Prenumeration
Beskrivning
| Land | Norge |
|---|---|
| Lista | Oslo Bors |
| Sektor | Tjänster |
| Industri | Shipping & Offshore |
Oslo, Norway, 18 July 2025 – MPC Container Ships (“MPCC” or the “Company”) is pleased to announce a company update, including a series of strategic initiatives to modernize its fleet and strengthen its long-term earnings visibility. The Company has placed a USD 228 million order for four 4,500 TEU container vessels with secured 3-year charters, divested older non-strategic tonnage and expanded its financing platform with new debt facilities totaling over USD 100 million, plus accordion option.
Newbuilding order for four 4,500 TEU container vessels
- MPCC has signed contracts for four 4,500 TEU container vessels with Chinese shipyard Taizhou Sanfu Ship Engineering, with deliveries scheduled from the second half of 2027.
- The total investment amounts to USD 228 million and the Company holds several options for additional vessels, offering future scalability in line with market opportunities.
- Each vessel has been fixed on a 3-year time charter with a leading global liner company, expected to generate approximately USD 140 million in revenue and contribute around USD 100 million in EBITDA over the contracted charter period.
- The new vessels will feature the latest energy-efficient technologies and have ~50% lower slot costs compared to many peer vessels currently in operation. The vessels will be dual-fuel ready, enabling future conversion to ammonia or methanol, aligning with global maritime decarbonization goals.
- This investment further reinforces MPCC’s transition toward a younger, more efficient, and environmentally compliant fleet, reducing exposure to regulatory and environmental risk.
- The project will be financed through a balanced mix of equity and debt, ensuring flexibility and a prudent capital structure.
MPCC secures attractive debt financing and expands banking universe
In addition to successfully tapping the outstanding senior unsecured sustainability linked bond and entering the Japanese lending market earlier this year, MPCC continues to secure attractive debt financing, supporting the company’s fleet renewal efforts. The company has recently drawn under two new debt facilities, namely, a USD 52 million facility with KFW-IPEX as well as a USD 50 million facility with Deutsche Bank that features a USD 250 million accordion option. Both facilities are secured by modern ECO-vessels, whereas the Accordion option further increases MPCC’s balance sheet flexibility going forward. Overall, MPCC continues with a moderate leverage strategy, while 27 vessels remain debt free on the balance sheet.
Sale of non-strategic tonnage and charter update on existing fleet
In parallel with the newbuilding contracts, MPCC will divest three non-strategic 1,300 TEU vessels for a total consideration of USD 31.5 million, with existing charters attached. The average age of the sold vessels is 18 years, and the transactions imply a NAV of NOK 25-26 per share.
These sales will reduce the revenue backlog by approximately USD 10 million, subject to vessel handovers. The vessels are sold to unrelated parties, and the completion of the sale transaction is subject to successful handover of the vessels.
Additionally, and in line with the current positive container market environment, MPCC has secured new ~2-year charter contracts with two top-tier liner companies for the vessels AS Serena, AS Sophia, AS Angelina, and AS Penelope.
Updated charter coverage and 2025 financial guidance
These initiatives will further enhance MPCC’s revenue backlog and contract coverage as follows:
- 2025: 100%
- 2026: 88%
- 2027: 34%
Following these developments, MPCC revises its 2025 financial guidance as follows:
- Revenue: USD 485–500 million (previously USD 485-500 million)
- EBITDA: USD 320–335 million (previously USD 305-325 million)
These actions collectively reflect MPCC’s continued focus on maintaining a modern, efficient and environmentally compliant fleet, while positioning the Company with a strong balance sheet and investment capacity to capitalize on market opportunities, improve profitability, and deliver sustainable long-term shareholder value. The newbuildings will be accretive to both EPS and DPS from delivery.
“Our ongoing fleet renewal strategy is further reinforced by these measures,” said Constantin Baack, CEO of MPCC. “They underscore our ability to structure value-accretive transactions and secure long-term employment with top-tier liner companies. Backed by a strong balance sheet and enhanced by the new financing facilities, we are expanding our capacity to pursue value-enhancing opportunities in alignment with our strategy. These steps deepen our strategic partnerships, enhance earnings visibility, and support our growth ambitions, ultimately promoting long-term shareholder value creation and strengthening the long-term value of the Company.”