Operating Revenue Increased 324.3 Percent in Second Quarter Company Announces New Quarterly Dividend Rate of $.20 Per Share
PIRAEUS, Greece, July 31, 2008 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- FreeSeas Inc. (Nasdaq:FREE), (Nasdaq:FREEW) and (Nasdaq:FREEZ) ("FreeSeas" or "the Company"), a provider of seaborne transportation for drybulk cargoes, announced today unaudited operating results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2008.
Financial Highlights
* Operating revenues grew by 324.3% compared to the same quarter
of 2007, to $15.11 million from $3.56 million.
* Net income for the second quarter of 2008 was $4.18 million
or $0.20 basic earnings per share based on 20,936,252 common
shares outstanding, compared with net income of $1.71 million,
or $0.27 basic earnings per share based on 6,290,100 common
shares outstanding for the same quarter of 2007.
* Adjusted EBITDA for the quarter ended June 30, 2008 increased
by 205% as compared to the same period in 2007, to $8.73 million
from $2.86 million.
Dividend Information
* FreeSeas declared its second quarterly dividend of $0.175 per
share on its common stock outstanding. The dividend was paid on
May 30, 2008 to shareholders of record as of May 20, 2008.
* The Company also announced today that it has declared an
increased quarterly dividend of $0.20 per share on its common
stock outstanding. The dividend will be paid on August 29, 2008
to shareholders of record as of August 20, 2008.
Fleet Developments
Overall, FreeSeas reported a 177% increase in operating days in the second quarter of 2008 compared with same period in 2007 reflecting approximately 7.0 vessels in 2008 as opposed to an average of 2.3 in the same quarter of 2007.
Free Destiny
June 2: FreeSeas announced that the Free Destiny was delivered to her charterers for an approximate 50-day spot charter at a rate of $37,000 per day.
July 23: The Company announced that the Free Destiny was delivered to her charterers for a 60- to 90-day spot charter at a rate of $28,500 per day.
Free Envoy
April 2: FreeSeas announced that the Free Envoy completed its one-year period charter at $17,000 per day and was delivered to new charterers for a 15-day spot voyage at $31,500 per day.
April 18: FreeSeas announced that the Free Envoy was delivered to its new charterers for an approximate 25-day time charter at a rate of $28,500 per day.
June 26: FreeSeas announced that the Free Envoy was fixed for a one-year time charter at a rate of $32,000 per day.
Free Impala
April 2: FreeSeas announced delivery of the 1997-built 24,111 dwt Handysize Free Impala. The vessel immediately began a one-year time charter at a rate of $31,500 per day.
Free Lady
June 26: FreeSeas announced that the Free Lady, a 2003-built, 50,246 dwt Handymax vessel, was fixed for a two-year time charter at a rate of $51,150 per day. The Free Lady was delivered to FreeSeas on July 7, 2008 and subsequently began employment with her new charterer.
Mr. Ion Varouxakis, President and CEO, commented, "FreeSeas continues to execute its business plan to the letter, growing the fleet, increasing operating days, and driving revenue to the bottom line. Even with two scheduled drydockings during the quarter, the second quarter showed marked improvement over the first quarter results as we were able to increase the amount of available days and secure accretive charters that reflect the strength of the drybulk market."
Varouxakis continued, "As a result of this strong financial performance, the board of directors has approved an increase in the Company's quarterly dividend which now stands at $.20 per share. We remain extremely confident that the cash flow currently being generated by our fleet is more than sufficient to cover our dividend, operating expenses, and fleet growth and renewal plan. Our free cash flow is anchored by our forward time-charter coverage which stands at 97% of available days for 2008, 56% for 2009 and 26% in 2010.
"Our balance sheet remains strong," Varouxakis continued. "We believe that we have adequate leverage and generate sufficient free cash flow to continue to add to and modernize our fleet. We remain committed to supporting a more appropriate valuation for our shares through exemplary financial and operational performance with the fleet we are currently operating, such as today's results indicate."
Mr. Varouxakis concluded, "The drybulk rate environment continues to exhibit strength, and we believe that we have not yet seen the high water mark for the year. We now have eight vessels on the water; seven operating under accretive time charters with reputable charterers and one is taking advantage of the favorable spot market. As our fleet continues to grow, and our cash generating capacity increases, we anticipate making additional acquisitions this year. We will continue to leverage our improving financial flexibility to create opportunities for future growth."
Conference Call
As previously announced, the Company will host a conference call on July 31, 2008 at 8:00 am Eastern Time to review the results as well as management's outlook for the business. The call, which will be hosted by FreeSeas' management, may contain information beyond what is included in this earnings press release.
To participate in the call from the United States or Canada, please dial +1.800.860.2442 approximately five minutes prior to the starting time. To participate in the call outside the United States or Canada, please dial +1.412.858.4600 five minutes prior to the starting time. The Conference ID is 421743.
Two hours after the completion of the conference call, a digital recording of the call will be available for seven days, and can be accessed by dialing +1.877.344.7529 from inside the United States or Canada and +1.412.317.0088 from outside the United States or Canada and entering the Conference ID 421743.
The call, which will be simultaneously broadcast live over the Internet, can be accessed at: http://services.choruscall.com/links/freeseas080731.html. The online archive of the broadcast will be available within one hour of the live call at the same web address and will remain available for one month.
Current fleet:
======================================================================
Vessel Vessel
Name DWT Type Built Employment
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Free 25,240 Handysize 1982 60 to 90 day spot charter
Destiny at $28,500 p/d
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Free 26,318 Handysize 1984 One-year time-charter at
Envoy $32,000 p/d through June/
August 2009
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Free 22,051 Handysize 1995 Two-year time-charter through
Goddess November 2009 at $19,250 p/d
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Free 24,318 Handysize 1995 Time-charter through February
Hero 2009 at $14,500 p/d
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Free 24,111 Handysize 1997 One-year time-charter through
Impala April 2009 at $31,500 p/d
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Free 47,777 Handymax 2002 Three-year time-charter
Jupiter through February 2011 at
$32,000/28,000/24,000 p/d
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Free 24,111 Handysize 1998 One-year time-charter through
Knight March 2009 at $31,500 p/d
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Free 50,246 Handymax 2003 Two-year time-charter through
Lady June/September 2010 at
$51,150 p/d
======================================================================
About FreeSeas Inc.
FreeSeas Inc. is a Marshall Islands corporation with principal offices in Piraeus, Greece. FreeSeas is engaged in the transportation of dry bulk cargoes through the ownership and operation of dry bulk carriers. Currently, it has a fleet of six Handysize vessels and two Handymax vessels. FreeSeas' common stock and warrants trade on the NASDAQ Global Market under the symbols FREE, FREEW and FREEZ, respectively. Risks and uncertainties are described in reports filed by FreeSeas Inc. with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, which can be obtained free of charge on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov. For more information about FreeSeas Inc., please go to our corporate website, www.freeseas.gr.
Forward-Looking Statements
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. 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 be correct. These statements involve known and unknown risks and are based upon a number of assumptions and estimates which 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; 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 obligation 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.
FREESEAS INC.
CONDENSED UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(All amounts in tables in thousands of United States dollars,
except for share data)
June 30, December 31,
2008 2007
(Unaudited)
----------- -----------
ASSETS
------
CURRENT ASSETS:
Cash and cash equivalents $ 21,456 $ 63,394
Trade receivables, net 467 60
Insurance claims 16,543 16,116
Due from related party 1,597 1,037
Inventories 774 499
Prepayments and other 496 334
----------- -----------
Total current assets $ 41,333 $ 81,440
Advances for acquisition
of vessels 6,520
Fixed assets, net 180,551 108,021
Deferred charges, net 3,639 2,161
Restricted cash 1,125 350
----------- -----------
Total non-current assets $ 191,835 $ 110,532
----------- -----------
Total Assets $ 233,168 $ 191,972
=========== ===========
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
------------------------------------
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
Accounts payable $ 9,321 $ 3,181
Accrued liabilities 8,178 16,713
Unearned revenue 1,574 783
Deferred revenue - current portion 1,190 1,620
Bank loans - current portion 16,500 11,800
----------- -----------
Total current liabilities $ 36,763 $ 34,097
Derivatives at fair value 803 749
Bank loans - net of current portion 83,700 44,500
----------- -----------
Total long term liabilities $ 84,503 $ 45,249
Commitments and Contingencies
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY:
Common stock 20 20
Additional paid-in capital 110,270 115,464
Accumulated retained earnings
(deficit) 1,612 (2,858)
----------- -----------
Total shareholders' equity $ 111,902 $ 112,626
----------- -----------
Total Liabilities and
Shareholders' Equity $ 233,168 $ 191,972
=========== ===========
FREESEAS INC.
CONDENSED UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(All amounts in tables in thousands of United States dollars,
except for share data)
For three months ended
30-Jun-08 30-Jun-07
(Unaudited) (Unaudited)
----------- -----------
OPERATING REVENUES $ 15,113 $ 3,562
OPERATING EXPENSES:
Vessel operating expenses (4,125) (899)
Voyage expenses (167) (37)
Depreciation expense (3,025) (655)
Amortization of deferred charges (173) (123)
Management fees to a related party (547) (225)
Commissions (700) (225)
Stock-based compensation expense (27) (25)
General and administrative expenses (763) (640)
Gain on sale of vessel 1,369
---------- ----------
Income from operations $ 5,586 $ 2,102
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE):
Interest and finance costs $ (1,494) $ (414)
Loss on debt extinguishment (639)
Change in derivatives fair value 641
Interest income 149 39
Other (59) (17)
---------- ----------
Other (expense) $ (1,402) $ (392)
---------- ----------
---------- ----------
Net income $ 4,184 $ 1,710
========== ==========
Basic earnings per share $ 0.20 $ 0.27
Diluted earnings per share $ 0.19 $ 0.25
Basic weighted average number
of shares 20,936,252 6,290,100
Diluted weighted average
number of shares 21,678,870 6,921,050
FREESEAS INC.
PERFORMANCE INDICATORS
(All amounts in tables in thousands of United States dollars,
except for fleet data)
Three Months Ended
June 30, June 30,
2008 2007
--------- --------
EBITDA (1) $ 8,725 $ 2,863
Fleet Data:
Average number of vessels (2) 6.98 2.29
Ownership days (3) 635 208
Available days (4) 581 208
Operating days (5) 563 203
Fleet utilization (6) 88.7% 97.6%
Average Daily Results:
Average TCE rate (7) $ 25.304 $ 16.256
Vessel operating expenses (8) 6.496 4.322
Management fees (9) 0.665 0.505
General and administrative expenses(10) 1.398 3.153
Total vessel operating expenses (11) $ 7.161 $ 4.827
(1) EBITDA reconciliation to net income:
Adjusted EBITDA represents net earnings before interest, taxes,
depreciation and amortization and change in the fair value of
derivatives. Adjusted EBITDA does not represent and should not be
considered as an alternative to net income or cash flow from
operations, as determined by United States generally accepted
accounting principles, or U.S. GAAP, and our calculation of adjusted
EBITDA may not be comparable to that reported by other companies.
Adjusted EBITDA is included herein because it is an alternative measure
of our liquidity, performance and indebtedness. The following is a
reconciliation of adjusted EBITDA to net income:
Three Months Ended
June 30, June 30,
2008 2007
--------- --------
Net income (loss) $ 4,184 $ 1,710
Depreciation and amortization 3,198 778
Change in derivatives fair value (641)
Interest and finance cost 1,345 375
Loss on debt extinguishment 639
--------- --------
Adjusted EBITDA $ 8,725 $ 2,863
========= ========
(2) 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 days each vessel was a part of our fleet during the
period divided by the number of calendar days in the period.
(3) Ownership days are the total number of days in a period during
which the vessels in our fleet have been owned by us. Ownership 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 a period.
(4) Available days are the number of ownership days less the aggregate
number of days that our vessels are off-hire due to major repairs, dry
dockings or special or intermediate surveys. The shipping industry
uses available days to measure the number of ownership days in a
period during which vessels should be capable of generating revenues.
(5) Operating days are the number of available days less the aggregate
number of days that our vessels are off-hire due to any reason,
including unforeseen circumstances. The shipping industry uses
operating days to measure the aggregate number of days in a period
during which vessels actually generate revenues.
(6) We calculate fleet utilization by dividing the number of our
fleet's operating days during a period by the number of ownership days
during the period. The shipping industry uses 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 scheduled repairs, vessel upgrades, or
dry dockings or other surveys.
(7) 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 consistent with industry standards and is
determined by dividing operating revenues (net of voyage expenses and
commissions) by operating 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 charters, time
charters and bareboat charters) under which the vessels may be
employed between the periods:
Three Months Ended
June 30, June 30,
2008 2007
--------- ---------
Operating revenues $ 15,113 $ 3,562
Voyage expenses and commissions (867) (262)
Net operating revenues 14,246 3,300
Operating days 563 203
--------- ---------
Time charter equivalent daily rate $ 25.304 $ 16.256
========= =========
8) Average daily vessel operating expenses, which includes crew costs
provisions, deck and engine stores, lubricating oil, insurance,
maintenance and repairs, is calculated by dividing vessel operating
expenses by ownership days for the relevant time periods:
Three Months Ended
June 30, June 30,
2008 2007
--------- ---------
Vessel operating expenses $ 4,125 $ 899
Ownership days 635 208
--------- ---------
Daily vessel operating expense $ 6.496 $ 4.322
========= =========
(9) Daily management fees are calculated by dividing total management
fees paid on ships owned by ownership days for the relevant time
period.
(10) Average daily general and administrative expenses are calculated
by dividing general and administrative expenses by operating days for
the relevant period.
(11) Total vessel operating expenses, or TVOE, is a measurement of our
total expenses associated with operating our vessels. TVOE is the sum
of daily vessel operating expense and daily management fees. Daily
TVOE is calculated by dividing TVOE by fleet ownership days for the
relevant time period.