Norway´s Höegh LNG, an owner and operator of floating LNG import terminals (FSRUs) and LNG carriers, has sealed a deal with CoolCo to acquire the LNG carrier Golar Seal. The 2013-built vessel with a 160,000 cbm cargo capacity, will be delivered, as the company expects, in late March or April 2023.
The company afterwards will employ the vessel in the carrier market on a term time charter.
Although the owner didn’t disclose the value of the acquisition, it is said in a statement that “the purchase price is in line with the current market level for similar vessels.”
Erik Nyheim, the President & CEO of Höegh LNG, said the vessel will be an excellent addition to the company´s fleet, and provide flexibility to pursue FSRU conversion opportunities.
“We are very pleased to make this investment which underpins our growth ambitions,” as he furthermore pointed out.
As shipping telegraph reported earlier this month, Höegh LNG has also sealed a deal to refinance two FSRUs both employed on long-term contracts in Germany, for a total amount of USD 685 million.
The company with a statement was informing that in order to refinance Höegh Esperanza and Hoegh Gannet, two ships with long-term contracts in Germany, Höegh LNG has signed a new loan facility agreement with a group of banks. The new loan facility arrangement has a tenor of 10 years, and a total sum of USD 685 million.
The loan amount will be applied to repay the existing loan facilities and general corporate use. The facility is split in two tranches, one per vessel.
Höegh LNG anticipates finishing the refinancing of Höegh Esperanza in February, provided the customary closing criteria are met.
“The refinancing of Hoegh Gannet is expected to be completed March/April, depending on having successfully completed its commissioning for regas operations in Germany,” as the company said earlier this month.
