Scorpio Tankers Inc. reported its results for the three and six months ended June 30, 2022. The Company also announced that its Board of Directors has declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.10 per share on the Company’s common stock.
Results for the three months ended June 30, 2022 and 2021
For the three months ended June 30, 2022, the Company had net income of $191.1 million, or $3.44 basic and $3.06 diluted earnings per share.
For the three months ended June 30, 2022, the Company had adjusted net income (see Non-IFRS Measures section below) of $196.1 million, or $3.53 basic and $3.13 diluted earnings per share, which excludes from net income (i) a $1.5 million, or $0.03 per basic and $0.02 per diluted share, aggregate write-down of vessels held for sale and loss on the sale of vessels, (ii) $3.9 million, or $0.07 per basic and $0.06 per diluted share, write-off or acceleration of the amortization of deferred financing fees on the debt or lease financing obligations relating to these vessel sales and related debt extinguishment costs, and (iii) $0.4 million, or $0.01 per basic and $0.01 per diluted share, gain recorded on the repurchase of the Company’s Convertible Notes due 2025.
For the three months ended June 30, 2021, the Company had a net loss of $52.8 million, or $0.97 basic and diluted loss per share.
For the three months ended June 30, 2021, the Company had an adjusted net loss (see Non-IFRS Measures section below) of $51.1 million, or $0.94 basic and diluted loss per share, which excludes from the net loss $1.6 million, or $0.03 per basic and diluted share, of losses recorded on the transaction to exchange $19.4 million in aggregate principal amount of the Company’s existing Convertible Notes due 2022 for $19.4 million in aggregate principal amount of new Convertible Notes due 2025.
Results for the six months ended June 30, 2022 and 2021
For the six months ended June 30, 2022, the Company had net income of $106.7 million, or $1.92 basic and $1.84 diluted earnings per share.
For the six months ended June 30, 2022, the Company had adjusted net income (see Non-IFRS Measures section below) of $181.3 million, or $3.27 basic and $2.99 diluted earnings per share, which excludes from net income (i) a $69.2 million, or $1.25 per basic and $1.07 per diluted share, aggregate write-down of vessels held for sale and loss on the sale of vessels, (ii) $5.8 million, or $0.10 per basic and $0.09 per diluted share, write-off or acceleration of the amortization of deferred financing fees on the debt or lease financing obligations relating to these vessel sales and related debt extinguishment costs and (iii) $0.4 million, or $0.01 per basic and $0.01 per diluted share, gain recorded on the repurchase of the Company’s Convertible Notes due 2025.
For the six months ended June 30, 2021, the Company had a net loss of $115.2 million, or $2.12 basic and diluted loss per share.
For the six months ended June 30, 2021, the Company had an adjusted net loss (see Non-IFRS Measures section below) of $108.3 million, or $1.99 basic and diluted loss per share, which excludes from the net loss $5.5 million, or $0.10 per basic and diluted share, of losses recorded on the transaction to exchange the Company’s existing Convertible Notes due 2022 for new Convertible Notes due 2025 as well as a $1.3 million, or $0.02 per basic and diluted share, write-off of deferred financing fees related to the refinancing of certain credit facilities.
Declaration of Dividend
On July 27, 2022, the Company’s Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.10 per common share, payable on or about September 15, 2022 to all shareholders of record as of August 11, 2022 (the record date). As of July 27, 2022, there were 59,047,152 common shares of the Company outstanding.
Summary of Second Quarter 2022 and Other Recent Significant Events
• Below is a summary of the average daily Time Charter Equivalent (“TCE”) revenue (see Non-IFRS Measures section below) and duration of contracted voyages and time charters for the Company’s vessels (both in the pools and outside of the pools) thus far in the third quarter of 2022 as of the date hereof (See footnotes to “Other operating data” table below for the definition of daily TCE revenue):
• Below is a summary of the average daily TCE revenue earned by the Company’s vessels (in the pools and outside of the pools) during the second quarter of 2022:
• During the second and third quarters of 2022, the Company entered into time charter-out agreements on nine vessels (five LR2s and four MRs). The terms of the agreements are for three to five years averaging between $28,000 and $30,000 per day for the LR2s, and for three years averaging between $21,000 and $23,000 per day for the MRs.
• The Company has given notice to exercise its purchase options on six 2014 built MR product tankers (STI Opera, STI Virtus, STI Venere, STI Aqua, STI Dama, and STI Regina). These vessels were sold and leased back by the Company in August 2018. The leases bear interest at LIBOR plus a margin of 3.50% per annum. The purchase, which is expected to occur in August 2022, will result in a debt reduction of $95.0 million for the Company.
• In July 2022, the Company repurchased 367,861 of its common shares in the open market at an average price of $29.18 per share.
• In May and July 2022, the Company repurchased $10.8 million and $1.5 million, respectively, in aggregate principal amount of its Convertible Notes due 2025 in the open market.
• In May 2022, the Company repaid the aggregate outstanding principal balance of $69.7 million on its Convertible Notes due 2022 upon their maturity.
• During the second quarter of 2022, the Company closed on the refinancing of the outstanding lease obligations on four vessels (STI Oxford, STI Selatar, STI Gramercy, and STI Queens). These transactions raised aggregate new liquidity of $27.0 million after the repayment of the existing lease obligations.
• During the first and second quarters of 2022, the Company entered into agreements to sell 18 vessels, consisting of three LR2s, 12 LR1s, and three MRs. Seven of these sales closed within the first quarter of 2022 (six LR1s and one MR), raising $91.7 million in aggregate new liquidity after the repayment of debt and selling costs, nine of these sales closed within the second quarter of 2022 (two LR2s, six LR1s, and one MR), raising $139.9 million in aggregate new liquidity after the repayment of debt and selling costs, one sale closed in July 2022, raising $11.6 million in new liquidity (the debt on this vessel of $14.2 million was repaid in June 2022), and the remaining sale is expected to close in August 2022. This remaining vessel sale is expected to raise $22.1 million in aggregate new liquidity after the repayment of debt and estimated selling costs.
• The Company has $7.7 million of additional liquidity available from previously announced financings that have been committed. These drawdowns are expected to occur at varying points in the future as they are tied to scrubber installations on the Company’s vessels.
Sales of Vessels
During the first and second quarters of 2022, the Company entered into agreements to sell 18 vessels, consisting of three LR2s, 12 LR1s, and three MRs. The sales prices of each of the three LR2s (STI Savile Row, STI Carnaby and STI Nautilus) are $43.0 million, $43.0 million and $42.7 million, respectively. The sales price of the 12 LR1s (STI Excelsior, STI Executive, STI Excellence, STI Pride, STI Providence, STI Prestige, STI Experience, STI Express, STI Exceed, STI Excel, STI Expedite, and STI Precision) is $413.8 million in aggregate. The sales prices of each of the three MRs (STI Fontvieille, STI Benicia, and STI Majestic) are $23.5 million, $26.5 million, and $34.9 million, respectively.
Seven of these sales closed within the first quarter of 2022 (six LR1s and one MR), raising $91.7 million in aggregate new liquidity after the repayment of debt and selling costs, nine of these sales closed within the second quarter of 2022 (two LR2s, six LR1s, and one MR), raising $139.9 million in aggregate new liquidity after the repayment of debt and selling costs, one sale (an MR) closed in July 2022, raising $11.6 million in new liquidity (the debt on this vessel of $14.2 million was repaid in June 2022), and the remaining sale is expected to close in August 2022. This remaining vessel sale is expected to raise $22.1 million in aggregate new liquidity after the repayment of debt and estimated selling costs.
Diluted Weighted Number of Shares
The computation of earnings or loss per share is determined by taking into consideration the potentially dilutive shares arising from (i) the Company’s equity incentive plan, and (ii) the Company’s Convertible Notes due 2025. These potentially dilutive shares are excluded from the computation of earnings or loss per share to the extent they are anti-dilutive.
The impact of the Convertible Notes due 2025 on earnings or loss per share is computed using the if-converted method. Under this method, the Company first includes the potentially dilutive impact of restricted shares issued under the Company’s equity incentive plan, and then assumes that its Convertible Notes due 2025, which were issued in March and June 2021 were converted into common shares at the beginning of each period. The if-converted method also assumes that the interest and non-cash amortization expense associated with these notes of $5.7 million and $12.0 million during the three and six months ended June 30, 2022, respectively, were not incurred. Conversion is not assumed if the results of this calculation are anti-dilutive.
For the three and six months ended June 30, 2022, the Company’s basic weighted average number of shares outstanding were 55,594,623 and 55,502,389, respectively. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2022, there were 58,123,530 and 57,786,223 weighted average shares outstanding, respectively, including the potentially dilutive impact of restricted shares issued under the Company’s equity incentive plan. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2022, there were 64,419,318 and 64,611,651 weighted average shares outstanding, respectively, under the if-converted method.
Diluted earnings per share for both the three and six months ended June 30, 2022 was calculated under the if-converted method.
Availability of 2021 ESG Report
The 2021 ESG report is available on the Company’s website at The report has been prepared using the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (“SASB”) Marine Transportation Standard (2018). As part of the 2021 ESG Report, the Company has provided a Climate Risk Statement prepared in alignment with the Taskforce for Climate-related Financial Disclosures’ (“TCFD”) recommendations. Information on the Company’s website, including the 2021 ESG Report, does not constitute a part of and is not incorporated by reference into this press release.
Current Liquidity
As of July 27, 2022, the Company had $449.5 million in unrestricted cash and cash equivalents. Within the next two weeks, the Company is expected to receive (i) approximately $120.0 million from the Scorpio pools with respect to the monthly cash distribution for July, and (ii) the net proceeds of $22.1 million from the sale of one LR2 tanker (after the repayment of debt and estimated selling costs).
Our pro-forma cash balance, including the net proceeds from the sale of this vessel, was $591.5 million as of July 27, 2022.
Drydock, Scrubber and Ballast Water Treatment Update
Set forth below is a table summarizing the drydock, scrubber, and ballast water treatment system activity that occurred during the second quarter of 2022 and the estimated expected payments to be made, and offhire days that are expected to be incurred, for the Company’s drydocks, ballast water treatment system installations, and scrubber installations through 2023:
Debt
Set forth below is a summary of the principal balances of the Company’s outstanding indebtedness as of the dates presented.
Set forth below are the estimated expected future principal repayments on the Company’s outstanding indebtedness as of June 30, 2022, which includes principal amounts due under the Company’s secured credit facilities, Convertible Notes due 2025, lease financing arrangements, Senior Notes due 2025, and lease liabilities under IFRS 16 (which also include actual scheduled payments made during the third quarter of 2022 through July 27, 2022):
Explanation of Variances on the Second Quarter of 2022 Financial Results Compared to the Second Quarter of 2021
For the three months ended June 30, 2022, the Company recorded net income of $191.1 million compared to a net loss of $52.8 million for the three months ended June 30, 2021. The following were the significant changes between the two periods:
• 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 voyages, time charters, and pool charters), and it provides useful information to investors and management. The following table sets forth TCE revenue for the three months ended June 30, 2022 and 2021:
• TCE revenue for the three months ended June 30, 2022 increased by $243.5 million to $381.6 million, from $138.0 million for the three months ended June 30, 2021. Overall average TCE revenue per day increased to $36,006 per day during the three months ended June 30, 2022, from $11,954 per day during the three months ended June 30, 2021. The average number of vessels was 119.9 during the three months ended June 30, 2022 as compared to 131.0 during the three months ended June 30, 2021. This decrease was due to the sales of vessels during 2022 as described above.
• TCE revenue for the three months ended June 30, 2022 reflected a structural change in the supply and demand balance for product tankers. A confluence of events served as a catalyst to a substantial increase in ton-mile demand beginning in March 2022 and continuing through the date of this press release. First, the continued easing of COVID-19 restrictions around the globe has resulted in increased personal mobility thus stimulating underlying demand for refined petroleum products. Second, record refining margins combined with low global refined petroleum product inventories have incentivized refiners to increase and maintain high utilization levels, which have driven substantial increases in refined petroleum product export volumes throughout the world. Third, the volatility brought on by the ongoing conflict in Ukraine has disrupted supply chains for crude oil and refined petroleum products, changing volumes and trade routes, and thus increasing ton-mile demand for refined petroleum products.
•TCE revenue for the three months ended June 30, 2021 reflected the adverse market conditions brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. Demand for crude and refined petroleum products improved during this period but nevertheless remained below pre-pandemic levels given the efforts around the world at that time to control the spread of the virus, particularly in countries with low vaccine uptake. Additionally, inventories continued to be drawn during the quarter, which had an adverse impact on the demand for the seaborne transportation of refined petroleum products.
• Vessel operating costs for the three months ended June 30, 2022 decreased by $3.7 million to $76.9 million, from $80.6 million for the three months ended June 30, 2021. Vessel operating costs per vessel per day increased to $7,048 for the three months ended June 30, 2022 from $6,807 for the three months ended June 30, 2021. Vessel operating costs per day increased across most vessel classes, driven by increased repairs and maintenance, and spares and stores expenses. The overall decrease relates to the sale of vessels during the first and second quarters of 2022, which resulted in a decrease in the average number of vessels in the Company’s fleet to 119.9 during the three months ended June 30, 2022 from 131.0 during the three months ended June 30, 2021.
• Depreciation expense – owned or sale leaseback vessels for the three months ended June 30, 2022 decreased by $8.2 million to $41.1 million, from $49.2 million for the three months ended June 30, 2021. This decrease is attributable to 17 of the Company’s owned or sale leaseback vessels being designated as held for sale or sold during the six months ended June 30, 2022. These vessels were written down to their net realizable value upon being designated as held for sale, and depreciation expense ceased being recorded upon that designation.
• Depreciation expense – right of use assets for the three months ended June 30, 2022 decreased by $0.4 million to $9.8 million from $10.2 million for the three months ended June 30, 2021. Depreciation expense – right of use assets reflects the straight-line depreciation expense recorded under IFRS 16 – Leases. This decrease is attributable to one of the Company’s right of use asset vessels being designated as held for sale or sold during the six months ended June 30, 2022. This vessel was written down to its net realizable value upon being designated as held for sale during the first quarter of 2022, and depreciation expense ceased being recorded upon that designation. The Company had four LR2s and 17 MRs that were accounted for under IFRS 16 – Leases during the three months ended June 30, 2022.
• General and administrative expenses for the three months ended June 30, 2022, increased by $9.5 million to $22.8 million, from $13.3 million for the three months ended June 30, 2021. This increase was primarily due to an increase in compensation related costs.
• Financial expenses for the three months ended June 30, 2022 increased by $4.8 million to $40.7 million, from $35.9 million for the three months ended June 30, 2021. This increase was primarily attributable to (i) the increase in the accretion of convertible notes, which increased to $3.2 million from $2.4 million for the three months ended June 30, 2022 and 2021, respectively, and (ii) write offs of deferred financing fees and other debt extinguishment costs incurred of $3.9 million during the three months ended June 30, 2022 as compared to $0.1 million during the three months ended June 30, 2021. The Company’s Convertible Notes due 2025 were issued in March and June 2021.
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 the amount of dividends, if any, depends on the Company’s earnings, financial condition, cash requirements and availability, fleet renewal and expansion, restrictions in loan agreements, the provisions of Marshall Islands law affecting the payment of dividends and other factors.
The Company’s dividends paid during 2021 and 2022 were as follows:
On July 27, 2022, the Company’s Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.10 per common share, payable on or about September 15, 2022 to all shareholders of record as of August 11, 2022 (the record date). As of July 27, 2022, there were 59,047,152 common shares of the Company outstanding.
$250 Million Securities Repurchase Program
In September 2020, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized a Securities Repurchase Program to purchase up to an aggregate of $250 million of the Company’s securities which, in addition to its common shares, currently consist of its Senior Notes Due 2025 (NYSE: SBBA), which were originally issued in May 2020, and Convertible Notes Due 2025, which were issued in March and June 2021.
• In July 2022, the Company repurchased 367,861 of its common shares in the open market at an average price of $29.18 per share.
• In May and July 2022, the Company repurchased $10.8 million and $1.5 million, respectively, in aggregate principal amount of its Convertible Notes Due 2025 in the open market for $12.5 million and $1.7 million, respectively. The consideration paid includes the accreted principal balance, which has accrued since the issuance date and equaled approximately 106% and 107% of par at the May and July repurchase dates, respectively.
There is $225.1 million of remaining availability under the Securities Repurchase Program as of the date of this press release.
COVID-19
Since the beginning of calendar year 2020, the outbreak of the COVID-19 virus has resulted in a significant reduction in global economic activity and extreme volatility in the global financial markets, the effects of which continued throughout 2021. The easing of restrictive measures that were put in place to combat the spread of the virus, and the successful roll-out of vaccines has served as a catalyst for an economic recovery in many countries throughout the world, which has, in part, led to a vastly improved financial performance during the second quarter of 2022. Nevertheless, the Company expects that the COVID-19 virus will continue to cause volatility in the commodities markets in the future. In particular, the spread of more contagious and vaccine resistant variants, along with the continued implementation of restrictive measures by governments in certain parts of the world, have hampered a full re-opening of the global economy. The scale and duration of these circumstances is unknowable but could have a material impact on the Company’s earnings, cash flow and financial condition. An estimate of the impact on the Company’s results of operations, financial condition, and future performance cannot be made at this time.
Conflict in Ukraine
The ongoing military conflict in Ukraine has had a significant direct and indirect impact on the trade of refined petroleum products. This conflict has resulted in the United States, United Kingdom, and the European Union, among other countries, implementing sanctions and executive orders against citizens, entities, and activities connected to Russia. Some of these sanctions and executive orders target the Russian oil sector, including a prohibition on the import of oil from Russia to the United States or the United Kingdom, and the European Union’s recent ban on Russian crude oil and petroleum products which took effect, or are scheduled to take effect in December 2022 and February 2023, respectively. The Company cannot foresee what other sanctions or executive orders may arise that affect the trade of petroleum products. Furthermore, the conflict and ensuing international response has disrupted the supply of Russian oil to the global market, and as a result, the price of oil and petroleum products has experienced significant volatility. The Company cannot predict what effect the higher price of oil and petroleum products will have on demand, and it is possible that the current conflict in Ukraine could adversely affect the Company’s financial condition, results of operations, and future performance.
