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· An additional event driven distribution based on proceeds from sale of AS
Patricia as dividend of USD 0.03 per share to be paid alongside the recurring
dividend
· Projected EBITDA backlog now in excess of USD 1.4 billion.
Oslo, 19 May 2022
Q1 and three-month 2022 results:
MPC Container Ships ASA (âMPCCâ or the âCompanyâ, together with its subsidiaries
the âGroupâ) today published its unaudited financial report for the three-month
period ended 31 March 2022.
· Total revenues of USD 142.9 million in Q1 2022 (Q1 2021: USD 54.9 million).
· EBITDA of USD 137.7 million in Q1 2022 (Q1 2021: USD 22.3 million).
· Net profit of USD 116.8 million in Q1 2022 (Q1 2021: USD 3.5 million).
· Adjusted EBITDA of USD 97.8 million and adjusted net profit of 76.9 million
in Q1 2022.
· Earnings per share of USD 0.26 in Q1 2022 (Q1 2021: USD 0.01).
· Utilization of 98.8% in Q1 2022 (Q1 2021: 99.2%).
· Average time charter equivalent (âTCEâ) of USD 24,845 per day in Q1 2022 (Q1
2021: USD 10,502 per day).
· Cash and cash equivalents of USD 81.5 million as at 31 March 2022.
· Equity ratio of 70.2% and leverage ratio of 22.9%.
As at 31 March 2022, the Group owns and operates 65 container vessels, whereof
60 are fully owned and 5 are operated in a joint venture. Furthermore, the Group
has 2 newbuilds on order expected for delivery in Q1 2024.
CEO Constantin Baack comments in relation to the announcement: "We are pleased
to report another strong quarter for MPC Container Ships, in which we have been
able to sustainably grow our earnings and profits. Consequently, the Company
announces a recurring dividend for the first quarter 2022 which is 18% higher
than in the previous quarter.
For Q1 2022 the board has declared a dividend of total USD 71 million, or USD
0.16 per share which includes an event driven dividend of USD 0.03 per share.
Year to date, MPCC has declared a total of USD 271 million in dividends, of
which USD 200 million have already been paid during the first quarter,
emphasizing our commitment to return capital to our shareholders.
On the back of high chartering activity throughout the first quarter we have
been able to secure 23 additional, predominantly multi-year charters, including
numerous strategic forward fixtures, with coverage into 2026. As a result, our
revenue and projected EBITDA backlog has increased to USD 1.7 billion and USD
1.4 billion, respectively.
Following our approach of rational capital allocation and taking a strategic
long-term view, we have executed a unique opportunity by ordering two 5,550 TEU
wide beam eco-design newbuildings, which are ready to be converted to operate on
green methanol once such fuel is widely available. These vessels come with
highly attractive charters attached, demonstrating our ability to develop and
execute transactions that are both accretive in terms of earnings and
environmental footprint in line with upcoming decarbonization regulation.
Moreover, it supports our long-term earnings visibility, without compromising on
our short- and mid-term dividend capacity.
While the global economy currently faces uncertainties like geopolitical
tensions, inflation and Chinaâs zero Covid-19 policy, we are also concerned
about our seafarers and their families being innocent third party in the tragic
situation in the Ukraine, and we are doing our utmost to take care of both
Ukrainian and Russian seafarers and their families.
The container charter market continues to be strong with the availability of
vessels remaining tight. Yet, due to the uncertainties, freight rates and time
-charter rates took a little breather in Q1 but are still at significantly
elevated levels. Charter periods are prolonged and most fixtures are concluded
months in advance. Congestions and supply chain disruptions continue to be
severe and are likely to continue in the foreseeable future. We do not expect
that supply chains will be back to normal within this year.
Despite the fact that the industry will face a number of newbuild deliveries in
2023 and 2024, especially in the larger size classes, supply-demand outlook for
regional trades, and thus smaller vessels, is continuously promising due to a
modest orderbook and relative robust demand growth. In addition, the industry
must adopt new environmental regulations as of 2023 that are expected to induce
speed and thus capacity reductions, especially in regional niche trades.
Amid the current macro-uncertainty, MPCC is excellent positioned to continue to
execute our strategy and follow our approach of rational capital allocation,
combined with proven execution capabilities. We will continue to apply our
investment principles that aim at generating double-digit full cycle returns on
assets while minimizing residual value risk.
Based on our strong earnings prospects and secured cash flows, MPCC has the
potential to pay out significant dividends, and at the same time operate with an
industry low financial leverage, providing the financial flexibility to capture
attractive growth opportunities as they arise."
The above information is subject to the disclosure requirements pursuant to
section 5-12 of the Norwegian Securities Trading Act.
Q1 and three-month 2022 earnings call and webcast:
The Company will host a webcast for the presentation of the Q1 2022 results
commencing on Thursday 19 May 2022 at 15:00 hours CET / 09:00 hours EDT. The
presentation will be made available on the Companyâs webpage (https://www.mpc
-container.com/en/financial-reports/) prior to the earnings call. There will be
a Q&A session after the presentation.
The event is being streamed. It is recommended that you listen via your computer
speakers. Please note that for optimal viewing, it is recommended not to use
VPN, but instead to connect directly to the internet. Please disable pop-up
blockers in order to view the content in its entirety.
The live webcast can be accessed through the following link:
https://edge.media-server.com/mmc/p/p3t8b5gx
Alternatively, participants may dial in to the earnings call using the below
dial-in information:
Norwegian LocalCall Dial-In (Oslo): +47 21 56 31 62
US LocalCall Dial-In (New York): +1 (917) 720-0178
International/Toll Attendee Dial-In: +44 (0)20 3009 5710
Conference ID: 9463928
Following the earnings call, a post-call recording of the webcast will be made
available on the Companyâs webpage (https://www.mpc-container.com/en/financial
-reports/).
Further information and contact:
For further information, please contact ir@mpc-container.com.
About MPC Container Ships ASA:
MPC Container Ships ASA (ticker code âMPCCâ) is a leading container tonnage
provider with a focus on small to mid-size containerships. Its main activity is
to own and operate a portfolio of container ships serving intra-regional trade
lanes on fixed-rate charters. The Company is registered and has its business
office in Oslo, Norway. For more information, please see our website: www.mpc
-container.com.
Forward-looking statements:
This announcement includes forward-looking statements. Such statements are
generally not historical in nature, and specifically include statements about
the Companyâs plans, strategies, business prospects, changes and trends in its
business, the markets in which it operates and its restructuring efforts. These
statements are made based upon managementâs current plans, expectations,
assumptions and beliefs concerning future events impacting the Company and
therefore involve a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions that could
cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the
forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this news
release. Consequently, no forward-looking statement can be guaranteed. When
considering these forward-looking statements, you should keep in mind the risks
described from time to time in the Companyâs regulatory filings and periodical
reporting. The Company undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking
statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date on which such
statement is made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. New
factors emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for the Company to
predict all of these factors. Further, the Company cannot assess the impact of
each such factor on its business or the extent to which any factor, or
combination of factors, may cause actual results to be materially different from
those contained in any forward-looking statement.
Kilde