Capital adjustments - increase in share capital
 Press
release from Frontline Ltd. - 01.10.1999 |
The Board of Frontline today approved three transactions which will substantially increase Frontline's financial flexibility in the coming years. Frontline has entered into an agreement with its banks to allow flexibility in its debt repayment schedule, which, if utilized, will increase working capital by USD 32 million. The Company has issued approximately USD 20 million in equity through a private placement with five financial institutions. In addition, USD 35 million of the USD 89 million Metrogas convertible subordinated loan has been converted to equity. In connection with this conversion, Metrogas will offer USD 15 million of the resulting ordinary shares to existing Frontline shareholders and warrant holders.
Frontline Completes Financing Package
The Board of Frontline today approved three combined transactions which will substantially increase Frontline's financial flexibility in the coming years.
1. Frontline has entered into an agreement with the company's banks, which gives Frontline increased flexibility with respect to the repayment schedule of the company's debt. If Frontline decides to utilize this opportunity in year 2000, the company will reduce debt repayment and thereby increase the working capital by approximately USD 32 million.
2. Frontline has issued approximately USD 20 million in equity through a private placement. Issue price was NOK 33.00. The total number of shares issued, 4,715,000 was placed with a group of five investors. The transaction was successfully placed by Fearnley Fonds ASA and Carnegie.
3. Metrogas Ltd., a company controlled by Frontline's major shareholder Hemen Holding Ltd., has converted USD 35 million of a USD 89 million subordinated loan given to Frontline into equity. At an issue price of NOK 33.00 a total of 8,230,000 shares were issued. Hemen has agreed with Frontline that all of Frontline's existing shareholders on record date September 30, 1999, excluding Hemen and the new shareholders arising from the private placement referred to above, will be given a pre-emptive right to buy approximately 3,500,000 of these shares. Such a solution secures that all shareholders in Frontline will have a right to obtain their pro rata part of this issue. In accordance with Frontline's warrant agreements, an equal right will be given to the warrant holders. The subscription period for this transaction is estimated to take place in mid October.
The execution of transactions 2. and 3. is carried out within the Board's existing authority to issue new shares.
The total number of shares outstanding in Frontline after completion of this transaction will be 59,051,860.
The combined transaction will increase Frontline's equity by USD 55 million, and will improve the working capital by up to USD 52 million. The proceeds from the transactions will be used for the following purposes.
1. To strengthen the company's liquidity / working capital and thereby improve the company's financial overall resistance.
2. To finance the full take-over of ICB Shipping AB.
Frontline's Chairman John Fredriksen says in a comment : " We see the support from our bankers, and the quality of the investors who have participated in the private placement as a great sign of confidence in Frontline and our strategy. During the last three weeks a total of 5 VLCCs have been reported sold to scrap. This shows that time is starting to run out for owners of old tonnage. With the largest and most modern fleet in the world, and with a substantially improved balance sheet, Frontline is positioned to be one of the main beneficiaries of this development. With the steep reduction we today see in oil storage, it is only a matter of time before OPEC again will have to increase production. We expect such a decision to have significant positive influence on the freight market."
After implementation of the transaction, Frontline's current cash breakeven TCE rates for 2000 have been reduced to approximately USD 21,000 for the VLCCs ( including 2 lease vessels) and USD 15,000 for the Suezmaxes and OBOs. The Board feels confident with these levels.
It is the Board's view that the current transaction fulfils Frontline's existing need for balance sheet improvements, and that a full consolidation of ICB can be completed within the framework of the existing capital structure. The Board therefore has no current plans to ask for a conversion of the remaining part of Metrogas' subordinated loan (USD 54 million) or for any other new equity.
Bermuda
September 30, 1999
Contact person:
Tor Olav Trĝim, Tel : 47 - 23 11 40 00
