STEALTHGAS INC. Reports Second Quarter and Six Months 2019 Financial and Operating Results


ATHENS, Greece, Aug. 22, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- STEALTHGAS INC. (NASDAQ: GASS), a ship-owning company primarily serving the liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) sector of the international shipping industry, announced today its unaudited financial and operating results for the second quarter and six months ended June 30, 2019.

OPERATIONAL AND FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

  • Operational utilization of 95.3% in Q2 ’19 (97.8% in Q2 ’18)  mainly due to softer conditions prevailing in Asia.
  • About 79% of fleet days secured on period charters for the remainder of 2019, with total fleet employment days for all subsequent periods representing approximately $115.0 million in contracted revenues.
  • Entrance into a new LPG sub segment through the acquisition of a secondhand (2007 built) 38,000 cbm fully refrigerated vessel. This vessel was acquired with our JV partner.
  • Entrance into a second new LPG sub segment, through an acquisition - from a third party -  of an 11,000 cbm pressurized newbuilding LPG vessel with delivery in 2021. This vessel is under construction in Japan.
  • Revenues of $34.1 million in Q2 ’19, a decrease of $9.3 million compared to Q2 ’18 following our strategic decision to divest mostly older LPG vessels that led to the net reduction of our average owned fleet by ten vessels.
  • Adjusted EBITDA of $14.9 million in Q2 ’19, compared to $20.0 million in Q2 ’18, due to fewer vessels and reduced spot market revenues.
  • Low gearing, as debt to assets stands at about 39.9% reflecting our sharp repayment schedule.
  • Cash on hand of $65.8 million, an increase of $1.3 million compared to December 31, 2018.
  • Repurchase of 170,914 GASS shares to date, for aggregate consideration of $600,573.       

Second Quarter 2019 Results:

  • Revenues for the three months ended June 30, 2019 amounted to $34.1 million, a decrease of $9.3 million, or 21.4%, compared to revenues of $43.4 million for the three months ended June 30, 2018, mainly as a result of the strategic reduction of our owned fleet by ten vessels, one less charter-in vessel and reduced revenue as a result of the weak Asian spot market. Our owned fleet reduction also includes the sale of a 49.9% interest in four of our vessel-owning companies to a third party investor, the results of which are no longer consolidated in our financial results with only the related profit share being reflected.
  • Voyage expenses and vessels’ operating expenses for the three months ended June 30, 2019 were $4.1 million and $11.8 million respectively, compared to $4.3 million and $14.9 million respectively, for the three months ended June 30, 2018. The $0.2 million decrease in voyage expenses was mainly attributed to a 5.1% quarter on quarter reduction of spot days. The 20.8% decrease in vessels’ operating expenses compared to the same period of 2018, is mainly attributed to the net reduction of our owned fleet by ten vessels and the receipt of an insurance payment which improved our operating cost base.
  • Drydocking costs for the three months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018 were nil and $0.7 million, respectively. No drydocking was completed during the second quarter of 2019, while in the same period of 2018 the Company completed the drydocking of two LPG vessels.
  • Depreciation for the three months ended June 30, 2019 was $9.5 million, a $1.0 million decrease from $10.5 million for the same period of last year due to the decrease of the average number of our vessels.
  • Interest and finance costs for the three months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018 were $5.4 million and $6.0 million, respectively. The $0.6 million decrease from the same period of last year is mostly due to the decrease of our leverage.
  • As a result of the above, for the three months ended June 30, 2019, the Company reported a net loss of $0.2 million, compared to a net loss of $0.4 million for the three months ended June 30, 2018. The weighted average number of shares for the three months ended June 30, 2019 and June 30, 2018 was 39.8 million and 39.9 million, respectively. Loss per share, basic and diluted, for the three months ended June 30, 2019 amounted to $0.00 compared to loss per share of $0.01 for the same period of last year.
  • Adjusted net income was $0.2 million or $0.01 earnings per share for the three months ended June 30, 2019 compared to adjusted net income of $3.6 million or $0.09 earnings per share for the same period of last year.
  • EBITDA for the three months ended June 30, 2019 amounted to $14.6 million. Reconciliations of Adjusted Net Income, EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA to Net Loss are set forth below.
  • An average of 42.0 vessels were owned by the Company during the three months ended June 30, 2019, compared to 52.2 vessels for the same period of 2018.

Six Months 2019 Results:

  • Revenues for the six months ended June 30, 2019, amounted to $72.5 million, a decrease of $10.6 million, or 12.8%, compared to revenues of $83.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2018, primarily due to the strategic decision to sell mostly older small LPG vessels for further trading and the sale of a 49.9% interest in four of our vessel-owning companies to a third party investor, the results of which are no longer consolidated in our financial results with only the related profit share being reflected.
  • Voyage expenses and vessels’ operating expenses for the six months ended June 30, 2019 were $7.9 million and $24.7 million, respectively, compared to $9.9 million and $30.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2018. The $2.0 million decrease in voyage expenses was mainly due to the 26.7% (or 484 days) reduction of spot days. The $5.6 million decrease in vessels’ operating expenses, is due to the net reduction of the average number of vessels in our owned fleet by 8.3 vessels and the expiration of one bareboat charter-in contract.
  • Drydocking costs for the six months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018 were $0.2 million and $2.2 million, respectively. The costs for the six months ended June 30, 2019 mainly related to the survey of one small LPG vessel, while the costs for the same period of last year related to the drydocking of 5 vessels.
  • Depreciation for the six months ended June 30, 2019, was $18.9 million, a $2.1 million decrease from $21.0 million for the same period of last year, due to the net reduction of the average number of vessels in our owned fleet.
  •  Interest and finance costs for the six months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018 were $11.4 million and $11.2 million, respectively. The $0.2 million increase from the same period of last year, in spite of the decrease of our leverage, is mostly due to the increase of LIBOR rates.
  • As a result of the above, the Company reported net income for the six months ended June 30, 2019 of $1.8 million, compared to a net loss of $6.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2018. The average number of shares outstanding for the six months ended June 30, 2019 and June 30, 2018 was 39.9 million. Earnings per share for the six months ended June 30, 2019 amounted to $0.04 compared to loss per share of $0.15 for the same period of last year.
  • Adjusted net income was $2.3 million, or $0.06 per share, for the six months ended June 30, 2019 compared to adjusted net income of $1.6 million, or $0.04 per share, for the same period of last year.
  • EBITDA for the six months ended June 30, 2019 amounted to $31.7 million. Reconciliations of Adjusted Net Income, EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA to Net Income are set forth below. An average of 43.7 vessels were owned by the Company during the six months ended June 30, 2019, compared to 52.0 vessels for the same period of 2018.
  • As of June 30, 2019, cash and cash equivalents amounted to $65.8 million and total debt amounted to $392.0 million. During the six months ended June 30, 2019 debt repayments amounted to $49.0 million.

Fleet Update Since Previous Announcement

The Company announced the conclusion of the following chartering arrangements:  

  • A two year time charter for its 2006 built LPG carrier, the Gas Alice, to an international oil company up until August 2021.
  • A one year time charter for its 2008 built product tanker, the Clean Thrasher, to an international trading house up until June 2020.
  • A six months’ time charter for its 2001 built charter- in  LPG carrier, the Gas Cathar, to an international LPG trader until January 2020.
  • A six months’ time charter for its 2018  built LPG carrier, the Eco Freeze, to an international LPG trader until December 2019.
  • A six months’ time charter for its 2015 built LPG carrier, the Eco Universe, to an oil major until February 2020.
  • A three months’ time charter for its 2015  built LPG carrier, the Eco Enigma, to an international  trading house until October 2019.

With these charters, the Company has total contracted revenues of approximately $115 million. Total anticipated voyage days of our fleet is 79% covered for the remainder of 2019 and 35% for 2020.

Board Chairman Michael Jolliffe Commented

Due to market uncertainty resulting from the US-China trade war, the pressurized market in Asia presented a relatively tough second quarter for ship owners. Charterers in the region were reluctant to conclude or renew period contracts, thus forcing vessels to operate in the spot market at low rates. This is the main reason that our revenue generation was less than expected, in spite of favorable operational utilization of close to 95% and an increase in daily revenue from our vessels on time charter contracts.

This quarter we had close to 19% of our fleet operating in the spot market, the majority of which were in the Asian region. Our vessels operating in the spot market during the second quarter of 19’ generated in total almost $1.5 million less TCE revenue than in the first quarter of the year.

From a strategic standpoint, we have been active, with StealthGas moving to enter, for the first time, the 11,000 cbm pressurized LPG segment. In addition, through our Joint Venture arrangement, we moved to enter in a second new LPG subsegment, as we recently acquired a 38,000 cbm fully refrigerated vessel. Relying on the technical and management expertise gained as leaders in the small LPG market, StealthGas is further expanding its presence in the broader LPG space, thus enhancing and diversifying its revenue stream.

Another important move is that we have actively commenced our stock repurchase program having bought more than 170,000 shares to date, supporting our stock and our investors.

We believe that the Asian market will soon correct itself. Our Company has a very strong balance sheet and diversified fleet, a free cash base that exceeds $65 million, and a debt to asset ratio of less than 40%, therefore we feel optimistic for the future as market conditions improve.

Conference Call details:

On August 22, 2019 at 10:00 am ET, the company’s management will host a conference call to discuss the results and the company’s operations and outlook.

Participants should dial into the call 10 minutes before the scheduled time using the following numbers: +1 866 869 2321 (US Toll Free Dial In) or 08003767425 (UK Toll Free Dial In).
Access Code: 7798421

In case of any problems with the above numbers, please dial +1 917 7200 178(US Toll Dial In), +44 (0) 8444933857 (Standard International Dial In).                                                          
Access Code: 7798421

A telephonic replay of the conference call will be available until August 29, 2019 by dialing +1 (866) 331-1332 (US Local Dial In), +44 (0) 8445718951 (UK Local Dial In).
Access Code: 7798421

Slides and audio webcast:

There will also be a live and then archived webcast of the conference call, through the STEALTHGAS INC. website (www.stealthgas.com). Participants to the live webcast should register on the website approximately 10 minutes prior to the start of the webcast.

About STEALTHGAS INC.

StealthGas Inc. is a ship-owning company primarily serving the liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) sector of the international shipping industry.  StealthGas Inc. currently has a fleet of 50 vessels. The fleet comprises of 46 LPG carriers, including two chartered in LPG vessels, five Joint Venture vessels and an 11,000 cbm newbuilding pressurized LPG carrier with expected delivery in 2021. These LPG vessels have a total capacity of 347,099 cubic meters (cbm).The Company also owns three M.R. product tankers and one Aframax oil tanker with a total capacity of 255,804 deadweight tons (dwt). StealthGas Inc.’s shares are listed on the NASDAQ Global Select Market and trade under the symbol “GASS”.

Forward-Looking Statements

Matters discussed in this release may constitute forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements reflect our current views with respect to future events and financial performance and may 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 forward-looking statements in this release are based upon various assumptions, many of which are based, in turn, upon further assumptions, including without limitation, management’s examination of historical operating trends, data contained in our records and other data available from third parties. Although STEALTHGAS INC. believes 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, STEALTHGAS INC. cannot assure you that it will achieve or accomplish these expectations, beliefs or projections. 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 changes in charter hire rates and vessel values, charter counterparty performance, changes in demand that may affect attitudes of time charterers to scheduled and unscheduled drydockings, shipyard performance, changes in STEALTHGAS INC’s operating expenses, including bunker prices, drydocking and insurance costs, ability to obtain financing and comply with covenants in our financing arrangements, or actions taken by regulatory authorities, potential liability from pending or future litigation, domestic and international political conditions, potential disruption of shipping routes due to accidents and political events or acts by terrorists.

Risks and uncertainties are further described in reports filed by STEALTHGAS INC. with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

Fleet List and Fleet Deployment                        
For information on our fleet and further information:
Visit our website at www.stealthgas.com

Company Contact:
Fenia Sakellaris
STEALTHGAS INC.
011-30-210-6250-001
E-mail: info@stealthgas.com

 
 
Fleet Data:
The following key indicators highlight the Company’s operating performance during the periods ended June 30, 2018 and June 30, 2019.
 
FLEET DATAQ2 2018 Q2 2019 6M 2018 6M 2019 
Average number of vessels (1)52.2 42.0 52.0 43.7 
Period end number of owned vessels in fleet52 42 52 42 
Total calendar days for fleet (2)5,026 4,004 9,865 8,331 
Total voyage days for fleet (3)4,969 3,994 9,756 8,316 
Fleet utilization (4)98.9%99.8%98.9%99.8%
Total charter days for fleet (5)4,160 3,226 7,941 6,985 
Total spot market days for fleet (6)809 768 1,815 1,331 
Fleet operational utilization (7)97.8%95.3%95.6%97.1%

1) Average number of vessels is the number of owned vessels that constituted our fleet for the relevant period, as measured by the sum of the number of days each vessel was a part of our fleet during the period divided by the number of calendar days in that period.
2) Total calendar days for fleet are the total days the vessels we operated were in our possession for the relevant period including off-hire days associated with major repairs, drydockings or special or intermediate surveys.
3) Total voyage days for fleet reflect the total days the vessels we operated were in our possession for the relevant period net of off-hire days associated with major repairs, drydockings or special or intermediate surveys.
4) Fleet utilization is the percentage of time that our vessels were available for revenue generating voyage days, and is determined by dividing voyage days by fleet calendar days for the relevant period.
5) Total charter days for fleet are the number of voyage days the vessels operated on time or bareboat charters for the relevant period.
6) Total spot market charter days for fleet are the number of voyage days the vessels operated on spot market charters for the relevant period.
7) Fleet operational utilization is the percentage of time that our vessels generated revenue, and is determined by dividing voyage days (excluding commercially idle days) by fleet calendar days for the relevant period.

Reconciliation of Adjusted Net Income, EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA and adjusted EPS:

Adjusted net income represents net (loss)/income before (gain)/loss on derivatives excluding swap interest (paid)/received, share based compensation, loss/(gain) on sale of vessel, gain on deconsolidation of subsidiaries and impairment loss. EBITDA represents net (loss)/income before interest and finance costs, interest income and depreciation. Adjusted EBITDA represents EBITDA before share based compensation, (gain)/loss on derivatives, excluding swap interest (paid)/received, loss/(gain) on sale of vessel, gain on deconsolidation of subsidiaries and impairment loss. Adjusted EPS represents Adjusted net income divided by the weighted average number of shares. EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA, adjusted net income and adjusted EPS are not recognized measurements under U.S. GAAP. Our calculation of EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA, adjusted net income and adjusted EPS may not be comparable to that reported by other companies in the shipping or other industries.  In evaluating Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted net income and Adjusted EPS, you should be aware that in the future we may incur expenses that are the same as or similar to some of the adjustments in this presentation.

EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA, adjusted net income and adjusted EPS are included herein because they are a basis, upon which we assess our financial performance. They allow us to present our performance from period to period on a comparable basis and provide additional information on fleet operational results to investors.

   
(Expressed in United States Dollars,
except number of shares)
Second Quarter Ended
June 30th,
Six Months Period Ended
June 30th,
 2018
2019
2018
2019
Net (loss)/Income - Adjusted Net Income    
Net (loss)/income(397,816)(179,256)(6,171,053)1,789,610 
Plus (gain)/loss on derivatives(8,969)118,094 37,786 140,791 
Less swap interest (paid)/received(16,470)29,100 (81,738)79,952 
Less loss/(gain) on sale of vessel, net219,479 -- 219,479 (7,473)
Less gain on deconsolidation of subsidiaries-- -- -- (145,000)
Plus impairment loss3,776,109 -- 7,594,377 -- 
Plus share based compensation-- 236,849 -- 471,096 
Adjusted Net Income3,572,333 204,787 1,598,851 2,328,976 
     
Net (loss)/income – EBITDA    
Net (loss)/income(397,816)(179,256)(6,171,053)1,789,610 
Plus interest and finance costs6,038,529 5,400,047 11,178,096 11,382,918 
Less interest income(129,227)(144,146)(228,623)(448,579)
Plus depreciation10,453,582 9,474,181 20,983,941 18,948,367 
EBITDA15,965,068 14,550,826 25,762,361 31,672,316 
     
Net (loss)/income - Adjusted  EBITDA    
Net (loss)/income(397,816)(179,256)(6,171,053)1,789,610 
Plus (gain)/loss on derivatives(8,969)118,094 37,786 140,791 
Less gain on sale of vessel, net219,479 -- 219,479 (7,473)
Less gain on deconsolidation of subsidiaries-- -- -- (145,000)
Plus impairment loss3,776,109 -- 7,594,377 -- 
Plus share based compensation-- 236,849 -- 471,096 
Plus interest and finance costs6,038,529 5,400,047 11,178,096 11,382,918 
Less interest income(129,227)(144,146)(228,623)(448,579)
Plus depreciation10,453,582 9,474,181 20,983,941 18,948,367 
Adjusted EBITDA19,951,687 14,905,769 33,614,003 32,131,730 
     
EPS - Adjusted EPS    
Net (loss)/income(397,816)(179,256)(6,171,053)1,789,610 
Adjusted net income3,572,333 204,787 1,598,851 2,328,976 
Weighted average number of shares39,860,563 39,840,783 39,860,563 39,850,618 
EPS - Basic and Diluted(0.01)(0.00)(0.15)0.04 
Adjusted EPS-Basic and Diluted0.09 0.01 0.04 0.06 
         

StealthGas Inc.*
Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Operations
(Expressed in United States Dollars, except for number of shares)

   Quarters Ended
June 30,
 For The Six Months Ended
June 30,
   2018  2019  2018  2019 
Revenues        
 Revenues 43,380,863  34,083,501  83,076,345  72,526,319 
              
              
Expenses
            
 Voyage expenses 3,727,056  3,721,160  8,878,307  7,049,679 
 Voyage expenses - related party 536,601  423,591  1,020,500  900,228 
 Charter hire expenses 1,676,259  1,467,505  2,645,406  3,565,054 
 Vessels' operating expenses 14,786,705  11,519,876  30,145,118  24,187,246 
 Vessels' operating expenses - related party95,000  239,500  122,000  488,500 
 Drydocking costs 653,968  --  2,157,048  185,624 
 Management fees - related party 1,809,500  1,399,195  3,553,100  2,914,680 
 General and administrative expenses 845,313  902,521  1,417,840  2,024,608 
 Depreciation 10,453,582  9,474,181  20,983,941  18,948,367 
 Impairment loss 3,776,109    --  7,594,377    -- 
 Net loss/(gain) on sale of vessels 219,479    --  219,479  (7,473)
 Other operating income (696,471)   --  (549,804)   -- 
Total expenses 37,883,101  29,147,529  78,187,312  60,256,513 
          
Income from operations 5,497,762  4,935,972  4,889,033  12,269,806 
          
Other (expenses)/income        
 Interest and finance costs (6,038,529) (5,400,047) (11,178,096) (11,382,918)
 Gain on deconsolidation of subsidiaries   --    --    --  145,000 
 Loss on derivatives 8,969  (118,094) (37,786) (140,791)
 Interest income 129,227  144,146  228,623  448,579 
 Foreign exchange income/(loss) 4,755  7,231  (72,827) (9,557)
Other expenses, net (5,895,578) (5,366,764) (11,060,086) (10,939,687)
          
Income before equity in income of investees(397,816) (430,792) (6,171,053) 1,330,119 
Equity earnings in unconsolidated joint ventures   --  251,536     --  459,491 
Net (Loss)/Income (397,816) (179,256) (6,171,053) 1,789,610 
          
Earnings per share         
- Basic & Diluted (0.01) (0.00) (0.15) 0.04 
          
Weighted average number of shares        
- Basic & Diluted 39,860,563  39,840,783  39,860,563  39,850,618 

* As of January 1, 2019, we adopted ASU No. 2016-02, "Leases," as amended ("ASC 842") using the modified retrospective transition method of adoption. Under this method, the cumulative effect of applying the new lease standard is recorded with no restatement of any comparative prior periods presented. As a result, prior periods as reported by the Company have not been impacted by the adoption. The adoption of ASC 842 resulted in the recognition of operating lease right-of-use assets of $1.9 million and related lease liabilities for operating leases of $1.9 million in Total Assets and Total Liabilities, respectively, on our Consolidated Balance Sheet on January 1, 2019.


StealthGas Inc.
Unaudited Consolidated Balance Sheets
(Expressed in United States Dollars)

   December 31, June 30,
   2018 2019
Assets    
Current assets    
 Cash and cash equivalents 64,498,442  65,836,973 
 Receivables from related parties   --  1,420,678 
 Trade and other receivables 2,888,496  2,110,763 
 Other current assets 134,301  330,935 
 Claims receivable   --  648,782 
 Inventories 2,346,723  3,120,121 
 Advances and prepayments 1,089,539  1,004,311 
 Restricted cash 3,002,490  1,673,587 
 Assets held for sale 64,906,448    -- 
Total current assets 138,866,439  76,146,150 
Non-current assets    
 Advances for vessel under construction  --  2,908,064 
 Operating lease right-of-use assets --  1,270,087 
 Vessels, net 884,748,691  865,803,340 
 Other receivables 108,930  113,036 
 Restricted cash 11,930,059  12,545,858 
 Investments in unconsolidated joint ventures--  22,285,516 
 Fair value of derivatives 1,068,369  202,097 
Total non current assets 897,856,049  905,127,998 
Total assets 1,036,722,488  981,274,148 
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity    
Current liabilities    
 Payable to related parties 7,930,642  1,679,590 
 Trade accounts payable 10,349,358  11,705,775 
 Accrued and other liabilities 6,879,488  6,036,180 
 Operating lease liabilities --  1,226,814 
 Customer deposits 1,336,000  600,000 
 Deferred income 5,191,654  4,562,575 
 Current portion of long-term debt 41,726,837  40,685,828 
 Current portion of long-term debt associated with vessels held for sale30,076,356    -- 
Total current liabilities 103,490,335  66,496,762 
Non-current liabilities    
 Fair value of derivatives 465,389  2,714,452 
 Customer deposits   --  368,000 
 Operating lease liabilities --  43,273 
 Long-term debt 371,514,253  351,292,536 
Total non-current liabilities 371,979,642  354,418,261 
Total liabilities 475,469,977  420,915,023 
      
Commitments and contingencies    
Stockholders' equity    
 Capital stock445,496  445,496 
 Treasury stock (22,523,528) (22,783,028)
 Additional paid-in capital 501,807,478  502,278,574 
 Retained earnings 80,849,086  82,638,696 
 Accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss)673,979  (2,220,613)
Total stockholders' equity 561,252,511  560,359,125 
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity1,036,722,488  981,274,148 
      
      

StealthGas Inc.
Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(Expressed in United States Dollars)

   For the Six Months Ended June 30,
   2018
 2019
Cash flows from operating activities      
 Net (loss)/income for the period (6,171,053) 1,789,610 
Adjustments to reconcile net (loss)/income to net cash      
  provided by operating activities:      
 Depreciation 20,983,941  18,948,367 
 Amortization of deferred finance charges 438,716  476,249 
 Amortization of deferred gain on sale and leaseback of vessels (96,719) -- 
 Amortization of operating lease right-of-use assets --  775,770 
 Share based compensation --  471,096 
 Change in fair value of derivatives (43,952) 220,743 
 Equity earnings in unconsolidated joint ventures --  (459,491)
 Impairment loss 7,594,377  -- 
 Gain on sale of vessels, net 219,479  (7,473)
 Gain on deconsolidated of subsidiaries --  (145,000)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:      
 (Increase)/decrease in      
 Trade and other receivables (1,762,222) 773,627 
 Other current assets 23,257  (196,634)
 Claims receivable 15,951  (966,718)
 Inventories (615,881) (54,950)
 Changes in operating lease liabilities --  (775,770)
 Advances and prepayments (357,725) 85,228 
 Increase/(decrease) in      
 Balances with related parties (2,758,369) (9,683,892)
 Trade accounts payable 880,010  1,356,417 
 Accrued liabilities 318,288  (183,308)
 Deferred income 1,735,826  (629,079)
Net cash provided by operating activities 20,403,924  11,794,792 
Cash flows from investing activities      
 Insurance proceeds --  317,936 
 Proceeds from sale of interests in subsidiaries --  20,720,975 
 Vessels’ acquisitions and advances for vessels under construction (108,012,906) (2,908,064)
 Proceeds from sale of vessels, net 8,730,520  8,302,457 
 Investment in unconsolidated joint ventures --  (1,022,000)
 Cash paid to unconsolidated joint ventures --  (1,268,223)
 Cash received from unconsolidated joint ventures --  3,280,385 
Net cash (used in)/provided by investing activities (99,282,386) 27,423,466 
Cash flows from financing activities      
 Stock repurchase --  (259,500)
 Deferred finance charges (444,330) (254,901)
 Customer deposits paid (1,220,700) (368,000)
 Loan repayments (27,103,104) (48,960,430)
 Proceeds from long-term debt 115,712,500  11,250,000 
Net cash provided by/(used in) financing activities 86,944,366  (38,592,831)
Net increase in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash 8,065,904  625,427 
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of year 62,903,192  79,430,991 
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period 70,969,096  80,056,418 
 Cash breakdown    
 Cash and cash equivalents 55,669,369  65,836,973 
 Restricted cash, current 2,888,222  1,673,587 
 Restricted cash, non-current 12,411,505  12,545,858 
Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash shown in the statements of cash flows 70,969,096  80,056,418