THE prospect of higher US interest rates is set to drive increased port assets acquisition and refinancing over the next 12 months, according to Drewry Maritime Advisors, the port consultancy division of Drewry.
The Fed's target rate is projected to increase from its all-time low of 0.25 per cent with the tapering of the Federal Reserve's bond purchases.
The prospect of higher borrowing costs will drive acquisition activity as investors seek to secure financing at low rates before costs start to rise.
Similarly, port operating companies will look to refinance outstanding loans prior to any rates rise.
"We have already noticed this trend within our own portfolio of consulting projects," said Tim Power, director of Drewry Maritime Advisors.
"Over 70 per cent of our current consultancy workload relates to due diligence of port asset acquisition and refinancing assignments. Three years ago this activity represented less than 30 per cent, indicating the growth in the scale of such transactions. We expect this trend to accelerate over the next 12 months as investors seek to lock into low rates."
Drewry Maritime Advisor's Port Sector Index, a measure of the market weighted value of listed companies within the ports sector, has risen 13.7 per cent since the start of the year to a value of 458.9 in August.
The index is still 37.8 per cent off its pre-financial crisis high of 738.3, but has been rising steadily since 2012.
Port operators are pre-empting any upcoming rise in interest rates by engaging lenders to refinance or seek out new capital while rates remain low. Meanwhile, potential investors are taking advantage of the opportunity to evaluate port assets, which may not otherwise have been available.
"Refinancing assignments have remained stable but are expected to increase once interest rates rise. The projected increase could dampen port valuations in the future as financing costs increase," said Mr Power.
PORTS
12 September 2014 - 10:16
Port refinancing to surge over year before Fed raises interest rates
THE prospect of higher US interest rates is set to drive increased port assets acquisition and refinancing over the next 12 months, according to Drewry Maritime Advisors, the port consultancy division of Drewry.
PORTS
12 September 2014 - 10:16
Port refinancing to surge over year before Fed raises interest rates
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