Overseas Shipholding Group, a provider of energy transportation services for crude oil and petroleum products in the U.S. flag markets, closed on a seven-year, $325 million term loan credit facility with Stonebriar Commercial Finance. The loan is primarily secured by first preferred ship mortgages on 10 U.S. flagged product transport vessels, including tankers and articulated tug and barges.

“The OSG management team has been a pleasure to work with on various transactions during the last three years,” Steve White, managing director of capital markets for Stonebriar Commercial Finance, said. “As the Jones Act liquids transportation trade continues to improve, we were pleased to have closed this transaction in support of OSG’s near- and long-term financial goals.”

Overseas Shipholding Group used the proceeds of the facility to refinance and replace its existing term loan facility with The Prudential Insurance Company of America, as administrative agent, and certain other lenders and an existing term loan with Wintrust Commercial Finance, as well as to partially refinance a term loan with Banc of America Leasing & Capital. Overseas Shipholding Group will use the remaining proceeds, after transaction costs, for general working capital purposes.

“This transaction not only highlights Stonebriar’s faith in OSG’s business and management, but also is another validation of our ability to efficiently and strategically deploy capital ranging from $5 million to $500 million,” Dave B. Fate, CEO of Stonebriar Commercial Finance, said.

The performance of the borrowers’ obligations under the term loan refinancing are guaranteed by Overseas Shipholding Group and certain other subsidiaries, and the loan contains customary representations and warranties and affirmative and negative covenants.

“We are very pleased to have completed this major refinancing that lengthens our maturity profile and provides a significant increase to the company’s liquidity position,” Dick Trueblood, vice president and CFO of Overseas Shipholding Group, said. “OSG now has no scheduled debt maturities until September 2024. We would like to thank our existing lender, Stonebriar, who completed this transaction and has become our largest financial partner.”

“The series of transactions completed this week fulfill several key elements considered during the strategic review being conducted by the company and its board of directors,” Sam Norton, president and CEO of Overseas Shipholding Group, said. “Notably, several of OSG’s lending agreements have been consolidated under the new term loan refinancing. Coordinated amendments to the remaining legacy debt agreements will result in covenant provisions being harmonized with the terms of the new facility. Looking forward through the end of 2022, available liquidity will be the principal financial compliance metric in all debt agreements. Available liquidity has been enhanced, as cash balances at the end of September were $85 million. In addition, cash required for debt service during 2022 will be reduced by approximately $10 million as compared to the requirements under our prior facilities. We believe the improving trajectory of our markets and the benefits of the completed transactions give OSG a solid platform to realize the full long-term potential of its unique and valuable operating franchise.

“Energy markets continue to provide evidence of strengthening demand and improving fundamentals. In line with these developments, OSG’s financial results have shown steady incremental progress as 2021 has progressed, including during the just completed third quarter. With two tankers having been activated in recent weeks and discussions with customers that indicate a likely increase in seasonal demand during the winter months ahead, we believe the recovery in our markets that we have been anticipating will become more evident as we move into the fourth quarter and new year.”

Editor’s Note: This article was updated to include information on what the loan was secured by as well as comments from Stonebriar Commercial Finance.