|
In second quarter our 51% shareholding in tank terminals business contributed an EBITDA of USD 7 million, compared to USD 9 million in the previous quarter. In June Odfjell concluded the transaction with Lindsay Goldberg to expand our existing partnership to include substantially all tank terminal assets. Several new tank terminal projects are being developed in China, USA and Europe. In June we signed an agreement to enter into a joint venture with the Founder Group to become 50/50 partners for the development of a petrochemical tank terminal in Quanzhou, Fujian Province, China. In August we signed a Letter of Intent to purchase Chem-Marine Corporation in South Carolina, USA. Chem-Marine controls a 10.2 hectare site and is located adjacent to our tank terminal currently under construction in Charleston, South Carolina. Chinese growth is at a somewhat lower level than expected, and is poised for the weakest expansion since 1990. Key Euro zone statistics have favourably surprised the markets in the past quarter. The development of the US shale gas industry is providing cheaper energy and feedstock for the US chemical industry. Based on the above macro-economic picture, and the fact that there are no material changes to the supply/demand situation, we believe that the next 12 to 24 months will see an improvement in our segments. However, given the continued underperforming overall global economic growth, combined with the "supply overhang" of ships we only expect the second half results of 2013 to be moderately better than the previous two quarters Please find the full second quarter 2013 Report: Second quarter report 2013 (PDF file) The Odfjell Group is one of the leading players in the global market for seaborne transportation and storage of chemicals and other speciality bulk liquids. The Odfjell fleet comprises of approximately 90 ships, which trade both globally and regionally. The tank terminal division consist of 12 tank terminals and is part of a network of another 12 tank terminals partly owned by related parties. The tank terminals are strategically located within important shipping hubs around the world. The Odfjell Group’s headquarter is in Bergen, Norway, and the Group has more than 20 offices internationally. Odfjell employs around 3,500 staff and posted annual gross revenue of USD 1.2 billion in 2012. Odfjell press release
|