the Selective Capital Reduction and the Cash Distribution, as well as the reporting
requirements imposed by the PFIC rules.
Non-US
Holders
Subject
to the discussion below regarding backup withholding, a Non-US Holder generally will not be subject to US federal income tax on any gain
realised on the Selective Capital Reduction and the Cash Distribution if:
|
(a) |
the
Non-US Holder is a non-resident alien individual who is present in the United States for 183 days or more in the taxable year of the
Selective Capital Reduction or the Cash Distribution (but is not considered a resident of the United States under special rules),
and meets certain other conditions; or |
|
(b) |
such gain is effectively connected with a trade or business of the Non-US Holder in the United States (and, if an applicable income tax treaty applies, is attributable to the Non-US Holder’s permanent establishment in the United States). |
Non-US
Holders described in (a) or (b) above should consult their tax advisors with respect to the US federal income tax consequences thereof
(including in the case of (b) the possible imposition of a 30.0% US federal branch profits tax on a Non-US Holder that is a treated as
a corporation for US federal income tax purposes).
Information
Reporting and Backup Withholding
The
Selective Capital Reduction and the Cash Distribution may be subject to information reporting to the IRS and possible US backup withholding
(currently imposed at a rate of 24%). Backup withholding will not apply, however, to a holder who:
|
(a) |
in the case of a US Holder, furnishes a correct taxpayer identification number and certifies that such person is not subject to backup withholding (generally on an IRS Form W-9); |
|
(b) |
in the case of a Non-US Holder, furnishes an applicable IRS Form W-8; or |
|
(c) |
is otherwise exempt from backup withholding and complies with other applicable rules and certification requirements. |
Backup
withholding is not an additional tax and any amount withheld under the backup withholding rules may be credited against the holder’s
US federal income tax liability and may entitle the holder to a refund if required information is timely furnished to the IRS. Holders
should consult their tax advisers regarding the application of the US information reporting and backup withholding rules.
| 13.2 | South
African Tax Consequences |
The
following is a summary of the material South African income tax consequences for the SA Participating Shareholders. This summary is of
a general nature only and is not intended to be legal or tax advice to any particular Shareholder. This summary is not exhaustive of all
South African income tax considerations. The SA Participating Shareholders should therefore consult their own tax advisors as to the South
African tax consequences in respect of the Selective Capital Reduction and related aspects/transactions.
General
As mentioned above
in the section entitled, “PART I – SUMMARY TERM SHEET”, the South African income
tax consequences arising for the SA Participating Shareholders from the cancellation of the Participating Shares in terms of the Selective
Capital Reduction and the SA Cash Distribution depends on whether the Participating Shares are held by the SA Participating Shareholders
on (i) revenue account or as “trading stock” (as defined in section 1 of the SA ITA) or (ii) as a capital asset (or in respect
of Participating Shares to which the provisions of section 9C of the SA ITA apply).
Broadly
speaking, the Participating Shares should be held on revenue account or as “trading stock” if the said shares are held by
the SA Participating Shareholders with the intention to realise a gain on a speculative basis in pursuance of a scheme of profit-making.
The Participating Shares should be held as capital assets if the said shares are not held in terms of a scheme of profit making. The provisions
of section 9C of the SA ITA should in principle apply in respect of the Participating Shares which (i) are held on the JSE and (ii) have
been held by the SA Participating Shareholders for a period of at least three years at the time of the receipt of the Cash Distribution,
subject to none of the exclusions applying.
The
summary below is on the basis that the Cash Distribution will constitute a “foreign return of capital” as defined in section
1 of the SA ITA.
SA
Participating Shareholders who/which hold the Participating Shares as capital assets or to which section 9C of the SA ITA apply
PART IV — LETTER TO SHAREHOLDERS |
The
amount received by way of the Cash Distribution should not be included in the “gross income” of the SA Participating Shareholders.
To the extent that the portion of the Cash Distribution paid to the SA Participating Shareholders in respect of the cancellation of the
Participating Shares exceeds (is less than) the “base cost” of the SA Participating Shareholders in respect of the said shares,
a capital gain (capital loss) will arise for the SA Shareholders for capital gains tax purposes.
Certain
anti-avoidance provisions which, in certain circumstances, apply to deem certain dividends received to be additional proceeds upon a disposal
of shares may potentially apply to the extent that the SA Participating Shareholders which constitute companies hold 10% or more of the
shares or voting rights in the Company alone or together with any “connected persons” in relation to such shareholders. We
recommend that advice be obtained by the relevant SA Participating Shareholders in this regard.
SA
Participating Shareholders who/which hold the Participating Shares on revenue account or as “trading stock”
The
amount received or accrued by the SA Participating Shareholders in respect of the Cash Distribution should be included in their “gross
income”. The expenditure actually incurred by the SA Part Shareholders in respect of the cost of acquisition of the GSHL shares
should be deductible for tax purposes, assuming that the relevant requirements are met. The amount by which the Cash Distribution paid
to the SA Participating Shareholders exceeds the deduction claimed by the SA Participating Shareholder in respect of the Participating
Shares will be subject to income tax in their hands at the applicable rate.
Certain
anti-avoidance provisions which in, certain circumstances, apply to deem certain dividends received to be included in the income of a
company upon the disposal of shares held as “trading stock” may potentially apply to the extent that the SA Participating
Shareholders which constitute companies hold 10% or more of the shares or voting rights in the Company alone or together with any “connected
persons” in relation to such shareholder. We recommend that advice be obtained by the relevant SA Participating Shareholders in
this regard.
Dividends
tax
No
dividends tax implications should arise for the SA Participating Shareholders in relation to the receipt/accrual of the Cash Distribution
as the Cash Distribution should not constitute a “foreign dividend” as defined and thus as a “dividend” as defined
for dividends tax purposes.
In addition to the consequences described
above, securities transfer tax (“SA STT”) will be imposed at the rate of 0.25%
of the “taxable amount”, as determined in terms of the Securities transfer Tax Act, 25 of 2007 (“SA STT Act”),
in respect of the cancellation of the Participating Shares held on the JSE by the SA Participating Shareholders. The relevant JSE “member”
or “participant” (as such terms are defined in the SA STT Act) will have a statutory right to recover the SA STT payable in
this regard from the Company. No SA STT implications should arise in respect of the cancellation of the Participating Shares which are
held by the Participating Shareholders on Nasdaq.
| 14 | PERSONS/ASSETS
RETAINED, EMPLOYED, COMPENSATED OR USED |
Neither the Company nor any person acting
on its behalf has or currently intends to employ, retain or compensate any person to make solicitations or recommendations to the Shareholders
on its behalf with respect to the Selective Capital Reduction or related matters.
Information pertaining to the IFA, which
the Company appointed as the independent financial adviser to the Board (other than the Recused Directors) and not to make any solicitation
in connection with the Selective Capital Reduction or otherwise, is set forth above in the section captioned “—Advice of the
IFA to the Board (other than the Recused Directors)” and in Appendix A.
Neither the Company, nor any person acting
on its behalf, has or currently intends to employ, retain or agree to compensate any other person or class of persons to make solicitations
or recommendations in connection with the Selective Capital Reduction, except that such solicitations or recommendations may be made by
Directors, officers or employees of the Company, for which services no additional compensation will be paid.
| 15 | EXTRAORDINARY
GENERAL MEETING |
The EGM, notice of which is set forth on
page H-1 of this Circular, will be held by electronic means on 20 June 2024 at 18:00 Singapore Standard Time (12:00 South Africa
Standard Time, 06:00 United States Eastern Daylight Time), for the purpose of considering and, if thought fit, passing with or without
any modifications, the special resolutions set forth in the notice of EGM.
Approval by way of Special Resolution is
required in respect of Shareholders’ approval for the Selective Capital Reduction.
PART IV — LETTER TO SHAREHOLDERS |
The Meeting Specialist (Proprietary) Limited
will conduct the virtual proceedings of the EGM. The Directors will endeavour to address all substantial and relevant questions received
in advance of the EGM from Shareholders, prior to or during the EGM. The Company will publish the responses to the substantial and relevant
questions raised by Shareholders for the EGM received before the cut-off date of 17 June 2024, 18:00 Singapore Standard Time, on the
Company’s Website, the SENS electronic platform of the JSE and the electronic platform of Nasdaq prior to the EGM. The Company
will publish the minutes of the EGM on the Company Website, the SENS electronic platform of the JSE and the electronic platform of Nasdaq
within one month from the date of the EGM, and the minutes will include the responses to the substantial and relevant questions which
are addressed during the EGM.
| 16 | ACTIONS
TO BE TAKEN BY SHAREHOLDERS |
Shareholders will find enclosed with
this Circular, the Notice and a Form of Proxy and Voting Instruction in relation to the EGM (as set forth in Appendix H on page H-8
of this Circular). The Shareholder should complete, sign and return the attached Form of Proxy and Voting Instruction in accordance with
the instructions printed thereon as soon as possible.
An eligible Shareholder whose name is
reflected in the Company’s register of members may only cast his/her/its vote by completing a “Form of Proxy and Voting Instruction”
and emailing it back to proxy@continentalstock.com or by posting it to 1 State Street, 30th Floor, New York, NY10004-1561 by no later
than 17 June 2024, 06:00 US Eastern Daylight Time.
An eligible Beneficial Shareholder may
only cast his/her/its vote by completing a “Form of Proxy and Voting Instruction” (as attached) in accordance with the instructions
it contains. The duly completed form must be submitted by Shareholders in South Africa, by 17 June 2024 at 12:00 South Africa Standard
Time, to your broker, dealer, securities depository or other intermediary through which their interests are held in South Africa and by
Shareholders outside of South Africa, by 17 June 2024 at 06:00 United States Eastern Daylight Time, to (a) their respective broker, dealer,
securities depository or other intermediary through which their interests are held or (b) Vote Processing, c/o Broadridge at 51 Mercedes
Way, Edgewood, NY 11717, (c) via telephone voting at BROADRIDGE at +1-800-454-8683, or (d) via online voting at PROXYVOTE.com, which requires
the 16-digit Control Number printed on the Voting Instruction Form from Broadridge.
Please refer to the “Form of Proxy
and Voting Instruction” for further instructions.
A live audio-visual
webcast and a live audio-only stream will allow Shareholders to view and/or listen to the EGM proceedings. Shareholders will not be able
to ask questions during the course of the EGM but can submit their questions in advance before the cut-off date of 17 June 2024, 18:00
Singapore Standard Time (12:00 South Africa Standard Time, 06:00 US Eastern Daylight Time). Pre-registration for EGM participation will
be available via email to EGM2024@grindrodshipping.com or via the Company Website.
The Company does not expect any broker
non-votes at the EGM because the rules applicable to banks, brokers and other nominees only provide brokers with discretionary authority
to vote on proposals that are considered “routine,” whereas the proposal to be presented at the EGM is considered “non-routine.”
As a result, no broker will be permitted to vote your Shares at the EGM without receiving instructions. Failure to instruct your broker
on how to vote your Shares will result in your Shares not being voted on such proposals.
If you wish to revoke a form of proxy
and voting instruction, a Beneficial Shareholder must send an email to notify this to the relevant broker, dealer, securities depository
or other intermediary and a Shareholder of Record must send an email to notify this to Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company,
in each case, by 17 June 2024, 06:00 US Eastern Daylight Time / 12:00 South Africa Standard Time.
A copy of this Circular is available on
the Company Website and released by the Company to its Shareholders through the SENS electronic platform of the JSE, and the electronic
platform of Nasdaq. Please refer to the Company Website for further announcements in relation to the Selective Capital Reduction.
| 17 | ADMINISTRATIVE
PROCEDURES |
Subject to the Conditions being satisfied,
the Participating Shareholders registered in the register of members of the Company as at the Effective Date will be entitled to receive
US$14.25 for each Participating Share registered in their respective names as at the Effective Date.
| 17.2 | Settlement
of Cash Distribution |
Subject to the Conditions being satisfied,
on the lodgement of a copy of the Court Order together with the other documents prescribed under the Companies Act with the Registrar,
the Selective Capital Reduction shall take effect on such date (such date referred to as the Effective Date), and, payment of the Cash
Distribution pursuant to the Selective Capital Reduction will be made within seven (7) Business Days after the Effective Date.
PART IV — LETTER TO SHAREHOLDERS |
The Participating Shareholders will be
entitled to receive the Cash Distribution, irrespective of their location. As mandated by the SARB,
the Participating Shareholders holding their Shares on the JSE will receive the Cash Distribution in the equivalent amount of South African
rand. The Company expects that the USD-ZAR exchange rate for the Cash Distribution will be announced following the Company’s receipt
of the Court Order.
The Company’s transfer agent, Continental
Stock Transfer & Trust Company will distribute the cash distribution to the International Shareholders and the Company’s South
African Administrative Depository Agent, Computershare Investor Services (Pty) Ltd will distribute the cash distribution to our South
African Shareholders.
| 18 | DIRECTORS’
RESPONSIBILITY STATEMENT |
The Directors (including any Director
who may have delegated detailed supervision of this Circular) have taken all reasonable care to ensure that the facts stated and all opinions
expressed in this Circular (other than (a) the IFA Letter (set forth in Appendix A), for which the IFA has taken responsibility, (b) paragraph
6 (Non-Participating Shareholders: Disclosures of Shareholders, Dealings and Other Arrangements) of the Letter, and Appendix B
(Additional Information on the Non-Participating Shareholders), Appendix C (Disclosures of Holdings and Dealings in Company
Securities), and Appendix D (General Information on the Non-Participating Shareholders) to this Circular, for which the Non-Participating
Shareholders have taken responsibility, and (c) all other facts relating to and opinions expressed by, the Non-Participating Shareholders),
are accurate, having made all reasonable inquiries, that to the best of their knowledge, opinions expressed in the document have been
arrived at after due and careful consideration and there are no other facts not contained in this Circular, the omission of which would
make any statement in this Circular misleading, and the Directors jointly and severally accept responsibility accordingly.
Where information in this Circular has
been extracted from published or otherwise publicly available sources or obtained from a named source (other than (a) the IFA Letter (set
forth in Appendix A), for which the IFA has taken responsibility, (b) paragraphs 6 (Non-Participating Shareholders: Disclosures of
Shareholders, Dealings and Other Arrangements) of the Letter, and Appendix B (Additional Information on the Non-Participating Shareholders),
Appendix C (Disclosures of Holdings and Dealings in Company Securities), and Appendix D (General Information on the Non-Participating
Shareholders) to this Circular, for which the Non-Participating Shareholders have taken responsibility, and (c) all other facts relating
to and opinions expressed by, the Non-Participating Shareholders), the sole responsibility of the Directors has been to ensure that such
information has been accurately and correctly extracted from those sources and/or reproduced in this Circular in its proper form and context.
In respect of the IFA Letter, the sole
responsibility of the Directors has been to ensure that the facts stated with respect to the Group are, to the best of their knowledge
and belief, fair and accurate in all material respects.
| 19 | AVAILABLE
INFORMATION STATEMENT |
The Shares are registered under the Exchange
Act. Accordingly, the Company is subject to the information and reporting requirements of the Exchange Act applicable to foreign private
issuers and, in accordance therewith, is required to file periodic reports with, and furnish other information to, the SEC relating to
its business, financial condition and other matters. Such reports and other information can be inspected and copied at the public reference
facilities maintained by the SEC at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549, United States. Information regarding the public reference
facilities may be obtained by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. The reports and other information that the Company has filed with, and
furnished to, the SEC are also available to the public on the SEC’s website (http://www.sec.gov).
Because the Selective Capital Reduction
is a “going private” transaction, the Non-Participating Shareholders and the Company will file with the SEC a Transaction
Statement on Schedule 13E-3, which will include this Circular. The Schedule 13E-3, including any amendments and exhibits filed or incorporated
by reference as a part of it, is available for inspection and can be obtained as set forth above. The Schedule 13E-3 will be amended to
report promptly any material changes to the information set forth in the most recent Schedule 13E-3 filed with the SEC.
From the date of this Circular until the
Effective Date, Participating Shareholders may request copies of this Circular, at no cost, by writing to EGM2024@grindrodshipping.com.
This Circular may also be obtained on the SEC’s website as set forth above.
| 20 | DOCUMENTS
FOR INSPECTION |
Copies of the following documents are
available for inspection at the registered office of the Company, at 1 Temasek Avenue, #10-02 Millenia Tower, Singapore 039192, during
normal business hours from the date of this Circular up to the date of the EGM:
|
(a) |
the constitution of the Company; |
|
(b) |
the constitutions of the Non-Participating Shareholders; |
|
(c) |
the IFA Letter as set forth in Appendix A hereto; |
PART IV — LETTER TO SHAREHOLDERS |
|
(d) |
the Valuation Certificates as set forth in Appendix G hereto; |
|
(e) |
the letters of consent referred to in Appendix E hereto; |
|
(f) |
a copy of the Announcement; and |
|
(g) |
the annual reports of the Company for FY2022 and FY2023, which are also available on the website of the Company at https://www.grinshipping.com/Content/FinancialResults. |
Shareholders who wish to inspect the above
documents should contact the Company so that arrangements can be made.
Yours faithfully
For and on behalf of
the Board of Directors of
GRINDROD SHIPPING HOLDINGS LTD.
Dr. Kurt Klemme, Chairman
LETTER FROM CEL INVESTMENT
CORPORATE FINANCE PTE. LTD. TO THE BOARD OF
DIRECTORS (OTHER THAN THE RECUSED DIRECTORS) OF GRINDROD SHIPPING HOLDINGS
LTD. (THIS “LETTER”)
14 May 2024
The Board of Directors (other than the Recused Directors)
Grindrod Shipping Holdings Ltd.
1 Temasek Avenue
#10-02 Millenia Tower
Singapore 039192
Dear Sirs and Madam,
PROPOSED
SELECTIVE CAPITAL REDUCTION BY GRINDROD SHIPPING HOLDINGS LTD. (THE “COMPANY”) PURSUANT TO SECTION 78G OF THE COMPANIES ACT,
CHAPTER 50 OF SINGAPORE (THE “SELECTIVE CAPITAL REDUCTION”)
Unless
otherwise defined or the context requires otherwise, all terms used herein have the same meanings as defined in the circular dated 14
May 2024 (the “Circular”) issued to the shareholders of the Company (“Shareholders”) in relation
to the Selective Capital Reduction attached as an exhibit to the Schedule 13E-3 filed with the United States Securities and Exchange
Commission (“SEC”) jointly by the Company, Taylor Maritime Investments Limited (“TMI”) and Good
Falkirk (MI) Limited a wholly-owned subsidiary of TMI (“GF”, and together with TMI, the “Non-Participating
Shareholders”). The latest practicable date for the purposes of this Letter is 6 May 2024 (“Latest Practicable Date”).
On 28 October 2022, the Non-Participating Shareholders,
made a voluntary conditional cash offer ("VGO") for all outstanding ordinary shares in the capital of the Company ("Shares"),
except for those held by GF or in treasury. On the close of the VGO at 11:59pm (US Eastern Daylight Time) on 19 December 2022, the total
number of Shares owned, controlled, or agreed to be acquired by GF and its concert parties, including those validly tendered in acceptance
of the VGO amounted to 16,206,365 Shares, representing approximately 83.23% of the total number of issued Shares.
As at 20 October 2023, the number of issued ordinary
share capital of the Company increased to 19,685,590 due to the new consideration shares issued in connection with the purchase of the
shares of Taylor Maritime Management Limited and Tamar Ship Management Limited. The Shares owned by GF accordingly represents approximately
82.33% of the total number of issued Shares.
On 4 April 2024, the Company announced its proposal
to implement the Selective Capital Reduction pursuant to sections 78G to 78I of the Companies Act 1967 of Singapore (the “Companies
Act”) and cancel all the Shares held by Shareholders other than those held by GF (the “Participating Shareholders”),
comprising 3,479,225 Shares (the “Participating Shares”).
The Selective Capital Reduction will involve
reducing the issued share capital of the Company from US$290,193,001 comprising 19,685,590 Shares to US$240,614,044 comprising 16,206,365
Shares, which represents a reduction of the issued Shares by approximately 17.67%, with each Participating Shareholder receiving US$14.25
for each Participating Share (“Participating Share Price”) held that is cancelled pursuant to the Selective Capital
Reduction.
In connection with the above, CEL Investment
Corporate Finance Pte Ltd (“CICF”) has been appointed by the Company as the independent financial adviser to the Board
of Directors of the Company (the “Board”), other than Mr. Edward David Christopher Buttery and Mr. Paul Charles Over
(together, the “Recused Directors”) for the purposes of making the recommendation to Participating Shareholders in
respect of the Selective Capital Reduction as required under the Singapore Code on Take-over and Mergers (the “Code”).
This Letter sets out our evaluation and assessment
of the financial terms of the Selective Capital Reduction and our recommendations to the Board (other than the Recused Directors). This
Letter will be appended to the Circular providing details and the recommendation of the Board (other than the Recused Directors) to Participating
Shareholders with regards to the Selective Capital Reduction.
CICF has been appointed by the Company to provide
an opinion regarding the Selective Capital Reduction to the Board (other than the Recused Directors) in compliance with the provisions
of the Code. We have confined our evaluation and assessment to the financial terms of the Selective Capital Reduction and in accordance
with the requirements of the Code.
CICF is not a party to the negotiations or discussions
relating to the Selective Capital Reduction and is not involved in the discussions leading to the Company’s decision to undertake
and implement the Selective Capital Reduction as well as its terms. Our terms of reference do not require us to evaluate, comment, advise
or form a view on the rationale, and/or merits of the Selective Capital Reduction or the listing status of the Company or future prospects
of the Company. We have not been instructed or authorised to solicit, and we have not solicited, any indications of interest from any
third party with respect to the Shares. Accordingly, we do not compare or express any opinion on the relative merits of the Selective
Capital Reduction vis-à-vis any alternative transactions previously considered by the Company or that may otherwise be available
to the Company in the future.
In evaluating the financial terms of the Selective
Capital Reduction, we have held discussions with the Board (other than the Recused Directors) and management of the Company and have
examined and relied on publicly available information collated by us as well as information provided and representations made, both written
and verbal, by the Board (other than the Recused Directors) and the management of the Company. We have not independently verified such
information or representations, whether written or verbal, and therefore cannot and do not make any representation or warranty, express
or implied, in respect of, and do not accept any responsibility for the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of such information or representations.
We have, however, made reasonable enquiries and exercised our judgement on the reasonable use of such information and found no reason
to doubt the accuracy or reliability of such information.
We have relied upon the assurances of the Board
and the management of the Company that after making all reasonable enquiries and to the best of their knowledge and belief, all material
information or facts relating to the Selective Capital Reduction, the Company and/or its subsidiaries, as defined in Section 5 of the
Singapore Companies Act (Chapter 50) (collectively, the “Group”) has been disclosed to us, that such information constitutes
true, complete and accurate disclosure of all material facts about the Selective Capital Reduction, the Company and/or the Group and
the Board and the management of the Company are not aware of any material information or facts the omission of which would make any information
disclosed to us to be inaccurate, incomplete or misleading in any material respect. The Board have jointly and severally accepted full
responsibility for such information described herein.
In evaluating the financial terms of the Selective
Capital Reduction and in arriving at our opinion thereon, we have not relied upon any financial projections or forecasts in respect of
the Company and/or Group. We are not required to express and we do not express any view on the growth prospects and earnings potential
of the Company and/or the Group. Accordingly, we are not expressing any view herein as to the prices at which the Shares may trade in
the absence of the Selective Capital Reduction or if the Selective Capital Reduction was not effected.
We have not made any independent evaluation or
appraisal of the assets and liabilities of the Company and the Group (including without limitation to vessels, property, plant and equipment).
However, in connection with the Selective Capital Reduction, the Company has commissioned the independent valuers, Braemar Valuations
limited (“Braemar”) and Hartland Shipping Services Limited (“Hartland”) (collectively, the “Valuers”),
to value the 19 vessels owned by the Group and three (3) chartered-in vessels which the Group has an option to purchase as at the valuation
date of 31 December 2023 (the “Vessels”). The following valuation certificates (“Valuation Certificates”)
are set out in Appendix G of the Circular:
| (i) | valuation certificate dated 21 March 2024 issued by Braemar on the market value of the Vessels;
and |
| (ii) | valuation certificate dated 10 January 2024 issued by Hartland on the market value of the Vessels. |
We are not experts in the evaluation or appraisal
of the Vessels and we have relied on the independent valuations by the Valuers for such appraisal and have not made any independent verification
of the contents of the Valuation Certificates. Whilst care has been exercised in reviewing the Valuation Certificates and we have made
reasonable enquiries and exercised our judgement, we do not assume any responsibility, expressed or implied, for the contents of the
Valuation Certificates, including the bases and assumptions of the valuation as contained therein or if the contents thereof have been
prepared and/or included in the Circular in accordance with all applicable regulatory requirements.
Our opinion as set out herein is based upon market,
economic, industry, monetary and other conditions prevailing on, and the information provided to us as of 6 May 2024, being the latest
practicable date prior to the printing of the Circular (the “Latest Practicable Date”). Such conditions may change
significantly over a relatively short period of time. We assume no responsibility to update, revise or reaffirm our opinion in light
of any subsequent development after the Latest Practicable Date that may affect our opinion contained herein. Shareholders should take
note of any announcements relevant to their consideration of the Selective Capital Reduction which may be released by the Company after
the Latest Practicable Date.
In rendering our opinion, we have not considered
the specific investment objectives, financial situation, tax position, risk profiles or unique needs and constraints of any individual
Shareholder. As different Shareholders would have different investment profiles and objectives, we recommend that any individual Shareholder
who may require specific advice in relation to his/her investment portfolio or objectives should consult his/her stockbroker, bank manager,
solicitor, accountant, tax adviser or other professional adviser immediately.
The Company has been separately advised by its
own professional advisers in the preparation of the Circular (other than this Letter). We have no role or involvement and have not provided
any advice, financial or otherwise, whatsoever in the preparation, review and verification of the Circular (other than this Letter).
Accordingly, we take no responsibility for and express no views, expressed or implied, on the contents of the Circular (other than this
Letter).
Our advice in relation to the Selective Capital
Reduction should be considered in the context of the entirety of this Letter and the Circular.
| 3. | CONDITIONS OF THE SELECTIVE CAPITAL REDUCTION |
The principal conditions of the Selective Capital
Reduction, as extracted from Section 2.5 of Part IV of the Circular are set out below:
“As at the date thereof, the Selective Capital Reduction
will be conditional upon the following (the “Conditions”), which are requirements under the Companies Act:
| (a) | obtaining the Shareholders’
approval by way of a special resolution at the EGM of the Company to be convened to approve
the Selective Capital Reduction pursuant to Section 78G of the Companies Act; |
| (b) | the grant of the order of the
Court approving the Selective Capital Reduction (the “Court Order”), and
such Court Order having become final; and |
| (c) | the lodgment of the Court Order
(and such other documents as prescribed by Section 78I(3) of the Companies Act) with the
Registrar within 90 days beginning with the date the Court Order is made, or within such
longer period as the Registrar may allow; |
For completeness, the following Conditions
referred to in paragraphs 3(d) and 3(e) of the Announcement have been fulfilled:
| (a) | the approval of the JSE for the corporate
action indicative timetable and this Circular have been obtained; and |
| (b) | the approval of the SARB for the
release of this Circular has been obtained.” |
| 4. | INFORMATION ON THE NON-PARTICIPATING SHAREHOLDERS |
TMI was registered in Guernsey under the Companies
(Guernsey) Law, 2008 on 31 March 2021. TMI’s registration number is 69031 and it is regulated by the Guernsey Financial Services
Commission as a registered closed-ended collective investment scheme pursuant to the Protection of Investors (Bailiwick of Guernsey)
Law, 2020, the Registered Collective Investment Scheme Rules 2021 and the Prospectus Rules 2021. TMI’s ordinary shares were admitted
to the premium listing segment of the Official List of the UK Listing Authority and began trading on the Main Market of the London Stock
Exchange on 27 May 2021.
TMI specialises in the acquisition and chartering
of vessels in the handysize and supramax/ultramax bulk carrier segments of the global shipping sector. TMI invests in a diversified portfolio
of vessels which are primarily second-hand. The current portfolio numbers 18 vessels in the geared drybulk segment. The ships are employed
utilising a variety of employment/charter strategies.
As at the Latest Practicable Date, the directors
of TMI are Edward Buttery, Christopher Buttery, Sandra Platts, Charles Maltby, Trudi Clark, Frank Dunne and Henry Strutt.
GF is wholly-owned subsidiary of TMI incorporated
in the Republic of the Marshall Islands. GF’s principal business is to hold investments on behalf of TMI and its subsidiaries and
affiliates. GF currently holds the TMI’s existing investment in the Company.
As at the Latest Practicable Date, TMI Director
1 Limited is the corporate director of TMI. The directors of TMI Director 1 Limited are Alex Slee, Trudi Clark and Sandra Platts.
| 5. | IRREVOCABLE UNDERTAKINGS BY THE COMPANY IN RELATION TO THE
SELECTIVE CAPITAL REDUCTION |
We noted from Section 2.6 of Part IV of the Circular
that the Company has not received any irrevocable undertaking from any Participating Shareholder to vote in favour of the Selective Capital
Reduction.
| 6. | RATIONALE FOR THE SELECTIVE CAPITAL REDUCTION |
The rationale for the Selective Capital Reduction,
as extracted from Section 4 of Part IV of the Circular is set out below:
| “4.1 | Opportunity for Participating
Shareholders to Realise Investment |
The Selective Capital Reduction
is an internal corporate exercise proposed by the Company for the Participating Shareholders to have an opportunity to fully exit their
investment in the Shares in return for cash. The Selective Capital Reduction would enable the Company to return the aggregate sum of
US$49,578,956 in cash to the Participating Shareholders in respect of the cancellation of the Participating Shares held by them.
| 4.2 | Certainty of a Premium |
The Selective Capital Reduction
provides an immediate and certain exit opportunity for the Participating Shareholders to realise their investment at an attractive premium
over historical market prices of the Shares.
The Cash Distribution of US$14.25
per Share (or an equivalent amount in ZAR in the case of South African Shareholders) represents the following premia over:
| (a) | the last traded price per
Share as quoted on each of Nasdaq and the JSE respectively, on the Disclosure Date (i.e.,
28 March 2024, being the last practicable full day of trading in the Shares on Nasdaq and
the JSE preceding the Announcement Date); |
| (b) | the following premia over
the volume-weighted average price (“VWAP”) per Share as transacted on
Nasdaq and the JSE, respectively, for the 30-day, 60-day, 90-day and 180-day periods each
ended on the Disclosure Date (respectively, the “30-day VWAP Period”,
the “60-day VWAP Period”, the “90-day VWAP Period”
and the “180-day VWAP Period”). |
Nasdaq
|
Description | |
Share Price (1) | | |
Implied Premium of Cash Distribution of US$14.25 over Share Price (2) | |
1. |
Last traded price per Share on 28 March 2024, being the Disclosure Date | |
| US$10.35 | | |
| 37.7 | % |
|
| |
| | | |
| | |
2. |
VWAP for the 30-day VWAP period | |
| US$9.53 | | |
| 49.5 | % |
|
| |
| | | |
| | |
3. |
VWAP for the 60-day VWAP period | |
| US$9.31 | | |
| 53.1 | % |
|
| |
| | | |
| | |
4. |
VWAP for the 90-day VWAP period | |
| US$9.35 | | |
| 52.4 | % |
|
| |
| | | |
| | |
5. |
VWAP for the 180-day VWAP period | |
| US$9.09 | | |
| 56.8 | % |
Notes:
| (1) | The Company’s share price quoted on Nasdaq based on
data extracted from Bloomberg L.P. as at the Disclosure Date, rounded to the nearest two decimal places. |
| (2) | The percentage figures are rounded to the nearest one decimal
place. |
JSE
Description | |
Share Price (1) | |
Exchange
rate
(USD/ZAR) (2) | | |
USD
converted
share price (3) | | |
Premium of
Cash
Distribution
of US$14.25
per Share
over Share
Price (4) | |
1. Last traded price per Share on 28 March 2024, being the Disclosure Date | |
ZAR 200.00 | |
| 18.94 | | |
| US$10.56 | | |
| 34.9 | % |
| |
| |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
2. VWAP for the 30-day VWAP period | |
ZAR 174.32 | |
| 18.94 | | |
| US$9.20 | | |
| 54.8 | % |
| |
| |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
3. VWAP for the 60-day VWAP period | |
ZAR 177.30 | |
| 18.94 | | |
| US$9.36 | | |
| 52.2 | % |
| |
| |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
4. VWAP for the 90-day VWAP period | |
ZAR 177.22 | |
| 18.94 | | |
| US$9.36 | | |
| 52.3 | % |
| |
| |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
5. VWAP for the 180-day VWAP period | |
ZAR 173.72 | |
| 18.94 | | |
| US$9.17 | | |
| 55.4 | % |
Notes:
| (1) | The Company’s share price quoted on the JSE based on
data extracted from Bloomberg L.P. as at the Disclosure Date, rounded to the nearest two decimal places. |
| (2) | The rate extracted from Bloomberg L.P. as at the Disclosure
Date, rounded to the nearest two decimal places. |
| (3) | The ZAR price converted to USD at the rate extracted from
Bloomberg L.P. as at the Disclosure Date, rounded to the nearest two decimal places. |
| (4) | The percentage figures are rounded to the nearest one decimal
place.” |
| 7. | FUTURE PLANS OF THE NON-PARTICIPATING SHAREHOLDERS FOR THE
COMPANY AND ITS EMPLOYEES |
The future plans for the Company and its employees
by the Non-Participating Shareholders are extracted from Section 5.1 of Part IV of the Circular and set out below:
“The Non-Participating Shareholders
and the Company will evaluate the business and operations of the Company prior to and following the Effective Date and will consider
which changes, if any, would be desirable following the Effective Date. Possible changes include changes in the Company’s corporate
structure, organisational documents, capitalisation, composition of the Board and management of the Company. Any changes will be considered
in light of the then prevailing circumstances of the Company and its business operations and the Non-Participating Shareholders reserve
the right to change their plans and intentions at any time, as deemed appropriate.
Except as described elsewhere in this Circular
and in publicly available information and except for the Selective Capital Reduction, neither the Non-Participating Shareholders nor
the Company have any present plans or proposals that would relate to or result in: (a) introduce any major changes to the business of
the Company or any other Group Company, (b) re-deploy the fixed assets of any Group Company, (c) affect the operations of any Group Company,
(d) discontinue the employment of the existing employees of any Group Company, in each case, other than in the ordinary and usual course
of the business, (e) any extraordinary corporate transaction involving the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (such as a merger, reorganisation,
liquidation, relocation of any operations or sale or other transfer of a material amount of assets), (f) any material change in the Company’s
capitalisation, indebtedness or dividend policy, (g) any other material change in the Company’s corporate structure or business,
(h) any class of equity securities of the Company being delisted from a national securities exchange or ceasing to be authorised to be
quoted in an automated quotation system operated by a national securities association, (i) any class of equity securities of the Company
becoming eligible for termination of registration pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Exchange Act, (j) any acquisition or disposition of
Shares or (k) any change in the Company’s governing instruments that could impede the acquisition of control of the Company.
Nonetheless, the Non-Participating Shareholders
and the Company reserve the right to retain the flexibility to further change their plans and intentions at any time, as deemed appropriate
and in the light of any options and opportunities that present themselves and which the Non-Participating Shareholders may regard to
be in the interests of the Group.”
| 8. | ASSESSMENT OF THE FINANCIAL TERMS OF THE SELECTIVE CAPITAL
REDUCTION |
In evaluating and assessing the financial terms
of the Selective Capital Reduction, we have given due consideration to the following:
| (a) | the financial performance and position of
the Company; |
| (b) | the market prices and trading activity of
the Shares; |
| (c) | historical share price performance relative
to the Nasdaq Composite Index (“Nasdaq Composite”); |
| (d) | NTA-based valuation of the Company; |
| (e) | comparison with financial valuation ratios
of selected listed companies which principal business are broadly comparable to those of
the Company; and |
| (f) | other relevant factors for consideration. |
| 8.1 | Financial Performance and Position of the Company |
We set out below a summary of the audited financial
information of the Company for the last three financial years ended 31 December 2021, 31 December 2022 and 31 December 2023 (“FY2021”,
“FY2022” and “FY2023” respectively and collectively, the “Period Under Review”).
Summary of the Company’s Financial Performance
| |
Audited | |
(US$’000) | |
FY2023 | | |
FY2022 | | |
FY2021 | |
| |
| | |
| | |
| |
Revenue | |
| 387,096 | | |
| 460,460 | | |
| 455,839 | |
| |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
Gross Profit | |
| 39,367 | | |
| 166,762 | | |
| 176,897 | |
| |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
Profit/(Loss) for the year/period attributable to: | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
| |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
Owners of the Company | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
Continuing operations | |
| (9,622 | ) | |
| 103,367 | | |
| 122,090 | |
Discontinued operations | |
| - | | |
| - | | |
| (3,165 | ) |
Non-controlling interests | |
| - | | |
| - | | |
| 10,557 | |
Note: During FY2021 to FY2022, the Company
completed the plan to discontinue the medium range and small tanker segments and presented the tanker business as a discontinued operation.
The Company focused on the drybulk business which is presented as the continuing operations.
FY2022 vs FY2021
Revenue
Revenue increased by approximately 1.0% or
approximately US$4.6 million in FY2022 mainly due to the sale of a medium range tanker in the first half of FY2022 as compared to no
ship sales in continuing operations in FY2021. This was offset by the weakening market conditions in the drybulk business in the
second half of the financial year and a reduction in short-term supramax/ultramax operating days.
Profit for the financial year
The profit attributable to owners of the Company
from continuing operations decreased by US$18.7m, which was mainly attributable to higher cost of sales due to the cost of a ship sold
in the first half of FY2022 as compared to no ship sales in continuing operations for the same period in FY2021, which was partially
offset by a decrease in short-term operating days across the fleet. In addition, administrative expense increased mainly due to the fees
associated with the offer to shareholders to purchase their shares in FY2022.
FY2023 vs FY2022
Revenue
Revenue fell by approximately 15.9% or
approximately US$73.4 million in FY2023 primarily due to the weakening market conditions in the drybulk business. This was partially
offset by the sale of five (5) handysize and four (4) supramax/ultramax vessels compared to the sale of a medium range tanker in the
first half of the FY2022.
Profit for the financial year
The loss attributable to the owners of the Company
was US$9.6 million in FY2023 as compared to a profit of US$103.4 million for FY2022. This was mainly attributable to the fall in revenue
and increased costs of sale incurred as a result of the sale of five (5) handysize and four (4) supramax/ultramax vessels in FY2023 compared
to the sale of one (1) medium range tanker for the same period in FY2022.
Summary of the Company’s Financial Position
| |
Audited | |
(US$’000) | |
FY2023 | |
| |
| |
Non-current assets | |
| 362,808 | |
Current assets | |
| 98,076 | |
Total assets | |
| 460,884 | |
| |
| | |
Non-current liabilities | |
| 128,140 | |
Current liabilities | |
| 86,624 | |
Total liabilities | |
| 214,764 | |
| |
| | |
Net assets / (liabilities) | |
| 246,120 | |
| |
| | |
Working capital | |
| 11,452 | |
Total assets as at 31 December 2023 amounted
to US$460.9 million, comprising ships, property, plant and equipment of US$303.2 million (65.8%), cash and bank balances at US$63.9 million
(13.9%), intangible assets including right-of-use assets and goodwill at US$48.1 million (8.5%), other receivables and prepayments at
US$20.0 million (4.3%) and other assets at US$25.7 million (5.6%).
Total liabilities as at 31 December 2023 amounted
to US$214.8 million, comprising long-term and short-term interest-bearing loans valued at US$142.2 million (66.2%), lease liabilities
at US$33.8 million (15.7%), trade and other payables of US$31.8 million (14.8%) and other liabilities at US$6.9 million (3.2%).
It is noted that the working capital of the Company
has been on a decreasing trend for the Period Under Review from approximately US$61.1 million as at FY2021 to approximately US$11.5 million
as at FY2023.
The Company recorded a positive working capital
of approximately US$11.5 million and Shareholders’ equity of approximately US$246.1 million as at 31 December 2023.
| 8.2 | Market prices and trading activity of the Shares |
The Shares are listed on the NASDAQ Global Select
Market (“Nasdaq”) and quoted on the Main Board of the JSE Limited (the “JSE”). We noted the total
traded volume on the JSE for the last 12 months period prior to the Latest Practicable Date is 180,554 Shares while the total traded
volume on Nasdaq for the same period was 7,509,494 Shares, representing 2.4% of the trading volume when compared to Nasdaq. As such,
we have focused our review on the market prices and trading activity of the Shares listed on Nasdaq.
We have compared the Participating Share Price
against the historical market price of the Shares.
The historical price chart showing the daily
closing prices and the trading volume of the Shares for the period commencing from 3 April 2023, being the 12-month period prior to the
Last Traded Day (as defined below), and ending on the Latest Practicable Date is set out below:
Source: Bloomberg L.P.
A summary of the salient announcements made by
the Company on the SEC during the 12-month period prior to the Last Traded Day and up to the Latest Practicable Date is set out below:
No. |
Date of
Announcement |
Event |
|
|
|
1 |
17 May 2023 |
The Company announced its unaudited financial
results for the first three months of FY2023. Revenue for first three months of FY2023 was US$76.8 million as compared to US$110.3
million in first three months of FY2022. The first three months of FY2023 saw a net loss of US$4.3 million compared to a profit of
US$29.0 million for first three months of FY2022.
|
2 |
25 May 2023 |
The Company announced the results of its
Annual General Meeting for 2023.
|
3 |
13 Jul 2023 |
The Company announced its intention to hold
an Extraordinary General Meeting to be held on 10 August 2023.
|
4 |
27 Jul 2023 |
The Company announced eight transactions,
such as the completion of ship sales, exercise of purchase option, contract to purchase, contract to sell and option to extend charter-in
period.
|
5 |
10 Aug 2023 |
The Company announced the results of
the Extraordinary General Meeting.
|
6 |
5 Sep 2023 |
The Company announced its unaudited financial
results for the six months of FY2023. Revenue for the months of FY2023 was US$185.9 million as compared to US$271.9 million for the
first six months of FY2022. Profit for the six months of FY2023 was US$1.2 million as compared to US$85.8 million for the first six
months of FY2022.
|
7 |
25 Sep 2023 |
The Company announced its entry into two
(2) sale and purchase agreements to acquire the entire issued share capital of Taylor Maritime Management Limited and Tamar Ship
Management Limited from Taylor Maritime Group Limited and Temeraire Holding (MI) Limited. Following the acquisition, the companies
will become wholly owned subsidiaries of the Company.
|
8 |
29 Sep 2023 |
The Company announced the effective date
of a proposed capital reduction set to be on 29 September 2023. Pursuant to the proposed capital reduction, the fully paid-up share capital
of the Company would be reduced by US$32.44 million. The fully paid-up share capital of the Company would be reduced from US$320.68 million
to US$288.24 million. |
9 |
3 Oct 2023 |
The Company announced the completion of the
two (2) sale and purchase agreements dated 25 September 2023. The acquisition became legally effective on 3 October 2023.
|
10 |
24 Oct 2023 |
The Company announced the completion of ship
sales transactions as well as the exercise of purchase option on one (1) of the chartered-in vessel.
|
11 |
28 Nov 2023 |
The Company announced its unaudited financial
results for the first nine months of FY2023 Revenue for the first nine months of FY2023 was US$298.3 million as compared to US$379.1
million for the corresponding nine months of FY2022. Loss for the first nine months of FY2023 was US$7.2 million as compared to a
profit of US$107.9 million in the first nine months of FY2022.
|
12 |
7 Dec 2023 |
The Company announced the resignation of
Mr Charles Maltby as a non-executive director with effect from 31 December 2023. Further, a new standing committee of the Board,
the Safety and Technical Committee, was formed and is comprised of two (2) independent non-executive directors, Mr Paul Charles Over
and Mr Alan Ian Hatton.
|
13 |
25 Jan 2024 |
The Company announced the completion of six
(6) ship transactions.
|
14 |
26 Jan 2024 |
The Company announced disclosure updates
on its major shareholder, TMI (e.g., TMI published a quarterly NAV announcement and trading update, factsheet and investor presentation
on the LSE and its website which included information regarding the Company).
|
15 |
28 Feb 2024 |
The Company announced its unaudited earnings
for its full year of FY2023. Revenue for the full year of FY2023 US$387.1 million as compared to US$460.5 million for the full year
of FY2022. Loss for the full year of FY2023 was US$9.6 million compared to a profit of US$103.4 million for the full year of FY2022.
|
16 |
8 Mar 2024 |
The Company announced that Grindrod Shipping
Pte. Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company entered into a US$83 million reducing revolving credit facility with Nordea Bank
ABP, Filial I Norge and Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken AB (Publ) for the purpose of refinancing an existing US$114.1 million senior secured
term loan facility with Credit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank and Hamburg Commercial Bank AG.
|
17 |
27 Mar 2024 |
The Company announced notice of its 2023
annual report on form 20-F.
|
18 |
28 Mar 2024 |
The Company announced notice of its Annual
General Meeting to be held on 25 April 2024 by electronic means at 18:00 Singapore Standard Time.
|
19 |
4 Apr 2024 |
The Company announced its proposal to implement
the Selective Capital Reduction.
|
20 |
25 Apr 2024 |
The Company announced the results of its
Annual General Meeting held on 25 April 2024.
|
21 |
26 Apr 2024 |
The Company announced disclosure updates
on its major shareholder, TMI (e.g., TMI published a quarterly NAV announcement and trading update, factsheet and investor presentation
on the LSE and its website which included information regarding the Company). |
Based on the above, we note that over the last
12-month period prior and up to 3 April 2024, being the last traded day of the Shares before to the Selective Capital Reduction Announcement
Date (the “Last Traded Day”), the Participating Share Price is higher than the closing prices for the Shares for all
trading days during the period. However, based on the table below, we noted that the Participating Share Price is at a discount of approximately
4.36% to the highest traded price over the last 12-months.
We also noted that the Participating Share Price
is at a premium of approximately 39.02% to the last transacted price of US$10.25 (the “Last Transacted Price”) on
the Last Traded Day. On 5 April 2024, (being the next market day after the Selective Capital Reduction Announcement Date), the Shares
closed at US$13.65 and since then, the closing price of this Shares have traded at between US$13.43 and US$13.96 up to the Latest Practicable
Date.
We have also compared the volume weighted
average price (“VWAP”) of Shares for selected reference periods between the 12-month period prior to the Last Traded
Day and to the Latest Practicable Date as set out in the table below:
| |
Lowest
traded
price | | |
Highest
traded
Price | | |
VWAP or
Last
Transacted
Price | | |
Premium /
(discount) of
Participating Share
Price(2) over VWAP | |
| |
(US$) | | |
(US$) | | |
(US$) | | |
(%) | |
|
Periods
prior to the Last Traded Day(3) |
|
Last 12 months | |
| 6.800 | | |
| 14.900 | | |
| 9.661 | | |
| 47.50 | |
Last 6 months | |
| 7.350 | | |
| 14.900 | | |
| 10.152 | | |
| 40.37 | |
Last 3 months | |
| 8.500 | | |
| 10.960 | | |
| 9.434 | | |
| 51.05 | |
Last 1 month | |
| 8.600 | | |
| 10.960 | | |
| 9.886 | | |
| 44.14 | |
Last Traded Day | |
| 10.050 | | |
| 10.713 | | |
| 10.250 | (4) | |
| 39.02 | |
| |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
Periods after the Selective Capital Reduction Announcement Date | | |
| | | |
| | |
| |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
Market Day(6) immediately after the Selective Capital Reduction Announcement Date | |
| 13.200 | | |
| 13.700 | | |
| 13.650 | (4) | |
| 4.40 | |
Between the Market Day immediately after the Selective Capital Reduction Announcement Date and the Latest Practicable Date (both dates inclusive) | |
| 13.200 | | |
| 14.190 | | |
| 13.555 | | |
| 5.13 | |
Latest Practicable Date | |
| 13.550 | | |
| 14.000 | | |
| 13.700 | (5) | |
| 4.01 | |
Source: Bloomberg L.P.
Notes:
| (1) | The VWAP is weighted based on the volume
of Shares traded and transacted prices of the Shares for the Market Days in the respective
periods. |
| (2) | Based on the Participating Share Price of
US$14.25 per Participating Share. |
| (3) | Including the Last Traded Day. |
| (4) | The closing price on the Last Traded Day
and the Market Day immediately after the Selective Capital Reduction Announcement Date. |
| (5) | The closing price on the Latest Practicable
Date. |
| (6) | “Market Day” is defined as a
day which Nasdaq is open for the trading of securities. |
The key observations in respect of the above
analysis are highlighted below:
| (a) | Over the 12-month period prior to the Last
Traded Day, the Shares have traded between a low of US$6.800 and a high of US$14.900; |
| (b) | The Participating Share Price represents
a premium of 47.50%, 40.37%, 51.05% and 44.14% to the VWAP for the 12-month, 6-month, 3-month
and 1-month periods prior to the Last Traded Day respectively; |
| (c) | The Participating Share Price represents
a premium of 39.02% to the Last Transacted Price; |
| (d) | The Participating Share Price represents
a premium of 4.40% to the closing price on the Market Day immediately after the Selective
Capital Reduction Announcement Date; |
| (e) | The Participating Share Price represents
a premium of 5.13% to the VWAP for the period between the Market Day immediately after the
Selective Capital Reduction Announcement Date and the Latest Practicable Date; and |
| (f) | The Participating Share Price represents
a premium of 4.01% to the last transacted price as at the Latest Practicable Date. |
For illustration purposes only, we set out in
the table below the average daily trading volume (“ADTV”) of the Shares and the ADTV as a percentage of its Free Float
(as defined in the notes below) for selected reference periods between the 12-month period prior to the Last Traded Day and the Latest
Practicable Date:
| |
ADTV(1) | | |
ADTV as a
percentage of
Free Float(2) | |
| |
(Shares) | | |
(%) | |
| |
| | |
| |
Periods prior to the Last Traded Day(3) |
Last 12 months | |
| 31,431 | | |
| 0.90 | |
Last 6 months | |
| 26,878 | | |
| 0.77 | |
Last 3 months | |
| 13,699 | | |
| 0.39 | |
Last 1 month | |
| 16,663 | | |
| 0.48 | |
Last Traded Day | |
| 15,101 | | |
| 0.43 | |
| |
| | | |
| | |
Periods after the Selective Capital Reduction Announcement Date |
|
Market Day immediately after the Selective Capital Reduction Announcement Date | |
| 290,210 | | |
| 8.34 | |
Between the Market Day immediately after the Selective Capital Reduction Announcement Date and the Latest Practicable Date (both dates inclusive) | |
| 36,579 | | |
| 1.05 | |
Latest Practicable Date | |
| 27,395 | | |
| 0.79 | |
Source: Bloomberg L.P.
Notes:
| (1) | The ADTV is computed based on the total
volume of Shares traded for all the Market Days for the relevant periods, divided by the
total number of Market Days (including Market Days when no Shares were traded) during the
respective periods. |
| (2) | Calculated based on a free float of approximately
3,479,225 Shares (“Free Float”), as confirmed by management as at the
Latest Practicable Date |
| (3) | Including the Last Traded Day. |
The key observations in respect of the above analysis are highlighted
below:
| (a) | The average daily traded volume of the Shares
for the 12-month, 6-month, 3-month and 1-month periods prior and up to the Last Traded Day
represents approximately 0.90%, 0.77%, 0.39% and 0.48% of the Free Float respectively; |
| (b) | The average daily traded volume of the Shares
on the Last Traded Day represents 0.43% of the Free Float; |
| (c) | The average daily traded volume of the Shares
on the Market Day immediately after the Selective Capital Reduction Announcement Date represents
8.34% of the Free Float; |
| (d) | The average daily traded volume of the Shares
for the period between the Market Day immediately after the Selective Capital Reduction Announcement
Date and the Latest Practicable Date represents 1.05% of the Free Float; and |
| (e) | The average daily traded volume of the Shares
on the Latest Practicable Date represents 0.79% of the Free Float. |
Based on the above observations, it would appear
that the trading activity and market price of the Shares since the Selective Capital Reduction Announcement Date up to the Latest Practicable
Date may be supported by the Participating Share Price.
We wish to highlight that the above analysis
of the trading performance of the Shares serves only as an illustrative guide and is not an indication of the future trading performance
of the Shares.
| 8.3 | Historical Share price performance relative to the Nasdaq
Composite |
To assess the market price performance of the
Shares vis-à-vis the general price performance of the Nasdaq Composite, we have compared the market movement of the Shares price
against the Nasdaq Composite for the period between 12-months prior to the Last Traded Day and the Latest Practicable Date, as illustrated
below:
![](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1725293/000157587224000529/gsh144_img05.jpg)
Source: Bloomberg L.P.
We note that during the period between 12-months
prior to the Last Traded Day and the Latest Practicable Date, the Shares had generally underperformed the Nasdaq Composite on a normalised
basis. The movements in the last transacted prices of the Shares and the Nasdaq Composite between the Last Traded Day and the Latest
Practicable Date are as follows:
| |
Closing price on the Last Traded Day (US$) | | |
Closing price as at the Latest Practicable Date (US$) | | |
% change between the Last Traded Day and the Latest Practicable Date | |
Company | |
| 10.250 | | |
| 13.700 | | |
| 33.66 | |
Nasdaq Composite | |
| 16,277.460 | | |
| 16,349.250 | | |
| 0.44 | |
Source: Bloomberg L.P.
Between the Last Traded Day and the Latest Practicable
Date, the market price of the Shares has increased by 33.66% while the Nasdaq Composite increased by 0.44%.
Based on the above observations, it would appear
that the market price of the Shares since the Last Traded Day to the Latest Practicable Date may be supported by the Participating Share
Price. Shareholders should note that the past trading performance of the Shares should not in any way be relied upon as an indication
or a promise of the future trading performance of the Shares.
| 8.4 | NTA-based valuation of the Company |
The net tangible asset (“NTA”)
based valuation provides an estimate of the value of a company assuming the hypothetical sale of all its tangible assets over a reasonable
period of time. NTA is computed by deducting the intangible assets from the Company’s net asset value.
NTA shows the extent to which the value of the
Company is backed by tangible assets. However, it does not take into account the value of any intangible assets such as goodwill and
right of use asset. NTA based valuation is meaningful only in so far as to show the extent to which the value of each Share is backed
by tangible assets.
| 8.4.1 | NAV and NTA of the Company as
at 31 December 2023 |
Based on the latest announced audited financial
results of the Company for FY2023, the Company recorded a NAV and NTA position of approximately US$246.12 million and US$198.05 million
respectively, equivalent to approximately a NAV value of US$12.50 per Share and a NTA value of US$10.06 per Share as at the Latest Practicable
Date.
The Participating Share Price of US$14.25 represents
a premium of 14.0% to the NAV per Share and a premium of 41.6% to the NTA per Share.
In our evaluation of the financial terms of the
Selective Capital Reduction, we have considered whether there are any factors which have not been otherwise disclosed in the financial
statements of the Company that are likely to have a material impact on the latest announced audited NTA of the Company as at 31 December
2023.
In this respect, save as disclosed in the audited
financial statements of the Company as at FY2023, the Board has confirmed that, to its best knowledge and belief, as at the Latest Practicable
Date, there are no additional material contingent liabilities which are likely to have a material impact on the NTA of the Company.
We have also reviewed the latest announced audited
statement of financial position of the Company as at 31 December 2023 to determine whether there are any assets that are of an intangible
nature and as such, would not appear in a valuation based on NTA per Share as at 31 December 2023.
The Board has confirmed that, to its best knowledge
and belief, as at the Latest Practicable Date, there are no additional material intangible assets which ought to be disclosed in the
statement of financial position of the Company in accordance with the International Financial Reporting Standards and Singapore Financial
Reporting Standards and which have not been so disclosed and where such intangible assets would have had a material impact on the overall
financial position of the Company.
| 8.4.2 | Revalued NAV and NTA of the
Company as at 31 December 2023 against the Participating Share Price |
In our evaluation of the financial terms of the
Selective Capital Reduction, we have also considered whether there are any tangible assets which should be valued at an amount that is
materially different from that which is recorded in the audited statement of financial position of the Company as at 31 December 2023.
As part of the Company’s quarterly valuation
of their vessel fleet, the Company has commissioned the Valuers, Braemar and Hartland, to conduct an independent valuation of the fleet
of 19 owned vessels and three chartered-in vessels, of which three of the chartered-in vessels have purchase options as at 31 December
2023.
The management of the Company has confirmed that
the independent valuations are prepared based on the “Market Value”, where “Market Value” is defined as the estimated
amount for which an asset or liability should exchange on the valuation date between a willing buyer and a willing seller in an arm’s
length transaction based on the Valuers’ professional assessment. When valuing a particular vessel, the Valuers will take into
account the vessel’s type, size and standard specifications, comparable recent sales, buyers’ and sellers’ price
expectations for vessels currently being offered in the market, and freight market sentiment. Thereafter, adjustments are made for age
and survey position, and also for particular specification features, such as Ballast Water Treatment Systems
and energy saving devices.
Revaluation surplus or deficit arising from
the independent valuations of the Vessels
An analysis of the revaluation surplus or deficit
for the Vessels was conducted. This analysis categorized the Vessels into two (2) groups: (a) owned vessels and (b) chartered-in vessels
with purchase options. Independent valuations as at the Valuation Date and net book values as at 31 December 2023 were used for owned
vessels, while chartered-in vessels with purchase options employed their respective exercise prices. The overall revaluation surplus
or deficit of the Vessels was then incorporated into the Company's NAV and NTA, as of 31 December 2023, to calculate the revalued NAV
("RNAV") and revalued NTA (“RNTA”) as of 31 December 2023 respectively.
Owned vessels
For the purpose of estimating the revaluation
surplus or deficit of the 19 owned vessels, we have conducted a comparative analysis of the average market value, as determined by the
independent valuation by Braemar and Hartland as at the valuation date of 31 December 2023, with the net book value for each vessel as
at 31 December 2023, being the latest publicly available audited financial results for FY2023 as shown in the table below. The revaluation
surplus for the 19 owned vessels is estimated to be US$84.93 million, being the difference between the total average market value of
the vessels and their total net book value as at 31 Dec 2023:
| |
Vessel name | |
Net book value as at 31 Dec 2023(2) | | |
Market value as at 31 Dec
2023
(US$’million) | | |
Average market value(3) | |
| |
| |
(US$’million) | | |
Braemar | | |
Hartland | | |
(US$’million) | |
| |
Handysize | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| |
1. | |
IVS Kingbird | |
| 10.33 | | |
| 10.44 | | |
| 10.04 | | |
| 10.24 | |
2. | |
IVS Ibis | |
| 9.27 | | |
| 11.20 | | |
| 12.30 | | |
| 11.75 | |
3. | |
IVS Phinda | |
| 14.21 | | |
| 19.56 | | |
| 20.34 | | |
| 19.95 | |
4. | |
IVS Sparrowhawk | |
| 12.93 | | |
| 15.76 | | |
| 16.39 | | |
| 16.07 | |
5. | |
IVS Thanda | |
| 14.83 | | |
| 21.78 | | |
| 22.15 | | |
| 21.96 | |
6. | |
IVS Sunbird | |
| 13.89 | | |
| 16.83 | | |
| 17.59 | | |
| 17.21 | |
7. | |
IVS Tembe | |
| 15.39 | | |
| 21.78 | | |
| 23.46 | | |
| 22.62 | |
8. | |
IVS Merlin | |
| 15.29 | | |
| 16.41 | | |
| 16.21 | | |
| 16.31 | |
9. | |
IVS Kinglet | |
| 11.00 | | |
| 14.13 | | |
| 13.26 | | |
| 13.70 | |
10. | |
IVS Magpie | |
| 8.54 | | |
| 10.70 | | |
| 11.28 | | |
| 10.99 | |
11. | |
IVS Knot | |
| 10.32 | | |
| 13.40 | | |
| 12.63 | | |
| 13.02 | |
12. | |
Imabari Hull No. SH784 | |
| 16.88 | | |
| 17.13 | (4) | |
| 16.88 | (4) | |
| 17.00 | |
| |
| |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
| |
Supramax/Ultramax | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
13. | |
IVS Phoenix | |
| 21.67 | | |
| 31.35 | | |
| 30.70 | | |
| 31.03 | |
14. | |
IVS Wentworth | |
| 18.66 | | |
| 22.50 | | |
| 23.48 | | |
| 22.99 | |
15. | |
IVS Gleneagles | |
| 19.94 | | |
| 24.55 | | |
| 24.12 | | |
| 24.34 | |
16. | |
IVS North Berwick | |
| 20.51 | | |
| 26.75 | | |
| 26.74 | | |
| 26.75 | |
17. | |
IVS Swinley Forest | |
| 21.26 | | |
| 28.60 | | |
| 28.10 | | |
| 28.35 | |
18. | |
IVS Okudogo | |
| 23.25 | | |
| 31.35 | | |
| 30.94 | | |
| 31.15 | |
19. | |
IVS Prestwick | |
| 23.45 | | |
| 31.35 | | |
| 30.96 | | |
| 31.16 | |
| |
| |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
| |
Total | |
| 301.62 | | |
| 385.57 | | |
| 387.57 | | |
| 386.55 | |
Source: Management and Valuation Certificates
from Braemar and Hartland
Notes:
| (1) | Any discrepancies between the figures listed and the totals
thereof are due to rounding. |
| (2) | The net book values of the vessels as at 31 December 2023 were
provided by the Management. |
| (3) | Average market value of each respective vessels is calculated
from the average of the independent valuations performed by Braemar and Hartland. |
| (4) | Calculated based on 50% of the market value derived from the
respective Valuation Certificates. As per the management’s representation, the net book value of Imabari Hull No. SH784 as at 31
December is only 50% of the instalment for this vessel under construction. |
Chartered-in vessels
A similar valuation exercise was conducted to
evaluate the revaluation surplus or deficit on the three (3) remaining chartered-in vessels with purchase options, on the assumption
that if the Company were to exercise its options to purchase at their respective option prices, the Company would benefit from the potential
surplus in value based on the independent valuations of these vessels as at 31 December 2023.
| |
Vessel name | |
Exercise price(2) | | |
Market value as at 31 Dec
2023
(US$’million) | | |
Average market value(3) | |
| |
| |
(US$’million) | | |
Braemar | | |
Hartland | | |
(US$’million) | |
| |
Supramax/Ultramax | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| |
1. | |
IVS Atsugi | |
| 24.20 | (4) | |
| 32.25 | | |
| 32.28 | | |
| 32.27 | |
2. | |
IVS Pebble Beach | |
| 24.20 | (4) | |
| 32.25 | | |
| 32.42 | | |
| 32.34 | |
3. | |
IVS Naruo(5) | |
| 11.98 | (6) | |
| 24.75 | | |
| 24.24 | | |
| 24.50 | |
| |
| |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
| |
Total | |
| 60.38 | | |
| 89.25 | | |
| 88.94 | | |
| 89.10 | |
Source: Management and Valuation Certificates
from Braemar and Hartland
Notes:
| (1) | Any discrepancies between the figures listed and the totals
thereof are due to rounding. |
| (2) | Exercise price is based on the pre-agreed purchase price of
the listed chartered-in vessels with purchase options. |
| (3) | Average market value of each respective vessels is calculated
from the average of the independent valuations of each chartered-in vessels performed by Braemar and Hartland. |
| (4) | The exercise price of the chartered-in vessels has taken into
account a linear depreciation of US$1m per year. |
| (5) | Chartered-in
until Q4 2024. The purchase option was exercised in November 2023. |
| (6) | The exercise price of the chartered-in vessel quoted in Japanese
Yen (“JPY”) is converted to US$ based on the forward exchange rate of US$1:JPY142 that the Company took out on 11
December 2023. |
Based on the above analysis, the revaluation
surplus arising from the three (3) chartered-in vessels is approximately US$28.72 million, which is derived from the difference between
the total average market value of the vessels of US$89.10 million and their total exercise price of US$60.38 million.
Shareholders should read the above in conjunction
with the Valuation Certificates, which are set out in Appendix G to the Circular. Save as disclosed above, the other assets of the Company
have not been revalued for the purpose of determining the RNAV and RNTA of the Company.
The Board has confirmed that, save as set out
above and to its best knowledge and belief, as at the Latest Practicable Date, on aggregate basis, there are no material differences
between the estimated market value of the assets and their respective book values as at 31 December 2023 which would have a material
impact on the RNAV and RNTA of the Company.
| |
(US$ million except per Share amounts) | |
| |
| |
NAV of the Company as at 31 December 2023 | |
| 246.12 | |
Add: Revaluation Surplus, net of potential tax liabilities(1) | |
| 113.65 | |
RNAV of the Company | |
| 359.77 | |
RNAV per Share (US$) | |
| 18.27 | |
The NTA of the Company as at 31 December 2023
is approximately US$198.0 million.
| |
(US$ million except per Share amounts) | |
| |
| |
NTA of the Company as at 31 December 2023 | |
| 198.05 | |
Add: Revaluation Surplus, net of potential tax liabilities(1) | |
| 113.65 | |
RNTA of the Company | |
| 311.70 | |
RNTA per Share (US$) | |
| 15.83 | |
Notes:
| (1) | As confirmed with management of the Company, the Vessels are
registered and flagged in Singapore and the Marshall Islands, where there are no capital gains tax in Singapore and a zero-tax rate in
the Marshall Islands. The revaluation surplus amounted to US$113.65 million, comprising revaluation surplus of US$84.93 million for owned
vessels and US$28.72 million for chartered-in vessels. |
We note that the Participating Share Price of
US$14.25 represents a discount of approximately 22.0% and 10.0% to the RNAV per Share and RNTA per Share of US$18.27 and US$15.83 respectively.
We wish to highlight that the RNAV and RNTA shown
above include the revaluation surpluses on the Vessels. Shareholders should note that the Company has not fully earned or realized the
surpluses on such Vessels as at the Latest Practicable Date, and that there is no assurance that any revaluation surpluses eventually
recorded by the Company on the Vessels will be the same as indicated above.
Shareholders should note that the above analysis
assumes the hypothetical sale of the Vessels of the Company as at the Latest Practicable Date. The Board has confirmed to us that as
at the Latest Practicable Date, the Company does not have any plans for an impending material disposal and/or conversion of the use of
the Company’s Vessels and the Company has not received any offers for the Vessels at the market values set out in the table above.
| 8.5 | Comparison with financial valuation ratios of Selected Comparable
Companies |
For the purpose of assessing the Participating
Share Price, references can be made to companies which are listed and traded on the New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”)
and the London Stock Exchange (the “LSE”), whose business activities and industries are comparable to the Company
(“Selected Comparable Companies”) to give an indication of the current market expectations with regards to the valuation
of these businesses, implied by their respective closing market prices as at the Latest Practicable Date
The Selected Comparable Companies have been identified
through a search on subscribed financial database and other public sources. Relevant information has been extracted from the annual reports
and/or public announcements of the Selected Comparable Companies. We have had discussions with the Board and management of the Company
about the suitability of the Selected Comparable Companies serving as a basis for comparison with the core businesses of the Company
and have obtained confirmations from the Board and management of the Company on the appropriateness of the Selected Comparable Companies.
We recognise, however, that our list of Selected
Comparable Companies is not exhaustive and there may not be any companies listed on NYSE, the LSE or other stock exchanges that are directly
comparable to the Company in terms of business activities, scale of operations, types of products and services, geographical markets,
track record, future prospects, asset base, risk profile, customer base and other relevant criteria. As such, any comparison made with
respect to the Selected Comparable Companies is therefore intended to serve as an illustrative guide only.
We wish to highlight that the figures used in
our financial assessment have been extracted where available and/or applicable, from Bloomberg L.P. and other publicly available sources.
We make no representations or warranties, express or implied, as to the accuracy or completeness of such information.
For the purpose of our evaluation and for illustration,
we have made comparisons between the Participating Share Price and the valuation of the Selected Comparable Companies on a historical
basis using the following:
Valuation
Ratio |
General
Description |
Enterprise Value-to-Earnings Before Interest, Tax,
Depreciation and Amortization (“EV/EBITDA”) |
“EV” or “Enterprise Value”
is the sum of a company’s market capitalisation, preferred equity, independent interests, consolidated short and long-term
debts, inclusive of finance lease liabilities, less its consolidated cash and cash equivalents.
“EBITDA” stands for historical
consolidated earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization expenses, inclusive of share of associates’ and joint
ventures’ income.
The EV/EBITDA ratio illustrates the ratio
of the enterprise value of a company’s business relative to its historical pre-tax consolidated operating cashflow performance,
without regard to its capital structure.
In our analysis, we calculated the Enterprise
Value based on the market capitalisation as of the Latest Practicable Date divided by the EBITDA based on the latest available full
year numbers.
|
Price-to-Earnings (“P/E”) ratio
|
P/E
ratio illustrates the ratio of the market price of a company’s shares relative to its consolidated after-tax earnings per share
attributable to the owners of the respective companies as stated in its financial statements. The P/E ratio is affected by, inter
alia, the capital structure of a company, its tax position as well as its accounting policies relating to depreciation and intangible
assets. In our analysis, we used the market price of the shares as of the Latest Practicable Date, divided by the aggregate of the most
recently announced four (4) quarters earnings per share. |
Valuation
Ratio |
General
Description |
Price-to-Net Asset Value (“P/NAV”)
ratio |
P/NAV ratio illustrates the ratio of the
market price of a company’s share relative to its historical net asset value per share as recorded in its financial statements.
“NAV” or “net asset value” is defined at the total assets less total liabilities and excludes where applicable
non-controlling interest. The NAV figure provides an estimate of the value of a company assuming the sale of its assets, the proceeds
which are first used to settle its liabilities and obligations with the balance available for distributions to its shareholders.
Comparisons of companies using their NAV are affected by differences in their respective accounting policies, in particular, their
depreciation, amortisation and asset valuation policies. In our analysis, we used the market price of the shares as of the Latest
Practicable Date, divided by the most recently announced NAV per share.
|
Price-to-Net Tangible Asset (“P/NTA”)
ratio |
P/NTA
ratio illustrates the ratio of the market price of a company’s share relative to its historical net tangible asset per share as
recorded in its financial statements. “NTA” or “net tangible asset” is defined as total tangible assets (excluding
intangible assets) less total liabilities and excludes, where applicable, non-controlling interest. The NTA figure provides an estimate
of the value of a company assuming the sale of all its tangible assets, the proceeds which are first used to settle its liabilities and
obligations with the balance available for distribution to its shareholders. Comparisons of companies using their NTAs are affected by
differences in their respective accounting policies, in particular, their depreciation, amortisation and asset valuation policies. In
our analysis, we used the market price of the shares as of the Latest Practicable Date, divided by the most recently announced NTA per
share. |
The financial ratios for the Selected Comparable
Companies are calculated based on their closing prices as at the Latest Practicable Date and the publicly available financial results
for their respective financial periods or financial year ends.
Comparisons between the Company and the Selected
Comparable Companies may be affected, inter alia, by differences in their accounting policies. Our analysis has not attempted
to adjust for such differences.
In view of the above, it should be noted that
any comparison made with respect to the Selected Comparable Companies merely serves as an illustration and that the conclusions drawn
from the comparisons may not necessarily reflect the perceived market valuation of the Company as at the Latest Practicable Date
We set out in the table below the list of Selected
Comparable Companies, together with a brief description of their principal activities which are considered to be broadly comparable to
the Company:
Selected Comparable
Companies |
Listing
Location |
Brief
Business Description |
Tufton Oceanic Assets Limited
(“Tufton”) |
LSE |
Tufton operates as an investment company.
Tufton invests in a portfolio of secondhand commercial sea-going vessels.
|
TMI |
LSE |
TMI operates as a managed shipping company.
TMI specializes in the acquisition and chartering of vessels in the handysize and supramax bulk carrier segments of the shipping
sector.
|
Diana Shipping Inc.
(“Diana Shipping”) |
NYSE |
Diana Shipping is a global provider of shipping
transportation services through its ownership and bareboat charter-in of drybulk vessels. Its vessels transport a range of drybulk
cargoes, including such commodities as iron ore, coal, grain and other materials along worldwide shipping routes.
|
Safe Bulkers Inc.
(“Safe Bulkers”) |
NYSE |
Safe Bulkers is a global shipping company
providing worldwide seaborne transportation solutions in the drybulk sector. Its vessels transport major bulks, which include iron
ore, coal, grain and minor bulks, which include bauxite, fertilizers and steel products.
|
Genco Shipping & Trading Ltd.
(“Genco Shipping”)
|
NYSE |
Genco Shipping provides
marine shipping services. It focuses on dry bulk carrier ships used to transport iron ore, coal, grain, steel, and other products.
|
We set out in the table below the financial ratios
of the Company and the Selected Comparable Companies listed on the NYSE and LSE as at the Latest Practicable Date:
Company Name | |
Market
Capitalisation (US$ million) | | |
EV/EBITDA(1) (x) | | |
P/E(2) (x) | | |
P/NAV | | |
P/NTA | |
| |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| |
Tufton | |
| 332.26 | | |
| 9.41 | | |
| 9.41 | | |
| 0.78 | | |
| 0.78 | |
TMI | |
| 342.43 | | |
| N.M. | | |
| N.M. | | |
| 0.79 | | |
| 0.79 | |
Diana Shipping | |
| 325.78 | | |
| 17.22 | | |
| 6.53 | | |
| 0.67 | | |
| 0.67 | |
Safe Bulkers | |
| 579.25 | | |
| 8.25 | | |
| 6.95 | | |
| 0.73 | | |
| 0.73 | |
Genco Shipping | |
| 929.47 | | |
| 17.91 | | |
| N.M. | | |
| 1.02 | | |
| 1.02 | |
| |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
High | |
| | | |
| 17.91 | | |
| 9.41 | | |
| 1.02 | | |
| 1.02 | |
Median | |
| | | |
| 13.32 | | |
| 6.95 | | |
| 0.78 | | |
| 0.78 | |
Mean | |
| | | |
| 13.20 | | |
| 7.63 | | |
| 0.80 | | |
| 0.80 | |
Low | |
| | | |
| 8.25 | | |
| 6.53 | | |
| 0.67 | | |
| 0.67 | |
| |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
Company (As implied by the Participating Share Price of US$14.25) | |
| 280.52 | | |
| 6.30 | | |
| N.M. | | |
| 1.14 | | |
| 1.42 | |
| |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
| |
| | |
| | |
| | |
P/RNAV | | |
P/RNTA | |
| |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| 0.78 | | |
| 0.90 | |
Source: Bloomberg L.P. and latest
announced financial statements and/or annual reports of the respective Selected Comparable Companies
Notes:
| (1) | EV/EBITDA ratio is calculated based on the latest available
annual reports or the latest announced financial statements of the Selected Comparable Companies. |
| (2) | P/E ratio is calculated based on the earnings as extracted from
the latest available annual report or the latest available announced financial statements of the Selected Comparable Companies. |
| (3) | N.M denotes not meaningful as company recorded negative earnings/revenue. |
Based on the above ratio analysis of the Company,
we noted that:
| (a) | The EV/EBITDA ratio of the Company of 6.30 times, as implied
by the Participating Share Price, is below the range of the EV/EBITDA ratios of the Selected Comparable Companies; |
| (b) | The P/E ratio of the Company, as implied by the Participating
Share Price, is not meaningful as the Company incurred a loss after tax of approximately US$9.6 million for FY2023. Meanwhile, the Comparable
Companies were traded at a P/E ratio of an average of 7.63 times; |
| (c) | The P/NAV ratio of the Company of 1.14 times, as implied by
the Participating Share Price, is above the range of the P/NAV ratios of the Selected Comparable Companies; |
| (d) | The P/RNAV ratio of the Company of 0.78 times, as implied by
the Participating Share Price, is within the range, below the mean and on par with the median of the P/NAV ratios of the Selected Comparable
Companies; |
| (e) | The
P/NTA ratio of the Company of 1.42 times, as implied by the Participating Share Price, is above the range of the P/NAV ratios of the
Selected Comparable Companies; and |
| (f) | The P/RNTA ratio of the Company of 0.90 times, as implied by
the Participating Share Price, is within the range and above the mean and median of the P/NTA ratios of the Selected Comparable Companies. |
| 9. | DIVIDEND TRACK RECORD OF THE COMPANY |
Following the implementation of the Company’s
dividend policy as announced in its Form 20-F filed with the SEC on 18 August 2021, we set out below the information on dividends per
Share as declared and paid by the Company and the dividend yield from 1Q2021 to 4Q2023:
| |
Quarterly dividends | |
Dividend declared and paid | |
1Q2021 | | |
2Q2021 | | |
3Q2021 | | |
4Q2021 | | |
1Q2022 | | |
2Q2022 | | |
3Q2022 | | |
4Q2022 | | |
1Q2023 | | |
2Q2023 | |
Dividend per Share (US$) | |
| | | |
| - | | |
| 0.72 | | |
| 0.72 | | |
| 0.47 | | |
| 0.84 | | |
| - | | |
| 5.00 | (3) | |
| 0.03 | | |
| 0.03 | |
| |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
Average Share price during the period1 (US$) | |
| 5.91 | | |
| 8.62 | | |
| 13.50 | | |
| 14.66 | | |
| 20.71 | | |
| 24.08 | | |
| 20.22 | | |
| 23.71 | | |
| 14.19 | | |
| 9.77 | |
| |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
Dividend yield for the respective period2 (%) | |
| 12.18 | | |
| - | | |
| 5.37 | | |
| 4.91 | | |
| 2.27 | | |
| 3.49 | | |
| 0.00 | | |
| 21.09 | | |
| 0.21 | | |
| 0.31 | |
Source: Company’s
announcements
Notes:
| (1) | Based on the average daily closing prices of the Shares for
the respective periods. |
| (2) | Dividend yield is calculated by dividing the dividend per Share
over the average Share price for the respective periods. |
| (3) | Special dividend declared in connection with the VGO. |
In light of the extraordinary general meeting
held on 10 August 2023, where the proposed capital reduction was approved and resulted in a total cash distribution up to a maximum of
US$45.0 million, the Company did not declare any further dividends for 2023.
The Company made the following Share repurchases
for the period from 1Q2021 to 4Q2021:
| |
Shares Repurchased | |
| |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| |
| |
1Q2021 | | |
2Q2021 | | |
3Q2021 | | |
4Q2021 | |
Number of Shares repurchased (US$) | |
| | | |
| 33,467 | | |
| 91,871 | | |
| 700,491 | |
| |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
Average purchase price per Share (US$) | |
| - | | |
| 8.46 | | |
| 14.87 | | |
| 14.58 | |
Source: Company’s announcements
We note that there were no further Shares repurchased
for the period from 1Q2022 to 4Q2023.
We wish to highlight that the above is not an
indication of the Company’s future dividend and share repurchase policy, and there is no assurance that the Company will or will
not pay dividends and/or shares repurchased in future and/or maintain the level of dividends paid and/or shares repurchased in past periods.
| 10. | OTHER RELEVANT FACTORS FOR CONSIDERATION |
| 10.1 | Future Plans of the Non-Participating Shareholder’s
for the Company and its Employees |
We note that the Non-Participating Shareholders do not currently intend to implement any major changes to the business and operations
of the Company, including discontinuing the employment of existing employees of the Company other than in the ordinary and usual course of the business.
However, the Non-Participating Shareholders retain
the flexibility to the further change their plans and intentions at any time, as deemed appropriate and in the light of any options and
opportunities that present themselves and which the Non-Participating Shareholders may regard to be in the interests of the Group.
| 10.2 | Financial Performance of the Company |
We note that the Company reported a loss for
FY2023 and the net asset value of the Company had been trending downward for the Period Under Review from US$319.6 million in FY2021
to US$246.1 million in FY2023.
| 10.3 | Implications of delisting |
We note that in the event that the Selective
Capital Reduction is effective, all the Shares will be owned by GF. Subsequently, the Company will be delisted from Nasdaq
and an application will be made to remove the Shares from the list maintained by the JSE of securities admitting to listing (the “List”).
Delisting from Nasdaq and cancellation of the
listing on the List will result in a reduction in liquidity and marketability of the Shares.
In arriving at our recommendation in relation
to the Selective Capital Reduction, we have taken into account the factors which we consider to have a significant bearing on our assessment
which includes our analyses as outlined within paragraphs 8 and 9:
In evaluating and assessing the financial terms
of the Selective Capital Reduction, we have given due consideration to the following:
| (a) | An assessment of the financial performance and position of the
Company: |
| (i) | the Company incurred losses of US$9.6
million in FY2023 but reported profits of US$103.4 million and US$129.5 million for FY2022
and FY2021 respectively; |
| (ii) | the Company’s net asset value
decreased over the three (3) years from US$319.6 million in FY2021, to US$287.4 million in
FY2022 followed by US$246.1 million in FY2023; and |
| (iii) | the Company’s working capital
decreased from US$61.1 million as at 31 December 2021 to a working capital of US$11.5 million
in FY2023. |
| (b) | An assessment of the historical market price and trading activities
of the Shares: |
| (i) | the Participating Share Price is higher
than the closing prices for the Shares for all the trading days for 100% of the time within
the last 12-month period prior to the Last Traded Day; |
| (ii) | the Participating Share Price represents
a premium of 47.50%, 40.37%, 51.05% and 44.14% to the VWAP for the 12-month, 6-month, 3-month
and 1-month periods prior to the Last Traded Day respectively; |
| (iii) | the Participating Share Price represents
a premium of 4.40% to the closing price on the Market Day immediately after the Selective
Capital Reduction Announcement Date; |
| (iv) | the Participating Share Price is
at a premium of 5.13% to the VWAP for the period between the Market Day immediately after
the Selective Capital Reduction Announcement Date and the Latest Practicable Date and a premium
of 4.01% to the last transacted price as at the Latest Practicable Date respectively; |
| (v) | the average daily traded volume of
the Shares for the 12-month, 6-month, 3-month and 1-month periods prior and up to the Last
Traded Day represents approximately 0.90%, 0.77%, 0.39% and 0.48% of the Free Float respectively; |
| (vi) | the average daily traded volume of
the Shares on the Last Traded Day represents 0.43% of the Free Float; |
| (vii) | the average daily traded volume
of the Shares on the Market Day immediately after the Selective Capital Reduction Announcement
Date represents 8.34% of the Free Float; |
| (viii) | the average daily traded volume
of the Shares for the period between the Market Day immediately after the Selective Capital
Reduction Announcement Date and the Latest Practicable Date represents 1.05% of the Free
Float; and |
| (ix) | the average daily traded volume of
the Shares on the Latest Practicable Date represents 0.79% of the Free Float. |
| (c) | An assessment of the historical Share price performance relative
to the Nasdaq Composite showed that (i) for the 12-month period prior to the Last Traded Day, the Shares had generally underperformed
the Nasdaq Composite on a normalised basis; and (ii) the closing price of the Shares had increased by approximately 33.66% while the
Nasdaq Composite had increased by 0.44% between the Last Traded Day and the Latest Practicable Date. |
| (d) | An assessment of the NAV and RNAV of the Company as follows: |
| (i) | the Participating Share Price represents
a premium of approximately 14.0% to the audited NAV per Share; and |
| (ii) | the Participating Share Price is
at a discount of approximately 22.0% to the audited RNAV per Share. |
| (e) | An assessment of the NTA and RNTA of the
Company as follows: |
| (i) | the Participating Share Price represents
a premium of approximately 41.6% to the audited NTA per Share; and |
| (ii) | the Participating Share Price is
at a discount of approximately 10.0% to the audited RNTA per Share. |
| (f) | A comparison with the valuation ratios of the Selected Comparable
Companies as follows: |
| (i) | the EV/EBITDA ratio of the Company
of 6.30 times, as implied by the Participating Share Price, is below the range of the EV/EBITDA
ratios of the Selected Comparable Companies; |
| (ii) | the P/E ratio of the Company, as
implied by the Participating Share Price, is negative and not meaningful as the Company incurred
a loss after tax of approximately US$9.6 million for FY2023. Meanwhile the Selected Comparable
Companies were traded at a P/E ratio of an average of 7.63 times; |
| (iii) | the P/NAV ratio of the Company of
1.14 times, as implied by the Participating Share Price, is positive and above the range
of the P/NAV ratios of the Selected Comparable Companies; |
| (iv) | the P/RNAV ratio of the Company of
0.78 times, as implied by the Participating Share Price, is within the range, below the mean
and on par with the median of the P/NAV ratios of the Selected Comparable Companies; |
| (v) | the P/NTA ratio of the Company of
1.42 times, as implied by the Participating Share Price, is positive and above the range
of the P/NTA ratios of the Selected Comparable Companies; and |
| (vi) | the P/RNTA ratio of the Company of
0.90 times, as implied by the Participating Share Price, is within the range and above the
mean and median of the P/NTA ratios of the Selected Comparable Companies. |
Having considered the above and subject
to the assumptions and qualifications set out in this Letter, we are of the opinion that on balance, the financial terms of the Selective
Capital Reduction are fair and reasonable.
In determining that the Selective
Capital Reduction is fair, we have considered the following pertinent factors and have placed greater emphasis on asset-based
financial ratios given that the Company is in asset intensive business:
| (i) | the Participating Share Price represents
a premium of between 47.50%, 40.37%, 51.05% and 44.14% over the VWAPs of the Shares for each
of the 12-month, 6-month, 3-month and 1-month periods prior to and including the Last Traded
Day; |
| (ii) | the Participating Share Price represents
a premium over the NAV and the NTA per Share of the Company whilst Selected Comparable Companies’
share prices are mostly trading at discount to their respective NAV and NTA per share; and |
| (iii) | the Participating Share Price represents
a discount to the RNAV and RNTA per Share of the Company which is within the range of discounts
at which Selected Comparable Companies’ share prices are trading to their respective
NAV and NTA per share. |
In determining that the Selective
Capital Reduction is reasonable, we have considered the following pertinent factors;
| (i) | the Company’s net profits have
been declining for the Period Under Review. In addition, the Company’s working capital
has been decreasing over the Period Under Review; |
| (ii) | the Participating Share Price is
higher than all of the Company’s closing share price since 5 April 2023, being 12 months
prior to the Selective Capital Reduction Announcement Date, and up to the Last Trading Day; |
| (iii) | the average daily trading volume
of the Shares was less than 1% of Free Float over the last 12-month period prior to the Last
Traded Day, the Selective Capital Reduction represent an opportunity for Shareholders to
completely divest their interest at a premium and with certainty; |
| (iv) | the Company has paid dividends during
the Period Under Review and announced on 13 July 2023 that the Company did not intend to
declare any further dividends for 2023 in light of the proposed capital reduction announced
on 10 August 2023. There is no assurance that dividends will be paid in the future. We further
noted that there were no further Shares repurchased for the period from 1Q2022 to 4Q2023;
and |
| (v) | there is no alternative offer for
the Shares as at the Latest Practicable Date. |
Accordingly, we advise the Board (other than
the Recused Directors) to recommend that Participating Shareholders VOTE IN FAVOUR of the Selective Capital Reduction, unless Participating
Shareholders are able to obtain a price higher than the Participating Share Price on the open market, after taking into account the brokerage
and related costs in connection with open market transactions.
We would advise the Board (other than the Recused
Directors) to consider highlighting that there are no assurances that the market prices of the Shares, in the event that the resolution
relating to Selective Capital Reduction is not approved, may not maintain their current prevailing levels as at the Latest Practicable
Date.
The Board (other than the Recused Directors)
should note that transactions of the Shares are subject to possible market fluctuations and, accordingly, our opinion and advice on the
Selective Capital Reduction does not and cannot take into account the future transactions or price levels that may be established for
the Shares since these are governed by factors beyond the ambit of our review.
This Letter is addressed to the Board (other
than the Recused Directors) for their benefit, in connection with and for the purposes of their consideration of the financial terms
of the Selective Capital Reduction. The recommendations made by them to the Shareholders in relation to the Selective Capital Reduction
shall remain the sole responsibility of the Board (other than the Recused Directors).
Whilst a copy of this Letter may be reproduced
in any document that is required to be filed with the SEC in connection with the Selective Capital Reduction, neither the Company, the
Board nor any other persons may reproduce, disseminate or quote this Letter (or any part thereof) for any other purpose or in any manner
without the prior written consent of CICF in each specific case, other than for the purpose of the Selective Capital Reduction.
This Letter is governed by, and construed in
accordance with, the laws of Singapore, and is strictly limited to the matters stated herein and does not apply by implication to any
other matter.
Yours faithfully
For and on behalf of
CEL Investment Corporate Finance Pte. Ltd.
Ng Boon Eng |
Ashton Chang |
Chief Executive Officer |
Associate Director, Corporate Finance |
APPENDIX B
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON THE NON-PARTICIPATING
SHAREHOLDERS |
PART A – TAYLOR MARITIME INVESTMENTS LIMITED
| 1 | DIRECTORS
AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS |
The name, address, telephone number and
description of the directors and executive officers of TMI as at the Latest Practicable Date are as follows:
Name |
Designation |
Appointment
Date |
Address and
Telephone
Number |
Mr. Edward David Christopher Buttery |
Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director
Mr. Buttery
is the Founder, CEO and Executive Director of TMI and has extensive experience in the shipping and maritime finance fields over the last
19 years. Mr. Buttery’s previous experience includes serving as a Chartering Manager at Pacific Basin, the Deputy COO of Asia Maritime
Pacific and a member of the ship finance team at Nordea Bank.
|
31 March 2021 |
1 Royal Plaza, Royal Avenue, St Peter Port, Guernsey, GY1 2HL
Tel: (44) 20-3838-0530
|
Mr. Christopher Buttery |
Non-Executive Director
Mr. Buttery has over 40 years of experience in the
shipping industry, which includes co-founding the original Pacific Basin business with Belgian Shipping Partners in 1987 and later re-establishing
himself with the current Pacific Basin in 1998, where he held various executive positions until 2007. He has served as a non-executive
director for companies such as Fleming Japanese Smaller Companies Ltd., Epic Gas Pte., and The China Navigation Company.
|
28 April 2021 |
Ms. Sandra Platts |
Independent Non-Executive Director Ms. Platts serves
as a Senior Independent Director at Sequoia Economic Infrastructure Fund, a Non-Executive Director of Investec Bank (Channel Islands)
Limited and Marble Point Loan Financing Limited. She served as the COO for the Channel Islands business in 2000 for Kleinwort Benson Private
Bank Group – UK and Channel Islands. In 2007, she became the Managing Director of the Guernsey branch of Kleinwort Benson. Until
2010, Ms. Platts held directorships with the holding board and the Bank, Trust Company and Operational Board of KB Group.
|
28 April 2021 |
Mr. Charles Maltby |
Independent Non-Executive Director
Prior to serving on the board of directors at TMI,
Mr. Maltby was a Non-Executive Director at the Company. He began his shipping career at Mobil Shipping in 1992 and later joined Pacific
Basin as its Managing Director in the UK. From 2014 to 2019, he served as the Executive Chairman of Epic Gas and he is a member of the
Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers. He has been the Chief Executive Officer of BW Epic Kosan since 2015.
|
1 January 2024 |
|
Ms. Trudi Clark |
Independent Non-Executive Director
After 10 years in public practice as an accountant,
Ms. Clark became the Head of European Internal Audit at the Bank of Bermuda. In 1995, she joined Schroders in the Channel Islands as its
CFO, where she later became its Banking Director in 2000 and then the Managing Director in 2003. After establishing and working in a family
office from 2006 to 2009, she established the Guernsey practice of David Rubin & Partners Limited. She also serves as a non-executive
director for various listed and non-listed companies.
|
28 April 2021 |
|
APPENDIX B
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON THE NON-PARTICIPATING
SHAREHOLDERS |
Name |
Designation |
Appointment Date |
Address and Telephone Number |
Mr. Frank Dunne |
Senior Independent Director
Mr. Dunne served as the Interim Chair of the board
of directors at TMI from 6 January 2023 to 1 June 2023. Mr. Dunne has over 40 years of legal experience, specialising in maritime law
and transactions for major international shipping companies. He was a Partner of Watson Farley & Williams and later became the firm’s
Chairman from 2004 to 2017. In 2011, he was named the “Maritime Lawyer of the Year” by Lloyd’s List, a leading publication
in the shipping sector.
|
31 October 2022 |
|
Mr. Henry Strutt |
Independent Chair
Mr. Strutt is the Independent Chair of the board of
directors at TMI. He has extensive experience in investment banking, fund management and financial advising. He spent over 20 years with
the Robert Fleming Group, including 17 years working in the Far East, Hong Kong and Tokyo. In 1996, he became the Executive Chairman of
the Jardine Fleming Group and later returned to London after being appointed joint Chief Executive of the Robert Fleming Group’s
Investment Banking Division. After the sale of the Robert Fleming Group to Chase Manhattan, he worked as an executive and non-executive
at various fund management and financial advisory business. Mr. Strutt is currently a non-executive director at New Waves Solutions.
|
1 June 2023 |
Ms. Yam Lay Tan |
Chief Financial Officer
Ms. Tan has been a member of the Institute of Singapore
Chartered Accountants since 1994. Prior to joining Taylor Maritime in 2019, Ms. Tan was a General Manager, Finance at Epic Gas Pte., where
she served as the director and company secretary for more than 40 companies. Prior to this, she held senior finance positions at various
security, IT, semiconductor and service companies.
|
27 May 2021 |
|
Mr. Carl Ackerley |
Chief Operating Officer
Prior to his appointment as the Chief Operating Officer
of TMI Mr. Ackerley was the COO of the Company since March 2021. Mr. Ackerley previously worked as a broker in London, Johannesburg and
Melbourne from 1989 to 2001. He worked with Furness Withy Australia from 2001 to 2006 before joining Pacific Basin. Until 2010, he led
Pacific Basin’s new Supramax division, and later became the General Manager of Pacific Basin Australia. He joined the Company’s
Island View Shipping division in 2010 where he established its Supramax division and developed its Handysize fleet and third-party vessels.
|
1 July 2023 |
Ms. Camilla Pierrepont |
Chief Strategy Officer and Head of Investor Operations
Ms. Pierrepont joined Taylor Maritime in 2018 as the
Group Strategy Director. She has held various strategy and investment roles over the last 16 years. This experience includes working as
a Portfolio Manager at the venture capital firm Blenheim Chalcot (London). She also spent four years working at Epic Gas Pte. (London
& Singapore) as the Head of Strategic Investment and three years as a Senior Strategy Manager at Microsoft.
|
27 May 2021 |
APPENDIX B
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON THE NON-PARTICIPATING
SHAREHOLDERS |
Name |
Designation |
Appointment Date |
Address and Telephone Number |
Mr. Alexander Slee |
Deputy Chief Executive Officer
Mr. Slee joined Taylor Maritime in 2016 as the Deputy
Chief Executive Officer. Prior to that, Mr. Slee spent 15 years in the shipping industry. He began his career as an investment banker
at Citigroup in London before joining Pacific Basin Shipping in Hong Kong. From 2010 to 2016, he was the General Manager of Vanship Holdings,
a privately-owned tanker and bulker ship owning company.
|
27 May 2021 |
|
The registered office of TMI is 1 Royal Plaza,
Royal Avenue, St Peter Port, Guernsey, GY1 2HL.
TMI was registered in Guernsey under the
Companies (Guernsey) Law, 2008 on 31 March 2021. TMI’s registration number is 69031 and it is regulated by the Guernsey Financial
Services Commission as a registered closed-ended collective investment scheme pursuant to the Protection of Investors (Bailiwick of Guernsey)
Law, 2020, the Registered Collective Investment Scheme Rules and Guidance 2021 and the Prospectus Rules 2021. TMI’s ordinary shares
were admitted to the premium listing segment of the Official List of the UK Listing Authority and began trading on the Main Market of
the London Stock Exchange on 27 May 2021.
TMI specialises in the acquisition and
chartering of vessels in the handysize and supramax/ultramax bulk carrier segments of the global shipping sector. TMI invests in a diversified
portfolio of vessels which are primarily second-hand. The current portfolio numbers 18 vessels in the geared drybulk segment. The ships
are employed utilising a variety of employment/charter strategies.
As at the Latest Practicable Date, TMI
has an issued and fully paid share capital of US$331,079,242 comprising 327,652,420 ordinary shares.
| 5.1 | Income
Statement and Balance Sheet |
Set forth below
is a summary of certain financial information extracted from:
| (a) | The audited
consolidated financial statements of the TMI Group for the financial year ended 31 March
2023; |
| (b) | The audited
consolidated financial statements of the TMI Group for the period from 31 March 2021 (date
of incorporation) to 31 March 2022; and |
| (c) | The unaudited
interim consolidated financial statements of the TMI Group for the six-month period ended
30 September 2023. |
TMI’s annual
report and consolidated financial statements for FY2022 and FY2023 (the “TMI Financial Statements”) have been prepared
in accordance with IFRS issued by the International Accounting Standards Board and interpretations issued by the International Financial
Reporting Interpretations Committee.
The unaudited
interim consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with International Accounting Standard 34 ‘Interim Financial
Reporting’ and should be read in conjunction with TMI’s annual report and audited consolidated financial statements for FY2023.TMI
owns its investments through special purpose vehicles, which include GF which holds the existing investment in the Company. These investments
are not consolidated, in accordance with the investment entities exemption as required under IFRS 10, into the results of TMI but are
accounted for at fair value in the consolidated statement of financial position, which forms part of the TMI Financial Statements.
The TMI Group's
credit facility is advanced to TMI HoldCo Limited, the holding company of the special purpose vehicles. TMI HoldCo Limited's results
are also not consolidated but are accounted for at Fair Value in the Consolidated Statement of Financial position.
APPENDIX B
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
ON THE NON-PARTICIPATING SHAREHOLDERS |
The last published
unaudited net asset value per ordinary share of TMI as at 31 December 2023 was US$1.36. This was announced on 26 January 2024.
Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive
Income | |
Reported under IFRS | |
| |
FP20241 | | |
FY2023 | | |
FY2022 | |
| |
(unaudited) | | |
(audited) | | |
(audited) | |
| |
US$ | | |
US$ | | |
US$ | |
(Loss)/Income | |
| (115,075,874 | ) | |
| 36,105,394 | | |
| 259,087,454 | |
Exceptional items | |
| - | | |
| - | | |
| - | |
(Loss)/profit for the period/year
before tax | |
| (120,100,402 | ) | |
| 26,160,931 | | |
| 252,881,535 | |
(Loss)/profit for the period/year
after tax | |
| (120,243,501 | ) | |
| 26,210,533 | | |
| 252,811,565 | |
Foreign currency adjustment on translation to presentation
currency | |
| (16,516 | ) | |
| (19,416 | ) | |
| - | |
Total comprehensive income for
the period/year | |
| (120,260,017 | ) | |
| 26,191,117 | | |
| 252,811,565 | |
| |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
Attributable to: | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
- The
Ordinary Equity holders of TMI | |
| (120,260,017 | ) | |
| 26,191,117 | | |
| 252,811,565 | |
| |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
Earnings per Ordinary Share (in
US cents) | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
Basic
(loss)/earnings2 | |
| (0.36 | ) | |
| 0.08 | | |
| 0.80 | |
Diluted
(loss)/earnings32 | |
| (0.36 | ) | |
| 0.08 | | |
| 0.79 | |
Consolidated Statement of Financial
Position | |
Reported under IFRS | |
| |
FP20243 | | |
FY2023 | | |
FY2022 | |
| |
(unaudited) | | |
(audited) | | |
(audited) | |
| |
US$ | | |
US$ | | |
US$ | |
Non-current assets | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
Financial assets at fair value through profit
or loss | |
| 431,550,193 | | |
| 556,738,240 | | |
| 574,114,922 | |
Property, plant & equipment | |
| 539,134 | | |
| 557,089 | | |
| - | |
Total non-current assets | |
| 432,089,327 | | |
| 557,295,329 | | |
| 574,114,922 | |
Current assets | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
Cash and cash equivalents | |
| 3,082,810 | | |
| 11,199,937 | | |
| 3,382,410 | |
Trade and other receivables | |
| 462,780 | | |
| 554,224 | | |
| 56,821 | |
Total current assets | |
| 3,545,590 | | |
| 11,754,161 | | |
| 3,439,231 | |
Total assets | |
| 435,634,917 | | |
| 569,049,490 | | |
| 577,554,153 | |
Current liabilities | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
Trade and other payables | |
| 2,477,789 | | |
| 2,935,190 | | |
| 2,305,384 | |
Total current liabilities | |
| 2,477,789 | | |
| 2,935,190 | | |
| 2,305,384 | |
Net assets | |
| 433,157,128 | | |
| 566,114,300 | | |
| 575,248,769 | |
Equity | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
Share Capital | |
| 333,479,334 | | |
| 333,479,334 | | |
| 333,479,334 | |
Retained earnings | |
| 97,821,500 | | |
| 231,257,657 | | |
| 241,282,790 | |
Foreign current translation reserve | |
| (35,932 | ) | |
| (19,416 | ) | |
| - | |
Other reserves | |
| 1,892,226 | | |
| 1,396,725 | | |
| 486,645 | |
Total equity | |
| 433,157,128 | | |
| 566,114,300 | | |
| 575,248,769 | |
Number of Ordinary Shares | |
| 330,215,878 | | |
| 330,215,878 | | |
| 330,215,878 | |
Net asset value per Ordinary Share | |
| 1.3117 | | |
| 1.7144 | | |
| 1.7420 | |
| |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
| |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
Net dividend per Ordinary Share | |
| 0.08 | | |
| 0.11 | | |
| 0.035 | |
1 For the six-month
period ended 30 September 2023.
2 Rounded to
the nearest two decimal places.
3 For the six-month
period ended 30 September 2023.
APPENDIX B
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
ON THE NON-PARTICIPATING SHAREHOLDERS |
| 5.2 | Significant
Accounting Policies |
The significant
accounting policies of TMI are disclosed in Note 2 of the audited consolidated financial statements of the TMI Group for FY2023. Copies
of TMI’s Annual Report and Audited consolidated financial statements for FY2022 and FY2023 and the unaudited interim consolidated
financial statements for FP2024 are available on the TMI website at https://taylormaritimeinvestments.com/investor-centre/financial-esg-reports/.
| 5.3 | Changes
in Accounting Policies |
There are
no changes in the accounting policies of TMI which will cause the financial statements of TMI not to be comparable to a material extent.
Although TMI has adopted all the new and revised standards which are effective for annual financial periods beginning on or after 1 January
2023, the adoption of these standards did not have any effect on the financial performance or position of TMI.
| 6 | MATERIAL
CHANGES IN FINANCIAL POSITION OR PROSPECTS OF TMI |
Other than
any other information on the TMI Group which is publicly available (including without limitation, any announcements released by TMI on
the London Stock Exchange), there have been no material changes in the financial position of TMI since 31 March 2023, being the date
of the last published audited accounts of TMI and, 30 September 2023, being the date of the last published unaudited accounts of TMI.
| 7 | MATERIAL
CHANGES IN FINANCIAL POSITION OR PROSPECTS OF THE GROUP |
Save as disclosed
in this Circular and the audited financial statements of the Group for the financial year ended 31 December 2023 and save for any publicly
available information on the Group, as at the Latest Practicable Date, within the knowledge of TMI, there have been no known material
changes in the financial position or prospects of the Group since 31 December 2023, being the date of the last published audited accounts
of the Group.
| 8 | RESPONSIBILITY
STATEMENT |
The directors
of the Non-Participating Shareholders (including any who may have delegated detailed supervision of paragraph 5 (Intentions Relating
to the Company) and paragraph 6 (Non-Participating Shareholders: Disclosures of Shareholders, Dealings and Other Arrangements)
of the Letter, and Appendix B (Additional Information on the Non-Participating Shareholders), Appendix C (Disclosures of Holdings
and Dealings in Company Securities), and Appendix D (General Information on the Non-Participating Shareholders) to this Circular,
for which the Non-Participating Shareholders have taken responsibility) have taken all reasonable care to ensure that the facts stated
and all opinions expressed in paragraph 5 (Intentions Relating to the Company) and paragraph 6 (Non-Participating Shareholders:
Disclosures of Shareholders, Dealings and Other Arrangements) of the Letter, and Appendix B (Additional Information on the Non-Participating
Shareholders), Appendix C (Disclosures of Holdings and Dealings in Company Securities), and Appendix D (General Information
on the Non-Participating Shareholders) to this Circular (other than all facts relating to and opinions expressed by the Company,
the IFA and the Financial Adviser) are fair and accurate and that no material facts have been omitted from this Circular, and they accept
responsibility accordingly.
Where any
information in paragraph 5 (Intentions Relating to the Company) and paragraph 6 (Non-Participating Shareholders: Disclosures
of Shareholders, Dealings and Other Arrangements) of the Letter, and Appendix B (Additional Information on the Non-Participating
Shareholders), Appendix C (Disclosures of Holdings and Dealings in Company Securities), and Appendix D (General Information
on the Non-Participating Shareholders) to this Circular (other than all facts relating to and opinions expressed by the Company,
the IFA and the Financial Adviser) has been extracted or reproduced from published or publicly available sources, the sole responsibility
of directors of the Non-Participating Shareholders has been to ensure, through reasonable enquiries, that such information is accurately
extracted from such sources or, as the case may be, reflected or reproduced in paragraph 5 (Intentions Relating to the Company)
and paragraph 6 (Non-Participating Shareholders: Disclosures of Shareholders, Dealings and Other Arrangements) of the Letter,
and Appendix B (Additional Information on the Non-Participating Shareholders), Appendix C (Disclosures of Holdings and Dealings
in Company Securities), and Appendix D (General Information on the Non-Participating Shareholders) to this Circular.
APPENDIX B
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
ON THE NON-PARTICIPATING SHAREHOLDERS |
PART B – GOOD
FALKIRK (MI) LIMITED
The
name, address, telephone number and description of the director of GF as at the Latest Practicable Date are as follows:
Name |
Designation |
Address
and Telephone
Number |
TMI
Director 1 Limited |
Director
TMI Director 1 Limited
is the corporate director of GF. Its directors include Mr. Alex Slee, Ms. Trudi Clark and Ms. Sandra Platts, whose respective descriptions
are each set forth in Part A of this Appendix B. |
1
Royal Plaza, Royal Avenue, St Peter Port, Guernsey, GY1 2HL
Tel: (44) 20-3530-3632
|
The registered
office of GF is Trust Company Complex, Ajeltake Road, Ajeltake Island, Majuro, Marshall Islands MH 96960.
TMI owns all
the shares of GF, its wholly-owned Subsidiary incorporated in the Republic of the Marshall Islands. GF’s principal business is
to hold investments on behalf of the TMI group. GF currently holds the TMI group’s existing investment in the Company.
GF has an
issued and paid-up share capital of US$1 divided into 1 ordinary share. GF does not hold any shares in treasury.
| 5.1 | Income
Statement and Balance Sheet |
Set forth below
is a summary of certain financial information extracted from:
| (a) | the unaudited
management accounts of GF for the financial year ended 31 March 2023; |
| (b) | the unaudited
management accounts of GF for the financial year ended 31 March 2022; and |
| (c) | the unaudited
management accounts of GF for FP2024. |
GF’s unaudited
management accounts have been prepared in accordance with International Accounting Standard 34 ‘Interim Financial Reporting’.
The last unaudited
net asset value of GF as at 31 December 2023, was US$295,142,822.
Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive
Income | |
Reported under IFRS | |
| |
FP20244 | | |
FY2023 | | |
FY2022 | |
| |
(unaudited) | | |
(unaudited) | | |
(unaudited) | |
| |
US$ | | |
US$ | | |
US$ | |
(Loss)income | |
| (57,566,190 | ) | |
| 31,691,013 | | |
| 41,262,967 | |
Exceptional items | |
| - | | |
| - | | |
| - | |
(Loss)/profit for the period/year
before tax | |
| (64,662,295 | ) | |
| 17,454,873 | | |
| 41,258,581 | |
(Loss)/profit for the period/year
after tax | |
| (64,662,295 | ) | |
| 17,454,873 | | |
| 41,258,581 | |
APPENDIX B
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
ON THE NON-PARTICIPATING SHAREHOLDERS |
Consolidated Statement of Financial
Position | |
Reported under IFRS | |
| |
FP202432 | | |
FY2023 | | |
FY2022 | |
| |
(unaudited) | | |
(unaudited) | | |
(unaudited) | |
| |
US$ | | |
US$ | | |
US$ | |
Non-current assets | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
Financial assets at fair value through
profit or loss | |
| 304,339,096 | | |
| 362,391,477 | | |
| 125,292,585 | |
Total non-current assets | |
| 304,339,096 | | |
| 362,391,477 | | |
| 125,292,585 | |
Current assets | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
Cash and cash equivalents | |
| 5,308 | | |
| 608,194 | | |
| 445,999 | |
Other receivables and prepayments | |
| 83,507 | | |
| - | | |
| 3,131,698 | |
Total current assets | |
| 88,815 | | |
| 608,194 | | |
| 3,577,697 | |
Total assets | |
| 304,427,911 | | |
| 362,999,671 | | |
| 128,870,282 | |
Current liabilities | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
Other payables and accruals | |
| 8,507 | | |
| 1,311,487 | | |
| - | |
Total current liabilities | |
| 8,507 | | |
| 1,311,487 | | |
| - | |
Non-current liabilities | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
Bank loan | |
| - | | |
| 92,016,360 | | |
| - | |
Total non-current liabilities | |
| - | | |
| 92,016,360 | | |
| - | |
Net assets | |
| 304,419,404 | | |
| 269,671,824 | | |
| 128,870,282 | |
Equity | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
Share Capital | |
| 1 | | |
| 1 | | |
| 1 | |
Shareholder Loan | |
| 313,868,245 | | |
| 214,458,370 | | |
| 87,611,700 | |
(Accumulated losses)/Retained earnings | |
| (9,448,842 | ) | |
| 55,213,453 | | |
| 41,258,581 | |
Total equity | |
| 304,419,404 | | |
| 269,671,824 | | |
| 128,870,282 | |
| |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
Net dividend per share | |
| NIL | | |
| 3,500,000 | | |
| NIL | |
| 5.2 | Significant
Accounting Policies |
The significant
accounting policies of GF are disclosed in Note 2 of the audited consolidated financial statements of the TMI Group for FY2023. Copies
of TMI’s Annual Report and Audited consolidated financial statements for FY2023 are available on the TMI website at https://taylormaritimeinvestments.com/investor-centre/financial-esg-reports/.
| 5.3 | Changes
in Accounting Policies |
There are
no changes in the accounting policies of GF which will cause the financial statements of GF not to be comparable to a material extent.
| 6 | MATERIAL
CHANGES IN FINANCIAL POSITION OR PROSPECTS OF GF |
GF is a company
incorporated in the Republic of the Marshall Islands. GF is not required under the laws of the Marshall Islands to prepare audited financial
statements or accounts. Accordingly, GF has historically only prepared unaudited management accounts.
Save as disclosed
in this Circular and unaudited management accounts for the 6-month period ended 30 September 2023 and save for any publicly available
information on GF, as at the Latest Practicable Date, there have been no known material changes in the financial position or prospects
of GF since 31 March 2023, being the end of FY2023 for GF.
| 7 | MATERIAL
CHANGES IN FINANCIAL POSITION OR PROSPECTS OF THE GROUP |
Save as disclosed
in this Circular and the audited financial statements of the Group for the financial year ended 31 December 2023 and save for any publicly
available information on the Group, as at the Latest Practicable Date, within the knowledge of GF, there have been no known material
changes in the financial position or prospects of the Group since 31 December 2023, being the date of the last published audited accounts
of the Group.
4 For the six-month
period ended 30 September 2023.
APPENDIX B
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
ON THE NON-PARTICIPATING SHAREHOLDERS |
| 8 | RESPONSIBILITY
STATEMENT |
The directors
of the Non-Participating Shareholders (including any who may have delegated detailed supervision of paragraph 5 (Intentions Relating
to the Company) and paragraph 6 (Non-Participating Shareholders: Disclosures of Shareholders, Dealings and Other Arrangements)
of the Letter, and Appendix B (Additional Information on the Non-Participating Shareholders), Appendix C (Disclosures of Holdings
and Dealings in Company Securities), and Appendix D (General Information on the Non-Participating Shareholders) to this Circular,
for which the Non-Participating Shareholders have taken responsibility) have taken all reasonable care to ensure that the facts stated
and all opinions expressed in paragraph 5 (Intentions Relating to the Company) and paragraph 6 (Non-Participating Shareholders:
Disclosures of Shareholders, Dealings and Other Arrangements) of the Letter, and Appendix B (Additional Information on the Non-Participating
Shareholders), Appendix C (Disclosures of Holdings and Dealings in Company Securities), and Appendix D (General Information
on the Non-Participating Shareholders) to this Circular (other than all facts relating to and opinions expressed by the Company,
the IFA and the Financial Adviser) are fair and accurate and that no material facts have been omitted from this Circular, and they accept
responsibility accordingly.
Where any
information in paragraph 5 (Intentions Relating to the Company) and paragraph 6 (Non-Participating Shareholders: Disclosures
of Shareholders, Dealings and Other Arrangements) of the Letter, and Appendix B (Additional Information on the Non-Participating
Shareholders), Appendix C (Disclosures of Holdings and Dealings in Company Securities), and Appendix D (General Information
on the Non-Participating Shareholders) to this Circular (other than all facts relating to and opinions expressed by the Company,
the IFA and the Financial Adviser) has been extracted or reproduced from published or publicly available sources, the sole responsibility
of directors of the Non-Participating Shareholders has been to ensure, through reasonable enquiries, that such information is accurately
extracted from such sources or, as the case may be, reflected or reproduced in paragraph 5 (Intentions Relating to the Company)
and paragraph 6 (Non-Participating Shareholders: Disclosures of Shareholders, Dealings and Other Arrangements) of the Letter,
and Appendix B (Additional Information on the Non-Participating Shareholders), Appendix C (Disclosures of Holdings and Dealings
in Company Securities), and Appendix D (General Information on the Non-Participating Shareholders) to this Circular.
APPENDIX C
DISCLOSURES OF HOLDINGS
AND DEALINGS IN COMPANY SECURITIES |
| 1 | HOLDINGS
OF COMPANY SECURITIES |
As at the Latest
Practicable Date, based on (i) the latest information available to the Non-Participating Shareholders and (ii) responses received pursuant
to enquiries made by the Non-Participating Shareholders, the holdings of Company Securities of the Non-Participating Shareholders and
the following persons who are Acting in Concert with them as at the Latest Practicable Date, are set forth below:
| |
| |
Direct
Interest | | |
Deemed
Interest | | |
Total
Interest | |
Name | |
Address | |
No.
of Shares | | |
%(1) | | |
No.
of Shares | | |
%(1) | | |
No.
of Shares | | |
%(1) | |
TMI | |
1 Royal Plaza, Royal Avenue, St Peter Port, Guernsey,
GY1 2HL
| |
| 0 | | |
| 0.00 | | |
| 16,206,365 | (2) | |
| 82.33 | (2) | |
| 16,206,365 | | |
| 82.33 | |
GF | |
Trust Company Complex, Ajeltake Road, Ajeltake Island, Majuro, Marshall
Islands MH 96960
| |
| 16,206,365 | | |
| 82.33 | | |
| 0 | | |
| 0 | | |
| 16,206,365 | | |
| 82.33 | |
TMG | |
Trust Company Complex, Ajeltake Road, Ajeltake Island, Majuro, Republic
of the Marshall Islands, MH 96960
| |
| 138,828 | | |
| 0.71 | | |
| 0 | | |
| 0 | | |
| 138,828 | | |
| 0.71 | |
Temeraire | |
Trust Company Complex, Ajeltake Road, Ajeltake Island,
Majuro, Republic of the Marshall Islands, MH 96960
| |
| 74,754 | | |
| 0.38 | | |
| 0 | | |
| 0 | | |
| 74,754 | | |
| 0.38 | |
TOTAL | |
| |
| 16,419,947 | | |
| 83.41 | | |
| 16,206,365 | | |
| 82.33 | | |
| 16,419,947 | | |
| 83.41 | |
Notes:
| (1) | Calculated
based on 19,685,590 Shares in issue and the percentage figures are rounded to the nearest
two decimal places. |
| (2) | TMI is deemed
to have an interest in the Shares held by GF, given that GF is a wholly-owned Subsidiary
of TMI. |
| 2 | DEALINGS
IN COMPANY SECURITIES |
| 2.1 | During the Reference Period |
Based on (i)
the latest information available to the Non-Participating Shareholders and (ii) responses received pursuant to enquiries made by the
Non-Participating Shareholders, none of the Non-Participating Shareholders or parties Acting in Concert with them has dealt for value
in the Company Securities during the Reference Period.
| 2.2 | During the Previous Two Years |
On each of 28
November 2022 and 19 December 2022 respectively, in connection with the VGO and following the expiration of the initial offering period
and the subsequent offering period, GF purchased 8,966,040 Shares and 1,839,787 Shares, respectively, validly tendered Shares.
The table below
sets forth information relating to GF’s acquisition of a total of 10,805,827 Shares over the two-year period prior to the Selective
Capital Reduction. Purchases or acquisitions of the Shares were made by way of the VGO and at such price as determined by TMI.
Date | |
Total Number of
Shares Purchased | | |
Range of Prices per
Share | | |
Average Price Per
Share | |
28 November 2022 | |
| 8,966,040 | | |
$21.00
- $21.00 | | |
$ | 21.00 | |
| |
| | | |
| | |
| | |
19 December 2022 | |
| 1,839,787 | | |
$21.00
- $21.00 | | |
$ | 21.00 | |
APPENDIX D
GENERAL INFORMATION
ON THE NON-PARTICIPATING SHAREHOLDERS |
| 1 | DISCLOSURE
OF INTERESTS – THE NON-PARTICIPATING SHAREHOLDERS |
| 1.1 | No
Agreement having any Connection with or Dependence upon the Selective Capital Reduction |
As at the
Latest Practicable Date, there is no agreement, arrangement or understanding between: (a) the Non-Participating Shareholders or parties
Acting in Concert with them, and (b) any of the current or recent directors of the Company or any of the current or recent Shareholders
having any connection with or dependence upon the Selective Capital Reduction.
The Participating
Shares held by the Participating Shareholders will be cancelled pursuant to the Selective Capital Reduction. The Non-Participating Shareholders
reserve the right to transfer any Shares to any of its Related Corporations or for the purpose of granting security in favour of financial
institutions which have extended or shall extend credit facilities to it.
| 1.3 | No
Payment or Benefit to Directors of the Company |
As at the
Latest Practicable Date, there is no agreement, arrangement or understanding between (i) the Non-Participating Shareholders or parties
Acting in Concert with them and (ii) any Director or director of any Related Corporation of the Company for any payment or other benefit
to be made or given to such Director or director of any related corporation of the Company as compensation for loss of office or otherwise
in connection with the Selective Capital Reduction.
| 1.4 | No
Agreement Conditional upon Outcome of the Selective Capital Reduction |
Save as disclosed
below, as at the Latest Practicable Date, there is no agreement, arrangement or understanding between (a) the Non-Participating Shareholders
or parties Acting in Concert with them; and (b) any of the Directors or any other person having any connection with or dependence upon
the outcome of the Selective Capital Reduction or otherwise in connection with the Selective Capital Reduction.
As announced
by the Company on 25 September 2023, Grindrod Shipping Pte. Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company (as buyer) and the Company
(as parent of the buyer) had entered into the Sale and Purchase Agreements. In connection with the Sale and Purchase Agreements, after
the Selective Capital Reduction has become effective, payment of certain earn-out payments to TMG and Temeraire will be accelerated.
The Company expects to make such earn-out payments in cash. As announced by the Company on 25 September 2023, the aggregate maximum value
of the consideration for the Acquisition will not exceed US$13.5 million (of which US$4.2 million was paid on 3 October 2023).
| 1.5 | No
Agreements or Arrangements Concerning Company Securities |
Except as
may be set forth in this Circular, none of the Non-Participating Shareholders, or, to the best of their knowledge, any of the persons
listed in Appendix B hereto, has any agreement, arrangement, or understanding or potential conflict of interest with respect to the Selective
Capital Reduction, with any other person regarding the Company Securities, including, but not limited to: any contract, arrangement,
understanding, or relationship concerning the transfer or voting of the Company Securities.
APPENDIX E
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
ON THE COMPANY |
The following additional
information on the Company is disclosed in connection with the Selective Capital Reduction.
| 1 | DIRECTORS
AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS |
The names,
addresses, telephone number and descriptions of the Directors and executive officers of the Company as at the Latest Practicable Date
are as follows:
Name |
Designation |
Appointment Date |
Address and
Telephone
Number |
Dr. Kurt Klemme |
Non-Executive Chairman
Dr. Klemme is the Chairman of the Board of Directors,
member of the Company’s Audit and Risk Committee and member of the Compensation and Nomination Committee. Dr. Klemme has nearly
26 years of experience in the shipping industry and is presently the Managing Director of Reederei Nord GmbH Germany and Group Managing
Director of the international Reederei Nord Holdings. He has worked in a variety of leadership positions with the group during the past
20 years. Currently, he is also Chairman of the German Shipowners’ Defence Association.
|
6 December 2022 |
1 Temasek Avenue
#10-02 Millenia Tower
Singapore 039192
Tel: (65) 6323 0048
|
Ms. Rebecca Brosnan |
Non-Executive Director
Ms. Brosnan is a member of the Company’s Audit
and Risk Committee. Ms. Brosnan has over 20 years of experience in investment banking, financial markets, commodities and currently serves
as the IFC Nominated Director on the Board of the City Bank, a listed commercial bank in Bangladesh. Previously, Ms. Brosnan was the Chief
Financial Officer & Head of Strategy of Diginex, the COO & CFO of Mother’s Choice and Head of Asia Commodities and Head
of Strategy at the Hong Kong Stock Exchange.
|
6 December 2022 |
Mr. Edward David Christopher Buttery |
Executive Director / Chief Executive Officer
Mr. Buttery previously served as a member of
the Company’s board of directors and as member of the Compensation and Nomination Committee from 6 December 2022 to 31 March 2023.
Mr. Buttery is the Founder, Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director of TMI and has extensive experience in the shipping and maritime
finance fields over the last 18 years. Prior to that, Mr. Buttery was a Chartering Manager at Pacific Basin, Deputy COO of Asia Maritime
Pacific and a member of the ship finance team at Nordea Bank.
|
Appointed as a director on 6 December 2022
Appointed as the new Chief Executive Officer on 1 April 2023 |
|
APPENDIX E
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
ON THE COMPANY |
Name |
Designation |
Appointment Date |
Address and
Telephone
Number |
Mr. Alan Hatton |
Non-Executive Director
Mr. Hatton has over 16 years of leadership experience
in the maritime industry and is currently the Managing Director of Foreguard Shipping, a privately-owned ship owner and operator of vessels
in the chemical, offshore and gas sectors. Mr. Hatton started his career as an M&A banker at DrKW and Lazard and subsequently held
CEO positions at publicly listed and private ship owning and operating companies. Mr. Hatton holds a B.Sc. and M.Sc. from the London School
of Economics and Political Science, has completed the Copenhagen Business School Blue Board Leadership Program (2023-2024) and is a Singapore
Institute of Directors Senior Accredited Director.
|
14 December 2022 |
|
Mr. Paul Charles Over |
Non-Executive Director
Mr. Paul Over is based in Hong Kong. Mr. Over
joined the London shipbroking company Eggar Forrester Ltd in 1976 after being at sea with Kristian Jebsen A/S. He then joined Jardine,
Matheson & Co., Limited, working first for their London based shipbroking company, Howe Robinson, before transferring to Hong Kong
in 1980 to the ship owning division of the group. He left Jardines in 1984 to join the Continental Grain Company in Hong Kong where he
was responsible for their Far East and Australian freight activities. Mr. Over joined Pacific Basin on its inception in 1987 as a founder
and subsequent COO of the listed entity before retiring from that position in 2007. He held positions as independent non-executive director
within the Baltic Exchange as a Director, Vice Chairman of the main company and as Chairman of its Freight Futures subsidiary, Baltic
Exchange Derivatives Trading Ltd. He also held independent non-executive director positions with Carisbrooke Shipping Ltd., Runciman Investments
Ltd., Epic Gas Pte. Ltd., the London P&I Club, Asia Maritime Pacific of Hong Kong and has retired as an independent non-executive
director of Taylor Maritime (HK) Ltd. on 3 October 2023. He is currently a director on the members’ committee of the UK P&I
Club.
|
17 February 2022 |
Mr. Cullen Schaar |
Non-Executive Director
Mr. Schaar is a member of the Company’s
Compensation and Nomination Committee since 10 February 2023. Mr. Schaar was appointed as the new Compensation and Nomination Committee
Chairman effective on 1 April 2023. Mr. Schaar has over 16 years of experience investing in the maritime industry and is a private investor
in the finance, energy and transportation sectors. Prior to that, Mr. Schaar was President of Indigena Capital LP, Interim Chief Financial
Officer and Director of Epic Gas Ltd., and an investment professional at Jefferies Financial Group, Inc.
|
6 December 2022 |
APPENDIX E
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
ON THE COMPANY |
Name |
Designation |
Appointment
Date |
Address and
Telephone
Number |
Mr.
Gordon William French |
Non-Executive
Director
Mr. French is a member
of the Audit and Risk Committee and Compensation and Nomination Committee. Mr. French
was appointed as the Audit and Risk Committee Chairman effective on 1 April 2023. Mr. French was the Head of Global Banking
and Markets for Asia-Pacific at HSBC based in Hong Kong responsible for all Global Banking and Market’s businesses in the region:
Global Banking, Global Markets, Securities Services, Global Liquidity and Cash Management and Balance Sheet Management. Having served
33 years, Mr. French retired from his role at HSBC at the end of 2020. He represented HSBC on various regulatory and exchange committees
and he was also the inaugural Chairman of HSBC Bank (Singapore) Limited from April 2016 to June 2017.
|
20
March 2023 |
|
The Company
is a global provider of maritime transportation services predominantly in the drybulk sector.
The registered
office of the Company is at 1 Temasek Avenue, #10-02 Millenia Tower, Singapore 039192.
As at the
Latest Practicable Date:
| (a) | the Company
has an issued and paid-up share capital of US$290,193,001 comprising 19,685,590 Shares issued
and outstanding. The Company has only one class of Shares in issue (being the Shares); |
| (b) | the Company
does not hold any Shares in treasury; and |
| (c) | no Shares
have been issued by the Company since 31 December 2023, being the end of the last financial
year of the Company. |
| 4.2 | Rights
of Shareholders in respect of Capital, Dividends and Voting |
The rights
of Shareholders in respect of capital, dividends and voting are contained in the constitution of the Company. For ease of reference,
selected texts of the Company’s constitution relating to the rights of Shareholders in respect of capital, dividends and voting
have been reproduced in Appendix F hereto.
| 4.3 | Convertible
Instruments |
As at the Latest
Practicable Date, there are no outstanding instruments convertible into, rights to subscribe for, and options in respect of Shares or
securities in the Company which carry voting rights affecting Shares.
There is no
restriction in the constitution of the Company on the right to transfer any Shares, which has the effect of requiring the holders of
the Shares, before transferring them, to first offer them for purchase to Shareholders or to any other person.
APPENDIX E
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
ON THE COMPANY |
| 5.1 | Interests
and dealings of the Company in the Non-Participating Shareholders’ Securities |
As at the Latest
Practicable Date, the Company:
| (a) | does not
have any direct or deemed interests in any Non-Participating Shareholder Securities; and |
| (b) | has not
dealt for value in any Non-Participating Shareholders Securities during the Reference Period. |
| 5.2 | Interests
and dealings of Directors in Non-Participating Shareholders’ Securities |
| (a) | As at the
Latest Practicable Date, saved as disclosed below, none of the Directors has any direct or
deemed interests in Non-Participating Shareholders Securities: |
| |
Non- | |
Direct Interest | | |
Deemed Interest | | |
Total Interest | |
Name | |
Participating Shareholder | |
No. of Shares | | |
%(1) | | |
No. of Shares | | |
%(1) | | |
No. of Shares | | |
%(1) | |
Edward David Christopher Buttery | |
TMI | |
| 615,000 | | |
| 0.186 | | |
| 85,344 | (2) | |
| 0.026 | (2) | |
| 700,344 | | |
| 0.212 | |
Notes:
| (1) | Calculated based
on 330,215,878 shares of TMI in issue and the percentage figures are rounded to the nearest
two decimal places. |
| (2) | Mr. Edward David
Christopher Buttery is deemed to have an interest in the 85,344 shares of TMI held by his
wife pursuant to s 164(15)(a) of the Companies Act. |
Mr. Edward
David Christopher Buttery has been granted certain unvested share awards under the long-term incentive plan established by TMI (“LTIP”),
where the conditions of vesting of such LTIP share awards include (i) a vesting period of over 3 years; (ii) applicable performance criteria
being met; (iii) Edward Buttery’s continued employment with TMI; and (iv) the approval of the Nomination & Remuneration Committee
of TMI. Mr. Edward David Christopher Buttery holds unvested LTIP share awards which may entitle him to be issued: (i) up to a maximum
of 750,000 shares in TMI in August 2024; (ii) up to a maximum of 642,629 shares in TMI in August 2025; and (iii) up to a maximum of 816,621
shares in TMI in August 2026.
Mr. Edward
David Christopher Buttery has been granted certain unvested share awards under the short-term incentive plan established by TMI (“STIP”),
where such unvested STIP share awards may vest annually in equal tranches. Conditions for vesting of the STIP share awards include: (i)
Mr. Edward David Christopher Buttery’s continued employment with TMI, and (ii) the approval of the Nomination & Remuneration
Committee of TMI. Mr. Edward David Christopher Buttery holds unvested STIP share awards which may entitle him to be issued up to a maximum
of 256,799 shares in TMI in three instalments in August 2024, August 2025 and August 2026 upon vesting of the STIP share awards.
| (b) | As at the
Latest Practicable Date, saved as disclosed below, none of the Directors has dealt for value
in the Non-Participating Shareholders’ Securities during the Reference Period: |
Dealings
of Directors in Non-Participating Shareholders’ Securities
Name |
Non-Participating
Shareholder |
Transaction
Date |
Nature of
Transaction |
Number of
Non-Participating
Shareholders
Securities
traded |
Price per
Non-Participating
Shareholders
Security |
Edward
David Christopher Buttery |
TMI |
15
March 2024 |
Buy |
200,000
TMI shares |
US$0.98 |
APPENDIX E
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
ON THE COMPANY |
| 5.3 | Interests
and dealings of the Directors in the Company Securities |
As at the
Latest Practicable Date:
| (a) | none of
the Directors have any direct or deemed interests in the Company Securities5;
and |
| (b) | none of
the Directors has dealt for value in any Company Securities during the Reference Period. |
| 5.4 | Interests
of the IFA in the Company Securities |
As at the Latest
Practicable Date, none of the IFA, its related corporations or any funds whose investments are managed by the IFA on a discretionary
basis:
| (a) | own or
control any Company Securities; or |
| (b) | have dealt
for value in any Company Securities during the Reference Period. |
| 5.5 | Interests
of the Financial Adviser in the Company Securities |
As at the Latest
Practicable Date, none of the Financial Adviser, its related corporations or any funds whose investments are managed by the Financial
Adviser on a discretionary basis:
| (a) | own or
control any Company Securities; or |
| (b) | have dealt
for value in any Company Securities during the Reference Period. |
| 5.6 | Intentions
of the Directors in respect of their Shares |
As at the
Latest Practicable Date, none of the Directors hold Shares.
| 6 | OTHER
DISCLOSURES AND ARRANGEMENTS AFFECTING DIRECTORS |
| 6.1 | Directors’
Service Contracts |
As at the
Latest Practicable Date, there are no service contracts between any of the Directors or proposed directors with the Company or any of
its Subsidiaries which have more than 12 months to run and which cannot be terminated by the employing company within the next 12 months
without paying any compensation.
Furthermore,
there are no such service contracts entered into or amended between any of the Directors or proposed directors with the Company or any
of its Subsidiaries during the period commencing on six (6) months prior to the Announcement Date and ending on the Latest Practicable
Date
| 6.2 | No
Payment or Benefit to the Directors |
As at the Latest
Practicable Date, there is no agreement, arrangement or understanding for any payment or other benefit to be made or given to any Director
or director of any other corporation which is, by virtue of Section 6 of the Companies Act, deemed to be related to the Company, as compensation
for loss of office or otherwise in connection with the Selective Capital Reduction
| 6.3 | No
Agreement Conditional upon Outcome of Selective Capital Reduction |
As at the Latest
Practicable Date, there are no agreements or arrangements made between any Directors or any other person having any connection with or
conditional upon the outcome of the Selective Capital Reduction
| 6.4 | Material
Contracts entered into by the Company |
As at the Latest
Practicable Date, there are no material contracts entered into by the Company in which any Director has a material personal interest,
whether direct or indirect
5 Mr. Edward
David Christopher Buttery has an indirect interest in 30,144 Shares. This arises from his direct interest of 615,000 ordinary shares
in TMI; his indirect interest in the Company is proportionate to GF’s 82.33% shareholdings in the issued share capital of the Company.
APPENDIX E
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
ON THE COMPANY |
| 7.1 | Consolidated
Profit and Loss Account |
Consolidated
Statement of Profit or Loss (US$’000)
| |
Audited FY2023 $’000 | | |
Audited FY2022 $’000 | | |
Audited FY2021 $’000 | |
Revenue | |
| 387,096 | | |
| 460,460 | | |
| 455,839 | |
Cost of sales | |
| (347,729 | ) | |
| (293,698 | ) | |
| (278,942 | ) |
Other income and expenses | |
| (34,005 | ) | |
| (47,733 | ) | |
| (32,271 | ) |
Net interest paid | |
| (14,301 | ) | |
| (14,905 | ) | |
| (12,097 | ) |
(Loss) profit before taxation | |
| (8,939 | ) | |
| 104,124 | | |
| 132,529 | |
Income tax (expense) benefit | |
| (683 | ) | |
| (757 | ) | |
| 118 | |
Loss for the year from discontinued operation | |
| - | | |
| - | | |
| (3,165 | ) |
(Loss) profit for the year | |
| (9,622 | ) | |
| 103,367 | | |
| 129,482 | |
Items that will not be reclassified subsequently to profit or loss | |
| (226 | ) | |
| (96 | ) | |
| 895 | |
Items that may be reclassified subsequently to profit or loss | |
| 178 | | |
| (7,711 | ) | |
| 3,965 | |
Total comprehensive (loss) income for the year | |
| (9,670 | ) | |
| 95,560 | | |
| 134,342 | |
Total comprehensive (loss) income for the year attributable to: | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
Owners of the Company | |
| (9,670 | ) | |
| 95,560 | | |
| 123,785 | |
Non-controlling interests | |
| - | | |
| - | | |
| 10,557 | |
(Loss) earnings per share attributable to the owners of the Company | |
| $ | | |
| $ | | |
| $ | |
From continuing operations | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
Basic | |
| (0.49 | ) | |
| 5.45 | | |
| 6.38 | |
Diluted | |
| (0.49 | ) | |
| 5.45 | | |
| 6.10 | |
Dividends per share | |
| 0.06 | | |
| 6.31 | | |
| 1.44 | |
The above summary
financial information is extracted from the financial statements for FY2023 (which contain the FY2022 and FY2021 Results) and should
be read together with the accompanying notes thereto. The FY2023 Results and the accompanying notes thereto are set out in Appendix H
to this Circular.
The Group made
an audited net loss of US$9.7 million for the year ended 31 December 2023.
| 7.2 | Consolidated
Balance Sheet |
A summary of
the Group’s audited consolidated balance sheet as at 31 December 2023, as provided under the FY2023 Results (being its last published
audited accounts), is set forth below.
Statement
of Financial Position (US$’000)
| |
Audited FY2023 $’000 | |
Current assets | |
| 98,076 | |
Non-current assets | |
| 362,808 | |
Total assets | |
| 460,884 | |
Current liabilities | |
| 86,624 | |
Non-current liabilities | |
| 128,140 | |
Total liabilities | |
| 214,764 | |
Net assets | |
| 246,120 | |
Share capital | |
| 290,193 | |
Other equity and reserves | |
| (24,508 | ) |
Accumulated (losses) profit | |
| (19,565 | ) |
Total equity | |
| 246,120 | |
The above
summary financial information is extracted from the financial statements for FY2023 (containing the FY2023 Results) and should be read
together with the aforementioned financial statements and the accompanying notes thereto. The FY2023 Results and the accompanying notes
thereto are set forth in Appendix H hereto.
APPENDIX E
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
ON THE COMPANY |
| 7.3 | Material
Accounting Policies |
A summary
of the material accounting policies of the Group is set forth in Note 2 to the FY2023 Results, which are reproduced in Appendix H hereto.
Save as disclosed
in this Circular and publicly available information on the Group (including but not limited to that contained in the FY2023 Results),
there are no significant accounting policies or any points from the notes to the financial statements which are of major relevance for
the interpretation of the accounts.
| 7.4 | Changes
in Accounting Policies |
Save as disclosed
in the FY2023 Results, there are no changes in the accounting policies of the Group which will cause the financial statements of the
Group not to be comparable to a material extent.
The Group has
adopted all the new and revised standards which are effective for annual financial periods beginning on or after 1 January 2024. The
adoption of these standards did not have any effect on the financial performance or position of the Group and the Company.
| 8 | MATERIAL
CHANGES IN FINANCIAL POSITION OR PROSPECTS OF THE GROUP |
Save as disclosed
in this Circular and the FY2023 Results, and save for any publicly available information on the Group, as at the Latest Practicable Date,
within the knowledge of the Company, there have been no known material changes in the financial position or prospects of the Group since
31 December 2023, being the date of the last published audited accounts of the Group.
| 9 | MATERIAL
CHANGE IN INFORMATION |
Save as disclosed
in this Circular and save for the information relating to the Company and the Selective Capital Reduction that is publicly available,
there has been no material change in any information previously published by or on behalf of the Company during the period commencing
from the Announcement Date and ending on the Latest Practicable Date.
| 10 | MATERIAL
CONTRACTS WITH INTERESTED PERSONS |
As at the
Latest Practicable Date, there have been no material contracts (not being contracts entered into during the ordinary course of business
carried on by the Company) entered into by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries with Interested Persons, during the three years preceding
the Announcement Date.
As at the Latest
Practicable Date:
| (a) | the Company
is not engaged in any material litigation or arbitration proceedings, as plaintiff or defendant,
which might materially and adversely affect the financial position of the Company and its
Subsidiaries taken as a whole; and |
| (b) | the Directors
are not aware of any litigation, claim or proceeding pending or threatened against the Company
or any of its Subsidiaries or of any fact likely to give rise to any proceeding which might
materially and adversely affect the financial position of the Company and its Subsidiaries
taken as a whole. |
Other
than as described below, the Company has not made any underwritten public offering of the Shares for cash during the three years prior
to commencement of the Selective Capital Reduction.
On
27 September 2021, certain shareholders of the Company completed an underwritten public secondary offering of 1,841,962 Shares at a price
per Share of US$13.50. The selling shareholders received all of the proceeds from this offering.
APPENDIX E
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
ON THE COMPANY |
The Company
has requested Braemar Valuations Limited (“Braemar”) and Hartland Shipping Services Limited
(“Hartland”, Braemar and Hartland, together the “Valuers”) to conduct an independent
valuations of certain vessels in its fleets owned by the Group and chartered-in vessels which the Group has an option to purchase
(the “Vessels”), at 31 December 2023. The valuation certificate issued by Braemar dated 21 March 2024 and the
valuation certificate issued by Hartland dated 10 January 2024 (the “Valuation Certificates”) are set forth in
Appendix G hereto. The Valuers have the appropriate professional qualifications and experience in the valuation of the
Vessels.
Based on the
Valuation Certificates, the market value of each of the Vessels is set forth in the table below:
| |
| |
Market Value as at 31 December 2023 | |
S/N | |
Vessel name | |
Braemar | | |
Hartland | |
1. | |
IVS Atsugi | |
| 32,250,000.00 | | |
| 32,280,000.00 | |
2. | |
IVS Pebble Beach | |
| 32,250,000.00 | | |
| 32,420,000.00 | |
3. | |
IVS Phoenix | |
| 31,350,000.00 | | |
| 30,700,000.00 | |
4. | |
IVS Prestwick | |
| 31,350,000.00 | | |
| 30,960,000.00 | |
5. | |
IVS Okudogo | |
| 31,350,000.00 | | |
| 30,940,000.00 | |
6. | |
IVS Swinley Forest | |
| 28,600,000.00 | | |
| 28,100,000.00 | |
7. | |
IVS North Berwick | |
| 26,750,000.00 | | |
| 26,740,000.00 | |
8. | |
IVS Gleneagles | |
| 24,550,000.00 | | |
| 24,120,000.00 | |
9. | |
IVS Wentworth | |
| 22,500,000.00 | | |
| 23,480,000.00 | |
10. | |
IVS Naruo | |
| 24,750,000.00 | | |
| 24,240,000.00 | |
11. | |
IVS Tembe | |
| 21,775,000.00 | | |
| 23,460,000.00 | |
12. | |
IVS Thanda | |
| 21,775,000.00 | | |
| 22,150,000.00 | |
13. | |
IVS Sunbird | |
| 16,825,000.00 | | |
| 17,590,000.00 | |
14. | |
IVS Phinda | |
| 19,555,000.00 | | |
| 20,340,000.00 | |
15. | |
IVS Sparrowhawk | |
| 15,755,000.00 | | |
| 16,390,000.00 | |
16. | |
IVS Ibis | |
| 11,200,000.00 | | |
| 12,300,000.00 | |
17. | |
IVS Kinglet | |
| 14,130,000.00 | | |
| 13,260,000.00 | |
18. | |
IVS Magpie | |
| 10,700,000.00 | | |
| 11,280,000.00 | |
19. | |
IVS Knot | |
| 13,400,000.00 | | |
| 12,630,000.00 | |
20. | |
IVS Kingbird | |
| 10,435,000.00 | | |
| 10,040,000.00 | |
21. | |
IVS Merlin (ex Steady Sarah) | |
| 16,405,000.00 | | |
| 16,210,000.00 | |
22. | |
HB Imabari | |
| 34,250,000.00 | | |
| 33,750,000.00 | |
Braemar
Braemar bases
its calculations on a number of factors including market comparable transactions, the current charter market and future chartering forecasts,
current market sentiment (which takes into account other similar vessels currently on the market), owners' ideas and offers and negotiations
that have been tabled or are underway, vessels specification, yard build and main engine types.
Hartland
Hartland estimates
the fair market value of any vessel on a range of second-hand market data. Principally, values are assessed against the most recent reported
sales or known on-going negotiations of relatable vessels, with allowances made for age, specifications and particular circumstances
surrounded each sale or negotiation. Market information is gathered and assessed via active broking desks in London and Singapore.
| 13.2 | Potential
Tax Liability |
Under Rule 26.3
of the Code, for the valuation of the assets given in connection with the Selective Capital Reduction, the Company is required, inter
alia, to make an assessment of any potential tax liability which would arise if the assets, which are the subject of a valuation
given in connection with the Selective Capital Reduction, were to be sold at the amount of the valuation.
APPENDIX E
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
ON THE COMPANY |
The Company
does not presently expect any potential tax liability under a hypothetical sale scenario as the owned Vessels are flagged and housed
in Singapore registered entities and are exempt under Section 13A of the Income Tax Act 1947 of Singapore. Capital gains on the sale
of fixed assets are not taxable in Singapore.
In addition,
it is the intention of the Company to flag and house the chartered-in Vessels upon the exercise of the purchase options, in similar Singapore
registered entities. Hence, the Company does not expect any potential tax liability arising from the disposal of any of its Vessels in
a hypothetical sale scenario.
Nasdaq
The closing
price of the Shares traded on Nasdaq on the Latest Practicable Date is US$13.70.
The closing
price of the Shares traded on Nasdaq on the latest Business Day immediately preceding the Announcement Date (being 3 April 2024 (US
Eastern Daylight Time)) is US$10.25.
The closing
prices of the Shares traded on Nasdaq at the end of each month from October 2023 to March 2024 (being the six (6) calendar months preceding
the Announcement Date) are US$9.26, US$10.12, US$9.01, US$9.08, US$8.93, and US$10.35 respectively.
JSE
The closing
price of the Shares traded on the JSE on the Latest Practicable Date is ZAR248.03.
The closing
prices of the Shares traded on the JSE on the latest Business Day immediately preceding the Announcement Date (being 3 April 2024 (US
Eastern Daylight Time)) is ZAR199.99.
The closing
prices of the Shares traded on the JSE at the end of each month from October 2023 to March 2024 (being the six (6) calendar months preceding
the Announcement Date) are ZAR174.00, ZAR188.96, ZAR200.00, ZAR184.00, ZAR174.94, and ZAR200.00 respectively.
| 14.2 | Highest
and Lowest Prices |
Nasdaq
The highest
and lowest closing prices of the Shares traded on Nasdaq during the period between 4 October 2023 to 6 May 2024 (being the period between
the start of the six months preceding the Announcement Date and ending on the Latest Practicable Date) are US$14.03 and US$7.48 respectively.
Furthermore,
the highest and lowest closing prices of the Shares traded on Nasdaq during the period between 1 April 2022 to 6 May 2024 are set forth
in the table below:
Quarter | |
High | | |
Low | |
Calendar Year 2022 | |
| | |
| |
Q2 | |
US$28.88 | | |
US$17.15 | |
Q3 | |
US$24.86 | | |
US$15.05 | |
Q4 | |
US$25.99 | | |
US$18.71 | |
Calendar Year 2023 | |
| | |
| |
Q1 | |
US$17.89 | | |
US$10.49 | |
Q2 | |
US$12.45 | | |
US$7.11 | |
Q3 | |
US$9.39 | | |
US$7.62 | |
Q4 | |
US$14.03 | | |
US$7.48 | |
Calendar Year 2024 | |
| | |
| |
Q1 | |
US$10.92 | | |
US$8.67 | |
Q2 (through 6 May 2024) | |
US$13.96 | | |
US$10.25 | |
APPENDIX E
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
ON THE COMPANY |
JSE
The highest
and lowest closing prices of the Shares traded on the JSE during the period between 4 October 2023 to 6 May 2024 (being the period between
the start of the six months preceding the Announcement Date and ending on the Latest Practicable Date) are ZAR259.00 and ZAR158.01 respectively.
Please
refer to Sections 8.2 and 8.3 of the IFA Letter for more information on the historical market price performance of the Shares.
The frequency
and amount of any dividends paid during the past two years with respect to the Shares is set forth in the table below. Participating
Shareholders will no longer be entitled to receive dividends following the Selective Capital Reduction.
|
|
Q1
2022 |
|
Q2
2022 |
|
Q3
2022 |
|
Q4 2022 –
Special Dividend |
Announcement
date |
|
24
May 2022 |
|
17
August 2022 |
|
N/A |
|
31
October 2022 |
Declaration
date |
|
24
May 2022 |
|
17
August 2022 |
|
N/A |
|
28
October 2022 |
Record
date |
|
10
June 2022 |
|
9
September 2022 |
|
N/A |
|
25
November 2022 |
Payment
date |
|
On
or about 20 June 2022 |
|
On
or about 19 September 2022 |
|
N/A |
|
5
December 2022 |
Amount
per Share |
|
US$0.47 |
|
US$0.84 |
|
N/A |
|
US$5.00 |
|
|
Q1
2023 |
|
Q2
2023 |
|
Q3
2023 |
|
Q4
2023 |
Announcement
date |
|
15
February 2023 |
|
17
May 2023 |
|
N/A |
|
N/A |
Declaration
date |
|
15
February 2023 |
|
17
May 2023 |
|
N/A |
|
N/A |
Record
date |
|
10
March 2023 |
|
9
June 2023 |
|
N/A |
|
N/A |
Payment
date |
|
On
or about 17 March 2023 |
|
On
or about 19 June 2023 |
|
N/A |
|
N/A |
Amount
per Share |
|
US$0.03 |
|
US$0.03 |
|
N/A |
|
N/A |
|
|
Q1
2024 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Announcement
date |
|
N/A |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Declaration
date |
|
N/A |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Record
date |
|
N/A |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Payment
date |
|
N/A |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Amount
per Share |
|
N/A |
|
|
|
|
|
|
All expenses
and costs incurred by the Company in relation to the Selective Capital Reduction will be borne by the Company. Such
estimated expenses and costs are as follows:
Description | |
| Amount | |
Financial advisory fees and expenses | |
| US$101,000 | |
Legal, accounting and other professional fees and expenses | |
| US$1,050,000 | |
SIC lodgment fees | |
| US$30,000 | |
Printing and mailing costs | |
| US$180,000 | |
TOTAL | |
| US$1,361,000 | |
The IFA has
given and has not withdrawn its written consent to the issue of this Circular with the inclusion herein of its name, its advice to the
Board (other than the Recused Directors) set forth in the section titled “Special Factors—Reports, Opinions, Appraisals and
Negotiations”, in paragraph 10.2 of the Letter and the IFA Letter as set forth in Appendix A hereto and all references thereto,
in the form and context in which they appear in this Circular.
APPENDIX E
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
ON THE COMPANY |
| 16.2 | Consent
of the Financial Adviser |
The Financial
Adviser has given and has not withdrawn its written consent to the issue of this Circular with the inclusion herein of its name and all
the references to it as the Company's financial adviser, in the form and context in which they appear in this Circular.
| 16.3 | Consent
of the Valuer |
Each of Braemar
and Hartland has given and has not withdrawn its respective written consent to the issue of this Circular with the inclusion of its Valuation
Certificate (annexed in Appendix G hereto) and the references to its name in the form and context in which it appears in this Circular.
APPENDIX F
EXTRACTS FROM THE
COMPANY’S CONSTITUTION |
Rights in respect of
Capital, Dividends and Voting
All capitalised terms
used in the following extracts shall have the same meanings given to them in the constitution of the Company.
The rights of Shareholders
in respect of capital, dividends and voting are contained in the constitution of the Company, the relevant provisions of which are set
forth below:
Rights in respect
of Capital
5 |
SHARE CAPITAL
The Company shall
have power to consolidate or subdivide the shares and to issue any additional capital as fully paid or partly paid shares and with any
special or preferential rights or privileges or subject to any special terms or conditions, and either with or without any special designation,
and also from time to time to alter, modify, commute, abrogate or deal with any such rights, privileges, terms, conditions or designations
in accordance with the regulations for the time being of the Company. |
9
|
SHARES
(A) Save to the
extent permitted by the Act, none of the funds of the Company or of any subsidiary thereof shall be directly or indirectly employed
in the purchase or subscription of or in loans upon the security of the Company’s shares.
(B) Notwithstanding
the provisions of Regulation 9(A) but subject to the Act, the Company may purchase or otherwise acquire its issued shares on such terms
and in such manner as the Company may from time to time think fit. If required by the Act, any share that is so purchased or acquired
by the Company shall, unless held in treasury in accordance with the Act, be deemed to be cancelled immediately on purchase or acquisition
by the Company. On the cancellation of a share as aforesaid, the rights and privileges attached to that share shall expire. In any other
instance, the Company may hold or deal with any such share which is so purchased or acquired by it in such manner as may be permitted
by, and in accordance with, the Act.
|
Prohibition against financial assistance.
|
10 |
Save
as provided by Section 161 of the Act, no shares may be issued by the Directors without the prior approval of the Company in General
Meeting but subject thereto and to the provisions of this Constitution and without prejudice to any special rights previously conferred
on the holders of any shares or class of shares for the time being issued, the Directors may allot and issue shares or grant options
over or otherwise dispose of the same to such persons on such terms and conditions and for such consideration or for no consideration
and at such time and subject or not to the payment of any part of the amount thereof in cash as the Directors may think fit, and
any shares may be issued with such preferential, deferred, qualified or special rights, privileges or conditions or subject to such
restrictions, whether as regards dividend, return of capital, voting or otherwise as the Directors may think fit, and preference
shares maybe issued which are or at the option of the Company are liable to be redeemed, the terms and manner of redemption being
determined by the Directors, subject to the listing rules of any stock exchange upon which shares in the Company may be listed and
provided always that: |
Issue
of Shares. |
|
(a) |
(subject to any direction to the contrary that may be given by the Company in General Meeting) any issue of shares for cash to members holding shares of any class shall be offered to such members in proportion as nearly as may be to the number of shares of such class then held by them; |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(b) |
the rights attaching to shares of a class other than ordinary shares shall be expressed in the resolution creating the same; and |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(c) |
to the extent that any shares of the Company are listed on the JSE, where the shareholders authorise the directors to issue unissued securities and/or grant options to subscribe for unissued securities, as the directors in their discretion deem fit, such corporate action has been approved by the JSE and are subject to the JSE Listings Requirements. |
|
APPENDIX F
EXTRACTS FROM THE
COMPANY’S CONSTITUTION |
10A |
(a) |
In the event of preference shares being issued, the total number of issued preference shares shall not at any time exceed the total number of the issued ordinary shares and preference shareholders shall have the same rights as ordinary shareholders as regards receiving of notices, reports and balance sheets and attending General Meetings of the Company. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(b) |
The Company has power to issue further preference capital ranking equally with, or in priority to, preference shares already issued. |
|
11
|
The
rights attached to shares issued upon special conditions shall be clearly defined in the Constitution. Without prejudice to any special
right previously conferred on the holders of any existing shares or class of shares but subject to the Act and this Constitution, shares
in the Company may be issued by the Directors and any such shares may be issued with such preferred, deferred, or other special rights
or such restrictions, whether with regard to dividend, return of capital or otherwise as the Directors may determine. |
Special Rights.
|
12 |
Subject to Applicable Laws, the holders of securities, other than ordinary shares, and any special shares created for purpose of black economic empowerment in terms of the Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment Act No.53 of 2003 of South Africa, (“Preference Shareholders”) shall not be entitled to vote on any resolution taken by the Company, save in the following instances — |
Preference Shares voting |
|
|
|
|
|
(a) |
during any special period, as provided for in paragraph (c) of this Regulation, during which any dividend, any part of any dividend on such preference shares or any redemption payment thereon remains in arrears and unpaid; |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(b) |
in regard to any resolution proposed for the winding-up of the Company or the reduction of its capital; |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(c) |
the period referred to in paragraph (a) of this Regulation shall be a period not more than 6 months after the due date of the dividend or redemption payment in question or, where no due date is specified, after the end of the financial year of the Company in respect of which such dividend accrued or such redemption payment became due; and |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(d) |
in regard to any resolution proposed to vary any rights attached to shares held by such Preference Shareholders. |
|
13
|
In the instances
that the Preference Shareholders are permitted to vote at meetings as set out in Regulation 12, their votes may not carry any special
rights or privileges and they shall be entitled to one vote for each share that they hold, provided that their total voting right
at such a meeting may not exceed 24.99% of the total voting rights of all shareholders at such meeting.
|
Limit on Preference Shares voting total
|
14
|
The
Company shall not exercise any right in respect of treasury shares other than as provided by the Act. Subject thereto, the Company may
deal with its treasury shares in the manner authorised by, or prescribed pursuant to, the Act. |
Treasury Shares.
|
15 |
If at any time the share capital is divided into different classes, the rights attached to any class (unless otherwise provided by the terms of issue of the shares of that class) may, subject to the provisions of the Act, whether or not the Company is being wound up, be varied or abrogated with the consent in writing of the holders of at least three-fourths of the issued shares of that class or with the sanction of a special resolution passed at a separate General Meeting of the holders of shares of that class and to every such special resolution the provisions of Section 184 of the Act shall with such adaptations as are necessary apply. To every such separate General Meeting the provisions of this Constitution relating to General Meetings shall mutatis mutandis apply. Provided Always That: |
Variation of rights. |
|
|
|
|
|
(a) |
the necessary quorum shall be two Members, present in person or by proxy; or |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(b) |
where all the issued shares of the class are held by one person, the necessary quorum shall be one person, present in person or by proxy, |
|
APPENDIX F
EXTRACTS FROM THE
COMPANY’S CONSTITUTION |
|
|
|
|
|
And Provided Always That where the necessary majority for such a special resolution is not obtained at such General Meeting, consent in writing if obtained from the holders of three-quarters of the total number of issued shares of the class concerned within two months of such General Meeting shall be as valid and effectual as a special resolution carried at such General Meeting. |
|
15A
|
The
repayment of preference capital other than redeemable preference capital, or any alteration of preference shareholders’ rights,
may only be made pursuant to a special resolution of the preference shareholders concerned Provided always that where the necessary majority
for such a special resolution is not obtained at the General Meeting, consent in writing if obtained from the holders of three-fourths
of the preference shares concerned within two months of the General Meeting, shall be as valid and effectual as a special resolution
carried at the General Meeting. |
|
16 |
The rights conferred
upon the holders of the shares of any class issued with preferred or other rights shall, unless otherwise expressly provided by the
terms of issue of the shares of that class or by this Constitution as are in force at the time of such issue, be deemed to be varied
by the creation or issue of further shares ranking equally therewith.
|
Creation or issue of further shares
with special rights.
|
19
|
Except as required
by law, no person shall be recognised by the Company as holding any share upon any trust and the Company shall not be bound by or
compelled in any way to recognise (even when having notice thereof) any equitable, contingent, future or partial interest in any
share or any interest in any fractional part of a share or (except only as by this Constitution or by law otherwise provided) any
other rights in respect of any share, except an absolute right to the entirety thereof in the registered holder.
|
Exclusion of equities.
|
20
|
If two or more
persons are registered as joint holders of any share, any one of such persons may give effectual receipts for any dividend payable
in respect of such share and the joint holders of a share shall, subject to the provisions of the Act, be severally as well as jointly
liable for the payment of all instalments and calls and interest due in respect of such shares. Such joint holders shall be deemed
to be one Member and the delivery of a certificate for a share to one of several joint holders shall be sufficient delivery to all
such holders.
|
Joint holders.
|
24
|
(A) Every person
whose name is entered as a Member in the Register shall be entitled within two months after allotment or within one month after the
lodgement of any transfer to one certificate for all his shares of any one class or to several certificates in reasonable denominations
each for a part of the shares so allotted or transferred. Where a Member transfers part only of the shares comprised in a certificate
or where a Member requires the Company to cancel any certificate or certificates and issue new certificates for the purpose of subdividing
his holding in a different manner the old certificate or certificates shall be cancelled and a new certificate or certificates for
the balance of such shares issued in lieu thereof and the Member shall pay a fee not exceeding S$2/- for each such new certificate
as the Directors may determine.
(B) The Company
shall not be bound to register more than three persons as the registered joint holders of a share except in the case of executors,
trustees or administrators of the estate of a deceased member.
(C) In the case
of a share registered jointly in the names of several persons, the Company shall not be bound to issue more than one certificate
therefor and delivery of a certificate to anyone of the registered joint holders shall be sufficient delivery to all.
|
Entitlement to certificate.
|
26
|
The
shares of the Company in each class shall rank pari passu. |
Pari Passu
ranking of shares. |
53
|
ALTERATION OF CAPITAL
Subject to any
special rights for the time being attached to any existing class of shares, any new shares in the Company shall be issued upon such terms
and conditions and with such rights and privileges annexed thereto as the General Meeting resolving upon the creation thereof shall direct
and if no direction be given as the Directors shall determine subject to the provisions of this Constitution and in particular (but without
prejudice to the generality of the foregoing) such shares may be issued with a preferential or qualified right to dividends and in the
distribution of assets of the Company or otherwise. |
Rights and privileges of new shares.
|
APPENDIX F
EXTRACTS FROM THE
COMPANY’S CONSTITUTION |
54
|
Except
so far as otherwise provided by the conditions of issue or by this Constitution all new shares shall be subject to the provisions of
this Constitution with reference to allotments, payment of calls, liens, transfers, transmissions, forfeiture and otherwise. |
New shares
otherwise subject to provisions of this Constitution. |
55 |
The Company may: |
Power to consolidate, subdivide and convert shares. |
|
|
|
|
(a) |
by special resolution consolidate and divide all or any of its shares; |
|
|
|
|
(b) |
by special resolution subject to the Applicable Laws and this Constitution, subdivide its shares or any of them provided always that in such subdivision the proportion between the amount paid and the amount (if any) unpaid on each reduced share shall be the same as it was in the case of the share from which the reduced share is derived and so that the resolution whereby any shares is sub-divided may determine that, as between the holders of the shares resulting from such sub-division, one or more of the shares may, as compared with the others, have such preferred, deferred or other special rights, or be subject to any such restrictions, as the Company has power to attach to new shares; and |
|
|
|
|
|
(c) |
by special resolution subject to the Applicable Laws and this Constitution, convert any class of shares into any other class of shares. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(d) |
by special resolution subject to the Applicable Laws and this Constitution, convert its share capital or any class of shares from one currency to another. |
|
56
|
The Company may by special resolution reduce
its share capital or any undistributable reserve in any manner and with and subject to any incident authorised and consent required by
law. Without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing, upon cancellation of a share purchased or otherwise acquired by the Company
pursuant to this Constitution and the Act, the number of issued shares of the Company shall be diminished by the number of the shares
so cancelled, and, where any such cancelled share was purchased or acquired out of the capital of the Company, the amount of share capital
of the Company shall be reduced accordingly. |
Power to reduce capital.
|
|
BONUS ISSUES AND CAPITALISATION OF PROFITS AND RESERVES |
|
|
|
|
135 |
The Company may, upon the recommendation of the Directors, by ordinary resolution: |
Power to issue free bonus shares and/or to capitalise profits.
|
|
|
|
(a) |
issue bonus shares for which no consideration is payable to the Company, to the Members holding shares in the Company in proportion to their then holdings of shares; and/or |
|
|
|
|
|
(b) |
capitalise any sum for the time being standing to the credit of any of the Company’s reserve accounts or any sum standing to the credit of the profit and loss account or otherwise available for distribution, provided that such sum be not required for paying the dividends on any shares carrying a fixed cumulative preferential dividend and accordingly that the Directors be authorised and directed to appropriate the sum resolved to be capitalised to the Members holding shares in the Company in the proportions in which such sum would have been divisible amongst them had the same been applied or been applicable in paying dividends and to apply such sum on their behalf either in or towards paying up the amounts (if any) for the time being unpaid on any shares held by such Members respectively, or in paying up in full new shares or debentures of the Company, such shares or debentures to be allotted and distributed and credited as fully paid up to and amongst such Members in the proportion aforesaid or partly in one way and partly in the other. |
|
136
|
Whenever
such a Resolution as aforesaid shall have been passed, the Directors may do all acts and things considered necessary or expedient to
give effect to any such bonus issue and/or capitalisation with full power to the Directors to make such provisions as they think fit
for any fractional entitlements which would arise on the basis aforesaid (including provisions whereby fractional entitlements are disregarded
or the benefit thereof accrues to the Company rather than to the Members concerned). The Directors may authorise any person to enter
on behalf of all the Members interested into an agreement with the Company providing for any such bonus issue or capitalisation and matters
incidental thereto and any agreement made under such authority shall be effective and binding on all such Members. |
Power of Directors to give effect to
bonus issues and/or capitalisations.
|
APPENDIX F
EXTRACTS FROM THE
COMPANY’S CONSTITUTION |
137 |
In
addition and without prejudice to the powers provided for by Regulations 135 and 136, the Directors shall have power to issue shares
for which no consideration is payable and/or to capitalise any undivided profits or other moneys of the Company not required for the
payment or provision of any dividend on any shares entitled to cumulative or non-cumulative preferential dividends (including profits
or other moneys carried and standing to any reserve or reserves) and to apply such profits or other moneys in paying up in full new shares,
in each case on terms that such shares shall, upon issue, be held by or for the benefit of participants of the Grindrod Shipping Holdings
Ltd. Forfeitable Share Incentive Plan 2017 (as amended from time to time) and/or any share incentive or option scheme or plan implemented
by the Company and approved by a resolution of the Members in General Meeting, in such manner and on such terms as proposed by the Directors. |
Power to issue free shares or capitalise
reserves for employee share-based incentive plans.
|
Rights in respect
of Dividends
34
|
TRANSMISSION OF
SHARES
(A) In case of
the death of a Member, the survivor or survivors, where the deceased was a joint holder, and the executors or administrators of the
deceased, where he was a sole or only surviving holder, shall be the only persons recognised by the Company as having any title to
his interest in the shares, but
(B) In the case
of the death of a Depositor, the survivor or survivors where the deceased Depositor is a joint holder, and the executors or administrators
of the deceased where he was a sole or only surviving holder and where such executors or administrators are entered in the Depository
Register in respect of any beneficial shares of the deceased Depositor, shall be the only person(s) recognised by the Company as
having any beneficial title to his interest in the shares.
(C) Nothing in
this Regulation shall release the estate of a deceased Member (whether sole or joint) from any liability in respect of any share
held by him.
|
Transmission on death.
|
35
|
Any person becoming
entitled to a share in consequence of the death or bankruptcy of any Member may, upon producing such evidence of title as the Directors
shall require, be registered himself as holder of the share upon giving to the Company notice in writing of his desire or transfer
such share to some other person. If the person so becoming entitled shall elect to be registered himself, he shall deliver or send
to the Company a notice in writing signed by him stating that he so elects. If he shall elect to have another person registered he
shall testify his election by executing to that person a transfer of the share. All the limitations, restrictions and provisions
of this Constitution relating to the right to transfer and the registration of transfers shall be applicable to any such notice or
transfer as aforesaid as if the death or bankruptcy of the Member had not occurred and the notice or transfer were a transfer executed
by such Member.
|
Persons becoming entitled on death or
bankruptcy of Member may be registered.
|
36
|
Save as otherwise
provided by or in accordance with this Constitution a person becoming entitled to a share in consequence of the death or bankruptcy
of a Member shall be entitled to the same dividends and other advantages to which he would be entitled if he were the registered
holder of the share except that he shall not be entitled in respect thereof to exercise any right conferred by membership in relation
to Meetings of the Company until he shall have been registered as a Member in respect of the share.
|
Rights of unregistered executors and
trustees.
|
37
|
There shall be
paid to the Company in respect of the registration of any probate, letters of administration, certificate of marriage or death, power
of attorney or other document relating to or affecting the title to any shares, such fee not exceeding S$2/- as the Directors may
from time to time require or prescribe.
|
Fee for registration of probate etc.
|
38
|
CALLS ON SHARES
The Directors may
from time to time make such calls as they think fit upon the Members in respect of any moneys unpaid on their shares and not by the terms
of the issue thereof made payable at fixed times, and each Member shall (subject to receiving at least fourteen days ‘notice specifying
the time or times and place of payment) pay to the Company at the time or times and place so specified the amount called on his shares.
The joint holders of a share shall be jointly and severally liable to pay all calls in respect thereof. A call may be revoked or postponed
as the Directors may determine. |
Calls on shares.
|
APPENDIX F
EXTRACTS FROM THE
COMPANY’S CONSTITUTION |
39
|
A call shall be
deemed to have been made at the time when the resolution of the Directors authorising the call was passed and may be made payable
by instalments.
|
Time when made.
|
40
|
If a sum called
in respect of a share is not paid before or on the day appointed for payment thereof, the person from whom the sum is due shall pay
interest on the sum due from the day appointed for payment thereof to the time of actual payment at such rate not exceeding ten percent
per annum as the Directors determine, but the Directors shall be at liberty to waive payment of such interest wholly or in part.
|
Interest on calls.
|
41
|
Any sum which by
the terms of issue of a share becomes payable upon allotment or at any fixed date, shall for all purposes of this Constitution be
deemed to be a call duly made and payable on the date, on which, by the terms of issue, the same becomes payable, and in case of
non-payment all the relevant provisions of this Constitution as to payment of interest and expenses, forfeiture or otherwise shall
apply as if such sum had become payable by virtue of a call duly made and notified.
|
Sum due on allotment.
|
42 |
The Directors may
on the issue of shares differentiate between the holders as to the amount of calls to be paid and the times of payments.
|
Power to differentiate.
|
43
|
The Directors may,
if they think fit, receive from any Member willing to advance the same all or any part of the moneys uncalled and unpaid upon the
shares held by him and such payments in advance of calls shall extinguish, so far as the same shall extend, the liability upon the
shares in respect of which they are made, and upon the moneys so received or so much thereof as from time to time exceeds the amount
of the calls then made upon the shares concerned the Company may pay interest at such rate not exceeding eight per cent per annum
as the Member paying such sum and the Directors agree upon. Capital paid on shares in advance of calls shall not, while carrying
interest, confer a right to participate in profits.
|
Payment in
advance of calls.
|
44
|
FORFEITURE AND LIEN
If any Member fails
to pay in full any call or instalment of a call on the day appointed for payment thereof, the Directors may at any time thereafter
serve a notice on such Member requiring payment of so much of the call or instalment as is unpaid together with any interest which
may have accrued thereon and any expenses incurred by the Company by reason of such non-payment.
|
Notice requiring payment of calls.
|
45
|
The notice shall
name a further day (not being less than fourteen days from the date of service of the notice) on or before which and the place where
the payment required by the notice is to be made, and shall state that in the event of non-payment in accordance therewith the shares
on which the call was made will be liable to be forfeited.
|
Notice to state time and place.
|
46
|
If
the requirements of any such notice as aforesaid are not complied with, any share in respect of which such notice has been given may
at any time thereafter, before payment of all calls and interest and expenses due in respect thereof be forfeited by a resolution of
the Directors to that effect. Such forfeiture shall include all dividends declared in respect of the forfeited share and not actually
paid before the forfeiture. The Directors may accept a surrender of any share liable to be forfeited hereunder. |
Forfeiture on non-compliance with notice.
|
47
|
A share so forfeited
or surrendered shall become the property of the Company and may be sold, re-allotted or otherwise disposed of either to the person
who was before such forfeiture or surrender the holder thereof or entitled thereto, or to any other person, upon such terms and in
such manner as the Directors shall think fit, and at any time before a sale, re-allotment or disposition the forfeiture or surrender
may be cancelled on such terms as the Directors think fit. To give effect to any such sale, the Directors may, if necessary, authorise
some person to transfer a forfeited or surrendered share to any such person as aforesaid.
|
Sale of shares forfeited.
|
48
|
A Member whose
shares have been forfeited or surrendered shall cease to be a Member in respect of the shares, but shall notwithstanding the forfeiture
or surrender remain liable to pay to the Company all moneys which at the date of forfeiture or surrender were payable by him to the
Company in respect of the shares with interest thereon at eight per cent per annum (or such lower rate as the Directors may approve)
from the date of forfeiture or surrender until payment, but such liability shall cease if and when the Company receives payment in
full of all such moneys in respect of the shares and the Directors may waive payment of such interest either wholly or in part.
|
Rights and liabilities of Members whose
shares have been forfeited or surrendered.
|
APPENDIX F
EXTRACTS FROM THE
COMPANY’S CONSTITUTION |
49
|
The Company shall
have a first and paramount lien and charge on every share (not being a fully paid share) registered in the name of each Member (whether
solely or jointly with others) and on the dividends from time to time declared in respect thereof for all calls and instalments due
on any such share and interest and expenses thereon but such lien shall only be upon the specific shares in respect of which such
calls or instalments are due and unpaid and on all dividends from time to time declared in respect of the shares. The Directors may
resolve that any share shall for some specified period be exempt from the provisions of this Regulation.
|
Company's lien.
|
50
|
The Company may
sell in such manner as the Directors think fit any share on which the Company has a lien, but no sale shall be made unless some sum
in respect of which the lien exists is presently payable nor until the expiration of fourteen days after notice in writing stating
and demanding payment of the sum payable and giving notice of intention to sell in default, shall have been given to the registered
holder for the time being of the share or the person entitled thereto by reason of his death or bankruptcy. To give effect to any
such sale, the Directors may authorise some person to transfer the shares sold to the purchaser thereof.
|
Sale of shares subject to lien.
|
51
|
The proceeds of
the sale shall be received by the Company and applied in payment of such part of the amount in respect of which the lien exists as
is presently payable and the residue, if any, shall be paid to the person entitled to the shares at the date of the sale.
|
Application of proceeds of such sales.
|
52 |
A
statutory declaration in writing that the declarant is a Director of the Company and that a share has been duly forfeited or surrendered
or sold to satisfy a lien of the Company on a date stated in the declaration shall be conclusive evidence of the facts stated therein
as against all persons claiming to be entitled to the share, and such declaration and the receipt of the Company for the consideration
(if any) given for the share on the sale, re-allotment or disposal thereof together with the certificate of proprietorship of the share,
if the Seal has been adopted, to be under Seal, delivered to a purchaser or allottee thereof shall (subject to the execution of a transfer
if the same be required) constitute a good title to the share and the person to whom the share is sold, re-allotted or disposed of shall
be registered as the holder of the share and shall not be bound to see to the application of the purchase money (if any) nor shall his
title to the share be affected by any irregularity or invalidity in the proceedings in reference to the forfeiture, surrender, sale,
re-allotment or disposal of the share. |
Title to shares forfeited or surrendered
or sold to satisfy a lien.
|
122
|
DIVIDENDS
The Company may
by ordinary resolution declare dividends, including in the manner set out in Regulations 129 and 130, but (without prejudice to the powers
of the Company to pay interest on share capital as hereinbefore provided) no dividend shall be payable except out of the profits of the
Company, or in excess of the amount recommended by the Directors. |
Payment of dividends.
|
123 |
Subject to any rights or restrictions attached to any shares or class of
shares and except as otherwise permitted under the Act: |
Apportionment of dividends.
|
|
|
|
(a) |
all dividends in respect of shares shall be paid in proportion to the number of shares held by a Member but where shares are partly paid all dividends shall be apportioned and paid proportionately to the amounts paid or credited as paid on the partly paid shares; and |
|
|
|
|
|
(b) |
all dividends shall be apportioned and paid proportionately to the amounts so paid or credited as paid during any portion or portions of the period in respect of which the dividend is paid, but if any share is issued on terms providing that it shall rank for dividend as from a particular date such share shall rank for dividend accordingly. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the purposes of this Regulation, an amount
paid or credited as paid on a share in advance of a call is to be ignored. |
|
124
|
If and so far as
in the opinion of the Directors the profits of the Company justify such payments, the Directors may pay the fixed preferential dividends
on any class of shares carrying a fixed preferential dividend expressed to be payable on a fixed date on the half-yearly or other
dates(if any) prescribed for the payment thereof by the terms of issue of the shares, and subject thereto may also from time to time
pay to the holders of any other class of shares interim dividends thereon of such amounts and on such dates as they may think fit.
|
Payment of preference and interim dividends.
|
APPENDIX F
EXTRACTS FROM THE
COMPANY’S CONSTITUTION |
125
|
No dividend or
other moneys payable on or in respect of a share shall bear interest against the Company.
|
Dividends not to
bear interest.
|
126
|
The Directors may
deduct from any dividend or other moneys payable to any Member on or in respect of a share all sums of money (if any) presently payable
by him to the Company on account of calls or in connection therewith.
|
Deduction for debts due to Company.
|
127
|
(A) The Directors
may retain any dividend or other moneys payable on or in respect of a share on which the Company has a lien and may apply the same
in or towards satisfaction of the debts, liabilities or engagements in respect of which the lien exists.
(B) The Directors
may retain the dividends payable on shares in respect of which any person is under the provisions as to the transmission of shares
hereinbefore contained entitled to become a Member or which any person under those provisions is entitled to transfer until such
person shall become a Member in respect of such shares or shall duly transfer the same.
(C) The payment
by the Directors of any unclaimed dividends or other moneys payable on or in respect of a share into a separate account shall not
constitute the Company a trustee in respect thereof. All dividends and other moneys payable on or in respect of a share that are
unclaimed after first becoming payable may be invested or otherwise made use of by the Directors for the benefit of the Company and
any dividend or moneys unclaimed after a period of six years from the date they are first payable may be forfeited and if so shall
revert to the Company but the Directors may at any time thereafter at their absolute discretion annul any such forfeiture and pay
the moneys so forfeited to the person entitled thereto prior to the forfeiture.
|
Retention of dividends on shares subject
to lien or pending transmission; unclaimed dividends or other moneys.
|
128
|
The waiver in whole
or in part of any dividend on any share by any document (whether or not under seal) shall be effective only if such document is signed
by the Member (or the person entitled to the share in consequence of the death or bankruptcy of the holder) and delivered to the
Company and if or to the extent that the same is accepted as such or acted upon by the Company.
|
Waiver of dividends.
|
129
|
The Company may,
upon the recommendation of the Directors, by ordinary resolution direct payment of a dividend in whole or in part by the distribution
of specific assets and in particular of paid up shares or debentures of any other company or in any one or more of such ways; and
the Directors shall give effect to such Resolution and where any difficulty arises in regard to such distribution, the Directors
may settle the same as they think expedient and in particular may issue fractional certificates, may fix the value for distribution
of such specific assets or any part thereof and may determine that cash payments shall be made to any Members upon the footing of
the value so fixed in order to adjust the rights of all parties and may vest any such specific assets in trustees as may seem expedient
to the Directors.
|
Payment of dividend in specie.
|
130 |
(A) Whenever the Directors or the Company in General Meeting have resolved or proposed that a dividend (including an interim, final, special or other dividend) be paid or declared on the ordinary share capital of the Company, the Directors may further resolve that Members entitled to such dividend be entitled to elect to receive an allotment of ordinary shares credited as fully paid in lieu of cash in respect of the whole or such part of the dividend as the Directors many think fit. In such case, the following provisions shall apply: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(a) |
the basis of any such allotment shall be determined by the Directors; |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(b) |
the Directors shall determine the manner in which Members shall be entitled to elect to receive an allotment of ordinary shares credited as fully paid in lieu of cash in respect of the whole or such part of any dividend in respect of which the Directors shall have passed such a resolution as aforesaid, and the Directors may make such arrangements as to the giving of notice to Members, providing for forms of election for completion by Members (whether in respect of a particular dividend or dividends or generally), determining the procedure for making such elections or revoking the same and the place at which and the latest date and time by which any forms of election or other documents by which elections are made or revoked must be lodged, and otherwise make all such arrangements and do all such things, as the Directors consider necessary or expedient in connection with the provisions of this Regulation; |
|
APPENDIX F
EXTRACTS FROM THE
COMPANY’S CONSTITUTION |
|
(c) |
the right of election may be exercised in respect of the whole of that portion of the dividend in respect of which the right of election has been accorded Provided that the Directors may determine, either generally or in any specific case, that such right shall be exercisable in respect of the whole or any part of that portion; |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(d) |
the dividend (or that part of the dividend in respect of which a right of election has been accorded) shall not be payable in cash on ordinary shares in respect whereof the share election has been duly exercised (the “elected ordinary shares”) and in lieu and in satisfaction thereof ordinary shares shall be allotted and credited as fully paid to the holders of the elected ordinary shares on the basis of allotment determined as aforesaid and for such purpose and notwithstanding the provisions of Regulation 135, the Directors shall capitalise and apply the amount standing to the credit of the Company’s reserve accounts as the Directors may determine, such sum as may be required to pay up in full the appropriate number of ordinary shares for allotment and distribution to and among the holders of the elected ordinary shares on such basis. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(B) (a) |
The ordinary shares allotted pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (A) of this Regulation shall rank pari passu in all respects with the ordinary shares then in issue save only as regards participation in the dividend which is the subject of the election referred to above (including the right to make the election referred to above) or any other distributions, bonuses or rights paid, made, declared or announced prior to or contemporaneous with the payment or declaration of the dividend which is the subject of the election referred to above, unless the Directors shall otherwise specify. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(b) |
The Directors may do all acts and things considered necessary or expedient to give effect to any capitalisation pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (A) of this Regulation, with full power to make such provisions as they think fit in the case of shares becoming distributable in fractions (including, notwithstanding any provision to the contrary in this Constitution, provisions whereby, in whole or in part, fractional entitlements are disregarded or rounded up or down). |
|
|
(C) The Directors
may, on any occasion when they resolve as provided in paragraph (A) of this Regulation, determine that rights of election under that
paragraph shall not be made available to the persons who are registered as holders of ordinary shares in the Register, or in respect
of ordinary shares the transfer of which is registered, after such date as the Directors may fix subject to such exceptions as the
Directors may think fit, and in such event the provisions of this Regulation shall be read and construed subject to such determination.
(D) The Directors
may, on any occasion when they resolve as provided in paragraph (A) of this Regulation, further determine that no allotment of shares
or rights of election for shares under that paragraph shall be made available or made to Members whose registered addresses entered
in the Register are outside Singapore, South Africa or the United States of America or to such other members or class of members
as the Directors may in their sole discretion decide and in such event the only entitlement of the members aforesaid shall be to
receive in cash the relevant dividend resolved or proposed to be paid or declared.
(E) Notwithstanding
the foregoing provisions of this Regulation, if at any time after the Directors’ resolution to apply the provisions of paragraph
(A) of this Regulation in relation to any dividend but prior to the allotment of ordinary shares pursuant thereto, the Directors shall
consider that by reason of any event or circumstance (whether arising before or after such resolution) or by reason of any matter whatsoever
it is no longer expedient or appropriate to implement that proposal, the Directors may at their absolute discretion and without assigning
any reason therefor, cancel the proposed application of paragraph (A) of this Regulation. |
|
APPENDIX F
EXTRACTS FROM THE
COMPANY’S CONSTITUTION |
131
|
Any
dividend or other moneys payable in cash on or in respect of a share may be paid by cheque or warrant sent through the post to the registered
address of the Member or person entitled thereto, or, if several persons are registered as joint holders of the share or are entitled
thereto in consequence of the death or bankruptcy of the holder to any one of such persons or to such persons and such address as such
persons may by writing direct or by such means(including, by electronic means) as the Directors may decide at their absolute discretion.
If paid by cheque or warrant, every such cheque or warrant shall be made payable to the order of the person to whom it is sent or to
such person as the holder or joint holders or person or persons entitled to the share in consequence of the death or bankruptcy of the
holder may direct and payment of the cheque if purporting to be endorsed or the receipt of any such person shall be a good discharge
to the Company. Every such cheque or warrant shall be sent at the risk of the person entitled to the money represented thereby. |
Dividends payable by cheque or other
means.
|
132
|
A
transfer of shares shall not pass the right to any dividend declared on such shares before the registration of the transfer. |
Effect of transfer.
|
133
|
RESERVES
The Directors may
from time to time set aside out of the profits of the Company and carry to reserve such sums as they think proper which, at the discretion
of the Directors, shall be applicable for meeting contingencies or for the gradual liquidation of any debt or liability of the Company
or for repairing or maintaining the works, plant and machinery of the Company or for special dividends or bonuses or for equalising dividends
or for any other purpose to which the profits of the Company may properly be applied and pending such application may either be employed
in the business of the Company or be invested. |
Power to carry profit to reserve.
|
BONUS ISSUES AND CAPITALISATION OF PROFITS AND RESERVES |
|
|
|
|
135 |
The Company may, upon the recommendation of the Directors, by ordinary resolution: |
Power to issue free bonus shares and/or to capitalise profits. |
|
|
|
|
(a) |
issue bonus shares for which no consideration is payable to the Company, to the Members holding shares in the Company in proportion to their then holdings of shares; and/or |
|
|
|
|
(b) |
capitalise any sum for the time being standing to the credit of any of the Company’s reserve accounts or any sum standing to the credit of the profit and loss account or otherwise available for distribution, provided that such sum be not required for paying the dividends on any shares carrying a fixed cumulative preferential dividend and accordingly that the Directors be authorised and directed to appropriate the sum resolved to be capitalised to the Members holding shares in the Company in the proportions in which such sum would have been divisible amongst them had the same been applied or been applicable in paying dividends and to apply such sum on their behalf either in or towards paying up the amounts (if any) for the time being unpaid on any shares held by such Members respectively, or in paying up in full new shares or debentures of the Company, such shares or debentures to be allotted and distributed and credited as fully paid up to and amongst such Members in the proportion aforesaid or partly in one way and partly in the other. |
136
|
Whenever
such a Resolution as aforesaid shall have been passed, the Directors may do all acts and things considered necessary or expedient to
give effect to any such bonus issue and/or capitalisation with full power to the Directors to make such provisions as they think fit
for any fractional entitlements which would arise on the basis aforesaid (including provisions whereby fractional entitlements are disregarded
or the benefit thereof accrues to the Company rather than to the Members concerned). The Directors may authorise any person to enter
on behalf of all the Members interested into an agreement with the Company providing for any such bonus issue or capitalisation and matters
incidental thereto and any agreement made under such authority shall be effective and binding on all such Members. |
Power of Directors to give effect to
bonus issues and/or capitalisations.
|
APPENDIX F
EXTRACTS FROM THE
COMPANY’S CONSTITUTION |
137
|
In
addition and without prejudice to the powers provided for by Regulations 135 and 136, the Directors shall have power to issue shares
for which no consideration is payable and/or to capitalise any undivided profits or other moneys of the Company not required for the
payment or provision of any dividend on any shares entitled to cumulative or non-cumulative preferential dividends (including profits
or other moneys carried and standing to any reserve or reserves) and to apply such profits or other moneys in paying up in full new shares,
in each case on terms that such shares shall, upon issue, be held by or for the benefit of participants of the Grindrod Shipping Holdings
Ltd. Forfeitable Share Incentive Plan 2017 (as amended from time to time) and/or any share incentive or option scheme or plan implemented
by the Company and approved by a resolution of the Members in General Meeting, in such manner and on such terms as proposed by the Directors. |
Power
to issue free shares or capitalise reserves for employee share-based incentive plans. |
Rights in respect
of Voting
57
|
GENERAL MEETINGS
Subject to the
provisions of the Act, the Company shall in each year hold a General Meeting as its Annual General Meeting in addition to any other
meetings in that year and not more than fifteen months shall elapse between the date of one Annual General Meeting of the Company
and that of the next; provided that so long as the Company holds its First Annual General Meeting within eighteen months of its incorporation,
it need not hold it in the year of its incorporation or in the following year.
|
Annual General Meeting.
|
58
|
All
General Meetings other than Annual General Meetings shall be called Extraordinary General Meetings. |
Extraordinary
General Meetings. |
NOTICE OF GENERAL MEETINGS |
|
|
|
|
61 |
Subject to the provisions of the Act, at least fourteen days’ notice in writing (exclusive both of the day on which the notice is served or deemed to be served and of the day for which the notice is given) of every General Meeting shall be given in the manner hereinafter mentioned to such persons (including the Auditors) as are under the provisions herein contained and the Act entitled to receive notice from the Company. Provided that a General Meeting notwithstanding that it has been called by a shorter notice than that specified above shall be deemed to have been duly called if it is so agreed: |
Notice of Meetings. |
|
|
|
|
(a) |
in the case of an Annual General Meeting by all the Members entitled to attend and vote thereat; and |
|
|
|
|
(b) |
in the case of an Extraordinary General Meeting by a majority in number of the Members having a right to attend and vote thereat, being a majority together holding not less than 95 per cent of the total voting rights of all the Members having a right to vote at that General Meeting. |
|
|
|
|
|
Provided also that the accidental omission to give notice to, or the non-receipt by any person entitled thereto, shall not invalidate the proceedings at any General Meeting. |
|
62
|
(A) Every notice
calling a General Meeting shall specify the place and the day and hour of the Meeting, and there shall appear with reasonable prominence
in every such notice a statement that a Member entitled to attend and vote is entitled to appoint a proxy to attend and to vote instead
of him and that a proxy need not be a Member.
(B) In the case
of an Annual General Meeting, the notice shall also specify the Meeting as such.
(C) In the case
of any General Meeting at which business other than routine business is to be transacted, the notice shall specify the general nature
of the business; and if any resolution is to be proposed as a special resolution or as requiring special notice, the notice shall contain
a statement to that effect. |
Contents of notice.
|
63 |
Routine business shall mean and include only business transacted at an Annual General Meeting of the following classes, that is to say: |
Routine business. |
|
|
|
|
(a) |
declaring dividends; |
|
|
|
|
(b) |
receiving and adopting the financial statements, the Directors’ statement, the reports of the Auditors, and other documents required to be annexed to the financial statements; |
APPENDIX F
EXTRACTS FROM THE
COMPANY’S CONSTITUTION |
|
|
|
|
|
(c) |
appointing or re-appointing Directors to fill vacancies arising at the meeting on retirement; |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(d) |
appointing or re-appointing Auditors and fixing the remuneration of Auditors or determining the manner in which such remuneration is to be fixed; and |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(e) |
fixing the remuneration of the Directors proposed to be paid under Regulation 91. |
|
63A
|
Any notice of a
General Meeting to consider special business shall be accompanied by a statement regarding the effect of any proposed resolution
on the Company in respect of such special business.
|
|
64
|
PROCEEDINGS AT GENERAL
MEETINGS
No business other
than the appointment of a chairman shall be transacted at any General Meeting unless a quorum is present at the time when the meeting
proceeds to business. Save as herein otherwise provided, the quorum at any General Meeting shall be two Members, present in person
or by proxy.
For the purpose
of this Regulation, “Member” includes a person attending by proxy or by attorney or as representing a corporation which
is a Member.
|
Quorum.
|
65
|
If
within half an hour from the time appointed for the Meeting (or such longer interval as the Chairman of the meeting may deem fit to allow)
a quorum is not present, the Meeting if convened on the requisition of Members shall be dissolved. In any other case, it shall stand
adjourned to the same day in the next week (or if that day is a public holiday, then to the next business day following that public holiday)
at the same time and place or such other day, time or place as the Directors may by not less than ten days’ notice appoint. At
such adjourned meeting, if within half an hour from the time appointed for such meeting (or such longer interval as the Chairman of the
meeting may deem fit to allow) a quorum is not present, such meeting shall stand adjourned to the same day in the next week (or if that
day is a public holiday, then to the next business day following that public holiday) at the same time and place or such other day, time
or place as the Directors may by not less than ten days’ notice appoint. At the second adjourned meeting, any one or more members
present in person or by proxy shall be a quorum. |
Adjournment if quorum not present.
|
66
|
Subject to any
additional requirements as may be imposed by the Act, all resolutions of the Members shall be adopted by a simple majority vote of
the Members present and voting.
|
Voting.
|
67
|
Subject to the
provisions of the Act and provided that the shares of the Company are not listed on any stock exchange, a resolution in writing signed
by one or more Members of the Company who represent (a) a majority (in the case of ordinary resolutions) or (b) at least 75% (in
the case of a special resolution) of the total voting rights or all Members entitled to vote or being a corporation by its duly authorised
representative shall have the same effect and validity as if it had been passed at a General Meeting duly convened, held and constituted,
and may consist of several documents in the like form, each signed by one or more of such Members.
|
Resolutions in writing.
|
68
|
The
Chairman of the Board of Directors shall preside as Chairman at every General Meeting. If there be no such Chairman or if at any Meeting
he be not present within ten minutes after the time appointed for holding the Meeting or be unwilling to act, the Members present shall
choose some Director to be Chairman of the Meeting or, if no Director be present or if all the Directors present decline to take the
Chair, one of their number present, to be Chairman. |
Chairman.
|
69
|
The
Chairman may, with the consent of any Meeting at which a quorum is present (and shall if so directed by the Meeting) adjourn the Meeting
from time to time (or sine die) and from place to place, but no business shall be transacted at any adjourned Meeting except business
which might lawfully have been transacted at the Meeting from which the adjournment took place. When a Meeting is adjourned for thirty
days or more or sine die, notice of the adjourned Meeting shall be given as in the case of the original Meeting. Save as aforesaid, it
shall not be necessary to give any notice of an adjournment or of the business to be transacted at an adjourned Meeting. |
Adjournment |
APPENDIX F
EXTRACTS FROM THE
COMPANY’S CONSTITUTION |
69A
|
If an amendment
shall be proposed to any resolution under consideration but shall in good faith be ruled out of order by the chairman of the meeting,
the proceedings on the substantive resolution shall not be invalidated by any error in such ruling. In the case of a resolution duly
proposed as a Special Resolution, no amendment thereto (other than a mere clerical amendment to correct a patent error) may in any
event be considered or voted upon.
|
Amendment to resolution.
|
70 |
All
resolutions at General Meetings shall be voted by poll. |
Method
of voting. |
71
|
A poll shall be
taken in such manner (including the use of ballot or voting papers) as the Chairman may direct and the result of a poll shall be
deemed to be the resolution of the Meeting. The Chairman may, and if so requested shall, appoint scrutineers and may adjourn the
Meeting to some place and time fixed by him for the purpose of declaring the result of the poll.
|
Taking a poll.
|
72
|
If any votes be
counted which ought not to have been counted or might have been rejected, the error shall not vitiate the result of the voting unless
it be pointed out at the same Meeting or at any adjournment thereof and not in any case unless it shall in the opinion of the Chairman
be of sufficient magnitude.
|
Votes counted in error.
|
73
|
In the case of
equality of votes, the Chairman of the Meeting shall not be entitled to a second or casting vote.
|
Chairman no casting vote.
|
74
|
VOTES OF MEMBERS
Subject to this
Constitution and to any special rights or restrictions as to voting attached to any class of shares hereinafter issued every such Member
shall have one vote for every share of which he is the holder or represents. |
Voting rights of Members.
|
75
|
Where there are
joint registered holders of any share any one of such persons may vote and be reckoned in a quorum at any Meeting either personally
or by proxy or by attorney or in the case of a corporation by a representative as if he were solely entitled thereto and if more
than one of such joint holders be so present at any Meeting that one of such persons so present whose name stands first in the Register
in respect of such share shall alone be entitled to vote in respect thereof. Several executors or administrators of a deceased Member
in whose name any share stands shall for the purpose of this Regulation be deemed joint holders thereof.
|
Voting rights of joint holders.
|
76
|
A
Member who is mentally disordered or whose person or estate is liable to be dealt with in anyway under the law relating to mental capacity
may vote by his committee, curator bonis or such other person as properly has the management of his estate and any such committee, curator
bonis or other person may vote by proxy or attorney. Provided that such evidence as the Directors may require of the authority of the
person claiming to vote shall have been deposited at the Office not less than 72 hours before the time appointed for holding the Meeting. |
Voting rights of Members who are mentally
disordered.
|
77
|
Subject to the
provisions of this Constitution and the Act, every Member shall be entitled to be present and to vote at any General Meeting either
personally or by proxy or by attorney or in the case of a corporation by a representative and to be reckoned in a quorum in respect
of shares fully paid and in respect of partly paid shares where calls are not due and unpaid.
|
Right to vote.
|
78
|
No
objection shall be raised to the qualification of any voter except at the Meeting or adjourned Meeting at which the vote objected to
is given or tendered and every vote not disallowed at such Meeting shall be valid for all purposes. Any such objection made in due time
shall be referred to the Chairman of the Meeting whose decision shall be final and conclusive. |
Objections.
|
79
|
On
a poll, votes may be given either personally or by proxy or by attorney or in the case of a corporation by its representative and a person
entitled to more than one vote need not use all his votes or cast all the votes he uses in the same way. |
Votes on a poll.
|
80
|
(a)
A Member who is not the Depository may appoint not more than two proxies to attend, speak and
vote at the same General Meeting. |
Appointment of proxies.
|
APPENDIX F
EXTRACTS FROM THE
COMPANY’S CONSTITUTION |
|
(b) A Member who
is the Depository may appoint more than two proxies to attend, speak and vote at the same General Meeting, but each proxy must be
appointed to exercise the rights attached to a different share or shares held by such member.
(c) In any case
where a form of proxy appoints more than one proxy, the proportion of the shareholding concerned to be represented by each proxy
shall be specified in the form of proxy.
|
|
81
|
In any case where
the member is the Depository, the Company shall be entitled and bound:
(a) to reject any
instrument of proxy lodged if the Depositor is not shown to have any shares entered against his name in the Depository Register as
at 72 hours before the time of the relevant General Meeting as certified by the Depository to the Company; and
(b) to
accept as the maximum number of votes which in aggregate the proxy or proxies appointed by the Depositor is or are able to cast on a
poll a number which is the number of shares entered against the name of that Depositor in the Depository Register as at 72 hours before
the time of the relevant General Meeting as certified by the Depository to the Company, whether that number is greater or smaller than
the number specified in any instrument of proxy executed by or on behalf of that Depositor. |
|
82
|
The
Company shall be entitled and bound, in determining rights to vote and other matters in respect of a completed instrument of proxy submitted
to it, to have regard to the instructions (if any) given by and the notes (if any) set out in the instrument of proxy. |
|
83 |
(A) An instrument appointing a proxy shall be in writing and: |
Proxy instrument to be in writing. |
|
|
|
|
|
(a) |
in the case of an individual shall be: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(i) |
signed by the appointor or by his attorney if the instrument is delivered personally or by post; or |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(ii) |
authorised by that individual through such method and in such manner as may be approved by the Directors, if the instrument is submitted by electronic communication; and |
|
|
(b) |
in the case of a corporation shall be: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(i) |
either under the common seal or signed by its attorney or by an officer on behalf of the corporation if the instrument is delivered personally or by post; or |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(ii) |
authorised by that corporation through such method and in such manner as may be approved by the Directors, if the instrument is submitted by electronic communication. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The Directors may for the purposes of Regulations 83(A)(a)(i) and 83(A)(b)(i), but shall not be bound to, require evidence of the authority of any such attorney or officer. The Directors may, for the purposes of Regulations 83(A)(a)(ii) and 83(A)(b)(ii), designate procedures for authenticating any such instrument, and any such instrument not so authenticated by use of such procedures shall be deemed not to have been received by the Company. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(B) The Directors may, in their absolute discretion: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(a) |
approve the method and manner for an instrument appointing a proxy to be authorised; and |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(b) |
designate the procedure for authenticating an instrument appointing a proxy, |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
as contemplated in Regulations 83(A)(a)(ii) and 83(A)(b)(ii) for application to such members or class of members as they may determine. Where the Directors do not so approve and designate in relation to a member (whether of a class or otherwise), Regulation 83(A)(a)(i) and/or, as the case may be, Regulation 83(A)(b)(i) shall apply. |
|
APPENDIX F
EXTRACTS FROM THE
COMPANY’S CONSTITUTION |
84
|
A proxy need not
be a Member.
|
Proxy need not be a Member.
|
85
|
(A) An instrument
appointing a proxy or the power of attorney or other authority, if any,
(a) if sent personally
or by post, must be left at the Office or such other place (if any) as is specified for the purpose in the notice convening the Meeting;
or
(b) if submitted
by electronic communication, must be received through such means as may be specified for that purpose in or by way of note to or
in any document accompanying the notice convening the Meeting,
and, in either
case, not less than 72 hours before the time appointed for the holding of the Meeting or adjourned Meeting at which it is to be used
and in default shall not be treated as valid unless the Directors otherwise determine. An instrument appointing a proxy shall, unless
the contrary is stated thereon, be valid as well for any adjournment of the Meeting as for the Meeting to which it relates, Provided
that an instrument of proxy relating to more than one Meeting (including any adjournment thereof) having once been so delivered in accordance
with the provisions of this Constitution for the purposes of any Meeting shall not be required again to be delivered for the purposes
of any subsequent Meeting to which it relates. |
Deposit of proxies.
|
|
(B)
The Directors may, in their absolute discretion, and in relation to such members or class of members as they may determine, specify
the means through which instruments appointing a proxy may be submitted by electronic communications, as contemplated in Regulation
85(A)(b). Where the Directors do not so specify in relation to a member (whether of a class or otherwise), Regulation 85(A)(a) shall
apply. |
|
|
|
|
86
|
(A) Subject to
the relevant listing rules of any stock exchange upon which shares in the Company may be listed, an instrument appointing a proxy
shall be writing in any usual or common form or in any other form which the Directors may approve, shall be deemed to include the
right to move any resolution or amendment thereto and to speak at the Meeting, and need not be witnessed.
(B) Where an instrument
appointing a proxy is signed or authorised on behalf of the appointor by an attorney, the letter or power of attorney or a duly certified
copy thereof must (failing previous registration with the Company) be lodged with the instrument of proxy pursuant to Regulation
85, failing which the instrument may be treated as invalid.
|
Form of proxies.
|
87
|
A vote given in
accordance with the terms of an instrument of proxy (which for the purposes of this Constitution shall also include a power of attorney)
shall be valid notwithstanding the previous death or mental disorder of the principal or revocation of the proxy, or of the authority
under which the proxy was executed or the transfer of the share in respect of which the proxy was given. Provided that no intimation
in writing of such death, mental disorder, revocation or transfer shall have been received by the Company at the Office (or such
other place as may be specified for the deposit of instruments appointing proxies) before the commencement of the Meeting or adjourned
Meeting at which the proxy is used.
|
Intervening death or mental disorder
of principal not to revoke proxy.
|
88
|
Any
corporation which is a Member may by resolution of its directors or other governing body authorise such person as it thinks fit to
act as its representative at any Meeting of the Company or of any class of Members. The person so authorised shall be entitled to
exercise the same powers on behalf of the corporation as the corporation could exercise if it were an individual Member and such
corporation shall for the purposes of this Constitution (but subject to the Act)be deemed to be present in person at any such Meeting
if a person so authorised is present thereat. |
Corporations
acting by representatives. |
APPENDIX G
VALUATION REPORTS |
![](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1725293/000157587224000529/gsh144_img06.jpg) |
Braemar
Valuations |
CERTIFICATE
OF VALUATION
Date: |
21" March 2024 |
|
|
To: |
Grindrod Shipping Holdings Ltd. |
|
#10-02 Millenia Tower |
|
1 Temasek Avenue |
|
Singapore 039192 |
We
have examined the current entries in the appropriate Reference Sources of the attached list of vessels.
We
should make clear that we have not made a physical inspection of the vessels, nor have we inspected the vessels' Classification Records,
but we have assumed for the purposes of the valuations, that the vessels are in good and seaworthy condition.
After
careful consideration, we have given our opinion of the market values of the vessels as at 31" December 2023 on the basis of charterfree
deliveries between willing Buyers and willing Sellers. The figures mentioned overleaf relate solely to our opinion of the market values
as at 31" December 2023 and should not be taken to apply at any other date. The vessels have been valued individually. If all, or
a substantial number, of the vessels were placed on the market at the same time, no assurance can be given that the amount realised would
be equal to the total of the individual valuations. In addition no assurance can be given that the valuations will be sustained or are
realisable in an actual transaction.
We
believe that the valuations and particulars are reasonably accurate, but all statements made above and overleaf are statements of opinion
and are not to be taken as representations of fact. The valuations are for general information and have not been produced for any specific
purpose. No assurance is given as to the suitability of the valuations for use in relation any specific project or transaction. Any party
contemplating entering a transaction should satisfy themselves by inspection of the vessels or otherwise as to the correctness of the
statements and assumptions which the valuations contain.
The
valuations are provided solely for the private use of the addressee and cannot be published, circulated or provided to any third party
without the express written agreement of Braemar Valuations Limited. No responsibility can be accepted for any use by any third party
and you will indemnify Braemar Valuations Limited and all associated companies for any loss or damage including all legal expenses arising
out of any allegation of reliance on this valuation by such a third party.
Additionally
the valuations are not to be used in a public document or a fund-raising document without our prior written consent.
It
must be appreciated that ship values can be very volatile, unstable and irregular. Information on comparable transactions and market
demand can also be very limited. The worldwide Covid-19 outbreak has introduced further uncertainty. These circumstances should be considered
by anyone contemplating entering a transaction.
For
and on behalf of
BRAEMAR
VALUATIONS LIMITED
/s/
Hugh Twort |
|
/s/ Caroline Jones
|
|
Authorised
Signatory |
|
Authorised
Signatory |
|
BRAEMAR
VALUATIONS LIMITED |
Registered
in England No. 3439765
VAT reg. 503 2955 65 |
One
Strand, Trafalgar Square, London, WC2N 5HR • valuations@braemar.com • +44 (0) 203 142 4100
APPENDIX G
VALUATION REPORTS |
®
braemar Valuations
| |
Name | |
IMO | |
DWT | |
Built/Dely | |
Yard | |
Type | |
Generators | |
BWTS
Installed? | |
A60
Installed? | |
CO2
Installed? | |
ESD? | |
Last
Survey Date | |
Next
Survey Date | |
Value
($) 30.12.2023 | |
1 | |
IVS
Atsugi | |
| 9838527 | |
| 62,661 | |
| 2020 | |
Oshima
S.B. Co. | |
Bulk
Carrier | |
3
X GENERATORS | |
Yes | |
| No | |
| No | |
O,P | |
| 23/12/2020 | |
| 23/12/2025 | |
| 32,250,000.00 | |
2 | |
IVS
Pebble Beach | |
| 9838515 | |
| 62,661 | |
| 2020 | |
Oshima
S.B. Co. | |
Bulk
Carrier | |
3
X GENERATORS - YANMAR | |
Yes | |
| No | |
| No | |
A,
G, O, P | |
| 01/09/2020 | |
| 01/09/2025 | |
| 32,250,000.00 | |
3 | |
IVS
Phoenix | |
| 9774862 | |
| 60,477 | |
| 2019 | |
Mitsui
S.B. | |
Bulk
Carrier | |
3
X GENERATORS - DAIHATSU | |
Yes | |
| Yes | |
| Yes | |
RB, RF | |
| 18/06/2022 | |
| 02/06/2024 | |
| 31,350,000.00 | |
4 | |
IVS
Prestwick | |
| 9870886 | |
| 61,305 | |
| 2019 | |
Toyohashi
S.B. | |
Bulk
Carrier | |
3
X GENERATORS - YANMAR | |
Yes | |
| No | |
| Yes | |
ASF, TR, TFF, SKB | |
| 08/09/2022 | |
| 16/09/2024 | |
| 31,350,000.00 | |
5 | |
IVS
Okudogo | |
| 9870874 | |
| 61,331 | |
| 2019 | |
Toyohashi
S.B. | |
Bulk
Carrier | |
3
X GENERATORS - YANMAR | |
Yes | |
| No | |
| Yes | |
ASF, TR, TFF, SKB | |
| 17/08/2022 | |
| 07/08/2024 | |
| 31,350,000.00 | |
6 | |
IVS
Swinley Forest | |
| 9736080 | |
| 60,492 | |
| 2017 | |
Sanoyas
S.B. | |
Bulk
Carrier | |
3
X GENERATORS - YANMAR | |
Yes | |
| Yes | |
| Yes | |
B,
F, P STF, RB | |
| 04/12/2021 | |
| 03/12/2024 | |
| 28,600,000.00 | |
7 | |
IVS
North Berwick | |
| 9740902 | |
| 60,475 | |
| 2016 | |
Oshima
S.B. Co. | |
Bulk
Carrier | |
3
X GENERATORS - YANMAR | |
Yes | |
| Yes | |
| Yes | |
C,
G, H, P RB, AFF | |
| 11/03/2021 | |
| 10/03/2024 | |
| 26,750,000.00 | |
8 | |
IVS
Gleneagles | |
| 9736066 | |
| 58,071 | |
| 2016 | |
Shin
Kurushima | |
Bulk
Carrier | |
3
X GENERATORS - YANMAR | |
Yes | |
| No | |
| Yes | |
D,
G, P, S LED, ASD, PTR, TFF, SK | |
| 14/03/2023 | |
| 14/03/2026 | |
| 24,550,000.00 | |
9 | |
IVS
Wentworth | |
| 9725550 | |
| 58091 | |
| 2015 | |
Shin
Kurushima | |
Bulk
Carrier | |
3
X GENERATORS - YANMAR | |
Yes | |
| No | |
| Yes | |
D,
G, P, S ASD, PTR, TFF, SK | |
| 30/12/2020 | |
| 29/12/2023 | |
| 22,500,000.00 | |
10 | |
IVS
Naruo | |
| 9692715 | |
| 60317 | |
| 2014 | |
Japan
Marine United | |
Bulk
Carrier | |
3
x GENERATORS | |
Yes | |
| Yes | |
| Yes | |
B,
D, P | |
| 13/03/2023 | |
| 30/11/2024 | |
| 24,750,000.00 | |
11 | |
IVS
Tembe | |
| 9726164 | |
| 37735 | |
| 2016 | |
Kanda
S.B. Co. | |
Bulk
Carrier | |
3
X GENERATORS - YANMAR | |
Yes | |
| No | |
| Yes | |
A,
B, H, R, P VFD, RB, RF, ES | |
| 08/02/2021 | |
| 07/02/2024 | |
| 21,775,000.00 | |
12 | |
IVS
Thanda | |
| 9701009 | |
| 37715 | |
| 2015 | |
Kanda
S.B. Co. | |
Bulk
Carrier | |
3
X GENERATORS - YANMAR | |
Yes | |
| No | |
| Yes | |
A,
B, H, R, P VFD, RB, RF, ES | |
| 18/08/2022 | |
| 12/01/2025 | |
| 21,775,000.00 | |
13 | |
IVS
Sunbird | |
| 9736042 | |
| 33,399 | |
| 2015 | |
Shin
Kochi Jyuko co. Ltd | |
Bulk
Carrier | |
3
X GENERATORS - YANMAR | |
Yes | |
| Yes | |
| Yes | |
D,
G, P, S ASD, PTR, TFF, SK | |
| 07/07/2020 | |
| 07/08/2023 | |
| 16,825,000.00 | |
14 | |
IVS
Phinda | |
| 9700940 | |
| 37720 | |
| 2014 | |
Kanda
S.B. Co. | |
Bulk
Carrier | |
3
X GENERATORS - YANMAR | |
Yes | |
| No | |
| Yes | |
A,
B, H, P VFD, RB, RF, ES | |
| 27/08/2022 | |
| 27/08/2024 | |
| 19,555,000.00 | |
15 | |
IVS
Sparrowhawk | |
| 9712656 | |
| 33,421 | |
| 2014 | |
Shin
Kurushima | |
Bulk
Carrier | |
3
X GENERATORS - YANMAR | |
Yes | |
| No | |
| Yes | |
D,
G, P, S ASD, PTR, SK | |
| 11/12/2022 | |
| 3/12/2024 | |
| 15,755,000.00 | |
16 | |
IVS
Ibis | |
| 9604744 | |
| 28,238 | |
| 2012 | |
Imabari
S.B. | |
Bulk
Carrier | |
3
X GENERATORS - YANMAR | |
Yes | |
| No | |
| No | |
LED | |
| 08/07/22 | |
| 06/02/2025 | |
| 11,200,000.00 | |
17 | |
IVS
Kinglet | |
| 9459149 | |
| 33,132 | |
| 2011 | |
Kanda
S.B. Co. | |
Bulk
Carrier | |
3
X GENERATORS - DAIHATSU | |
Yes | |
| No | |
| Yes | |
A,
B, R, P LED, RF, RB | |
| 16/08/2021 | |
| 15/08/2024 | |
| 14,130,000.00 | |
18 | |
IVS
Magpie | |
| 9604732 | |
| 28,240 | |
| 2011 | |
Imabari
S.B. | |
Bulk
Carrier | |
3
X GENERATORS - YANMAR | |
Yes | |
| No | |
| No | |
P,
O LED | |
| 05/08/2021 | |
| 04/08/2024 | |
| 10,700,000.00 | |
19 | |
IVS
Knot | |
| 9459137 | |
| 33,143 | |
| 2010 | |
Kanda
S.B. Co. | |
Bulk
Carrier | |
3
X GENERATORS - DAIHATSU | |
Yes | |
| Yes | |
| Yes | |
A,
B, R, P VFD, RF, RB | |
| 20/09/2020 | |
| 19/09/2023 | |
| 13,400,000.00 | |
20 | |
IVS
Kingbird | |
| 9336787 | |
| 32561 | |
| 2007 | |
Kanda
S.B. Co. | |
Bulk
Carrier | |
2
X GENERATORS - DAIHATSU | |
Yes | |
| No | |
| Yes | |
R,
P, O VFD | |
| 16/07/2022 | |
| 15/07/2025 | |
| 10,435,000.00 | |
21 | |
IVS
Merlin (ex Steady Sarah) | |
| 9604847 | |
| 38468 | |
| 2011 | |
Minaminippon | |
Bulk
Carrier | |
3
X GENERATORS | |
Yes | |
| No | |
| Yes | |
O,M | |
| 23/09/2023 | |
| 5/9/2026 | |
| 16,405,000.00 | |
22 | |
Hull
No. SH74784 TBN HB Imabari | |
| | |
| 39640 | |
| 2024 | |
Imabari
S.B. | |
Bulk
Carrier | |
4
X GENERATORS | |
Yes | |
| | |
| | |
| |
| - | |
| - | |
| 34,250,000.00 | |
| |
| |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| | |
| | |
| |
| | |
| | |
| 491,905,000.00 | |
APPENDIX G
VALUATION REPORTS |
![](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1725293/000157587224000529/gsh144_img07.jpg)
Valuation
prepared for Grindrod Shipping Holdings Limited as at 31ST December 2023
| |
Name | |
IMO | |
DWT | | |
Built | |
Yard | |
Type | |
Generator s | |
BWTS | |
A60 | |
CO2 | |
Smoke Detection | |
Hold Ventilation? | |
UMS ESD? | |
Last Survey | |
Type | |
Next Survey | |
Type | |
Price (US$ Million) |
1
| |
Hull No. SH784 | |
9984417 | |
| 39,640 | | |
Apr-24
| |
Imabari S.B | |
BC | |
| |
Yes | |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
New Build | |
| |
| |
33.75 |
2 | |
IVS Atsugi | |
9838527 | |
| 62,661 | | |
Dec-20 | |
Oshima S.B. Co. | |
BC | |
3 | |
Yes | |
| |
No | |
No | |
No | |
Natural Vent YesO,P | |
23/12/2020 | |
New Build | |
23/12/2025 | |
DD - 5 YRS | |
32.28 |
3 | |
IVS Pebble Beach | |
9838515 | |
| 62,661 | | |
Sep-20 | |
Oshima S.B. Co. | |
BC | |
3 | |
Yes | |
No | |
No | |
No | |
Natural Vent | |
Yes A, G, O, P | |
01/09/2020 | |
New Build | |
01/09/2025 | |
DD - 5 YRS | |
32.42 |
4 | |
IVS Phoenix | |
9774862 | |
| 60,477 | | |
Jun-19 | |
Mitsui S.B. | |
BC | |
3 | |
Yes | |
Yes | |
Yes | |
Yes | |
Natural vent | |
No C, P | |
18/06/2022 | |
IDD - 2,5 YRS | |
02/06/2024 | |
DD - 5 YRS | |
30.70 |
5 | |
IVS Prestwick | |
9870886 | |
| 61,305 | | |
Sep-19 | |
Toyohashi S.B. | |
BC | |
3 | |
Yes | |
No | |
Yes | |
No | |
Natural vent | |
No D, F, G, P, S | |
08/09/2022 | |
IDD - 2,5 YRS | |
16/09/2024 | |
DD - 5 YRS | |
30.96 |
6 | |
IVS Okudogo | |
9870874 | |
| 61,331 | | |
Aug-19 | |
Toyohashi S.B. | |
BC | |
3 | |
Yes | |
No | |
Yes | |
No | |
Natural vent | |
No D, F, G, P, S | |
17/08/2022 | |
IDD - 2,5 YRS | |
07/08/2024 | |
DD - 5 YRS | |
30.94 |
7 | |
IVS Swinley Forest | |
9736080 | |
| 60,492 | | |
Jan-17 | |
Sanoyas S.B. | |
BC | |
3 | |
Yes | |
Yes | |
Yes | |
No | |
Natural vent | |
Yes B, F, P | |
04/12/2021 | |
DD - 5 YRS | |
03/12/2024 | |
IDD - 7,5 YRS | |
28.10 |
8 | |
IVS North Berwick | |
9740902 | |
| 60,475 | | |
Mar-16 | |
Oshima S.B. Co. | |
BC | |
3 | |
Yes | |
Yes | |
Yes | |
No | |
Natural vent | |
No C, G, H, P | |
11/03/2021 | |
DD - 5 YRS | |
10/03/2024 | |
IDD - 7,5 YRS | |
26.74 |
9 | |
IVS Gleneagles | |
9736066 | |
| 58,071 | | |
Mar-16 | |
Shin Kurushima | |
BC | |
3 | |
Yes | |
No | |
Yes | |
No | |
Natural vent | |
Yes D, G, P, S | |
14/03/2023 | |
IDD - 7,5 YRS | |
14/03/2026 | |
DD - 10 YRS | |
24.12 |
10 | |
IVS Wentworth | |
9725550 | |
| 58,091 | | |
Nov-15 | |
Shin Kurushima | |
BC | |
3 | |
Yes | |
No | |
Yes | |
No | |
Natural vent | |
Yes D, G, P, S | |
30/12/2020 | |
DD - 5 YRS | |
29/12/2023 | |
IDD - 7,5 YRS | |
23.48 |
11 | |
IVS Naruo | |
9692715 | |
| 60,317 | | |
Dec-14 | |
Japan Marine United | |
BC | |
3 | |
Yes | |
Yes | |
Yes | |
No | |
Natural vent | |
No B, D, P | |
13/03/2023 | |
IDD - 7,5 YRS | |
30/11/2024 | |
DD - 10 YRS | |
24.24 |
12 | |
IVS Tembe | |
9726164 | |
| 37,735 | | |
Jan-16 | |
Kanda S.B. Co. | |
BC | |
3 | |
Yes | |
No | |
Yes | |
No | |
Natural vent | |
No A, B, H, R, P | |
08/02/2021 | |
DD - 5 YRS | |
07/02/2024 | |
IDD - 7,5 YRS | |
23.46 |
13 | |
IVS Thanda | |
9701009 | |
| 37,715 | | |
Jan-15 | |
Kanda S.B. Co. | |
BC | |
3 | |
Yes | |
No | |
Yes | |
No | |
Natural vent | |
No A, B, H, R, P | |
18/08/2022 | |
IDD - 7,5 YRS | |
12/01/2025 | |
DD - 10 YRS | |
22.15 |
14 | |
IVS Sunbird | |
9736042 | |
| 33,399 | | |
Sep-15 | |
Shin
Kochi Jyuko co. Ltd | |
BC | |
3 | |
Yes | |
Yes | |
Yes | |
No | |
Natural vent | |
No D, G, P, S | |
07/07/2020 | |
DD - 5 YRS | |
07/08/2023 | |
IDD - 7,5 YRS | |
17.59 |
15 | |
IVS Phinda | |
9700940 | |
| 37,720 | | |
Aug-14 | |
Kanda S.B. Co. | |
BC | |
3 | |
Yes | |
No | |
Yes | |
No | |
Natural Vent | |
No A, B, H, P | |
15/12/2022 | |
IDD 7,5 YRS | |
27/08/2024 | |
DD - 10 YRS | |
20.34 |
16 | |
IVS Sparrowhawk | |
9712656 | |
| 33,421 | | |
Dec-14 | |
Shin Kurushima | |
BC | |
3 | |
Yes | |
No | |
Yes | |
No | |
Electric Vent | |
No D, G, P, S | |
20/12/2019 | |
DD 5 YRS | |
20/08/2023 | |
IDD 7,5YRS | |
16.39 |
17 | |
IVS Ibis | |
9604744 | |
| 28,238 | | |
Mar-12 | |
Imabari S.B. | |
BC | |
3 | |
Yes | |
No | |
No | |
No | |
Natural vent | |
No P | |
07/08/2022 | |
DD - 10 YRS | |
06/02/2025 | |
IDD - 12,5 YRS | |
12.30 |
18 | |
IVS Kinglet | |
9459149 | |
| 33,132 | | |
Aug-11 | |
Kanda S.B. Co. | |
BC | |
3 | |
Yes | |
No | |
Yes | |
No | |
Natural vent | |
No A, B, R, P | |
16/08/2021 | |
DD - 10 YRS | |
15/08/2024 | |
IDD - 12,5 YRS | |
13.26 |
19 | |
IVS Magpie | |
9604732 | |
| 28,240 | | |
Oct-11 | |
Imabari S.B. | |
BC | |
3 | |
Yes | |
No | |
No | |
No | |
Natural vent | |
No P, O | |
05/08/2021 | |
DD - 10 YRS | |
04/08/2024 | |
IDD - 12,5 YRS | |
11.28 |
20 | |
IVS Knot | |
9459137 | |
| 33,143 | | |
Aug-10 | |
Kanda S.B. Co. | |
BC | |
3 | |
Yes | |
Yes | |
Yes | |
No | |
Natural vent | |
No A, B, R, P | |
20/09/2020 | |
DD - 10 YRS | |
19/09/2023 | |
IDD - 12,5 YRS | |
12.63 |
21 | |
IVS Kingbird | |
9336787 | |
| 32,561 | | |
Jun-07 | |
Kanda S.B. Co. | |
BC | |
2 | |
Yes | |
No | |
Yes | |
No | |
Natural vent | |
No R, P, O | |
16/07/2022 | |
DD - 15 YRS | |
15/07/2025 | |
IDD - 17,5 YRS | |
10.04 |
22 | |
IVS Merlin | |
9604847 | |
| 38,468 | | |
May-11 | |
Minamipippon | |
BC | |
3 | |
Yes | |
No | |
Yes | |
No | |
Natural vent | |
Yes | |
06/06/2020 | |
DD - 10 YRS | |
05/06/2023 | |
IDD 12.5 YRS | |
16.21 |
Total | |
| |
| |
| | | |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
493.38 |
APPENDIX G
VALUATION REPORTS |
![](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1725293/000157587224000529/gsh144_img07.jpg)
For
the purpose of making this valuation:
| a) | We have assumed that the above information is true and accurate in every respect. |
| b) | The value given above relates solely to our opinion of the approximate market value as at 31st
December 2023 and should not be taken to apply to any other date. No assurance can be given that this value will be sustained or realisable
in actual transactions. |
| c) | We have assumed that the vessel has been maintained in accordance with good commercial practice, that
it is in good working order and sound seaworthy condition as regards hull and machinery as can be expected for a vessel of this age, size,
type and classification, and that it is free from all Classification Society recommendations and freely transferable. |
| d) | We have not physically inspected the vessel and have relied solely on the above information which has
been supplied to us. This valuation is therefore not a representation of fact or of the correctness of the above information or any other
information available to us and no representation or warranties as to the correctness of the information are made or implied by the giving
of this valuation which is a statement of our opinion only. Any person contemplating entering a transaction should satisfy themselves
by inspection or otherwise of the correctness of the statements and assumptions made in this valuation. |
| e) | This valuation is expressed solely to and is for the benefit solely of the person instructing us. No other
party is entitled to rely upon the contents herein nor is it to be quoted from or referred to in any document or filed with any government
agency or other person without the written consent of Hartland Shipping Services Limited. |
For
and on behalf of
Hartland
Shipping Services Limited
Prepared
for
Grindrod
Shipping Holdings Limited
#10-02
Millenia Tower
1
Temasek Avenue
Singapore
039192
|
Julian Robinson |
|
|
Patrick Hinds, |
|
Director, Sale & Purchase |
|
|
Director, Sale & Purchase |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Julian Robinson |
|
|
Patrick Hinds, |
|
|
|
|
31st December 2023 |
|
|
|
|
|
Signature: |
/s/ Julian Robinson |
|
Signature: |
/s/ Patrick Hinds |
|
Julian Robinson (Jan 10, 2024 11:44 GMT) |
|
|
Patrick Hinds (Jan 10, 2024 11:44 GMT) |
Email: |
julian.robinson@hartlandshipping.com |
|
Email: |
patrick.hinds@hartlandshipping.com |
![](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1725293/000157587224000529/gsh144_img03.jpg)
Grindrod shipping Holding
Ltd.
(Incorporated in Singapore)
(Registration number: 201731497H)
Primary listing on the Nasdaq Global Select Market
Secondary listing on the JSE Main Board
Nasdaq Share code: GRIN and SEC CIK Number: CIK0001725293
JSE Share code: GSH and ISIN: SG9999019087
("GRIN" or “the Company")
NOTICE OF EXTRAORDINARY
GENERAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS TO BE HELD ON JUNE 20, 2024
1 |
Notice
of Extraordinary General Meeting (this “Notice”) |
NOTICE
IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT an EXTRAORDINARY GENERAL MEETING of the shareholders of the Company (the “Shareholders”)
will be held on June 20, 2024 at 18:00 Singapore Standard Time (12:00 South Africa Standard Time, 06:00 United States Eastern Daylight
Time) (the “EGM”).
The EGM
will be conducted by way of electronic means. A shareholder entitled and wishing to vote on the matters to be considered at the EGM must
complete the form of proxy and voting instructions (attached) to appoint the Chairman of the EGM as his / her / its proxy to vote in
his / her / its stead. A shareholder wishing to attend the EGM by electronic means is required to pre-register at our website. Please
refer to the information contained in this Notice for details on how to vote and how to attend via electronic means.
This Notice
is distributed to Shareholders of Record recorded in the register of members of the Company and Beneficial Shareholders recorded in the
records of the relevant securities depository on May 10, 2024. This Notice (including the Solvency Statements appended as Annex A) is
available on our website at https://www.grinshipping.com/Content/EventsPresentationsAndNotices.
Unless otherwise defined, all capitalized
terms used herein shall bear the same meaning ascribed to them in the Company’s circular to Shareholders dated May 14, 2024 (the
“Circular”).
The purpose
of the EGM is for the shareholders of the Company to consider and, if thought fit, pass, with or without modifications, the following
special resolutions:
2 |
SPECIAL
RESOLUTION – SELECTIVE CAPITAL REDUCTION |
RESOLVED THAT:
| (a) | pursuant
to sections 78G to 78I of the Companies Act 1967 of Singapore (the “Companies Act”)
and regulation 56 of the constitution of the Company, and contingent upon the approval of
the High Court of the Republic of Singapore, the issued share capital of the Company be reduced
from US$290,193,001 comprising 19,685,590 ordinary shares in the Company ("Shares”),
to US$240,614,044 comprising 16,206,365 Shares, and that such reduction be effected by: |
| (i) | cancelling
the amount of US$49,578,956 constituting part of the total paid-up share capital of the Company
held by all the Shareholders (except such part held by Good Falkirk (MI) Limited) (the “Participating
Shareholders”), such Participating Shareholders holding 3,479,225 Shares; |
|
(ii) |
cancelling the 3,479,225 Shares constituting part of the total issued share capital of the Company held by the Participating Shareholders, |
and the aggregate
sum of US$49,578,956 arising from such reduction of the Company’s share capital to be returned to the Participating Shareholders
in cash, on the basis of US$14.25 per Share held by each Participating Shareholder so cancelled; and
|
(b) |
the directors of the Company and each of them be and is hereby authorised to do all such acts and things and to execute all such documents as they or he/she may consider necessary, expedient or desirable to give effect to the proposed selective capital reduction as set out in the preceding paragraph (a) and this resolution. |
3 |
Documents
Available for Inspection |
All Appendices
listed in the Circular for the Selective Capital Reduction (i) Appendix A – the Letter from the Independent Financial Adviser,
CEL Investment Corporate Finance Pte. Ltd.; (ii) Appendix B – Additional Information on the Non-Participating Shareholders; (iii)
Appendix C – Disclosures of Holdings and Dealings in the Company’s Securities; (iv) Appendix D – General Information
on the Non-Participating Shareholders; (v) Appendix E – Additional Information on the Company; (vi) Appendix F – Extracts
from the Company’s Constitution; and (vii) Appendix G – Valuation Reports, will be made available for inspection at the registered
office of the Company for from the date of this Notice of EGM up to the date of the EGM (both dates inclusive).
The following
documents are also made available for inspection at the registered office of the Company from the date of this Notice of EGM up to the
date of the EGM (both dates inclusive): (i) the constitution of the Company; (ii) the constitutions of the Non-Participating Shareholders;
(iii) the letters of consent referred to in Appendix E to the Circular; (vi) a copy of the Announcement; and (vii) the annual reports
of the Company for FY2022 and FY2023, which are also available on the website of the Company at https://www.grinshipping.com/Content/FinancialResults.
4 |
Administrative
Procedures for the Cash Distribution |
Our transfer
agent, Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company will act as our disbursing agent for the cash distribution to our shareholders
at Nasdaq and Computershare Investor Services (Pty) Ltd., our South African Administrative Depository Agent, will disburse the cash distribution
to our shareholders at JSE.
Shareholders
should note that the following statements are not to be regarded as advice on the tax position of any Shareholder or any tax implication
arising from the Proposed Selective Capital Reduction and Proposed Cash Distributions. Shareholders who are in doubt as to their respective
tax positions or such tax implications or who may be subject to tax in a jurisdiction outside Singapore should consult their own tax
advisers or other independent advisers.
U.S.
U.S. Federal
Income Taxation of U.S. Holders
For U.S. federal
income tax purposes, the Proposed Cash Distributions will be considered cash distributions with respect to the Company’s ordinary
shares and will be subject to the U.S. federal income tax consequences described in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 20-F for
the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, under the heading “Item 10. Additional Information—Taxation—Material U.S.
Federal Income Tax Considerations”.
South Africa
The South
African income tax consequences arising for the SA Participating Shareholders from the cancellation of the Participating Shares in terms
of the Selective Capital Reduction and the distribution in cash to be paid to the SA Participating Shareholders in connection therewith
(the “SA Cash Distribution”) depends on whether the Participating Shares are held by the SA Participating Shareholders on
(i) revenue account or as “trading stock” (as defined in section 1 of the Income Tax Act, 58 of 1962 (“SA ITA”))
or (ii) as a capital asset (or in respect of Participating Shares to which the provisions of section 9C of the SA ITA apply).
If a SA Shareholder
holds the GSHL shares as capital assets, to the extent that the portion of the Cash Distribution paid to the SA Participating Shareholders
in respect of the cancellation of the Participating Shares exceeds (is less than) the “base cost” of the SA Participating
Shareholders in respect of the said shares, a capital gain (capital loss) will arise for the SA Shareholders for capital gains tax purposes.
If a SA Shareholder
holds the GSHL shares in terms of a scheme of profit making or as trading stock, the amount received or accrued by the SA Participating
Shareholders in respect of the Cash Distribution should be included in their “gross income”. The expenditure actually incurred
by the SA Part Shareholders in respect of the cost of acquisition of the GSHL shares should be deductible for tax purposes, assuming
that the relevant requirements are met. The amount by which the Cash Distribution paid to the SA Participating Shareholders exceeds the
deduction claimed by the SA Participating Shareholder in respect of the Participating Shares will be subject to income tax in their hands
at the applicable rate.
No dividends
tax implications should arise for the SA Participating Shareholders in relation to the receipt/accrual of the Cash Distribution as the
Cash Distribution should not constitute a “foreign dividend” as defined and thus as a “dividend” as defined for
dividends tax purposes.
Please refer
to the Annual Report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, under the heading “Item 10. Additional Information—Taxation—South
African Tax Considerations”.
Singapore
In
Singapore, capital distributions paid by a Singapore tax resident company will be income tax exempt in the hands of a shareholder as
described in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, under the heading
“Item 10. Additional Information—Taxation—Singapore Tax Considerations”.
6 |
Meeting
to be held by Electronic Means |
The EGM will
be held by electronic means.
For purposes
of this Notice (including the Form of Proxy and Voting Instruction) the following definitions are used.
Beneficial
Shareholders: are persons or entities holding their interests in the Company’s shares as, or through, a participant in the
Depository Trust Company, or DTC, in book entry form at a broker, dealer, securities depository or other intermediary and who are reflected
in the books of such intermediary; also commonly referred to in the United States as “street name holders”.
Shareholder
of Record: a person or entity whose name is reflected in the Company’s register of members, and who is not necessarily a Beneficial
Shareholder.
South African
Shareholders: are Beneficial Shareholders whose interests are reflected on the South African administrative depository register.
In general terms, this reflects the shareholders who trade on the JSE.
International
Shareholders: are Beneficial Shareholders, other than South African Shareholders.
8 |
General
Matters relating to the EGM |
The special
resolution number 10 tabled at the Annual General Meeting of the Company held on April 25, 2024, on the amendment of Regulation
64 of the Company’s Constitution was approved; as such, the quorum required to transact business at the EGM is representation from
two Members, present in person or by proxy.
Votes shall
be taken on a poll with one vote for each share. In order for the special resolution to be passed more than 75% of the eligible votes
cast on the resolution must be in favour of the resolution. Whilst shares for which an abstention from voting has been recorded are counted
toward the quorum of the meeting, the calculation of the percentage of votes cast in favour of the resolution disregards abstained votes.
A person who
is entitled to more than one vote need not use all his votes or cast all the votes he uses in the same way.
8.3 |
Identification
of shareholders and their representatives |
Before any
person may participate in the EGM, the Chairman of the EGM must be reasonably satisfied that the right of the person to participate at
the EGM has been reasonably verified.
9 |
Record
Date for determining Beneficial Shareholders’ Eligibility to Vote at the EGM |
Only those Beneficial
Shareholders recorded in the records of the relevant securities depository on May 10, 2024 are eligible to vote.
An eligible Beneficial Shareholder
may only cast his / her/ its vote by completing a “From of Proxy and Voting Instruction” (as attached) in accordance
with the instructions it contains. The duly completed form must be submitted by Shareholders in South Africa, by June 17, 2024 at
12:00 South Africa Standard Time, to your broker, dealer, securities depository or other intermediary and by Shareholders outside of
South Africa, by June 17, 2024 at 06:00 United States Eastern Daylight Time, to (a) your respective broker, dealer, securities
depository or other intermediary through which your interests are held or (b) Vote Processing, c/o Broadridge, 51 Mercedes Way,
Edgewood, NY 11717, (c) via telephone voting at BROADRIDGE at +1-800-454-8683, or (d) via online voting at PROXYVOTE.COM, which
requires the 16-digit Control Number printed on the Voting Instruction Form from Broadridge.
Please refer to the “Form
of Proxy and Voting Instruction” for further instructions.
An eligible Shareholder whose name is
reflected in the Company’s register of members may only cast his /her /its vote by completing a “Form of Proxy and Voting
Instruction” and emailing it back to proxy@continentalstock.com or by posting it to 1 State Street, 30th Floor,
New York, NY10004-1561 by June 17, 2024, 06:00 US Eastern Daylight Time / 12:00 South Africa Standard Time.
If you wish
to revoke a form of proxy and voting instruction, a Beneficial Shareholder must send an email to notify this to the relevant broker,
dealer, securities depository or other intermediary and a Shareholder of Record must send an email to notify this to Continental Stock
Transfer & Trust Company, in each case, by June 17, 2024, 06:00 US Eastern Daylight Time / 12:00 South Africa Standard Time.
11 |
Shareholder
Participation in the EGM |
A live audio-visual
webcast and a live audio-only stream will allow shareholders to view and/or listen to the EGM proceedings. Shareholders will not be able
to ask questions during the course of the EGM but can submit their questions in advance. Pre-registration, which includes a verification
process, is required in such cases, as further discussed below.
11.1 |
How
to submit questions to be raised at the EGM, watch the live audio-visual webcast or listen to the audio-only live stream of the EGM
proceedings |
In order to
be able to submit questions to be raised at the EGM, watch the live audio-visual webcast or listen to the audio-only live stream of the
EGM proceedings, a shareholder (whether a Beneficial Shareholder or a Shareholder of Record) is required to pre-register with the Company.
You can pre-register at our website http://www.grinshipping.com/EGMRegistration2024.
At the time
of pre-registering, Shareholders will be required to make certain elections and provide certain information, including (a) indicating
participation at the EGM either by “Audio-visual” or “Audio-only”; (b) your name; (c) your email address; (d)
your telephone or mobile number; (e) the number of shares held; (f) whether you are a South African Shareholder or an International Shareholder
or a Shareholder of Record (refer to the definitions above); and (g) name of brokerage firm.
In addition,
as part of the pre-registration and authentication process, Beneficial Shareholders are required to ensure that a legal proxy or letter
of representation is submitted to the Company. You should contact your broker, dealer, securities depository or other intermediary through
which your shares are held to request the necessary legal proxy or letter of representation. It is not necessary that you, as the Beneficial
Shareholder, be the person that submits questions to be raised at the EGM, watches the live audio-visual webcast or listens to the audio-only
live stream of the EGM proceedings. You are able to nominate another person to perform such actions on your behalf and you should make
this known to your broker, dealer, securities depository or other intermediary when requesting your legal proxy or letter of representation.
Your broker, dealer, securities depository or other intermediary will advise you of the documentation they require in order to provide
a legal proxy or letter of representation.
The legal
proxy or letter of representation is required to be uploaded via the website http://www.grinshipping.com/EGMRegistration2024
or emailed to EGM2024@grindrodshipping.com.
Simultaneously
with the submission of the pre-registration information and supporting documentation, Shareholders are able to submit questions to be
raised at the EGM through the website http://www.grinshipping.com/EGMRegistration2024. In addition, Shareholders of Record are
able to submit their questions to the Company by post to 1 Temasek Avenue, #10-02 Millenia Tower, Singapore 039192.
11.2 |
Authentication
process |
Once the pre-registration
and relevant supporting documentation has been provided to the Company, the Company will authenticate the pre-registration particulars.
Authenticated shareholders will receive a confirmation email by which contains details to participate in the live webcast (for those
who opted for audio-visual at pre-registration) or a local dial-in number and conference code to access the audio only stream (for those
who opted for audio-only).
If we are
unable to verify your shareholder status, we will notify you via email that you will not be able to access the EGM proceedings.
11.3 |
Questions
related to pre-registration |
For any questions
related to the pre-registration for the EGM, please email to EGM2024@grindrodshipping.com
12.1 |
Submission
of votes on a “Form of Proxy and Voting Instruction” |
For submission
of your “Form of Proxy and Voting Instruction” – June 17, 2024 at 06:00 United States Eastern Daylight Time/12:00 South
Africa Standard Time, as appropriate.
12.2 |
Pre-registration
by Shareholder |
For submission
to the Company of the pre-registration and supporting documentation, including the legal proxy or letter of representation – June
17, 2024 at 06:00 United States Eastern Daylight Time and 12:00 South Africa Standard Time. You should be aware that it will take some
time for your broker, dealer, securities depository or other intermediary to process your request for a legal proxy or letter of representation
and you will need to make the necessary arrangements allowing sufficient time for this.
12.3 |
Submission
of questions to the Company |
For submission,
whether by email or by post, to the Company of questions to be raised at the EGM – June 17, 2024 at 06:00 United States Eastern
Daylight Time and 12:00 South Africa Standard Time.
12.4 |
Confirmation
from Company |
For receipt
from the Company of a confirmation e-mail with details of how to connect to the audio/video streams – June 18, 2024 at 06:00 United
States Eastern Daylight Time and 12:00 South Africa Standard Time.
13 |
Information
for Brokers, Dealers, Other Intermediaries, and Securities Depositories |
The
cut-off time for acceptance of the completed “Form of Proxy and Voting Instruction” and the appointment of legal proxies
and the issue of letters of representation is June 17, 2024 at 06:00 United States Eastern Daylight Time and 12:00 South Africa Standard
Time. If the “Form of Proxy and Voting Instruction” does not indicate how the votes are to be dealt with, the votes of the
relevant shares will be voted on behalf by the Chairman of the EGM in favour of the Special Resolution.
By participating
in the EGM (through pre-registration, attendance or the submission of any questions to be raised at the EGM) and/or any adjournment thereof,
submitting an instrument appointing a proxy and/or any adjournment thereof or submitting any details of the shareholder’s representative(s)
in connection with the EGM, a shareholder of the Company (whether a Beneficial Shareholder or a Shareholder of Record) (i) consents to
the collection, use and disclosure of the shareholder’s personal data by the Company (or its agents) for the purpose of the processing
and administration by the Company (or its agents) of proxies and representatives appointed for the EGM (including any adjournment thereof)
and the preparation and compilation of the attendance lists, minutes and other documents relating to the EGM (including any adjournment
thereof), and in order for the Company (or its agents) to comply with any applicable laws, listing rules, regulations and/or guidelines
(collectively, the “Purposes”), (ii) warrants that where the shareholder discloses the personal data of the shareholder’s
representative(s) to the Company (or its agents), the shareholder has obtained the prior consent of representative(s) for the collection,
use and disclosure by the Company (or its agents) of the personal data of such representative(s) for the Purposes, and (iii) agrees that
the shareholder will indemnify the Company in respect of any penalties, liabilities, claims, demands, losses and damages as a result
of the shareholder’s breach of warranty.
15 |
Forward-Looking
Statements |
This notice
contains forward-looking statements concerning future events. These forward-looking statements are necessarily estimates and involve
a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those suggested by the forward-looking
statements. As a consequence, these forward-looking statements should be considered in light of various important factors. Words such
as “may,” “expects,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “anticipates,”
“hopes,” “estimates,” and variations of such words and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking
statements. These forward-looking statements are based on the information available to, and the expectations and assumptions deemed reasonable
by the Company at the time these statements were made. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking
statements are reasonable, no assurance can be given that such expectations will prove to have been correct. These statements involve
known and unknown risks and are based upon a number of assumptions and estimates which are inherently subject to significant uncertainties
and contingencies, many of which are beyond the Company’s control. Actual results may differ materially from those expressed or
implied by such forward-looking statements.
Important
factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from estimates or projections contained in the forward-looking statements
include the factors set out in the Company’s filings with the SEC. The Company undertakes no obligation to update publicly or release
any revisions to these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this notice or to reflect the
occurrence of unanticipated events.
BY ORDER OF THE BOARD
Grindrod Shipping Holdings
Ltd.
Dr. Kurt Klemme, Chairman
(Company Registration
No. 201731497H)
May 14, 2024
CORPORATE
INFORMATION
Grindrod Shipping
Holdings Ltd.
(Registration number:
201731497H)
Registered
Office
1 Temasek Avenue,
#10-02 Millenia Tower,
Singapore 039192
Place of incorporation:
Singapore
Date of incorporation:
2 November 2017
Website: www.grinshipping.com
Transfer Agent
Continental Stock
Transfer & Trust Company
Physical:
1 State Street, 30th
Floor,
New York NY 10004-1561,
USA
Tel: +1 (212) 509
4000
Fax: +1 (212) 509
5152
Email: proxy@continentalstock.com |
Company Secretary
Sharon Ting
Email: SharonT@grindrodshipping.com
Corporate Sponsor
Grindrod Bank
4th Floor, Grindrod
Tower,
8A Protea Place, Sandton,
2196
Tel: +27 (11) 459
1890
Email: AnnerieB@grindrodbank.co.za
South African
Administrative Depository
Agent
Computershare Investor
Services (Pty) Ltd
Postal:
PO Box 61051, Marshalltown,
2107 South Africa
Physical:
Rosebank Towers, 15
Biermann Avenue, Rosebank
2196, South Africa
Tel: +27 (11) 370
5000
Fax: +27 (11) 688
5238
Email: proxy@computershare.co.za
Central Securities
Depository South Africa
Strate (Pty) Ltd.
1st Floor,
9 Fricker Road,
Illovo Boulevard,
Illovo Sandton, 2196
Email: CorporateActions@strate.co.za |
![](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1725293/000157587224000529/gsh144_img03.jpg)
Grindrod Shipping Holdings
Ltd.
(Incorporated in Singapore)
(Registration number: 201731497H)
Primary listing on the Nasdaq Global Select Market
Secondary listing on the JSE Main Board
Nasdaq Share code: GRIN and SEC CIK Number: CIK0001725293
JSE Share code: GSH and ISIN: SG9999019087
("GRIN" or “the Company")
FORM
OF PROXY AND VOTING INSTRUCTION
For use at the
extraordinary general meeting to be held at 18:00 Singapore Standard Time (12:00 South Africa Standard Time, 06:00 United States Eastern
Daylight Time) by way of electronic means on Thursday, June 20, 2024, and/or each adjournment thereof (the “EGM”).
A shareholder will
not be able to physically attend the EGM. Beneficial Shareholders and Shareholders of Record who wish to vote must appoint the Chairman
of the EGM as their proxy to vote on their behalf at the EGM, and must complete and return this form of proxy and voting instruction
in accordance with the instructions contained herein. A shareholder may direct the Chairman of the EGM to vote for or against or abstain
from voting on the special resolution to be proposed at the EGM as indicated below. In the absence of specific directions in respect
of the special resolution, the appointment of the Chairman of the EGM as your proxy for that resolution will be treated as invalid.
This form must be completed
and delivered:
|
1- |
by International Shareholders to (a) their respective broker, dealer, securities depository or other intermediary through which their interests are held or (b) Vote Processing, c/o BROADRIDGE at 51 Mercedes Way, Edgewood, NY 11717, or (c) via telephone voting at BROADRIDGE at +1-800-454-8683; or (d) via online voting at PROXYVOTE.COM which requires the 16 digits Control Number printed on the Voting Instruction Form from Broadridge; by 06:00 United States Eastern Daylight Time on Monday, June 17, 2024; |
|
2- |
by
South African Shareholders to your broker, dealer, securities depository or other intermediary through which your interests are held,
by 12:00 South Africa Standard Time on Monday, June 17, 2024; and |
|
3- |
by
Shareholders of Record to Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company via email to proxy@ continentalstock.com or by post
to 1 State Street, 30th Floor, New York, NY10004-1561, by 06:00 United States Eastern Daylight Time on Monday, June 17,
2024. |
By submitting this
form, you accept and agree to the personal data privacy terms set out in the notice of EGM to which this form is attached.
Please refer to the
notes and instructions overleaf regarding completion of this form.
Shareholder of Record
/ Beneficial Shareholder details
I/We
(Please print full names) |
|
|
|
|
|
of
(address) |
|
|
|
|
|
telephone
number_____________________________ |
cell
phone number________________________________ |
|
|
|
|
e-mail
address |
_______________________________________________ |
|
being the Shareholder(s)
of Record / Beneficial Shareholder(s) of ____________________________ [see Note 1] ordinary shares in the Company wish to appoint the Chairman of
the EGM to vote as my / our proxy in accordance with the following instruction.
Special
resolution |
FOR |
AGAINST |
ABSTAIN |
Proposed
Selective Capital Reduction and Proposed Cash Distribution |
|
|
|
Note: Mark with an
"X", where all the shares represented in this form of proxy are to be counted, or alternatively insert the relevant number
of shares, in the applicable space, to indicate how you wish your votes to be cast.
In the absence of specific
directions in respect of the special resolution, the appointment of the Chairman of the EGM as your proxy for that resolution will be
treated as invalid.
Signature of Shareholder(s)
or Common Seal [see notes 4 and 5]
And, only in the case
of a minor, assisted by [see note 6]
NOTES TO THE FORM OF
PROXY AND VOTING INSTRUCTION FORM
|
1. |
Please
insert the relevant number of those shares owned by you that is to be represented in this form of proxy and voting instruction. You
are not obliged to vote all your shares or to vote all your shares in the same manner. |
|
2. |
If
you wish to split your votes across the voting options or to cast your votes in respect of a lesser number of shares than you own
in the Company insert the relevant number of shares in respect of which you wish to vote in the relevant space under the columns
headed For, Against, Abstain, as appropriate. A shareholder is not obliged to use all the votes exercisable by the shareholder, but
the total of the votes cast and in respect of which abstention is recorded may not exceed the total of the votes exercisable by the
shareholder. If you wish to cast all of the votes of those shares owned by you that are represented in this form of proxy and voting
instruction in the same way in respect of a particular resolution, you need not fill in such number of shares but you must indicate
your vote as either For, Against or Abstain by placing a tick or cross in the relevant space. In the absence of specific directions
in respect of the special resolution, the appointment of the Chairman of the EGM as your proxy for that resolution will be treated
as invalid. |
|
3. |
Any
deletions, alterations or corrections made to this form must be initialled by the shareholder. |
|
4. |
In
the case of joint shareholders, all holders must sign this form. |
|
5. |
This
form must be executed by the shareholder or his attorney, or if such shareholder is a corporation, under its common seal or under
the hand of its officer or attorney, duly authorised in writing. Where this form is executed by an attorney, the power of attorney
or a duly certified copy thereof must be lodged with this form (failing previous registration with the Company, the Transfer Agent
or the South African Administrative Depository Agent or waiver of this requirement by the Chairman of the EGM), failing which this
form may be treated as invalid and disregarded. |
|
6. |
A
minor must be assisted by his/her parent or guardian unless the relevant documents establishing his/her legal capacity are produced
or have been previously registered with the Company, the Transfer Agent or the South African Administrative Depository Agent or unless
this requirement is waived by the Chairman of the EGM. |
|
7. |
The
Chairman of the EGM may accept any voting instruction submitted other than in accordance with these notes if he is satisfied as to
the manner in which the shareholder wishes to vote. |
|
8. |
Any
form that is incomplete, improperly completed or illegible or where the true intentions of the person executing the form are not
ascertainable may be rejected. |
|
9. |
This
form must be completed and delivered: |
|
(i) |
by International Shareholders by 06:00 United States Eastern Daylight Time on Monday, June 17, 2024 to (a) their respective broker, dealer, securities depository or other intermediary through which their interests are held; (b) Vote Processing, c/o BROADRIDGE at 51 Mercedes Way, Edgewood, NY 11717; (c) via telephone voting at BROADRIDGE at +1-800-454-8683; or (d) via online voting at PROXYVOTE.COM which requires the 16 digits Control Number printed on the Voting Instruction Form from Broadridge; |
|
(ii) |
by
South African Shareholders to their broker, dealer, securities depository or other intermediary through which their interests are
held by 12:00 South Africa Standard Time on Monday, June 17, 2024; and |
|
(iii) |
by
Shareholders of Record to Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company via email to proxy@ continentalstock.com or by post
to 1 State Street, 30th Floor, New York, NY10004-1561, by 06:00 United States Eastern Daylight Time on Monday, June 17,
2024. |
|
10. |
If
you wish to revoke this form of proxy and voting instruction, a Beneficial Shareholder must send an email to notify this to the relevant
broker, dealer, securities depository or other intermediary and a Shareholder of Record must send an email to notify this to Continental
Stock Transfer & Trust Company, in each case, by June 17, 2024. |
|
11. |
In
any case where a Shareholder of Record is a securities depository whose name or whose nominee’s name is entered as a member
in the register of members of the Company in respect of book-entry securities in the Company (“Depository”), the Company
shall be entitled and bound: |
|
(i) |
to
reject any instrument of proxy lodged if a person who has an account directly with the Depository, which account is credited with
book-entry securities in the Company, (“Depositor”) is not shown to have any shares entered against his name in the register
maintained by the Depository in respect of book-entry securities in the Company (“Depository Register”) as at 72 hours
before the time of the EGM as certified by the Depository to the Company; and |
|
(ii) |
to
accept as the maximum number of votes which in aggregate the proxy appointed by the Depositor is or are able to cast on a poll a
number which is the number of shares entered against the name of that Depositor in the Depository Register as at 72 hours before
the time of the EGM as certified by the Depository to the Company, whether that number is greater or smaller than the number specified
in any instrument of proxy executed by or on behalf of that Depositor. If that number is smaller than the number specified in the
instrument of proxy, the maximum number of votes “for”, “against” or “abstain” shall be accepted
in (as nearly as may be) the respective proportions set out in the instrument of proxy. |
14
May 2024
Taylor
Maritime Investments Limited (the “Company” or “TMI”)
Grindrod
Shipping Holdings Ltd announces despatch of circular to shareholders
The Board
of Taylor Maritime Investments Limited, the listed specialist dry bulk shipping investment company, is pleased to announce that its subsidiary,
Grindrod Shipping Holdings Ltd. (“Grindrod Shipping”), today announced that it has despatched a circular (the “Circular”)
to its shareholders in connection with the proposed selective capital reduction (the “Selective Capital Reduction”) pursuant
to Section 78G of the Companies Act 1967 of Singapore.
Under the
terms of the Selective Capital Reduction, on the effective date, all of the ordinary shares of Grindrod Shipping held by shareholders,
comprising 3,479,225 shares, other than shares held by the Company’s subsidiary, Good Falkirk (MI) Limited (“GF”), will
be cancelled and each participating shareholder will be entitled to receive US$14.25 for each Grindrod Shipping share that is cancelled.
Grindrod
Shipping will be holding an extraordinary general meeting to approve the proposed Selective Capital Reduction by way of a special resolution.
Notice of such meeting is set out in the Circular which will be held on 20 June, 2024. The Company, GF and their respective concert parties
will abstain and not vote on the special resolution relating to the Selective Capital Reduction.
The implementation
of the Selective Capital Reduction will also be dependent on the approval of the High Court of the Republic of Singapore.
If the Selective
Capital Reduction is approved, Grindrod Shipping will become a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company through its subsidiary GF (which
will own 100% of the shares - up from 82.33%) and Grindrod Shipping will be delisted from the NASDAQ and JSE.
Further
details can be found in the announcement released by Grindrod Shipping.
ENDS
For further
information, please contact:
Taylor Maritime
Investments Limited
Edward Buttery
Camilla Pierrepont |
IR@tminvestments.com |
|
|
Jefferies
International Limited
Stuart Klein
Gaudi Le Roux |
+44 20 7029 8000 |
|
|
Apex Group
Matt Falla |
+44 (0) 203 530 3107 |
Notes to Editors
About the Company
Taylor Maritime Investments Limited is an internally
managed investment company listed on the Premium Segment of the Official List, its shares trading on the Main Market of the London Stock
Exchange since May 2021. The Company specializes in the acquisition and chartering of vessels in the Handysize and Supra/Ultramax bulk
carrier segments of the global shipping sector. The Company invests in a diversified portfolio of vessels which are primarily second-hand.
TMI's fleet portfolio currently numbers 18 vessels in the geared dry bulk segment. The ships are employed utilising a variety of employment/charter
strategies.
On 20 December 2022, the Company announced it
acquired a controlling majority interest in Grindrod Shipping Holdings Ltd ("Grindrod") (NASDAQ:GRIN, JSE:GSH), a Singapore
incorporated, dual listed company on NASDAQ and the Johannesburg Stock Exchange. Grindrod has an owned fleet of 17 dry bulk vessels complementary
to the Company's fleet. They are Japanese built, including 10 Handysize vessels and 7 Supra/Ultramax vessels. Grindrod has seven vessels
in its chartered in fleet with purchase options on three.
The combined TMI and Grindrod fleet numbers 38
vessels (including chartered in vessels with purchase options).
The Company's target dividend policy is 8 cents
p.a. paid on a quarterly basis, with a targeted total NAV return of 10-12% per annum over the medium to long-term.
The Company has the benefit of an experienced
Executive Team led by Edward Buttery and who previously worked closely together at Taylor Maritime. Taylor Maritime was established in
2014 as a privately owned ship-owning and management business with a seasoned team including the founders of dry bulk shipping company
Pacific Basin Shipping (listed in Hong Kong 2343.HK) and gas shipping company BW Epic Kosan (formerly Epic Shipping). The commercial and
technical management arms of Taylor Maritime were acquired by Grindrod in October 2023.
For more information, please visit www.taylormaritimeinvestments.com.
About Geared Vessels
Geared vessels
are characterised by their own loading equipment. The Handysize and Supra/Ultramax market segments are particularly attractive, given
the flexibility, versatility and port accessibility of these vessels which carry necessity goods - principally food and products related
to infrastructure building - ensuring broad diversification of fleet activity and stability of earnings through the cycle.
IMPORTANT NOTICE
The information in this
announcement may include forward-looking statements, which are based on the current expectations and projections about future events and
in certain cases can be identified by the use of terms such as "may", "will", "should", "expect",
"anticipate", "project", "estimate", "intend", "continue", "target", "believe"
(or the negatives thereon) or other variations thereon or comparable terminology. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks,
uncertainties and assumptions about the Company, including, among other things, the development of its business, trends in its operating
industry, and future capital expenditures and acquisitions. In light of these risks, uncertainties and assumptions, the events in the
forward-looking statements may not occur.
References to target
dividend yields and returns are targets only and not profit forecasts and there can be no assurance that these will be achieved.
LEI: 213800FELXGYTYJBBG50
Exhibit 107
Grindrod Shipping (NASDAQ:GRIN)
Historical Stock Chart
From Jul 2024 to Aug 2024
Grindrod Shipping (NASDAQ:GRIN)
Historical Stock Chart
From Aug 2023 to Aug 2024