By P.R. Venkat
Sembcorp Marine Ltd. and Keppel Corp.’s offshore-and-marine business have agreed to merge, creating one of the world’s largest rig-building companies.
Under the planned merger, Keppel Offshore & Marine and Sembcorp Marine will be combined, allowing a value realization of 9.42 billion Singapore dollars (US$6.83 billion), Keppel said Wednesday.
Keppel will receive equity shares representing a 56% equity interest in the combined business, which will be listed as a separate entity. It will also get S$500 million cash.
After completing the deal, Keppel will distribute to its shareholders 46% of the equity shares in the combined entity.
The deal “is also expected to further strengthen Singapore’s position as a maritime and offshore & marine hub,” it said.
Trading in shares of both companies has been halted in Singapore.
Like many of their peers, Keppel and Sembcorp Marine were severely affected by the Covid-19 pandemic, which hit drilling and exploration activities worldwide. Both companies had to deal with a wave of bankruptcies among their customers, leading to order cancellations.
They had announced their intention to merge last year.
The move comes at a time when the oil prices are back to record levels, which could fuel demand for oil drilling and rigs.
“With improving conditions in the offshore & marine sector, underpinned by the improving oil price and increasing utilization and day rates of offshore drilling rigs, we are confident that Keppel O&M’s legacy rigs can be substantially monetized in the next 3-5 years,” Keppel Chief Executive Loh Chin Hua said.
Keppel has a market capitalization of S$12.12 billion while Sembcorp Marine’s is at S$4.11 billion.
The transaction is expected to be completed by the end of the year.
JP Morgan is serving as Keppel’s financial advisor.
Write to PR Venkat at [email protected]
,
Credit: www.marketwatch.com /