Navios Maritime Partners L.P. Agrees to Acquire 14-Vessel Container Fleet from Rickmers Maritime

Navios Maritime Partners L.P. (Navios Partners) (NYSE:NMM) an international owner and operator of drybulk and container vessels, announced yesterday that it has agreed to acquire the entire container fleet of Rickmers Maritime (the “Trust”) for about $113.0 million.

Angeliki Frangou, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Navios Partners stated, “We are pleased to announce the agreement for the acquisition of 14 container vessels from Rickmers Maritime. We anticipate acquiring five 4,250 TEU vessels on May 15, 2017. These vessels are employed on charters that have staggered expirations in 2018 and early 2019 at a net daily charter rate of $26,850.”

Ms. Frangou continued, “Our operating platform was attractive to the Trust and its lending banks because of our disciplined technical and commercial management and favorable operating costs. This acquisition demonstrates our ability to source proprietary deals, and we are continuing to seek exposure to the container sector.”

Containership MOL Destiny - Image courtesy of L.J.Axt

The acquisition is being financed through a $20 million equity investment by Navios Partners and a secured loan facility under discussion. The vessels are expected to be delivered starting May 15, 2017. The acquisition is subject to a number of conditions, and no assurance can be provided that the acquisition will close in all or part.

Navios Partners will acquire these vessels through a wholly owned subsidiary, Navios Partners Containers Inc., which will be an “unrestricted subsidiary” as defined in the Credit Agreement, dated March 14, 2017, for our Term Loan B facility. In addition, a third party has an option to acquire up to 25% of the equity in Navios Partners Containers Inc., based on allocated cost.

The Fleet consists of 14 container vessels, 11 of which are 4,250 TEU vessels and three of which are 3,450 TEU vessels. The average age of the Fleet is 9.5 years. Five of the 4,250 TEU vessels are employed on charters that have staggered expirations in 2018 and early 2019 at a net daily charter rate of $26,850.

Fleet Exhibit

Source: Navios Partners