Pacific Basin Shipping Limited (“Pacific Basin”) has cancelled its November 2024 contracts for two dual-fuel methanol Ultramax newbuildings valued at approximately US$93.00 million and has signed replacement contracts for two conventional 64,000-dwt Ultramax vessels worth a combined US$78.40 million.
Key transaction details
1. Termination • Two indirect subsidiaries (Buyer 1 and Buyer 2) and Lepta Shipping mutually agreed on 16 April 2026 to terminate the original dual-fuel methanol vessel agreements. • The US$9.90 million instalment already paid on each cancelled contract has been rolled into the new purchases.
2. New acquisitions • Buyer 3 and Buyer 4 will acquire “Vessel 1” and “Vessel 2”, both 64,000-dwt conventional bulk carriers, for US$39.20 million apiece. • Payment structure: first instalment credited (US$9.90 million each); 10 % one year before delivery; 10 % at launching; balance of US$21.46 million on delivery. • Delivery schedule: Vessel 1 by December 2028 and Vessel 2 within 1H 2029. • Funding: cash reserves and/or bank borrowings.
3. Purchase option retained • Pacific Basin obtained an option to order two 64,000-dwt dual-fuel methanol vessels (“Vessel 3” and “Vessel 4”) at US$45.50 million each (aggregate US$91.00 million). • If exercised, 20 % is payable on contract signing, followed by 10 % one year before delivery, 10 % at launching and 60 % on delivery. • Expected delivery: between April 2030 and March 2031.
Strategic rationale
• Regulatory uncertainty: Delay in the IMO’s Net-Zero Framework weakens the current economics of higher-cost low-emission tonnage in dry bulk shipping. • Capital discipline: Switching to conventional ships cuts near-term capital expenditure by roughly US$14.60 million while preserving fleet modernisation. • Optionality: The secured option enables Pacific Basin to re-enter the methanol-fuel segment once pricing, fuel availability and regulation become clearer.
Listing Rules implications
• Each new acquisition on a standalone basis falls below the 5 % threshold of the Hong Kong Listing Rules and is not individually discloseable. • When aggregated with the possible option exercise, applicable percentage ratios are expected to exceed 5 % but remain below 25 %, classifying the combined transactions as discloseable.
Company profile
Pacific Basin operates one of the world’s largest Handysize and Supramax dry-bulk fleets, controlling more than 250 vessels, of which 107 are owned. The Hong Kong-listed group serves over 600 customers with 4,300 seafarers and 412 shore-based employees across 14 offices worldwide.
The board expects no material adverse impact on the company’s business or financial position as a result of the contract termination and new vessel commitments.