HONG KONG (BLOOMBERG ) - Troubled cruise operator Genting Hong Kong has filed to wind up the company, putting the spotlight on what support its lead shareholder Lim Kok Thay may provide.

The Hong Kong-based firm has been pummelled by the plunge in travel demand due to Covid-19 that has led to a string of restructurings and insolvencies among travel firms globally. It reported a record loss of US$1.7 billion (S$2.3 billion) in May, and the latest developments come just as Hong Kong reimposes some of its strictest virus curbs since the pandemic began.

Winding up the company likely will not have earnings impact on the other Genting firms as there is no cross shareholding between them. But the question some analysts have asked is whether Tan Sri Lim may try to bail out the firm with help from its sister companies, which could pose risks for their shares.

What's next?

The filing at the Supreme Court of Bermuda, where the company has its registered office, is a way to get assistance safeguarding its assets. The firm "exhausted all reasonable efforts" to negotiate with its creditors and stakeholders, it said in a statement to the Hong Kong stock exchange on Wednesday. Investors will also be watching for potential resumption in the firm's Hong Kong-listed shares, which have plunged almost 50 per cent this month. The stock will remain suspended until further notice.

Will this affect other Genting firms?

Genting Hong Kong was established in the early 1990s, when Mr Lim wanted to diversify the business risk from his main casino resort in Malaysia. He owns a 76 per cent stake in Genting Hong Kong.

But the Genting group of companies listed in Malaysia and Singapore have no cross shareholding with Genting Hong Kong except for Mr Lim being a common shareholder in all three. So as far as earnings go, there would be no impact on the Malaysia- and Singapore-listed Genting shares.

That said, Genting Cruise Lines, which runs the Star Cruises and Dream Cruises brands - and which has a Singapore office and operates some cruises from the Republic - is a division of Genting Hong Kong.

In response to queries from The Straits Times, a Dream Cruises spokesman said certain business activities of Genting Hong Kong, such as cruise operations by Dream Cruises, will continue.

What are the risks?

The worry is whether Mr Lim will tap other parts of his Genting empire to help with any bailout or to provide financial help. He has a history of taking such steps.

Mr Lim has used Genting Malaysia to conduct related-party transactions previously.

One example: Genting Malaysia said in 2019 that it was buying a 46 per cent stake in Empire Resorts in New York from him. This deal caused a slump in Genting Malaysia shares. The Malaysia firm now owns a 49 per cent stake in Empire Resorts.

Another concern is that Mr Lim has pledged almost his entire stake in Genting Hong Kong as collateral for loans to keep the Hong Kong firm going.

What are the other Genting empire firms?

Genting Bhd: This is the holding company of Genting Malaysia, Genting Singapore, Genting Plantations and other businesses such as properties and oil and gas.

Mr Lim and family control Genting via a private investment vehicle called Kien Huat Realty. They control the Malaysia and Singapore firms indirectly via Genting Bhd.

Genting Malaysia: The outlook looks bright for the Malaysian casino and resorts operator, after the government promised no more Covid-19 lockdowns. It has resumed operations, attracting big crowds.

Genting Singapore: The firm operates a casino and resort (Resorts World Sentosa) in the city state. It is also open, but business could be hampered by dependency on foreign tourists, with Singapore still only slowly and selectively opening up to travel.

• With additional information from The Straits Times