Dubai’s Gulf Navigation refinances its biggest loan

Gulf Navigation Holding PJSC (“GULFNAV”) the Dubai Financial Market listed maritime and shipping company, announced completing the process of restructuring its largest loan with Australis Maritime Limited, under new and flexible terms. The value of the debt, which amounts to more than 200 million dirhams, has been rescheduled so that the cost of debt will be reduced by 25%, or the equivalent of 4 million dirhams, in savings, annually.

The company also stated that it has fully paid all its obligations to Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank, thus reducing the company’s overall debt. The company has been keen on ensuring the continuity of all operations and re-negotiating with the rest of the lenders to restructure its debts in order to support the company’s financial and operational performance. The company is currently working on reaching an agreement with the majority of the lenders on new and flexible terms that will allow the company to adapt to the current market conditions. Furthermore, the company has made major changes to the operating model and reduced administrative expenses in order to enhance growth and sustainability.

Gulf Navigation is currently studying several options to expand and increase its maritime fleet, whether through new acquisitions or mergers, in line with the company’s strategy that aims to expand its business locally and in the GCC, as well as entering into strategic partnerships which will improve shareholder value. The company is expected to turn into profitability during 2021 as a result of the measures taken by the Board of Directors and the initiatives that were adopted at the beginning of this year, which included the efforts to stabilize the performance of ships and chartering them to reliable customers on a long-term basis, which will pave the way for the company to expand and grow in the coming years.
Source: Gulf Navigation Holding