Double Hull Tankers, Inc. (NYSE: DHT) today announced results for the
period from January 1 to March 31, 2008. Total revenues for this period
were $24.9 million and net income was $7.6 million, or $0.25 per share
(diluted). The Board of Directors of DHT has declared a dividend of
$0.25 per share in accordance with the currently declared fixed dividend
policy. The dividend will be paid on June 11, 2008 to shareholders of
record as of the close of business on May 30, 2008. DHT plans to host a
conference call at 9 am ET on May 14, 2008 to discuss the results for
the quarter. See below for further details.
First Quarter 2008 Results
Total revenues for the first quarter of $24.9 million (compared to $20.2
million in the first quarter of 2007) consist of $22.1 million in base
charter hire and $2.8 million in additional hire under the company’s
profit sharing arrangements with the charterer of the vessels, Overseas
Shipholding Group, Inc. ("OSG"). Of the total base charter hire, $18.0
million relates to the seven vessels on time charter and $4.1 million
relates to the two vessels on bareboat charter. Of the total additional
hire, $1.8 million relates to DHT’s three Very
Large Crude Carriers (“VLCCs”),
$0.9 million relates to DHT’s four Aframax
tankers and $0.1 million relates to one of DHT’s
Suexmax tankers, the Overseas Newcastle.
In the quarter ended March 31, 2008, DHT’s
VLCCs achieved average time charter equivalent (“TCE”)
earnings in the commercial pool of $96,100 per day (compared to $34,900
per day in the fourth quarter of 2007 and $46,700 per day in the first
quarter of 2007) and the Aframax tankers achieved average TCE earnings
of $33,600 per day (compared to $25,800 per day in the fourth quarter of
2007 and $38,300 per day in the first quarter of 2007), according to
data from the commercial pools. The Suezmax tanker Overseas Newcastle
achieved average TCE earnings for the quarter of $38,000 per day.
In general, through the profit sharing elements of the time charter
agreements for the VLCCs and the Aframax tankers, DHT earns an
additional amount equal to 40% of the excess of the vessels’
actual net TCE earnings in the commercial pools over the base charter
hire rates for the quarter, calculated on a fleet wide basis and on a
four quarter rolling average. The Overseas Newcastle has a profit
sharing arrangement whereby DHT earns an additional amount equal to 33%
of the vessel’s TCE earnings above the TCE of
$35,000 for the quarter calculated on a four quarter rolling average.
In the quarter ended March 31, 2008, revenue days were 270 for the VLCCs
(compared to 260 revenue days in the first quarter of 2007) and 364 for
the Aframaxes (compared to 353 revenue days in the first quarter of
2007). The Suezmax tankers Overseas Newcastle and Overseas London, which
were delivered on December 4, 2007 and January 28, 2008, respectively,
and are on bareboat charters to OSG, had a total of 154 revenue days in
the quarter.
For the quarter ended March 31, 2008, DHT’s
vessel expenses, including insurance costs, were $4.7 million,
depreciation and amortization expenses were $6.2 million and general and
administrative expenses were $1.0 million. Net finance expenses,
including amortization of deferred debt issuance costs, were $5.4
million for the quarter ended March 31, 2008.
Market Update
The first quarter of 2008 benefited from the surge in the freight market
at the end of 2007 and a continued strong market in first quarter.
Increased OPEC production quotas led to an increase in long haul
shipments. Traditionally, the first quarter is a period of replenishment
of inventories, but the price backwardation in the oil market has not
given any incentive for seasonal stock building during the quarter.
China’s demand for oil imports continues to
be the key driver for the growth in tanker demand.
Market fundamentals for oil transportation by sea remain solid.
A balanced tanker demand and supply is keeping freight rates at healthy
levels. In addition to conversion of tankers and newbuilding orders into
vessels other than tankers, the balanced market for tankers is a result
of increased commercial obsolescence, scrapping and banning of single
hull tankers in advance of the mandatory phase out commencing in 2010.
Tankers with a double hull design continue to trade at a premium rate to
single hull tankers and the difference appears to be widening.
Additionally, tankers of double hull design experience shorter waiting
time between cargoes.
The pools in which DHT’s VLCCs and Aframax
tankers operate are reporting booking of pool capacity for the second
quarter of 2008 at TCE rates averaging $78,000 per day for the VLCCs
with two thirds of the second quarter revenue days booked, and $48,500
per day for the Aframax tankers, with one third of the second quarter
revenue days booked.
Vessels’ Charter Arrangements and Vessel
Operations
Of the fleet of nine vessels, seven vessels are time chartered to OSG
until the end of 2010 to early 2012. The two recently delivered Suezmax
tankers are bareboat chartered to OSG until 2014 and 2018, respectively.
We believe that the base hire component of each of our charters will
provide for stable cash flows during any down turns in the market, as
the charters provide for fixed monthly base hire payments regardless of
prevailing market rates, so long as the vessel is not off hire. In
addition, with respect to eight of the nine charters, if market rates
exceed the daily base hire rates set forth in such charters, we have the
opportunity to participate in any such excess under the profit sharing
component of the applicable charter arrangements.
DHT’s two Suezmax tankers are bareboat
chartered to OSG for terms of seven years and ten years, respectively,
with charter hire payable 365 days per year and no operating expenses
for the account of DHT, providing for stable earnings over the charters
periods. In addition, one of the Suezmax tankers, the Overseas Newcastle
has a profit sharing arrangement.
The present spot market in which the vessels are operating is
substantially higher than the base charter hire, and serve as the basis
for the vessels to earn additional hire and generate cash flow over and
above the base hire under the profit sharing arrangement.
The seven vessels on time charter are subject to scheduled periodic dry
docking for the purpose of special survey and other interim inspections.
In addition to scheduled off hire, these vessels can be subject to
unscheduled off hire for ongoing maintenance purposes. Unlike vessels on
bareboat charter, vessels on time charter are not paid hire when off
hire. Total days of offhire for running repairs and mandatory
inspections amounted to three days during the quarter.
One of the Aframax tankers, the Overseas Ania is scheduled for
statutory class inspection in the second quarter of 2008. This vessel is
employed in the U.S. lightering trade and it is expected that the
scheduled interim survey will result in about 20 days off hire. The
Aframaxes Overseas Sophie and Overseas Cathy are scheduled
for drydocking (special survey) in late 2008 or early 2009.
Recent Developments
On April 29, 2008 DHT issued 8 million shares in a marketed follow-on
public offering of common stock raising approximately $80 million after
expenses and fees. The offering saw strong demand from investors and was
increased from 7 to 8 million shares. The offering was priced with no
discount to last trade. The new capital from the offering has
substantially strengthened DHT’s balance
sheet for the purpose of growth after the recent acquisition of the two
Suezmax tankers, the Overseas Newcastle and the Overseas
London. On May 9, 2008, the underwriters exercised their
overallotment option for a total of 1.2 million shares resulting in
approximately $12 million in additional proceeds. Total number of shares
outstanding after the completion of the offering will be approximately
39.2 million shares, all of which are entitled to quarterly dividends
under the DHT’s current fixed dividend policy
of $0.25 per share.
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FINANCIAL INFORMATION
SUMMARY CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
($ in thousands except per share amounts)
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1Q 2008
Jan 1-March 31, 2008
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1Q 2007
Jan 1-March 31, 2007
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Shipping revenues
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$24,889
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$20,231
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Vessel expenses
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4,713
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4,775
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Depreciation and amortization
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6,193
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4,171
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General and administrative
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1,001
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807
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Total operating expenses
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11,907
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9,753
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Income from vessel operations
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12,982
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10,478
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Interest income
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148
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220
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Interest expense and amortization of deferred debt issuance cost
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5,505
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3,492
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Net income
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7,625
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7,206
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Basic net income per share
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$0.25
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$0.24
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Diluted net income per share
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$0.25
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$0.24
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Weighted average number of shares (basic)
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30,030,811
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30,013,954
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Weighted average number of shares (diluted)
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30,030,811
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30,027,438
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SUMMARY CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
($ in thousands)
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March 31, 2008
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Dec. 31, 2007
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Current Assets
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Cash and Cash Equivalents
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$22,485
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$10,365
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Voyage receivables from OSG
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2,801
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1,547
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Unrealized gain on interest rate swap
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Prepaid Expenses
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698
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452
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Prepaid Technical Management Fee to OSG
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1,313
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1,357
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Total Current Assets
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27,297
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13,721
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Vessels, net
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482,143
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398,005
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Other assets incl. deferred debt issuance cost
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1,424
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1,337
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Vessel acquisition deposits
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9,145
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Total Assets
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$510,864
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$422,208
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Current Liabilities
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Accounts payable and accrued expenses
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$4,976
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$4,409
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Unrealized loss on interest rate swap
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21,944
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10,218
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Deferred shipping revenues
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7,580
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7,006
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Current instalment of long term debt
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75,000
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75,000
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Total Current liabilities
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109,500
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96,633
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Long term debt
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344,000
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253,700
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Total Stockholders equity
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57,364
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71,875
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Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
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$510,864
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$422,208
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EARNINGS CONFERENCE CALL INFORMATION
DHT plans to host a conference call at 9 am ET on May 14, 2008 to
discuss the results for the first quarter. All shareholders and other
interested parties are invited to call into the conference call, which
may be accessed by calling (866) 825-1692 within the United States and
+1-617-213-8059 for international calls. The passcode is “Double
Hull”. A live webcast of the conference call
will be available in the Investor Relations section on DHT's website at http://www.dhtankers.com.
An audio replay of the conference call will be available from 4:00 p.m.
ET on May 14, 2008 through May 21, 2008 by calling toll free (888)
286-8010 within the United States or +1-617-801-6888 for international
callers. The passcode for the replay is 18946784. A webcast of the
replay will be available in the Investor Relations section on DHT's
website at http://www.dhtankers.com.
Forward Looking Statements
This press release contains assumptions, expectations, projections,
intentions and beliefs about future events, in particular regarding
daily charter rates, vessel utilization, the future number of
newbuildings, oil prices and seasonal fluctuations in vessel supply and
demand. When used in this document, words such as “believe,”
“intend,” “anticipate,”
“estimate,” “project,”
“forecast,” “plan,”
“potential,” “will,”
“may,” “should,”
and “expect” and
similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements
but are not the exclusive means of identifying such statements. These
statements are intended as “forward-looking
statements.” All statements in this document
that are not statements of historical fact are forward-looking
statements.
The forward-looking statements included in this press release reflect DHT’s
current views with respect to future events and are subject to certain
risks, uncertainties and assumptions. We caution that assumptions,
expectations, projections, intentions and beliefs about future events
may and often do vary from actual results and the differences can be
material. The reasons for this include the risks, uncertainties and
factors described under the section of our latest annual report on Form
20-F entitled “Risk Factors,”
a copy of which is available on the SEC’s
website at www.sec.gov. These include
the risk that DHT may not be able to pay dividends; the highly cyclical
nature of the tanker industry; global demand for oil and oil products;
the number of newbuilding deliveries and the scrapping rate of older
vessels; the risks associated with acquiring additional vessels; changes
in trading patterns for particular commodities significantly impacting
overall tonnage requirements; risks related to terrorist attacks and
international hostilities; expectations about the availability of
insurance; our ability to repay our credit facility or obtain additional
financing; our ability to find replacement charters for our vessels when
their current charters expire; compliance costs with environmental laws
and regulations; risks incident to vessel operation, including discharge
of pollutants; and unanticipated changes in laws and regulations.
Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or
should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary
materially from those described in the forward-looking statements
included in this press release. DHT does not intend, and does not assume
any obligation, to update these forward-looking statements.
Double Hull Tankers, Inc.
Eirik Ubøe
Phone:
+44 1534 639 759 and +47 412 92 712
E-mail: info@dhtankers.com
and eu@tankersservices.com