The global port market has changed fundamentally from the market it was
in mid-2008. There has been a seismic change in the attitude of bankers
to providing both debt finance and capital for new project developments
or acquisitions.
Securing finance from
traditional sources is now much more challenging and accordingly for new
project development and acquisitions the potential is rising to take greater
advantage of the new alternatives of infrastructure funds, private equity
companies and other new generation sources of capital.
In financial terms, the industry has embarked
upon a new era of structural change, there are new rules of engagement with the
banking sector and a greater emphasis on risk assessment. Yes, port valuations today
are not the port valuations of the past, but with interest generally in
investment in infrastructure continuing to build the international ports sector
is increasingly attractive in the eyes of the ‘new kids on the block’.
The new mantra is “don’t
rule anything out” - as the chief financial officer of a leading international terminal
operating company said recently. “Expect the unexpected and particularly when
it comes to harnessing financial resources – new sources, new alliances and
really a challenging new financial environment altogether.”
To make sense of this
evolving financial picture, Port Strategy has organised a two-day conference
October 21-22 in London, UK. Through eight major conference sessions, the
conference will cover challenges and opportunities; risk reduction
and mitigation; public and private funding options; port valuation and financing;
new investors; maximising Investor Interest; and new opportunities around the globe.
Presentations from more than 20 senior conference speakers
and chairmen will include:
- The short to medium term market for shipping and ports
analysed – Ocean Shipping Consultants
- The banking hurdles today and securing finance – Den Nor
Bank
- The Private equity option: going to the market – Port Fund
Rotterdam BV
- Reducing risk in today’s volatile environment - Norton Rose
- Public sector funding alongside private capital – BMT Transport
Solutions
- Port valuation & financing – Societe Generale Bank
- The infrastructure fund option – Prudential M&G
- Packaging your asset or new opportunity to maximise investor
interest – Mike Mundy Associates
- Current & emerging opportunities – National Container
Corp, Hamburg Port Consulting
Source: portstrategy.com