Star Bulk Carriers Corp. has entered a definitive agreement with E.R. Capital Holding GmbH & Cie. The global shipping company focusing on the transportation of dry bulk cargoes, will acquire three (3) firm operating dry bulk vessels (the “Step 1 Vessels”) within 2018 (the “Step 1 Acquisition”), and four (4) optional operating dry bulk vessels (the “Step 2 Vessels”) in 2019, says a Press Release in Star Bulk.
Subject to agreeing a three party novation agreement with charterers and E.R., any charterparties existing at the time of the deliveries of each of the Vessels shall be novated to Star Bulk.
Agreement Details
The Step 1 Vessels will be acquired for an aggregate of approximately 1.34 million common shares of Star Bulk (the “Step 1 Consideration Shares”) and $41.70 million in cash. The number of Step 1 Consideration Shares to be issued is subject to adjustments for the Company’s cash, debt and remaining capital expenditures as of one business day prior to the delivery date of each of the Step 1 Vessels. The cash portion of the consideration for Step 1 Vessels will be financed through proceeds of a new five-year term loan of $41.0 million from a major European commercial bank. Following the consummation of the Step 1 Acquisition, E.R. will own approximately 1.45% of SBLK common shares.
In relation to the Step 2 Vessels, the Sellers have granted four call options to the Company for an aggregate exercise price of $115.39 million or $28.85 million per Step 2 Vessel (the “Call Options”), exercisable on April 1st 2019. Concurrently, the Company has granted four put options to E.R. with an aggregate exercise price of $105.39 million or $26.35 million per Step 2 Vessel (the “Put Options”) exercisable by E.R. from April 2, 2019 to April 4, 2019 (inclusive), in the event that the Company does not exercise the Call Options. The aggregate exercise price of the Call and Put Options is payable in either, 2/3 cash and 1/3 common shares of Star Bulk (the “Step 2 Consideration Shares”), or 100% cash, at the option of the Company. The number of Step 2 Consideration Shares to be issued to E.R. (if any), will be determined by the net asset value of the Company, which will be based on the average vessel valuations by independent vessel appraisers as of March 31, 2019 and will be subject to adjustments for the Company’s cash, debt and remaining capital expenditures as of one business day prior to the delivery date of each of the Step 2 Vessels.
Vessel Details
Below are the details of the Vessels to be acquired from E.R and charter contracts expected to be novated at the time of deliveries:
| Vessel | YoB | Yard | DWT | Charterer | Charter
Rate ($/day) |
Earliest
Redelivery Date |
Latest
Redelivery Date |
| Step 1 Vessels | |||||||
| ER Bourgogne | 2010 | Hyundai
Samho |
180,000 | Major
Shipping Company |
$12,000 | 30-Jan-20 | 30-Mar-20 |
| ER Brandenburg | 2010 | HHI | 180,000 | Major
Shipping Company |
$20,000 | 30-Oct-19 | 30-Apr-20 |
| ER Brighton | 2010 | Hyundai
Vinashin |
55,600 | – | – | – | – |
| Total Step 1 Vessels | 415,600 | ||||||
| Step 2 Vessels | |||||||
| ER America | 2010 | Daewoo-
Mangalia |
180,000 | – | – | – | – |
| ER Bayonne | 2010 | HHI | 180,000 | – | – | – | – |
| ER Borneo | 2010 | HHI | 180,000 | – | – | – | – |
| ER Buenos Aires | 2010 | HHI | 180,000 | – | – | – | – |
| Total Step 2 Vessels | 720,000 | ||||||
| Grand Total | 1,135,600 | ||||||
Delivery Conditions
The deliveries of Step 1 and Step 2 Vessels (subject to the exercise of the Call or Put Option) that may remain, are also to customary closing conditions, including the novation of any existing charter parties of the Vessels. The Company expects to take delivery of Step 1 Vessels in Q4 2018, while Step 2 Vessels deliveries, subject to the exercise of the Call or Put Option, are expected to take place between early April and mid July 2019.
After giving effect to Step 1 Acquisition and Step 2 Acquisition, Star Bulk will have a fleet of 115 vessels on a fully delivered basis, aggregate cargo-carrying capacity of approximately 13.39 million deadweight tons and vessels with an average age of 7.5 years.
CEO’s Comments
Petros Pappas, Chief Executive Officer of Star Bulk, commented:
“I am very pleased that Star Bulk is acquiring a high quality, modern fleet from E.R. in a structured transaction that combines attractive prices with flexibility for the Company. We are excited to expand our footprint in the Capesize segment, especially in a period that the dry bulk market is tightening. It is also with great pleasure to welcome a prominent ship owner, Mr. Erck Rickmers, to our shareholder base and believe that this transaction validates once again Star Bulk’s ability to use our shares as currency in accretive acquisitions for our shareholders.”
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Source: Star Bulk
