COSCO Yingkou and CSCL Long Beach Delivered on July 5, 2007
HONG KONG, CHINA – July 9, 2007 /CNW/ – Seaspan Corporation ("Seaspan") (NYSE:SSW) announced today the delivery of its 28th and 29th vessels, the COSCO Yingkou and the CSCL Long Beach.
The 3500 TEU COSCO Yingkou was constructed by Zhejiang Shipbuilding Co. Ltd. in China and was delivered on July 5, 2007, approximately three and a half weeks ahead of its contractual delivery date. The COSCO Yingkou is the second of ten Seaspan vessels to be chartered to COSCO Container Lines Co., Ltd. ("Coscon"), a subsidiary of China COSCO Holdings Company Limited ("China Cosco"). China Cosco is a publicly traded container transport company and is the world's seventh-largest liner shipping company in terms of capacity. The COSCO Yingkou is on charter to Coscon for 12 years.
The 9600 TEU CSCL Long Beach, which was built by Samsung Heavy Industries Co. Ltd. in Korea, was also delivered on July 5, 2007, approximately eight weeks ahead of its contractual delivery date. The CSCL Long Beach is chartered to China Shipping Container Lines (Asia) Co., Ltd. ("CSCL"), a subsidiary of China Shipping Container Lines Co., Ltd., for 12 years. This is the 14th vessel of 22 vessels to be chartered by Seaspan to CSCL.
"We are pleased to have once again taken delivery of our new buildings ahead of schedule and, consistent with our strategy of providing shareholders with stable and growing cash flow, each of these new vessels has a 12-year time charter," said Gerry Wang, Chief Executive Officer of Seaspan. "With significant cash flow secured under long-term contracts of over $4.8 billion and an average time charter duration of about 8 years for our operating fleet and about 11 years for vessels contracted to purchase, Seaspan will grow distributable cash as we take delivery of each new container vessel on our modern fleet of 55 vessels."
Seaspan's fleet consists of the following vessels:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------- Delivery Date to Charter- Length of Vessel Type SSW er Time Charter --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1 CSCL Hamburg 4250 TEU 12-Aug-05 CSCL 10 yrs + opt 2 yrs --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2 CSCL Chiwan 4250 TEU 12-Aug-05 CSCL 10 yrs + opt 2 yrs --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3 CSCL Ningbo 4250 TEU 12-Aug-05 CSCL 10 yrs + opt 2 yrs --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4 CSCL Dalian 4250 TEU 12-Aug-05 CSCL 10 yrs + opt 2 yrs --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5 CSCL Felixstowe 4250 TEU 12-Aug-05 CSCL 10 yrs + opt 2 yrs --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 6 CSCL Oceania 8500 TEU 12-Aug-05 CSCL 12 yrs + opt 3 yrs --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 7 CSCL Africa 8500 TEU 12-Aug-05 CSCL 12 yrs + opt 3 yrs --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 8 CSCL Vancouver 4250 TEU 12-Aug-05 CSCL 12 yrs --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 9 CSCL Sydney 4250 TEU 12-Aug-05 CSCL 12 yrs --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 10 CSCL New York 4250 TEU 12-Aug-05 CSCL 12 yrs --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 11 CSCL Melbourne 4250 TEU 17-Aug-05 CSCL 12 yrs --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 12 CSCL Brisbane 4250 TEU 19-Sep-05 CSCL 12 yrs --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 13 New Delhi Express 4250 TEU 18-Oct-05 HL USA 3+7 yrs + opt 2 yrs --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 14 Dubai Express 4250 TEU 3-Jan-06 HL USA 3+7 yrs + opt 2 yrs --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 15 Jakarta Express 4250 TEU 21-Feb-06 HL USA 3+7 yrs + opt 2 yrs --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 16 Saigon Express 4250 TEU 6-Apr-06 HL USA 3+7 yrs + opt 2 yrs --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 17 Lahore Express 4250 TEU 11-Jul-06 HL USA 3+7 yrs + opt 2 yrs --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 18 Rio Grande Express 4250 TEU 20-Oct-06 HL USA 3+7 yrs + opt 2 yrs --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 19 MSC Sweden 4800 TEU 6-Nov-06 APMM 5 yrs + two 1-yr opt + one 2-yr opt --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 20 Santos Express 4250 TEU 13-Nov-06 HL USA 3+7 yrs + opt 2 yrs --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 21 Maersk Matane 4800 TEU 20-Nov-06 APMM 5 yrs + two 1-yr opt + one 2-yr opt --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 22 Maersk Marystown 4800 TEU 6-Dec-06 APMM 5 yrs + two 1-yr opt + one 2-yr opt --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 23 Maersk Moncton 4800 TEU 22-Dec-06 APMM 5 yrs + two 1-yr opt + one 2-yr opt --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 24 CSCL Zeebrugge 9600 TEU 15-Mar-07 CSCL 12 yrs --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 25 Cosco Fuzhou 3500 TEU 27-Mar-07 COSCO 12 yrs --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 26 Rio de Janeiro 4250 TEU 28-Mar-07 HL USA 3+7 yrs + opt 2 yrs Express --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 27 Manila Express 4250 TEU 23-May-07 HL USA 3+7 yrs + opt 2 yrs --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 28 COSCO Yingkou 3500 TEU 5-Jul-07 COSCO 12 yrs --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 29 CSCL Long Beach 9600 TEU 5-Jul-07 CSCL 12 yrs --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 30 Hull #YZJ2005-696C 2500 TEU 30-Aug-08 CSCL 12 yrs --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 31 Hull #YZJ2006-716C 2500 TEU 30-Nov-08 CSCL 12 yrs --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 32 Hull #YZJ2006-717C 2500 TEU 30-Jan-09 CSCL 12 yrs --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 33 Hull #YZJ2006-718C 2500 TEU 28-Feb-09 CSCL 12 yrs --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 34 Hull #YZJ2007-767 4250 TEU 31-Mar-09 CSAV 6 yrs --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 35 Hull #1970 5100 TEU 20-Apr-09 MOL 12 yrs --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 36 Hull #YZJ2007-768 4250 TEU 30-Apr-09 CSAV 6 yrs --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 37 Hull #YZJ2006-719C 2500 TEU 10-May-09 CSCL 12 yrs --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 38 Hull #YZJ2006-720C 2500 TEU 10-Jun-09 CSCL 12 yrs --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 39 Hull #YZJ2006-721C 2500 TEU 10-Jul-09 CSCL 12 yrs --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 40 Hull #1971 5100 TEU 5-Aug-09 MOL 12 yrs --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 41 Hull #YZJ2006-722C 2500 TEU 10-Aug-09 CSCL 12 yrs --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 42 Hull #YZJ2007-769 4250 TEU 31-Aug-09 CSAV 6 yrs --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 43 Hull #YZJ2007-770 4250 TEU 30-Sep-09 CSAV 6 yrs --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 44 Hull # 2081 8500 TEU 5-Nov-09 COSCO 12 yrs + three 1-yr opt --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 45 Hull #1972 5100 TEU 20-Nov-09 MOL 12 yrs --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 46 Hull #1973 5100 TEU 23-Dec-09 MOL 12 yrs --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 47 Hull # 2082 8500 TEU 28-Dec-09 COSCO 12 yrs + three 1-yr opt --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 48 Hull # 2083 8500 TEU 5-Feb-10 COSCO 12 yrs + three 1-yr opt --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 49 Hull #YZJ2007-771 2500 TEU 31-Mar-10 K-Line 10 yrs --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 50 Hull #YZJ2007-772 2500 TEU 30-Jun-10 K-Line 10 yrs --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 51 Hull # 2084 8500 TEU 30-Jun-10 COSCO 12 yrs + three 1-yr opt --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 52 Hull # 2085 8500 TEU 10-Aug-10 COSCO 12 yrs + three 1-yr opt --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 53 Hull # 2086 8500 TEU 10-Sep-10 COSCO 12 yrs + three 1-yr opt --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 54 Hull # 2087 8500 TEU 30-Sep-10 COSCO 12 yrs + three 1-yr opt --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 55 Hull # 2088 8500 TEU 10-Nov-10 COSCO 12 yrs + three 1-yr opt ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
About Seaspan
Seaspan owns containerships and charters them pursuant to long-term fixed-rate charters. Seaspan's fleet of 55 containerships consists of 29 existing containerships and 26 to be delivered over approximately the next 3.5 years. The 26 vessels that Seaspan has contracted to purchase are already committed to long-term time charters averaging approximately 11 years in duration from delivery. Seaspan's operating fleet of 29 vessels has an average age of approximately four years with an average remaining charter period of approximately eight years. Seaspan's customer base consists of seven of the largest liner companies, including China Shipping Container Lines, A.P. Moller-Maersk, Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Hapag-Lloyd, Coscon, K-Line and CSAV.
Seaspan's common shares are listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "SSW".
STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This release contains certain forward-looking statements (as such term is defined in Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) concerning future events and our operations, performance and financial condition, including, in particular, the likelihood of our success in developing and expanding our business. Statements that are predictive in nature, that depend upon or refer to future events or conditions, or that include words such as "expects", "anticipates", "intends", "plans", "believes", "estimates", "projects", "forecasts", "will", "may", "potential", "should", and similar expressions are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements reflect management's current views only as of the date of this presentation and are not intended to give any assurance as to future results. As a result, you are cautioned not to rely on any forward-looking statements.
Forward-looking statements appear in a number of places in this release. Although these statements are based upon assumptions we believe to be reasonable based upon available information, including operating margins, earnings, cash flow, working capital and capital expenditures, they are subject to risks and uncertainties. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: future operating or financial results; our expectations relating to dividend payments and forecasts of our ability to make such payments; pending acquisitions, business strategy and expected capital spending; operating expenses, availability of crew, number of off-hire days, drydocking requirements and insurance costs; general market conditions and shipping market trends, including charter rates and factors affecting supply and demand; our financial condition and liquidity, including our ability to obtain additional financing in the future to fund capital expenditures, acquisitions and other general corporate activities; estimated future capital expenditures needed to preserve our capital base; our expectations about the availability of ships to purchase, the time that it may take to construct new ships, or the useful lives of our ships; our continued ability to enter into long-term, fixed-rate time charters with our customers; our ability to leverage to our advantage Seaspan Management Services Limited's relationships and reputation in the containership industry; changes in governmental rules and regulations or actions taken by regulatory authorities; changes in worldwide container demand; changes in trading patterns; competitive factors in the markets in which we operate; potential inability to implement our growth strategy; potential for early termination of long-term contracts and our potential inability to renew or replace long-term contracts; ability of our customers to make charter payments; potential liability from future litigation; conditions in the public equity markets; and other factors detailed from time to time in our periodic reports. We expressly disclaim any obligation to update or revise any of these forward-looking statements, whether because of future events, new information, a change in our views or expectations, or otherwise. We make no prediction or statement about the performance of our common and subordinated shares.