Scorpio Tankers Inc. Announces Financial Results for the Fourth Quarter of 2014 and Declaration of a Quarterly Dividend
(firmenpresse) - MONACO -- (Marketwired) -- 03/02/15 -- Scorpio Tankers Inc. (NYSE: STNG) ("Scorpio Tankers," or the "Company") today reported its results for the three months and year ended December 31, 2014.
For the three months ended December 31, 2014, the Company''s adjusted net income was $18.3 million (see Non-GAAP Measure section below), or $0.12 basic and diluted earnings per share, which excluded (i) a write down of $17.9 million, or $0.12 per share, relating to the discontinuation of equity method accounting for our investment in Dorian LPG Ltd. ("Dorian") as of October 29, 2014 and the designation of STI Harmony and STI Heritage as held for sale and (ii) an unrealized gain on derivative financial instruments of $0.1 million, or $0.00 per share. For the three months ended December 31, 2014, the Company had net income of $0.5 million, or $0.00 basic and diluted earnings per share.
For the three months ended December 31, 2013 the Company''s adjusted net loss was $14.5 million (see Non-GAAP Measure section below), or $0.08 basic and diluted loss per share, which excluded (i) a gain of $41.4 million, or $0.23 per share, resulting from our initial investment in Dorian, (ii) a write down of $21.2 million, or $0.12 per share, resulting from the designation of certain older vessels as held for sale and (iii) an unrealized gain on derivative financial instruments of $0.1 million, or $0.00 per share. For the three months ended December 31, 2013, the Company had net income of $5.8 million, or $0.03 basic and diluted earnings per share.
For the year ended December 31, 2014, the Company''s adjusted net income was $7.7 million (see Non-GAAP Measure section below), or $0.04 basic and diluted earnings per share, which excluded (i) a gain of $51.4 million, or $0.30 per share, resulting from the previously announced sales of seven Very Large Crude Carriers (''VLCCs'') under construction in March 2014, (ii) a gain of $10.9 million, or $0.06 per share, resulting from the previously announced acquisition of 7,500,000 common shares of the Company in exchange for 3,422,665 shares of Dorian in June 2014, (iii) a write down of $17.9 million, or $0.10 per share, relating to the discontinuation of equity method accounting for our investment in Dorian as of October 29, 2014, and the designation of STI Harmony and STI Heritage as held for sale, (iv) a write-off of $0.3 million, or $0.00 per share, for deferred financing fees relating to the repayment of the STI Spirit Credit Facility in April 2014 and (v) an unrealized gain on derivative financial instruments of $0.3 million, or $0.00 per share. For the year ended December 31, 2014, the Company had net income of $52.1 million, or $0.30 basic and diluted earnings per share.
For the year ended December 31, 2013, the Company''s adjusted net loss was $3.7 million (see Non-GAAP Measure section below), or $0.03 basic and diluted loss per share, which excluded (i) a gain of $41.4 million, or $0.28 per share, resulting from our initial investment in Dorian, (ii) a write down of $21.2 million, or $0.14 per share, resulting from the designation of certain older vessels as held for sale and (iii) an unrealized gain on derivative financial instruments of $0.6 million, or $0.00 per share. For the year ended December 31, 2013, the Company had net income of $17.0 million, or $0.12 basic and $0.11 diluted earnings per share.
On February 26, 2015, the Scorpio Tankers'' board of directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.12 per share, payable on March 30, 2015 to all shareholders as of March 13, 2015 (the record date). As of February 26, 2015, there were 163,827,903 shares outstanding.
Thus far in the first quarter of 2015, we have fixed 75% of our voyage days at approximately:
$26,000 per day for the LR2s
$22,000 per day for the LR1s
$18,000 per day for the MRs
$19,500 per day for the Handymaxes
Recently took delivery of three vessels under the Company''s Newbuilding Program, two LR2''s, STI Veneto and STI Alexis and one MR, STI Bronx. The Company has taken delivery of 8 vessels under its Newbuilding Program during 2015.
Reached an agreement in December 2014 with Scorpio Bulkers Inc., a related party, to purchase newbuilding contracts for four LR2 product tankers for $51.0 million each to be constructed at shipyards in South Korea and options to purchase two additional LR2 newbuilding contracts at $52.5 million each. The options expire on May 31, 2015.
Reached an agreement in November 2014 with an unrelated third party to purchase two LR2 product tankers under construction at Daehan Shipbuilding Co., Ltd. ("DHSC") for approximately $60.0 million each. These vessels, STI Rose and STI Alexis, were delivered in January and February 2015, respectively.
Issued $51.75 million of 7.50% Senior Unsecured Notes due 2017 in October 2014.
Took delivery of 13 vessels under the Company''s Newbuilding Program (three LR2, five MR, and five ice-class 1A Handymax) during the fourth quarter of 2014.
Paid a quarterly cash dividend on the Company''s common stock of $0.12 per share in December 2014.
Reached agreements to sell three of the Company''s older vessels, Venice (2001 built Post-Panamax), STI Harmony (2007 built LR1), and STI Heritage (2008 built LR1) for approximately $74.0 million in aggregate. The sales of these vessels are expected to close in March 2015.
In January and February 2015, the Company took delivery of eight vessels under its Newbuilding Program.
STI Rose and STI Alexis, LR2 product tankers, were delivered from DHSC. Upon delivery, STI Rose began a voyage for 14 days at approximately $30,000 per day, and STI Alexis began a voyage for 52 days at approximately $33,500 per day.
STI Veneto, an LR2 product tanker, was delivered from Hyundai Samho Heavy Industries Co. Ltd. ("HSHI"). Upon delivery, this vessel began a voyage for 60 days at approximately $32,000 per day.
STI Tribeca, STI Gramercy and STI Bronx, MR product tankers, were delivered from SPP Shipbuilding Co., Ltd. of South Korea ("SPP"). Upon delivery, each vessel began a time charter for up to 120 days at approximately $18,000 per day.
STI Hammersmith and STI Rotherhithe, Handymax product tankers, were delivered from Hyundai Mipo Dockyard of South Korea ("HMD"). Upon delivery, each vessel began a time charter for up to 120 days at approximately $14,000 per day.
The Company has taken delivery of 21 vessels under its Newbuilding Program with HSHI, DHSC, HMD, SPP and Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering Co. Ltd. ("DSME") since September 30, 2014. These deliveries are summarized as follows:
In December 2014, the Company reached an agreement with Scorpio Bulkers Inc., a related party, to purchase newbuilding contracts for four LR2 product tankers to be constructed at shipyards in South Korea and options to purchase two additional LR2 newbuilding contracts. The purchase price for each of the four LR2 newbuilding contracts is $51.0 million with scheduled vessel deliveries in the first three quarters of 2016. The purchase price for the two option contracts is fixed at $52.5 million for each contract with scheduled vessel deliveries in the fourth quarter of 2016. The options expire on May 31, 2015.
The independent members of the Company''s Board of Directors unanimously approved the transaction with Scorpio Bulkers Inc. described in the preceding paragraph.
In November 2014, the Company reached an agrement with an unrelated third party to purchase two LR2 product tankers under construction at DHSC for approximately $60.0 million each. These vessels, STI Rose and STI Alexis, were delivered in January and February 2015, respectively.
The Company reached agreements to sell Venice (2001 built Post-Panamax), STI Harmony (2007 built LR1), and STI Heritage (2008 built LR1) for approximately $74.0 million in aggregate. The sales of these vessels are expected to close in March 2015. In connection with the Company''s entry into these vessel sale agreements, the Company recorded a write-down of approximately $4.0 million in the fourth quarter of 2014.
In February 2015, the Company took delivery of a previously announced time chartered-in-LR2 tanker that was under construction in South Korea. The vessel is chartered-in for one year at $21,050 per day and the Company also has an option to extend the charter for one year at $22,600 per day. Upon delivery from the shipyard, this vessel began a voyage for 54 days at approximately $31,000 per day.
In February 2015, the Company extended the time charter on an LR2 tanker that is currently time chartered-in. The term of the agreement is for six months at $16,250 per day beginning in March 2015.
In February 2015, the Company extended the time charter on an LR1 tanker that is currently time chartered-in. The term of the agreement is for one year at $16,250 per day beginning in March 2015.
In October 2014, the Company completed a $51.75 million public offering of Senior Unsecured Notes due 2017. The notes will mature on October 15, 2017 and bear interest at a rate of 7.50% per year, payable in arrears on the 15th day of January, April, July and October of each year.
During 2014, the Company acquired an aggregate of 37,579,136 of its common shares that are being held as treasury shares, which include (i) 19,951,536 common shares that were purchased in the open market at an average price of $9.09 per share, (ii) 7,500,000 common shares that were acquired in exchange for 3,422,665 shares in Dorian and (iii) 10,127,600 common shares that were acquired in conjunction with the Company''s offering of $360 million of Convertible Senior Notes due 2019 in June 2014.
During 2015, the Company acquired an aggregate of 746,639 of its common shares that are being held as treasury shares at an average price of $7.91 per share. There are 163,827,903 shares outstanding as of February 26, 2015.
The Company has $69.3 million remaining under its stock buyback program as of the date of this press release. 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 February 27, 2015, the Company had $119.8 million in cash.
We made the following drawdowns from our credit facilities since September 30, 2014:
As of March 2, 2015, the Company''s outstanding debt balance, and amount available to draw, is as follows:
Newbuilding Program
During the fourth quarter of 2014, the Company made $454.1 million of installment payments on its newbuilding vessels. This amount includes an aggregate of $94.2 million of final installment payments made to the shipyards in connection with four vessels that were delivered in early January 2015.
The Company currently has 16 newbuilding vessel orders with HMD, SPP, HSHI, DSME, DHSC, and Sungdong Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering Co., Ltd ("SSME") (eight MRs and eight LR2s). The estimated first quarter of 2015 and future payments are as follows*:
*These are estimates only and are subject to change as construction progresses.
For the three months ended December 31, 2014, the Company recorded net income of $0.5 million compared to net income of $5.8 million for the three months ended December 31, 2013. The following were the significant changes between the two periods:
Time charter equivalent, or TCE revenue, a non-IFRS measure, is vessel revenues less voyage expenses (including bunkers and port charges). TCE revenue is 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 December 31, 2014 and 2013:
TCE revenue increased $71.3 million to $123.6 million. This increase was driven by an increase in the average number of operating vessels (owned and time chartered-in) to 72.8 from 47.2 for the three months ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, along with an increase in time charter equivalent revenue per day to $18,664 per day from $12,080 per day for the three months ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively (see the breakdown of daily TCE averages below). The Company experienced quarter over quarter improvements in all vessel classes. This was particularly driven by the Atlantic basin trade as U.S. Gulf Coast refinery utilization increased during the quarter, driving MR rates to recent highs. Additionally, LR2 and LR1 strength was driven by an increase in exports of refined products out of the Middle East as Saudi Arabia''s Yanbu refinery began operations in 2014.
Vessel operating costs increased $18.5 million to $31.1 million from $12.6 million for the three months ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. This increase was primarily driven by an increase in the Company''s owned fleet to an average of 50.8 vessels from 19.0 vessels for the three months ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. The increase was offset by an overall decrease in vessel operating costs per day to $6,662 per day from $7,071 per day for the three months ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively (see the breakdown of daily TCE averages below).
Charterhire expense decreased $6.4 million to $29.8 million from $36.2 million for the three months ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. This decrease was driven by a decrease in the Company''s time chartered-in fleet to an average of 22.0 vessels from 28.2 vessels for the three months ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
Depreciation expense increased $10.8 million to $17.7 million from $6.9 million for the three months ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. This increase was the result of an increase in the average number of owned vessels to 50.8 from 19.0 for the three months ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
General and administrative expenses increased $2.6 million to $13.8 million from $11.2 million for the three months ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. This increase was driven by a $1.3 million increase in the amortization of restricted stock (non-cash) and an overall increase in other general and administrative expenses due to the significant growth in the Company''s fleet.
The write down of vessels held for sale and loss from sale of vessels decreased $17.2 million to $4.0 million from $21.2 million for the three months ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. During December 2014, we recognized an aggregate write-down of $4.0 million resulting from the designation of STI Harmony and STI Heritage as held for sale. During December 2013, we recognized a write-down of $21.2 million resulting from the designation of four vessels (Senatore, Noemi, Venice and STI Spirit) as held for sale.
Gain on sale of VLGCs of $41.4 million for the three months ended December 31, 2013, relates to the gain recorded as a result of our contribution of 11 VLGCs under construction and $1.9 million in cash, to Dorian in exchange for 30% of Dorian''s then outstanding shares.
The write down for our investment in Dorian relates to the change in the accounting method from the equity method to the available for sale method on October 29, 2014, which is the date we lost significant influence when Robert Bugbee, our President, resigned from Dorian''s board of directors. As a result of the change in accounting methods, we remeasured our investment in Dorian to its fair market value on October 29, 2014, which resulted in a write down of $13.9 million, and we will no longer record our share of earnings from Dorian ("share of income from associate") in the Consolidated Statement of Profit or Loss.
Financial expenses increased $12.8 million to $13.2 million from $0.4 million primarily as a result in an increase in the Company''s debt balance for the three months ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Total debt outstanding, net of deferred financing fees, was $1.6 billion at December 31, 2014 compared to $167.1 million at December 31, 2013.
Business Strategy
The Company''s primary objectives are to profitably grow the business and emerge as a major operator of product tanker vessels. The Company intends to acquire modern, high-quality tankers through timely and selective acquisitions. The Company is currently concentrating on these sectors because of their attractive fundamentals which the Company believes includes:
increasing demand for refined products.
increasing ton miles (distance between production 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.
The Company paid the following dividends during 2014:
On December 12, 2014, the Company paid a quarterly cash dividend on the Company''s common stock of $0.12 per share to all shareholders as of November 25, 2014 (the record date).
On September 10, 2014, the Company paid a quarterly cash dividend on its common stock of $0.10 per share to all shareholders as of August 22, 2014 (the record date).
On June 12, 2014, the Company paid a quarterly cash dividend on its common stock of $0.09 per share to all shareholders as of May 27, 2014 (the record date).
On March 26, 2014, the Company paid a quarterly cash dividend on its common stock of $0.08 per share to all shareholders as of March 11, 2014 (the record date).
Share Buyback Program
During 2014, the Company acquired an aggregate of 37,579,136 of its common shares that are being held as treasury shares, which include (i) 19,951,536 common shares that were purchased in the open market at an average price of $9.09 per share, (ii) 7,500,000 common shares that were acquired in exchange for 3,422,665 shares in Dorian and (iii) 10,127,600 common shares that were acquired in conjunction with the Company''s offering of $360 million of Convertible Senior Notes due 2019 in June 2014.
During 2015, the Company acquired an aggregate of 746,639 of its common shares that are being held as treasury shares at an average price of $7.91. There are 163,827,903 shares outstanding as of March 2, 2015.
The Company has $69.3 million remaining under its stock buyback program as of the date of this press release. 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.
Scorpio Tankers Inc. is a provider of marine transportation of petroleum products worldwide. Scorpio Tankers Inc. currently owns 65 tankers (ten LR2 tankers, two LR1 tankers, 15 Handymax tankers, 37 MR tankers, and one post-Panamax tanker) with an average age of 1.3 years, time charters-in 21 product tankers (six LR2, five LR1, three MR and seven Handymax tankers), and has contracted for 16 newbuilding product tankers (eight MR and eight LR2), three of which are expected to be delivered in the first quarter of 2015, nine of which are expected to be delivered in the second quarter of 2015 and the remaining four vessels throughout 2016. The Company has also reached agreements to sell three vessels of its older vessels (two LR1 tankers and one post-Panamax tanker). The Company also owns approximately 16% of Dorian LPG Ltd. 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.
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Datum: 02.03.2015 - 07:00 Uhr
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