Singapore, August 10, 2018 -- Moody's Investors Service has changed the rating outlook of Soechi Lines
Tbk. (P.T.) (Soechi) and Soechi Capital Pte.
Ltd to negative from stable.
Moody's has also affirmed the B1 corporate family rating (CFR) and B1
senior unsecured rating on the $200 million notes due 2023,
issued by Soechi Capital Pte. Ltd., a wholly owned
subsidiary of Soechi.
The notes are unconditionally and irrevocably guaranteed by Soechi and
all its material subsidiaries, which own all of Soechi's vessels
and its shipyard.
RATINGS RATIONALE
"The negative rating outlook reflects Soechi's weak credit metrics,
resulting from a more aggressive debt-funded growth strategy than
was previously anticipated," says Brian Grieser a Moody's Vice President
and Senior Credit Officer.
Soechi increased its balance sheet debt by $49 million to $296
million in the first six months of 2018, driving its adjusted debt/EBITDA
to 5.5x on a trailing 12-month basis.
The debt was primarily used to finance the acquisition of its first very
large gas carrier (VLGC) and the conversion of one of its Aframax's into
a floating storage and offloading vessel (FSO).
Moody's expects the earnings from these two transactions to meaningfully
add to EBITDA in the second half of 2018 and in 2019, which should
allow Soechi to reduce debt/EBITDA to between 4.5x and 5.0x
in 2019.
While both the new FSO and the VLGC are tied to long-term contracts,
which will improve Soechi's business profile, the upfront
costs of Soechi's investments are increasing.
"The negative outlook also incorporates Moody's view that
management may be taking a more aggressive approach to growth, which
will have a permanent impact on the company's longer-term
credit quality," adds Grieser.
While Soechi's growth strategy is pressuring ratings, Moody's
recognizes that the underlying business continues to perform within expectations.
EBITDA margins remain stable and above 40%, time charter
contract renewals are occurring in a timely manner and at competitive
rates, and the relationship with Pertamina (Persero) (P.T.)
(Baa2 stable) is supporting its existing business and growth opportunities.
Soechi's B1 CFR continues to reflect its (1) high degree of revenue
visibility, around 90% of shipping revenue underpinned by
long-term time charter contracts; (2) its strong margins and
leading market position; (3) high entry barriers for new competition,
resulting from favorable industry regulations, particularly the
cabotage laws; and (4) a strong relationship with Pertamina.
Further, the CFR reflects Soechi's (1) relatively small scale of
operations globally; (2) the company's significant reliance on its
two very large crude carriers (VLCCs), which account for 38%
of its dead weight tonnage; (3) increased leverage and weaker interest
coverage; and (4) the still formative stage of its shipbuilding operations,
which continues to be a drag on earnings and cash flows.
The rating could be downgraded if EBITDA growth from ongoing vessel conversions
and recent vessel purchases do not materialize, resulting in debt/EBITDA
remaining above 5.0x over the next 12 months or cash flow weakens,
such that interest coverage, (FFO + Interest)/interest,
falls below 2.25x.
Furthermore, downward pressure on the ratings could build if (1)
any legislative development arises that would loosen cabotage laws;
(2) Pertamina shifts management of its fleet such that it reduces its
exposure to Soechi; or (3) Soechi begins paying larger, debt-funded
dividends.
A rating upgrade is unlikely over the next 12-18 months,
given its negative outlook.
The rating could be upgraded over time, if management grows its
shipping business, while lowering its leverage profile. Given
Soechi's small scale, and customer and vessel concentration,
we would expect leverage to be maintained around 3.0x and interest
coverage of over 4.0x on a sustained basis before considering an
upgrade.
The principal methodology used in these ratings was Shipping Industry
published in December 2017. Please see the Rating Methodologies
page on www.moodys.com for a copy of this methodology.
Soechi Lines Tbk. (P.T.), headquartered in
Jakarta, is mainly engaged in the business of providing crude oil,
petroleum products and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) shipping and shipyard
services principally to companies operating in the domestic oil and gas
and chemical sectors in Indonesia (Baa2 stable). Soechi operates
a fleet of 40 vessels.
The company has also ventured into the ship-building and maintenance
business through its 99.99% subsidiary PT Multi Ocean Shipyard.
Soechi is a family owned business with the members of the Utomo family
holding an approximate 85% stake and the public the remaining 15%.
REGULATORY DISCLOSURES
For ratings issued on a program, series or category/class of debt,
this announcement provides certain regulatory disclosures in relation
to each rating of a subsequently issued bond or note of the same series
or category/class of debt 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.
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.
Brian Grieser
VP - Senior Credit Officer
Corporate Finance Group
Moody's Investors Service Singapore Pte. Ltd.
50 Raffles Place #23-06
Singapore Land Tower
Singapore 48623
Singapore
JOURNALISTS: 852 3758 1350
Client Service: 852 3551 3077
Laura Acres
MD - Corporate Finance
Corporate Finance Group
JOURNALISTS: 852 3758 1350
Client Service: 852 3551 3077
Releasing Office:
Moody's Investors Service Singapore Pte. Ltd.
50 Raffles Place #23-06
Singapore Land Tower
Singapore 48623
Singapore
JOURNALISTS: 852 3758 1350
Client Service: 852 3551 3077