DryShips Inc. a global provider of marine transportation services for drybulk and petroleum cargoes, and through its majority owned subsidiary, Ocean Rig UDW Inc., of offshore deep water drilling services, has announced that Ocean Rig has received firm commitments from lenders for up to a $475 million syndicated secured term loan to partially finance the construction costs of the Ocean Rig Apollo. The facility amount is for the lesser of $475 million and 70% of the fair market value of the drillship. This facility has a 5 year term, and approximate 12 year repayment profile, and bears interest at LIBOR plus a margin. This financing is led by DNB and the lending syndicate consists of DVB Bank and potentially other commercial lenders as well as the Import-Export Bank of Korea (KEXIM). This agreement is subject to definitive documentation which Ocean Rig expects to complete in the following weeks.
About DryShips Inc.
DryShips Inc. is an owner of drybulk carriers and tankers that operate worldwide. Through its majority owned subsidiary, Ocean Rig UDW Inc., DryShips owns and operates 13 offshore ultra deepwater drilli ng units, comprising of 2 ultra deepwater semisubmersible drilling rigs and 11 ultra deepwa ter drillships, 1 of which is scheduled to be delivered to Ocean Rig during 2015, 1 of which is scheduled to be delivered to Ocean Rig during 2016 and 2 of which are scheduled to be delivered during 2017. DryShips owns a fleet of 39 drybulk carriers, comprising 13 Capesize, 24 Panamax and 2 Supramax with a combined deadweight tonnage of approximately 4.3 million tons, and 10 tankers, comprising 4 Suezmax and 6 Aframax, with a combined deadweight tonnage of over 1.3 million tons.