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Frontline Ltd. (the “Company” or “Frontline”), today reported unaudited results for the three months ended March 31, 2019:
Highlights
Net income attributable to the Company was $40.0 million, or $0.24 per share, for the first quarter of 2019.
Net income attributable to the Company was $45.5 million, or $0.27 per share adjusted for certain non-cash items for the first quarter of 2019.
Reported spot average daily time charter equivalent (“TCE”) for VLCCs, Suezmax tankers and LR2/Aframax tankers in the first quarter were $35,700, $28,200 and $24,000, respectively.
For the second quarter of 2019, we estimate spot TCE of $34,800 contracted for 63% of vessel days for VLCCs. The estimated spot TCE is provided using the load-to-discharge method of accounting. We expect the spot TCE for the full quarter will be lower primarily due to impact of ballast days at the end of the quarter.
In January 2019, the Company increased its ownership interest to 28.9% in Feen Marine Scrubbers Inc. (“FMSI”).
In January and April 2019, the Company took delivery of the VLCC newbuildings Front Defender and Front Discovery.
Robert Hvide Macleod, Chief Executive Officer of Frontline Management AS commented:
"Following a strong start to the year, crude oil tanker rates weakened significantly in recent months due to elevated levels of refinery maintenance, decrease in oil supply and a number of newbuildings delivering. However, a market improvement is expected in the second half of the year as refinery capacity returns and oil volumes return to the markets. In particular, market analysts expect incremental crude demand to be generated by upcoming IMO 2020 regulations as increased inputs will be required to meet new demand for low sulphur fuels. Our commercial strategy, fleet renewal over recent years and the strong support from our largest shareholder creates significant leverage and opportunity in this exciting market dynamic."
Inger M. Klemp, Chief Financial Officer of Frontline Management AS added:
“Following strong financial results in the first quarter of 2019 Frontline has remained focused on further strengthening its balance sheet. Based on market expectations and competitive breakeven levels, the Company is well positioned to generate significant cash flow and create value for its shareholders.”
The average daily time charter equivalents (“TCE”) earned by Frontline in the quarter ended March 31, 2019, the prior quarter and in the year ended December 31, 2018 are shown below, along with spot estimates for the second quarter of 2019 and the estimated average daily cash break-even (“BE”) rates for the remainder of 2019:
| Average daily time charter equivalents (“TCEs”) |
| ($ per day) | Spot | Spot estimates | % covered | Estimated average daily BE rates |
| Â | Q1 2019 | Q4 2018 | 2018 | Q2 2019 | 2019 |
| VLCC | 35,700 | 28,400 | 18,300 | 34,800 | 63% | 24,700 |
| SMAX | 28,200 | 26,100 | 17,300 | 19,000 | 63% | 20,000 |
| LR2 | 24,000 | 18,700 | 14,900 | 19,500 | 55% | 16,600 |
The estimated average daily cash break-even rates are the daily TCE rates the vessels must earn in order to cover operating expenses including dry docks, repayments of loans, interest on loans, bareboat hire and general and administrative expenses.
Spot estimates are provided using the load-to-discharge method of accounting. The rates quoted are for days currently contracted. The actual rates to be earned in the second quarter of 2019 will therefore depend on the number of additional days that we can contract, and more importantly the number of additional days that each vessel is laden. Therefore, a high number of ballast days at the end of the quarter will limit the amount of additional revenues to be booked based on load to discharge accounting principles.
On February 28, 2019 the Company disclosed that spot TCE of $41,300 per day had been contracted for 84% of vessel days for our VLCCs. As described above, due to the limited number of additional laden days at the end of the first quarter, additional revenues booked were limited and as such the total revenues for the 84% of vessel days contracted was spread over 100% of the days in the quarter, resulting in a lower TCE per day by the end of the first quarter.
The load-to-discharge method of accounting results in revenues being recognized over fewer days, but at a higher rate for those days. Over the life of a voyage there is no difference in the total revenues and costs to be recognized.
When expressing TCE per day for the first quarter of 2019, the Company uses the total available days for the quarter and not just the number of days the vessel is laden.
Questions should be directed to:
Robert Hvide Macleod: Chief Executive Officer, Frontline Management AS
+47 23 11 40 84
Inger M. Klemp: Chief Financial Officer, Frontline Management AS
+47 23 11 40 76
Forward-Looking Statements
Matters discussed in this report may constitute forward-looking statements. The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides safe harbor protections for forward-looking statements, which 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.
Frontline Ltd. and its subsidiaries, or the Company, desires to take advantage of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and is including this cautionary statement in connection with this safe harbor legislation. This report and any other written or oral statements made by us or on our behalf may include forward-looking statements, which reflect our current views with respect to future events and financial performance, and are not intended to give any assurance as to future results. When used in this document, the words “believe,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “estimate,” “forecast,” “project,” “plan,” “potential,” “will,” “may,” “should,” “expect” and similar expressions, terms or phrases may identify forward-looking statements.
The forward-looking statements in this report are based upon various assumptions, including without limitation, management’s examination of historical operating trends, data contained in our records and data available from third parties. Although we believe 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, we cannot assure you that we will achieve or accomplish these expectations, beliefs or projections. We undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
In addition to these important factors and matters discussed elsewhere herein, 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, fluctuations in currencies and interest rates, general market conditions, including fluctuations in charter hire rates and vessel values, changes in the supply and demand for vessels comparable to ours, changes in world wide oil production and consumption and storage, changes in the Company’s operating expenses, including bunker prices, dry docking and insurance costs, the market for the Company’s vessels, availability of financing and refinancing, our ability to obtain financing and comply with the restrictions and other covenants in our financing arrangements, availability of skilled workers and the related labor costs, compliance with governmental, tax, environmental and safety regulation, any non-compliance with the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977 (FCPA) or other applicable regulations relating to bribery, general economic conditions and conditions in the oil industry, effects of new products and new technology in our industry, the failure of counter parties to fully perform their contracts with us, our dependence on key personnel, adequacy of insurance coverage, our ability to obtain indemnities from customers, changes in laws, treaties or regulations, the volatility of the price of our ordinary shares; our incorporation under the laws of Bermuda and the different rights to relief that may be available compared to other countries, including the United States, changes in governmental rules and regulations or actions taken by regulatory authorities, potential liability from pending or future litigation, general domestic and international political conditions, potential disruption of shipping routes due to accidents, political events or acts by terrorists, and other important factors described from time to time in the reports filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission or Commission.
We caution readers of this report not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of their dates. These forward-looking statements are no guarantee of our future performance, and actual results and future developments may vary materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements.
This information is subject to the disclosure requirements pursuant to section 5 -12 of the Norwegian Securities Trading Act.
1st Quarter 2019 Results
This announcement is distributed by West Corporation on behalf of West Corporation clients.
The issuer of this announcement warrants that they are solely responsible for the content, accuracy and originality of the information contained therein.
Source: Frontline Ltd. via Globenewswire
http://www.netfonds.no/quotes/release.php?id=20190516.GlobeNewswire.HUG2244546
