EXHIBIT 99.1
FreeSeas Announces 2009 Second Quarter and Six Month Financial Results
2009 Second Quarter Financial Highlights * Operating revenues of $12.4 million * Net income of $0.56 million, or $0.03 per diluted share * Adjusted EBITDA of $5.7 million * Cash flow from operations of $4.1 million * Nine vessels were operated during the period, generating a time charter equivalent rate of $14,437 per day 2009 Six Month Financial Highlights * Operating revenues of $29.9 million * Net income of $6.8 million, or $0.32 per diluted share * Adjusted EBITDA of $17.6 million * Cash flow from operations of $12.9 million * Nine vessels were operated during the period, generating for a time charter equivalent rate of $17,441 per day
PIRAEUS, Greece, Aug. 18, 2009 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- FreeSeas Inc. (Nasdaq:FREE) (Nasdaq:FREEW) (Nasdaq:FREEZ) ("FreeSeas" or the "Company"), a transporter of dry bulk cargoes through the ownership and operation of a fleet of Handysize and Handymax vessels, today announced financial results for its second quarter and six months ended June 30, 2009.
Mr. Ion Varouxakis, President and CEO of FreeSeas, stated, "We are very pleased to have generated positive cash flow from operations and profitability in our second quarter during a difficult period in the global economy and the shipping market, and to have reported strong results for the first half of the year. Throughout 2009, FreeSeas' management team has remained focused on taking advantage of our efficient organizational structure to quickly implement initiatives that reduced our operating costs, which resulted in lower vessel operating costs for the period. We have period time charters at favorable rates on three of our nine vessels, and have been successful in consistently securing employment of our remaining vessels at profitable rates on the spot market."
Recent Financing Provided Greater Flexibility -- Agrees to Acquire New Vessel
Mr. Varouxakis continued, "As a result of FreeSeas' streamlined operating infrastructure, we have maintained our belief that the acquisition of additional tonnage at highly attractive prices in this environment would be consistent with our fleet expansion strategy. Given that many of FreeSeas' costs are fixed, such acquisitions should be expected to lower our per vessel break-even, and we expect would be immediately accretive to our earnings. Our recent capital raise positioned us to take advantage of this opportunity, and we were very pleased to announce today that we have agreed to acquire a Handysize vessel, the Free Neptune, which we expect to be delivered to the Company in the next few weeks. Furthermore, this equity infusion strengthened our balance sheet and, we believe, provided us with a distinct competitive advantage in today's overleveraged shipping environment."
Outlook for 2009
Mr. Varouxakis concluded, "We continue to see trends in our markets that lead us to believe that the ownership of Handysize vessels puts us in a unique position in the dry-bulk sector. As opposed to other asset classes, we are witnessing a net reduction in the worldwide Handysize fleet throughout 2009. As a consequence, we believe that our fleet is in a prime position to take advantage of potential market upturns as demand increases and rates improve. We believe that the completion of our recent financing and strengthened balance sheet, efficient operating infrastructure, and recent acquisition provide a positive outlook for both the immediate and long-term future."
2009 Second Quarter Financial Review
* Operating revenues for the 2009 second quarter were $12.4 million, as compared to $15.1 million reported the same period of the prior year. Operating revenues during the period were affected by off- hire days relating to technical and operational occurrences during the second quarter of 2009. The Company intends to seek to recover a portion of this loss of revenue resulting from off-hire days, although there can be no assurances that it will be successful in recovering all or any portion of it. The Company's operating revenues were also impacted by lower charter rates during the 2009 second quarter versus the 2008 period, offset by an increase in the Company's fleet. * Vessel operating expenses, which include crew costs, provisions, deck and engine stores, lubricating oil, insurance, maintenance and repairs, totaled $3.9 million, or 31.7% of revenue, for the 2009 second quarter, as compared to $4.1 million, or 27.3% of revenue, for the same period of the prior year. * For the second quarter of 2009, depreciation expense and amortization of deferred charges totaled $4.3 million, as compared to $3.2 million for the second quarter of 2008. The increase in depreciation expenses and amortization of deferred charges reflected primarily an increase of the fleet from an average of approximately seven to nine vessels, which increase was offset by an adjustment to the period over which the Company depreciates its vessels to 28 years from 27 years. * Income from operations for the second quarter of 2009 was $1.5 million as compared to the $5.6 million reported in the prior year period. Net income for the second quarter of 2009 was $0.56 million, or $0.03 per diluted share based on 21.2 million diluted weighted average number of shares outstanding, as compared to net income of $4.2 million, or $0.19 per diluted share based on 21.7 million diluted shares outstanding, for the second quarter of 2008. * Adjusted EBITDA for the quarter ended June 30, 2009 was $5.7 million compared to $8.7 million in the prior year quarter. A table reconciling adjusted EBITDA to net income can be found in footnote (1) to this release.
2009 Six Month Financial Review
* Operating revenues for the first six months of 2009 were $29.9 million, an increase of 26.0% from $23.8 million in the comparable period of the prior year, largely due to the increase in the size of the Company's fleet. * Vessel operating expenses, which include crew costs, provisions, deck and engine stores, lubricating oil, insurance, maintenance and repairs, totaled $7.4 million, or 24.7% of revenue, for the first half of 2009, as compared to $7.4 million, or 31.1% of revenue, for the comparable period of the prior year. The decrease in vessel operating expenses as a percentage of revenue is largely due to the Company's cost-reduction initiatives. * For the first six months of 2009, depreciation expense and amortization of deferred charges totaled $8.9 million, as compared to $5.3 million for the first six months of 2008. The increase in depreciation expenses and amortization of deferred charges was mainly due to the increase of the fleet size from an average of approximately six to nine vessels. * Income from operations for the first six months of 2009 was $8.8 million, an increase of 21.6% from the $7.3 million reported in the prior year period. Net income for the first six months of 2009 was $6.8 million, or $0.32 per diluted share based on 21.2 million diluted weighted average number of shares outstanding, as compared to net income of $4.5 million, or $0.21 per diluted share based on 21.9 million diluted shares outstanding, for the first half of 2008. * Adjusted EBITDA for the first half of 2009 increased to $17.6 million from $12.5 million in the prior year period. A table reconciling adjusted EBITDA to net income can be found in footnote (1) to this release.
Balance Sheet and Debt Repayment Information
At June 30, 2009, FreeSeas' cash and cash equivalents were $2.1 million, total debt was $146.7 million and stockholders' equity was $127.6 million, compared to $3.4 million, $160.4 million and $120.9 million, respectively, at December 31, 2008.
These amounts do not reflect the $16.7 in net proceeds received from the Company's common stock offering in July 2009. As a result of a debt repayment made using a portion of the net proceeds, the current portion of debt as of the date of this press release has been reduced to $24.5 million. Included in the current portion of debt of $24.5 million is $10.9 million, which has been recorded as current to reflect the difference between today's vessel market value and value to loan covenant requirements coming into effect in the second quarter of 2010. During the first quarter of 2009, FreeSeas obtained covenant waivers from its lenders, and while there is no guarantee of future waivers, the Company would anticipate requesting further extension or restructuring of its covenants if necessary for 2010.
Fleet Employment Data
--------------------------------------------------------------------- Vessel Employment Name Dwt Type Built as of August 2009 --------------------------------------------------------------------- Free Destiny 25,240 Handysize 1982 Repositioning --------------------------------------------------------------------- 40-50 day spot time charter trip at $7,900 per day Free Envoy 26,318 Handysize 1984 through September 2009 --------------------------------------------------------------------- Balance of time charter at $8,000 per day through September 2009 (+50% profit sharing above $10,000); increases to $10,500 per day on September 15, 2009 through January/February 2010 (+50% profit sharing Free Goddess 22,051 Handysize 1995 above $12,500 per day) --------------------------------------------------------------------- 25-30 day spot time charter trip at $13,000 per day Free Hero 24,318 Handysize 1995 through September 2009 --------------------------------------------------------------------- 25-40 day spot time charter trip at $8,750 per day Free Impala 24,111 Handysize 1997 through September 2009 --------------------------------------------------------------------- Balance of time charter at $28,000 per day through March 2010 and $24,000 per Free Jupiter 47,777 Handymax 2002 day through March 2011 --------------------------------------------------------------------- 45-65 day spot time charter trip at $7,600 per day Free Knight 24,111 Handysize 1998 through September 2009 --------------------------------------------------------------------- Balance of time charter at $51,150 per day through Free Lady 50,246 Handymax 2003 May 2010 --------------------------------------------------------------------- 45-50 day spot time charter trip at $8,650 per day Free Maverick 23,994 Handysize 1998 through August 2009 --------------------------------------------------------------------- TOTAL 268,166 ---------------------------------------------------------------------
Conference Call
The Company will discuss these results in a conference call later this morning at 11:00 a.m. ET. The dial-in numbers are:
(866) 861-6730 (U.S.)
(702) 696-4678 (INTERNATIONAL)
The conference call will also be broadcast live via the "Investor Relations" section of FreeSeas' website at www.freeseas.gr. The Company will also have an accompanying slide presentation available in PDF format 30 minutes prior to the conference call. Once at the "Investor Relations" section, interested parties should click on "Conference Calls".
About FreeSeas Inc.
FreeSeas Inc. is a Marshall Islands corporation with principal offices in Piraeus, Greece. FreeSeas is engaged in the transportation of dry bulk cargoes through the ownership and operation of dry bulk carriers. Currently, it has a fleet of seven Handysize vessels and two Handymax vessels. FreeSeas' common stock and warrants trade on the NASDAQ Global Market under the symbols FREE, FREEW and FREEZ, respectively. Risks and uncertainties are described in reports filed by FreeSeas Inc. with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, which can be obtained free of charge on the SEC's website at http://www.sec.gov. For more information about FreeSeas Inc., please visit the corporate website, http://www.freeseas.gr.
The FreeSeas Inc. logo is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=5981
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements (as defined in Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) concerning future events and the Company's growth strategy and measures to implement such strategy, including expected vessel acquisitions. Words such as "expects," "intends," "plans," "believes," "anticipates," "hopes," "estimates," and variations of such words and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, no assurance can be given that such expectations will prove to be correct. These statements involve known and unknown risks and are based upon a number of assumptions and estimates which are inherently subject to significant uncertainties and contingencies, many of which are beyond the control of the Company. Actual results may differ materially from those expressed or impli ed by such forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include, but are not limited to, changes in the demand for dry bulk vessels; competitive factors in the market in which the Company operates; risks associated with operations outside the United States; and other factors listed from time to time in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect any change in the Company's expectations with respect thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any statement is based.
FREESEAS INC. PERFORMANCE INDICATORS (All amounts in tables in thousands of United States dollars, except for fleet data and per diem amounts ) Three Months Ended Six Months Ended June 30, June 30, June 30, June 30, 2009 2008 2009 2008 -------- -------- -------- -------- EBITDA (1) 5,670 $ 8,725 17,589 $ 12,463 Fleet Data: Average number of vessels (2) 9.00 6.98 9.00 6.04 Ownership days (3) 819 635 1,629 1,100 Available days (4) 799 581 1,609 1,046 Operating days (5) 779 563 1,588 949 Fleet utilization (6) 95.1% 88.7% 97.5% 86.3% Average Daily Results: Average TCE rate (7) 14,437 $ 25,304 17,441 $ 23,541 Vessel operating expenses (8) 4,789 6,496 4,543 6,710 Management fees (9) 517 665 514 711 General and administrative expenses(10) 1,362 1,398 1,117 1,415 Total vessel operating expenses (11) 5,306 7,161 5,057 7,421
(1) EBITDA reconciliation to net income:
Adjusted EBITDA represents net earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, change in the fair value of derivatives and loss on debt extinguishment. Adjusted EBITDA does not represent and should not be considered as an alternative to net income or cash flow from operations, as determined by U.S. GAAP, and our calculation of adjusted EBITDA may not be comparable to that reported by other companies. Adjusted EBITDA is included herein because it is an alternative measure of our liquidity, performance and indebtedness. The following is a reconciliation of adjusted EBITDA to net income:
Three Months Ended Six Months Ended June 30, June 30, June 30, June 30, 2009 2008 2009 2008 -------- -------- -------- -------- Net income (loss) 560 $ 4,184 6,757 $ 4,470 Depreciation and amortization 4,299 3,198 8,860 5,314 Change in derivatives fair value (403) (641) (460) 54 Interest and finance cost, net 1,214 1,345 2,432 $ 1,985 Loss on debt Extinguishment 0 639 0 639 -------- -------- -------- -------- Adjusted EBITDA 5,670 $ 8,725 17,589 $ 12,463 ======== ======== ======== ========
(2) Average number of vessels is the number of vessels that constituted our fleet for the relevant period, as measured by the sum of the number of days each vessel was a part of our fleet during the period divided by the number of calendar days in the period.
(3) Ownership days are the total number of days in a period during which the vessels in our fleet have been owned by us. Ownership days are an indicator of the size of our fleet over a period and affect both the amount of revenues and the amount of expenses that we record during a period.
(4) Available days are the number of ownership days less the aggregate number of days that our vessels are off-hire due to major repairs, dry dockings or special or intermediate surveys. The shipping industry uses available days to measure the number of ownership days in a period during which vessels should be capable of generating revenues.
(5) Operating days are the number of available days less the aggregate number of days that our vessels are off-hire due to any reason, including unforeseen circumstances. The shipping industry uses operating days to measure the aggregate number of days in a period during which vessels actually generate revenues.
(6) We calculate fleet utilization by dividing the number of our fleet's operating days during a period by the number of ownership days during the period. The shipping industry uses fleet utilization to measure a company's efficiency in finding suitable employment for its vessels and minimizing the amount of days that its vessels are off-hire for reasons such as scheduled repairs, vessel upgrades, or dry dockings or other surveys.
(7) Time charter equivalent, or TCE, is a non - GAAP measure of the average daily revenue performance of a vessel on a per voyage basis. Our method of calculating TCE is consistent with industry standards and is determined by dividing operating revenues (net of voyage expenses and commissions) by operating days for the relevant time period. Voyage expenses primarily consist of port, canal and fuel costs that are unique to a particular voyage, which would otherwise be paid by the charterer under a time charter contract. TCE is a standard shipping industry performance measure used primarily to compare period-to-period changes in a shipping company's performance despite changes in the mix of charter types (i.e., spot charters, time charters and bareboat charters) under which the vessels may be employed between the periods:
Three Months Ended Six Months Ended June 30, June 30, June 30, June 30, 2009 2008 2009 2008 -------- -------- -------- -------- Operating revenues 12,367 $ 15,113 29,923 $ 23,755 Voyage expenses and commissions (1,121) (867) (2,227) (1,415) -------- -------- -------- -------- Net operating revenues 11,246 14,246 27,696 22,340 Operating days 779 563 1,588 949 -------- -------- -------- -------- Time charter equivalent daily rate 14,437 $ 25,304 17,441 $ 23,541 ======== ======== ======== ========
(8) Average daily vessel operating expenses, which includes crew costs, provisions, deck and engine stores, lubricating oil, insurance, maintenance and repairs, is calculated by dividing vessel operating expenses by ownership days for the relevant time periods:
Three Months Ended Six Months Ended June 30, June 30, June 30, June 30, 2009 2008 2009 2008 -------- -------- -------- -------- Vessel operating expenses 3,922 $ 4,125 7,401 $ 7,381 Ownership days 819 635 1,629 1,100 -------- -------- -------- -------- Daily vessel operating expense 4,789 $ 6,496 4,543 $ 6,710 ======== ======== ======== ========
(9) Daily management fees are calculated by dividing total management fees paid on ships owned by ownership days for the relevant time period.
(10) Average daily general and administrative expenses are calculated by dividing general and administrative expenses by operating days for the relevant period.
(11) Total vessel operating expenses, or TVOE, is a measurement of our total expenses associated with operating our vessels. TVOE is the sum of daily vessel operating expense and daily management fees. Daily TVOE is calculated by dividing TVOE by fleet ownership days for the relevant time period.
FREESEAS INC. CONDENSED UNAUDITED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (All amounts in tables in thousands of United States dollars, except for share data) For three months ended For six months ended 30-Jun-09 30-Jun-08 30-Jun-09 30-Jun-08 (Unaudited) (Unaudited) (Unaudited) (Unaudited) ----------- ---------- ---------- --------- OPERATING REVENUES $ 12,367 $ 15,113 $ 29,923 $ 23,755 OPERATING EXPENSES: Vessel operating expenses (3,922) (4,125) (7,401) (7,381) Voyage expenses and commissions (1,121) (867) (2,227) (1,415) Depreciation expense (3,806) (3,025) (8,086) (5,040) Amortization of deferred charges (493) (173) (774) (274) Management fees to a related party (423) (547) (838) (1,032) Stock-based compensation expense (3) (27) (6) (54) General and administrative expenses (1,061) (763) (1,773) (1,306) -------- -------- -------- -------- Income (loss) from operations $ 1,538 $ 5,586 $ 8,818 $ 7,253 OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE): Interest and finance costs $ (1,214) $ (1,494) $ (2,446) $ (2,520) Loss on debt extinguishment 0 (639) 0 (639) Change in derivatives fair value 403 641 460 (54) Interest income 0 149 14 535 Other (167) (59) (89) (105) -------- -------- -------- -------- Other (expense) $ (978) $ (1,402) $ (2,061) $ (2,783) -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- Net income (loss) $ 560 $ 4,184 $ 6,757 $ 4,470 ======== ======== ======== ======== Basic earnings (loss) per share $ 0.03 $ 0.20 $ 0.32 $ 0.21 Diluted earnings (loss) per share $ 0.03 $ 0.19 $ 0.32 $ 0.20 Basic weighted average number of shares 21,171,329 20,936,252 21,171,329 20,839,854 Diluted weighted average number of shares 21,171,329 21,678,870 21,171,329 21,851,940 FREESEAS INC. CONDENSED UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (All amounts in tables in thousands of United States dollars, except for share data) June 30, 2009 Dec. 31, 2008 (Unaudited) Audited ------------- -------------- ASSETS ------ CURRENT ASSETS: Cash and cash equivalents 2,091 $ 3,378 Trade receivables, net 2,225 812 Insurance claims 9,906 17,807 Due from related party 1,948 1,634 Inventories 618 579 Back log assets 0 907 Restricted cash 1,704 1,095 Prepayments and other 889 972 ---------- ---------- Total current assets $ 19,381 $ 27,184 Advances for acquisition of vessels Fixed assets, net 267,319 275,405 Deferred charges, net 3,150 3,772 Restricted cash & time deposits 1,500 1,500 ---------- ---------- Total non-current assets $ 271,969 $ 280,677 ---------- ---------- Total Assets $ 291,350 $ 307,861 ========== ========== LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY ------------------------------------ CURRENT LIABILITIES: Accounts payable 11,353 $ 10,916 Accrued liabilities 1,658 11,347 Due to related party 21 12 Unearned revenue 989 1,320 Deferred revenue-current portion 441 0 Derivatives financial instruments at fair value 532 473 Bank loans - current portion 32,290 26,700 ---------- ---------- Total current liabilities $ 47,284 $ 50,768 Derivatives financial instruments at fair value 817 1,337 Deferred revenue-current portion 1,072 1,251 Bank loans - net of current portion 114,560 133,650 ---------- ---------- Total long term liabilities $ 116,449 $ 136,238 Commitments and Contingencies SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY: Common stock 21 21 Additional paid-in capital 110,328 110,322 Retained earnings 17,268 10,512 Total shareholders' equity $ 127,617 $ 120,855 ---------- ---------- Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity $ 291,350 $ 307,861 ---------- ----------
CONTACT: FreeSeas Inc. Ion Varouxakis, Chief Executive Officer 011-30-210-45-28-770 Fax: 011-30-210-429-10-10 info@freeseas.gr www.freeseas.gr 89 Akti Miaouli Street 185 38 Piraeus, Greece The Equity Group Inc. Investor Relations Adam Prior, Vice President 212-836-9606 aprior@equityny.com www.theequitygroup.com