CRUDE CARRIERS CORP. REPORTS FOURTH QUARTER RESULTS AND ANNOUNCES QUARTERLY
CASH DIVIDEND OF $0.30 PER SHARE
CASH DIVIDEND OF $0.30 PER SHARE
Highlights:
| · | Declared a cash dividend of $0.30 per share for the fourth quarter of 2010 |
| · | Reported fourth quarter net profit of $2.4 million or $0.15 per share (‘EPS’). |
| · | Earned average Time Charter Equivalent (‘TCE’) of $26,575 per day for the two Very Large Crude Carriers (‘VLCCs’) and $23,826 per day for the three Suezmaxes in the Company’s fleet. |
Athens, Greece – February 11, 2011 – Crude Carriers Corp. (“Crude Carriers” or the “Company”) today reported its financial results and declared a cash dividend of $0.30 per share for the fourth quarter of 2010 payable on March 2, 2011 to shareholders of record on February 23, 2011.
The Company’s net profit for the quarter was $2.4 million or $0.15 per share, principally as a result of the commercial operations of our vessels that earned above the TD 3 and TD 5 indices that prevailed in the crude tanker market during the fourth quarter of 2010, as well as a modest recovery in the Suezmax market compared to the third quarter of 2010. Revenues amounted to $12.7 million for the quarter, including $0.7 million of profit sharing revenues earned by two of our vessels employed under the spot index linked time charter arrangement with Shell Shipping & Trading Co.
Total voyage and vessel operating expenses for the quarter amounted to $4.6 million, of which $1.2 million were voyage expenses, comprising mostly of bunker costs and $3.4 million were operating expenses. General and administrative expenses were $1.7 million for the quarter, of which $0.6 million was a non-cash charge related to the Omnibus Incentive Compensation Plan.
Interest expense and finance cost for the fourth quarter 2010 was $1.3 million, principally relating to the $134.6 million outstanding debt, drawn under our $200.0 million revolving credit facility.
Quarterly Dividend of $0.30 per share
The Company’s dividend policy, as described in the listing prospectus, is to pay a variable quarterly dividend based on its cash available for distribution, which represents net cash flow during the previous quarter generated by our vessels trading in the spot crude tanker market less any amount required to maintain a reserve that our Board of Directors (the ‘Board’) determines from time to time is appropriate for the operation and future growth of our fleet.
The Company generated $4.8 million in cash available for distribution during the quarter and its Board declared a cash dividend of $0.30 per share for the period of October 1, 2010 to December 31, 2010. The cash dividend is payable on March 2, 2011 to all shareholders of record on February 23, 2011.
Cash available for distribution is a non US GAAP financial measure described on Appendix A of this press release and in the Company’s second quarter 2010 earnings release.
Crude Tanker Market Overview
During the fourth quarter of 2010 the TD3 (Middle Eastern-Japan) and the TD5 (West Africa – US East Coast) indices averaged $19,758 per day and $20,077 per day.
Crude spot market rates remained close to historical lows, due to the lack of storage demand. Overall, vessel supply remained high on the back of continued deliveries of newbuilding vessels, and limited vessel demolition. The fourth quarter of 2010 saw a modest recovery in crude charter rates, compared to the third quarter of 2010, especially in the Suezmax market, as a result of the seasonal uptick in demand.
Management Commentary:
Mr. Evangelos Marinakis, the Company’s CEO commented: “Our fourth quarter results continue to demonstrate the Company’s capacity to generate attractive dividends even in a weak market environment. Despite a modest recovery, the fourth quarter average spot earnings for VLCCs and Suezmaxes were among the lowest the market has experienced over the last decade. However, the profit sharing arrangements that we have in place with our charterers, as well as our own commercial operations, allowed us to outperform the TD3 and TD5 indices. Furthermore, our low cash breakeven and modern, high specification fleet put us in a strong position to weather a softer market environment, and capitalize on a future market recovery, as the continuously improving crude oil demand fundamentals bode well for the crude tanker market in the medium to long run.”
Conference Call and Webcast
Today, Friday, February 11, 2011 at 10:00 a.m. EST, the Crude Carriers management team will hold a conference call to discuss the financial results.
Conference Call details:
Participants should dial into the call 10 minutes before the scheduled time using the following numbers: by dialing 1 866 819 7111 (US Toll Free Dial In), 0800 953 0329 (UK Toll Free Dial In) or +44 (0)1452 542 301 (Standard International Dial In). Please quote “Crude Carriers”.
A telephonic replay of the conference call will be available until February 18, 2011 by dialing 1 866 247 4222 (US Toll Free Dial In), 0800 953 1533 (UK Toll Free Dial In) or +44 (0)1452 55 00 00 (Standard International Dial In). Access Code required for the reply is: 70469247#
Slides and Audio Webcast:
There will also be a live, and then archived, webcast of the conference call, available through the Company’s website (www.crudecarrierscorp.com). Participants to the live webcast should register on the website approximately 10 minutes prior to the start of the webcast.
Forward Looking Statements
This press release may contain forward-looking statements made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements include, without limitation, statements with respect our outlook on the market and our expectations with respect to our strategy and distributions to our shareholders, and are based on management’s current expectations and observations. Included among the important factors that, in our view, could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward looking statements contained in this press release are the following: (i) conditions in the United States capital markets; (ii) conditions affecting the crude spot market and the crude market generally; and other factors listed from time to time under “Risk Factors” and other sections of our public filings with the SEC including, without limitation, Crude Carriers Corp.’s registration statement on Form F-1. We make no prediction or statement about the performance of shares.
About Crude Carriers Corp.
Crude Carriers Corp. (NYSE: CRU) is a Marshall Islands corporation focusing on the maritime transportation of crude oil cargoes. The company owns a modern, high specification fleet of crude oil tankers, which is currently comprised of two VLCC (Very Large Crude Carrier) and three Suezmax tankers. Four out of the five vessels are deployed under spot market index linked arrangements with Shell Trading & Shipping Co.. Crude Carriers Corp. common shares trade on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “CRU”.
| For further information please contact: | |
| Company contacts: | Investor Relations / Media: |
Ioannis Lazaridis, President Tel: +30 (210) 4584 950 E-mail: i.lazaridis@crudecarrierscorp.com Jerry Kalogiratos, CFO Tel: +30 (210) 4584 950 E-mail: j.kalogiratos@crudecarrierscorp.com | Nicolas Bornozis, President Matthew Abenante Capital Link, Inc. 230 Park Avenue – Suite 1536 New York, NY 10169, USA Tel: (212) 661-7566 Fax: (212) 661-7526 E-mail: crudecarriers@capitallink.com www.capitallink.com |
CRUDE CARRIERS CORP.
UNAUDITED CONDENSED AND CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(NOTES 1, 2)
(In thousands of U.S. Dollars, except number of shares and earnings per share)
| For the three month period ended December 31, | For the nine month period ended December 31, | |||
| 2010 | 2009 | 2010 | 2009 | |
| Revenues | $12,671 | $3,906 | 55,882 | 16,870 |
| Expenses: | ||||
| Voyage expenses | 1,044 | 2,727 | 18,482 | 6,252 |
| Voyage expenses- related party | 161 | - | 611 | - |
| Vessel operating expenses | 3,050 | 657 | 9,152 | 2,457 |
| Vessel operating expenses -related party | 391 | 135 | 1,086 | 540 |
| General and administrative expenses | 1,664 | - | 3,264 | - |
| Vessel depreciation | 4,006 | 839 | 11,317 | 3,357 |
| Other operating income | (1,286) | - | (1,286) | - |
| Operating income/(loss) | $3,641 | $(452) | 13,256 | 4,264 |
| Other income (expense), net: | ||||
| Interest expense and finance cost | (1,354) | (122) | (3,687) | (530) |
| Interest and other income | 64 | - | 328 | 2 |
| Total other expense, net | (1,290) | (122) | (3,359) | (528) |
| Net income/(loss) | $2,351 | $(574) | $9,897 | $3,736 |
| Net income/(loss) per share (basic and diluted): | $0.15 | ($0.27) | $0.76 | $1.77 |
| Weighted-average number of shares | ||||
| Common shares (basic and diluted) | 13,500,000 | - | 10,726,027 | - |
| Class B shares (basic and diluted) | 2,105,263 | 2,105,263 | 2,105,263 | 2,105,263 |
| Total shares (basic and diluted) | 15,605,263 | 2,105,263 | 12,831,290 | 2,105,263 |
CRUDE CARRIERS CORP.
UNAUDITED CONDENSED AND CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (NOTE 1)
(In thousands of U.S. Dollars)
As of December 31, 2010 | As of December 31, 2009 | |
| ASSETS | ||
| Current assets | ||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $10,925 | $1 |
| Trade accounts receivable | 5,722 | 1,340 |
| Due from related parties | - | 1,878 |
| Prepayments and other assets | 453 | 45 |
| Inventories | 1,630 | 1,411 |
| Total current assets | 18,730 | 4,675 |
| Fixed assets | ||
| Vessels, net | 392,969 | 76,238 |
| Total fixed assets | 392,969 | 76,238 |
| Other non-current assets | ||
| Deferred charges, net | 1,598 | 347 |
| Restricted cash | 5,000 | - |
| Total non-current assets | 399,567 | 76,585 |
| TOTAL ASSETS | $418,297 | $81,260 |
| LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY | ||
| Current liabilities | ||
| Current portion of long term debt | $9,652 | $- |
| Current portion of related-party long-term debt | - | 3,161 |
| Trade accounts payable | 1,726 | 1,344 |
| Due to related party | 2,333 | 27 |
| Accrued liabilities | 2,038 | 569 |
| Total current liabilities | 15,749 | 5,101 |
| Long-term liabilities | ||
| Long term debt | 124,928 | - |
| Long-term related-party debt | - | 29,299 |
| Total long-term liabilities | 124,928 | 29,299 |
| Total liabilities | 140,677 | 34,400 |
| Commitments and contingencies | ||
| Stockholders’ equity | ||
| Total stockholder’s equity | 277,620 | 46,860 |
| TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY | $418,297 | $81,260 |
CRUDE CARRIERS CORP.
UNAUDITED CONDENSED AND CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(NOTE 1)
(In thousands of U.S. Dollars)
| For the nine month period ended December 31, | ||
| 2010 | 2009 | |
| Cash flows from operating activities: | ||
| Net income | $9,897 | $3,736 |
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: | ||
| Vessel depreciation | 11,317 | 3,357 |
| Amortization of deferred charges | 617 | 12 |
| Share based compensation expense | 768 | - |
| Changes in operating assets and liabilities: | ||
| Trade accounts receivable | (7,123) | 249 |
| Due from related parties | 1,878 | (1,822) |
| Prepayments and other assets | (561) | 38 |
| Inventories | (1,474) | (626) |
| Trade accounts payable | 1,549 | 20 |
| Due to related parties | (328) | (1,764) |
| Accrued liabilities | 2,215 | (39) |
| Net cash provided by operating activities | 18,755 | 3,161 |
| Cash flow for investing activities: | ||
| Vessels’ acquisitions | (399,274) | - |
| Restricted cash | (5,000) | - |
| Net cash used in investing activities | (404,274) | - |
| Cash flows from financing activities: | ||
| Offering proceeds | 278,545 | - |
| Offering expenses paid | (719) | (27) |
| Loan Proceeds | 134,580 | - |
| Advances from related party | (27) | 27 |
| Repayments of related party debt | (791) | (3,161) |
| Loans issuance costs paid | (2,212) | - |
| Commission paid for vessel acquisition | (1,930) | - |
| Dividends paid to stockholders | (11,003) | - |
| Net cash provided by/(used in) financing activities | 396,443 | (3,161) |
| Net increase in cash and cash equivalents | 10,924 | - |
| Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the period | 1 | 1 |
| Cash and cash equivalents at end of period | $10,925 | $1 |
| Supplemental Cash Flow Information | ||
| Cash paid for interest | $2,348 | $513 |
| Non Cash Investing and Financing activities | ||
| Net liabilities assumed by CMTC upon contribution of vessel to the Company | 56,908 | - |
| Difference of net book value of the M/T Miltiadis M II over the cash consideration paid to CMTC | 4,158 | - |
| Capital expenditures included in liabilities at the end of the year. | 24 | - |
Notes
| (1) | The unaudited condensed and consolidated statements of operations and cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009 for the three month period ended December 31, 2009 include the results of operations of M/T Miltiadis M II which was acquired from Capital Maritime & Trading Corp. (“Capital Maritime”), an entity which prior to the offering was under common control, on March 31, 2010, as though the transfer had occurred at the beginning of the earliest period presented. The unaudited condensed and consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2009 includes the balance sheets of Crude Carriers Corp. and the vessel-owning company of the M/T Miltiadis M II. |
| (2) | The Company considers the Class B shares as an equity recapitalization and used the number of Class B shares of 2,105,263 to calculate earnings per share, prior to the offering, for the three and twelve month periods ended December 31, 2009 and for the period from January 1, 2010 to March 16, 2010. |
Appendix A - Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measure
(In thousands of U.S. dollars)
Description of Non-GAAP Financial Measure – Cash Available for Distribution
Description of Non-GAAP Financial Measure – Cash Available for Distribution
Cash Available for Distribution is a quantitative standard used in the publicly-traded Companies to assist in evaluating a Company’s ability to make quarterly cash distributions. Cash Available for Distribution is not required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States and should not be considered as an alternative to net income or any other indicator of the Company’s performance required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States.
We determine our Cash Available for Distribution as:
Net income (loss)
plus
| - | depreciation and amortization |
| - | non- cash items, |
| - | loan fees amortization |
| - | any write-offs or other non-recurring items |
less
| - | any net income attributable to the historical results of vessels acquired by the company from Capital Maritime, our Manager. |
| - | any amount required to maintain a reserve that our board of directors determines from time to time is appropriate for the conduct and growth of the company’s fleet. |
Appendix A - Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measure - Continued
(In thousands of U.S. dollars)
Description of Non-GAAP Financial Measure – Cash Available for Distribution
The tables below reconcile net income to Cash Available for Distribution for the three month period ended December 31, 2010
Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measure – Cash Available for distribution | For the three-month period ended December 31, 2010 |
Net Income | 2,351 |
| Add: | |
| Depreciation and Amortization | 4,068 |
| Share based compensation expense | 576 |
| Less: | |
| Recommended Reserves | (2,195) |
| Cash Available for Distribution | 4,800 |
| Number of total shares outstanding | 15,999,663 |
| Dividend per Share | 0.30 |