Euroseas Ltd. (NASDAQ:ESEA, the "Company" or "Euroseas"))))), an owner and operator of container carrier vessels and provider of seaborne transportation for containerized cargoes, announced today it has entered into a time charter contract for M/V Monica, a newbuilding fuel efficient 1,800 teu feeder containership currently under construction, for a minimum period of 10 to a maximum period of 12 months at the option of the charterer, at a gross daily rate of $16,000. The new charter will commence upon delivery of the vessel from the shipyard expected around mid-May 2024. The acquisition was financed with a combination of own funds and a US$22.5 million loan provided by the National Bank of Fujairah. The same financing is secured for the sister ship M/V Stefania K, which is expected to be delivered in mid-June.
Aristides Pittas, Chairman and CEO of Euroseas, commented: "We are pleased to announce that we have chartered our upcoming newbuilding vessel, the fifth in a series of nine and first of our three 1,800 teu units, with one of the largest liner companies, at a profitable rate level of $16,000/day. This charter is expected to contribute about $2.7 million of EBITDA for the minimum contracted period; it increases our 2024 charter coverage to over 85%. We are also pleased to have started a cooperation with the National Bank of Fujairah, as part of our strategy of diversifying our debt financing sources and expanding our relationships with commercial shipping lenders worldwide; and, finally, we are grateful for the advice we received from Alantra DIFC in arranging this financing."
Bilal Hasan Ashraf – Head, Energy & Marine and Government and Large Corporate, Fujairah – National Bank of Fujairah PJSC, commented: "We are excited to support the charter of Euroseas new fuel-efficient container ships through our sustainability linked loan. This innovative partnership not only demonstrates our commitment to promote sustainable practices in the maritime industry but also showcases our dedication to support businesses that prioritize environmental stewardship. By investing in cleaner and more efficient vessels, we are proud to contribute to a greener future for the shipping industry and the planet as a whole."
Nicholas Petrakakos, Partner & MD at Alantra DIFC, commented: "We are pleased to have advised Euroseas in this milestone sustainability linked financing facility with National Bank of Fujairah, for two state of the art containerships MV Monica and MV Stephania K. Our Maritime & Offshore team strives to deliver innovative solutions to our clients, and this transaction is a testament of our commitment, bringing together a prominent Greek owner and the most sophisticated UAE based shipping bank."