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ABERDEEN - KNOT Offshore Partners LP (NYSE:KNOP), a global operator of shuttle tankers, has announced the acquisition of the Suezmax class shuttle tanker Tuva Knutsen and the concurrent sale of the older shuttle tanker Dan Cisne. The transactions involve the purchase and sale of the entities owning the respective vessels, with the net payment of $1.1 million set to be paid by the seller to the Partnership, after customary adjustments.
The newly acquired Tuva Knutsen, a 153,000-deadweight ton DP2 Suezmax class tanker built in 2021, is currently operating in Brazil under a charter contract with TotalEnergies (EPA:TTEF). This contract is set to expire in February 2026, with options for an additional 10 years. KNOT has effectively guaranteed the hire rate for Tuva Knutsen until August 2031, providing KNOP with seven years of fixed employment for the vessel.
This strategic move is aimed at reducing the average age of the fleet and increasing the concentration of vessels in the most in-demand shuttle tanker class. The Partnership's CEO, Derek Lowe, expressed confidence in the transaction's contribution to the growth of the fleet without the need for new funding and the enhancement of the company's long-term contract pipeline.
The Board of Directors and the independent Conflicts Committee of KNOT Offshore Partners approved the transaction, with support from an independent financial advisor and legal counsel.
KNOT Offshore Partners specializes in operating shuttle tankers, primarily under long-term charters in the offshore oil production regions of Brazil and the North Sea. The company is structured as a publicly traded master limited partnership and trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol KNOP.
The information for this article is based on a press release statement from KNOT Offshore Partners LP.
InvestingPro Insights
KNOT Offshore Partners LP (NYSE:KNOP) has been making strategic moves in the shuttle tanker market, and recent data from InvestingPro provides further context to these developments. The company's market capitalization stands at approximately $245.61 million, reflecting its position in the industry. Despite analysts not expecting KNOP to be profitable this year, the company has upheld a commendable track record of maintaining dividend payments for 12 consecutive years. This consistency demonstrates the partnership's commitment to shareholder returns, even in challenging market conditions.
The recent acquisition of the Tuva Knutsen and the sale of the Dan Cisne align with KNOP's strategy to rejuvenate its fleet and focus on vessels in high-demand classes. This strategic direction is supported by the fact that the company has experienced a significant price uptick of 31.33% over the last six months, indicating positive market sentiment. The current price to book ratio, as of the last twelve months leading up to Q1 2024, is an attractive 0.47, which may appeal to value-oriented investors considering the underlying assets of the company.
InvestingPro Tips further reveal that KNOP's short-term obligations currently exceed its liquid assets, which could be a point of consideration for investors looking at the company's financial health. However, the company's long-term strategy, including the fixed employment guarantee for the Tuva Knutsen tanker until August 2031, could provide a more stable revenue outlook.
For readers interested in a deeper dive into KNOT Offshore Partners' financials and future prospects, InvestingPro offers additional tips. Currently, there are five more InvestingPro Tips available that provide insights into the company's financial and operational performance.
Investors and industry observers can access these tips and more detailed metrics by visiting InvestingPro's comprehensive analysis page for KNOT Offshore Partners at https://www.investing.com/pro/KNOP.
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