Finance

GENEVA – Gunvor Group, a leading global physical energy trading company, has closed a EUR 400 million, 5-year term loan (the “Facility”) guaranteed by SACE, the Italian Export Credit Agency (“ECA”) with UniCredit acting as Global Coordinator. The goal of the Facility is to support Italian industry by securing natural gasNatural Gas Natural gas is a naturally occurring hydrocarbon gas mixture consisting primarily of methane (CH4), but commonly includes varying amounts of other higher alkanes, and sometimes a small percentage... Read more and liquefied natural gas (LNG) supplies while promoting the export of Italy’s goods and services. Gunvor is a leading global trader of LNG, and one of the largest physical natural gas traders in Europe. 

“Gunvor is pleased to support SACE’s push strategy by helping secure energy supplies to the country and having the opportunity to further grow the business with Italian customers and suppliers,” said Jeff Webster, Gunvor Group Chief Financial Officer.

“In times of unprecedented complexity, the need for innovative business support mechanisms becomes crucial. We take pride in this operation, which, as part of our Push Strategy, aids Italian companies in exploring new markets while facilitating access to relevant energy supplies,” stated Ciro Aquino Regional Manager Middle East – Head of Dubai Office SACE. The support of strategic imports represents a new and timely initiative by SACE, aligned with the objectives of the INSIEME 2025 Industrial Plan. Its goal is to improve the resilience of the national economic landscape, relaunch the competitiveness of companies in global markets, and consolidate growth within domestic markets. 

“UniCredit is proud to arrange and coordinate this Facility, which marks a significant step in bolstering gas security across Europe. Its role as a novel facility type for commodity traders underscores our commitment to ensuring reliable energy supplies while innovating trade finance strategies in an ever-evolving energy landscape,” said Stefan Koller, Global Head of Asset Based Financing at UniCredit.

UniCredit Bank AG acted as Global Coordinator, Bookrunner, Documentation Agent and is the Facility Agent. Crédit Agricole Corporate And Investment Bank, DZ Bank AG Deutsche Zentral-Genossenschaftsbank, Frankfurt Am Main, ING Bank N.V. and Unicredit Bank AG act as Mandated Lead Arrangers and Erste Group Bank AG acts as Lead Arranger for the Facility.

Clifford Chance, as Legal Counsel to SACE and UniCredit, contributed to finalising the transaction.

About Gunvor Group
Gunvor Group is one of the world’s largest independent commodities trading houses by turnover, creating logistics solutions that safely and efficiently move physical energy from where it is sourced and stored to where it is demanded most. With strategic investments in energy infrastructure—refineries, pipelines, storage and terminals —Gunvor further generates sustainable value across the global supply chain for its customers. In 2022, Gunvor Group generated US $150 billion in revenue on 165 million metric tons of turnover. The Group’s main trading offices are in Geneva, Singapore, Houston, Stamford, Calgary, Dubai, and London, with a network of more than 20 representative and other trading offices around the globe. More information can be found at GunvorGroup.com or @Gunvor.

GENEVA (21 November 2023) – Gunvor Group Ltd (“Gunvor” or the “Group”) has signed a US $1.885 billion sustainability-linked, multi-currency revolving credit facility (“RCF” or “Facility”) in favour of Gunvor International B.V. and Gunvor SA.

The Facility received strong support from Gunvor’s banking partners and attracted new banks, increasing the total amount of the facility from the previous year.

The RCF will be used for general corporate purposes, including the refinancing of the existing US $1,395,000,000 364-day tranche of the 2022 European Revolving Credit Facilities Agreement, dated 10 November 2022, and the US $290,000,000 3-year tranche of the 2021 European Revolving Credit Facilities Agreement dated 10 November 2021.

The Facility consists of two tranches, available to Gunvor International B.V. and Gunvor SA:

• Tranche A: US $1.535 billion 364-day Revolving Credit Facility with three 364-day extension options
• Tranche B: US $350 million 3-year Revolving Credit Facility with one 364-day extension option

The Facility has a US $400 million Accordion Option and complements the existing US $280 million 3-year tranche of the 2022 European Revolving Credit Facilities Agreement.

Similar to last year’s Revolving Credit Facilities Agreement, the Facility includes four KPIs supporting the Group’s strong commitment to improve the environmental impact of its trading operations and to invest in sustainable commodities and businesses. The KPIs relate to the reduction of Scope 1 and 2 Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions; reduction of Scope 3 GHG emissions associated with the improvement of energy efficiency of the shipping fleet; the investment in non-fossil fuel projects; and the assessment of the Group’s assets, JVs, and suppliers against Human Rights principles. Each KPI is annually tested and externally verified in line with LMA SLL principles.

“Gunvor is delighted with the continuous support we have received from our financing partners. The growing capacity of the facility along with the new lenders demonstrate the strong relationship the company has with its core banking group,” said Jeff Webster, Chief Financial Officer of Gunvor Group.

Arab Petroleum Investments Corporation (Apicorp), Coöperatieve Rabobank U.A., Credit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank, Credit Suisse (Switzerland) Ltd., ING Bank N.V., Natixis CIB, SMBC Bank International Plc, Société Générale, UBS Switzerland AG and UniCredit Bank AG (together the “Bookrunning Mandated Lead Arrangers”) were mandated to arrange the Facility. Coöperatieve Rabobank U.A., Credit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank, ING Bank N.V., Natixis CIB, SMBC Bank International Plc, Société Générale and UniCredit Bank AG acted as Active Bookrunners while Credit Suisse (Switzerland) Ltd is Facility and Swingline Agent. Natixis CIB and Société Générale acted as Joint Sustainability Coordinators of the Facility.

China Construction Bank Corporation, Beijing, Swiss Branch Zurich, Citibank N.A., Jersey Branch, Emirates NBD PJSC, Industrial and Commercial Bank of China Limited, London Branch and Mizuho Bank are Senior Mandated Lead Arrangers. Qatar National Bank (Q.P.S.C.) Paris Branch joined as a new Senior Mandated Lead Arranger.

DZ Bank AG and Erste Group Bank AG are Mandated Lead Arrangers.

KfW Ipex-Bank Limited and Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Bank, Limited (London Branch) are Lead Arrangers. China CITIC Bank Corporation Limited, London Branch joined as a new Lead Arranger.

ABC International Bank Plc, Afrasia Bank Limited, Arab Bank (Switzerland) Ltd, Banco BPM S.p.A, Banque de Commerce et de Placements, Bank of China Ltd, London Branch, Commerzbank Aktiengesellschaft, London Branch, Europe Arab Bank, GarantiBank International N.V., Habib Bank AG, Mashreqbank, Raiffeisen Bank International AG and Union de Banques Arabes et Françaises are Arrangers. CaixaBank S.A., DBS Bank Ltd., London Branch, First Commercial Bank London Branch and OTP Bank Plc. joined as a new Arrangers.

About Gunvor Group
Gunvor Group is one of the world’s largest independent commodities trading houses by turnover, creating logistics solutions that safely and efficiently move physical energy from where it is sourced and stored to where it is demanded most. With strategic investments in energy infrastructure—refineries, pipelines, storage and terminals —Gunvor further generates sustainable value across the global supply chain for its customers. In 2022, Gunvor Group generated US $150 billion in revenue on 165 million metric tons of turnover. The Group’s main trading offices are in Geneva, Singapore, Houston, Stamford, Calgary, Dubai, and London, with a network of more than 20 representative and other trading offices around the globe. More information can be found at GunvorGroup.com or @Gunvor.

HOUSTON (8 November 2023) – Gunvor USA LLC (“Gunvor USA” or “the Company”), an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of Gunvor Group Ltd (“Gunvor” or “the Group”), has successfully closed the syndication of its US $1.60 billion uncommitted borrowing base credit facility (“the Facility”). The Facility includes a US $1.28 billion one-year tranche, a US $320 million two-year tranche, and a US $500 million accordion feature, which remains available to support future growth.

The proceeds of the Facility will refinance Gunvor USA’s existing $1.45 billion borrowing base facility signed in October 2022, provide continued working capital financing for the Company’s merchant activities, and fund general corporate purposes. 

“Gunvor USA’s successful oversubscription reflects the continued confidence of our banking partners toward the U.S. business and Group globally,” said David Garza, Managing Director of Gunvor USA. “Our business model has proven to be resilient during times of market stress, and that success combined with bank market support affords us the ability to focus on growth opportunities.”

The Facility is led by Rabobank, which serves as Administrative Agent, Joint Lead Arranger, Active Bookrunner, Coordinator, and Left Lead.  Société Générale, was mandated as Active Bookrunner and Joint Lead Arranger. ING Capital LLC, was mandated as Passive Bookrunner and Joint Lead Arranger.  Natixis, New York Branch, Credit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank, and MUFG Bank Ltd., each serve as Joint Lead Arrangers and share Co-Syndication Agent duties.  Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation, Citibank, N.A., and Industrial and Commercial Bank of China Limited, New York Branch remain as Co-Documentation Agents.

Thomas Smith, Regional CFO for the Americas, commented: “Despite a challenging credit market, the Facility benefitted from the strong support of our 18 new and existing lenders, being oversubscribed in syndication and subsequently increased to $1.6 billion. The increase reflects the growing collaboration between Gunvor USA and its banking partners who remain supportive of the Company’s strategy for continued participation in traditional energy markets while pursuing its energy transition goals.”

Zukerman Gore Brandeis & Crossman, LLP serves as counsel to the Administrative Agent. McGuireWoods LLP serves as counsel to the borrower.

About Gunvor USA
Gunvor USA LLC is a wholly-owned indirect subsidiary of Gunvor Group Ltd, one of the world’s largest independent commodities trading houses by turnover. Gunvor Group creates logistics solutions that safely and efficiently move physical energy and bulk materials from where they are sourced to where they are demanded most. With strategic investments in industrial infrastructure—refineries, pipelines, storage, terminals, mining and upstream—Gunvor further generates sustainable value across the global supply chain for its customers. In 2022, Gunvor Group generated US $150 billion in revenue on 165 million MT of turnover. The Group’s main trading offices are in Geneva, Singapore, Houston, Stamford, Calgary, Dubai, and London, with a network of more than 20 representative and other trading offices around the globe. More information can be found at GunvorGroup.com or @Gunvor

Four new banks join existing lending group Gunvor Group Ltd (“Gunvor” or the “Group”) has refinanced and increased its Off Balance Sheet Instruments Revolving Credit Facility (“Facility”) to US $1.37 billion, up from US $990 million in 2022, in favour of Gunvor SA and Gunvor International B.V. The Facility received strong support from Gunvor’s existing banking and institutional partners and welcomed four new participants. The Facility will support Gunvor in connection with its obligations to issue directly or indirectly off-balance sheet instruments as part of its business in the form of standby letters of credit, bid bonds, performance bonds, and various other types of guarantee instruments. “The sizeable increase in the Facility reflects Gunvor’s growth over the past two years and our desire to expand globally,” said Jeff Webster, Gunvor’s Chief Financial Officer. “This is a clear demonstration of the commitment of our banking and insurance partners to support our strategy.” ING Bank N.V. (“ING”) acted as sole Coordinator and Documentation Agent in the Facility. Société Générale will continue its role as the Facility Agent and Coöperatieve Rabobank U.A., ING Bank N.V., Amsterdam, Lancy/Geneva Branch, Natixis, Raiffeisen Bank International AG, Société Générale and SMBC Bank International Plc are the Issuing Banks. The Facility, which was launched at US $1 billion was significantly oversubscribed after syndication and subsequently increased to US $1.37 billion. The participation banks and institutions in the Facility are as follows:

• ABC International Bank Plc
• Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank PJSC
• Atradius
• Bank of China Limited, London Branch
• CA Indosuez (Switzerland) SA
• China Construction Bank Corporation, Beijing, Swiss Branch Zurich
• Commercial Bank of Dubai PSC
• Commerzbank AG, London Branch
• Coöperatieve Rabobank U.A.
• Credendo Guarantees & Specialty Risks
• Credit Suisse (Switzerland) Ltd.
• DBS Bank Ltd., London Branch
• Deutsche Bank AG, Amsterdam Branch
• DZ Bank AG Deutsche Zentral-Genossenschaftsbank, Frankfurt am Main
• Erste Group Bank AG
• Euler Hermes SA
• First Abu Dhabi Bank (PJSC)
• HCC International Insurance Company Plc
• Industrial and Commercial Bank of China Limited, London Branch
• ING Bank N.V.
• Liberty Mutual Insurance Europe SE
• Lloyds Bank PLC
• Markel Insurance SE
• Mizuho Bank, Ltd
• Natixis
• Raiffeisen Bank International AG
• SMBC Bank International plc
• Société Générale
• Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Bank, Limited (London Branch)
• UBS Switzerland AG

Gunvor Singapore Pte. Ltd. (the “Borrower”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Gunvor Group Ltd (“Gunvor” or the “Company”), has closed a US $1.035 billion sustainability-linked, syndicated revolving credit facility (the “Facility”) on 16 June 2023. The Facility, which was launched initially at US $550 million in April 2023, benefited from strong support from a total of 26 existing and new banks and closed significantly oversubscribed by over 88 percent, increasing the total facility amount from the previous year. The Borrower has further upsized the Facility by US $90 million via an accordion feature, which was structured to accommodate two banks that joined the Facility after June 2023, bringing the total Facility amount to US$1.125 billion as of 14 July 2023. The 364-day Facility, which is guaranteed by the Company and includes two 12-month extension options, is intended to refinance the Borrower’s existing indebtedness, and for general corporate and working capital purposes. This is the second time the Borrower is using the sustainability-linked loan structure, which was first introduced in the Company’s European flagship corporate facility in 2021 and adopted in the Asian RCF in 2022. It includes ambitious sustainability Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) covering climate change and Human Rights, which will be tested annually and verified externally, to showcase Gunvor’s commitment to improve the environmental impact of its trading operations and to invest in sustainable commodities and businesses. The KPIs relate to the reduction of Scope 1 and 2 Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions; reduction of Scope 3 GHG emissions associated with the improvement of energy efficiency of the shipping fleet; the investment in non-fossil fuel projects; and the assessment of the impact of the Group’s assets, JVs and suppliers on Human Rights. “The successful renewal of our Asian RCF is the result of the deep collaboration between Gunvor and its banking partners, supported by our strong performance and positive outlook. We are also glad to welcome new lenders joining our anchor facility”, said Jean Rohr, Gunvor’s Regional CFO for Asia-Pacific. Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank PJSC, China CITIC Bank International Limited, DBS Bank Ltd., MUFG Bank, Ltd., Natixis, Singapore Branch and Oversea-Chinese Banking Corporation Ltd were mandated to arrange the Facility and acted as the Active Bookrunning Mandated Lead Arrangers for the Facility, with Agricultural Bank of China Limited, Singapore Branch, Arab Petroleum Investments Corporation (APICORP), Emirates NBD Bank (P.J.S.C), Singapore Branch, First Abu Dhabi Bank PJSC – Singapore Branch and State Bank of India, Singapore Branch joined as the Bookrunning Mandated Lead Arrangers. Natixis, Singapore Branch also acted as Facility Agent and Sustainability Coordinator of the Facility. Coöperatieve Rabobank U.A., Singapore Branch, Crédit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank, Singapore Branch and ING Bank N.V., Singapore Branch are Senior Mandated Lead Arrangers. Indian Bank, Singapore joined as a new Mandated Lead Arranger, whereas Credit Suisse (Switzerland) Ltd., Société Générale, a public limited company incorporated in France, acting through its Hong Kong branch, Mizuho Bank, Ltd and UBS AG, Singapore Branch remain as Mandated Lead Arrangers. Furthermore, Habib Bank Limited, Singapore Branch joined as a new Lead Arranger, while Krung Thai Bank Public Company Limited, Singapore Branch, Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation Singapore Branch remain as Lead Arrangers. Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Bank, Limited Singapore Branch, Banque Internationale de Commerce – BRED (Suisse) SA, Commerzbank Aktiengesellschaft, Singapore Branch, National Bank of Fujairah PJSC and United Overseas Bank Limited remain as Arrangers, with BCP Bank (Mauritius) Ltd. joining as a new Arranger.