FRO - Committed to Installing Additional Scrubbers, Extension of Senior Unsecured revolving $275.0 Million Credit Facility to Nov 2020 and Option Awards
Frontline Ltd. (the "Company" or "Frontline") (NYSE: FRO) today announces that it has ordered exhaust gas cleaning systems ("EGCS") for a further 12 vessels from Feen Marine Scrubbers Inc. ("FMSI"). This follows the Company's previously announced commitment to order six EGCS with additional fixed price options from FMSI and its acquisition of a 20% ownership interest in FMSI in June 2018. In total, Frontline has thus far committed to install 20 EGCS, including two EGCS being installed on the newbuilding VLCCs Front Discovery and Front Defender.
In addition, Frontline announces that it has extended the terms of its senior unsecured revolving credit facility of up to $275.0 million with an affiliate of Hemen Holding Ltd. by 12 months to November 2020.
Robert Hvide Macleod, CEO of Frontline Management said:
"Backed by the ongoing commitment and support from Frontline's largest shareholder, we have taken significant steps to modernize our fleet, decreasing the average age of our owned vessels to 4.7 years. Following the committed installations, over 40% of our owned fleet will be equipped with scrubbers. Notably, the majority of these installations will be performed prior to 2020, when new sulphur emissions compliance requirements go into effect. Further installations will be considered, and we are uniquely positioned to access scrubber capacity from Feen Marine. We believe our actions will position the Company to generate significant earnings for our shareholders."
Lastly, Frontline announces that 180,000 share options have been awarded to employees in accordance with the terms of the Company's Share Option Scheme. The share options will expire in July 2021 and will vest in July 2019. The exercise price is USD 7.40. The exercise price will be adjusted for any distribution of dividends made before the relevant options are exercised. Out of the total number of share options 10,000 have been awarded to the primary insider Tom Pryor (CAO) according to the above and following this he has 10,000 share options and no shares in the Company.
November 1, 2018
The Board of Directors
Frontline Ltd.
Hamilton, Bermuda
Robert Hvide Macleod: Chief Executive Officer, Frontline Management AS
Inger M. Klemp: Chief Financial Officer, Frontline Management AS
Forward-Looking Statements
Matters discussed in this press release may constitute forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include statements concerning plans, objectives, goals, strategies, future events or performance, and underlying assumptions and other statements, which are other than statements of historical facts. Words, such as, but not limited to "believe," "anticipate," "intends," "estimate," "forecast," "project," "plan," "potential," "may," "should," "expect," "pending" and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements in this press release are based upon various assumptions, many of which are based, in turn, upon further assumptions. Although Frontline believes that these assumptions were reasonable when made, because these assumptions are inherently subject to significant uncertainties and contingencies which are difficult or impossible to predict and are beyond the control of Frontline, Frontline cannot assure you that they will achieve or accomplish these expectations, beliefs or projections. The information set forth herein speaks only as of the date hereof, and Frontline disclaims any intention or obligation to update any forward-looking statements as a result of developments occurring after the date of this communication.
This information is subject to the disclosure requirements pursuant to section 5-12 and section 4-2 of the Norwegian Securities Trading Act.
