share_log

Press Release: Höegh LNG Partners LP Reports -3-

Press Release: Höegh LNG Partners LP Reports -3-

新聞稿:Höegh LNG Partners LP Reports-3-
Dow Jones Newswires ·  2021/11/18 19:30

Höegh LNG has indemnified the Partnership for the joint ventures' boil-off settlement, leased the Höegh Gallant under lease and maintenance agreement with a subsidiary of Höegh LNG (the "Subsequent Charter") and provided the Partnership the $85 million revolving credit facility. However, in July 2021, the Partnership received notice from Höegh LNG that the revolving credit line of $85 million will not be extended when it matures on January 1, 2023, and that Höegh LNG will have very limited capacity to extend any additional advances to the Partnership beyond what is currently drawn under such facility. Also, further drawdowns on the $85 million revolving credit facility may be subject to Höegh LNG's consent because of the NOA received from the charterer of PGN FSRU Lampung. With these recent changes, the Partnership's liquidity and financial flexibility will be reduced. If Höegh LNG is unable to meet its obligations to us under the Subsequent Charter or the Suspension Agreement or meet funding requests or indemnification obligations, our financial condition, results of operations and ability to make cash distributions to unitholders could be materially adversely affected. Furthermore, if the Partnership's other charterparties or third-party lenders are unable to meet their obligations to the Partnership under their respective contracts or if the Partnership is unable to fulfill its obligations under time charters, its financial condition, results of operations and ability to make distributions to unitholders could be materially adversely affected.

Höegh LNG已就合資企業的蒸發結算向合夥企業提供賠償,與Höegh LNG的一家子公司根據租賃和維護協議租賃了Höegh Gallant(“後來的憲章”),並向合夥企業提供了8500萬美元的循環信貸安排。然而,在2021年7月,該夥伴關係收到了Höegh LNG的通知,即8500萬美元的循環信貸額度在2023年1月1日到期時將不會延長,並且Höegh LNG在此類安排下目前提取的資金之外,向該夥伴關係提供任何額外預付款的能力將非常有限。此外,由於從PGN FSRU Lampung的承租人那裏收到了NOA,進一步提取8500萬美元的循環信貸安排可能需要得到Höegh LNG的同意。隨着最近的這些變化,該夥伴關係的流動性和財務靈活性將會降低。如果Höegh LNG無法履行其根據隨後的憲章或暫停協議對我們承擔的義務,或無法滿足資金請求或賠償義務,我們的財務狀況、經營業績以及向單位持有人分配現金的能力可能會受到重大不利影響。此外,如果合夥企業的其他租賃方或第三方貸款人不能履行各自合同下對合夥企業的義務,或者合夥企業不能履行定期包租規定的義務,其財務狀況、經營業績和向單位持有人進行分配的能力可能會受到重大不利影響。

Höegh LNG's ability to make payments to the Partnership under the Subsequent Charter, the Suspension Agreement and funding requests under the $85 million revolving credit facility and any claims for indemnification may be affected by events beyond the control of Höegh LNG or the Partnership, including prevailing economic, financial and industry conditions. If market or other economic conditions deteriorate, Höegh LNG's ability to meet its obligations to the Partnership may be impaired.

Höegh LNG根據隨後的憲章、暫停協議和8500萬美元循環信貸機制下的資金申請以及任何賠償要求向合夥企業支付款項的能力,可能會受到Höegh LNG或合夥企業無法控制的事件的影響,包括當前的經濟、金融和行業狀況。如果市場或其他經濟狀況惡化,Höegh LNG履行其對合作夥伴關係義務的能力可能會受到損害。

If financial institutions providing the Partnership's interest rate swaps or lenders under the revolving credit facilities are unable to meet their obligations, the Partnership could experience a higher interest expense or be unable to obtain funding. If the Partnership's charterers or lenders are unable to meet their obligations under their respective contracts or if the Partnership is unable to fulfill its obligations under time charters, its financial condition, results of operations and ability to make cash distributions to unitholders could be materially adversely affected.

如果提供合夥企業利率互換的金融機構或循環信貸安排下的貸款人無法履行其義務,合夥企業可能面臨更高的利息支出或無法獲得資金。如果合夥企業的包租人或貸款人不能履行各自合同規定的義務,或者如果合夥企業不能履行定期包租規定的義務,其財務狀況、經營業績和向單位持有人分配現金的能力可能會受到重大不利影響。

As previously reported, by letter dated July 13, 2021, the charterer under the LOM for the PGN FSRU Lampung raised certain issues with PT HLNG in relation to the operations of the PGN FSRU Lampung and the LOM and by further letter dated July 27, 2021, stated that it would commence arbitration against PT HLNG. On August 2, 2021 the charterer served a notice of arbitration to declare the LOM null and void, and/or to terminate the LOM, and/or seek damages. PT HLNG has served a reply refuting the claims as baseless and without legal merit and has also served a counterclaim against the charterer for multiple breaches of the LOM. PT HLNG will take all necessary steps and will vigorously defend against the charterer's claims in the legal process.

正如之前報道的,在2021年7月13日的信函中,PGN FSRU Lampung的LOM下的承租人向PT HLNG提出了與PGN FSRU Lampung和LOM的運營有關的某些問題,並在2021年7月27日的進一步信函中表示,將開始對PT HLNG進行仲裁。2021年8月2日,承租人送達仲裁通知,宣佈LOM無效,和/或終止LOM,和/或尋求損害賠償。PT HLNG已送達答辯書,駁斥這些指控毫無根據,沒有法律依據,並已就多次違反LOM向承租人提出反訴。PT HLNG將採取一切必要措施,並將在法律程序中積極抗辯承租人的索賠。

The commercial tranche of the Lampung facility was initially due on September 29, 2021. During the third quarter of 2021, the maturity date was deferred to January 14, 2022 and will be further deferred to March 29, 2022 if commitment letters and a term sheet for an Approved Refinancing (as defined in the Lampung facility agreement) are in place by December 29, 2021. The export credit tranche of the Lampung facility can be called if the commercial tranche is not refinanced. The ongoing refinancing of the Lampung credit facility, which had been scheduled to close by the end of the second quarter of 2021, is not yet completed due to the failure by the charterer to countersign certain customary documents related to the new credit facility. These circumstances left the Partnership exposed to having to arrange alternative refinancing. Such alternative refinancing is in progress. In November the Partnership received commitment letters and a term sheet for an Approved Refinancing from a group of lenders. The Partnership expects to complete this refinancing before the deferred maturity date, subject to certain required approvals by export credit tranche lenders, completing documentation and customary closing conditions. However, the Partnership is also continuing to pursue other potential alternative debt structures. The terms of the alternative refinancing, if the Partnership is successful in finalizing such refinancing, is likely to be less favourable than the terms of the originally agreed refinancing and the existing Lampung facility.

楠榜設施的商業部分最初定於2021年9月29日到期。在2021年第三季度,到期日被推遲到2022年1月14日,如果在2021年12月29日之前批准的再融資(定義見楠榜設施協議)的承諾函和條款説明書到位,到期日將進一步推遲到2022年3月29日。如果不對商業部分進行再融資,可以調用楠榜設施的出口信貸部分。楠榜信貸安排的正在進行的再融資原定於2021年第二季度末完成,但由於承租人未能會籤某些與新信貸安排相關的慣例文件,因此尚未完成。這些情況使合夥企業面臨不得不安排替代再融資的風險。這樣的另類再融資正在進行中。11月,該夥伴關係收到了一批貸款人的承諾函和批准再融資的條款説明書。該夥伴關係預計將在延期到期日之前完成這一再融資,但須得到出口信貸部分貸款人的某些必要批准,並完成文件和慣常的成交條件。然而,夥伴關係也在繼續尋求其他潛在的替代債務結構。如果合夥企業成功敲定此類再融資,另類再融資的條款可能會低於最初商定的再融資條款和現有的楠榜融資機制。

No assurance can be given at this time as to the outcome of the dispute with the charterer of the PGN FSRU Lampung, or of the ongoing refinancing of the Lampung facility. Notwithstanding the NOA, both parties have continued to perform their respective obligations under the LOM. In the event that the Partnership is unable to refinance the Lampung facility or if the outcome of such dispute is unfavorable to it, it could have a material adverse impact on its business, results of operations, financial condition and ability to pay distributions to unitholders.

目前還不能保證與PGN FSRU楠榜租船商的糾紛結果,或者楠榜設施正在進行的再融資。儘管簽訂了協議,雙方仍繼續履行各自在“土地管理條例”下的義務。如果合夥企業無法對楠榜設施進行再融資,或如果此類糾紛的結果對其不利,可能會對其業務、運營結果、財務狀況和向單位持有人支付分配的能力產生重大不利影響。

In addition, the Partnership is at an advanced stage for the refinancing of the Neptune facility and the Cape Ann facility which mature and become payable by its Joint Ventures on November 30, 2021 and June 1, 2022, respectively. The loan agreement for the Neptune has been executed and it is expected that the loan agreement for the Cape Ann will be executed in December 2021 for this refinancing. Subject to customary closing conditions the refinancing of each of the Neptune and the Cape Ann is expected to be completed on or about the respective maturity dates of the existing debt facilities. Should the Partnership be unable to complete a refinancing of the Lampung facility, the Neptune and Cape Ann facilities or its other debt maturities on a timely basis or at all, the Partnership may not have sufficient funds or other assets to satisfy all its obligations, which would have a material adverse effect on its business, results of operations, financial condition and ability to make distributions to unitholders.

此外,該夥伴關係正處於為海王星設施和安角設施進行再融資的後期階段,這兩項設施將分別於2021年11月30日和2022年6月1日到期,並由其合資企業支付。海王星的貸款協議已經執行,預計安角號的貸款協議將於2021年12月執行,用於此次再融資。根據慣例的成交條件,海王星和安角的再融資預計將在現有債務安排各自的到期日或大約到期日完成。如果合夥公司不能及時或根本完成楠榜設施、海王星和安海角設施或其他債務到期日的再融資,合夥公司可能沒有足夠的資金或其他資產來履行其所有義務,這將對其業務、經營業績、財務狀況和向單位持有人進行分配的能力產生重大不利影響。

On September 23, 2021, the Partnership entered into the New Charter with subsidiaries of NFE to charter the Höegh Gallant primarily for FSRU operations for a period of ten years, with an expected commencement during December 2021. The Partnership has also entered into an agreement to suspend the existing charter for the Höegh Gallant with a subsidiary of Höegh LNG, with effect from the commencement of the New Charter (the "Suspension Agreement"). The charter rate under the New Charter, in line with the current market, will be lower than under the Subsequent Charter for the Höegh Gallant. However, under the Suspension Agreement, Höegh LNG's subsidiary will compensate the Partnership monthly for the difference between the charter rate earned under the New Charter and the charter rate earned under the Subsequent Charter plus a modest increase, mainly to cover higher operating expenses and taxes under the New Charter ("Suspension Payments"). The Suspension Payments will continue until July 31, 2025, the original expiration date of the Subsequent Charter. Afterwards, the Partnership will continue to receive the charter rate agreed with NFE for the remaining term of the New Charter. In addition, pursuant to the Suspension Agreement, certain capital expenditures and maintenance expenses incurred to prepare and relocate the Höegh Gallant for performance under the New Charter will be shared 50/50 between Höegh LNG and the Partnership, subject to a cap on the obligations of the Partnership. The Board of Directors of the Partnership and the Conflicts Committees (the "Conflicts Committee") approved the New Charter and the Suspension Agreement. The Conflicts Committee retained an outside financial advisor and outside legal advisor to assist with its evaluation of the agreements.

2021年9月23日,該夥伴關係與NFE的子公司簽訂了新憲章,將Höegh Gallant主要用於FSRU運營,租期為10年,預計將於2021年12月開始。該合夥企業還與Höegh LNG的一家子公司簽訂了一項協議,從新憲章的生效日期起暫停Höegh Gallant的現有特許經營(“暫停經營協定”)。新憲章下的租金與目前的市場一致,將低於隨後簽訂的Höegh Gallant憲章下的租金。然而,根據暫緩協議,Höegh LNG的子公司將每月補償合夥企業根據新憲章賺取的租費率與隨後的憲章賺取的租費率之間的差額,外加小幅增加,主要用於支付新憲章下較高的運營費用和税收(“暫緩付款”)。暫緩付款將持續到2025年7月31日,也就是後來的憲章的原定到期日。之後,合夥企業將繼續獲得與NFE就新憲章剩餘期限商定的租船費。此外,根據暫停協議,Höegh Gallant為履行新憲章而準備和搬遷Höegh Gallant所發生的某些資本支出和維護費用將由Höegh LNG和合夥企業各佔一半,但合夥企業的義務有上限。夥伴關係和衝突委員會(“衝突委員會”)董事會批准了“新憲章”和“暫停協定”。衝突委員會聘請了一名外部財務顧問和外部法律顧問協助其評估協議。

The outbreak of Coronavirus (COVID--19) has negatively affected economic conditions in many parts of the world which may impact the Partnership's operations and the operations of its customers and suppliers. Although the Partnership's operations have not been materially affected by the COVID-19 outbreak to date, the ultimate length and severity of the COVID--19 outbreak and its potential impact on the Partnership's operations and financial condition is uncertain at this time. Furthermore, should there be an outbreak of COVID--19 on board one of the Partnership's FSRUs or an inability to replace critical supplies or replacement parts due to disruptions to third-party suppliers, adequate crewing or supplies may not be available to fulfill the Partnership's obligations under its time charter contracts. This could result in off-hire or warranty payments under performance guarantees which would reduce revenues for the impacted period. To date, the Partnership has mitigated the risk of an outbreak of COVID--19 on board its vessels by extending time between crew rotations on the vessels and developing mitigating actions for crew rotations. As a result, the Partnership expects that it will incur somewhat higher crewing expenses to ensure appropriate mitigating actions are in place to minimize the risk of outbreaks. To date, the Partnership has not had service interruptions on the Partnership's FSRUs. Management and administrative staffs have largely transitioned to working remotely from home to address the specific COVID--19 situation in the applicable geographic location. The Partnership has supported staffs by supplying needed internet boosters and office equipment to facilitate an effective work environment.

冠狀病毒(COVID-19型)的爆發對世界許多地區的經濟狀況產生了負面影響,可能會影響夥伴關係的業務及其客户和供應商的業務。儘管到目前為止,該夥伴關係的運營尚未受到新冠肺炎疫情的實質性影響,但目前尚不確定COVID-19疫情的最終持續時間和嚴重程度及其對該夥伴關係的運營和財務狀況的潛在影響。此外,如果在合作伙伴的FSRU上爆發COVID--19,或者由於第三方供應商中斷而無法更換關鍵補給或更換部件,則可能沒有足夠的船員或補給來履行合作伙伴根據其定期包租合同承擔的義務。這可能會導致績效保證項下的停僱或保修付款,這將減少受影響期間的收入。到目前為止,該夥伴關係通過延長船員輪換之間的時間和制定船員輪換的緩解措施,減輕了其船隻上爆發COVID-19的風險。因此,該夥伴關係預計將產生較高的船員費用,以確保採取適當的緩解措施,將疫情爆發的風險降至最低。到目前為止,該夥伴關係的FSRU還沒有出現服務中斷的情況。管理層和行政人員已在很大程度上過渡到在家遠程工作,以應對適用地理位置的特定COVID--19情況。該夥伴關係通過提供必要的互聯網助推器和辦公設備來支持工作人員,以促進有效的工作環境。

譯文內容由第三人軟體翻譯。


以上內容僅用作資訊或教育之目的,不構成與富途相關的任何投資建議。富途竭力但無法保證上述全部內容的真實性、準確性和原創性。
    搶先評論