STOCK TITAN

TOP Ships to acquire four tanker companies for ~$35M

The four charters call for seven firm years and options for up to three more, with about $316.9 million in potential gross revenue backlog.

(Moderate)

Sentiment and the balance of points

Rhea-AI Sentiment reads the wording of the document, how positive or negative its language is on a 1 to 5 scale. The balance of points shown with the takes weighs what the document actually discloses, so the two can disagree, for example when a trial that missed its main goal is described in upbeat language.

Form Type
6-K

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

TOP Ships Inc. agreed to acquire all issued and outstanding shares of four shipowning SPVs from Central Mare Inc., a company affiliated with the family of CEO Evangelos J. Pistiolis, for approximately $34.95 million, payable by December 31, 2026. Each SPV holds a shipbuilding contract for one 49,940 dwt ice class 1A MR product tanker, scheduled for delivery in June 2029, September 2029, December 2029 and March 2030. Closing is subject to customary conditions and successful closing of lease financing arranged by the seller.

The SPVs have finalized principal terms for seven-year firm time charters with a major oil trader, starting at delivery, with options to extend up to three years. Assuming all extensions are exercised, the four charters represent potential gross revenue backlog of about $316.9 million. The SPVs are finalizing lease financing covering approximately 85% of shipbuilding installments. Upon closing, total potential gross revenue backlog including operating-fleet charters and TOP Ships’ 50% share of joint-venture vessel backlog, with optional periods, is projected at approximately $1.24 billion. A special committee of independent and disinterested directors approved the transaction and obtained a fairness opinion.

Filing Explained

While the acquisition remains subject to closing conditions and seller-arranged lease financing, the agreement directs 100% of net cash proceeds from any pre-closing equity raise or unrelated unsecured borrowing to the $34.95 million purchase price, restricting those funds from other uses.

Tankers in acquisition 4 tankers One shipbuilding contract per SPV
Purchase price Approximately $34.95 million For all issued and outstanding shares of the four SPVs; payable by December 31, 2026
Installments per shipbuilding contract $49.5 million per contract Aggregate installments payable under each contract
Firm time charter duration 7 years For each vessel, starting from delivery
Charter extension option Up to 3 additional years Charterer option for each vessel
Potential gross revenue backlog About $316.9 million Four charters, assuming all available extension options are exercised
Shipbuilding installment financing Approximately 85% Lease financing being finalized by the SPVs
Total potential gross revenue backlog Approximately $1.24 billion Projected upon closing, including operating-fleet charters, TOP Ships’ 50% proportionate share of joint-venture vessel backlog and optional periods
ice class 1A technical
"49,940 dwt ice class 1A MR product tanker"
An ice class 1A (often written 1A or 1A⁻ depending on system) is a ship classification indicating the vessel’s hull, propulsion and maneuvering systems are strengthened and powered for operation in moderate first-year sea ice without continuous icebreaker assistance. Exact structural reinforcement, engine power and operational limits tied to the 1A label are set by classification societies or national ice rules, so the technical requirements vary by registry; broadly, 1A vessels can navigate thicker seasonal ice than lower classes but are not built for heavy multi‑year or polar ice conditions.
time charter financial
"principal terms for time charter employment"
A time charter is an agreement where a ship owner rents out their vessel to a customer for a set period, during which the customer has control over the ship’s use and operation. This arrangement matters to investors because it provides a steady income stream for the ship owner and indicates ongoing demand for shipping services, reflecting the health of global trade and transportation markets.
gross revenue backlog financial
"potential gross revenue backlog from these contracts"
Gross revenue backlog is the total value of customer orders or contracts a company has agreed to deliver but has not yet recognized as sales. Think of it as a restaurant’s list of reservations and advance meal orders: it shows future work and potential income, but some orders may be canceled or adjusted. Investors watch it as an indicator of near-term demand, revenue visibility, and the company’s ability to convert those commitments into reported sales.
lease financing financial
"successful closing of lease financing agreements"

FAQ

AI-generated questions and answers. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.

How much is TOPS paying for the four tanker-owning companies?

TOP Ships agreed to pay approximately $34.95 million for all issued and outstanding shares of the four SPVs. The purchase price is payable by December 31, 2026. Closing is subject to customary conditions and successful closing of lease financing agreements arranged by the seller.

What potential revenue backlog do the four new tankers have for TOPS?

Assuming the charterer exercises all available extension options, the four newbuilding tankers represent about $316.9 million in potential gross revenue backlog. Each charter has a firm duration of seven years from vessel delivery, with an option to extend for up to three additional years.

When are the four TOPS tankers scheduled for delivery?

The four 49,940 dwt ice class 1A MR product tankers are scheduled for delivery in June 2029, September 2029, December 2029 and March 2030, respectively.

How must TOPS use certain proceeds before the acquisition closes?

Before closing, if TOP Ships raises capital through unsecured indebtedness unrelated to the acquisition, maintenance, operation, repair, refurbishment or replacement of vessels, or through an issuance of common stock, preferred stock or another equity interest, it must apply 100% of the net cash proceeds directly to the purchase price at closing.

AI-generated analysis. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.

See more from StockTitan in Google Search and AI answers. Adds StockTitan as a preferred source · opens Google
Add on Google
Learn about SEC filing dates
 

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

Form 6-K

REPORT OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER PURSUANT TO RULE 13a-16 OR 15d-16 UNDER THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the month of October 2026

Commission File Number: 001-37889

TOP SHIPS INC.
(Translation of registrant's name into English)

20 Iouliou Kaisara Str
19002, Paiania
Athens-Greece

(Address of principal executive office)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F.
Form 20-F [ X ]      Form 40-F [   ]

 

 


INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS FORM 6-K REPORT

On October 7, 2026, the Registrant issued a press release relating to the acquisition of four Product Tankers, a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1.

The Share Purchase Agreement

On October 1, 2026, TOP SHIPS Inc. (the “Company”) entered into a Share Purchase Agreement (the “SPA”) with Central Mare Inc. (the “Seller”), a company affiliated with the family of Mr. Evangelos J. Pistiolis, to purchase 500 registered shares of each of Roman Shark XI Inc., Roman Shark XII Inc., Roman Shark XIII Inc. and Roman Shark XIV Inc. (the “SPVs”), representing all of the issued and outstanding shares of the SPVs. Each SPV has entered into a shipbuilding contract with Guangzhou Shipyard International Company Limited and China Shipbuilding Trading Co., Ltd. for the purchase of a 49,940 dwt ice class 1A MR product tanker. The aggregate amount of installments payable under each shipbuilding contract is $49.5 million. The tankers are scheduled for delivery in June 2029, September 2029, December 2029 and March 2030.

The  purchase price for of all the shares of the SPVs is approximately $34.95 million (the "Purchase Price") and is payable by December 31, 2026. The closing of the acquisition of the SPVs (the "Closing") is subject to customary closing conditions and the successful closing of lease financing agreements arranged by the Seller.

Pursuant to the SPA, to the extent the Company raises capital through the incurrence of unsecured indebtedness unrelated to the acquisition, maintenance, operation, repair, refurbishment or replacement of vessels or the issuance of any common stock, preferred stock, or other equity interest prior to the Closing, the Company shall be obligated to apply 100% of the net cash proceeds of such financing or equity raises directly toward the payment of the Purchase Price at Closing.

The SPVs have each finalized the principal terms for time charter employment with a major oil trader for the vessels, starting from each vessel’s delivery and for firm durations of seven years, with charterer’s option to extend for up to three additional years. The total potential gross revenue backlog from these contracts, assuming the exercise of all available charter extension options, is about $316.9 million.

The acquisition was approved by a special committee consisting of independent and disinterested 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.

The information contained in this Report, except for the commentary of Evangelos J. Pistiolis contained in Exhibit 99.1, is hereby incorporated by reference into the Registrant’s registration statements on Form F-3 (File Nos. 333-290238, 333-268475 and 333-267545).


SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

      TOP SHIPS INC.    
  (Registrant)
   
  
Date: October 7, 2026     /s/ Evangelos J. Pistiolis     
  Evangelos J. Pistiolis
  Chief Executive Officer
  

EXHIBIT 99.1

Top Ships Inc. Announces Acquisition of four High Specification Ice Class 1A Newbuilding MR Tankers and Gross Revenue Backlog of about $1.24 Billion

ATHENS, Greece, Oct. 07, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- TOP Ships Inc. (the "Company" or "TOP Ships") (NYSE American: TOPS), an international owner and operator of modern, fuel-efficient "ECO" tanker vessels, announced today that it has entered into a share purchase agreement with a related party (the “Seller”) to purchase the shares of four companies (the "SPVs") which have entered into shipbuilding contracts with Guangzhou Shipyard International Company Limited for the construction of four high-specification, ECO, ice class 1A MR Product Tankers to be delivered between June 2029 and March 2030.

The SPVs are finalizing lease financing agreements (the "Financings"), arranged by the Seller with a major Chinese leasing company, covering approximately 85% of all shipbuilding installments.

The SPVs have secured time charter employment for the vessels with an Oil Major, commencing upon their respective deliveries, for a firm duration of seven years, with the charterer holding options to extend for up to three additional years. The total potential gross revenue backlog from these contracts, assuming the exercise of all available charter extension options, is approximately $316.9 million.

The aggregate purchase price for 100% of the issued shares of the SPVs is approximately $34.95 million (the "Consideration") and is payable by 31 December 2026. The closing of the transaction is subject to customary closing conditions and the successful conclusion of the Financings by the Seller.

The acquisition was approved by a special committee consisting of independent and disinterested members of the Company's board of directors, which obtained a fairness opinion with respect to the Consideration from an independent financial advisor.

The Company's CEO said:

"Today’s deal is consistent with our recently announced redeployment of capital into our core tanker business, while at the same time further expanding our ice class fleet to 7 vessels and diversifying our charterer base with the addition of another oil major. These four high-specification, ice class vessels enhance the trading flexibility of our fleet, and their seven-year firm charters provide long-term contracted employment with a first-class counterparty well into the next decade. The total potential gross revenue backlog from these four newbuilding MR tankers, assuming the exercise of all available charter extension options, is approximately $317 million. Upon closing of this transaction, the total potential gross revenue backlog, from our fourteen newbuilding MR tankers, assuming the exercise of all available charter extension options, will be approximately $997 million. Including contracted time charters for our operating fleet and our 50% proportionate share of the backlog attributable to our JV vessels, total potential gross revenue backlog —including optional periods—will increase to approximately $1.24 billion, demonstrating the strength and visibility of our future potential cash flows. We remain focused on building a modern, high-specification fleet, with approximately 85% of the shipbuilding installments financed, employed on long-term charters with leading energy companies and traders, which we believe enhances the stability of our future revenue streams and positions the Company well for the next chapter of its development."

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. The Company’s tanker operating fleet has a total capacity of 857,000 dwt and consists of one 50,000 dwt product/chemical tanker, one 157,000 dwt Suezmax tanker, two 300,000 dwt VLCCs and, through a joint venture, 50% interests in two 50,000 dwt product tankers. The Company has entered into newbuilding contracts for ten 50,000 dwt MR newbuilding tankers scheduled for delivery from the second quarter of 2028 through the fourth quarter of 2029. In addition, the Company has entered into a share purchase agreement to acquire four shipowning companies that have entered into newbuilding contracts for four high-specification 50,000 dwt MR newbuilding tankers scheduled for delivery from the second quarter of 2029 through the first quarter of 2030, with closing being subject to customary closing conditions and the successful conclusion of the Financings by the Seller. The Company also owns the megayacht M/Y Para Bellvm, which it has announced its intention to divest. The Company is incorporated under the laws of the Republic of the Marshall Islands and has executive offices in Athens, Greece. Its common shares trade on the NYSE American under the symbol “TOPS”. For more information about TOP Ships Inc., visit its website: www.topships.org.

For further information please contact:
Alexandros Tsirikos

Chief Financial Officer

TOP Ships Inc.

Tel: +30 210 812 8107

Email: atsirikos@topships.org

Forward-Looking Statements
Matters discussed in this press release may constitute forward-looking statements. The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides safe harbor protections for forward-looking statements in order to encourage companies to provide prospective information about their business. Forward-looking statements include statements concerning plans, objectives, goals, strategies, future events or performance, and underlying assumptions and other statements, which are other than statements of historical facts, including statements regarding future revenues and cash flows, potential gross revenue backlog, redeployment of capital, the acquisition of the SPVs and the expected timing of its closing, the expected delivery of the newbuilding vessels, the commencement of, and the declaration of optional periods under, the related time charters, the availability of financing for the newbuilding vessels, the intended divestment of the M/Y Para Bellvm, and the Company’s future fleet, business strategy and prospects.

The Company desires to take advantage of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and is including this cautionary statement in connection with this safe harbor legislation. The words “believe,” “anticipate,” “intends,” “estimate,” “forecast,” “project,” “plan,” “potential,” “may,” “should,” “expect” “pending” and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements in this press release are based upon various assumptions, many of which are based, in turn, upon further assumptions, including without limitation, our management's examination of historical operating trends, data contained in our records and other data available from third parties. Although we believe that these assumptions were reasonable when made, because these assumptions are inherently subject to significant uncertainties and contingencies which are difficult or impossible to predict and are beyond our control, we cannot assure you that we will achieve or accomplish these expectations, beliefs or projections. Please see the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission for a more complete discussion of these and other risks and uncertainties. The information set forth herein speaks only as of the date hereof, and the Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update any forward-looking statements as a result of developments occurring after the date of this communication.

Filing Exhibits & Attachments

1 document

Keep reading