Fintech PR

Paratus Energy Services Ltd. Announces Full Retirement of SeaMex Notes

Published

1 year ago

July 18, 2023

HAMILTON, Bermuda, July 18, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — Paratus Energy Services Ltd. (“Paratus” or “Company”) is pleased to announce that SeaMex Holdings Ltd. (“SeaMex”), a wholly owned subsidiary of Paratus, has fully prepaid the notes outstanding under its Notes Purchase and Private Shelf Agreement dated August 31, 2021 (“SeaMex Notes”), marking a significant milestone since the Company’s emergence from chapter 11 in January 2022.

The achievement positions SeaMex free of any third-party debt obligations and encumbrances and highlights the Company’s commitment to maintaining a strong balance sheet and focus on deleveraging. This success follows the full early retirement of the Bank Facilities¹ of Seabras Sapura Holding GmbH and related subsidiaries (collectively “Seabras”) in December 2022.

By retiring its debt over a year ahead of its maturity, SeaMex reinforces its financial strength, allowing for increased flexibility and a reduced cost of capital. SeaMex has collected over $600 million from its key customer since January 2022, and expects to continue to deliver strong free cash flows going forward. With the SeaMex Notes fully repaid, the company will also have increased flexibility to distribute cash to Paratus.

About SeaMex:

SeaMex, a wholly owned subsidiary of Paratus, is an offshore driller that owns a fleet of five high-specification jack-up rigs: Defender, Courageous, Intrepid, Oberon, and Titania. All SeaMex jack-up rigs are currently operating under contract in Mexico. As of March 31, 2023, SeaMex had a backlog position of approximately $500 million. Seadrill Management Ltd. currently performs substantially all of SeaMex’s management and administrative functions pursuant to a management services agreement; however, SeaMex is in the process of transitioning management and administrative functions in-house and announced the hiring of Raphael Siri as CEO in 2Q 2023 to lead these efforts. Seadrill’s management activities are expected to largely be phased out in 3Q 2023.

Forward-Looking Statements

This release includes forward-looking statements. Such statements are generally not historical in nature, and specifically include statements about the Transaction. These statements are based on management’s current plans, expectations, assumptions and beliefs concerning future events impacting the Company and its subsidiaries and therefore involve a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this news release. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, the timing for and ultimate completion of the Transaction, management’s reliance on third party professional advisors and operational partners and providers, the Company’s ability (or inability) to control the operations and governance of certain joint ventures and investment vehicles, oil and energy services and solutions market conditions, subsea services market conditions, and offshore drilling market conditions, the cost and timing of capital projects, the performance of operating assets, delay in payment or disputes with customers, the ability to successfully employ operating assets, procure or have access to financing, ability to comply with loan covenants, liquidity and adequacy of cash flow from operations of its subsidiaries and investments, fluctuations in the international price of oil or alternative energy sources, international financial, commodity or currency market conditions, including, in each case, the impact of COVID-19 and related economic conditions, changes in governmental regulations, including in connection with COVID-19, increased competition in any of the industries in which the Company or any of its subsidiaries operates, the impact of global economic conditions and global health threats, including in connection with COVID-19, the Company’s ability to maintain relationships with suppliers, customers, joint venture partners, professional advisors, operational partners and providers, employees and other third parties and the Company’s ability to maintain adequate financing to support the Company’s business plans, factors related to the offshore drilling, subsea services, and oil and energy services and solutions markets, the impact of global economic conditions, the Company’s liquidity and the adequacy of cash flows to meet obligations, including the ability of the Company’s subsidiaries and investment vehicles to pay dividends, political and other uncertainties, the concentration of the Company’s revenues in certain geographical jurisdictions, limitations on insurance coverage, the Company’s ability (or inability) to attract and retain skilled personnel on commercially reasonable terms, the level of expected capital expenditures, the Company’s expected financing of such capital expenditures, and the timing and cost of completion of capital projects, fluctuations in interest rates or exchange rates and currency devaluations relating to foreign or U.S. monetary policy, tax matters, changes in tax laws, treaties and regulations, tax assessments and liabilities for tax issues, legal and regulatory matters, customs and environmental matters, the potential impacts on the Company’s business resulting from climate-change or greenhouse gas legislation or regulations, the impact on the Company’s business from climate-change related physical changes or changes in weather patterns, and the occurrence of cybersecurity incidents, attacks or other breaches to the Company’s information technology systems, including its rig operating systems. Consequently, no forward-looking statement can be guaranteed.

Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries undertakes any obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date on which such statement is made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. New factors emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for the Company to predict all of these factors. Further, the Company cannot assess the impact of each such factors on our businesses or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to be materially different from those contained in any forward-looking statement.

¹ Bank Facilities refer to two loan agreements – one relating to Diamante and Topazio (totaling approximately $537 million at issuance) and another relating to Onix, Jade and Rubi (totaling approximately $769 million at issuance). Following the Bank Facilities repayment, the only outstanding third-party debt obligation is the Esmeralda vessel financing from the Brazilian Merchant Marine Fund, which has a maturity of 2032 and is collateralized by the Esmeralda vessel (“Esmeralda Facility”). The company intends to keep the Esmeralda Facility in place as it represents a highly attractive long-term source of funding, backed by the Brazilian Ministry of Transportation.

CONTACT:

[email protected]

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Fintech PR

UnionPay International Powers CIIE with Enhanced Cross-border Payment Solutions, Boosting Cross-border Trade Payments

Published

32 mins ago

November 14, 2024

CISION (PR Newswire)

SHANGHAI, Nov. 14, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — The 7th China International Import Expo (CIIE) opened on November 5, welcoming nearly 3,500 exhibitors from 129 countries and regions. UnionPay International (UPI), a longstanding partner of CIIE, showcased its commitment to facilitating global trade by delivering cutting-edge, secure, and convenient payment solutions for exhibitors, buyers, and visitors.

Enhancing Payment Experiences for Global Participants

During this year’s CIIE, UPI unveiled its latest payment innovations, including the UnionPay SplendorPlus Card and the CIIE-themed Card, at the Bank of China (BOC) Shanghai Pavilion. These products attracted significant attention from domestic and international attendees, emphasizing seamless and tailored payment experiences for cross-border transactions.

As part of its broader “Project Excellence 2024”, launched earlier this year, UPI introduced the SplendorPlus Card, specifically designed for inbound international travelers. This versatile card supports multiple payment methods—physical card, QR code, and mobile payments—and offers exclusive benefits such as cashback and localized privileges across five key categories, including transportation, cultural attractions, and dining. With nearly 40 financial institutions worldwide now issuing or preparing to issue the card, UPI continues to expand its reach, enhancing connectivity between China and the global market.

Meeting Evolving Cross-border Payment Needs

UPI’s payment ecosystem has grown significantly in recent years, driven by technological innovation and an understanding of diverse global consumer preferences. To date, more than 250 million UnionPay cards have been issued in 83 countries and regions. Cardholders can access comprehensive payment services within China, including dining, retail, hotel bookings, and transportation, such as Shanghai metro ticketing and taxi services.

In addition, UPI has partnered with over 200 e-wallet providers in 36 countries and regions, enabling international users to link UnionPay cards or apply for digital cards for contactless and mobile payments, mirroring the convenience enjoyed by local residents.

To further support domestic exhibitors and buyers traveling abroad, UPI has launched a CIIE-themed card in collaboration with BOC Shanghai. This card offers domestic users a 1% cashback benefit, along with exclusive discounts at brick-and-mortar merchants in 20 countries and regions, meeting the growing demands of outbound travelers.

Driving Innovation in Cross-border Trade

Beyond enhancing payment experiences for individuals, UPI is at the forefront of driving innovation in cross-border trade. Following the State Council’s approval to establish a Silk Road E-commerce Pilot Zone in Shanghai, UPI has collaborated with key industry players to develop digital payment solutions based on cross-border electronic invoices. This initiative integrates customs declaration, invoicing, and payment settlement processes into a unified digital ecosystem, fostering transparency and efficiency in global trade.

At the Silk Road E-commerce Innovation & Development Conference, held as part of CIIE on November 7, UPI signed a memorandum of understanding with Shanghai E&P International, BoComm Shanghai, and BOC Shanghai. This collaboration marks a pivotal step in aligning Shanghai with international trade standards and promoting the adoption of electronic documentation in global commerce.

Under the guidance of regulatory authorities, UPI has pioneered standardized and compliant end-to-end solutions to address the evolving needs of cross-border e-commerce. From international airfare and hotel payments to online transactions and settlements, these solutions empower businesses to embrace digital transformation, contributing to the sustainable development of global trade.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/unionpay-international-powers-ciie-with-enhanced-cross-border-payment-solutions-boosting-cross-border-trade-payments-302305088.html

Fintech PR

Gentoo Media – Mandatory notification of trade

Published

2 hours ago

November 14, 2024

CISION (PR Newswire)

ST JULIANS, Malta, Nov. 14, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — MJ Foundation Fundacja Rodzinna, a company related to Mateusz Juroszek, Board Member and primary insider of Gentoo Media Inc. (Gentoo) has today acquired 115,604 shares in Gentoo at a price of SEK 24,996 per share. After this transaction, close associates of Mateusz Juroszek hold 24,027,766 shares in Gentoo.

This information is subject to the disclosure requirements pursuant to Section 5-12 of the Norwegian Securities Trading Act.

For further information, contact:
Tore Formo, Group CFO, [email protected], +47 91668678

About Gentoo Media

Gentoo Media is a market-leading affiliate connecting operators and players in the online gambling and sports betting industry. Gentoo Media offers an array of iGaming affiliate solutions, such as paid marketing expertise and quality traffic through our prominent industry sites including AskGamblers, Time2Play, CasinoTopsOnline, WSN and Casinomeister. In 2024, Gentoo Media (formerly GiG Media) became Gentoo Media Inc. following a legal split separating the Media and Platform and Sportsbook business in Gaming Innovation Group (GiG) into two independently listed companies. Gentoo Media Inc. is dual listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange (ticker “G2MNO”) and Nasdaq Stockholm (ticker “G2M”). www.gentoomedia.com

This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com

https://news.cision.com/gentoo-media-inc/r/gentoo-media—mandatory-notification-of-trade,c4066199

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Fintech PR

Newmark Advises URW in €172.5 Million Office Sale

Published

9 hours ago

November 13, 2024

CISION (PR Newswire)

PARIS, Nov. 13, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Newmark announces the firm has advised Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield (URW) in the €172.5 million sale of the 140,846 square-foot (13,085 square-meter) office portion of Les Ateliers Gaîté, a mixed-use property in the prominent Montparnasse district of Paris. Newmark Deputy Chief Business Officer Emmanuel Frénot arranged the transaction between URW and buyers Swiss Life Asset Managers and Norges Bank Investment Management.

“Advising URW on the sale of this asset, with its exceptional location and exemplary environmental approach, just a few months after the opening of our Paris office makes us particularly proud and highlights our ongoing momentum,” said Frénot. “This transaction confirms the recovery signals we have been sensing since the end of the second quarter of 2024 and suggests an increase in activity in the office segment for 2025.”

Les Ateliers Gaîté, delivered in 2022, includes around 100 retail shops, restaurants and services, as well as a hotel, offices, housing and a public library. The office space is leased long-term to coworking operator Wojo, establishing its Parisian flagship.

Newmark opened its flagship Paris office in March, hiring several of the city’s most respected brokers, including Francois Blin and Frénot to lead the team, Antoine Salmon and Vianney d’Ersu as Co-Heads of Retail Leasing, Managing Directors Jérôme De Laboulaye, Nicolas Coutant and Alexandre Gotti as President, France. The office is now home to nearly 40 leading French commercial real estate professionals, including a market-leading research team.

About Newmark
Newmark Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: NMRK), together with its subsidiaries (“Newmark”), is a world leader in commercial real estate, seamlessly powering every phase of the property life cycle. Newmark’s comprehensive suite of services and products is uniquely tailored to each client, from owners to occupiers, investors to founders, and startups to blue-chip companies. Combining the platform’s global reach with market intelligence in both established and emerging property markets, Newmark provides superior service to clients across the industry spectrum. For the twelve months ended September 30, 2024, Newmark generated revenues of over $2.6 billion. As of that same date, Newmark’s company-owned offices, together with its business partners, operated from nearly 170 offices with more than 7,800 professionals around the world. To learn more, visit nmrk.com or follow @newmark.

Discussion of Forward-Looking Statements about Newmark
Statements in this document regarding Newmark that are not historical facts are “forward-looking statements” that involve risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements. These include statements about the Company’s business, results, financial position, liquidity, and outlook, which may constitute forward-looking statements and are subject to the risk that the actual impact may differ, possibly materially, from what is currently expected. Except as required by law, Newmark undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements. For a discussion of additional risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements, see Newmark’s Securities and Exchange Commission filings, including, but not limited to, the risk factors and Special Note on Forward-Looking Information set forth in these filings and any updates to such risk factors and Special Note on Forward-Looking Information contained in subsequent reports on Form 10-K, Form 10-Q or Form 8-K.

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