-- Declared a cash dividend of $0.30 per share for the fourth quarter of 2010.
-- Reported fourth quarter net profit of $2.4 million or $0.15 per share ('EPS').
-- Earned average Time Charter Equivalent ('TCE') of $26,575 per day for the two Very Large Crude Carriers ('VLCCs') and $23,826 per day for the three Suezmaxes in the Company's fleet.
Crude Carriers Corp. ("Crude Carriers" or the "Company") (NYSE: CRU) today reported its financial results and declared a cash dividend of $0.30 per share for the fourth quarter of 2010 payable on March 2, 2011 to shareholders of record on February 23, 2011.
The Company's net profit for the quarter was $2.4 million or $0.15 per share, principally as a result of the commercial operations of our vessels that earned above the TD 3 and TD 5 indices that prevailed in the crude tanker market during the fourth quarter of 2010, as well as a modest recovery in the Suezmax market compared to the third quarter of 2010. Revenues amounted to $12.7 million for the quarter, including $0.7 million of profit sharing revenues earned by two of our vessels employed under the spot index linked time charter arrangement with Shell Shipping & Trading Co.
Total voyage and vessel operating expenses for the quarter amounted to $4.6 million, of which $1.2 million were voyage expenses, comprising mostly of bunker costs and $3.4 million were operating expenses. General and administrative expenses were $1.7 million for the quarter, of which $0.6 million was a non-cash charge related to the Omnibus Incentive Compensation Plan.
Interest expense and finance cost for the fourth quarter 2010 was $1.3 million, principally relating to the $134.6 million outstanding debt, drawn under our $200.0 million revolving credit facility.
Quarterly Dividend of $0.30 per share
The Company's dividend policy, as described in the listing prospectus, is to pay a variable quarterly dividend based on our cash available for distribution, which represents net cash flow during the previous quarter generated by our vessels trading in the spot crude tanker market less any amount required to maintain a reserve that our Board of Directors (the 'Board') determines from time to time is appropriate for the operation and future growth of our fleet.
The Company generated $4.8 million in cash available for distribution during the quarter and its Board declared a cash dividend of $0.30 per share for the period of October 1, 2010 to December 31, 2010.The cash dividend is payable on March 2, 2011 to all shareholders of record on February 23, 2011.
Cash available for distribution is a non US GAAP financial measure described on Appendix A of this press release and in the Company's second quarter 2010 earnings release.
Crude Tanker Market Overview
During the fourth quarter of 2010 the TD3 (Middle Eastern-Japan) and the TD5 (West Africa - US East Coast) indices averaged $19,758 per day and $20,077 per day.
Crude spot market rates remained close to historical lows, due to the lack of storage demand. Overall, vessel supply remained high on the back of continued deliveries of newbuilding vessels, and limited vessel demolition. The fourth quarter of 2010 saw a modest recovery in crude charter rates, compared to the third quarter of 2010, especially in the Suezmax market, as a result of the seasonal uptick in demand.
Management Commentary:
Mr. Evangelos Marinakis, the Company's CEO, commented: "Our fourth quarter results continue to demonstrate the Company's capacity to generate attractive dividends even in a weak market environment. Despite a modest recovery, the fourth quarter average spot earnings for VLCCs and Suezmaxes were among the lowest the market has experienced over the last decade. However, the profit sharing arrangements that we have in place with our charterers, as well as our own commercial operations, allowed us to outperform the TD3 and TD5 indices. Furthermore, our low cash breakeven and modern, high specification fleet put us in a strong position to weather a softer market environment, and capitalize on a future market recovery, as the continuously improving crude oil demand fundamentals bode well for the crude tanker market in the medium to long run."
Conference Call and Webcast
Today, Friday, February 11, 2011, at 10:00 a.m. EST, the Crude Carriers management team will hold a conference call to discuss the financial results.
Conference Call Details:
Participants should dial into the call 10 minutes before the scheduled time using the following numbers: by dialling 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 "Crude Carriers."
A telephonic replay of the conference call will be available until February 18, 2011 by dialling 1 866 247 4222 (US Toll Free Dial In), 0800 953 1533 (UK Toll Free Dial In) or +44 (0)1452 55 00 00 (Standard International Dial In). Access Code required for the reply is: 70469247#
Slides and Audio Webcast:
There will also be a live, and then archived, webcast of the conference call, available through the Company's website (www.crudecarrierscorp.com). Participants to the live webcast should register on the website approximately 10 minutes prior to the start of the webcast.
Forward Looking Statements
This press release may contain forward-looking statements made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements include, without limitation, statements with respect our outlook on the market and our expectations with respect to our strategy and distributions to our shareholders, and are based on management's current expectations and observations. Included among the important factors that, in our view, could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward looking statements contained in this press release are the following: (i) conditions in the United States capital markets; (ii) conditions affecting the crude spot market and the crude market generally; and other factors listed from time to time under "Risk Factors" and other sections of our public filings with the SEC including, without limitation, Crude Carriers Corp.'s registration statement on Form F-1. We make no prediction or statement about the performance of shares.
About Crude Carriers Corp.
Crude Carriers Corp. (NYSE: CRU) is a Marshall Islands corporation focusing on the maritime transportation of crude oil cargoes. The company owns a modern, high specification fleet of crude oil tankers, which is currently comprised of two VLCC (Very Large Crude Carrier) and three Suezmax tankers. Four out of the five vessels are deployed under spot market index linked arrangements with Shell Trading & Shipping Co. Crude Carriers Corp. common shares trade on The New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "CRU."
