Scorpio Bulkers Inc. (NYSE:SALT) (Scorpio Bulkers) announced today that it has agreed to sell and leaseback three Ultramax vessels (SBI Pegasus, SBI Subaru and SBI Ursa) and four Kamsarmax vessels (SBI Lambada, SBI Macarena, SBI Carioca and SBI Capoeira) to CMB Financial Leasing Co., Ltd.
Upon completion, which is estimated to take place in the second quarter of 2019, the Company’s liquidity is expected to increase by $57.2 million in aggregate, comprising $45.4 million upon closing after the repayment of outstanding debt and an additional tranche of up to $11.8 million for installation of exhaust gas cleaning systems (“scrubbers”) on the seven vessels.
As part of the agreements, the Company will bareboat charter-in the vessels for a period of seven years. In addition, the Company has purchase options beginning after the end of the third year of each agreement. There is also a purchase option for each vessel upon the expiration of each agreement.
Emanuele Lauro, the Company’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, commented, “We have undertaken a number of initiatives recently to enhance our liquidity. This transaction represents a single and important step, but we will continue to take actions which strengthen our balance sheet and, as importantly, address the valuation of our stock.”
These lease financing arrangements are subject to customary conditions precedent and the execution of definitive documentation.
Scorpio Bulkers Inc. is a provider of marine transportation of dry bulk commodities. Upon the completion of the pending sale of two Kamsarmax vessels, Scorpio Bulkers Inc. will have an operating fleet of 55 vessels consisting of 54 wholly-owned or finance leased drybulk vessels (including 17 Kamsarmax vessels and 37 Ultramax vessels), and one time chartered-in Ultramax vessel. The Company’s owned and finance leased fleet will have a total carrying capacity of approximately 3.7 million dwt and all of the Company’s owned vessels will have carrying capacities of greater than 60,000 dwt.
Source: Scorpio Bulkers