Nordic American Tankers' 1Q2012 Report. Dividend Maintained in 1Q2012. The Company Announces Dividend for the 59th Consecutive Quarter since the Autumn of 1997.
Link to the complete 1Q12 dividend report:
http://hugin.info/201/R/1609298/511025.pdf
Hamilton, Bermuda, May 7, 2012
Nordic American Tankers Limited ("NAT" or "the Company") today announced that it
has declared a dividend of $0.30 per share for 1Q2012. Operating
cashflow[1](Â )(a non-GAAP measure) was $11.4m for 1Q2012 - a significant
improvement over 4Q2011. Â This means that more cash goes into the Company than
out of the Company. The dividend of $0.30 per share matches the dividend paid in
each of the past four quarters.
Over the last three quarters we have seen an improved tanker market. The fourth
quarter of 2011 was better than the third quarter of 2011, and the first quarter
of 2012 was better than the fourth quarter of 2011. At the time of this report
the suezmax tanker market has softened.
The Company is in a strong financial position and should be differentiated from
shipping companies with weak balance sheets. In the present environment, users
of vessels more and more focus on financial solidity. It is also essential for
major oil companies and for other of our customers to be assured that they have
the best possible quality of technical operations. This requires, in turn, that
shipping companies are in a solid financial position.
Therefore, NAT's strong financial position is a distinct competitive advantage.
In particular, NAT can afford to keep technical standards at the highest level
even in a weak earnings market.
The Company will pay the dividend on or about June 1, 2012 to shareholders of
record as of May 18, 2012. Starting in the fall of 1997, when NAT began its
operations, the Company has paid a quarterly dividend for 59 consecutive
quarters. Including the dividend payment in 2Q2012, the total dividend payments
over this period amount to $43.34 per share.
The Company closed a stock offering January 24, 2012, which strengthened our
capital base by $75.9 million. The Company's previous offering was in January
2010.  Growth is a central element of our strategy. It is essential that NAT
grow accretively, which means that over time our transportation capacity - the
number of vessels - increases more than our share count.
During the fourth quarter of 2010, our operating fleet stood at 15 vessels.
During the first quarter of 2012, the Company had 20 trading vessels following
the delivery to us of our second Samsung newbuilding in early November 2011. Our
increased fleet has substantially bolstered our earnings and dividend capacity
going forward.
ÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂ
Key points to consider:
* Earnings per share in 1Q2012 was -$0.18, compared with -$0.15 in 1Q2011 and
-$0.37 in 4Q2011.
* The Orion Pool has entered into a commercial framework agreement with a
subsidiary of ExxonMobil Corporation. The establishment of the Orion Pool
has resulted in important cost savings and a closer relationship with
customers.
* On January 24, 2012, the Company closed an offering of shares, strengthening
its capital with $75.9 million.
* Net voyage revenue per vessel per day achieved in the spot market in 1Q2012
was about $17,500, compared to $11,000 per vessel per day in 4Q2011. Certain
ships were outside the Orion Pool most of 1Q2012. Now all our vessels are in
the pool.
* We continue to focus on cost efficiency - both in the administration and
onboard our vessels.
* The Company does not engage in any type of derivatives.
* The conservative financial risk profile of NAT will continue.
* Economic development in Asia remains strong while Europe is down and the
growth in the US is still sluggish.
* "Financial Vetting" has become an increasingly relevant dimension in the
tanker industry, as focus is now also on the financial health of companies.
Financial Information
The Board has declared a dividend of $0.30 per share for 1Q2012 to shareholders
of record as of May 18, 2012 which is the same as for the last three quarters of
2011. As of the time of this report, the number of shares in NAT is
52,915,639. During 1Q2012 the average number of shares was 51,435,487.
Earnings per share in 1Q2012 were -$0.18 per share compared to -$0.37 per share
in 4Q2011. The Company's operating cash flow was $11.4m for 1Q2012, compared
with $0.0m for 4Q2011.
Cash earnings per share were $0.22 in 1Q2012, $0.0 in 4Q2011, -$0.13 in 3Q2011,
$0.15 in 2Q2011 and $0.22 in 1Q2011.
We continue to concentrate on keeping our vessel operating costs low, while
always maintaining our strong commitment to safe vessel operations. We pay
special attention to the cost synergies of operating a homogenous fleet that
consists only of double hull suezmax tankers. As we expand our fleet, we do not
anticipate our administrative costs to rise at the same rate as our expansion.
In a weak tanker market other tanker companies may have challenges in keeping up
technical standards as they cannot afford to spend the required funds for
operations and maintenance.
As a general guideline, we pay our dividend from cash on hand. Â NAT has a cash
break-even level of about $11,000 per day per vessel which we consider low in
the industry. The cash break-even rate is the amount of average daily revenue
our vessels would need to earn in the spot tanker market in order to cover our
vessel operating expenses, cash general and administrative expenses, interest
expense and other financial charges.
As a matter of policy, the Company continues to keep a strong balance sheet with
little net debt and a strong focus on limiting the Company's financial risk.
Link to the graph: http://hugin.info/201/R/1609298/511025.pdf
The Company is in a good position to take advantage of possible strong shipping
markets, which will quickly translate into increased dividend payouts. The table
indicates the annual dividend per share in different market scenarios, based on
a fleet of 23 vessels, an increase of 3 vessels from the present 20 vessels
fleet. It is for the board to decide the amount of dividend to be paid.
R.S. Platou Economic Research a.s. reports that during seven of the last 12
years, up to the end of 1Q2012, tanker rates have averaged about $40,000 per day
per vessel or more. This is reflected in the graph shown later in this report.
As a matter of policy the Company does not attempt to predict future spot rates.
The establishment of the Orion Pool has been successful and has resulted in a
closer relationship with customers and a stronger position in the market place.
Orion has recently concluded a commercial frame agreement with a subsidiary of
ExxonMobil Corporation that focuses on transportation of crude oil in the
Atlantic Basin but also in other places of the world. It is indeed positive to
conclude an important agreement of this nature, securing better access to
cargoes than otherwise would have been the case. The establishment of Orion has
produced administrative cost savings and improved penetration of the market.
Prices for second hand tankers have softened. Should this trend continue, we
will be in an excellent position to buy additional vessels at advantageous
prices when the time is right. Such acquisitions would increase the dividend
capacity of the Company. It is a prerequisite for any expansion of the fleet
that our dividend and earnings capacity per share increase.
Our primary objective is to enhance total return[2] for our shareholders,
including maximizing our quarterly dividend.
As of March 31, 2012, the Company has net debt of about $4.5m per vessel. In
addition, the Company has in place a revolving credit facility of $500m, of
which $250m has been drawn at this time. Cash on hand is about $111.0m.
The credit facility, which matures in September 2013, is not subject to
reduction by the lenders and there is no obligation to repay principal during
the term of the facility. The Company pays interest only on drawn amounts and a
commitment fee for undrawn amounts. Â Work has commenced to have the term of the
facility extended. We believe the Company is an attractive borrower in the eyes
of the banks.
The tightened terms of commercial bank financing and higher margins on shipping
loans are challenging for shipping companies that are highly leveraged. By
having little net debt, NAT is better positioned to navigate the financial seas,
and we believe this is in the best interests of our shareholders.
For further details on our financial position for 1Q2012, 4Q2011 and 1Q2011,
please see later in this release.
ÂÂ
The Fleet
The Company has a fleet of 20 vessels at the time of this report. Â By way of
comparison, in the autumn of 2004, the Company had three vessels; at the end of
2005 the Company had eight vessels; and at the end of 2006 the Company had 12
vessels. At the end of 2009 and 2010 we had 15 vessels in operation. Â Please see
the fleet list below. We expect that the expansion process will continue over
time and that more vessels will be added to our fleet. Our vessels are employed
in the spot market. The average age of our fleet is 10.6 years. Â The vessels are
in excellent technical conditions.
Vessel Dwt
Nordic Harrier 151,475
Nordic Hawk 151,475
Nordic Hunter 151,400
Nordic Voyager 149,591
Nordic Fighter 153,328
Nordic Freedom 163,455
Nordic Discovery 153,328
Nordic Saturn 157,332
Nordic Jupiter 157,411
Nordic Cosmos 159,998
Nordic Moon 159,999
Nordic Apollo 159,999
Nordic Sprite 147,188
Nordic Grace 149,921
Nordic Mistral 164,236
Nordic Passat 164,274
Nordic Vega 163,000
Nordic Breeze 158,597
Nordic Aurora 147,262
Nordic Zenith 158,645
Total dwt 3,121,914
The Nordic Harrier (previously named Gulf Scandic) was redelivered to us in
October 2010 from its charterer, and went directly into drydock for repairs. The
ship had been operated by the charterers since the autumn of 2004. The drydock
period lasted until the end of April 2011. Thereafter, the vessel began trading
in the spot tanker market. The vessel had not been technically operated
according to sound maintenance practices by the charterer, and its condition on
redelivery to us was far below the contractual obligations. Therefore, NAT has a
claim against the charterer for drydocking and other costs that the charterer is
obligated to cover under the bareboat charter. We have not been able to reach an
agreement with Gulf Navigation and the matter is now in arbitration.
We continue to keep the highest technical quality of our fleet. Total off hire
(out of service) for 1Q2012 was 82 days for our fleet of which 59 days were
planned off hire.
World Economy and the Tanker Market
The outlook for the world economy is uncertain. Seaborne imports of crude oil
into the US have not increased over the recent past. Unemployment is a worry in
the US but there are positive signs. The European economies are struggling with
special problems in the banking sector. Several countries are also burdened with
debt. The economies of the Far East generally show continuing growth and are
playing a key role in the development of the world economy. Chinese crude oil
imports increased 6% in 2011 compared with 2010. At the current pace, annual
crude imports into China will total a new record high in 2012. Tanker market
rates are also affected by newbuildings that enter the markets, increasing the
supply of vessels. As a matter of policy the Company does not attempt to predict
future spot rates.
In a low spot market, vessels may wait to get a cargo, while in a more robust
market environment waiting days are minimized.
In a weak tanker market the speed of our vessels is much lower on the ballast
voyages than in a stronger market. To save bunkers some vessels go as low as
about 8 knots in ballast depending upon the technical features of the vessels.
We have installed fuel saving equipment on our vessels.
Link to the graph: http://hugin.info/201/R/1609298/511025.pdf
The graph above shows the average yearly spot rates since 2000 as reported by
R.S. Platou Economic Research a.s. The daily rates as reported by shipbrokers
and by Imarex may vary significantly from the actual rates we achieve in the
market, but these rates are in general an indication of the level of the market
and its direction. In any analysis of the tanker industry, the direction of the
global economy is always the biggest imponderable.
Corporate Governance/Conflict of Interests
In the fall of 2010 the New York Stock Exchange Commission presented its final
report on corporate governance. The Commission achieved consensus on 10 core
principles. These principles include a) building long-term sustainable growth in
shareholder value for the corporation as the board's fundamental objective, b)
the critical role of management in establishing proper corporate governance, c)
good corporate governance should be integrated with the company's business
strategy and objectives and d) transparency for corporations and investors,
sound disclosure policies and communication beyond disclosure. We believe the
principles presented are essential elements of good corporate governance and the
Company is in compliance with these principles.
It is vital for NAT to ensure that there is no conflict of interests among
shareholders, management, affiliates and related parties. Interests must be
aligned. We will work to ensure that transactions with affiliates and/or
related parties are transparent.
Strategy going forward
Our objective is to have a strategy that is flexible and has benefits in both a
strong tanker market and a weak one. Â If the market improves, higher earnings
and dividends can be expected.  However, if rates remain low, the Company is in
a position to buy vessels inexpensively by historical standards. Therefore, the
Company is able to improve its relative position in a weak market and is able to
reap the benefits of a stronger environment thereafter.
After an acquisition of vessels or other forms of expansion, the Company should
be able to pay a higher dividend per share and produce higher earnings per share
than had such an acquisition not taken place.
Our full dividend payout policy will continue to enable us to achieve a
competitive, risk adjusted cash yield over time compared with that of other
tanker companies.
NAT is firmly committed to protecting its underlying earnings and dividend
potential.
Our Company is well positioned in this marketplace. We shall endeavor to
safeguard and further strengthen this position for our shareholders in a
deliberate, predictable and transparent way.
We encourage investors who seek exposure to the tanker sector and who
value dividends to review our Company and its performance.
* * * * *
Link to the graph: http://hugin.info/201/R/1609298/511025.pdf
[1] Operating cash flow (a non-GAAP measure) represents income from vessel
operations before depreciation and non-cash administrative charges. For further
information, please see reconciliation on page 9.
[2] Total Return is defined as stock price plus dividends, assuming dividends
are reinvested in the stock
CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Matters discussed in this press release may constitute forward-looking
statements. Â The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides safe
harbor protections for forward-looking statements in order to encourage
companies to provide prospective information about their business. Â Forward-
looking statements include statements concerning plans, objectives, goals,
strategies, future events or performance, and underlying assumptions and other
statements, which are other than statements of historical facts.
The Company desires to take advantage of the safe harbor provisions of the
Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and is including this
cautionary statement in connection with this safe harbor legislation. The words
"believe," "anticipate," "intend," "estimate," "forecast," "project," "plan,"
"potential," "may," "should," "expect," "pending" and similar expressions
identify forward-looking statements.
The forward-looking statements in this press release are based upon various
assumptions, many of which are based, in turn, upon further assumptions,
including without limitation, our management's examination of historical
operating trends, data contained in our records and other data available from
third parties. Â Although we believe that these assumptions were reasonable when
made, because these assumptions are inherently subject to significant
uncertainties and contingencies which are difficult or impossible to predict and
are beyond our control, we cannot assure you that we will achieve or accomplish
these expectations, beliefs or projections. Â We undertake no obligation to
update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information,
future events or otherwise.
Important factors that, in our view, could cause actual results to differ
materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements include the
strength of world economies and currencies, general market conditions, including
fluctuations in charter 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 our operating expenses, including
bunker prices, drydocking and insurance costs, the market for our vessels,
availability of financing and refinancing, 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, vessels breakdowns and instances of off-hire, failure on the
part of a seller to complete a sale to us and other important factors described
from time to time in the reports filed by the Company with the Securities and
Exchange Commission, including the prospectus and related prospectus supplement,
our Annual Report on Form 20-F, and our Reports on Form 6-K.
Contacts:
Scandic American Shipping Ltd
Manager for:
Nordic American Tankers Limited
P.O Box 56, 3201 Sandefjord, Norway
Tel: + 47 33 42 73 00 E-mail: Â nat@scandicamerican.com
Rolf Amundsen, Head of Investor Relations, Norway
Nordic American Tankers Limited
Tel: +1 800 601 9079 or + 47 908 26 906
Jacob Ellefsen, Head of Research, United Kingdom
Nordic American Tankers Limited
Tel: + 44 20 31 78 58 20Â Â or + 44 78 27 92 94 11
Gary J. Wolfe
Seward & Kissel LLP, New York, USA
Tel: +1 212 574 1223
Herbjørn Hansson, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
Nordic American Tankers Limited
Tel:Â +1 866 805 9504 or + 47 901 46Â 291
1st Quarter 2012 Results :
http://hugin.info/201/R/1609298/511025.pdf
This announcement is distributed by Thomson Reuters on behalf of
Thomson Reuters clients. The owner of this announcement warrants that:
(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: Nordic American Tankers Limited via Thomson Reuters ONE
[HUG#1609298]