August 19, 2024 [Business Wire]- BW LPG Limited (“BW LPG”, OSE ticker code: “BWLPG.OL”, NYSE ticker code “BWLP”), has today entered into agreements to acquire 12 modern Very Large Gas Carriers (VLGCs) from Avance Gas Holdings Ltd. (“Avance Gas”, OSE ticker code: “AGAS”) for a total consideration of US$ 1,050 million (the “Transaction”). The acquisition fleet comprises four 91K CBM dual fuel VLGCs, of which two are 2022-built and two are 2023-built, and eight 2015-built 83K CBM VLGCs of which six are scrubber-fitted (see Appendix for Fleet List).
The Transaction is funded through the issuance of 19.282 million new BW LPG shares to Avance Gas, a cash consideration of US$ 585.4 million, of which US$ 368 million is to fund the repayment of the existing bank debt of 10 vessels. Remaining debt in the amount of US$ 132 million pertaining to two sale-leaseback vessels is to be novated. US$ 235.4 million of the cash consideration will be paid from BW LPG’s available cash resources and US$ 350 million will be financed by a shareholder loan from BW Group, BW LPG’s largest shareholder.
Following the issuance of the total share consideration, Avance Gas will become a 12.77% shareholder in BW LPG. Avance Gas will have a 40 calendar day lock-up period in respect of the consideration shares received following delivery of each vessel.
BW LPG is expected to increase its net leverage ratio from 7% in Q1 2024 to a range of 30-35%, maintaining a robust balance sheet to support continued shareholder distributions.
The Transaction will add significant scale to BW LPG’s fleet. It increases the number of owned and operated VLGCs from 41 to 53, of which 22 are LPG dual fuel. This further solidifies BW LPG’s position as the world’s leading owner and operator of VLGCs, with the largest number of LPG dual-fuel powered VLGC’s. This fleet expansion comes at an opportune time with VLGC newbuild deliveries abating and continued growth in global LPG export volumes.
Consent from the lessor of two sale-leaseback facilities, and the charterers of three time-charter parties, is to be obtained prior to delivery of five of the vessels. Closing of the Transaction will take place on a vessel-by-vessel basis targeted to be completed by 31 December 2024.
Mr. Andreas Sohmen-Pao, Chairman of the Board of BW LPG, commented, “This strategic transaction supports BW LPG’s ambition to serve our customers with enhanced shipping and product delivery options in the fast-growing LPG space. The addition of these 12 vessels will result in an expanded fleet, greater flexibility, and are expected to be accretive to earnings based on our market view. They will also support our product trading and terminal activities”.
Mr. Kristian Sorensen, CEO of BW LPG, commented, “Today’s transaction marks a major milestone in BW LPG’s history and reflects our ability to execute large fleet acquisitions by maintaining a robust balance sheet and using the BW LPG share as an attractive currency. The acquired vessels will further enhance our commercial scale and increase our operational leverage in a market we expect to be strong in the coming years and as such solidify earnings and dividend potential”.
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