Bahri Dry Bulk, a business unit of global logistics leader Bahri, has secured a Sharia-compliant funding of SR360 million ($96 million) from Saudi Arabia-based Bank Albilad to finance the purchase of four new bulk carriers.

The moves as part of the agreement signed by the company ‎in 2017 with Hyundai Mipo Dockyard (HMD), a member of Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) Group, the world’s largest shipbuilding company based in South Korea.

The credit facility, which will be paid over six months, and has a tenure of 13 years including a three-year grace period, will be used to finance 80 per cent of the agreement concluded on August 27 last year. The company has provided all the necessary guarantees for obtaining the loan, including a pledge of the four carriers upon delivery from the shipbuilding yard.

“We are pleased to collaborate with Bank Albilad to obtain this Sharia-compliant credit facility for purchasing the four carriers, which we signed in the fourth quarter of 2017 with Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) Group, to enable us to cater to the growing demand for the import of essential grains into KSA,” said Ali Al-Harbi, CFO of Bahri.

“It also makes us proud that the financing deal with Bank Albilad, which is known for its initiatives to support the Kingdom’s business development and economic growth, contributes toward the concerted efforts made by different sectors in the country to help meet its wide-ranging needs and further cement its pre-eminent position as a global economic powerhouse,” added Al-Harbi.

Nezar Banabeela, president of Bahri Dry Bulk, said: “The new funding from Bank Albilad is a major milestone for Bahri Dry Bulk as we are keen on expanding our business into new markets in the region and globally, to explore new horizons of growth and play a key role in supporting the Kingdom in achieving the national goals and strategic directions of the government. Moreover, with the addition of four new carriers to our fleet, we will be fully equipped to cater to the increasing demand for essential grains, such as barley, wheat, and corn, in the country.”

Established in 2010 as a 60/40 joint venture between Bahri and Arabian Agricultural Services Company (Arasco), Bahri Dry Bulk is a leading bulk carrier in Saudi Arabia specializing in the transportation of grain, coal and other dry bulk cargoes. The company currently owns and operates a state-of-the-art, large capacity, fuel-efficient fleet of five dry bulk vessels. – TradeArabia News Service