Hanjin Shipping was put under court receivership early last month as its creditors, led by the state-run Korea Development Bank, rejected its last self-rescue package worth 500 billion won (US$440 million), which fell short of the 700 billion won demanded by its creditors. (image: Yonhap)
SEOUL, Oct. 21 (Korea Bizwire) – Cash-strapped Hanjin Shipping Co. is moving to sell its stake in a U.S. affiliate that operates a terminal in the Port of Long Beach, California, as part of efforts to raise cash needed to stay afloat, industry sources said Friday.
According to the sources, Hanjin Shipping is planning to sell a 54-percent stake in Total Terminals International (TTI).
TTI, established in 1992, operates two facilities in Long Beach and Seattle, and handles some 30 percent of cargo along the U.S. West Coast.
The move came as the country’s No. 1 shipper is seeking to sell its Asia-U.S. route, vessels, and 10 overseas operations.
Hanjin Shipping was put under court receivership early last month as its creditors, led by the state-run Korea Development Bank, rejected its last self-rescue package worth 500 billion won (US$440 million), which fell short of the 700 billion won demanded by its creditors.
Its court receivership sent ripples through the global shipping network and left more than half of its ships stranded at sea.
Hanjin Shipping badly needs cash to repay debts and meet unpaid service bills. At the end of June, its debt reached 6 trillion won.
Meanwhile, Hyundai Merchant Marine, currently under a creditor-led debt restructuring scheme, is seeking to take over Hanjin Shipping’s healthy assets such as port terminals and global business networks.
(Yonhap)
