Seaspan acquires Greater China Intermodal Investments LLC
Seaspan Corporation ("Seaspan"), the world’s largest independent containership owner operator, announced today that it has acquired the remaining 89% it did not own of Greater China Intermodal Investments LLC ("GCI") from affiliates of The Carlyle Group ("Carlyle") and the minority owners of GCI.
This acquisition solidifies Seaspan’s industry-leading position as the world’s largest independent containership owner operator, and highlights Seaspan’s strength and ability to achieve sustained growth and drive consolidation in the fragmented containership sector. By expanding Seaspan’s fleet and deepening its customer relationships, Seaspan is well-positioned to offer its customers, the world’s leading container liners, enhanced service and capabilities.
The implied enterprise value of GCI is approximately $1.6 billion, including assumed third party net debt of approximately $1.0 billion and $140 million of future vessel payments. The consideration to selling shareholders will be cash of approximately $330 million and a $50 million issuance of Seaspan Series D preferred shares.
Seaspan financed the cash consideration with cash from its balance sheet and a $16 million reinvestment by the Washington family in Seaspan common equity. Seaspan has also closed on a $100 million secured credit facility from Citi.
GCI’s fleet of 18 modern containerships is comprised of high quality 10,000 TEU and 14,000 TEU eco-class vessels, representing a total of 204,000 TEU. Of these 18 vessels, there are currently 16 on-the-water vessels with the remaining two newbuild vessels scheduled for delivery during the second quarter of 2018. Seaspan has been involved in the design, construction, delivery and operations of all 18 of GCI’s vessels since inception. All of these vessels are sister ships to Seaspan’s current fleet.
Given Seaspan’s operating history of GCI’s fleet, there is no operational integration risk. GCI’s current fleet will contribute approximately $1.3 billion towards Seaspan’s contracted future revenues, increasing Seaspan’s total contracted future revenues to approximately $5.6 billion. In calendar year 2019, with an 18 vessel fleet, GCI is expected to generate $185 million to $200 million in annual EBITDA.
