OceanFreight Inc. Announces Further Expansion in the Tanker Market with the Acquisition of Thirteenth Vessel
October 10, 2007 - Athens, Greece - OceanFreight Inc., (NASDAQ:OCNF) a
global provider of seaborne transportation services announced today the acquisition of
M/T Tigani, a 1991 built 95,951 dwt double-hull Aframax crude oil tanker. The
vessel was purchased from interests associated with George Economou for a purchase
price of $40 million. The acquisition expands OceanFreight’s fleet to thirteen vessels,
comprised of four tankers and nine drybulk carriers. Delivery of the M/T Tigani is
expected in the fourth quarter 2008.
The Company has entered into an agreement to time charter the M/T Tigani for a
period of approximately one year to Heidmar LLC at a gross daily rate of
approximately $29,800 per day. The time charter is expected to commence
concurrently with the vessel's delivery to OceanFreight. A company associated with
Mr. George Economou owns 49% of Heidmar LLC and 49% is owned by Morgan
Stanley.
Anthony Kandylidis, OceanFreight’s President and Chief Executive Officer,
commented:
“The acquisition of our thirteenth vessel not only allows us to expand further into the
tanker sector but also enhances a strategic relationship with a first class counterparty
such as Heidmar. Our expansion in the tanker sector will allow us to capitalize on the
positive fundamentals of the crude oil tanker market. In a span of just 18 months
since we went public as a start up in 2007 at $19 per share, with no operating history
and the aim to acquire seven vessels, we are close to doubling our initial fleet. We
are maintaining an enviable operational track record, along with time charter coverage
to reputable and well-established counterparties. Our fleet fixed contract coverage
presently stands at 95% and 65% of our operating days for 2009 and 2010
respectively. We will continue our stated business strategy of strong fixed-rate time
charter employment of these vessels which in turn enables us to pay attractive
dividends to our shareholders as well as expand and diversify our fleet within multiple
shipping sectors.”
About OceanFreight Inc.
OceanFreight Inc. was incorporated in 2006 to acquire high quality secondhand
vessels and deploy them on medium and long term charters. The Company began
operations with the delivery of its first vessel in June 2007 and currently owns and
operates a fleet of eleven vessels, consisting of one Capesize drybulk carrier, eight
Panamax drybulk carriers, one Suezmax tanker and one Aframax tanker with a total
carrying capacity of 978,889 dwt, and has entered into an agreement to acquire two
additional Aframax tankers, for delivery in the fourth quarter 2008, with a total
carrying capacity of 191,744 dwt.
OceanFreight’s Inc. common stock is listed on the NASDAQ Global Market where it
trades under the symbol "OCNF".
OceanFreight Inc. press release
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