Ship Finance International Limited (NYSE:SFL) (“Ship Finance” or the “Company”), today announced that it has agreed to sell the single hull suezmax tanker Front Transporter to an unrelated third party at a gross sales price of $38 million. Frontline will receive a compensation payment of approximately $15.4 million for the termination of the charter, and the Company expects the sale to generate a small book profit. There are currently no loans relating to Front Transporter. Delivery to the new owner is expected to take place in May or June 2007.
As announced by Frontline Ltd. (“Frontline”) on December 13, 2006, the single hull suezmax tanker Front Target will be converted to a heavy-lift vessel at COSCO Shipyard in China. The conversion will begin in May 2007, and completion is expected in August 2007. Ship Finance is currently in discussions with Frontline to structure a new 10 year time-charter for the converted heavy-lift vessel. The alternative is to sell the vessel to Frontline prior to conversion.
Following the sale and conversion, Ship Finance will have 14 single hull vessels in the fleet, down from 18 vessels only three months ago. Including vessels under construction and conversion, the Company’s fleet will then consist of 59 vessels.
The announced sale and the heavy-lift conversion confirms the Board of Director’s strategy to diversify and grow the long-term charter business and actively pursue alternatives for the Company’s single hull tanker fleet.
January 8, 2007
The Board of Directors
Ship Finance International Limited
Hamilton, Bermuda
Contact Person:
Lars Solbakken: Chief Executive Officer, Ship Finance Management AS
+47 2311 4006
Ole B. Hjertaker: Chief Financial Officer, Ship Finance Management AS
+47 2311 4011 / +47 9014 1243