FRO - Preliminary Fourth Quarter and Financial Year 2011 Results
(Thomson Reuters ONE) -
Highlights
· Frontline reports a net loss attributable to the Company of $343.7
million and a loss per share of $4.41 for the fourth quarter of 2011.
· Frontline reports a net loss attributable to the Company of $529.6
million and a loss per share of $6.80 for the year ended December 31, 2011.
· Frontline reports a net loss attributable to the Company excluding
losses and gains on sale of assets, amortization of deferred gains and vessel
impairment loss of $30.8 million in the fourth quarter of 2011 and $100.3
million in 2011 full year.
· Frontline successfully completed a restructuring of its business by
selling certain assets to a newly incorporated company in which Frontline took a
8.8 percent interest, reduced breakeven rates, the elimination of all bank debt
and financial covenants and reduced newbuilding commitments.
· Frontline entered into an agreement with Nordic American Tankers
Limited to commercially combine their Suezmax vessels in the Orion Pool.
· Frontline terminated the long term charter party with Ship Finance
International Limited for the OBO carrier Front Striver.
· Frontline sold four double hull Suezmax tankers; Front Hunter, Front
Fighter, Front Delta and Front Beta. All vessels were built in the period
1992-1996.
· Frontline redelivered three VLCCs and one Suezmax tanker from time
charters.
· Frontline will not pay a dividend for the fourth quarter of 2011.
Preliminary Fourth Quarter and Financial Year 2011 Results
The Board of Frontline Ltd. (the "Company" or "Frontline") announces a net loss
attributable to the Company of $343.7 million for the fourth quarter of 2011,
equivalent to a loss per share of $4.41, compared with a net loss attributable
to the Company of $166.2 million, equivalent to a loss per share of $2.13, for
the preceding quarter. The net loss attributable to the Company in the fourth
quarter includes a loss on sale of assets and amortization of deferred gains of
$312.9 million, which includes a loss of $307.0 million on the sale of ten
vessels and five newbuilding contracts at fair market value to Frontline 2012
Ltd. ("Frontline 2012"), a loss of $9.3 million on the termination of the long
term charter party for Front Striver and deferred gains of $1.8 million and $2.0
million relating to the sales and leasebacks of Front Eagle and Front Shanghai,
respectively. The net loss attributable to the Company in the third quarter
includes a gain on sale of assets and amortization of deferred gains of $3.8
million, which comprises the amortization of deferred gains of $1.8 million and
$2.0 million relating to the sales and leasebacks of Front Eagle and Front
Shanghai, respectively. The net loss attributable to the Company in the third
quarter also includes a vessel impairment loss of $121.4 million relating to
five Suezmax vessels built between 1992 and 1996. Net loss attributable to the
Company excluding losses and gains on sale of assets, amortization of deferred
gains and vessel impairment loss was $30.8 million and $100.3 million in the
fourth quarter and 2011 full year, respectively.
The average daily time charter equivalents ("TCEs") earned in the spot and
period market in the fourth quarter by the Company's VLCCs, Suezmax tankers and
Suezmax OBO carriers were $19,100, $13,900 and $41,600, respectively, compared
with $17,000, $9,500 and $38,200, respectively, in the preceding quarter. The
spot earnings for the Company's double hull VLCCs and Suezmax vessels were
$16,800 and $12,400, respectively, in the fourth quarter compared with $12,600
and $7,800, respectively, in the preceding quarter. The Gemini Suezmax pool had
spot earnings of $12,000 in the fourth quarter compared with $7,600 in the
preceding quarter. The Company's double hull VLCCs excluding the spot index time
charter vessels had spot earnings of $18,400 in the fourth quarter compared with
$14,600 in the third quarter.
Profit share in the fourth quarter related to the profit sharing agreement with
Ship Finance International Limited ("Ship Finance") was income of $0.3 million
compared to income of $1.6 million in the preceding quarter. The profit share
expense is calculated on a year-to-date basis and the poor spot market in the
third and fourth quarters resulted in a claw back in those quarters.
Ship operating expenses decreased by $6.3 million compared with the preceding
quarter primarily as a result of a decrease in drydocking costs of $0.9 million,
a decrease in running costs mainly due to recent sales and lease terminations
and an increase in expected volume rebates.
Charter hire expenses decreased by $2.0 million in the fourth quarter compared
with the preceding quarter primarily as a result of vessel redeliveries in the
fourth quarter and a decrease in the provision for loss making voyages.
Interest expense, net of capitalized interest, was $37.2 million in the fourth
quarter of which $6.0 million relates to the Company's subsidiary Independent
Tankers Corporation Limited ("ITCL").
Frontline announces a net loss attributable to the Company of $529.6 million for
the year ended December 31, 2011, equivalent to a loss per share of $6.80. The
average daily TCEs earned in the spot and period market in the year ended
December 31, 2011 by the Company's VLCCs, Suezmax tankers and Suezmax OBO
carriers were $22,800, $14,100 and $36,700, respectively, compared with $35,900,
$25,800 and $47,400, respectively, in the year ended December 31, 2010. The spot
earnings for the Company's double hull VLCCs and Suezmax vessels were $20,200
and $12,600, respectively, in the year ended December 31, 2011. The Gemini
Suezmax pool had spot earnings of $13,600 and the Company's double hull VLCCs
excluding the spot index time charter vessels had spot earnings of $21,800 in
the year ended December 31, 2011.
As of December 31, 2011, the Company had total cash and cash equivalents of
$160.6 million and restricted cash of $100.6 million. Restricted cash includes
$99.3 million relating to deposits in ITCL.
The Company estimates average total cash cost breakeven rates for 2012 on a TCE
basis for VLCCs and Suezmax tankers of approximately $23,900 and $16,400,
respectively.
Restructuring
The Company successfully completed a restructuring of its business in December
2011. The restructuring included the sale of five VLCC newbuilding contracts,
six modern VLCCs, including one on time charter, and four modern Suezmax tankers
to Frontline 2012 Ltd. ("Frontline 2012") at fair market value of $1,120.7
million. In addition, Frontline 2012 assumed $666.3 million in bank debt
attached to the vessels and newbuilding contracts and $325.5 million in
remaining newbuilding commitments. The sale of these assets resulted in a loss
of $307.0 million, which was recorded in the
fourth quarter. The Company will receive payment for the working capital related
to the assets sold in the amount of $10.5 million.
On December 16, 2011, Frontline 2012 completed a private placement of
100,000,000 new ordinary shares of $2.00 par value at a subscription price of
$2.85, raising $285.0 million in gross proceeds, subject to certain closing
conditions. These conditions were subsequently fulfilled and Frontline 2012 was
registered on the NOTC list in Oslo on December 30, 2011. The Company was
allocated 8,771,000 shares, representing approximately 8.8 percent of the share
capital of Frontline 2012.
Following the restructuring, the Company's sailing fleet, excluding the non
recourse subsidiary ITCL, was reduced from 50 units to 40 units. In addition,
newbuilding commitments were reduced from $437.9 million to $112.4 million
relating to two Suezmax tanker newbuilding contracts. Bank debt was eliminated
following a prepayment of $13 million associated with a vessel which was not
part of the transaction with Frontline 2012, and the prepayment of ITCL's $33.0
million bank loan. The Company generated net cash proceeds of $64 million from
the transaction with Frontline 2012.
As part of the restructuring, Frontline has obtained agreements with its major
counterparts whereby the gross charter payment commitment under existing
chartering arrangements is reduced by approximately $320 million in the period
2012-2015. Frontline will compensate the counterparties with 100 percent of any
difference between the renegotiated rates and the actual market rate up to the
original contract rates. Some of the counterparties will receive some additional
compensation for earnings achieved above original contract rates.
Fleet Development
In October 2011, the Company agreed with Ship Finance to terminate the long term
charter party for the OBO carrier Front Striver and Ship Finance simultaneously
sold the vessel. The charter party terminated on October 27 and Frontline agreed
a compensation payment to Ship Finance of $8.1 million for the early termination
of the charter. The transaction reduced the Company's obligations under capital
leases by approximately $10.7 million and the Company recorded a loss of $9.3
million in the fourth quarter.
In the period October to December 2011, Frontline sold the four double hull
Suezmax tankers Front Fighter, Front Hunter, Front Delta and Front Beta. All
vessels were built in the period 1992-1996. Delivery to new owners took place
during the fourth quarter. The sales resulted in a net cash outflow of
approximately $5.0 million after repayment of bank debt, and the Company
recorded a vessel impairment loss of $121.4 million in the third quarter for
these vessels plus another double hull Suezmax tanker.
In December 2011, the Company left the Gemini Pool and established the Orion
Tankers pool with Nordic American Tankers Limited. This Suezmax pool currently
has 29 double hull Suezmax vessels and will bring the Company closer to the
commercial operations and will not result in any disruption.
The Company redelivered the Suezmax tanker Front Warrior on December 12, 2011 at
which time the Orion Pool took over its commercial management. The Company
redelivered the VLCCs Front Commander, Front Chief and Front Crown on December
11, 2011, December 28, 2011 and January 11, 2012, respectively, at which times
the Company took over commercial management of the vessels. All of these vessels
had been on time charter in to the Company under operating leases.
Newbuilding Program
As of December 31, 2011, and following the restructuring described above, the
Company's newbuilding program comprised two Suezmax tankers, which constitute a
contractual cost of $124.9 million. Installments of $12.5 million have been made
on the newbuildings and the remaining installments to be paid as of December
31, 2011, amount to $112.4 million, with expected payments of $25.0 million in
2012 and $87.4 million in 2013.
Corporate
The Board of Directors has decided not to declare a dividend for the fourth
quarter of 2011.
77,858,502 ordinary shares were outstanding as of December 31, 2011, and the
weighted average number of shares outstanding for the quarter was 77,858,502.
The Market
The market rate for a VLCC trading on a standard 'TD3' voyage between the
Arabian Gulf and Japan in the fourth quarter of 2011 was WS 54, representing an
increase of approximately WS 7.5 points from the third quarter of 2011 and a
decrease of approximately WS 4 points from the fourth quarter of 2010. Present
market indications are approximately $16,000/day in the first quarter of 2012.
The market rate for a Suezmax trading on a standard 'TD5' voyage between West
Africa and Philadelphia in the fourth quarter of 2011 was WS 83.5, representing
an increase of approximately WS 13 points from the third quarter of 2011 and a
decrease of approximately WS 10 points from the fourth quarter of 2010. Present
market indications are approximately $21,000/day in the first quarter of 2012.
Bunkers at Fujairah averaged $672/mt in the fourth quarter of 2011 compared to
$664/mt in the third quarter of 2011; an increase of approximately $9/mt. Bunker
prices varied between a low of $629/mt at the beginning of October and a high of
$711/mt in mid November. On February 15, 2012, the quoted bunker price in
Fujairah was 727/mt.
Philadelphia bunkers averaged $665/mt in the fourth quarter, which was a
decrease of $10/mt from the third quarter of 2011. Bunker prices varied between
a low of $632/mt mid December and a high of $698/mt on the 11th of November. On
February 15, 2012, the quoted bunker price in Philadelphia was 735/mt.
The International Energy Agency's ("IEA") February 2012 report stated an average
OPEC oil production, including Iraq, of 30.51 million barrels per day (mb/d)
during the fourth quarter of the year. This was an increase of 580,000 barrels
per day compared to the third quarter of 2011 and an increase of 1.0 mb/d
compared to the fourth quarter of 2010.
IEA further estimates that world oil demand averaged 89.82 mb/d in the fourth
quarter of 2011, which is an increase of 270 kb/d from previous quarter, and
approximately the same level as the fourth quarter of 2010. Additionally, the
IEA estimates that world oil demand will average approximately 89.9 mb/d in
2012, representing an increase of 0.9 percent or approximately 820 kb/d from
2011.
The VLCC fleet totalled 594 vessels at the end of the fourth quarter of 2011, up
from 584 vessels at the end of the previous quarter. 11 VLCCs were delivered
during the quarter whilst one was deleted. The order book counted 123 vessels at
the end of the fourth quarter, down from 131 orders from the previous quarter.
Three new orders were placed during the quarter, and the current order book
represents about 21 percent of the VLCC fleet. According to Fearnleys the single
hull fleet stands at 30 vessels.
The Suezmax fleet totalled 446 vessels at the end of the fourth quarter, up from
441 vessels at the end of the previous quarter. Six vessels were delivered
during the quarter whilst one was deleted. The order book counted 114 vessels at
the end of the quarter, down from 120 vessels at the end of the previous
quarter. No new orders were placed during the quarter and the current order book
now represents 26 percent of the total fleet. According to Fearnleys the single
hull fleet now stands at 12 vessels.
Strategy and Outlook
Following the restructuring completed in December 2011, the cash break even
rates for the Company have been substantially reduced. Furthermore, cash at hand
increased by $64 million. Based on current forward rates Frontline should have
significant strength to honor its obligations and meet the challenges created by
the current very weak tanker market the next couple of years. Through the sale
of a limited number of its assets, Frontline has avoided a heavy dilutive new
equity offering and will thereby keep significant upside for the existing
Frontline equity holders if the market recovers in the coming years.
Frontline will remain cautious and focus its resources on the present activities
until a clearer sign of recovery can be seen in the tanker market.
Forward Looking Statements
This press release contains forward looking statements. These statements are
based upon various assumptions, many of which are based, in turn, upon further
assumptions, including Frontline management's examination of historical
operating trends. Although Frontline believes that these assumptions were
reasonable when made, because assumptions are inherently subject to significant
uncertainties and contingencies which are difficult or impossible to predict and
are beyond its control, Frontline cannot give assurance that it will achieve or
accomplish these expectations, beliefs or intentions.
Important factors that, in the Company's view, could cause actual results to
differ materially from those discussed in this press release include the
strength of world economies and currencies, general market conditions including
fluctuations in charter hire rates and vessel values, changes in demand in the
tanker market as a result of changes in OPEC's petroleum production levels and
world wide oil consumption and storage, changes in the Company's operating
expenses including bunker prices, dry-docking and insurance costs, changes in
governmental rules and regulations or actions taken by regulatory authorities,
potential liability from pending or future litigation, general domestic and
international political conditions, potential disruption of shipping routes due
to accidents or political events, and other important factors described from
time to time in the reports filed by the Company with the United States
Securities and Exchange Commission.
The full report is available for download in the link enclosed
The Board of Directors
Frontline Ltd.
Hamilton, Bermuda
February 16, 2012
Questions should be directed to:
Jens Martin Jensen: Chief Executive Officer, Frontline Management AS
+47 23 11 40 99
Inger M. Klemp: Chief Financial Officer, Frontline Management AS
+47 23 11 40 76
4th Quarter 2011 Results:
http://hugin.info/182/R/1586979/497715.pdf
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(i) the releases contained herein are protected by copyright and
other applicable laws; and
(ii) they are solely responsible for the content, accuracy and
originality of the information contained therein.
Source: Frontline Ltd. via Thomson Reuters ONE
[HUG#1586979]
Unternehmensinformation / Kurzprofil:
Datum: 17.02.2012 - 08:15 Uhr
Sprache: Deutsch
News-ID 115920
Anzahl Zeichen: 19516
contact information:
Town:
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Kategorie:
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