Capital Tankers Corp., an international shipping company focused on crude oil transportation, today announced the acquisition from Capital Maritime & Trading Corp. (“Capital Maritime”) of three VLCC shipbuilding contracts for vessels under construction at Hengli Shipbuilding (Dalian) Co., Ltd. (“Hengli” or the “Shipyard”), with deliveries scheduled in 2027.
Capital Maritime previously acquired these three VLCC shipbuilding contracts, originally ordered by an affiliate of Hengli, with expected deliveries in September, October and November 2027 (the “2027 SBCs”). Capital Maritime offered the 2027 SBCs to the Company at the original contract price of $122.0 million per vessel, plus $0.7 million per vessel for financing and other costs incurred by Capital Maritime in connection with the 2027 SBCs. Indicative vessel appraisals value the 2027 SBCs at $150.0 million each, or a value accretion of $82.1 million compared to the acquisition price across the three shipbuilding contracts.
The upfront cost to assume the 2027 SBCs, payable by June 30, 2026, is $37.3 million per vessel ($111.8 million in total) and covers the construction payments and financing and other costs borne by Capital Maritime to date. The remaining $85.4 million per vessel (total $256.2 million) will be paid upon each vessel’s delivery from the Shipyard. We expect to fund the upfront payment with cash on hand, while the balance is expected to be financed through a combination of debt and cash on hand.
Following the acquisition of the 2027 SBCs, the Company retains the original 13 options, comprising 11 VLCC and two Suezmax vessels (the “Optional Vessels”). The Company can exercise any or all of the 13 options at the original contract price until December 31, 2026. Thereafter, the Company retains a right of first refusal onany future sale of these vessels. Capital Maritime does not currently control crude tanker vessels other than the Optional Vessels.
This information constitutes inside information pursuant to article 7 in the EU Market Abuse Regulation and is subject to disclosure requirements pursuant to section 5-12 of the Norwegian Securities Trading Act. This announcement was published by Foteini Eleni Kokoretsi, Legal Counsel, on the date and time indicated initially in this press release.
Source: Capital Tankers Corp
