Malaysian satellite operator Measat is reportedly in talks with Eutelsat and AsiaSat over selling stakes in its existing satellites as well as potentially partnering on future satellite projects.
A report by Bloomberg claims that Measat is seeking to…
Malaysian satellite operator Measat is reportedly in talks with Eutelsat and AsiaSat over selling stakes in its existing satellites as well as potentially partnering on future satellite projects.
A report by Bloomberg claims that Measat is seeking to raise funds through the sale of a portion of its four satellite fleet. The article added that the negotiations Measat is allegedly having with its peers could lead to a potential cost sharing partnership on future launches.
Eutelsat and AsiaSat would not comment on the rumour, while Measat was not available for comment at the time of going to press.
Sources have told SatelliteFinance that a number of the Asian operators have been in discussions over the past couple of years regarding joint satellite developments but not on selling a significant stake in their existing spacecraft.
Bloomberg reasons that any proceeds from a potential sale would be used to raise funds for Measat’s billionaire owner Ananda Krishnan, who bought out three companies for approximately MR7.9bn (US$2.6bn) last year. However, Krishnan recently netted MR2.66bn (US$890m) from the IPO of Malaysian oil and gas services company Bumi Armada.
In addition, when Krishnan completed his privatisation of Measat in September 2010, the move was widely regarded as a spur to further investment in order for the satellite operator to gain scale internationally.
Since then, Measat has pushed ahead with its joint orbital slot development project with the Azerbaijani government and in early July 2011 announced that it had contracted EADS Astrium to construct Measat-3b. The total cost of that satellite project, which is due to be launched in late 2013, is expected to be around MR1bn (US$328m).
In related news, Measat is understood to be close to announcing the winner of its broker tender for its Measat-3b satellite. The Asian satellite operator is believed to be on the verge of selecting a launch services provider with a broker expected to be chosen thereafter.
