International Seaways, one of the largest tanker companies worldwide providing energy transportation services for crude oil and petroleum products, reported results for the first quarter 2024.
HIGHLIGHTS & RECENT DEVELOPMENTS
Strong Quarterly Earnings:
Balance Sheet Enhancements:
Returns to Shareholders:
Fleet Optimization Program:
“Following a record year for Seaways, our first quarter earnings increased over the prior quarter and marked the eighth consecutive quarter of strong earnings,” said Lois K. Zabrocky, International Seaways President and CEO. “We continue to share in this upcycle with our shareholders by declaring a combined dividend of $1.75 per share, which is 60% of our adjusted net income in the first quarter of 2024. Amidst a period of continued market strength, we are also pleased to have taken advantage of compelling opportunities to renew our fleet and strengthen our balance sheet under the new credit facility.”
“Supplementing the Company’s returns to shareholders, our agreement to acquire six MRs and exercise options on two additional dual-fuel LR1s reflects Seaways’ focus on executing a balanced capital allocation strategy to maximize value creation. We remain optimistic about the direction of the market based on attractive supply and demand fundamentals supported by growing oil demand, the evolving global energy trade, and a historically low tanker orderbook. We look forward to capitalizing on these dynamics and further enhancing our track record of opportunistic investment in the fleet, while prioritizing the return of substantial cash to shareholders.”
Jeff Pribor, the Company’s CFO stated, “Our balance sheet is the strongest in our history, and we have further optimized our capital structure with the consolidation of our senior secured debt facilities into a $500 million revolving credit facility. This provides Seaways with enhanced financial flexibility through the extension of our maturity profile and the reduction of debt service costs, that lowers our spot break even rate to about $13,500 per day. With ample cash and liquidity and a record low net loan-to-value, we are positioned to continue creating further value for the Company and shareholders.”
FIRST QUARTER 2024 RESULTS
Net income for the first quarter of 2024 was $144.5 million, or $2.92 per diluted share, compared to net income of $172.6 million, or $3.47 per diluted share, for the first quarter of 2023. The decrease in results in the first quarter of 2024 was primarily driven by: lower TCE revenues(1), higher vessel expenses and depreciation due to the deliveries of three dual-fuel VLCCs and a gain on a vessel sold in the first quarter of 2023, partially offset by lower interest expense from the reduction of debt by nearly $300 million during 2023.
Shipping revenues for the first quarter were $274.4 million, compared to $287.1 million for the first quarter of 2023. Consolidated TCE revenues(1) for the first quarter were $270.9 million, compared to $283.3 million for the first quarter of 2023.
Adjusted EBITDA(1) for the first quarter was $191.5 million, compared to $209.0 million for the first quarter of 2023.
Crude Tankers
Shipping revenues for the Crude Tankers segment were $126.9 million for the first quarter of 2024, compared to $132.4 million for the first quarter of 2023. TCE revenues(1) were $124.0 million for the first quarter, compared to $129.3 million for the first quarter of 2023. This decrease was attributable to a decrease in spot rates as the average spot earnings of the VLCC, Suezmax and Aframax sectors were approximately $44,700, $44,700 and $40,900 per day, respectively, compared with approximately $46,400, $58,200 and $50,800 per day, respectively, during the first quarter of 2023. The spot earnings were partially offset by higher time charter revenues from increased fixed rate coverage, including the deliveries of three dual-fuel VLCCs during 2023.
Product Carriers
Shipping revenues for the Product Carriers segment were $147.5 million for the first quarter, compared to $154.7 million for the first quarter of 2023. TCE revenues(1) were $147.0 million for the first quarter, compared to $154.0 million for the first quarter of 2023. This decrease is attributable to a reduction in revenue days from vessel sales and expiry of vessels chartered-in that was partially offset by increases to the blended TCE rates in the LR2 and MR sectors.
BALANCE SHEET ENHANCEMENTS
During the first quarter of 2024, the Company repaid $32 million in mandatory payments required under its existing debt facilities and sales leaseback arrangements.
In April 2024, the Company amended and extended the $750 Million Facility, under which the Company had a remaining term loan balance of $94.6 million and undrawn revolver capacity of $257.4 million at March 31, 2024. The new agreement consists of a $500 million revolving credit facility (the “$500 Million RCF”) that matures in January 2030. Under the terms of the $500 Million RCF capacity is reduced on a quarterly basis by approximately $12.8 million each quarter, based on a 20-year age-adjusted profile of the collateral vessels. The $500 Million RCF bears an interest rate based on term SOFR +185bps (the “margin”) and includes similar sustainability-linked features as included in the $750 Million Credit Facility, which could impact the margin by five basis points, that are aimed at reducing the carbon footprint, targeting expenditures toward energy efficiency improvements and maintaining a safety record above the industry average. Prior to executing the agreement, the Company prepaid the outstanding balance on the ING Credit Facility of $20.3 million and included the collateral vessel in the $500 Million RCF.
The $500 Million RCF saves $19.5 million per quarter in mandatory debt repayments and reduces future interest expense through a margin reduction of over 85 basis points.
RETURNING CASH TO SHAREHOLDERS
In March 2024, the Company paid a combined dividend of $1.32 per share of common stock, composed of a regular quarterly dividend of $0.12 per share of common stock and a supplemental dividend of $1.20 per share.
On May 7, 2024, the Company’s Board of Directors declared a combined dividend of $1.75 per share of common stock, composed of a regular quarterly dividend of $0.12 per share of common stock and a supplemental dividend of $1.63 per share of common stock. Both dividends will be paid on June 26, 2024, to shareholders with a record date at the close of business on June 12, 2024.
The Company currently has $50 million authorized under its share repurchase program, which expires at the end of 2025.
FLEET OPTIMIZATION PROGRAM
In February 2024, the Company entered into agreements to acquire six MR vessels for total consideration of $232 million. The Company expects to finance 15% of the total consideration with shares of common stock with the balance funded by available liquidity. During the second quarter to-date, the Company has taken delivery of three vessels with the remaining vessels expected to deliver later this quarter.
The Company has sold a 2009-built MR for $23 million in aggregate proceeds after fees and commissions. The vessel was delivered to buyers in April 2024 and the Company recognized a gain on the sale.
During the second quarter, the Company entered into three new time charter agreements on two 2009-built MRs and a 2014-built LR2. The charters have durations of around three years and have increased contracted future revenues by $86 million to over $410 million excluding any applicable profit share.
The Company entered into contracts and declared options to build a total of six scrubber-fitted, dual-fuel (LNG) ready, LR1 vessels in Korea with K Shipbuilding Co, Ltd at a price in aggregate of approximately $347 million. Four out of the six contracts were executed in 2023. In March 2024, the Company exercised options on two additional vessels. The vessels are expected to be delivered beginning in the second half of 2025 through the third quarter of 2026. Upon delivery, these vessels are expected to deliver into our niche, Panamax International Pool, which has consistently outperformed the market.
(1) This is a non-GAAP financial measure used throughout this press release; please refer to the section “Reconciliation to Non-GAAP Financial Information” for explanations of our non-GAAP financial measures and the reconciliations of reported GAAP to non-GAAP financial measures.
