CIT Group announced that CIT Maritime Finance provided a $46.4 million senior secured credit facility to Epic Gas Ltd. (“Epic Gas”). Headquartered in Singapore, Epic Gas owns and operates a fleet of seaborne gas carriers to transport liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and petrochemicals. The facility was used to partially finance the acquisition of a fleet of five LPG tankers that includes three newbuildings and two modern gas carriers acquired in the secondary market. Financing from CIT was provided by CIT Bank, the U.S. commercial bank subsidiary of CIT. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
“This financing will allow Epic Gas to grow its fleet of tankers to support the growing demand in the LPG and petrochemical sectors,” said Svein Engh, Managing Director and Group Head of CIT Maritime Finance. “With the demand for ocean and coastal transportation activity expected to increase gradually, we’re pleased to play a role in the expansion of Epic’s growing footprint and we look forward to building this relationship.”
Lars Vang Christensen, CEO of Epic Gas, said, “The seaborne petrochemical trade is expected to grow year over year. These latest additions provide us the opportunity to continue growing our fleet with some of the largest vessels in the pressurized segment. CIT was able to put their knowledge to work for us. Their expertise and experience allowed us to complete this transaction in a timely manner with favorable terms. CIT played an important role in this phase of Epic's expansion plans. We look forward to working with them on future projects.”
Epic Gas Ltd., owns and operates a fleet of 40 modern and high quality fully pressurized gas carriers providing seaborne services for the transportation of liquefied petroleum gas and petrochemicals. The company’s vessels serve as an important link in the international gas supply chains of leading oil majors and commodity trading houses throughout Southeast Asia, Europe, West Africa and the Americas. The company is headquartered in Singapore with additional offices in London, Manila, Tokyo and Hamburg.
CIT Maritime offers senior secured loans, sale-leasebacks, and bareboat charters to owners and operators of oceangoing cargo vessels including tankers, bulkers, container ships, car carriers, as well as offshore vessels and drilling rigs.