EXHIBIT 12.1 BOWATER INCORPORATED STATEMENT OF COMPUTATION OF UNAUDITED RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES (IN MILLIONS, EXCEPT RATIO INFORMATION) Three Months Ended March 31, ---------------------------- 2002 2001 ---------------------------- EARNINGS: Income before income taxes and minority interests $ 6.1 $ 62.6 Add: Fixed charges from below 46.3 41.7 Less: Capitalized interest 1.5 3.0 ---------------------------- $ 50.9 $ 101.3 ============================ FIXED CHARGES: Interest expense, net of interest capitalized 41.8 35.2 Capitalized interest 1.5 3.0 Estimate of interest within rental expense 0.7 0.7 Amortized premium and discounts related to indebtedness 2.3 2.8 ---------------------------- $ 46.3 $ 41.7 ============================ RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES 1.1x 2.4x ============================