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John P. Tavlarios, President of General Maritime Corporation, commented, "We are pleased to continue our tradition of entering into value-creating transactions for shareholders and have once again seized an attractive opportunity to consolidate the tanker market. With this acquisition, we expect to grow our high-quality fleet by approximately 50% on a tonnage basis, further improve the age profile of our fleet and increase our presence in the attractive VLCC market. General Maritime's exposure to a number of oil tanker subsectors and the product sector combined with its flexible fleet deployment strategy, position the Company to maximize long-term cash flow and achieve a level of stability in results." Jeffrey D. Pribor, Chief Financial Officer of General Maritime Corporation, stated, "Since its inception, General Maritime has remained committed to actively consolidating the industry in a manner that meets a strict set of return criteria. In maintaining our disciplined approach, we have entered into an agreement to acquire seven modern vessels at a price we believe to be favorable and accretive to earnings per share and will increase the Company's long-term earnings power. We continue to receive support from world-class banks and have already obtained a commitment letter to finance up to 60% of this acquisition." The following table sets forth information about the seven vessels to be acquired by the Company:
1. Time charter rate presented is the gross daily charter hire rate contracted by the seller of the vessel before the payment of a third-party brokerage commission. Time charters remains subject to novation by the charterers in connection with the proposed vessel acquisitions. 2. Current charter expires January 2011. 3. Current charter expires February 2011. Optional 6-month period at $41,000 per day. 4. Built date for this vessel is an estimate based on guidance received from the seller and the shipyard. About General Maritime Corporation General Maritime Corporation is a leading provider of international seaborne crude oil transportation services. General Maritime also provides transportation services for refined petroleum products. General Maritime's vessels operate principally within the Atlantic basin, which includes ports in the Caribbean, South and Central America, the United States, West Africa, the Mediterranean, Europe and the North Sea. General Maritime also currently operates tankers in other regions including the Black Sea and Far East. Currently, General Maritime owns a fully double-hull fleet of 31 tankers - two VLCCs, eleven Suezmax tankers, twelve Aframax, two Panamax and four Handymax product tankers - with a total carrying capacity of approximately 4.0 million dwt. General Maritime Corp. press release |