Performance Shipping Inc. Announces the Sale of 2007 Built M/T P. Fos for US$34 Million

Rhea-AI Summary

Performance Shipping Inc. (NASDAQ: PSHG) announced the sale of the Aframax tanker vessel “M/T P. Fos” for a gross price of $34 million, with delivery set for November 2022. The CEO highlighted that this sale capitalizes on rising tanker values and will provide $25 million in net cash for acquiring a younger vessel, thus modernizing the fleet and enhancing competitiveness. The company aims to leverage its renewed fleet during a favorable charter rate environment to improve cash flows. This move is part of the broader fleet renewal strategy as new vessels are expected to arrive soon.

Positive

• Sale of 'M/T P. Fos' for $34 million enhances liquidity.
• Expected net cash proceeds of $25 million to fund a new vessel acquisition.
• Transaction aligns with fleet renewal strategy to improve competitiveness.
• Rising Aframax tanker values suggest a strong market position.
• Upcoming deliveries of new tankers are anticipated to enhance cash flow.

Negative

• None.

ATHENS, Greece, Oct. 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 sell to an unaffiliated third party the 2007-built Aframax tanker vessel “M/T P. Fos”, with delivery to the buyer during November 2022, for a gross sale price of US$34.0 million.

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

“Aframax tanker values have appreciated significantly during this year, and although the tanker market continues to enjoy strong fundamentals and prospects, we believe that the sale price we concluded for M/T P. Fos renders the disposal tactically advantageous and financially attractive. The sale is part of our fleet renewal process as we expect to use the net cash proceeds from this disposition estimated at US$25 million, along with a marginal level of new debt, to acquire a younger Aframax tanker with possibly higher specifications. With this sale, we also reduce the average age and increase the competitiveness of our fleet. These actions, when combined with the deliveries of our newly acquired tankers, M/T P. Aliki and M/T P. Monterey, anticipated to take place during the next two months, will position our Company to take advantage of the promising charter rate environment and generate strong cash flow 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 vessels 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 vessels 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 significance of Performance Shipping's tanker sale on PSHG stock?

The sale of the Aframax tanker 'M/T P. Fos' for $34 million improves liquidity and funds the acquisition of a younger vessel, potentially enhancing investor confidence in PSHG.

When is the delivery of the sold tanker 'M/T P. Fos'?

The delivery of the sold tanker 'M/T P. Fos' is scheduled for November 2022.

How much net cash is expected from the tanker sale?

Performance Shipping expects to receive $25 million in net cash from the sale of 'M/T P. Fos'.

What are the future plans for Performance Shipping after the tanker sale?

Following the sale, Performance Shipping plans to acquire a younger Aframax tanker to modernize its fleet and capitalize on strong charter rates.

What is the current market outlook for Aframax tankers?

The market outlook for Aframax tankers is positive, with increased values and strong fundamentals supporting the shipping industry.