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Independent Tankers posts third quarter of 2009 and nine months results

Shipping News | November 28, 2009 | View Comments
  • Independent Tankers Corporation Limited (the “Company” or “Independent Tankers”) was incorporated in Bermuda on January 18, 2008 and the shares have traded on the Norwegian over-the-counter market since March 7, 2008. Independent Tankers’ business is mainly concentrated on the ownership
    and operation of crude oil tankers on long term bareboat contracts,

    which include certain cancellation options to major oil companies.
    Independent Tankers owns or leases in six VLCCs and four Suezmax
    tankers. All vessels are financed through bonds in the US market and
    some of the vessels are also subject to financial lease arrangements.
    The main shareholder is Frontline Ltd. (“Frontline”) with an ownership
    of approximately 83 percent.

    Third Quarter and Nine Month Results 2009

    The Board of Independent Tankers announces net income of $4.3 million,
    equivalent to earnings per share of $0.06, for the third quarter of
    2009. This compares with net income of $3.2 million, equivalent to
    earnings per share of $0.04, for the second quarter of 2009. The main
    reasons for this increase are a reduction in depreciation expense of
    $0.5 million following the upward revision of the estimated residual
    values of the six VLCCs and foreign exchange movements.

    The average daily bareboat rates earned in the third quarter by the
    Company’s VLCCs and the Suezmax tanker Front Voyager were approximately
    $25,100 and $7,800, respectively, compared with approximately $25,400
    and $7,900, respectively, in the preceding quarter. The decrease is
    explained by fluctuations in days between the quarters. Net interest
    expense was $5.5 million (second quarter 2009: $5.3 million). At
    September 30, 2009, all of the Company’s bond debt of $325.8 million is
    at fixed interest rates ranging from 6.68% to 8.52%. The Company has
    reclassified some of its restricted cash balances to long-term. These
    balances relate to the restricted cash that are segregated for the
    settlement of long-term lease obligations. The amount reclassified as
    of September 30, 2008 to conform to the current year presentation was
    $226.9 million. For the nine months ended September 30, 2009 the
    Company announces net income of $11.4 million, equivalent to earnings
    per share of $0.15 (2008 comparable nine months $10.0 million,
    equivalent to earnings per share of $0.13). Net interest expense was
    $16.0 million (2008 comparable nine months: $16.7 million). In November
    2009, the Company has an average cash breakeven rate for its VLCCs and
    Suezmax tanker of approximately $19,100 and $4,200 per vessel per day,
    respectively.

    Charter Development

    The VLCC British Pioneer is currently on a market related charter to BP
    Shipping Limited (”BP”) under which the Company’s ship owning
    subsidiary receives the greater of $20,000 per day or a spot market
    rate. The market related rate, while calculated quarterly, is
    cumulative on a four year basis or shorter if BP terminates the charter
    earlier. The Company has not accrued any market related hire as of
    September 30, 2009.

    Other Matters

    In September 2009, Dresdner Kleinwort Leasing gave notice of
    termination for the UK tax lease for the VLCC British Progress. The
    leasing agreement will be terminated effective January 15, 2010. At
    September 30, 2009 the obligation under the lease was $69.9 million and
    the termination will be cash neutral for the Company. The Company will
    acquire the vessel concurrent with the lease termination and the
    existing bareboat to BP will remain in place. 74,825,166 ordinary
    shares were outstanding as of September 30, 2009, and the weighted
    average number of shares outstanding for the quarter was also
    74,825,166.

    The Market

    The average market rate for VLCCs from MEG to Japan in the third
    quarter of 2009 was approximately WS 36 or $15,600/day. The second
    quarter returned $20,600/day at the same WS rate, albeit with an $80/mt
    lower fuel price. The average rate for Suezmaxes from WAF to USAC in
    the third quarter of 2009 was approximately WS 52.5 or $13,700 per day
    compared to approximately WS 59 or $20,000 per day in the second
    quarter of 2009. Bunkers at Fujairah averaged approximately $426/mt in
    the third quarter compared to $345/mt in the second quarter of 2009,
    with a high of $459/mt at the end of August and a low of $378/mt in the
    middle of July. On November 25, 2009 the quoted bunkers price in
    Fujairah was $460/mt. The International Energy Agency (“IEA”) reported
    in November 2009 an average OPEC oil production, including Iraq, of
    28.8 million barrels per day during the third quarter of the year – an
    increase of 320.000 barrels per day compared to the second quarter of
    2009. At the last OPEC conference on September 10 it was agreed to keep
    the current production levels unchanged. The next OPEC meeting is
    scheduled to take place on December 22, 2009. IEA further estimates
    that world oil demand averaged 85.1 million barrels per day in the
    third quarter of 2009, an increase of approximately 0.9 million barrels
    per day compared to the second quarter of the year. IEA predicts that
    the average demand for 2009 in total will be 84.8 million barrels per
    day, a 1.7 percent decline from 2008. Additionally, the IEA estimates
    that the demand will increase by 1.7 percent in 2010 to 86.2 million
    barrels per day. The VLCC fleet totalled 524 vessels at the end of the
    third quarter with nine deliveries during the quarter. Throughout 2009
    it is estimated that 61 deliveries will take place including 48 made so
    far. The orderbook counted 188 vessels at the end of the third quarter,
    down from 197 vessels after the second quarter of 2009. A new order for
    12 VLCCs was reported during the quarter, however this is not yet
    confirmed. The current orderbook represents approximately 35 percent of
    the VLCC fleet. During the quarter, there were two deletions from the
    trading fleet with five being sold for demolition and six for
    conversion purposes. According to Fearnleys, the single hull fleet now
    stands at 89 vessels. The Suezmax fleet totalled 381 vessels at the end
    of the quarter, with 11 deliveries taking place during the quarter.
    Throughout 2009 it is estimated that 57 deliveries will take place
    including 38 made so far. The orderbook counted 127 vessels at the end
    of the quarter, down from 138 vessels at the end of the second quarter
    and now represents 32 percent of the total fleet. During the quarter,
    there were two deletions from the trading fleet. According to
    Fearnleys, the single hull fleet stands at 33 vessels at the end of the
    quarter.

    Strategy and Outlook

    The Company’s strategy is mainly concentrated around long term charters
    to reputable companies and for the time being BP, Chevron and
    Frontline. The Company’s charter coverage for its six double hull VLCCs
    is 100 percent for the rest of 2009, 99 percent in 2010 and 24 percent
    in 2011, if the charterers are not extended. For the one single hull
    and three double hull Suezmax tankers, the charter coverage is 100
    percent for the rest of 2009 and 81 percent in 2010. We are slowly
    building up our cash position at a comfortable pace from the Company’s
    long term charters. The long term focus is on restructuring the bond
    debt and UK leasing arrangements within the Company.

    The Company has low cash breakeven rates and the vessels are financed
    through the US bond market with maturity from 2015 to 2021. The
    combination of fixed bareboat charters and floating market rates for
    the six VLCCs in the years ahead and the fact that all the vessels are
    financed creates a solid platform for the Company going forward.

    Source: Independent Tankers Corporation Limited

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