TOP Ships announces intention to spin off Suezmax tanker company
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Jun 04 2025
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Should l Buy TOPS?
Source: SeekingAlpha
Spin-off Announcement: TOP Ships plans to spin off its subsidiary Rubico, which will become an independent publicly-traded company on the Nasdaq Capital Market, holding two modern Suezmax tanker vessels.
Share Distribution and Financials: The spin-off will involve distributing 100% of Rubico's common shares to TOP Ships' shareholders as of June 16, 2025, while Rubico aims to raise $1.5 million through a private placement at $20.00 per share.
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About TOPS
Top Ships Inc is a Greece-based international provider of worldwide oil, petroleum products, and chemicals transportation services. The Company owns and operates eco tanker vessels focusing on the transportation of crude oil, petroleum products (clean and dirty), and bulk liquid chemicals. The Company’s fleet consists of 3 product/chemical MR2 tankers of approximately 50,000 deadweight tonnage (dwt) each, namely ECO MARINA DEL REY, ECO YOSEMITE PARK, and ECO JOSHUA PARK; 5 crude oil Suezmax tankers of approximately 157,000 dwt each, namely ECO BEL AIR, ECO BEVERLY HILLS, ECO WEST COAST, ECO MALIBU, and ECO OCEANO CA, as well as 2 crude oil VLCC tankers of approximately 300,000 dwt each, namely JULIUS CAESAR and LEGIO X EQUESTRIS.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
TOP Ships Amends Charter for M/T Eco Oceano, Increases Daily Rate to $30,000
- Charter Amendment: TOP Ships has amended the time charter for its M/T Eco Oceano with Central Tankers Chartering for a duration of five years starting January 1, 2026, increasing the daily rate from $24,500 to $30,000, which significantly enhances the company's revenue potential.
- Purchase Option: The amended charter includes a purchase option for the charterer to buy the vessel for $70 million in February 2027, which increases the company's asset liquidity and capital flexibility for future operations.
- Independent Review: The amendment was approved by an independent committee of the board and received a fairness opinion from an independent financial advisor, ensuring transparency and compliance while mitigating potential conflict of interest risks.
- Market Positioning: By focusing on modern, fuel-efficient tanker operations, this charter amendment not only strengthens TOP Ships' competitive position in the market but also lays a foundation for sustained growth in the global tanker transportation sector.
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TOP Ships Sells Vessel-Owner Shares for $38 Million Mega Yacht Deal
- Transaction Announcement: TOP Ships has signed a sale agreement with Rubico Inc. for $38 million involving shares of a vessel-owning company linked to the new mega yacht M/Y Sanlorenzo 1150Exp, expected for delivery in Q2 2027, indicating the company's strategic positioning in the luxury market.
- Independent Review: The transaction was negotiated and approved by a special committee of independent board members, receiving a fairness opinion from an independent financial advisor, which enhances transparency and investor confidence in the deal.
- Liquidity Enhancement: The completion of the share sale by March 31, 2026, is expected to provide TOP Ships with additional liquidity, supporting its future operational and expansion plans, particularly in the eco-tanker segment.
- Market Strategy Adjustment: By executing this sale, TOP Ships can optimize its asset portfolio and focus on modern, fuel-efficient eco-tanker operations, further solidifying its competitive position in the international shipping market.
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- Transaction Announcement: TOP Ships has signed a sale agreement with Rubico Inc. for $38 million concerning a vessel ownership linked to a newbuilding mega yacht, expected to be delivered in Q2 2027, indicating the company's strategic positioning in the luxury market.
- Independent Review: The transaction was negotiated and approved by a special committee of independent members of the board, receiving a fairness opinion from an independent financial advisor, ensuring transparency and fairness in the deal.
- Liquidity Enhancement: Through this share sale, TOP Ships will secure $38 million in funds, which is expected to be utilized for further investments in the operation and development of its modern eco-tankers, thereby enhancing the company's competitive edge in the market.
- Strategic Direction Shift: This transaction not only marks TOP Ships' expansion into the yacht market but also potentially provides financial support for the company's future diversification strategy, aiding its sustained growth in the global shipping industry.
See More
TOP Ships Acquires CEO's Dubai Property Portfolio Valued Over $200 Million
Acquisition Announcement: TOP Ships has entered a letter of intent to potentially acquire residential real estate assets in Dubai valued over $200 million from a company linked to its CEO, Evangelos Pistiolis.
Deal Terms: The agreement allows TOP Ships to purchase properties at a 10% discount to fair market value, with a $23.5 million advance payment due by year-end 2025, which can be applied to the purchase or refunded if the deal does not proceed.
Related-Party Transactions: This acquisition follows TOP Ships' recent purchase of two megayachts from Pistiolis, highlighting a pattern of related-party transactions as the company diversifies its asset base beyond shipping.
Company Background: TOP Ships operates a fleet of MR, suezmax, and VLCC tankers and is actively seeking to expand its portfolio in different sectors.
See More
TOP Ships Enters $200M Letter of Intent for Dubai Real Estate Acquisition
- Letter of Intent: TOP Ships has signed a letter of intent to acquire a portfolio of residential real estate assets in Dubai valued at over $200 million from a company affiliated with its CEO, reflecting the company's confidence in this attractive market.
- Discounted Pricing: The purchase option allows TOP Ships to acquire the assets at a 10% discount to fair market value, a strategy aimed at reducing acquisition costs and enhancing investment returns.
- Advance Payment Structure: The company will make an advance cash payment of $23.5 million by December 31, 2025, which will be credited against the acquisition price or refunded if the option is not exercised, ensuring financial flexibility.
- Due Diligence Process: During the 90-day option period, an independent committee will conduct due diligence to evaluate market conditions and other factors, indicating the company's serious consideration of the potential transaction despite inherent uncertainties.
See More
Top Ships Registers $200M Mixed Securities Shelf Offering
- Filing Announcement: TOP Ships has filed a mixed securities shelf registration for $200 million.
- Company Overview: The filing is part of TOP Ships' strategy to manage its financial resources and expand its operations.
See More
TOP Ships Amends Charter for M/T Eco Oceano, Increases Daily Rate to $30,000
- Charter Amendment: TOP Ships has amended the time charter for its M/T Eco Oceano with Central Tankers Chartering for a duration of five years starting January 1, 2026, increasing the daily rate from $24,500 to $30,000, which significantly enhances the company's revenue potential.
- Purchase Option: The amended charter includes a purchase option for the charterer to buy the vessel for $70 million in February 2027, which increases the company's asset liquidity and capital flexibility for future operations.
- Independent Review: The amendment was approved by an independent committee of the board and received a fairness opinion from an independent financial advisor, ensuring transparency and compliance while mitigating potential conflict of interest risks.
- Market Positioning: By focusing on modern, fuel-efficient tanker operations, this charter amendment not only strengthens TOP Ships' competitive position in the market but also lays a foundation for sustained growth in the global tanker transportation sector.
See More
TOP Ships Sells Vessel-Owner Shares for $38 Million Mega Yacht Deal
- Transaction Announcement: TOP Ships has signed a sale agreement with Rubico Inc. for $38 million involving shares of a vessel-owning company linked to the new mega yacht M/Y Sanlorenzo 1150Exp, expected for delivery in Q2 2027, indicating the company's strategic positioning in the luxury market.
- Independent Review: The transaction was negotiated and approved by a special committee of independent board members, receiving a fairness opinion from an independent financial advisor, which enhances transparency and investor confidence in the deal.
- Liquidity Enhancement: The completion of the share sale by March 31, 2026, is expected to provide TOP Ships with additional liquidity, supporting its future operational and expansion plans, particularly in the eco-tanker segment.
- Market Strategy Adjustment: By executing this sale, TOP Ships can optimize its asset portfolio and focus on modern, fuel-efficient eco-tanker operations, further solidifying its competitive position in the international shipping market.
See More
TOP Ships Sells Vessel Ownership for $38 Million to Rubico Inc.
- Transaction Announcement: TOP Ships has signed a sale agreement with Rubico Inc. for $38 million concerning a vessel ownership linked to a newbuilding mega yacht, expected to be delivered in Q2 2027, indicating the company's strategic positioning in the luxury market.
- Independent Review: The transaction was negotiated and approved by a special committee of independent members of the board, receiving a fairness opinion from an independent financial advisor, ensuring transparency and fairness in the deal.
- Liquidity Enhancement: Through this share sale, TOP Ships will secure $38 million in funds, which is expected to be utilized for further investments in the operation and development of its modern eco-tankers, thereby enhancing the company's competitive edge in the market.
- Strategic Direction Shift: This transaction not only marks TOP Ships' expansion into the yacht market but also potentially provides financial support for the company's future diversification strategy, aiding its sustained growth in the global shipping industry.
See More
TOP Ships Acquires CEO's Dubai Property Portfolio Valued Over $200 Million
Acquisition Announcement: TOP Ships has entered a letter of intent to potentially acquire residential real estate assets in Dubai valued over $200 million from a company linked to its CEO, Evangelos Pistiolis.
Deal Terms: The agreement allows TOP Ships to purchase properties at a 10% discount to fair market value, with a $23.5 million advance payment due by year-end 2025, which can be applied to the purchase or refunded if the deal does not proceed.
Related-Party Transactions: This acquisition follows TOP Ships' recent purchase of two megayachts from Pistiolis, highlighting a pattern of related-party transactions as the company diversifies its asset base beyond shipping.
Company Background: TOP Ships operates a fleet of MR, suezmax, and VLCC tankers and is actively seeking to expand its portfolio in different sectors.
See More
TOP Ships Enters $200M Letter of Intent for Dubai Real Estate Acquisition
- Letter of Intent: TOP Ships has signed a letter of intent to acquire a portfolio of residential real estate assets in Dubai valued at over $200 million from a company affiliated with its CEO, reflecting the company's confidence in this attractive market.
- Discounted Pricing: The purchase option allows TOP Ships to acquire the assets at a 10% discount to fair market value, a strategy aimed at reducing acquisition costs and enhancing investment returns.
- Advance Payment Structure: The company will make an advance cash payment of $23.5 million by December 31, 2025, which will be credited against the acquisition price or refunded if the option is not exercised, ensuring financial flexibility.
- Due Diligence Process: During the 90-day option period, an independent committee will conduct due diligence to evaluate market conditions and other factors, indicating the company's serious consideration of the potential transaction despite inherent uncertainties.
See More
Top Ships Registers $200M Mixed Securities Shelf Offering
- Filing Announcement: TOP Ships has filed a mixed securities shelf registration for $200 million.
- Company Overview: The filing is part of TOP Ships' strategy to manage its financial resources and expand its operations.
See More
