Rating Rationale
April 12, 2018 | Mumbai
Continental Warehousing Corporation (Nhava Seva) Limited
Ratings continues on 'Watch Positive' 
 
Rating Action
Total Bank Loan Facilities Rated Rs.486.84 Crore (Enhanced from Rs.476.84 Crore)
Long Term Rating CRISIL BBB+ (Continues on 'Rating Watch with Positive Implications')
Short Term Rating CRISIL A2 (Continues on 'Rating Watch with Positive Implications')
1 crore = 10 million
Refer to annexure for Details of Instruments & Bank Facilities
Detailed Rationale

CRISIL's ratings on the bank facilities of Continental Warehousing Corporation (Nhava Seva) Limited (CWCNSL; part of the Continental group) remains on 'Rating Watch with Positive Implications'.

On March 23, 2018, CRISIL placed its rating on the bank facilities of CWCNSL on 'Rating watch with positive implication'. The rating action is based on the recent announcement by DP World Ltd (DP World) that Hindustan Infralog Pvt Ltd (HIPL), a joint venture between DP World and National Investment and Infrastructure Fund (NIIF), is set to acquire 90% stake in CWCNSL. The present promoters of CWCNSL will retain a stake of 10% and will also be involved as part of the management. 

CRISIL believes that the aforesaid transaction has the potential to accelerate implementation of CWCNSL's business strategy, especially in its private freight terminals (PFTs) business by faster set up of new PFTs and also faster ramp up of capacity at these PFTs. Potential synergies with DP World's Indian operations that comprises container port terminals and container train operations may further help CWCNSL's business risk profile. 

The transaction is subject to regulatory approvals and is likely to be completed in next two months. CRISIL is in discussion with the management to understand implications of this transaction for CWCNSL's future capital spending and funding philosophy, and also further details on the expected synergies with the Indian operations of DP World and stance on parental support. CRISIL will remove the ratings from 'Watch' and take a final rating action on successful completion of the transaction and after obtaining necessary clarity on above-mentioned aspects.

The ratings reflect the group's established market position as a CFS operator, and diversity in revenue streams, given its presence in other logistic service segments, such as warehousing, surface and air cargo delivery and PFTs. The ratings also factor in the adequate financial risk profile, driven by a comfortable capital structure, regular private equity infusions, and prudent mix of debt and equity to fund capital expenditure (capex). These strengths are partially offset by exposure to risks related to the upcoming capex towards PFTs in Bengaluru and Chennai, and express logistics centres (accounting for one-third of estimated networth as of March 2018), ramp-up of PFTs at Panipat (Haryana) and Ahmedabad. In addition, the CFS business remains susceptible to volatility in export-import trade volume, intensifying competition, and regulatory changes.

Analytical Approach

For arriving at its ratings, CRISIL has combined the business and financial risk profiles of CWCNSL and its subsidiaries, Delex Cargo India Pvt Ltd (Delex) and Continental Multimodal Terminals Ltd (CMTL; 94.62% subsidiary). The three companies, collectively referred to as the Continental group, have a common management and integrated treasury, and operate in similar businesses. 

Key Rating Drivers & Detailed Description
Strengths
* Established market position as a CFS operator: The group has an established market position in the CFS business, backed by longstanding relationships with large shipping lines such as Evergreen Shipping Agency, Seahorse Group, and PIL India (Pvt) Ltd.

* Diversified revenue base: The group, which is present across the country, has one of the largest warehousing networks in the private sector, spread over 65 lakh sq ft in 64 strategic locations. Under Delex, the group provides supply-chain management services to corporate clients, surface and air pick-up and delivery operations, express cargo services, and distribution logistics services. India's first PFT was set up in Hyderabad through CMTL, and two more were added at Ahmedabad and Panipat (with co-located ICDs).

* Adequate financial risk profile: Financial risk profile is adequate, with networth and gearing expected to be healthy, around Rs 940 crore and 0.5 time as on March 31, 2018, aided by regular private equity infusions.

Weaknesses:
* Risks related to upcoming capex and ramp-up of existing PFTs: The group faces project-related risks such as time or cost overrun in the ongoing capex, and timely ramp-up of operations at PFTs, set up recently.

* Susceptibility to export-import trade volume, intense competition in CFS operations, and regulatory changes: The CFS business is directly linked to India's export-import (exim) trade, and thus, remains susceptible to risks arising from variations in shipping rates, trade volumes, and customs policies. Moreover, low entry barriers have attracted existing and new players to set up fresh CFS facilities, thus intensifying competition.
About the Group

CWCNSL, the flagship company of the NDR group, was incorporated in 1997, by the promoter, Mr N Adikesavulu Reddy and his family members. The company commenced CFS operations on a 35-acre plot in Khopta (Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust [JNPT] port, Mumbai) in January 2006. It also operates CFS facilities in Chennai (Madhavaram and Redhills), and Tuticorin (Tamil Nadu). The combined container handling capacity of the group exceeds 300,000 twenty-foot equivalent per annum. CWCNSL has also set up two PFTs at Panipat and Ahmedabad, at a combined project cost of Rs 490 crore, funded in a debt-to-equity mix of 2:1. The PFTs and their co-located ICDs became operational in the last quarter of fiscals 2016 and 2017, respectively.

Delex provides pick-up and delivery operations, express cargo services and distribution logistic services to domestic airlines, and supply-chain management services, including manpower, transportation, and facility services to corporate clients. CMTL has a PFT in Timmapur near Hyderabad, which became operational in June 2013.

The group plans to set up two PFTs at Bengaluru and Chennai, and seven express logistics centres across India over the medium term. The combined project cost of Rs 350 crore, will be prudently funded.

On a consolidated basis, for the first six months of fiscal 2018, the provisional profit is Rs 0.75 crore on operating revenues of Rs 297 crore.

Key Financial Indicators
As on / for the period ended March 31 Unit 2017 2016
Revenue Rs crore 618 704
Profit after tax (PAT) Rs crore -11 93
PAT Margin % -1.8 13.2
Adjusted Debt/Adjusted Networth Times 0.51 0.66
Net cash accrual to adjusted debt Times 0.05 0.23

Any other information: Not applicable

Note on complexity levels of the rated instrument:
CRISIL complexity levels are assigned to various types of financial instruments. The CRISIL complexity levels are available on www.crisil.com/complexity-levels. Users are advised to refer to the CRISIL complexity levels for instruments that they consider for investment. Users may also call the Customer Service Helpdesk with queries on specific instruments.
Annexure - Details of Instrument(s)
ISIN Name of Instrument Date of Allotment Coupon
Rate (%)
Maturity Date Issue Size
(Rs crore)
Rating Assigned with Outlook
NA Cash Credit* NA NA NA 20 CRISIL BBB+/Watch Positive
NA Bank Guarantee@ NA NA NA 50 CRISIL A2/Watch Positive
NA Term Loan NA NA 15-Dec-2027 235 CRISIL BBB+/Watch Positive
NA Term Loan NA NA 1-Jan-2025 55 CRISIL BBB+/Watch Positive
NA Term Loan NA NA 1-Jan-2022 50 CRISIL BBB+/Watch Positive
NA Term Loan NA NA 1-Oct-2025 75 CRISIL BBB+/Watch Positive
NA Proposed long term bank loan facility NA NA NA 1.84 CRISIL BBB+/Watch Positive
*Sub-limit of working capital demand loan of Rs 20 crore, sales invoice discounting of Rs 20 crore and bank guarantee of Rs 5 crore
@Fund based sub-limit of Rs 20 crore
Annexure - Rating History for last 3 Years
  Current 2018 (History) 2017  2016  2015  Start of 2015
Instrument Type Quantum Rating Date Rating Date Rating Date Rating Date Rating Rating
Fund-based Bank Facilities  LT/ST  436.84  CRISIL BBB+/Watch Positive  23-03-18  CRISIL BBB+/Watch Positive    No Rating Change    No Rating Change    No Rating Change  CRISIL BBB+/Stable 
Non Fund-based Bank Facilities  LT/ST  50  CRISIL A2/Watch Positive  23-03-18  CRISIL A2/Watch Positive    No Rating Change    No Rating Change    No Rating Change  CRISIL A2 
Table reflects instances where rating is changed or freshly assigned. 'No Rating Change' implies that there was no rating change under the release.
 
Annexure - Details of various bank facilities
Current facilities Previous facilities
Facility Amount (Rs.Crore) Rating Facility Amount (Rs.Crore) Rating
Bank Guarantee@ 50 CRISIL A2/Watch Positive Cash Credit 40 CRISIL BBB+/Placed on 'Rating Watch with Positive Implications'
Cash Credit* 20 CRISIL BBB+/Watch Positive Letter of credit & Bank Guarantee 30 CRISIL A2/Placed on 'Rating Watch with Positive Implications'
Proposed Long Term Bank Loan Facility 1.84 CRISIL BBB+/Watch Positive Term Loan 406.84 CRISIL BBB+/Placed on 'Rating Watch with Positive Implications'
Term Loan 415 CRISIL BBB+/Watch Positive -- 0 --
Total 486.84 -- Total 476.84 --
*Sub-limit of working capital demand loan of Rs 20 crore, sales invoice discounting of Rs 20 crore and bank guarantee of Rs 5 crore
@Fund based sub-limit of Rs 20 crore
Links to related criteria
CRISILs Approach to Financial Ratios
CRISILs Bank Loan Ratings - process, scale and default recognition
Rating criteria for manufaturing and service sector companies
CRISILs Bank Loan Ratings
CRISILs Criteria for Consolidation
Understanding CRISILs Ratings and Rating Scales

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