Further Expands Modern, High-Quality Fleet by 21% on a Tonnage Basis;
Company to Host Conference Call on Tuesday, June 17, 2008 at 10:00 a.m. ET
NEW YORK, June 16 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Genco Shipping & Trading
Limited (NYSE: GNK) today announced that it has agreed to acquire six drybulk
newbuildings from Lambert Navigation Ltd., Northville Navigation Ltd.,
Providence Navigation Ltd., and Prime Bulk Navigation Ltd., for an aggregate
purchase price of $530 million. The acquisition is subject to the completion
of customary additional documentation and closing conditions.
The six vessels, comprised of three Capesize and three Handysize vessels,
are expected to be delivered to Genco from the fourth quarter of 2008 through
the fourth quarter of 2009. Upon completion of the acquisition and including
the three drybulk vessels the Company agreed to acquire from Bocimar
International N.V. and Delphis N.V. as well as the four remaining Capesize
vessels to be acquired from companies within the Metrostar Management
Corporation group, Genco's fleet will consist of 41 drybulk vessels with a
total carrying capacity of approximately 3,516,000 dwt and an average age of
approximately 5.8 years.
Robert Gerald Buchanan, President, commented, "We are pleased to further
expand Genco's leadership position in the drybulk industry with the
acquisition of six high-quality newbuildings. Building upon our agreement to
acquire three drybulk vessels in May, this acquisition is consistent with our
portfolio approach to acquire modern vessels that enhance our fleet profile
and improve our position to benefit from the strong demand for essential
commodities such as iron ore and coal. As we have in the past, we intend to
seek opportunities to lock away our newly acquired vessels on attractive time
charters prior to their delivery."
The following table sets forth information about the six newbuildings to
be acquired by the Company:
Acquisition Summary
Vessel New Name DWT Shipyard Built Expected
(1) Delivery
(1)
Daehan Hull Genco CS 1005 170,500 Daehan Hull Q2 2009 Q2 2009
HN1005 Shipbuilding
Co. Ltd.,
South Korea
Daehan Hull Genco CS 1006 170,500 Daehan Hull Q3 2009 Q3 2009
HN1006 Shipbuilding
Co. Ltd.,
South Korea
Daehan Hull Genco CS 1007 170,500 Daehan Hull Q4 2009 Q4 2009
HN1007 Shipbuilding
Co. Ltd.,
South Korea
Jinse Hull NR Genco HS 2031 32,000 Jinse Hull Q4 2008 Q4 2008
JS2031 Shipbuilding
Co. Ltd.,
South Korea
Jinse Hull NR Genco HS 2032 32,000 Jinse Hull Q4 2008 Q4 2008
JS2032 Shipbuilding
Co. Ltd.,
South Korea
Jinse Hull NR Genco HS 2033 32,000 Jinse Hull Q1 2009 Q1 2009
JS2033 Shipbuilding
Co. Ltd.,
South Korea
Total 607,500
(1) Built and expected delivery dates are estimates based on guidance
received from the sellers and respective shipyards.
John C. Wobensmith, Chief Financial Officer, commented, "Since our
inception, management has remained steadfast in its efforts to become the
industry bellwether with a large, world-class fleet that drives significant
shareholder value. With this latest acquisition, Genco is positioned to expand
its fleet by approximately 345% on a net tonnage basis since going public in
July 2005. We plan to draw upon our $1.4 billion revolving credit facility to
finance this acquisition initially and will seek a new credit facility or
alternative financing to meet our longer-term requirements for these vessels.
By continuing to actively consolidate the industry in a disciplined manner, we
have once again increased the earnings power of our fleet and strengthened our
ability to grow our dividend over the long term."
Conference Call Announcement
Genco Shipping & Trading Limited plans to hold a conference call on
Tuesday, June 17, 2008 at 10:00 a.m., Eastern Time, to discuss the acquisition
of the six drybulk newbuildings. The conference call and a presentation will
be simultaneously webcast and will be available on the Company's website,
www.GencoShipping.com. To access the conference call, dial (877) 879-6174 or
(719) 325-4755 and enter passcode 6453028. A replay of the conference call
can also be accessed until July 1, 2008 by dialing (888) 203-1112 or (719)
457-0820 and entering the passcode 6453028. The Company intends to place
additional materials related to the acquisition, including a slide
presentation, on its website prior to the start of the conference call.
About Genco Shipping & Trading Limited
Genco Shipping & Trading Limited transports iron ore, coal, grain, steel
products and other drybulk cargoes along worldwide shipping routes. Genco
Shipping & Trading Limited currently owns a fleet of 28 drybulk vessels
consisting of five Capesize, six Panamax, three Supramax, six Handymax and
eight Handysize vessels, with an aggregate carrying capacity of approximately
2,020,000 dwt. After the expected delivery of 13 vessels the Company has
agreed to acquire, Genco Shipping & Trading Limited will own a fleet of 41
drybulk vessels, consisting of 12 Capesize, eight Panamax, four Supramax, six
Handymax and 11 Handysize vessels, with an aggregate carrying capacity of
approximately 3,516,000 dwt.
"Safe Harbor" Statement Under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act
of 1995
This press release contains forward-looking statements made pursuant to
the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of
1995. These forward looking statements are based on management's current
expectations and observations. Included among the factors that, in our view,
could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward looking
statements contained in this report are the following: (i) changes in demand
or rates in the drybulk shipping industry; (ii) changes in the supply of or
demand for drybulk products, generally or in particular regions; (iii) changes
in the supply of drybulk carriers including newbuilding of vessels or lower
than anticipated scrapping of older vessels; (iv) changes in rules and
regulations applicable to the cargo industry, including, without limitation,
legislation adopted by international organizations or by individual countries
and actions taken by regulatory authorities; (v) increases in costs and
expenses including but not limited to: crew wages, insurance, provisions,
repairs, maintenance and general and administrative expenses; (vi) the
adequacy of our insurance arrangements; (vii) changes in general domestic and
international political conditions; (viii) changes in the condition of the
Company's vessels or applicable maintenance or regulatory standards (which may
affect, among other things, our anticipated drydocking or maintenance and
repair costs) and unanticipated drydock expenditures; (ix) the number of
offhire days needed to complete repairs on vessels and the timing and amount
of any reimbursement by our insurance carriers for insurance claims including
offhire days; (x) the Company's acquisition or disposition of vessels; (xi)
the fulfillment of the closing conditions under the Company's agreement to
acquire the remaining four drybulk vessels from companies within the Metrostar
Management Corporation group; (xii) the fulfillment of the closing conditions
under the Company's agreement to acquire three Bocimar International N.V. and
Delphis N.V. drybulk vessels; (xiii) the execution of customary additional
documentation for the Company's agreements to acquire the six drybulk
newbuildings from Lambert Navigation Ltd., Northville Navigation Ltd.,
Providence Navigation Ltd., and Prime Bulk Navigation Ltd.; (xiv) the
fulfillment of the closing conditions under the Company's agreement to acquire
six drybulk newbuildings from Lambert Navigation Ltd., Northville Navigation
Ltd., Providence Navigation Ltd., and Prime Bulk Navigation Ltd.; (xv) our
ability to obtain a new credit facility or alternative financing on terms we
deem acceptable; and other factors listed from time to time in our public
filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including, without
limitation, the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 2007 and its subsequent reports on Form 10-Q and Form 8-K. Our
ability to pay dividends in any period will depend upon factors, including the
limitations under our loan agreements, applicable provisions of Marshall
Islands law and the final determination by the Board of Directors each quarter
after its review of our financial performance. The timing and amount of
dividends, if any, could also be affected by factors affecting cash flows,
results of operations, required capital expenditures, or reserves. As a
result, the amount of dividends actually paid may vary.
SOURCE Genco Shipping & Trading Limited
CONTACT: John C. Wobensmith, Chief Financial Officer, Genco Shipping &
Trading Limited, +1-646-443-8555
Web site: http://www.gencoshipping.com
(GNK)
CO: Genco Shipping & Trading Limited; Lambert Navigation Ltd.; Northville