I deleted about a dozen PR emails earlier because I didn't like the look of them. Now I'm just left with this one. 'Do you like the look of it, boss?' I'm not sure, Voice. But let's hear from Oivind ...
Øivind Amundsen, CEO of the Oslo Børs, the Norwegian Stock Exchange, part of the Euronext Group, 'shares' his thoughts on why Norway offers an unmatched infrastructure for raising capital amid a market uptick in new listing sectors like containers and car carriers.
Okay, where are his thoughts then?!
Oslo Børs has firmly cemented its position as the world's leading maritime and shipping exchange. It now hosts around 40 top maritime companies that boast a combined market cap of close to €20bn. Up from less than 30 companies just a few years ago, these entities also raise large amounts of money through follow-on offerings and the Oslo Børs bond markets.
Er ... 'Are those his thoughts?' I don't think so. It's just someone from the PR email. 'Who?!' Christ knows!
Anyway ...
Just in the past 12 months, five new shipping companies have joined the roster despite ongoing The Thing challenges. The latest to ring the bell were Gram Car Carriers and LNG carrier Cool Company in January, Höegh Autoliners and dry-bulk newcomer Himalaya Shipping just before Christmas, and Western Bulk Chart and HAV Group in September and March 2021, respectively.
Bloody hell! Where are Oivind's thoughts, man?! 'Look, boss - !!!'
Shipping speciality
"To my knowledge, no other stock exchange boasts so many shipping companies, making shipping one of our three strongest verticals alongside energy and fisheries," says Amundsen.
Oh, that's a relief! Is there more?
Most are Norwegian-owned, but considered international as they are typically incorporated abroad. Sixteen of the 40 companies are incorporated outside Norway. Wilhelmsen Group is an example of a local stalwart that has been listed for many years.
Er ...
"We also have fully international companies with little connection to Norway today in principle. BW Group of Singapore, for example, has a strong presence with five listed arms, including BW Epic Kosan and BW LPG," says Amundsen.
Five arms? Oh, okay.
Investors speak shipping
They are attracted by Norway's knowledgeable financial ecosystem, including well-informed investors.
'Where has Oivind gone?!' Here he is, Voice - !!!
"Coming here you don't have to explain what a VLCC or a supramax is. They might be arcane terms anywhere else, but in Oslo most investors know what you're talking about immediately," says Amundsen.
Okay. Fine.
He highlights MPC Container Ships to illustrate the user benefits of Norway's savvy investor base, as well as how a company can mature from the Oslo Børs' junior to senior markets.
'Who is that?!' I have absolutely no idea.
"Based in Germany, they first listed on our OTC platform a few years ago when the box market was at rock bottom. They soon progressed to our Growth then Expand markets, and within the past 12 months to our main market and main index. I doubt that journey could be replicated as smoothly elsewhere."
Er ... I presume that was Oivind again ... ???
The shipping capital markets are emerging from a multiyear lull, with significant pick-up in new sectors like containers and car carriers.
"I hope that continues, but I have no crystal ball regarding future developments. Macro events have an impact on shipping of course, with tanker and gas rates likely to rise given the need for more energy shipments in the wake of war in Ukraine, for example. But everything changes over time, which explains the cyclical nature of shipping," Amundsen says.
He doesn't have a crystal ball. 'Shame.'
Increased liquidity and solid returns
Liquidity in shipping shares has also surged, with larger companies like Wallenius Wilhelmsen, Stolt-Nielsen, Golden Ocean and FLEX LNG now qualifying for blue-chip indices such as the benchmark OSEBX.
Right, email voice ... whoever you are.
"Our Oslo Shipping Index with component companies in many segments has increased in value by just north of 50% in the last 12 months, on the back of solid earnings and increased interest. It maybe doesn't quite mirror the good times before 2008 when the offshore focus was greater, but it's very encouraging," says Amundsen.
Oivind won't shut up now!
Decarbonization tops agenda
Meanwhile, the industry faces an unprecedented paradigm shift given the IM0's target to achieve a 50% reduction in emissions by 2050, upcoming EEXI and CII regulations and the Fit for 55 package of legislative proposals in Europe.
Yeah, yeah. / Oivind?
"Most shipping companies will have to go through a decarbonization process that will require enormous capital in the coming years. Many new entrants and existing issuers have already committed significant CAPEX to upgrade existing tonnage, order environmentally friendly vessels, energy-efficient propulsion technologies, and, not least, digitalize. They are increasingly highlighting these efforts in their investor pitches, and Oslo Børs will be a key enabler," Amundsen says. "We will also continue to champion transparency across the capital markets."
Does he add?
Shipping companies have also issued green bonds, some with stringent emission reporting requirements and variable interest payments tied to them.
Obviously not. 'No, he does, look - !'
"This trend will continue to develop as companies seek various forms of financing and investors seek instruments with a clear ‘ESG’ link," he adds.
Great!
Staying ahead of the game
The transition to clean fuels is a big change requiring new thinking across the board. Shipping companies are obliged to comply with mandatory requirements, but many want to future-proof in any case.
Okay.
"It makes good commercial sense, as those in the front line will be better equipped to win business and good charters in future. If you don't move with the times, you lose ground," Amundsen says.
Fine.
Institutional investors (such as pension and insurance funds, among others) account for 90% of the market cap on Oslo Børs and have their own ESG imperatives to invest in companies actively participating in the green shift, not just 'greenwashing'.
Oivind?
"We will launch the OBX ESG index to help drive investment towards sustainable projects," Amundsen says.
Door is open for suppliers
Uh.
"We would also like see more technology vendors and service providers execute listings and raise funds," he adds, highlighting equipment specialist TECO 2030, which listed on the Euronext Growth in late 2020, as a good example of a supply-side innovator making the most the financial community's growing interest in cleantech value creation.
He adds.
Another key selling point is that Norway remains buoyant in analyst coverage, versus Asia and the US where it has reduced in recent years. "We have the highest number of analysts covering shipping stocks and they always do well in global rankings. High-quality coverage is a big draw," he says.
He says.
Nor-Shipping bolsters network
Nor-Shipping is very important for Euronext
Right.
"We opted to become a partner because, as the world's pre-eminent industry meeting it's the best place to catch up with existing customers and describe what Euronext and the Norwegian market can offer to prospective new issuers. Raising risk capital especially in a cyclical industry like shipping is easier here than many other markets, again because shipping is in Norway's DNA," Amundsen says.
All right.
He is very much looking forward to meeting old friends and faces out and about next week.
So what?!
"It's going to be a hectic few days, but I'm ready and excited. Being an ambassador for the exchange gives me a lot of energy," he concludes.
Oh, he's concluded! 'Thank God!'
ENDS
ENDS
ENDS
...
Anything else? Music?
I was looking at the website of a record label the other day. They accept demos. Well, I won't be sending my demo to anyone. I'm just going to stay on Twitter and YouTube until I'm noticed.
I found it interesting though what they're asking for ... and what they're not asking for.
Firstly, they want good performers with clear recordings. I can manage that now after years of struggle.
Secondly, they want artists who are doing gigs. They say they need to see artists live. I can understand that, but I won't be doing it. I've said before ... I don't want to be some unknown middle-aged guy gigging around. It just isn't cool, man.
Is that a problem for me? Not really.
I mean, there are two things they're not asking for ...
"You've got to be the greatest songwriter in the world."
"You've got to look like Daniel Craig in Casino Royale."
[I bought the film for my phone yesterday.]
So ...
I'm continuing with my programme, and ... let the devil take the hindmost!
Bye.
The best ever episode of The South Bank Show.
