Capital Product Partners L.P. Announces Third Quarter 2022 Financial Results


ATHENS, Greece, Nov. 09, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Capital Product Partners L.P. (the “Partnership”, “CPLP” or “we” / “us”) (NASDAQ: CPLP), an international owner of ocean-going vessels, today released its financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2022.

Highlights

 Three-month periods ended September 30,
  2022 2021Increase
Revenues$71.9 million$43.1 million67%
Expenses$40.4 million$27.8 million45%
Net Income$58.7 million$11.9 million393%
Net Income per common unit$2.90$0.62368%
Average number of vessels1 19.4 16.617%
  • Operating Surplus2 and Operating Surplus after the quarterly allocation to the capital reserve for the third quarter of 2022 were $37.6 million and $7.8 million, respectively.
  • Announced common unit distribution of $0.15 for the third quarter of 2022.
  • Successfully concluded a €100.0 million Senior Unsecured Bonds issuance (together with the €150.0 million Senior Unsecured euro-denominated bonds issued in October 2021, the “Bonds”) on the Athens Exchange.
  • Delivered the M/V Archimidis and the M/V Agamemnon to their new owners in July 2022.
  • Repurchased 287,124 of the Partnership’s common units during the nine months ended September 30, 2022, at an average cost of $15.41 per unit.

1 Average number of vessels is measured by aggregating the number of days each vessel was part of our fleet during the period and dividing such aggregate number by the number of calendar days in the period.

2 Operating surplus is a non-GAAP financial measure used by certain investors to measure the financial performance of the Partnership and other master limited partnerships. Please refer to Appendix A at the end of the press release for a reconciliation of this non-GAAP measure with net income.

In October 2022, the Partnership took delivery of the M/V Manzanillo Express, the first of three 13,312 twenty-foot equivalent (“TEU”) container vessels we have agreed to acquire together with one LNG carrier (“LNG/C”). Upon its delivery to CPLP, the M/V Manzanillo Express commenced its ten-year charter with Hapag-Lloyd.

Overview of Third Quarter 2022 Results

Net income for the quarter ended September 30, 2022, was $58.7 million, compared with net income of $11.9 million for the third quarter of 2021. Net income for the third quarter of 2022 includes a gain of $47.3 million from the sale of the M/V Archimidis and the M/V Agamemnon. After taking into account the interest attributable to the general partner and the allocation of net income to unvested units, net income per common unit for the quarter ended September 30, 2022, was $2.90. Net income per common unit excluding the gain on sale of vessel of $47.3 million, was $0.57, compared to net income per common unit of $0.62 for the third quarter of 2021.

Total revenue for the quarter ended September 30, 2022 was $71.9 million, compared to $43.1 million during the third quarter of 2021. The increase in revenue was primarily attributable to the net increase in the average number of vessels in our fleet by 17%, following the delivery of four LNG/Cs during the fourth quarter of 2021, partly offset by the sale of the M/V Adonis in December 2021, the M/V Archimidis and the M/V Agamemnon in July 2022.

Total expenses for the quarter ended September 30, 2022 were $40.4 million, compared to $27.8 million in the third quarter of 2021. Voyage expenses for the quarter ended September 30, 2022, increased to $4.4 million, compared to $3.0 million in the third quarter of 2021, due to the increase in the average size of our fleet and the increase in voyage expenses incurred by a vessel in our fleet employed under voyage charters, compared to the respective period in 2021. Total vessel operating expenses during the third quarter of 2022 amounted to $17.0 million, compared to $11.3 million during the third quarter of 2021. The increase in vessel operating expenses was mainly due to the net increase in the average number of vessels in our fleet. Total expenses for the third quarter of 2022 also include vessel depreciation and amortization of $16.2 million, compared to $11.0 million in the third quarter of 2021. The increase in depreciation and amortization during the third quarter of 2022 was mainly attributable to the net increase in the size of our fleet, partly offset by lower amortization of deferred dry-docking costs. General and administrative expenses for the third quarter of 2022 amounted to $2.8 million as compared to $2.6 million in the third quarter of 2021. The increase in general and administrative expenses was mainly attributable to the increase in the amortization associated with our equity incentive plan.

Total other expense, net for the quarter ended September 30, 2022, was $20.0 million compared to $3.4 million for the third quarter of 2021. Total other expense, net includes interest expense and finance costs of $14.9 million for the third quarter of 2022, as compared to $3.6 million for the third quarter of 2021. The increase in interest expense and finance costs was mainly attributable to (i) the increase in the LIBOR weighted average interest rate compared to the third quarter of 2021 and (ii) the net increase in our total outstanding indebtedness, following the issuance of €150.0 million of Bonds in October 2021 and €100.0 million of Bonds in July 2022 and the debt we assumed following the acquisition of four LNG/Cs during the fourth quarter of 2021, partly offset by the scheduled principal payments during the period, debt repayments in connection with the sales of the M/V Adonis in the fourth quarter of 2021, the M/V Archimidis and the M/V Agamemnon in July 2022 and by the full repayment of two of our credit facilities of a total amount of $95.7 million during the quarter. Total other expense, net also includes a net loss of $2.3 million related to the cross-currency swap agreements associated with the Bonds and an unrealized foreign exchange loss of $2.9 million resulting from the decrease in the U.S. Dollar equivalent of the cash balances we maintained in Euros as of September 30, 2022.

Capitalization of the Partnership

As of September 30, 2022, total cash amounted to $144.2 million. Total cash includes restricted cash of $9.7 million which represents the minimum liquidity requirement under our financing arrangements.

As of September 30, 2022, total partners’ capital amounted to $613.7 million, an increase of $88.2 million compared to $525.5 million as of December 31, 2021. The increase reflects net income for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 and the amortization associated with the equity incentive plan, partly offset by distributions declared and paid during the period in the total amount of $9.1 million, the repurchase of common units for an aggregate amount of $4.4 million and other comprehensive loss of $4.7 million resulting from the change in the fair value of the cross currency swap agreement we designated as accounting hedge, partly set off by the decrease in the U.S. Dollar equivalent of our euro-denominated Bonds linked to the relevant cross currency swap agreement, as of September 30, 2022.

As of September 30, 2022, the Partnership’s total debt was $1,190.9 million, before financing fees, reflecting a decrease of $126.5 million compared to $1,317.4 million as of December 31, 2021. The decrease is attributable to the scheduled principal payments for the period of $77.6 million, debt repayments in connection with the sale of the M/V Archimidis and the M/V Agamemnon of $28.0 million, the repayment in full of our 2017 and 2020 credit facilities of a total amount of $95.7 million and the $26.5 million decrease in the U.S. Dollar equivalent of the euro-denominated Bonds as of September 30, 2022, partly offset by the issuance of €100.0 million ($101.3 million) Bonds in July 2022. Following the repayment in full of our 2017 and 2020 credit facilities, seven vessels in our fleet are unencumbered.

Operating Surplus

Operating surplus for the quarter ended September 30, 2022, amounted to $37.6 million, compared to $43.9 million for the previous quarter ended June 30, 2022, and $25.8 million for the third quarter of 2021. We allocated $29.7 million to the capital reserve, a decrease of $1.4 million compared to the previous quarter due to the decreased debt amortization resulting after the debt repayments, and the inclusion in the capital reserve of $3.5 million corresponding to an additional reserve for the Bonds issued in July 2022. Operating surplus for the quarter ended September 30, 2022, after the quarterly allocation to the capital reserve was $7.8 million.

Issue of Senior Unsecured Bonds on The Athens Exchange

In July 2022, the Partnership, through its wholly owned subsidiary, CPLP Shipping Holdings PLC, issued €100.0 million of senior unsecured bonds on the Athens Exchange. The bonds are guaranteed by the Partnership. The bonds will mature in July 2029 and have a coupon of 4.40%, payable semi-annually. In connection with the issuance of the bonds, we entered into a cross-currency swap agreement to manage the related foreign currency exchange risk by effectively converting the fixed-rate, euro-denominated bonds, including the semi-annual interest payments for the period from July 26, 2022, to July 26, 2029 to fixed-rate, U.S. Dollar-denominated debt. The economic effect of the swap agreements is to eliminate the uncertainty of the cash flows in U.S. Dollars associated with the issuance of the bonds by fixing the principal amount at $101.8 million with a fixed annual interest rate of 6.55%.

Russia-Ukraine conflict

Due to the ongoing Russian conflicts with Ukraine, the United States (“U.S.”), European Union (“E.U.”), Canada and other Western countries and organizations have announced and enacted numerous sanctions against Russia to impose severe economic pressure on the Russian economy and government. 

As of today, and to the Partnership’s knowledge, current U.S. and E.U. sanctions regimes do not materially affect the business, operations or financial condition of the Partnership and the Partnership’s counterparties are currently performing their obligations under their respective time charters in compliance with applicable U.S. and E.U. rules and regulations.

Sanctions legislation has been changing and the Partnership continues to monitor such changes as applicable to the Partnership and its counterparties. The full impact of the commercial and economic consequences of the Russian conflict with Ukraine is uncertain at this time. Currently, the LNG/C market is benefiting from the energy security concerns amid the Russia-Ukraine conflict (see also Market Commentary Update below).

COVID-19

We continue to monitor the impact of COVID-19 on the Partnership’s financial condition and operations and on the container and LNG industry in general. While it is not always possible to distinguish incremental costs or off-hire associated with the impact of COVID-19 on our operations, we estimate that for the third quarter of 2022, incremental operating and/or voyage costs associated with COVID-19 were approximately $0.2 million.

The actual impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in the longer run, as well as the extent of any measures we take in response to the challenges presented by it, as described in our previous releases, will depend on how the pandemic will continue to develop, the continued distribution of vaccines, the duration and extent of the restrictive measures that are associated with the pandemic and their further impact on global economy and trade. Currently, the container charter market is benefiting from the impact of COVID-19 on the global trade logistics chain. (see also Market Commentary Update below).

Management Commentary

Mr. Jerry Kalogiratos, Chief Executive Officer of our General Partner, commented:

“We are delighted to see the continued strong financial performance of the Partnership during the third quarter of 2022 compared to the same period last year, driven by a number of key strategic commercial and financial decisions.”

“Building on our fleet renewal program, we have taken delivery in the last 12 months of four brand new additional LNG/Cs and one 13,312 TEU container vessel, while we have committed to acquire one more LNG/C and another two 13,278 TEU container vessels, all with long-term charters attached. Accordingly, we have divested four older container vessels taking advantage of historically high asset prices. As a result, the weighted average age of our fleet is 6.3 years and remaining charter duration 7.0 years with a contracted revenue backlog of approximately $1.9 billion.”

“In addition, the Partnership’s successful €100.0 million issue of seven-year unsecured bonds was followed by debt repayments of $123.7 million, maintaining the overall leverage at conservative levels, while reducing exposure to rising interest rates.”

“All the above and consistent with the Partnership’s capital allocation policy of an active unit repurchase program and quarterly distributions, demonstrate the Partnership’s commitment to continue to grow its asset base, while returning capital to its unitholders.”

Unit Repurchase Program

On January 25, 2021, the Partnership’s Board of Directors of the Partnership (the “Board”) approved a unit repurchase program, providing the Partnership with authorization to repurchase up to $30.0 million of units of the Partnership’s common units, effective for a period of two years. During the quarter ended September 30, 2022, the Partnership repurchased 102,085, common units at an average cost of $14.63 per unit or 669,374 common units since the launching of the unit repurchase plan on February 19, 2021, at an average cost of $13.31 per unit.

Quarterly Common Unit Cash Distribution

On October 20, 2022, the Board declared a cash distribution of $0.15 per common unit for the third quarter of 2022 payable on November 10, 2022 to common unit holders of record on November 2, 2022.

Market Commentary Update

Container market

Container charter rates have decreased significantly over the third quarter of 2022 amid demand headwinds, easing congestion and weaker sentiment. Despite both freight and charter rates easing recently, they still stand higher than the 2021 year-on-year average.

Continued softening in market conditions should be expected according to analysts in the near-term amid concerns over the global economic outlook. Trade is now expected to fall by 0.3% in 2022, compared to a 4% growth forecast at the beginning of the year.

The container vessel orderbook stands at 27.9% as of end of October. For the first time in years, the number of fully cellular container vessels scrapped in the first nine months of 2022 is almost zero with only 2 small units recorded as sold for recycling this year, with total TEU of 1,384.

LNG market

The LNG/C charter market continues to strengthen, with spot rates rising sharply in September. The market is supported by energy security concerns amid the Russia-Ukraine conflict and record high floating storage, as traders are positioning themselves for the winter.

Term charter rates have seen continuous upward pressure through the third quarter, with 1-year rates for a 2-stroke vessel increasing from $160,000 per day at the start of the quarter to $230,000 per day by the end of the quarter. For steam turbine vessels, the increase was less marked, as expectations for persistent high LNG prices and the upcoming environmental regulations make them less attractive to charterers.

The LNG fleet orderbook stands at 42% of the total fleet with 50 new orders placed within the third quarter of 2022, 30 of which are for the Qatar North Field Expansion project. Simultaneously, the current price of a newbuilding vessel has reached in excess of $245.0 million.

Conference Call and Webcast

Today, November 9, 2022, the Partnership will host an interactive conference call at 9:00 am Eastern Time to discuss the financial results.

Conference Call Details

Participants should dial into the call 10 minutes before the scheduled time using the following numbers: +1 877 405 1226 (US Toll-Free Dial In) or +1 201 689 7823 (US and Standard International Dial In). Please quote “Capital Product Partners” to the operator and/or conference ID 13734083. Click here for additional participant International Toll-Free access numbers.

Alternatively, participants can register for the call using the call me option for a faster connection to join the conference call. You can enter your phone number and let the system call you right away. Click here for the call me option.

Slides and Audio Webcast

There will also be a live, and then archived, webcast of the conference call and accompanying slides, available through the Partnership’s website. To listen to the archived audio file, visit our website http://ir.capitalpplp.com/ and click on Webcasts & Presentations under our Investor Relations page. Participants to the live webcast should register on the website approximately 10 minutes prior to the start of the webcast.

About Capital Product Partners L.P.

Capital Product Partners L.P. (NASDAQ: CPLP), a Marshall Islands master limited partnership, is an international owner of ocean-going vessels. CPLP currently owns 20 vessels, including six latest generation LNG/Cs, ten Neo-Panamax container vessels, three Panamax container vessels and one Capesize bulk carrier vessel. This excludes two 13,278 TEU container vessels and one LNG/C that CPLP has agreed to acquire and expected to be delivered between the first quarter of 2023 and the second quarter of 2023.

For more information about the Partnership, please visit: www.capitalpplp.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

The statements in this press release that are not historical facts, including, among other things, the expected financial performance of CPLP’s business, CPLP’s ability to pursue growth opportunities, CPLP’s expectations or objectives regarding future distributions, unit repurchases, market and charter rate expectations, and, in particular, the expected effects of recent vessel acquisitions and the Russia-Ukraine conflict and COVID-19 on the financial condition and operations of CPLP and the container and LNG/C industries in general, are forward-looking statements (as such term is defined in Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended). These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause the stated or forecasted results to be materially different from those anticipated. For a discussion of factors that could materially affect the outcome of forward-looking statements and other risks and uncertainties, see “Risk Factors” in CPLP’s annual report filed with the SEC on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2021, filed on April 27, 2022. Unless required by law, CPLP expressly disclaims any obligation to update or revise any of these forward-looking statements, whether because of future events, new information, a change in its views or expectations, to conform them to actual results or otherwise. CPLP does not assume any responsibility for the accuracy and completeness of the forward-looking statements. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.

CPLP-F
Contact Details:

Capital GP L.L.C.
Jerry Kalogiratos
CEO
Tel. +30 (210) 4584 950
E-mail: j.kalogiratos@capitalpplp.com

Capital GP L.L.C.
Nikos Kalapotharakos
CFO
Tel. +30 (210) 4584 950
E-mail: n.kalapotharakos@capitalmaritime.com

Investor Relations / Media
Nicolas Bornozis
Capital Link, Inc. (New York)
Tel. +1-212-661-7566
E-mail: cplp@capitallink.com

Source: Capital Product Partners L.P.


Capital Product Partners L.P.
Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
(In thousands of United States Dollars, except for number of units and earnings per unit)

 For the three-monthFor the nine-month
periods ended September 30,periods ended September 30,
 2022 2021 2022 2021 
Revenues71,858 43,125 219,174 121,091 
Expenses / (income), net:    
Voyage expenses4,386 3,032 12,417 7,469 
Vessel operating expenses14,779 9,901 43,334 28,188 
Vessel operating expenses - related parties2,254 1,405 6,825 4,007 
General and administrative expenses2,771 2,555 6,665 5,915 
Gain on sale of vessels(47,275)- (47,275)(25,384)
Vessel depreciation and amortization16,246 10,954 52,278 32,101 
Operating income, net78,697 15,278 144,930 68,795 
Other income / (expense), net:    
Interest expense and finance cost(14,945)(3,631)(36,997)(11,208)
Other (expense) / income, net(5,024)228 (3,638)570 
Total other expense, net(19,969)(3,403)(40,635)(10,638)
Partnership’s net income58,728 11,875 104,295 58,157 
General Partner’s interest in Partnership’s net income1,014 216 1,803 1,072 
Partnership’s net income allocable to unvested units2,157 257 2,835 1,271 
Common unit holders’ interest in Partnership’s net income55,557 11,402 99,657 55,814 
Net income per:    
• Common units, basic and diluted2.90 0.62 5.17 3.08 
Weighted-average units outstanding:    
• Common units, basic and diluted19,162,451 18,201,471 19,264,330 18,125,429 


Capital Product Partners L.P.
Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(In thousands of United States Dollars)

  As of September 30, 2022  As of December 31, 2021
Assets     
Current assets     
Cash and cash equivalents$134,453 $20,373
Trade accounts receivable 3,253  6,025
Prepayments and other assets 6,101  4,835
Inventories 5,189  5,009
Claims 1,335  1,442
Total current assets 150,331  37,684
Fixed assets     
Advances for vessels under construction – related party 30,000  -
Vessels, net 1,651,898  1,781,858
Total fixed assets 1,681,898  1,781,858
Other non-current assets     
Above market acquired charters 36,424  48,605
Deferred charges, net 538  2,771
Restricted cash 9,697  10,614
Prepayments and other assets 3,677  3,638
Total non-current assets 1,732,234  1,847,486
Total assets$1,882,565 $1,885,170
Liabilities and Partners’ Capital     
Current liabilities     
Current portion of long-term debt, net (including $10,000 payable to related party as of December 31, 2021)$68,556 $97,879
Trade accounts payable 8,614  9,823
Due to related parties 3,014  2,785
Accrued liabilities 14,012  11,395
Deferred revenue 16,754  8,919
Total current liabilities 110,950  130,801
Long-term liabilities     
Long-term debt, net (including $6,000 payable to related party as of September 30, 2022, and December 31, 2021) 1,112,675  1,211,095
Derivative liabilities 33,750  3,167
Below market acquired charters 11,445  14,643
Total long-term liabilities 1,157,870  1,228,905
Total liabilities 1,268,820  1,359,706
Commitments and contingencies     
Total partners’ capital 613,745  525,464
Total liabilities and partners’ capital$1,882,565 $1,885,170


Capital Product Partners L.P.
Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(In thousands of United States Dollars)

  For the nine-month periods ended September 30, 
  2022  2021 
Cash flows from operating activities:    
Net income$104,295 $58,157 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:    
Vessel depreciation and amortization 52,278  32,101 
Amortization and write-off of deferred financing costs 2,239  1,886 
Amortization / accretion of above / below market acquired charters 8,983  4,861 
Gain on sale of vessels (47,275) (25,384)
Equity compensation expense 2,181  1,528 
Change in fair value of derivatives 25,876   
Unrealized bonds exchange differences (26,486)  
Unrealized cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash exchange differences 2,947   
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:    
Trade accounts receivable 2,772  (407)
Prepayments and other assets 325  130 
Inventories (180) (125)
Claims 107  85 
Trade accounts payable 355  689 
Due to related parties 229  (145)
Accrued liabilities 995  (93)
Deferred revenue 7,835  1,653 
Dry-docking costs paid   (13)
Net cash provided by operating activities 137,476  74,923 
Cash flows from investing activities:    
Vessel acquisitions, including time charters attached, and improvements (2,518) (102,002)
Advances for vessels under construction – related party (30,000)  
Proceeds from sale of vessels, net 127,124  98,467 
Net cash provided by / (used in) investing activities 94,606  (3,535)
Cash flows from financing activities:    
Proceeds from long-term debt 101,276  30,030 
Deferred financing costs paid (2,457) (663)
Payments of long-term debt (201,303) (79,383)
Repurchase of common units (4,433) (4,465)
Dividends paid (9,055) (5,639)
Net cash used in financing activities (115,972) (60,120)
Net increase in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash 116,110  11,268 
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash (2,947)  
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period 30,987  54,336 
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period 144,150  65,604 
Supplemental cash flow information    
Cash paid for interest 33,395  9,581 
Non-Cash Investing and Financing Activities    
Seller’s credit agreements   16,000 
Financing arrangements assumed in connection with the acquisition of companies owning vessels   304,355 
Common units issued in connection with the acquisition of companies owning vessels   15,277 
Capital expenditures included in liabilities 832  1,048 
Capitalized dry-docking costs included in liabilities 29  2,097 
Deferred financing costs included in liabilities 1,124   
Expenses for sale of vessels included in liabilities 1,300  1,485 
Reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash    
Cash and cash equivalents 134,453  56,604 
Restricted cash - non-current assets 9,697  9,000 
Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash shown in the statements of cash flows 144,150  65,604 


Appendix A – Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measure
(In thousands of U.S. Dollars)
Description of Non-GAAP Financial Measure – Operating Surplus

Operating Surplus represents net income adjusted for depreciation and amortization expense, Bonds, cash and cash equivalents exchange differences, change in fair value of derivatives, sale of vessel result, amortization / accretion of above / below market acquired charters and straight-line revenue adjustments.

Operating Surplus is a quantitative measure used in the publicly traded partnership investment community to assist in evaluating a partnership’s financial performance and ability to make quarterly cash distributions. Operating Surplus is not required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”) and should not be considered a substitute for net income, cash flow from operating activities and other operations or cash flow statement data prepared in accordance with GAAP or as a measure of profitability or liquidity. Our calculation of Operating Surplus may not be comparable to that reported by other companies. The table below reconciles Operating Surplus to net income for the following periods:

Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measure 
Operating Surplus
For the three-month
period ended

September 30, 2022
For the three-month
period ended

June 30, 2022
For the three-month
period ended

September 30, 2021
Partnership’s net income58,728 20,418 11,875 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to operating surplus prior to Capital   
Depreciation, amortization, unrealized Bonds, cash and cash equivalents exchange differences and change in fair value of derivatives122,673 20,050 11,819 
Amortization / accretion of above / below market acquired charters and straight-line revenue adjustments3,426 3,388 2,123 
Gain on sale of vessels(47,275)- - 
Operating Surplus prior to capital reserve37,552 43,856 25,817 
Capital reserve(29,704)(31,109)(14,505)
Operating Surplus after capital reserve7,848 12,747 11,312 
Increase in recommended reserves(4,818)(9,657)(9,337)
Available Cash3,030 3,090 1,975 

 

_________________________________

1 Depreciation, amortization, unrealized Bonds, cash and cash equivalents exchange differences and change in fair value of derivatives line item includes the following components:

  • Vessel depreciation and amortization;
  • Deferred financing costs and equity compensation plan amortization;
  • Unrealized Bonds exchange differences;
  • Unrealized cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash exchange differences; and
  • Change in fair value of derivatives.