Acquisition

RNS Number : 8150Y

Bilfinger Berger Gbl Infrstre SICAV

30 January 2014

 



30 January 2014

Bilfinger Berger Global Infrastructure SICAV S.A.

("BBGI" or the "Company")

BBGI announces the completion of the acquisition of its first US PPP Project

Bilfinger Berger Global Infrastructure SICAV S.A. (ticker "BBGI") is pleased to announce that it has completed the acquisition of a 33.33% interest in the Ohio River Bridge PPP Project.

Ohio River Bridge / East End Crossing PPP is a long term public-private-partnership concession procured by the Indiana Finance Authority for the development, design, construction, financing, operation and maintenance of a cable stayed bridge and associated roadway and facilities across the Ohio River, connecting Clark County Indiana and Jefferson County, Kentucky. The bridge is in close proximity to Louisville, Kentucky. 

The concession term is equal to the construction period of 3.6 years plus 35 years of operations. The project payment mechanisms are comprised of a series of milestone payments to be received both during the construction period and shortly after the achievement of substantial completion and monthly availability payments in the operation period.

The construction work relating to the project is being undertaken by a joint venture between Walsh Construction Company and VINCI Construction Grand Projects JV, both of which are experienced in delivering large transportation infrastructure projects. Construction obligations have been passed down to the design build joint venture through a fixed price, date-certain, design build contract.

The concession expires in 2051 and is availability-based with no volume risk.

The Ohio River Bridge PPP Project was a pipeline asset in the recent £145 million capital raise which completed on 11 December 2013 and the acquisition was funded from the Company's existing cash resources.

Duncan Ball, Co-CEO said:

 "We are delighted to complete our first U.S. PPP acquisition. This is one of a handful of availability-based project to be delivered in the US using PPP and we are excited to gain an early foothold in the promising US market. The project benefits from a very experienced construction joint venture and has long term financing in place and is not subject to any refinancing risk."

Frank Schramm, Co-CEO said:

"The acquisition is accretive and consistent with our strategy of focusing on high quality PPP/PFI assets with strong government counterparties. Payments will come from the Indiana Finance Authority whose most recent bonds were rated "AA+" by Fitch with a stable outlook."

For further information please contact:

BBGI Management Team       [phone]

Duncan Ball      

Frank Schramm

Maitland                                    [phone]

Liz Morley

BBGI own a portfolio of 27 infrastructure assets. These projects are PPP / PFI assets and are supported by contracted, public sector-backed revenue streams, with inflation-protection characteristics.

Further information about BBGI is available on its website at www.bb-gi.com. 

Any reference to the Company or BBGI refers also to its subsidiaries (where applicable).

 

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