Fairstar Heavy Transport N.V. (FAIR) has taken delivery of the FORTE. The closing documentation has been completed to the satisfaction of Fairstar's bankers, classification society and the Dutch Flag State. Fairstar has drawn down on the USD 247 million facility led by ING Bank and effected all outstanding payments due to Guangzhou Shipbuilding International (GSI) for the FORTE. The ship was delivered to Fairstar on the scheduled delivery date, at the contracted purchase price.
Willem Out, COO of Fairstar, attended to the closing in China and reported: "We are extremely pleased with the quality and performance of FORTE. Over the last two years the Fairstar Team has worked closely with their counterparts at GSI to maintain the highest standards of quality and compliance to our contract. We are grateful for the thousands of hours of hard work that went into FORTE by everyone involved. The commitment to our company by everyone involved in this project, not only GSI, but CSTC and CSSC has been of great value. We value the relationship and look forward to building more ships together."
Ingmar den Blanken, Fairstar's Treasurer, added: "The ING facility provided funding not only for the FORTE, but it has also facilitated the payments due to GSI for the FINESSE, as well as re-financing our current facilities with HSH Nordbank and ABN AMRO. ING did a marvellous job syndicating the credit and managing the closing documentation in a very difficult economic environment. The facility also provides for the issuance of the Performance Bonds required under our Gorgon, Ichthys and Golden Eagle contracts. ING provided a comprehensive solution to our financial needs at a critical time for Fairstar. We appreciate their confidence in our Team."
Philip Adkins, CEO of Fairstar, summed up the achievement: "Promises made, Promises kept, in other words, business as usual at Fairstar."
Photographs of the recent naming ceremony can be found on our website www.fairstar.com (http://www.fairstar.com) under the section New Build.
For further information please contact:
Philip Adkins, CEO (philip.adkins@fairstar.com (mailto:philip.adkins@fairstar.com))
Ingmar den Blanken, Treasurer (ingmar.den.blanken@fairstar.com (mailto:ingmar.den.blanken@fairstar.com))
Web: www.fairstar.com (http://www.fairstar.com)
Tel: +31 (0)10-403 5333
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Profile Fairstar Heavy Transport:
Fairstar Heavy Transport N.V. is a leading provider of marine heavy transport solutions, specializing in high-value cargoes for the offshore and onshore energy and construction industries. Fairstar owns and operates three of the most modern semi-submersible heavy transport ships in the global fleet, FORTE, FJORD and FJELL. The 50,000DWT, open-stern semi-submersible vessel FINESSE is currently under construction with Guangzhou Shipbuilding International in China and will be owned and operated by Fairstar when she is delivered in October of 2012. Fairstar is based in Rotterdam and quoted on the Oslo Stock Exchange (ticker: FAIR).
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(i) the releases contained herein are protected by copyright and other applicable laws; and
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Source: Fairstar Heavy Transport NV via Thomson Reuters ONE
