Hong Kong, September 04, 2019 -- Moody's Investors Service has assigned an A1 senior unsecured rating to
the proposed USD bonds to be issued by Shanghai Port Group (BVI) Development
Co., Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Shanghai
International Port (Group) Co., Ltd (SIPG, A1 stable).
The bonds will be irrevocably and unconditionally guaranteed by SIPG.
The outlook is stable.
SIPG plans to use the net proceeds mainly to refinance existing debt.
RATINGS RATIONALE
SIPG's A1 issuer rating combines: (1) its baseline credit assessment
(BCA) of a2; and (2) a one-notch uplift, based on Moody's
assessment of a high likelihood of support from and a high level of dependence
on the Shanghai municipal government and ultimately the Government of
China (A1 stable) in times of need.
"SIPG's BCA of a2 is underpinned by the company's unique position
as the dominant operator of the Port of Shanghai, the largest container
port globally," says Ralph Ng, a Moody's Assistant Vice
President and Analyst.
"These strengths are balanced by (1) SIPG's increasing risk appetite,
mainly due to growth in the company's debt-funded non-core
investments; (2) reduced throughput growth; and (3) and the
weakened margin in its port operations," adds Ng.
The challenging operating environment in the port industry, including
prolonged trade tensions between the US and China, acts as a key
constraint for SIPG's BCA, which has limited headroom at the current
level.
Moody's assessment of a high likelihood of support reflects SIPG's
dominant role in the port sector in Shanghai and China, which is
closely linked to the public policy goals of the Shanghai government,
and the controlling ownership by the Shanghai government.
"The proposed issuance will not materially change SIPG's credit
profile, because the net proceeds from the issuance will be used
to refinance existing debts," says Ng.
In addition, Moody's expects the issuance will slightly improve
the company's debt maturity profile.
Moody's estimates that SIPG will incur capital expenditure of RMB6.5
billion per year in 2019 and 2020, and that the company's adjusted
funds from operations (FFO)/debt will stay at 21%-22%
over that period.
SIPG has strong liquidity as well as good access to the credit markets.
The stable outlook reflects (1) Moody's expectation that SIPG's
financial metrics will remain within the tolerance level set for its BCA;
and (2) the stable outlook on China's sovereign rating.
Upward rating potential is limited because SIPG's rating is already at
par with the sovereign rating and it is unlikely that the company will
be rated higher than the sovereign, which is the support provider.
SIPG's BCA could be raised if the company's business or financial profile
improves. Credit metrics indicative of upward movement on the company's
BCA include adjusted funds from operations (FFO)/debt surpassing 30%
or adjusted FFO interest coverage surpassing 9x on a sustained basis.
On the other hand, the ratings could be downgraded if (1) the likelihood
of support for SIPG decreases; and (2) SIPG's standalone credit profile
weakens meaningfully.
SIPG's BCA could be lowered if the company (1) records a material deterioration
in the profitability of its port operations; (2) engages in further
significant debt-funded acquisitions; (3) invests in massive
non-core commercial businesses that reduce its strategic importance;
or (4) faces adverse policy and regulatory changes in China, which
could have a material negative impact on its business.
Credit metrics indicative of downward pressure on SIPG's BCA include adjusted
FFO/debt below 20% or adjusted FFO interest coverage below 6.0x
on a sustained basis.
The methodologies used in these ratings were Privately Managed Port Companies
published in September 2016, and Government-Related Issuers
published in June 2018. Please see the Rating Methodologies page
on www.moodys.com for a copy of these methodologies.
Shanghai International Port (Group) Co., Ltd (SIPG) is the
dominant company in the Port of Shanghai, which is in turn the largest
container port globally by throughput volume. SIPG handled 42.01
million 20-foot equivalent units in 2018 and 21.5 million
TEUs in the first six months of 2019.
As of 30 June 2019, SIPG was 44.38% directly and indirectly
owned by the Shanghai State-Owned Assets Supervision and Administration
Commission. China Merchants Port Holdings Company Limited (Baa1
stable) was the second-largest shareholder, with a total
stake of 26.77% as of the same date.
REGULATORY DISCLOSURES
For ratings issued on a program, series, category/class of
debt or security this announcement provides certain regulatory disclosures
in relation to each rating of a subsequently issued bond or note of the
same series, category/class of debt, security or pursuant
to a program for which the ratings are derived exclusively from existing
ratings in accordance with Moody's rating practices. For ratings
issued on a support provider, this announcement provides certain
regulatory disclosures in relation to the credit rating action on the
support provider and in relation to each particular credit rating action
for securities that derive their credit ratings from the support provider's
credit rating. For provisional ratings, this announcement
provides certain regulatory disclosures in relation to the provisional
rating assigned, and in relation to a definitive rating that may
be assigned subsequent to the final issuance of the debt, in each
case where the transaction structure and terms have not changed prior
to the assignment of the definitive rating in a manner that would have
affected the rating. For further information please see the ratings
tab on the issuer/entity page for the respective issuer on www.moodys.com.
For any affected securities or rated entities receiving direct credit
support from the primary entity(ies) of this credit rating action,
and whose ratings may change as a result of this credit rating action,
the associated regulatory disclosures will be those of the guarantor entity.
Exceptions to this approach exist for the following disclosures,
if applicable to jurisdiction: Ancillary Services, Disclosure
to rated entity, Disclosure from rated entity.
Moody's considers a rated entity or its agent(s) to be participating
when it maintains an overall relationship with Moody's. Unless
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the rated entity is participating and the rated entity or its agent(s)
generally provides Moody's with information for the purposes of
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Regulatory disclosures contained in this press release apply to the credit
rating and, if applicable, the related rating outlook or rating
review.
Please see www.moodys.com for any updates on changes to
the lead rating analyst and to the Moody's legal entity that has issued
the rating.
Please see the ratings tab on the issuer/entity page on www.moodys.com
for additional regulatory disclosures for each credit rating.
The first name below is the lead rating analyst for this Credit Rating
and the last name below is the person primarily responsible for approving
this Credit Rating.
Ralph Ng
Asst Vice President - Analyst
Project & Infrastructure Finance
Moody's Investors Service Hong Kong Ltd.
24/F One Pacific Place
88 Queensway
Hong Kong
China (Hong Kong S.A.R.)
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Terry Fanous
MD-Public Proj & Infstr Fin
Project & Infrastructure Finance
JOURNALISTS: 852 3758 1350
Client Service: 852 3551 3077
Yian Ning Loh
Associate Managing Director
Project & Infrastructure Finance
JOURNALISTS: 852 3758 1350
Client Service: 852 3551 3077
Releasing Office:
Moody's Investors Service Hong Kong Ltd.
24/F One Pacific Place
88 Queensway
Hong Kong
China (Hong Kong S.A.R.)
JOURNALISTS: 852 3758 1350
Client Service: 852 3551 3077