PIL warns of liquidation risk
SS Teo-led Pacific International Lines (PIL) has detailed how it intends to restructure and carry on business, urging noteholders to avoid pushing for a liquidation of the under pressure liner company.
PIL has already received $112m to tide it over from Heliconia Capital Management, a unit of Singapore’s sovereign wealth fund, Temasek Holdings. In a presentation to creditors and bondholders, PIL revealed Heliconia will shortly come in with another $600m as part of what was described as a comprehensive financing package.
In absence of a comprehensive restructuring, PIL will likely face liquidation
“PIL’s capital structure requires a holistic restructuring solution,” the company conceded, saying the second tranche of financing would provide the necessary capital to repay critical vendors, and recalibrate PIL’s capital structure to sustainable levels.
The financing package from Heliconia will comprise a mix of debt and equity investment.
The company warned noteholders to support the restructuring plan, noting in the presentation: “In absence of a comprehensive restructuring, PIL will likely face liquidation.”
PIL’s financial woes have seen the company sell off a long swathe of assets in the last couple of years. The company’s liner fleet has reduced in size from around 400,000 slots at the start of the year to stand at 290,855 slots today, according to data from Alphaliner.