MARC affirms rating on MISC’s RM2.5b Islamic notes, stable outlook

File pic shows a MISC LNG tanker, Camellia.

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian Rating Corporation Bhd (MARC) has affirmed its AAAIS rating on MISC Bhd’s RM2.5bil Islamic medium-term notes programme with a stable outlook.

The rating agency said on Monday the affirmed rating incorporates MISC’s position as a key global player in the energy-related shipping business, its stable revenue generation from long-term liquefied natural gas (LNG) and offshore contracts, as well as its healthy liquidity position.

The rating continues to benefit from an uplift on the credit strength of parent Petroliam Nasional Bhd (Petronas), which has a AAA/Stable public information rating from MARC.

The rating uplift is based on the strong parental support from Petronas for which MISC serves as the main LNG shipping provider as well as the close operational and financial integration between these companies.

“MISC’s credit profile benefits from earnings visibility provided by long-term contracts for LNG shipping and offshore floating assets. These contracts and MISC’s ability to replenish them on a timely basis provide a steady source of revenue, which accounted for more than half of MISC’s total revenue of RM2.5 billion in 1Q2021.

“Its other segment, petroleum shipping, was impacted by lower tanker rates while the heavy engineering segment experienced a delay in revenue recognition due to technical issues during commissioning of a project and operational disruption,” it said.

MARC said over the medium term, MISC’s two key segments’ performance will depend on the sustainability of oil demand, which has shown some improvement due to the strong economic rebound in developed countries.

As at end-1Q2021, the group has 37 LNG and ethane carriers as well as 12 offshore floating assets in operation (1Q2020: 31; 11).

However, in the near term, the petroleum shipping segment’s performance will continue to be weighed down by supply demand dynamics in the tanker segment.

In the heavy engineering segment, which has a total order book of RM2.9bil as at end-1Q2021, impact from the Covid-19 pandemic is expected to disrupt the project completion timeline, although project owner is expected to provide support by extending this timeline.

“MISC maintains a strong liquidity position, with cash balances of RM6.4bil. Gross debt-to-equity (DE) ratio stood at 0.43 times with a net DE ratio of 0.25 times in 1Q2021.

“Borrowings are expected to increase further to finance groups fleet expansion consisting of four LNG vessels, 11 petroleum tankers and one FPSO. In addition, the expansion is backed by long-term contracts which are earnings accretive to the group,” MARC said.