NCT Enters Ro-Ro Vessel Partnership to Strengthen Earnings Visibility and Carbon Neutral Fleet Strategy   

Rhea-AI Summary

NCT (Nasdaq: NCT) announced on December 1, 2025 that its Singapore subsidiary Openwindow entered a strategic partnership with CINCO INTERNATIONAL HONGKONG LIMITED to expand NCT’s ro-ro shipping segment and add contracted, multi-year cash flow.

The deal foresees takeover of existing time charters and, based on agreed daily rates and charter periods, projects cumulative contract revenue of US$118.25 million and cumulative net profit of US$88.96 million. Ro-ro vessels in the partnership feature low-carbon technologies (LNG dual-fuel, methanol-ready systems, onboard solar) and are estimated to cut carbon output per voyage by ~30%. The transaction remains subject to satisfactory due diligence and execution of a formal Ship Purchase Agreement.

Positive

• Projected cumulative contract revenue of US$118.25 million
• Projected cumulative net profit of US$88.96 million
• Adds long-term contracted cash flow via takeover of existing time charters
• Fleet expansion includes low-carbon technologies (LNG, methanol-ready, solar)

Negative

• Transaction subject to satisfactory due diligence and execution of SPA
• Projected revenue and profit contingent on charter terms and closing conditions

Insights

Shipping Strategist

Partnership adds long‑dated ro‑ro capacity and greener assets, improving contracted revenue visibility.

NCT will expand its fleet via a partnership that transfers existing time charters and introduces ro‑ro vessels featuring LNG dual‑fuel, methanol‑ready systems, and solar panels. Ro‑ro ships load/unload without quay cranes, which the content identifies as materially lowering energy use and cutting carbon per voyage by an estimated 30%.

The deal's benefits depend on successful due diligence and execution of a Ship Purchase Agreement; operational integration and charter enforcement are the main operational risks. Watch completion of the SPA and the timeline for taking over time charters over the next three to five years.

Financial Analyst

Transaction provides multi‑year contracted cash flow and concrete revenue/profit projections.

The company projects cumulative contract revenue of $118.25 million and cumulative net profit of $88.96 million based on the stated daily rates and charter periods. Those figures, if realized, imply high margin contribution from the charters and directly strengthen short‑to‑medium‑term earnings visibility.

Key dependencies include satisfactory due diligence and closing conditions; monitor signing of the SPA and any disclosed adjustments to charter rates or durations. Expect the most material clarity at SPA execution and as the company begins to consolidate charter income within the next three to five years.

HONG KONG, Dec. 01, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Intercont (Cayman) Limited (Nasdaq: NCT) (“NCT” or “the Company”), a global carbon-neutral shipping company, announced that its Singapore subsidiary, Openwindow, has entered into a strategic partnership with CINCO INTERNATIONAL HONGKONG LIMITED. The partnership is designed to deliver stable, multi-year cash flow while expanding NCT’s shipping segment with assets that meet the industry’s accelerating shift toward low-carbon operations.

CINCO INTERNATIONAL HONGKONG LIMITED is a well-established ro-ro shipping company known for its operational excellence and professional service standards. This partnership reflects NCT's strategic initiative to expand its shipping segment in response to rising market demand.

Ro-ro vessels are purpose-built for transporting automobiles and wheeled cargo, offering a low-carbon, high-efficiency solution for global trade and supply chain operations. Their ability to load and discharge without quay cranes or repeated handling leads to significantly lower energy use compared to conventional general cargo ships. Furthermore, advanced features such as LNG dual-fuel engines, methanol-ready fuel systems, and onboard solar panels help reduce sulfur oxide and CO₂ emissions—cutting carbon output per voyage by an estimated 30%. By combining operational efficiency with environmental performance, ro-ro shipping serves as a sustainable backbone for intercontinental logistics.

As the global shipping industry navigates the transition toward low-carbon operations, emerging sectors such as new energy vehicles and cross-border e-commerce are driving a surge in demand for rapid transportation—significantly expanding the market potential for ro-ro vessels. Through this strategic partnership, NCT is positioning itself in this high-growth segment, leveraging the efficiency and low-emission profile of ro-ro ships to offer customers diversified green transport solutions, thereby enhancing customer loyalty and market reputation.

Upon completion of the transaction, the company is expected to take over existing time charters. Based on the daily rates and charter periods stipulated in the agreement, the cumulative contract revenue is projected to reach approximately US$118.25 million, with a cumulative net profit estimated at US$88.96 million. The transaction remains subject to customary conditions, including satisfactory due diligence and the execution of a formal Ship Purchase Agreement (SPA).

Ms. Zhu Muchun, CEO and President of NCT, commented: "This partnership aims to strengthen NCT’s business fundamentals by adding long-term, contracted cash flow and expanding our fleet with green-technology assets. The transaction enhances our resilience over the next three to five years and supports a sustainable value-creation cycle across operations, financing, and brand valuation. We remain committed to executing our carbon-neutral strategy while driving attractive returns for shareholders."

About Intercont (Cayman) Limited

Intercont (Cayman) Limited is a global shipping enterprise with plans for seaborne pulping operations. Under a visionary management team, Intercont is dedicated to providing customers with efficient and environmentally friendly transportation solutions through innovative business models and technology. For more information, please visit: https://www.intercontcayman.com.

Forward-Looking Statement

This press release contains statements of a forward-looking nature. Forward-looking statements include statements concerning plans, objectives, goals, strategies, future events or performance, and underlying assumptions and other statements that are other than statements of historical facts. When the Company uses words such as “may, “will, “intend,” “should,” “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “project,” “estimate” or similar expressions that do not relate solely to historical matters, it is making forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties that may cause the actual results to differ materially from the Company’s expectations discussed in the forward-looking statements. These statements are subject to uncertainties and risks including, but not limited to, the uncertainties related to market conditions and the completion of the initial public offering on the anticipated terms or at all, and other factors discussed in the “Risk Factors” section of the registration statement filed with the SEC. For these reasons, among others, investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance upon any forward-looking statements in this press release. Additional factors are discussed in the Company’s filings with the SEC, which are available for review at www.sec.gov. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly revise these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that arise after the date hereof.

Contact information:
investorrelations@intercontcayman.com
+852-3848-1720

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/9aea36aa-01b2-48c1-980e-5a9c69f0e0ef

FAQ

What did NCT announce on December 1, 2025 regarding ro-ro vessels (NCT)?

NCT said its subsidiary Openwindow entered a partnership to acquire ro-ro time charters and expand its low-carbon fleet.

How much cumulative contract revenue does the NCT ro-ro partnership project?

The company projects approximately US$118.25 million in cumulative contract revenue based on agreed daily rates and charter periods.

What cumulative net profit is NCT projecting from the ro-ro charter deal (NCT)?

NCT projects a cumulative net profit of about US$88.96 million from the agreement.

When will NCT take over the existing time charters under the agreement (NCT)?

NCT expects to take over existing time charters upon completion of customary conditions and execution of the Ship Purchase Agreement.

How does the ro-ro partnership affect NCT’s carbon-neutral strategy (NCT)?

The partnership adds ro-ro vessels with LNG dual-fuel, methanol-ready systems and solar panels, estimated to reduce carbon per voyage by ~30%.

Are the financial projections from NCT’s ro-ro deal final (NCT)?

No; the projected revenue and profit are estimates and remain subject to satisfactory due diligence and closing conditions.