Frontline has during the last year discussed a variety of newbuilding options with Korean and Japanese yards. Frontline has now concluded these discussions by signing a total of five newbuilding contracts. Two Suezmaxes have been ordered with the Sasebo Shipyard in Japan for delivery in August and October 2001, and three VLCCs have been ordered with Hitachi for delivery in April, August and October 2002. The total newbuilding project will have a cost of approximately USD 330 million, and will be paid through a competitive installment plan until delivery.
It is assumed that the five contracts in total will need less than USD 100 million in equity. This amount, plus the equity need for financing of the 51 % of the two Golar VLCCs, is likely to be more than covered through Frontline’s free cash flow in the first quarter of 2001. It is not likely that any additional new equity or any additional cash will be needed to fund the newbuildings.
The three VLCC contracts were negotiated and entered into by Seatankers Management Co. Ltd., an affiliated party of Hemen Holdings. Seatankers has through historic ties a very close relationship with Hitachi. The contracts have been transferred to Frontline based on a contract price of USD 72.5 million per vessel plus technical extras of approximately USD 1.2 million. Frontline has in connection with the transfer asked three shipbrokers to give their appraisals of the contracts. The average valuation indicates that the three contracts already have an instant excess value of USD 15 – 20 million.
The contract price of the Suezmaxes is approximately USD 6 million per ship lower than what has recently been paid for 2001 resale tonnage.
The Board of Frontline considers that the instant excess value in the contracts compensates the fact that the equity, which will be tied up in the project, could have been used to buy back shares at a discount to Net Asset Value.
The ordering of the five ships confirms Frontline’s strategy to keep one of the youngest fleets in the industry. Frontline has in the negotiation process considered alternative opportunities to take over existing newbuilding projects or to buy recently delivered ships. It has been the Board’s preference not to add additional capacity to the market. However, the five contracts stand out as favorable to any alternative project based on an evaluation of price and delivery window.
Frontline’s Board has currently no further plans to increase the size of the company’s newbuilding commitment.
February 5, 2001
Hamilton, Bermuda
Newbuilding Program
06.02.2001