Performance Shipping Inc. Announces Agreement to Acquire Seventh Vessel; Its First LR2 Aframax Oil Product Tanker

Rhea-AI Summary

Performance Shipping Inc. (NASDAQ: PSHG) has signed a Memorandum of Agreement to acquire the 105,304 dwt LR2 Aframax oil product tanker, M/T Alpine Amalia, for $36.5 million. The vessel, built by Hyundai Heavy Industries in 2010, is expected for delivery in November 2022. The acquisition will be financed through cash from equity offerings and a new senior secured debt facility. This marks the company's entry into the refined petroleum product tanker sector, with expectations of premium charter rates and high utilization.

Positive

• Acquisition of M/T Alpine Amalia expands fleet to seven vessels.
• Entry into refined petroleum product tanker sector with strong market fundamentals.
• Expected charter rates exceeding $40,000 per day for LR2 tankers.
• Vessel equipped with BWTS and EGCS, allowing for premium charter rates.

Negative

• Acquisition funded through debt may increase financial strain.
• Market conditions and uncertainties could impact future performance.

ATHENS, Greece, Aug. 24, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Performance Shipping Inc. (NASDAQ: PSHG), (“we” or the “Company”), a global shipping company specializing in the ownership of tanker vessels, today announced that it has signed, through a separate wholly-owned subsidiary, a Memorandum of Agreement to purchase a 105,304 dwt LR2 Aframax oil product tanker, the M/T Alpine Amalia, to be renamed M/T P. Aliki, built in 2010 by Hyundai Heavy Industries Co., Ltd. - Ulsan, South Korea, from an unaffiliated third party for a gross purchase price of US$36.5 million. The vessel, which is expected to be delivered to the Company in November 2022, is fitted with a ballast water treatment system (BWTS) and Exhaust Gas Cleaning System (EGCS), and its next scheduled special survey and drydock is not due until 2025.

The Company expects to finance the acquisition with cash-on-hand raised from its recent equity offerings and the incurrence of debt through a new senior secured facility that it anticipates it will enter into prior to the delivery of the vessel.

Commenting on the agreement, Andreas Michalopoulos, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, stated:

“The acquisition of our seventh vessel, a long-range Aframax oil product tanker referred to as an LR2, marks yet another significant milestone for our Company. It marks our entry into the refined petroleum product tanker sector, which we believe enjoys strong fundamentals and prospects. Spot charter rates for LR2 tankers are currently averaging in excess of US$40,000.00 per day and we expect to trade the vessel, following its delivery to us, in the spot market. The vessel is fitted with a BWTS and EGCS (scrubber), which we anticipate will enable it to achieve premium charter rates and high utilization. We look forward to participating in a strong tanker market with our expanded fleet of 7 Aframax tankers and low maintenance capital expenditures going forward.”

About the Company

Performance Shipping Inc. is a global provider of shipping transportation services through its ownership of tanker vessels. The Company’s current fleet is employed on spot voyages, through pool arrangements and on time charters.

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, but are not limited to, statements concerning plans, objectives, goals, strategies, future events or performance, and underlying assumptions and other statements, which are other than statements of historical facts, including with respect to the delivery of the vessel we have agreed to acquire.

The words “believe,” “anticipate,” “intends,” “estimate,” “forecast,” “project,” “plan,” “potential,” “will,” “may,” “should,” “expect,” “targets,” “likely,” “would,” “could,” “seeks,” “continue,” “possible,” “might,” “pending” and similar expressions, terms or phrases may 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.

In addition to these important factors, other important factors that, in our view, could cause actual results to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to: the strength of world economies, fluctuations in currencies and interest rates, general market conditions, including fluctuations in charter rates and vessel values, changes in demand in the tanker shipping industry, changes in the supply of vessels, changes in worldwide oil production and consumption and storage, changes in our operating expenses, including bunker prices, crew costs, drydocking and insurance costs, our future operating or financial results, availability of financing and refinancing including with respect to the vessel we have agreed to acquire, 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, the length and severity of epidemics and pandemics, including the ongoing outbreak of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) and its impact on the demand for seaborne transportation of petroleum and other types of products, 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 or events, including “trade wars”, armed conflicts including the war in Ukraine, the imposition of new international sanctions, acts by terrorists or acts of piracy on ocean-going vessels, potential disruption of shipping routes due to accidents, labor disputes or political events, vessel breakdowns and instances of off-hires and other important factors. Please see our filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission for a more complete discussion of these and other risks and uncertainties.

FAQ

What is the acquisition price of M/T Alpine Amalia by PSHG?

Performance Shipping Inc. is acquiring M/T Alpine Amalia for $36.5 million.

When is M/T Alpine Amalia expected to be delivered to PSHG?

The vessel is expected to be delivered in November 2022.

What will be the name of the ship after the acquisition?

The M/T Alpine Amalia will be renamed M/T P. Aliki.

How will PSHG finance the purchase of M/T Alpine Amalia?

The acquisition will be financed through cash-on-hand from recent equity offerings and a new senior secured debt facility.

What are the anticipated daily charter rates for LR2 tankers?

Spot charter rates for LR2 tankers currently average over $40,000 per day.