Ardmore Shipping Corporation (NYSE: ASC) (Ardmore) yesterday announced that it has signed agreements for the refinancing of four vessels.

Ardmore Shipping Corporation Announces Refinancing Of Four Vessels
Caption: Chemical/Oil Products Tanker Ardmore Dauntless - Image courtesy of Ya Ray Yang

Two of Ardmore's subsidiaries have signed agreements for a sale and leaseback of the Ardmore Dauntless and Ardmore Defender, two 2015 built 37,000 Dwt Eco-design IMO 2 products and chemical tankers, with Ocean Yield ASA (Ocean Yield).  

The lease agreements are for a period of 12 years and the Company has options to repurchase each vessel at various stages prior to maturity. The other terms and conditions are in line with Ardmore's existing debt facilities.

Additionally, two of Ardmore's other subsidiaries have signed agreements for the sale and leaseback of the Ardmore Explorer and Ardmore Encounter, two 2014 built 50,000 Dwt Eco-design MR tankers, with a top tier Asian Financier. The lease agreements are for a period of seven years and the Company has options to repurchase each vessel at various stages prior to maturity. The other terms and conditions are in line with Ardmore's existing debt facilities.

Both transactions are expected to fund in October 2018 and result in cash proceeds to the Company of $19.7 million in the aggregate, net of fees and the repayment of senior debt secured by the vessels.

Anthony Gurnee, Ardmore's Chief Executive Officer, commented: "We are pleased to have signed agreements for the refinancing of these vessels on favorable terms and conditions. These transactions highlight Ardmore's strong financial relationships and our ability to identify opportunities to strengthen our balance sheet and position the company for further opportunistic growth."

Source: Ardmore Shipping