The Korean shipping finance market remains challenging but it is heartening to note one Korean financial institution is thinking out of the box and supporting its core clients. On the second day of Marine Money Asia Week, we had the pleasure to listen to Mr. Dong Hae Lee, Head of Shipping Finance Team at the Korea Development Bank (“KDB”). Mr. Lee told the audience that Korean shipping companies continue to suffer losses from operations which have led to several cases of corporate restructuring and liquidation in the country. But the good news is there are several avenues for Korean owners and operators to strengthen their balance sheets now.
For the big boys, self help is important. Korea Line, Hanjin Shipping, STX Pan Ocean, Hyundai Merchant Marine, SK Shipping and Eukor Car Carriers have raised over KRW 2.93 trillion (USD 2.5 billion) from the domestic capital markets. And if the shipping company has secured Contracts of Affreightment (“COA”) earnings from the big freighters such as POSCO, KOGAS and KEPCO, asset-backed securitization and asset-backed loans can be arranged by the banks to enhance the operator’s liquidity position. In terms of sale and leaseback structures, both KDB and Korea Asset Management Corp (“KAMCO”) have introduced shipping funds to provide further financial support to the shipping industry.
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Tags: · Daewoo Shipbuilding, Dongbu Insurance, DSME, Hanjin, Hanjin Shipping, HanSung Line, HMM, Hyundai Merchant Marine, Kamco, KDB, Korea Asset Management, Korea Development B, Korea Line, Polaris Shipping, STX Pan Ocean
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