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HAMILTON, BERMUDA--(Marketwire - Dec. 5, 2012) - Teekay LNG Partners L.P. (Teekay LNG or the Partnership) TGP and EXMAR NV (EXMAR) BB today announced an agreement in principle to create a new 50/50 joint venture which will operate in the LPG Carrier segment with a primary focus on Midsize Gas Carriers. EXMAR and Teekay LNG seek to expand the joint venture by taking advantage of the current and future demand for liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and ammonia (NH3).
Transaction Summary
-- EXMAR will contribute 16 owned LPG carriers to the new joint venture
company, to be named EXMAR LPG BVBA. The EXMAR LPG BVBA fleet will
include 15 owned Midsize Gas Carriers (MGC), of which four are under
construction at Hyundai Mipo, and one owned Very Large Gas Carrier
(VLGC). EXMAR LPG BVBA will also time-charter in three MGCs and two
VLGCs, and bareboat-charter in one MGC and one VLGC.
-- Prior to this transaction, EXMAR LPG BVBA will acquire from Wah Kwong
the remaining 50 percent interest in two MGCs, the Brugge Venture and
the Touraine, which it does not already own.
-- Teekay LNG will then acquire a 50 percent ownership in EXMAR LPG BVBA.
In exchange for its 50 percent interest in EXMAR LPG BVBA, Teekay LNG
will contribute approximately USD 140 million of equity and assume pro
rata debt and lease obligations secured by certain vessels to be owned
by EXMAR LPG BVBA.
-- EXMAR LPG BVBA has received a commitment from certain commercial lenders
to refinance the fleet in early-2013.
-- EXMAR will continue to commercially and technically manage and operate
the vessels.
-- It is the intention of EXMAR LPG BVBA to renew and grow the fleet and
discussions are already underway with various yards to secure additional
orders.
"New gas export projects scheduled to come on-line, combined with a relatively modest LPG carrier orderbook, are expected to result in strong demand for the current global LPG carrier fleet," commented Peter Evensen, Chief Executive Officer of Teekay GP LLC. "In addition to providing potential upside from the attractive fundamentals in the LPG shipping market, this accretive transaction further diversifies Teekay LNG's fixed-rate contract portfolio while leveraging EXMAR's deep expertise as a leading owner and operator of medium-sized gas carriers."
Nicolas Saverys, Chief Executive Officer of EXMAR N.V commented, "This transaction reflects a long-standing tradition of partnership with outstanding shipping peers. EXMAR is pleased to have Teekay LNG as a partner and rely on their extensive knowledge of the worldwide shipping markets to continue to grow the LPG and NH3 trade together. We share the same vision and strategy to grow the gas shipping trade and are excited about implementing our ideas as soon as possible."
The proposed transaction, which is expected to close in late-2012 or early-2013, has been approved by the Teekay LNG and EXMAR boards of directors, and remains subject to customary closing conditions, including the completion of due diligence, vessel inspections and documentation.
The table below summarizes the vessels to be included in the EXMAR LPG BVBA fleet:
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Year
Vessel Built Type Capacity Ownership Employment
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1. Hyundai Mipo 2014 Fully 38,000 Owned N/A
No. 8121 Ref dwt
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2. Hyundai Mipo 2014 Fully 38,000 Owned N/A
No. 8122 Ref dwt
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3. Hyundai Mipo 2014 Fully 38,000 Owned N/A
No. 8123 Ref dwt
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
4. Hyundai Mipo 2014 Fully 38,000 Owned N/A
No. 8124 Ref dwt
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5. BW Kyoto 2010 Fully 83,298 Time-charter Spot (managed by
(33.33%) Ref dwt in BW Gas)
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6. BW Tokyo 2009 Fully 83,298 Time-charter Spot (managed by
(33.33%) Ref dwt in BW Gas)
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7. Libramont 2006 Fully 38,455 Owned Time-charter
Ref dwt
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8. Sombeke 2006 Fully 38,447 Owned Time-charter
Ref dwt
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9. Antwerpen 2005 Fully 35,233 Time-charter Spot
Ref dwt in
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10. Eupen 2005 Fully 38,961 Owned Spot / Contract
Ref dwt of Affreightment
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11. Odin 2005 Fully 38,501 Time-charter Spot / Contract
Ref dwt in of Affreightment
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12. Berlian 2004 Fully 35,437 Time-charter Contract of
Ekuator Ref dwt in Affreightment
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13. Bastogne 2002 Fully 35,229 Owned Spot / Contract
Ref dwt of Affreightment
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14. Brugge 1997 Fully 35,418 Owned Time-charter
Venture Ref dwt
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15. Brussels 1997 Fully 35,454 Bareboat- Time-charter
Ref dwt charter in
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16. Flanders 1996 Fully 84,270 Bareboat- Time-charter
Tenacity Ref dwt charter in
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17. Touraine 1996 Fully 39,270 Owned Time-charter
Ref dwt
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18. Eeklo 1995 Fully 37,450 Owned Time-charter
Ref dwt
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19. Kemira Gas 1995 Semi Ref 12,030 Owned Time-charter
dwt
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20. Temse 1994 Fully 35,058 Owned Spot / Contract
Ref dwt of Affreightment
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21. Flanders 1993 Fully 85,826 Owned Time-charter
Harmony Ref dwt
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22. Courcheville 1989 Fully 28,006 Owned Time-charter
Ref dwt
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
23. Donau 1985 Semi Ref 30,207 Owned Time-charter
dwt
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About Teekay LNG Partners L.P.
Teekay LNG Partners L.P. is a publicly-traded master limited partnership formed by Teekay Corporation TK as part of its strategy to expand its operations in the LNG and LPG shipping sectors. Teekay LNG Partners L.P. provides LNG, LPG and crude oil marine transportation services primarily under long-term, fixed-rate charter contracts with major energy and utility companies through its fleet of 27 LNG carriers (including one LNG regasification unit), five LPG/Multigas carriers and 11 conventional tankers. Teekay LNG Partners' interests in these vessels ranges from 33 to 100 percent. In addition, Teekay LNG Partners has agreed in principal to acquire a 50 percent interest in a new joint venture with EXMAR which will own and in-charter LPG carriers and expects this transaction to close by late-2012 or early-2013. Teekay LNG Partners L.P. is a publicly-traded master limited partnership (MLP) formed by Teekay Corporation TK as part of its strategy to expand its operations in the LNG and LPG shipping sectors.
Teekay LNG Partners' common units trade on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "TGP".
About EXMAR NV
EXMAR NV, headquartered in Antwerp, Belgium, is a diversified and independent shipping group serving the international gas and oil industry. Apart from providing the ships for the transportation of these products, it also performs studies and undertakes the management of commercial, technical and administrative activities for the oil and gas industry. EXMAR strives to create shareholder value over the long term by balancing long- and short-term agreements to counteract volatility in the freight market, combined with providing services that are tailored to the needs of the customer.
EXMAR is quoted on Euronext Brussels (EXM).
FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS
This release contains forward-looking statements (as defined in Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) which reflect management's current views with respect to certain future events and performance, including statements regarding: the vessels contributed by EXMAR to the EXMAR LPG BVBA joint venture; the timing and certainty of completion of EXMAR's acquisition of the 50 percent interest in two MGCs, the Brugge Venture and the Touraine, which it does not already own; the timing, amount and certainty of completion of the Partnership's equity investment in the EXMAR LPG BVBA joint venture, and Teekay LNG's assumption of pro rata debt and capital lease obligations; timing and certainty of refinancing the EXMAR LPG BVBA fleet; the effect of the investment in EXMAR LPG BVBA on the Partnership's cash flows and diversity of its contract portfolio, and expected accretion to the Partnership; the potential for EXMAR LPG BVBA to order additional LPG carrier newbuildings; volatility of spot market LPG and NH3 shipping rates; and LNG and LPG shipping market fundamentals, including balance of supply and demand of LPG shipping capacity and LPG shipping charter rates. The following factors are among those that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements, which involve risks and uncertainties, and that should be considered in evaluating any such statement: less than anticipated revenues, higher than anticipated costs, higher than expected drydock expenses related to the LPG carriers owned and in-chartered by EXMAR LPG BVBA; shipyard construction delays;
increased cost to construct the four Hyundai Mipo newbuilding LPG carriers; the potential early termination of time-charter out contracts and inability of the EXMAR LPG BVBA to renew or replace the time-charter out contracts; failure by EXMAR to complete the acquisition of the remaining 50 percent interest in MGCs which it does not currently own; failure to satisfy the closing conditions of the transaction, including obtaining approvals from charterers and relevant regulatory authorities; failure to complete the refinancing of the EXMAR LPG BVBA fleet in 2013; changes in production of LNG, LPG or NH3, either generally or in particular regions that would impact the expected future growth in the global LPG transportation market and spot LPG and NH3 shipping rates; changes in trading patterns or timing of the start-up of new LNG liquefaction significantly impacting overall LPG and NH3 shipping requirements; changes in applicable industry laws and regulations and the timing of implementation of new laws and regulations; and changes to the amount or proportion of expenses denominated in foreign currencies; and other factors discussed in Teekay LNG Partners' filings from time to time with the SEC, including its Report on Form 20-F/A for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011. The Partnership expressly disclaims any obligation to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect any change in the Partnership's expectations with respect thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:
Teekay LNG Partners L.P.
Kent Alekson
Investor Relations Enquiries
+ 1 (604) 609-6442
www.teekaylng.com
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