Press Releases
Euroseas Ltd. Reports Results for the Nine-Month Period and Quarter Ended September 30, 2015
Maroussi, Athens, Greece - November 10, 2015 - Euroseas Ltd. (NASDAQ: ESEA), an owner and operator of drybulk and container carrier vessels and provider of seaborne transportation for drybulk and containerized cargoes, announced today its results for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2015.
Third Quarter 2015 Highlights:
• Total net revenues of $11.3 million. Net loss of $1.39 million; net loss attributable to common shareholders (after a $0.4 million dividend on Series B Preferred Shares) of $1.8 million or $0.292 loss per share basic and diluted. Adjusted net loss attributable to common shareholders1 for the period was $0.262 per share basic and diluted.
• Adjusted EBITDA1 was $2.0 million.
• An average of 15.0 vessels were owned and operated during the third quarter of 2015 earning an average time charter equivalent rate of $8,929 per day.
• The Company declared its seventh dividend of $0.4 million on its Series B Preferred Shares; the dividend was paid in-kind by issuing additional Series B Preferred Shares.
• On October 16, 2015 the Company announced the sale of M/V Tiger Bridge (a 2,228 TEU Container vessel, built in 1990) to an unaffiliated third party for recycling. The vessel was delivered in early November 2015. The Company expects to record a gain on the sale of the vessel.
First Nine Months 2015 Highlights:
• Total net revenues of $28.9 million. Net loss of $10.1 million; net loss attributable to common shareholders (after a $1.2 million dividend on Series B Preferred Shares) of $11.3 million or $1.922 loss per share basic and diluted. Adjusted net loss per share attributable to common shareholders1 for the period was $1.852.
• Adjusted EBITDA1 was $0.1 million.
• An average of 15.0 vessels were owned and operated during the first nine months of 2015 earning an average time charter equivalent rate of $7,529 per day.
1Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted net loss, Adjusted net loss attributable to common shareholders and Adjusted loss per share attributable to common shareholders are not recognized measurements under U.S. GAAP. Refer to a subsequent section of the Press Release for the definitions and reconciliation of these measurements to the most directly comparable financial measures calculated and presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP.
2On July 23, 2015, the Company completed a 1-for-10 reverse stock split, effective at the close of trading on July 22, 2015. As a result all the per-share computations for the current and previous periods presented herein are all based on the new number of shares after the reverse stock split.
Aristides Pittas, Chairman and CEO of Euroseas commented: "Over the last three months, the containership feeder market gave up most of the gains in charter rates it had achieved in the first 6 months of the year, while the drybulk market remained weak. We were fortunate to renew several of our containership vessel charters at higher rates which has positively influenced our third quarter results. Our strategy remains focused on navigating through the low market in both sectors and be positioned appropriately to capitalize in the inevitable market recovery. We believe these unprecedented low levels of the drybulk market provide for attractive investment opportunities which in our case take the form of taking delivery of our four drybulk newbuildings.
"Thus, our primary objective over the next six months is to ensure smooth delivery of three of the four such newbuildings we ordered in 2014, with the fourth scheduled to be delivered towards the end of 2016. For that purpose, we completed our shareholders rights' offering during September and we are evaluating additional debt financing options. As we expect to see the supply and demand balance shifting in favor of demand for both the sectors over the next two years, we want to take advantage of such a development for the benefit of our shareholders."
Tasos Aslidis, Chief Financial Officer of Euroseas commented: "The results of the third quarter of 2015 reflect the higher rates some of our containership vessels were able to secure during the spring and early summer of 2015. Operating results during the third quarter of 2015 were improved compared to the results of the same quarter of 2014.
"Total daily vessel operating expenses, including management fees, general and administrative expenses but excluding drydocking costs, registered a decline of about 4.7% during the third quarter of 2015 compared to the same quarter of last year and a decrease of about 2.1% for the nine month periods ended September 30, 2015 over the same period of 2014. Drydocking expenses expressed on a per vessel per day basis were lower by 6.1% in the nine month period of 2015 and 58.5% higher for the third quarter of 2015, respectively, as compared to the same periods in 2014. As always, we want to emphasize that cost control remains a key component of our strategy.
"As of September 30, 2015, our outstanding debt was $47.8 million versus restricted and unrestricted cash of about $26.4 million. All our debt covenants were satisfied as of September 30, 2015."
Third Quarter 2015 Results:
For the third quarter of 2015, the Company reported total net revenues of $11.3 million representing a 13.7% increase over total net revenues of $9.9 million during the third quarter of 2014. The Company reported net loss for the period of $1.39 million and a net loss attributable to common shareholders of $1.8 million, as compared to a net loss of $3.7 million and $4.1 million respectively, for the third quarter of 2014. The results for the third quarter of 2015 include a $0.1 million unrealized loss on derivatives, a $0.1 million realized loss on derivatives, as compared to $0.3 million unrealized gain on derivatives, a $0.2 million realized loss on derivatives for the same period of 2014. Drydocking expenses amounted to $0.9 million during the third quarter of the year 2015 as two vessels underwent drydock compared to one vessel that underwent drydocking during the third quarter of 2014 for a total amount of $0.6 million. Depreciation expenses for the third quarter of 2015 were $2.8 million compared to $3.2 million during the same period of 2014. On average, 15.0 vessels were owned and operated during the third quarter of 2015 earning an average time charter equivalent rate of $8,929 per day compared to 15.0 vessels in the same period of 2014 earning on average $7,168 per day.
Adjusted EBITDA1 for the third quarter of 2015 was $2.0 million compared to $(0.2) million achieved during the third quarter of 2014. Please see below for Adjusted EBITDA reconciliation to net loss and cash flow provided by operating activities.
Basic and diluted loss per share attributable to common shareholders for the third quarter of 2015 was $0.29 calculated on 6,140,438 basic and diluted weighted average number of shares outstanding, compared to basic and diluted loss per share of $0.722 for the third quarter of 2014, calculated on 5,711,3122 basic and diluted weighted average number of shares outstanding.
Excluding the effect, on the loss attributable to common shareholders, for the quarter of the unrealized and the realized loss on derivatives, the adjusted net loss per share attributable to common shareholders for the quarter ended September 30, 2015 would have been $0.26 per share basic and diluted compared to net loss of $0.742 per share basic and diluted for the quarter ended September 30, 2014. Usually, security analysts do not include the above items in their published estimates of earnings per share.
First Nine Months 2015 Results:
For the first nine months of 2015, the Company reported total net revenues of $28.9 million representing a 0.8% decrease over total net revenues of $29.1 million during the first nine months of 2014. The Company reported a net loss for the period of $10.1 million and a net loss attributable to common shareholders of $11.3 million, as compared to net loss of $11.0 million and $12.0 million respectively, for the first nine months of 2014. The results for the first nine months of 2015 include a $0.1 million unrealized loss on derivatives, a $0.2 million realized loss on derivatives as compared to $0.7 million unrealized gain on derivatives, a $0.7 million realized loss on derivatives for the same period of 2014. Depreciation expenses for the first nine months of 2015 were $8.6 million compared to $9.0 million during the same period of 2014. On average, 15.0 vessels were owned and operated during the first nine months of 2015 earning an average time charter equivalent rate of $7,529 per day compared to 14.5 vessels in the same period of 2014 earning on average $7,438 per day.
Adjusted EBITDA1 for the first nine months of 2015 was $0.1 million compared to $(0.8) million achieved during the first nine months of 2014. Please see below for Adjusted EBITDA reconciliation to net loss and cash flow provided by operating activities.
Basic and diluted loss per share attributable to common shareholders for the first nine months of 2015 was $1.92 respectively, calculated on 5,903,609 basic and diluted weighted average number of shares outstanding compared to basic and diluted loss per share of $2.222 for the first nine months of 2014, calculated on 5,401,9372 basic and diluted weighted average number of shares outstanding.
Excluding the effect, on the loss attributable to common shareholders, for the first nine months of 2015 of the unrealized and realized loss on derivatives, the adjusted net loss per share attributable to common shareholders for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2015 would have been $1.85 compared to loss of $2.222 per share basic and diluted for the same period in 2014. Usually, security analysts do not include the above items in their published estimates of earnings per share.
(1) Average number of vessels is the number of vessels that constituted our fleet for the relevant period, as measured by the sum of the number of calendar days each vessel was a part of our fleet during the period divided by the number of calendar days in that period.
(2) Calendar days. We define calendar days as the total number of days in a period during which each vessel in our fleet was in our possession including off-hire days associated with major repairs, drydockings or special or intermediate surveys or days of vessels in lay-up. Calendar days are an indicator of the size of our fleet over a period and affect both the amount of revenues and the amount of expenses that we record during that period.
(3) The scheduled off-hire days including vessels laid-up are days associated with scheduled repairs, drydockings or special or intermediate surveys or days of vessels in lay-up.
(4) Available days. We define available days as the total number of days in a period during which each vessel in our fleet was in our possession net of scheduled off-hire days. We use available days to measure the number of days in a period during which vessels were available to generate revenues.
(5) Commercial off-hire days. We define commercial off-hire days as days waiting to find employment.
(6) Operational off-hire days. We define operational off-hire days as days associated with unscheduled repairs or other off-hire time related to the operation of the vessels,
(7) Voyage days. We define voyage days as the total number of days in a period during which each vessel in our fleet was in our possession net of commercial and operational off-hire days. We use voyage days to measure the number of days in a period during which vessels actually generate revenues.
(8) Fleet utilization. We calculate fleet utilization by dividing the number of our voyage days during a period by the number of our available days during that period. We use fleet utilization to measure a company's efficiency in finding suitable employment for its vessels and minimizing the amount of days that its vessels are off-hire for reasons such as unscheduled repairs or days waiting to find employment.
(9) Fleet utilization, commercial. We calculate commercial fleet utilization by dividing our available days net of commercial off-hire days during a period by our available days during that period.
(10) Fleet utilization, operational. We calculate operational fleet utilization by dividing our available days net of operational off-hire days during a period by our available days during that period.
(11) Time charter equivalent, or TCE, is a measure of the average daily revenue performance of a vessel on a per voyage basis. Our method of calculating TCE is determined by dividing revenue generated from voyage charters net of voyage expenses by voyage days for the relevant time period. Voyage expenses primarily consist of port, canal and fuel costs that are unique to a particular voyage, which would otherwise be paid by the charterer under a time charter contract. TCE is a standard shipping industry performance measure used primarily to compare period-to-period changes in a shipping company's performance despite changes in the mix of charter types (i.e., spot voyage charters, time charters and bareboat charters) under which the vessels may be employed between the periods.
(12) Daily vessel operating expenses, which includes crew costs, provisions, deck and engine stores, lubricating oil, insurance, maintenance and repairs and management fees are calculated by dividing vessel operating expenses by fleet calendar days for the relevant time period. Drydocking expenses are reported separately.
(13) Daily general and administrative expense is calculated by dividing general and administrative expense by fleet calendar days for the relevant time period.
(14) Total vessel operating expenses, or TVOE, is a measure of our total expenses associated with operating our vessels. TVOE is the sum of vessel operating expenses excluding drydocking expenses and general and administrative expenses. Daily TVOE is calculated by dividing TVOE by fleet calendar days for the relevant time period.
(15) Drydocking expenses, which include expenses during drydockings that would have been capitalized and amortized under the deferral method divided by the fleet calendar days for the relevant period. Drydocking expenses could vary substantially from period to period depending on how many vessels underwent drydocking during the period.
Conference Call and Webcast:
Tomorrow, Wednesday, November 11, 2015 at 10:00 a.m. ET, the company's management will host a conference call to discuss the results.
Conference Call details:
Participants should dial into the call 10 minutes before the scheduled time using the following numbers: 1 (866) 819-7111 (from the US), 0(800) 953-0329 (from the UK) or (+44) (0) 1452 542 301 (from outside the US). Please quote "Euroseas."
A replay of the conference call will be available until Wednesday, November 18, 2015. The United States replay number is 1(866) 247-4222; from the UK 0(800) 953-1533; the standard international replay number is (+44) (0) 1452 550 000 and the access code required for the replay is: 6973591#.
Audio Webcast - Slides Presentation:
There will be a live and then archived audio webcast of the conference call, via the internet through the Euroseas website (www.euroseas.gr). Participants to the live webcast should register on the website approximately 10 minutes prior to the start of the webcast.
The slide presentation on the third quarter ended September 30, 2015, will also be available in PDF format 10 minutes prior to the conference call and webcast, accessible on the company's website (www.euroseas.gr) on the webcast page. Participants to the webcast can download the PDF presentation.
About Euroseas Ltd.
Euroseas Ltd. was formed on May 5, 2005 under the laws of the Republic of the Marshall Islands to consolidate the ship owning interests of the Pittas family of Athens, Greece, which has been in the shipping business over the past 136 years. Euroseas trades on the NASDAQ Global Market under the ticker ESEA since January 31, 2007.
Euroseas operates in the dry cargo, drybulk and container shipping markets. Euroseas' operations are managed by Eurobulk Ltd., an ISO 9001:2008 certified affiliated ship management company which is responsible for the day-to-day commercial and technical management and operations of the vessels. Euroseas employs its vessels on spot and period charters and through pool arrangements.
The Company has a fleet of 14 vessels, including 4 Panamax drybulk carriers and 1 Handymax drybulk carrier, 2 Intermediate containership, 5 Handysize containerships, 2 Feeder containerships. Euroseas` 5 drybulk carriers have a total cargo capacity of 338,540 dwt, its 9 containerships have a cargo capacity of 15,359 teu. The Company has also signed contracts for the construction of two Ultramax (63,500 dwt) fuel efficient drybulk carriers and two Kamsarmax (82,000 dwt) fuel efficient drybulk carriers. Including the four new-buildings, the total cargo capacity of the Company's drybulk vessels will be 629,540 dwt.
Forward Looking Statement
This press release contains forward-looking statements (as defined in Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) concerning future events and the Company's growth strategy and measures to implement such strategy; including expected vessel acquisitions and entering into further time charters. Words such as "expects," "intends," "plans," "believes," "anticipates," "hopes," "estimates," and variations of such words and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, no assurance can be given that such expectations will prove to have been correct. These statements involve known and unknown risks and are based upon a number of assumptions and estimates that are inherently subject to significant uncertainties and contingencies, many of which are beyond the control of the Company. Actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include, but are not limited to changes in the demand for dry bulk vessels and container ships, competitive factors in the market in which the Company operates; risks associated with operations outside the United States; and other factors listed from time to time in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company expressly disclaims any obligations or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect any change in the Company's expectations with respect thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any statement is based.
Visit the Company's website www.euroseas.gr
Company Contact
Tasos Aslidis
Chief Financial Officer
Euroseas Ltd.
11 Canterbury Lane,
Watchung, NJ 07069
Tel. (908) 301-9091
E-mail: aha@euroseas.gr
Investor Relations / Financial Media
Nicolas Bornozis
President
Capital Link, Inc.
230 Park Avenue, Suite 1536
New York, NY 10169
Tel. (212) 661-7566
E-mail: euroseas@capitallink.com