Tsakos Energy Navigation Reports Profits for the Fourth Quarter and Year Ended December 31, 2014 and Common Stock Dividend Declaration

ATHENS, GREECE--(Marketwired - Mar 19, 2015) - Tsakos Energy Navigation Limited (TEN or the "Company") (NYSE: TNP)

RECENT HIGHLIGHTS

• For the year 2014, net income of $33.5 million or $0.32 per basic and diluted share, compared to a $9.2 million loss for 2013 (before 2013 impairment charges)
• Income of $21.1 million or $0.23 per share before $7.6 million of bunker hedging costs in fourth quarter 2014
• $13.5 million net income for the fourth quarter 2014 or $0.14 per diluted share ($21.1 million, or $0.23 per share, if exclude bunker hedging costs), compared to a $7.3 million loss in the fourth quarter of 2013 (before 2013 impairment charges)
• 2014 EBITDA $180 million, 35.8% more than 2013
• Healthy liquidity position at $214.4 million of cash at end of 2014
• Pro-forma fleet of 64 vessels, totaling 6.7 million dwt, consisting of 44 tankers for trade in the crude space, four shuttle tankers (including one option vessel), 14 tankers carrying products and two LNG vessels
• 73% of 2015 available days in spot or spot related contracts - Total contracted coverage for fleet in water of $750 million with average charter term of 2.3 years
• Newbuilding program of 13 vessels, 12 of which under long-term contracts with a potential minimum gross revenue of approximately $1.25 billion
• Timely acquisition of two modern suezmax crude tankers in mid-2014
• Common stock dividend of $0.06 per share paid on February 19, 2015 and $0.06 dividend payment declared for payment on May 28^th 2015 -- TEN's dividends total $10.0 per share since IPO in 2002 or $405 million
  
  

Tsakos Energy Navigation Limited (TEN or the "Company") (NYSE: TNP) today reported results (unaudited) for the year ended December 31, 2014 and the fourth quarter of 2014.

FULL YEAR 2014 RESULTS
TEN achieved the best annual results in 2014 since 2010 and which were significantly higher than 2013. Operating income for 2014 was $76.0 million compared to $33.2 million (before $28.3 million impairment charges) in 2013, a 129.2% increase. Net income for 2014 amounted to $33.5 million compared to a net loss of $9.2 million in 2013 (before impairment charges).

Revenue, net of voyage expenses and commissions, totaled $346.9 million in 2014 compared to $285.4 million in 2013, a 21.5% increase. The increase was primarily due to the significantly stronger TCE rates achieved for crude carrying suezmaxes and aframaxes in 2014, especially in the first and fourth quarters.

EBITDA for the year 2014 amounted to $179.5 million, a 35.8% increase from 2013. All the vessels enjoyed positive EBITDA during 2014.

The full year operation of the two shuttle tankers, the two new suezmaxes and the fact that the VLCC Millennium completed its bare-boat charter in late 2013, together contributed over half of the $16.6 million increase in total vessel operating costs in 2014 over 2013. However, these five vessels generated three and a half times more net revenue than operating expenses in 2014, and together $20.2 million more net revenue than in 2013. General and administrative expenses continued to remain relatively stable at $4.4 million.

Interest and finance costs in 2014 were $43.1 million, compared to $40.9 million in 2013.

FOURTH QUARTER RESULTS
TEN enjoyed a very strong fourth quarter with operating income amounting to $29.2 million, compared to $5.2 million (before impairment charges) in the fourth quarter of 2013 mainly due to a robust freight market, particularly for crude cargoes, generating higher net revenue. The sudden fall in oil prices, although it spurred demand and reduced bunker costs, also resulted in a one-time negative hit in valuations and charges relating to our bunker hedges. Without these bunker hedge costs, net income would had been $21.1 million or $0.23 per share. The fourth quarter of 2014 ended with net income of $13.5 million or $0.14 per basic and diluted share, compared to a net loss of $7.3 million in the fourth quarter of 2013 (before impairment charges).

Revenues, net of voyage expenses and commissions, were $99.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2014, up 41.0% from the previous fourth quarter. The fall in oil prices had a markedly positive effect on tanker demand within the fourth quarter and an additional substantial impact by lowering bunker prices and thereby increasing TCE rates on spot voyages. Despite significant exposure in spot related days and three vessels undergoing dry-docking during the 2014 fourth quarter, fleet utilization remained high at 97.7%, an indication of the tight supply of crude tankers and the success of TEN in securing lucrative employment for its vessels. The success of the chartering strategy is also reflected in the total amount of profit-share that is generated by time-charters with a profit-share element, once the tanker market starts to enjoy stronger rates. In the fourth quarter of 2014, $5.5 million extra gross revenue was earned through profit-share, which mostly went straight to the bottom-line, making up approximately 40% of the net income. The average daily time charter equivalent per vessel increased by 33.7% to $23,289, compared to $17,419 in the fourth quarter of 2013.

Cash flow for the quarter from net income before depreciation, amortization and interest ("EBITDA") was $55.4 million, compared to $28.7 million in the prior fourth quarter when the 2013 impairment is also ignored for calculating EBITDA.

Fourth quarter 2014 interest and finance costs were $15.6 million compared to $10.0 million in the fourth quarter of 2013. This increase was due to costs and negative valuation of bunker hedging swaps following the sudden and sharp drop in oil prices, which resulted in a cut in bunker prices by more than half, the effect of which by far covered the hedging costs.

"It is a great pleasure to report significant profitability in 2014. It is also encouraging that 2015 has started with very strong rates. The market fundamentals including the low cost of oil and the negative fleet growth is reassuring for, at least, the medium term prospects of our industry, " stated Mr. Nikolas P. Tsakos, President and CEO of TEN. "Through our counter cyclical investment strategy and flexible chartering policy, TEN has become a prime beneficiary of the rewards the tanker markets are offering. We strongly believe that the Company's sound fundamentals and prospects, particularly in the strong market we are currently navigating, will be soon reflected in our share price and further enhance our shareholders value," Mr. Tsakos concluded.

LIQUIDITY
TEN continued to maintain strong liquidity through the fourth quarter of 2014, at the end of which, total cash amounted to $214.4 million compared to $171.8 million at the end of 2013. Net debt to capital was a comfortable 50.6% at the end of the fourth quarter 2014, compared to 54.8% at end of 2013.

Cash flow for the quarter from net income before depreciation, amortization and interest ("EBITDA") was $55.4 million, compared to $28.7 million in the prior fourth quarter. EBITDA for the year 2014 amounted to $179.5 million, a 35.8% increase. All the vessels enjoyed positive EBITDA during 2014.

The Company has also earmarked several vessels for possible sale, which if all materialized could result in as much as $100 million of cash being released.

DIVIDEND - COMMON SHARES
The Company will pay a dividend of $0.06 per share of common stock on May 28, 2015 to shareholders of record as of May 21, 2015. TEN's total dividends since 2002 amount to $405 million or $10.0 per share

CORPORATE STRATEGY
Following on the impressive take-off in the latter part of the third quarter of 2014, crude tanker rates continued to surge through the fourth quarter and first quarter of 2015 and remain firm fuelled by low oil prices that supported a boost in consumer demand around the world that has led to increased imports. In addition, the depressed price of crude has generated a contango effect, which removed a meaningful amount of tonnage from the market while the continuation of slow steaming, which despite a small uptick in average speeds, avoided additional capacity being added to the available "for charter" fleet. All these factors, coupled with the limited growth of the fleet over the last 12 months (indeed some tanker categories could even experience negative fleet capacity growth this year) and the manageable orderbook provide TEN with utmost confidence for solid tanker markets over the medium term.

This realignment in market fundamentals has created a solid underlying strength in the overall crude and product tanker markets, especially evident in spot fixtures, and as a result they have allowed TEN, with 73% of remaining 2015 available days on spot or spot related contracts, to enjoy significant benefits from operating under such market related and flexible charters.

The intention of the management is to retain charter flexibility and the ability to adjust the blend of charters opportunistically, but always mindful of the continuation, and further creation, of secured cash streams and healthy cash buffers, irrespective of cycles. In addition, and in order to take advantage of the current pick-up in asset values, management evaluates and will continue to assess opportunities to strategically divest some of its older assets in line with its long stated policy of vessel divestments for capital and cash gains and fleet rejuvenation. At the same time, management will remain on the look-out for modern accretive assets to acquire, while avoiding large speculative newbuilding orders.

Conference Call
As previously announced, today, Thursday, March 19, 2015, at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time, TEN will host a conference call to review the results as well as management's outlook for the business. The call, which will be hosted by TEN's senior management, may contain information beyond what is included in the earnings press release.

Conference Call details:
Participants should dial into the call 10 minutes before the scheduled time using the following numbers: 1 866 819 7111 (US Toll Free Dial In), 0800 953 0329 (UK Toll Free Dial In) or +44 (0)1452 542 301 (Standard International Dial In). Please quote "Tsakos" to the operator.

A telephonic replay of the conference call will be available until March 26, 2015 by dialing 1 866 247 4222 (US Toll Free Dial In), 0800 953 1533 (UK Toll Free Dial In) or +44 (0)1452 550 000 (Standard International Dial In). Access Code: 90295809#

Simultaneous Slides and Audio Webcast:
There will also be a simultaneous live, and then archived, slides webcast of the conference call, available through TEN's website (www.tenn.gr). The slides webcast will also provide details related to fleet composition and deployment and other related company information. This presentation will be available on the Company's corporate website reception page at www.tenn.gr. Participants for the live webcast should register on the website approximately 10 minutes prior to the start of the webcast.

New York Investor Day:
Following the Connecticut Maritime Association (CMA) awards on Wednesday March 25^th, honoring Captain Panagiotis N. Tsakos as this year's Commodore, the Company will host an investor day on Thursday March 26^th at the Metropolitan Club in New York City. If interested to attend, please contract Mr. Nicholas Bornozis or Paul Lampoutis at Capital Link for further details.

ABOUT FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Except for the historical information contained herein, the matters discussed in this press release are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those predicted by such forward-looking statements. TEN undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

TSAKOS ENERGY NAVIGATION LIMITED AND SUBSIDIARIES
Selected Consolidated Financial and Other Data
(In Thousands of U.S. Dollars, except share and per share data)
				Three months ended							Year ended
				December 31							December 31
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS DATA				2014			2013				2014				2013
Voyage revenues			$	137,448			$	105,030			$	501,013			$	418,379
Commissions				5,157				4,001				18,819				16,019
Voyage expenses				32,809				30,478				135,324				116,980
Vessel operating expenses				38,789				33,706				147,346				130,760
Depreciation				25,223				24,582				97,938				95,349
Amortization of deferred dry-docking costs				968				1,357				4,953				5,064
Management fees				4,195				4,050				16,457				15,896
General and administrative expenses				1,161				1,056				4,430				4,366
Stock compensation expense				-				469				142				469
Foreign currency (gains)/losses				(85	)			148				(444	)			293
Vessel impairment charge				-				28,290				-				28,290
Total expenses				108,217				128,137				424,965				413,486
	Operating income			29,231				(23,107	)			76,048				4,893
Interest and finance costs, net				(15,642	)			(10,042	)			(43,074	)			(40,917	)
Interest income				196				66				498				366
Other, net				0				(2,533	)			246				(2,912	)
Total other expenses, net				(15,446	)			(12,509	)			(42,330	)			(43,463	)
	Net Income			13,785				(35,616	)			33,718				(38,570	)
	Less: Net (income)/loss attributable to the noncontrolling interest			(238	)			23				(191	)			1,108
Net Income/(loss) attributable to Tsakos Energy Navigation Limited			$	13,547			$	(35,593	)		$	33,527			$	(37,462	)
Effect of preferred dividends				(2,109	)			(2,109	)			(8,438	)			(3,676	)
Net Income/(loss) attributable to common stockholders of Tsakos Energy Navigation Limited			$	11,438			$	(37,702	)			25,089				(41,138	)
Earnings/(loss) per share, basic and diluted			$	0.14			$	(0.66	)		$	0.32			$	(0.73	)
Weighted average number of common shares, basic and diluted				84,712,295				57,286,257				79,114,401				56,698,955

BALANCE SHEET DATA				December 31			December 31
				2014			2013
Cash				214,441			171,764
Other assets				96,548			80,546
Vessels, net				2,199,154			2,173,068
Advances for vessels under construction				188,954			58,521
	Total assets		$	2,699,097		$	2,483,899
Debt				1,418,336			1,380,298
Other liabilities				102,849			105,938
Stockholders' equity				1,177,912			997,663
	Total liabilities and stockholders' equity		$	2,699,097		$	2,483,899

					Three months ended								Year ended
OTHER FINANCIAL DATA					December 31								December 31
					2014				2013				2014				2013
Net cash from operating activities				$	46,165			$	13,694			$	106,971			$	117,923
Net cash used in investing activities				$	(35,017	)		$	(1,659	)		$	(254,307	)		$	(144,437	)
Net cash (used in)/provided by financing activities				$	(13,722	)		$	(17,121	)		$	187,206			$	44,454
TCE per ship per day				$	23,289			$	17,419			$	20,910			$	17,902
Operating expenses per ship per day				$	8,432			$	7,633			$	8,234			$	7,634
Vessel overhead costs per ship per day				$	1,164			$	1,262			$	1,175			$	1,196
					9,596				8,895				9,409				8,830
FLEET DATA
Average number of vessels during period					50.0				48.0				49.0				47.5
Number of vessels at end of period					50.0				48.0				50.0				48.0
Average age of fleet at end of period		Years			7.7				7.1				7.7				7.1
Dwt at end of period (in thousands)					5,102				4,786				5,102				4,786
Time charter employment - fixed rate		Days			1,779				1,892				7,202				6,713
Time charter employment - variable rate		Days			915				932				3,351				4,107
Period employment (pool and coa) at market rates		Days			184				276				1,018				674
Spot voyage employment at market rates		Days			1,615				1,180				5,918				5,460
	Total operating days				4,493				4,280				17,489				16,954
	Total available days				4,600				4,416				17,895				17,339
	Utilization				97.7	%			96.9	%			97.7	%			97.8	%

Non-GAAP Measures
Reconciliation of Net Income to EBITDA
			Three months ended							Year ended
			December 31							December 31
			2014			2013				2014			2013
Net Income/(loss) attributable to Tsakos Energy Navigation Limited			13,547			(35,593	)			33,527			(37,462	)
Depreciation			25,223			24,582				97,938			95,349
Amortization of deferred special survey & drydocking costs			968			1,357				4,953			5,064
Vessel impairment charge			-			28,290				-			28,290
Interest Expense			15,642			10,042				43,074			40,917
EBITDA		$	55,380		$	28,678			$	179,492		$	132,158

The Company reports its financial results in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). However, management believes that certain non-GAAP measures used within the financial community may provide users of this financial information additional meaningful comparisons between current results and results in prior operating periods as well as comparisons between the performance of Shipping Companies. Management also uses these non-GAAP financial measures in making financial, operating and planning decisions and in evaluating the Company's performance. We are using the following Non-GAAP measures:

(i) TCE which represents voyage revenues less voyage expenses divided by the number of operating days. Commission is not deducted.

(ii) Vessel overhead costs which include Management fees, General & Administrative expenses and Stock compensation expense.

(iii) Operating expenses per ship per day which exclude Management fees, General & Administrative expenses and Stock compensation expense.

(iv) EBITDA. See in the table above for reconciliation to net income.

Non-GAAP financial measures should be viewed in addition to and not as an alternative for, the Company's reported results prepared in accordance with GAAP.

The Company does not incur corporation tax.