Top Ships Inc (TOPS)

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TOP Ships Inc. Announces Agreement to Acquire Nine ECO MR Product Tanker Newbuildings with Time Charter Employment and Potential Gross Revenue Backlog of about $679 million



ATHENS, Greece, Feb. 23, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- TOP Ships Inc. (the “Company”), an international owner and operator of modern, fuel efficient "ECO" tanker vessels, announced today that it has entered into an agreement with an entity affiliated with the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, (“the Seller”), to acquire 100% of the issued and outstanding shares of nine Marshall Islands companies (the “SPVs”), counterparties to ship building contracts for nine very-high specification 47,499 dwt Medium Range (“MR”) product/chemical oil tankers with Guangzhou Shipyard International Company Limited, scheduled for delivery during 2028 and 2029.

The ship building contracts’ effectiveness is subject to the issuance of customary refund guarantees and the acquisition of the SPVs is subject to conclusion of financing arrangements. Specifically, the SPVs are currently finalizing lease financing agreements (the “Financings”) with two major Chinese leasing companies, one being ABC Financial Leasing Co., Ltd. or its controlled entities, covering the majority of the ship building contracts’ price for all nine vessels. The Financings were arranged by the Seller and their conclusion is subject to customary closing conditions, including the provision of the Company’s corporate guarantee to the leasing companies.

The Seller has also secured time charter employment with a major oil trader, for all vessels, starting from their delivery and for a firm duration of seven years, with charterer’s option to extend for four additional years.

The total potential gross revenue backlog from these contracts, including optional years, is about $679 million.

The Company has agreed to acquire the shares of all SPVs for an aggregate purchase price of about $41 million and due to the related party nature of the acquisition, the transaction was approved by a special committee composed of independent members of the Company's board of directors, (the “Transaction Committee”). The Transaction Committee obtained a fairness opinion relating to the consideration of this transaction from an independent financial advisor.

About the Company

TOP Ships Inc. is an international owner and operator of ocean-going vessels focusing on modern, fuel-efficient eco tanker vessels transporting crude oil, petroleum products (clean and dirty) and bulk liquid chemicals. For more information about TOP Ships Inc., visit its website: www.topships.org.

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