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Bank of China in Action Again, What’s New
Bank of China has extended a USD 179.55 million buyer’s credit facility to STX Pan Ocean recently in relation to the South Korean shipper’s acquisition of three 17,600 DWT bulkers ordered at Jiangsu New Century Shipyard. Jiangsu New Century Shipyard is one of the largest private shipbuilding groups in China who has built over 100 ships for owners in Denmark, United Kingdom, Germany and Italy. This successful transaction was initiated by Bank of China’s branch in Jiangsu province, upon news of STX Pan Ocean’s difficulty in securing finance for the ships. This year, STX Pan Ocean has earmarked USD 203 million to invest in 6 vessels. Continue Reading
ECA to the Rescue
Undeniably, export credit agencies (“ECAs”) has played an important role in satisfying part of the financing gap needed by the shipping industry. In China, China Exim Bank plays an instrumental role in supporting the maritime industry, having granted shipping/shipbuilding related loans of over RMB 102.5 billion (USD 15 billion) in the domestic currency and USD 7.45 billion in greenback at the end of 2008. In 2009, the policy bank extended a USD 389 million, 12 year secured facility to New York listed Overseas Shipholding Group (“OSG”), in its first ever loan facility to a US company. It would be nearly impossible to secure a 12 year ship finance loan today, let alone this quantum from a single financial institution. Continue Reading
Setting Sights on Overseas
Danish shipowner Torm has signed a ten year USD 167.3 million loan facility with a syndicate of banks led by Bank of China and Societe Generale. The funds will be used to cover 60% of the cost of six 53,000 dwt MR product tankers, each ordered at USD 46.5 million a piece from Guangzhou Shipyard International. Out of the USD 167.3 million facility, USD 83.7 million will be unsecured loans and the other USD 83.7 million in the form of buyer’s credit. This is also the very first time in a foreign syndicated loan that China Export & Credit Insurance Corporation (“Sinosure”) will underwrite the country risk in relation to the buyer’s credit. Torm will have to fork out the remaining 40% equity. Continue Reading
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