Danaos Corporation announces comprehensive debt refinancing agreement
Danaos Corporation a leading international owner of containerships, has reached an agreement with certain of its lenders currently holding approximately $2.2 billion of debt maturing on December 31, 2018, that will significantly strengthen the Company's capital structure and result in a debt reduction of approximately $551 million.
Pursuant to a comprehensive debt re-financing agreement ("RA") with certain of its lenders, as well as Danaos Investment Limited as Trustee of the 883 Trust ("DIL"), its largest stockholder, and its manager, Danaos Shipping Co. Ltd., the Company will strengthen its financial position through a significant debt reduction, resetting of financial and certain other covenants in credit facilities, modified interest rates and amortization profiles and an extension of existing debt maturities by approximately five years to December 31, 2023. The closing of the transaction is subject to definitive documentation and certain closing conditions and commitments by the Company and DIL.
In connection with this debt refinancing, the Company will issue 99,342,271 new shares of Danaos common stock to certain of the Company's lenders, which will represent 47.5% of the Company's outstanding common stock after giving effect to such issuance and will dilute existing shareholders ratably.
DIL has made various financial and operational commitments as part of the contemplated refinancing transactions, including a commitment to make a further capital contribution to the Company at completion for which it will receive no additional shares. Danaos Investment Limited, will remain the Company's largest stockholder following completion of the transaction.
The transactions contemplated by the RA, which are subject to final documentation and other conditions, are expected to be consummated by July 31, 2018.
The RA and the transactions contemplated thereby were approved by the Company's Board of Directors, upon the recommendation of an independent committee comprised solely of independent and disinterested members of the Company's Board of Directors, which was advised by an independent financial advisor and independent counsel.
About Danaos Corporation
Danaos Corporation's fleet of 59 containerships aggregating 352,600 TEUs, including four vessels owned by Gemini Shipholdings Corporation, a joint venture, ranks Danaos among the largest containership charter owners in the world based on total TEU capacity.