ATHENS, GREECE--(Marketwired - Apr 30, 2014) - Safe Bulkers, Inc. (the "Company") (NYSE: SB), an international provider of marine drybulk transportation services, announced today that its public offering (the "Public Offering") of 2,000,000 shares of its 8% Series C Cumulative Redeemable Perpetual Preferred Shares, par value $0.01 per share, liquidation preference $25.00 per share (the "Series C Preferred Shares") was priced at $25 per share. The gross proceeds from the Public Offering before the underwriting discount and other offering expenses are expected to be approximately $50 million. The offering is expected to close on or about May 7, 2014, subject to customary closing conditions.
The Company has also granted the underwriters a 30-day option to purchase up to an additional 300,000 shares of the Series C Preferred Shares solely to cover over-allotments, if any.
The Company plans to use the net proceeds of the Public Offering for vessel acquisitions, capital expenditures and for other general corporate purposes, which may include repayment of indebtedness.
Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC and UBS Securities LLC are acting as joint bookrunners of the Public Offering, which is being made under an effective shelf registration statement.
The Public Offering is being made only by means of a prospectus supplement and accompanying base prospectus. A preliminary prospectus supplement and accompanying base prospectus relating to the Public Offering has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") and is available at the SEC's website at http://www.sec.gov. When available, the final prospectus supplement and accompanying base prospectus relating to the Public Offering may be obtained from Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC, 180 Varick Street, 2nd Floor, New York, NY 10014, telephone: 1-866-718-1649, Attn: Prospectus Department, e-mail: prospectus@morganstanley.com, or UBS Securities LLC, 299 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10171, Attn: Prospectus Specialist, telephone: 1-877-827-6444, ext. 561 3884.
This release shall not constitute an offer to sell, or the solicitation of an offer to buy, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation, or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction.
About Safe Bulkers, Inc.
The Company is an international provider of marine drybulk transportation services, transporting bulk cargoes, particularly coal, grain and iron ore, along worldwide shipping routes for some of the world's largest users of such services. The Company's common stock is listed on the NYSE, where it trades under the symbol "SB". The Company's current fleet consists of 31 drybulk vessels, all built 2003 onwards, and the Company has agreed to acquire thirteen additional drybulk newbuild vessels to be delivered at various dates through 2017.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements (as defined in Section 27A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1933, as amended, and in Section 21E of the Securities Act of 1934, as amended). Words such as "expects," "intends," "plans," "believes," "anticipates," "hopes," "estimates" and variations of such words and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Statements contained in this press release are based upon information presently available to the Company and assumptions that the Company believes to be reasonable. The Company is not assuming any duty to update this information should those facts change or should the Company no longer believe the assumptions to be reasonable. These statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, including without limitation, the Company's ability to satisfy closing conditions, general market conditions, the performance of the Company's business and other risks detailed from time-to-time in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.