Nordic American Tankers Ltd (NYSE: NAT) – NAT orders two -2- Suezmax newbuildings in South Korea
NAT has announced the signing of two suezmax newbuilding contracts in South Korea, expanding its fleet to 25 units. The vessels are scheduled for delivery in the first half of 2022. NAT values the pricing, quality, and payment terms of this investment, and will explore financing options before delivery. The payment structure involves four payments, with 60% due upon delivery, and the initial installments are already funded. Since autumn 1997, NAT has consistently paid quarterly dividends, totaling nearly $50 per share.
- Expansion of fleet to 25 suezmax vessels enhances operational capacity.
- Scheduled delivery of new vessels in the first half of 2022 supports growth strategy.
- Strong payment terms (10/10/10/10 structure) provide favorable financing conditions.
- Consistent dividend payment history since 1997 signals financial stability.
- Potential risks associated with financing options before delivery.
- Market fluctuations may impact charter rates and vessel values, affecting profitability.
September 23, 2020
Dear Shareholders and Investors,
We wish to announce that NAT has entered into two -2- suezmax newbuilding contracts in South Korea, increasing our fleet of suezmaxes to 25 units.
The combination of specifications, quality of yard, price, payment terms and deliveries make this an attractive investment for NAT and is consistent with our strategy to expand and renew our fleet. The scheduled deliveries of the ships are in the first half of 2022.
Through the years we have enjoyed an excellent relationship with the shipbuilding sector in South Korea, and we are happy to conclude further suezmax newbuilding contracts with Samsung Heavy Industries Ltd.
NAT will consider various financing alternatives prior to deliveries.
The payment terms of the newbuildings are 10/10/10/10 with
The main focus of NAT is always to pay quarterly dividends, which we have done every single quarter since the autumn of 1997. In total nearly
Best regards,
Herbjorn Hansson
Founder, Chairman & CEO
Nordic American Tankers Ltd. www.nat.bm
CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Matters discussed in this press release may constitute forward-looking statements. The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides safe harbor protections for forward-looking statements in order to encourage companies to provide prospective information about their business. Forward-looking statements include statements concerning plans, objectives, goals, strategies, future events or performance, and underlying assumptions and other statements, which are other than statements of historical facts.
The Company desires to take advantage of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and is including this cautionary statement in connection with this safe harbor legislation. The words “believe,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “estimate,” “forecast,” “project,” “plan,” “potential,” “will,” “may,” “should,” “expect,” “pending” and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements.
The forward-looking statements in this press release are based upon various assumptions, many of which are based, in turn, upon further assumptions, including without limitation, our management’s examination of historical operating trends, data contained in our records and other data available from third parties. Although we believe that these assumptions were reasonable when made, because these assumptions are inherently subject to significant uncertainties and contingencies which are difficult or impossible to predict and are beyond our control, we cannot assure you that we will achieve or accomplish these expectations, beliefs or projections. We undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
Important factors that, in our view, could cause actual results to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements include the strength of world economies and currencies, general market conditions, including fluctuations in charter rates and vessel values, changes in demand in the tanker market, as a result of changes in OPEC’s petroleum production levels and worldwide oil consumption and storage, changes in our operating expenses, including bunker prices, drydocking and insurance costs, the market for our vessels, availability of financing and refinancing, changes in governmental rules and regulations or actions taken by regulatory authorities, potential liability from pending or future litigation, general domestic and international political conditions, potential disruption of shipping routes due to accidents or political events, vessels breakdowns and instances of off-hires and other important factors described from time to time in the reports filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the prospectus and related prospectus supplement, our Annual Report on Form 20-F, and our reports on Form 6-K.
NAT is a Bermuda based company.
Contacts:
Gary J. Wolfe
Seward & Kissel LLP
New York, USA
Tel: +1 212 574 1223
Bjørn Giæver, CFO
Nordic American Tankers Limited
Tel: +1 888 755 8391 or +47 91 35 00 91
Herbjørn Hansson, Chairman & CEO
Nordic American Tankers Limited
Tel: +1 866 805 9504 or +47 90 14 62 91
FAQ
What new contracts has NAT signed in September 2020?
How many vessels will NAT have after the new contracts?
When are the new vessels expected to be delivered?
What is the payment structure for the newbuildings?
What is NAT's dividend history?
