MONACO — (Marketwired) — 10/28/13 — Scorpio Tankers Inc. (NYSE: STNG) (“Scorpio Tankers,” or the “Company”) today reported its results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013.
For the three months ended September 30, 2013, the Company had an adjusted net income of $0.6 million (see Non-GAAP Measure section below), or $0.00 basic and diluted earnings per share, excluding a $0.1 million, or $0.00 per share unrealized gain on derivative financial instruments. Including the unrealized gain on derivative financial instruments, the Company had net income of $0.7 million, or $0.00 basic and diluted earnings per share.
For the three months ended September 30, 2012, the Company had an adjusted net loss of $3.7 million (see Non-GAAP Measure section below), or $0.09 basic and diluted loss per share, excluding a $5.9 million, or $0.14 per share, loss from sales of vessels and a $3.0 million, or $0.07 per share, write-off of deferred financing fees. Including the aforementioned adjustments, the Company had a net loss of $12.5 million, or $0.30 basic and diluted loss per share for the three months ended September 30, 2012.
For the nine months ended September 30, 2013, the Company had an adjusted net income of $10.8 million (see Non-GAAP Measure section below), or $0.08 basic and diluted earnings per share, excluding a $0.5 million, or $0.00 per share unrealized gain on derivative financial instruments. Including the unrealized gain on derivative financial instruments, the Company had net income of $11.2 million or $0.08 basic and diluted earnings per share.
For the nine months ended September 30, 2012, the Company had an adjusted net loss of $8.3 million (see Non-GAAP Measure section below), or $0.21 basic and diluted loss per share, excluding a $10.4 million, or $0.26 per share, loss from sales of vessels and a $3.0 million, or $0.07 per share, write-off of deferred financing fees. Including the aforementioned adjustments, the Company recorded a net loss of $21.7 million, or $0.54 basic and diluted loss per share for the nine months ended September 30, 2012.
On October 28, 2013, the Scorpio Tankers– board of directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.07 per share, payable on December 18, 2013 to all shareholders as of December 3, 2013 (the record date). There are currently 191,656,422 shares outstanding.
Emanuele Lauro, chief executive officer and chairman of the board commented, “The past few months have been very exciting for us with the delivery of vessels and additional construction contracts for our Newbuilding Program, as well as a successful equity raising. I am pleased that we have made progress on financing our growth, having secured substantial commitments from KEXIM and KSURE.”
Summary of Recent and Third Quarter Significant Events:
Received loan commitments from a group of financial institutions led by DNB Bank ASA and Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken AB (publ) and from the Export-Import Bank of Korea (“KEXIM”) for a total loan facility of up to $429.6 million (the “KEXIM Financing”). The KEXIM Financing incorporates an optional guarantee from KEXIM for the issuance by the Company, at the option of the Company, of a five year $125.3 million amortizing bond facility; the proceeds of which will reduce KEXIM–s direct loan commitment in the KEXIM Financing.
Received an Acceptance of Insurance Agreement from Korea Trade Insurance Corporation (“KSURE”) covering 95% of an up to $358.3 million KSURE tranche as part of a credit facility of up to $458.3 million (the “KSURE Financing”) that is currently being finalized with a group of financial institutions.
Exercised options with Hyundai Samho Heavy Industries (“HSHI”) for the construction of two Very Large Gas Carriers (“VLGC”) for approximately $75.0 million each, with deliveries scheduled in the first quarter of 2016.
Reached agreements with certain unaffiliated third parties to issue shares in exchange for the transfer of ownership of four MR product tankers currently under construction in South Korea. The aggregate purchase price of the four vessels is $151.0 million with approximately 30% of the consideration consisting of the newly issued common shares. Deliveries of vessels are scheduled in the first and second quarters of 2014.
Reached agreements with HSHI and Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering Co., Ltd. (“DSME”) for the construction of a total of nine VLGC for approximately $75.6 million each with deliveries scheduled in the second, third and fourth quarters of 2015.
Reached an agreement with Hyundai Mipo Dockyard (“HMD”) to construct four product tankers consisting of two 52,000 dwt MR product tankers for approximately $35.0 million each (deliveries in the second quarter of 2015) and two Handymax ice class-1A (38,000 dwt) product tankers for approximately $32.0 million each (deliveries in the fourth quarter of 2014).
Closed on an underwritten offering of 23 million common shares in August 2013 which includes the full exercise of the underwriters– overallotment of 3 million shares, raising aggregate net proceeds of $209.8 million.
Declared and paid a quarterly cash dividend on the Company–s common stock of $0.035 per share in September 2013.
Took delivery of four MR tankers under the Company–s Newbuilding Program, STI Le Rocher and STI Larvotto in July, STI Fontvieille in August and STI Ville in September 2013. After delivery, each vessel began a time charter for up to 120 days at approximately $19,000 per day.
In September 2013, the Company received loan commitments from a group of financial institutions led by DNB Bank ASA and Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken AB (publ) for loan commitments of up to $429.6 million, including a commitment from KEXIM for a commitment of up to $300.6 million (the “KEXIM Tranche”).
The KEXIM Financing will be used to finance up to 60% of the contract price of 18 newbuilding product tankers upon delivery. The covenants are similar to those in the Company–s existing credit facilities, and other terms and conditions of the loan are in accordance with OECD Guidelines. The KEXIM Financing is subject to executed documentation and is expected to close within the fourth quarter of 2013.
In addition to KEXIM–s commitment of up to $300.6 million, KEXIM has also provided an optional guarantee for a five year amortizing note of $125.3 million (the “KEXIM Guaranteed Note”) that may be issued by the Company at the Company–s discretion in 2014; the proceeds of which will be used to reduce the $300.6 million KEXIM Tranche.
In October 2013, the Company received an Acceptance of Insurance Agreement from KSURE covering 95% of an up to $358.3 million KSURE tranche which will be a component of a credit facility of up to $458.3 million that is in the process of being finalized. The KSURE Financing will also include a commercial tranche (the “Commercial Tranche”) of up to $100.0 million.
The KSURE Financing will be used to finance up to 60% of the contract price of up to 21 newbuilding product tankers upon delivery. The covenants are similar to those in the Company–s existing credit facilities, and other terms and conditions of the loan are in accordance with OECD Guidelines. The facility is subject to credit approval from participating financial institutions as well as executed documentation, and is expected to close within the fourth quarter of 2013.
Newbuilding agreements
In September 2013, the Company reached agreements with certain unaffiliated third parties to issue shares in exchange for the transfer of ownership of four MR product tankers that are currently under construction with SPP Shipbuilding Co., Ltd. of South Korea (“SPP”). The aggregate purchase price of the four vessels is $151.0 million with approximately 30% of the consideration consisting of the newly issued shares having a valuation based on the fair market value of the shares at the time of issuance. The new common shares will be issued to Ceres, Valero and a group of institutional investors advised by JP Morgan Asset Management; the remainder of the purchase price will be paid to the shipyard from cash on hand and bank debt. Deliveries of the vessels are scheduled in the first and the second quarters of 2014.
The transaction also includes a time charter-out agreement for each vessel for a fixed daily revenue amount at current market levels plus a profit sharing arrangement whereby earnings in excess of the base time charter rate will be split between the Company and charterer, Valero. The first vessel delivered will be time chartered-out for 24 months, and the remaining three will each be time chartered-out for 12 months. The transactions will be completed by way of novation of the existing shipbuilding agreements and remain subject to final documentation.
In August 2013, the Company reached an agreement with HMD to construct four product tankers consisting of two 52,000 dwt MR product tankers for approximately $35.0 million each and two Handymax ice class-1A (38,000 dwt) product tankers for approximately $32.0 million each. The MR tankers are scheduled to be delivered in the second quarter of 2015, and the Handymax ice class-1A tankers are scheduled to be delivered in the fourth quarter of 2014.
VLGC Newbuilding agreements
In October 2013, the Company exercised options with HSHI for the construction of two VLGC for approximately $75.0 million each. These vessels are expected to be delivered in the first quarter of 2016.
In July and August 2013, the Company reached agreements with HSHI and DSME for the construction of nine VLGC for approximately $75.6 million each. These vessels are expected to be delivered in the second, third and fourth quarters of 2015.
These vessels are 84,000 cubic meter tankers designed for the carriage of liquefied petroleum gas (“LPG”).
Underwritten offering and full exercise of underwriters– over-allotment
In August 2013, the Company closed on the sale of 20 million shares of common stock at an offering price of $9.50 per share. The underwriters also fully exercised their over-allotment option to purchase 3 million additional common shares at the offering price. The Company received aggregate net proceeds of $209.8 million after deducting underwriters– discounts and offering expenses.
Time charter-in update
In October 2013, the Company entered into a new time charter-in agreement on an LR1 vessel that is currently time chartered-in. The new agreement is for two years at $14,525 per day and commenced upon the expiration of the existing charter in September 2013.
In August 2013, the Company agreed to time charter-in and took delivery of two 2007 built Handymax product tankers (37,412 dwt and 37,455 dwt, respectively). The first vessel is time chartered-in for 18 months at $12,500 per day with an option for the Company to extend the charter for an additional year at $13,500 per day. The second vessel is time chartered-in for one year at $12,500 per day with an option for the Company to extend the charter for an additional year at $13,250 per day.
In August 2013, the Company declared an option on an LR2 vessel that is currently time chartered-in. The option period is for six months at $15,000 per day and commences upon the expiration of the existing charter in November 2013.
In July 2013, the Company agreed to time charter-in and took delivery of a 2008 built, 73,666 dwt LR1 product tanker for one year at $14,000 per day. This agreement contains an option for the Company to extend the charter for an additional year at $15,000 per day.
The Company will have a conference call on October 28, 2013 at 12:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time and 5:00 PM Central European Time.
Participants should dial into the call 10 minutes before the scheduled time using the following numbers: 1 (888)-215-7046 (U.S.) or 1 (913)-312-0659 (International). The conference participant passcode is 6328598. The information provided on the teleconference is only accurate at the time of the conference call, and the Company will take no responsibility for providing updated information.
There will also be a simultaneous live webcast over the internet, through the Scorpio Tankers Inc. website . Participants to the live webcast should register on the website approximately 10 minutes prior to the start of the webcast.
As of October 25, 2013, the Company had $381.9 million in cash and $75.5 million available to draw down from its 2010 Revolving Credit Facility.
As of October 28, 2013, the Company–s outstanding debt balance is as follows:
Newbuilding Program
During the third quarter of 2013, the Company made $255.0 million of installment payments on its newbuilding vessels. The Company currently has 65 newbuilding vessel orders with HMD, SPP, HSHI and DSME (28 MRs, 14 Handymaxes, 12 LR2s and 11 VLGC). The estimated future payment dates and amounts are as follows*:
*These are estimates only and are subject to change as construction progresses.
**$47.0 million has been paid prior to the date of this press release.
***Excludes the consideration of newly issued common shares of approximately 30% of the purchase price for four MRs currently under construction with first and second quarter 2014 deliveries.
For the three months ended September 30, 2013, the Company recorded net income of $0.7 million compared to a net loss of $12.5 million in the three months ended September 30, 2012. The following were the significant changes between the two periods:
Time charter equivalent, or TCE revenues, a non-IFRS measure, is vessel revenues less voyage expenses (including bunkers and port charges). TCE revenue is also included herein because it is a standard shipping industry performance measure used primarily to compare period-to-period changes in a shipping company–s performance irrespective of changes in the mix of charter types (i.e., spot charters, time charters, and pool charters), and it provides useful information to investors and management. The following table depicts TCE revenue for the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012:
TCE revenue increased by $34.1 million to $56.5 million as a result of an increase in the average number of operating vessels (owned and time chartered-in) to 42.3 from 20.4 for the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively. Additionally, the Company experienced an overall increase in time charter equivalent revenue per day to $14,557 per day from $11,926 per day for the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively (see the breakdown of daily TCE averages below).
Vessel operating costs increased $4.7 million to $11.1 million from $6.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively. This increase was primarily driven by an increase in the Company–s owned fleet to an average of 17.3 vessels from 9.9 vessels for the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
Charterhire expense increased $19.3 million to $31.9 million as a result of an increase in the average number of time chartered-in vessels to 25.0 from 10.5 for the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively. See the Company–s Fleet List below for the terms of these agreements.
Depreciation expense increased $3.0 million to $6.4 million primarily as a result of an increase in the average number of owned vessels to 17.3 from 9.9 for the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012.
General and administrative expenses increased $3.7 million to $6.5 million. This increase was driven by (i) a $3.0 million increase in restricted stock amortization (non-cash) and (ii) an overall increase in other general and administrative expenses due to the significant growth in the Company–s fleet and Newbuilding program.
Financial expenses decreased $3.7 million to $0.4 million primarily as a result of the one-time write-off of deferred financing fees during the three months ended September 30, 2012 of $3.0 million relating to the amendment signed in July 2012 to extend the availability period of the 2011 Credit Facility to January 2014.
Business Strategy
The Company–s primary objectives are to profitably grow the business and emerge as a major operator of medium-sized tanker vessels and gas carriers. The Company intends to acquire modern, high-quality tankers and gas carriers through timely and selective acquisitions. The Company is currently concentrating on product or coated tankers and gas carriers because of the fundamentals of these segments, which the Company believes includes:
increasing demand for refined products and LPG,
increasing ton miles (distance between new refiners and areas of demand), and
reduced order book.
Dividend Policy
The declaration and payment of dividends is subject at all times to the discretion of the Company–s board of directors. The timing and amount of dividends, if any, depends on the Company–s earnings, financial condition, cash requirements and availability, fleet renewal and expansion, restrictions in the loan agreements, the provisions of Marshall Islands law affecting the payment of dividends and other factors.
On October 28, 2013, the Company–s board of directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.07 per share, payable on December 18, 2013 to all shareholders as of December 3, 2013 (the record date). On September 25, 2013, the Company paid a quarterly cash dividend on its common stock of $0.035 per share to all shareholders as of September 10, 2013 (the record date).
Share Buyback Program
On July 9, 2010, the Company–s board of directors authorized a share buyback program of up to $20 million. The Company expects to repurchase these shares in the open market, at times and prices that are considered to be appropriate by the Company, but is not obligated under the terms of the program to repurchase any shares.
As of October 28, 2013, the Company has purchased $7.9 million of shares in the open market at an average price of $6.78.
About Scorpio Tankers Inc.
Scorpio Tankers Inc. is a provider of marine transportation of petroleum products worldwide. Scorpio Tankers Inc. currently owns 19 tankers (one LR2 tanker, four LR1 tankers, one Handymax tanker, 12 MR tankers, and one post-Panamax tanker) with an average age of 4.0 years, time charters-in 29 product tankers (eight LR2, four LR1, eight MR and nine Handymax tankers), and has contracted for 65 newbuilding vessels (28 MR, 12 LR2, and 14 Handymax ice class-1A product tankers, and 11 Very Large Gas Carriers), 44 of which are expected to be delivered within 2014, 19 within 2015 and the remaining two in the first quarter of 2016. Additional information about the Company is available at the Company–s website , which is not a part of this press release.
This press release describes adjusted net income and Adjusted EBITDA, which are not measures prepared in accordance with IFRS (i.e. “Non-GAAP” measure). The Non-GAAP measures are presented in this press release as we believe that they provide investors with a means of evaluating and understanding how the Company–s management evaluates the Company–s operating performance. These Non-GAAP measures should not be considered in isolation from, as substitutes for, or superior to financial measures prepared in accordance with IFRS.
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. 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.
In addition to these important factors, other important factors that, in our view, could cause actual results to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements include the failure of counterparties to fully perform their contracts with us, the strength of world economies and currencies, general market conditions, including fluctuations in charter rates and vessel values, changes in demand for tanker vessel capacity, changes in our operating expenses, including bunker prices, drydocking and insurance costs, the market for our vessels, availability of financing and refinancing, charter counterparty performance, ability to obtain financing and comply with covenants in such financing arrangements, changes in governmental rules and regulations or actions taken by regulatory authorities, potential liability from pending or future litigation, general domestic and international political conditions, potential disruption of shipping routes due to accidents or political events, vessels breakdowns and instances of off-hires and other factors. Please see our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission for a more complete discussion of these and other risks and uncertainties.