- Accretive transaction with purchase price below last market deal
- Meets company objective both for fleet rejuvenation and prompt delivery
- Ultimately reduces the average age of Euronav VLCC fleet
- Acquisition fully funded by new and current debt capacity
Paddy Rodgers, CEO, said “Euronav is delighted to enhance our fleet with the addition of four high specification modern VLCCs. The tanker sector continues to perform strongly with a positive outlook. This accretive transaction further cements Euronav’s position as the
largest, independent quoted crude tanker platform.”
1. Acquisition of four new VLCCs
Euronav has entered into an agreement for the acquisition through resale of four VLCCs
which are completing construction at Hyundai Heavy Industries for an aggregate purchase
price of USD 384 million or USD 96 million per unit. The vessels are due to be delivered as
early as September 2015, January, March and May 2016. In addition and against the
payment of an option fee of an aggregate amount of USD 8 million, the seller has also
agreed to grant Euronav an option to acquire up to a further 4 VLCCs sisters of the ones
acquired at a price of USD 98 million each.
This transaction is consistent with three core company principles. Firstly, these vessels are
ex-yard resales, which do not add supply to the market and therefore meet our stated aim
to only add existing vessels to our fleet and not to order new ships. Ordering new vessels
only reduces the value of the existing fleet globally. In addition there is the benefit of
buying such vessels in series with the synergies of sister ships.
Secondly, the time lag between the purchase and the deliveries to the company will be very
similar to buying a fleet on the water, therefore allowing the capital deployed to be
rewarded by the freight market imminently.
Last, Euronav actively looks to regularly rejuvenate its fleet and enhance its operational
strength. This will be achieved as these four vessels are of the latest design and similar or
better to the ones acquired in July 2014.
2. Financing of Acquisition
Euronav will meet the financing of this acquisition with existing borrowing facilities. The
payment profile for this transaction will mean the largest portion of each payment for each
vessel will be made on delivery of each ship. Balance sheet debt leverage will move from
around 40% at the end of March 2015 to less than 50% and will therefore continue to be
appropriately levered allowing the Company to retain its strength and flexibility.
3. Dividend policy remains intact
As the acquisition is entirely funded with new debt and existing revolving facilities,
Management confirms that the Company will maintain its current dividend policy of
distributing at least 80% of its annual net result. Management believes the additional
vessels should be accretive to Euronav earnings per share.
4. Market update
The current quarter has been very stable with owners resolute in their discipline and freight
rates being consistently strong throughout the quarter. Robust demand, growing oil supply
and increased ton miles during the quarter underpin our confidence that the tanker market
is at the start of a sustained multiyear recovery. The market remains dynamic with a
number of new trading routes being established over the past year. We look forward to
updating the market further when Euronav announces its Q2 earnings on July 30th.
5. Disclosure
As is customary in the shipping industry, Euronav’s management assesses transactions in
the context of its fleet development on a regular basis. It is Euronav’s policy not to
comment on a proposed transaction until it has been approved by the Board of Directors
and a firm agreement has been signed both for acquisitions and sales.
Announcement of second quarter results 2015: Thursday, 30 July 2015
About Euronav
Euronav is an independent tanker company engaged in the ocean transportation and storage of crude oil. The
Company is headquartered in Antwerp, Belgium, and has offices throughout Europe and Asia. Euronav is listed on
Euronext Brussels under the symbol EURN. Euronav employs its fleet both on the spot and period market. VLCCs
on the spot market are traded in the Tankers International pool of which Euronav is one of the major partners.
Euronav’s owned and operated fleet consists of 53 double hulled vessels being 1 V-Plus, 2 FSO vessels (both
owned in 50%-50% joint venture), 27 VLCCs (of which 1 in 50%-50% joint venture) and 23 Suezmaxes (of which
4 in 50%-50% joint venture). The Company’s vessels mainly fly Belgian, Greek, French and Marshall Island flags.
Regulated information within the meaning of the Royal Decree of 14 November 2007
