United Maritime Announces Completion of Previously Announced Tanker Sale and Acquisition of Two Capesize Bulkers

Rhea-AI Summary

United Maritime Corporation (NASDAQ: USEA) has successfully delivered the 2008-built LR2 product tanker, M/T Minoansea, to its new owners. The Company also announced agreements to acquire two Capesize vessels from Seanergy Maritime Holdings for a total of $36.25 million, based on independent broker valuations. The acquisitions are expected to be completed in Q1 2023. This strategic move is designed to enhance shareholder value, with the Chairman stating that cash equivalents will exceed $4.5 per share post-acquisition, aligning with their counter-cyclical investment strategy.

Positive

• Acquisition of two Capesize vessels enhances fleet and potential revenue growth.
• Aggregate purchase price based on independent broker valuations indicates prudent financial management.
• Expected cash equivalents exceed $4.5 per share post-acquisition, strengthening shareholder value.
• Efficient transfer of ownership without disrupting operations or incurring additional expenses.

Negative

• None.

GLYFADA, Greece, Jan. 03, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- United Maritime Corporation (the “Company” or “United”) (NASDAQ: USEA), announced today that it has successfully completed the delivery of the 2008-built LR2 product tanker, M/T Minoansea, to her new owners.

In addition, the Company has entered into definitive agreements to acquire two Capesize vessels from Seanergy Maritime Holdings Corp. (“Seanergy”), a related party of the Company, for an aggregate purchase price of US$36.25 million. The aggregate purchase price of the vessels was based on the average of three independent broker valuations.

The first Capesize bulk carrier is the M/V Tradership, with a cargo-carrying capacity of 176,925 dwt built in 2006 by Namura Shipbuilding in Japan. The vessel is chartered by a major European charterer for a period until minimum June 2023 up to maximum October 2023, at an index-linked rate. The second Capesize bulk carrier is the M/V Goodship, with a cargo-carrying capacity of 177,536 dwt built in 2005 by Mitsui Engineering & Shipbuilding in Japan. The vessel is chartered by an international charterer for a period until minimum June 2023 up to maximum December 2023, at an index-linked rate. The Company expects to take delivery of the vessels in the first quarter of 2023, subject to the satisfaction of certain customary closing conditions.

Stamatis Tsantanis, the Company’s Chairman & Chief Executive Officer, stated:

“We are pleased to announce the acquisition of the two Capesize bulkers by United Maritime. The attractive purchase price places United in a position to generate high returns on investment without diluting our shareholders or increasing our corporate leverage. In addition, the acquisition of the vessels from Seanergy provides for an efficient transfer of ownership, without disrupting the vessel’s commercial operations or the existing time-charter agreements and most importantly, without United incurring customary expenses associated with sale and purchase transactions in shipping.

“We believe that the sale price achieved for the M/T Minoansea was substantially accretive to shareholder value, especially in view of the vessel’s age and the investment required for its upcoming special-survey and ballast-water treatment system installation. This vessel will be replaced with two high-quality Japanese Capesize vessels, fitted with ballast water treatment systems and maintained at what we believe to be above-industry standards.

“Following the acquisition of the two Capesizes and the payment of the special dividend the cash equivalents of the Company are estimated in excess of $4.5 per share.

“We deem that the recent correction in the prices of the larger dry bulk vessels, in combination with the sector’s best supply fundamentals of the last 20 years, makes this segment an attractive investment opportunity. Therefore, these acquisitions are fully consistent with our strategy to pursue counter-cyclical investments with a view to capitalise on the upside and generate enhanced returns for our shareholders.”

Acquisition Specifics & Financing Arrangements

The purchase of the M/V Tradership and the M/V Goodship was made pursuant to the Company’s exercise of a right of first offer granted to it by Seanergy for the sale of the latter’s Capesize vessels, pursuant to an agreement entered into between the Company and Seanergy on July 5, 2022. The acquisition was approved by a special independent committee of the Company’s Board of Directors.

Lastly, United has reached an agreement with the existing lender of the recently sold M/T Minoansea pursuant to which the US$15.2 million loan secured by this vessel will remain available to fund part of the acquisition cost of the M/V Tradership and the M/V Goodship under substantially the same terms. The definitive documentation for such agreement is currently under negotiation with the Company’s lender. The balance of the acquisition price of the two Capesize vessels is expected to be funded through cash on hand.

About United Maritime Corporation

United Maritime Corporation is an international shipping company specializing in worldwide seaborne transportation services.  As of today, the Company operates a fleet of one tanker vessel and one dry bulk vessel.

Upon completion of the acquisition of the M/V Tradership and the M/V Goodship, the Company's fleet will consist of four vessels, one LR2 tanker vessel and three Capesize dry bulk vessels, with an aggregate cargo carrying capacity of 635,422 dwt.

The Company is incorporated under the laws of the Republic of the Marshall Islands and has executive offices in Glyfada, Greece. The Company's common shares trade on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “USEA”.

Please visit the Company’s website at: www.unitedmaritime.gr.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements (as defined in Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) concerning future events. Words such as "may", "should", "expects", "intends", "plans", "believes", "anticipates", "hopes", "estimates" and variations of such words and similar expressions may identify forward-looking statements, but the absence of these words does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking. These statements involve known and unknown risks and are based upon a number of assumptions and estimates, which are inherently subject to significant uncertainties and contingencies, many of which are beyond the control of the Company. Actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include, but are not limited to, shipping industry trends, including charter rates, vessel values and factors affecting vessel supply and demand; the impact of changes in regulatory requirements or actions taken by regulatory authorities on the Company's operating or financial results; the Company's financial condition and liquidity, including its ability to service its indebtedness; competitive factors in the market in which the Company operates; increased operating costs associated with vessel aging; vessel damage; future, pending or recent acquisitions and dispositions, business strategy, areas of possible expansion or contraction, and expected capital spending or operating expenses; dependence on affiliates of the Company’s former parent and third-party managers to operate the Company’s business; availability of crew, number of off-hire days, classification survey requirements and insurance costs; changes in the Company’s relationships with contract counterparties; potential liability from future litigation and incidents involving the Company’s vessels; broader market impacts arising from war (or threatened war) or international hostilities, such as between Russia and Ukraine; risks associated with the length and severity of the ongoing novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, including its effects on demand for crude oil, petroleum products, dry bulk products, other types of products and the transportation thereof; and other factors listed from time to time in the Company's filings with the SEC, including its registration statement on Form 20-F. The Company's filings can be obtained free of charge on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov. Except to the extent required by law, the Company expressly disclaims any obligations or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect any change in the Company's expectations with respect thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any statement is based.

For further information please contact:

United Investor Relations
Tel: +30 213 0181 522
E-mail: ir@usea.gr

Capital Link, Inc.
Paul Lampoutis
230 Park Avenue Suite 1540
New York, NY 10169
Tel: (212) 661-7566
E-mail: usea@capitallink.com

FAQ

What is the purpose of United Maritime's acquisition of two Capesize vessels?

United Maritime aims to enhance its fleet and generate higher returns on investment through this acquisition.

What is the total purchase price for the Capesize vessels acquired by USEA?

The total purchase price for the two Capesize vessels is $36.25 million.

When does United Maritime expect to take delivery of the newly acquired vessels?

United Maritime expects to take delivery of the vessels in the first quarter of 2023.

How will the acquisition impact shareholder value for USEA?

The acquisition is expected to increase shareholder value, with cash equivalents estimated to exceed $4.5 per share.

What are the names and cargo capacities of the acquired vessels?

The acquired vessels are M/V Tradership (176,925 dwt) and M/V Goodship (177,536 dwt), both Capesize bulk carriers.