NCLH group prices note and equity offerings

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Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen

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Published: 21 July 2020 21 July 2020

NCL Corporation Ltd., a subsidiary of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. (NCLH), has announced that it has priced an offering of $750 million of senior secured notes, $400 million of exchangeable notes and plus some $300 million of new equity.

A public offering of 16,666,667 ordinary shares were sold at a price to the public of $15.00 per share. However, the underwriters have notified the Company of their intent to purchase an additional 2,500,000 ordinary shares pursuant to the full exercise of their option to acquire additional ordinary shares. As a result, NCL Corporation will issue an aggregate amount of 19,166,667 ordinary shares in the offering, including the option shares.

In addition, the company has priced $750 million aggregate principal amount of its 10.250% senior secured notes due 2026, which were offered in a private offering.

The amount was increased to $750 million from the previously announced $675 million. “The Secured Notes and certain of the related guarantees will be secured by a first-priority interest in, among other things and subject to certain agreed security principles, one of our vessels,” NCLH said.

NCL Corporation also priced $400 million aggregate principal amount of its 5.375% exchangeable senior notes due 2025 which were also offered in a private offering. The aggregate principal amount of Exchangeable Notes to be issued was increased to $400 million from the previously announced $250 million.

NCLC has granted the initial purchasers of the Exchangeable Notes an option to purchase, on or before August 2, 2020, up to an additional $60 million aggregate principal amount of Exchangeable Notes, NCLH said.

Posidonia 2020 cancelled

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Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen

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Published: 21 July 2020 21 July 2020

It is with a great deal of regret that we are announcing the cancellation of Posidonia 2020, originally planned for June 2020 and subsequently postponed to October 2020, organisers of the event said in a statement..

“We have reached this difficult decision following close consultation with many exhibitors and with our shipping community stakeholders, after assessing the current state of Covid-19 in countries around the world.”

“The worrying increase of cases in certain jurisdictions and the inability to predict reliably where the Pandemic will take us in the months ahead, compounds the uncertainty that now prevails, imposing upon us circumstances that are beyond our control.”

“Furthermore, the shipment of exhibits and the complexities of international travel which are constantly being re-evaluated as events develop, pose major challenges and practical restrictions to our international exhibitors and visitors, with the distinct possibility that many will not be able to visit Greece. Without them Posidonia would not be the same,” they said, adding:“Instead, we are embarking on our preparations for the next Posidonia in June 2022 with optimism and the confidence that well before then we will have entered a world with Covid-19 under control.”

Administration gives company protection against creditor action

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Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen

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Published: 20 July 2020 20 July 2020

Administration is a procedure in English law that is aimed to provide a company protection against its creditors, according to Purnell’s, a UK based insolvency practitioner.

It is roughly an equivalent of the Chapter 11 procedure in the US.

Cruise & Maritime Voyages entered administration on 20 July after it had failed to raise funds to carry it through the Covid-19 crisis.

“That ‘freeze’ on creditors enforcement procedures provided by the Administrator's appointment gives directors the time needed to consider alternatives and to put a rescue plan in place. The process is, therefore, quite often an interim step to achieve a later objective such as a company voluntary arrangement. In many instances an Administration can, however, stand on its own without necessarily there being a later insolvency process,” Purnell’s said on their website.

Explorer Dream crew completes quarantine and pass Covid-19 testing

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

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Published: 17 July 2020 17 July 2020

Genting Cruise Lines will be the first international cruise company to restart operations with the deployment of Dream Cruises’ Explorer Dream to Taiwan, where she will begin “Taiwan Island-Hopping” itineraries on 26 July 2020. Upon the ship’s arrival in Keelung on 30 June 2020, Explorer Dream underwent a thorough deep cleaning in accordance with EU standard, in addition to her crew immediately beginning their mandatory 14 day quarantine on land.

Upon completion of quarantine on land, the crew of Explorer Dream has tested negative for COVID-19 based on nucleic acid tests that are expensed by the cruise company. The crew has now returned on board where they will undergo an additional 7 day self-health monitoring period to complete their comprehensive preventive period of 21 days of isolation in total, prior to the inaugural sailing of the island-hopping itinerary on July 26.

Kent Zhu, President of Genting Cruise Lines said, “The health and safety of our guests and crew are our top priority and we appreciate the support and guidance of the many Taiwan authorities on the smooth completion of quarantine procedures and testing for our crew including the Central Epidemic Command Center, Taiwan Centers for Disease Control, Immigration Department/National Police Agency of Ministry of Interior, Maritime Port Bureau, MOTC; Taiwan International Port Company, Keelung City Government, Taipei City Government, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Far Eastern Memorial Hospital, Wanfang Hospital and Epidemic Prevention Hotel.”

“We have been working tirelessly to prepare for the resumption of our cruise operations, and we have been exploring with local authorities the feasibility of hosting a medical professional aboard the ship to work as a consultant in collaboration with our two in-house professional doctors. We have implemented the newly-added role of Infection Control Officer on board to ensure our extensive preventive measures are functioning smoothly in case of emergencies,” Zhu continued.

Prior to her inaugural sailing, Explorer Dream will participate in an outbreak simulation drill under the guidance of the Taiwan Centers for Disease Control. Medical experts from the Taiwan Public Health Association will also consult on the drill with professional advice on the ship’s prevention and response plans to ensure the seamless execution of preventive measures both on board and on shore.

In response to the outbreak of COVID-19, Genting Cruise Lines had reviewed its existing prevention and response plans and devised a new set of enhanced and comprehensive measures across the fleet covering key areas including stringent health screening procedures and guidelines during embarkation and disembarkation, social distancing measures on board, enhanced sanitization, disinfection and hygiene practices for guest cabins and crew member quarters, public areas and recreational facilities, and safe food and beverage handling procedures.

Genting Cruise Lines has also worked with DNV GL, the largest classification society in the world, to adapt their health care “Certification in Infection Prevention (CIP) for the Marine industry (CIP-M); Explorer Dream is also the first cruise ship in the world to receive the CIP-M certification.

Additionally, the design of Explorer Dream allows for 100% external fresh air to be filtered and supplied to each passenger cabin as well as on board public areas ensuring a constant and healthy flow of fresh air throughout the vessels.

Two professional doctors, of which one will also serve as the new on board Infection Control Officer, will be available in the 24-hour medical centre, where real time RT-PCR diagnostic rapid tests and nasal swab tests will be available. Isolation wards with negative room pressure are also available in the Medical Centre and cabins can be converted into quarantine rooms if required.

“We appreciate the support and trust from our guests and industry partners in Taiwan, where our island-hopping itineraries have been met with an overwhelming market response, with sold out sailings in July and August. We look forward to welcoming our guests on board our inaugural sailing on July 26, where they will be able to enjoy a safe and inspirational journey at sea with total peace of mind,” Zhu added.