Seaspan Reports First Quarter 2019 Results
Continues to execute on capital plan, finishing the quarter with $776 million of liquidity
HONG KONG, May 1, 2019 /PRNewswire/ - Seaspan Corporation ("Seaspan") (NYSE: SSW) announced today its financial results for the quarter ended March 31, 2019.
Highlights for the First Quarter 2019:
-- Achieved vessel utilization of 98.1%
-- Operating earnings of $344.1 million
-- Reported net earnings attributable to common shares of $267.1 million
-- Earnings per diluted share of $1.26
-- Cash flows from operations of $122.6 million
Comments from Management
Bing Chen, President and Chief Executive Officer, commented, "During the first quarter of 2019, we continued to deliver on our five-priority focus and capitalize on the scale, flexibility, and quality of our integrated operating platform. This platform provides the fleet life cycle services our customers depend on, as demonstrated by our utilization rate of 98% during the quarter, which is consistent with our industry leading average of 98% since IPO. As always, our team is dedicated to strengthening our existing partnerships, as well as expanding our platform with new customers."
Ryan Courson, Chief Financial Officer, said, "We continue to execute on our capital allocation strategy of strengthening the balance sheet through deleveraging and increasing balance sheet flexibility. Our focus on credit accretion, along with the simplification and consolidation of our capital structure, furthers our objectives of building sustainable, long-term franchise value."
Significant Developments in the First Quarter
Fairfax Investments
On January 15, 2019, pursuant to a previous subscription agreement, Seaspan issued to Fairfax Financial Holdings Ltd. ("Fairfax"), in a private placement, $250.0 million in debentures bearing interest at 5.5% and warrants to purchase 38,461,539 Class A common shares at $6.50 per share the ("2019 Warrants"). The 2019 Warrants were immediately exercised for $250.0 million in cash, resulting in total aggregate proceeds of $500.0 million from this transaction.
Debt Repayment
In January 2019, Seaspan prepaid $147.0 million on the remaining principal balance of a secured reducing revolving credit facility. As a result of the repayment, eight vessels were unencumbered.
In March 2019, Seaspan prepaid $25.6 million of a secured term loan facility. As a result of the prepayment, three vessels were unencumbered. Seaspan also prepaid $59.0 million of another secured reducing revolving credit facility, releasing two vessels from security.
As of May 1, 2019, Seaspan has 37 unencumbered vessels.
Investment in Swiber Holdings Limited
On October 3, 2018, Seaspan entered into a binding term sheet to invest up to $200.0 million in Swiber Holdings Limited ("Swiber"). Upon closing, and pursuant to a definitive Investment Agreement entered into in March 2019, Seaspan will acquire an 80% post-restructured equity interest in Swiber for $10.0 million. If certain milestones are met, an additional $190.0 million will be invested in Swiber's LNG-to-power project in Vietnam in exchange for economic interests in the project.
Modification of Customer Time Charters
During the normal course of business, Seaspan modified its charter arrangements with one of its top five customers, such that the existing time charters for seven vessels continued until the end of the day on March 31, 2019, after which all seven vessels were chartered to other customers, pursuant to new time charters. In connection with the modification, Seaspan received a payment of $227.0 million on April 1, 2019. This payment is recorded in accounts receivable as at March 31, 2019. As of the date of filing, all seven of these vessels have been rechartered.
Subsequent Events
Distribution
The Board of Directors declared a quarterly distribution in the amount of $0.125 per share for its Class A Common Shares, paid on April 30, 2019, to shareholders of record as at the close of business on April 22, 2019. Regular quarterly dividends on the Preferred Shares Series D, Series E, Series G, Series H and Series I were also declared.
Recent Additions to Senior Management
In April 2019, Seaspan appointed Peter Kristian Ellegaard as Executive Vice-President and General Counsel.
Receipt of Charter Modification Payment
On April 1, 2019, Seaspan received a $227.0 million charter modification payment, which was recorded in accounts receivable at March 31, 2019.
Repayment of 2019 Notes at Maturity
On April 30, 2019, the 6.375% senior unsecured notes due 2019 reached maturity and Seaspan repaid the remaining $311.4 million principal amount outstanding.
Class A Common Shares Outstanding
As of May 1, 2019, there were 215.6 million Class A Common Shares outstanding.
Results for the Quarter Ended March 31, 2019
Financial Results
The following table summarizes Seaspan's consolidated financial results for the quarter ended March 31, 2019 and 2018:
Financial Summary Quarter Ended
(in millions of US
dollars, except
earnings per share
amount) March 31,
2019 2018
Revenue $
285.3 $
224.8
Ship operating
expense 57.7 49.5
Depreciation and
amortization
expense 62.5 53.9
General and
administrative
expense 8.8 7.3
Operating lease
expense 39.2 31.2
Income related to
modification of
time charters 227.0
Operating earnings 344.1 82.8
Interest expense and
amortization of
deferred
financing fees 56.1 37.9
Net earnings 285.3 67.7
Net earnings to
common shareholders 267.1 50.0
Earnings per share,
diluted 1.26 0.37
Cash from operating
activities 122.6 69.6
Ownership Days, Operating Days and Vessel Utilization
Ownership days are the number of days a vessel is owned and available for charter. Operating days are the number of days a vessel is available to the charterer for use.
The primary driver of ownership days are the increases or decreases in the number of vessels owned, while the drivers of operating days are ownership days and the number of days the vessels are off-hire.
Ownership days increased by 1,600 days for the quarter ended March 31, 2019, compared to the same period in 2018. The increase was primarily due to the full quarter contribution from the addition of 16 vessels acquired through the acquisition of Greater China Intermodal Investments LLC ("GCI"), which contributed 1,152 days, and the remainder was due to the 2018 vessel deliveries.
Vessel utilization represents the number of operating days as a percentage of ownership days.
The following table summarizes Seaspan's vessel utilization for the quarter ended March 31, 2019, and its comparative quarters:
2017 2018 2019
Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1
Vessel Utilization:
Ownership Days(1) 8,037 8,148 7,905 8,030 9,546 9,844 9,844 9,630
Less Off-hire Days:
Scheduled 5-Year Survey (104) (8) (22) (13)
Unscheduled Off-hire(2) (142) (254) (319) (149) (137) (146) (240) (166)
Operating Days(1) 7,895 7,894 7,586 7,777 9,409 9,690 9,582 9,451
Vessel Utilization 98.2% 96.9% 96.0% 96.8% 98.6% 98.4% 97.3% 98.1%
---
(1) Operating and ownership days
include leased vessels and
exclude vessels under bareboat
charter.
(2) Unscheduled off-hire includes
days related to vessels being
off-charter.
Vessel utilization increased for the quarter ended March 31, 2019, compared to the same period in 2018. The increase was primarily due to a decrease in the number of scheduled off-hire days for the 5-year survey, in combination with the higher utilization of vessels acquired from GCI.
Revenue
Revenue increased by 26.9% to $285.3 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2019, compared to the same period in 2018. The increase in revenue was primarily due to the full quarter contribution of additional operating days from the acquisition of vessels from the GCI transaction and 2018 vessel deliveries and higher average charter rates for vessels that were on short-term charters.
The increase in operating days and the related financial impact thereof for the quarter ended March 31, 2019, compared to the same period in 2018, is attributable to the following:
Quarter Ended
March 31, 2019
Ownership Operating
$ Impact
Days Impact
Days Impact (in
millions
of US
dollars)
Addition of 16
vessels from
acquisition of
GCI 1,152 1,152 $
42.9
Full period
contribution from
2018 vessel
deliveries 448 448 11.5
Changes in daily
charter hire
rates and
recharters 4.5
Unscheduled off-
hire (18) 0.3
Scheduled off-
hire 92 1.6
Other (0.3)
Total 1,600 1,674 $
60.5
Ship Operating Expense
Ship operating expense increased by 16.5% to $57.7 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2019, compared to the same period in 2018. The increase was primarily due to an increase in ownership days from the full quarter contribution of the acquisition of vessels from the GCI transaction and 2018 vessel deliveries. Ship operating cost per ownership day decreased by 2.9% to $5,993 for the quarter ended March 31, 2019, compared to the same period in 2018.
2017 2018 2019
Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1
Operating Cost:
Ownership
Days(1) 8,037 8,148 7,905 8,030 9,546 9,844 9,844 9,630
Vessel
Operating
Costs $
44.8 $
45.4 $
48.1 $
49.5 $
58.8 $
55.4 $
55.6 $
57.7
(in millions of
US dollars)
Operating Cost
per Ownership
Day $
5,577 $
5,569 $
6,086 $
6,170 $
6,156 $
5,624 $
5,648 $
5,993
(1) Ownership days include
leased vessels and exclude
vessels under bareboat
charter.
Depreciation and Amortization Expense
Depreciation and amortization expense increased by 15.9% to $62.5 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2019, compared to the same period in 2018. The increase was primarily due to an increase in ownership days from the full period contribution of the acquisition of vessels from the GCI transaction and 2018 vessel deliveries.
General and Administrative Expense
General and administrative expense increased by 21.0% to $8.8 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2019, compared to the same period in 2018. The increase was primarily due to higher share-based compensation expenses and higher professional fees.
Operating Lease Expense
Operating lease expense increased by 25.8% to $39.2 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2019, compared to the same period in 2018. The increase was primarily due to the amortization of deferred gains related to Seaspan's vessel sale-leaseback transactions, which are no longer recognized through operating leases. Upon adoption of Accounting Standards Update 2016-02 "Leases" on January 1, 2019, the remaining balance of these deferred gains were recognized through opening deficit as a cumulative adjustment.
Interest Expense and Amortization of Deferred Financing Fees
The following table summarizes Seaspan's borrowings:
(in millions of US dollars)
March 31,
2019 2018
Long-term debt, excluding deferred financing fees:
Revolving credit facilities $
582.2 $
844.9
Term loan credit facilities 2,076.3 2,279.6
Senior unsecured notes 391.4 417.9
Fairfax Notes 500.0 250.0
Debt discount and fair value adjustment (166.4) (77.5)
Long-term obligations under other financing 635.1 684.8
arrangements, excluding deferred financing fees
Total borrowings 4,018.6 4,399.7
Less: Vessels under construction (80.6)
Operating borrowings $
4,018.6 $
4,319.1
Interest expense and amortization of deferred financing fees increased by $18.1 million to $56.1 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2019, compared to the same period in 2018. The increase was primarily due to debt assumed as part of the acquisition of GCI, the issuance of the Fairfax Notes and the increase in LIBOR.
Change in Fair Value of Financial Instruments
The change in fair value of financial instruments resulted in a loss of $1.1 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2019. The loss for this period was primarily due to a decrease in the forward LIBOR curve as it relates to interest swaps. Included in the change in fair value is the unrealized gain of $6.5 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2019, compared to the unrealized gain of $30.6 million for the comparative period in the prior year.
Liquidity and Unencumbered Vessels
As of March 31, 2019, Seaspan had total liquidity of $776.2 million, consisting of $626.2 million of cash and cash equivalents and $150.0 million available under our committed two year revolving credit facility. Additionally, as of May 1, 2019, Seaspan's unencumbered asset pool included 37 vessels.
TEU Class Vessel
Count
---
2500 12
3500 2
4250 17
8500 2
9600 2
10000 2
---
Total 37
===
About Seaspan
Seaspan is the leading independent charter owner of containerships with industry leading ship management services. Seaspan charters its vessels primarily pursuant to long-term, fixed-rate, time charters from the world's largest container shipping liners. Seaspan's operating fleet consists of 112 containerships with a total capacity of more than 900,000 TEU, an average age of approximately six years and an average remaining lease period of approximately four years, on a TEU-weighted basis.
Seaspan has the following securities listed on The New York Stock Exchange:
Symbol Description
---
SSW Class A Common Shares
SSW PR D Series D Preferred Shares
SSW PR E Series E Preferred Shares
SSW PR G Series G Preferred Shares
SSW PR H Series H Preferred Shares
SSW PR I Series I Preferred Shares
SSWA 7.125% Senior Unsecured Notes
due 2027
SSW25 5.500% Senior Notes due 2025
Conference Call and Webcast
Seaspan will host a conference call and webcast presentation for investors, analysts, and interested parties to discuss its first quarter results on May 2, 2019 at 8:30 a.m. ET. Participants should call 1-877-246-9875 (US/Canada) or 1-707-287-9353 (International) and request the Seaspan call (conference ID: 1359879). The live webcast and slide presentation are available under "Events & Presentations" at www.seaspancorp.com.
A recording will be available at 1-855-859-2056 or 1-404-537-3406 (Conference passcode: 1359879).
SEASPAN CORPORATION
UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
AS OF MARCH 31, 2019 AND DECEMBER 31, 2018
(in Thousands Of Us Dollars)
March 31, 2019 December 31,
2018
Assets
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents $
626,187 $
357,327
Short-term investments 105 2,532
Accounts receivable 239,140 13,001
Prepaid expenses and other 37,662 36,519
Gross investment in lease 44,469 44,348
Fair value of financial instruments 113
947,563 453,840
Vessels 5,869,520 5,926,274
Right-of-use assets 1,040,755
Gross investment in lease 806,574 817,631
Goodwill 75,321 75,321
Other assets 183,683 204,931
$
8,923,416 $
7,477,997
Liabilities, Puttable Preferred Shares and
Shareholders' Equity
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities 71,124 70,211
Current portion of deferred revenue 51,407 55,915
Current portion of long-term debt 559,800 722,641
Current portion of operating lease
liabilities 160,010
Current portion of long-term obligations
under other financing
arrangements 149,011 48,384
Current portion of other long-term
liabilities 8,234 32,243
999,586 929,394
Deferred revenue 368,502 376,884
Long-term debt 2,801,129 2,764,900
Operating lease liabilities 865,809
Long-term obligations under other
financing arrangements 478,657 591,372
Other long-term liabilities 18,363 180,157
Fair value of financial instruments 133,838 127,172
5,665,884 4,969,879
Puttable preferred shares 48,517 48,139
Shareholders' equity:
Share capital 2,489 2,102
Treasury shares (374) (371)
Additional paid in capital 3,448,904 3,126,457
Deficit (219,693) (645,638)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss (22,311) (22,571)
3,209,015 2,459,979
$
8,923,416 $
7,477,997
SEASPAN CORPORATION
UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
FOR THE QUARTERS ENDED MARCH 31, 2019 AND 2018
(IN THOUSANDS OF US DOLLARS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
Quarter Ended
March 31,
2018
2019
Revenue $
285,323 $
224,776
Operating expenses:
Ship operating 57,709 49,549
Depreciation and amortization 62,497 53,925
General and administrative 8,799 7,273
Operating leases 39,233 31,194
Income related to modification of
time charters (227,000)
(58,762) 141,941
Operating earnings 344,085 82,835
Other expenses (income):
Interest expense and amortization of
deferred financing fees 56,051 37,949
Amortization of discount on Fairfax
Notes 4,034 1,032
Interest income (3,150) (1,270)
Acquisition related gain on contract
settlement (2,430)
Change in fair value of financial
instruments 1,144 (19,322)
Equity income on investment (1,216)
Other expenses 691 376
58,770 15,119
Net earnings $
285,315 $
67,716
Dividends -preferred shares (18,167) (17,739)
Net earnings attributable to common
shares $
267,148 $
49,977
Weighted average number of shares,
basic 209,560 133,998
Effect of dilutive securities:
Share-based compensation 111 126
Fairfax warrants 1,733
Weighted average number of shares,
diluted 211,404 134,124
Earnings per share, basic $
1.27 $
0.37
Earnings per share, diluted $
1.26 $
0.37
SEASPAN CORPORATION
UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
FOR THE QUARTERS ENDED MARCH 31, 2019 AND 2018
(IN THOUSANDS OF US DOLLARS)
Quarter Ended
March 31,
2019 2018
Net earnings $
285,315 $
67,716
Other comprehensive income:
Amounts reclassified to net
earnings during the period
relating to cash flow hedging
instruments 260 300
Comprehensive income $
285,575 $
68,016
SEASPAN CORPORATION
UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
FOR THE QUARTERS ENDED MARCH 31, 2019 AND 2018
(IN THOUSANDS OF US DOLLARS)
Quarter Ended
March 31,
2019 2018
Cash from (used in):
Operating activities:
Net earnings $
285,315 $
67,716
Items not involving cash:
Depreciation and amortization 62,497 53,925
Amortization of right-of-use assets 27,517
Share-based compensation 1,144 627
Amortization of deferred financing fees, debt discount and fair value of 7,116 4,079
long-term debt
Amounts reclassified from other comprehensive income to interest expense 75 88
Unrealized change in fair value of financial instruments (6,511) (30,599)
Acquisition related gain on contract settlement (2,430)
Equity income on investment (1,216)
Deferred gain on sale-leasebacks (6,111)
Amortization of acquired revenue contracts 2,047 1,109
Other (348) (333)
Changes in assets and liabilities (256,255) (17,295)
Cash from operating activities 122,597 69,560
Financing activities:
Repayment of credit facilities (288,352) (63,579)
Draws on credit facilities 100,000
Fairfax Notes and warrants issued 250,000 250,000
Draws on long-term obligations under other financing arrangements 42,700
Repayments on long-term obligations under other financing arrangements (12,551) (6,779)
Senior unsecured notes repurchased, including related expenses (8,998)
Proceeds from exercise of warrants 250,000
Financing fees (1,065) (5,132)
Dividends on common shares (21,819) (9,326)
Dividends on preferred shares (17,719) (16,566)
Cash from financing activities 149,496 291,318
Investing activities:
Expenditures for vessels (1,541) (19,906)
Short-term investments 2,426 104
Other assets (4,115) 2,791
Loans to affiliate (427)
Acquisition of GCI (333,581)
Cash acquired from GCI acquisition 70,121
Cash used in investing activities (3,230) (280,898)
Increase in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash 268,863 79,980
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, beginning of period 371,396 267,236
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, end of period $
640,259 $
347,216
The following table provides a reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash reported
within the consolidated balance sheets that sum to the amounts shown in the consolidated statements
of cash flows:
March 31,
2019 2018
Cash and cash
equivalents $
626,187 $
333,156
Restricted cash
included in other
assets 14,072 14,060
Total cash, cash
equivalents and
restricted cash shown
in the
consolidated
statements of cash
flows $
640,259 $
347,216
STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This release contains forward-looking statements (as such term is defined in Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act) concerning Seaspan's operations, cash flows, and financial position, including, in particular, the likelihood of its success in developing and expanding its business. Statements that are predictive in nature, that depend upon or refer to future events or conditions, or that include words such as "continue," "expects," "anticipates," "intends," "plans," "believes," "estimates," "projects," "forecasts," "will," "may," "potential," "should" and similar expressions are forward?looking statements. These forward-looking statements represent Seaspan's estimates and assumptions only as of the date of this release and are not intended to give any assurance as to future results. As a result, you are cautioned not to rely on any forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements appear in a number of places in this release. Although these statements are based upon assumptions Seaspan believes to be reasonable based upon available information, they are subject to risks and uncertainties. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to:
-- future growth prospects and ability to expand Seaspan's business;
-- Seaspan's expectations as to impairments of its vessels, including the
timing and amount of currently anticipated impairments;
-- the future valuation of Seaspan's vessels and goodwill;
-- potential acquisitions, vessel financing arrangements and other
investments, and Seaspan's expected risks and benefits from such
transactions as well as the likelihood of consummating any such
transaction;
-- future time charters and vessel deliveries, including future long-term
charters for certain existing vessels;
-- estimated future capital expenditures needed to preserve the operating
capacity of Seaspan's fleet including, its capital base, and comply with
regulatory standards, its expectations regarding future dry-docking and
operating expenses, including ship operating expense and general and
administrative expenses;
-- Seaspan's expectations about the availability of vessels to purchase,
the time it may take to construct new vessels, the delivery dates of new
vessels, the commencement of service of new vessels under long-term time
charter contracts and the useful lives of its vessels;
-- availability of crew, number of off-hire days and dry-docking
requirements;
-- general market conditions and shipping market trends, including charter
rates, increased technological innovation in competing vessels and other
factors affecting supply and demand;
-- Seaspan's financial condition and liquidity, including its ability to
borrow and repay funds under its credit facilities, to refinance its
existing facilities and to obtain additional financing in the future to
fund capital expenditures, acquisitions and other general corporate
activities;
-- Seaspan's continued ability to meet its current liabilities as they
become due;
-- Seaspan's continued ability to maintain, enter into or renew primarily
long-term, fixed-rate time charters with its existing customers or new
customers;
-- the potential for early termination of long-term contracts and Seaspan's
potential inability to enter into, renew or replace long-term contracts;
-- the introduction of new accounting rules for leasing and exposure to
currency exchange rates and interest rate fluctuations;
-- conditions inherent in the operation of ocean-going vessels, including
acts of piracy;
-- acts of terrorism or government requisition of Seaspan's containerships
during periods of war or emergency;
-- adequacy of Seaspan's insurance to cover losses that result from the
inherent operational risks of the shipping industry;
-- lack of diversity in Seaspan's operations and in the type of vessels in
its fleet;
-- conditions in the public equity market and the price of Seaspan's
shares;
-- Seaspan's ability to leverage to its advantage its relationships and
reputation in the containership industry;
-- changes in governmental rules and regulations or actions taken by
regulatory authorities, and the effect of governmental regulations on
Seaspan's business;
-- the financial condition of Seaspan's customers, lenders, and other
counterparties and their ability to perform their obligations under
their agreements with us;
-- Seaspan's continued ability to meet specified restrictive covenants and
other conditions in its financing and lease arrangements, its notes and
its preferred shares;
-- any economic downturn in the global financial markets and export trade
and increase in trade protectionism and potential negative effects of
any recurrence of such disruptions on Seaspan's customers' ability to
charter Seaspan's vessels and pay for Seaspan's services;
-- the value of Seaspan's vessels and other factors or events that trigger
impairment assessments or results;
-- taxation of Seaspan's earnings and of distributions to its shareholders;
-- Seaspan's exemption from tax on U.S. source international transportation
income;
-- the ability to bring claims in China and Marshall Islands, where the
legal systems are not well-developed;
-- potential liability from future litigation; and
-- other factors detailed from time to time in Seaspan's periodic reports.
Forward-looking statements in this release are estimates and assumptions reflecting the judgment of senior management and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties. These forward-looking statements are based upon a number of assumptions and estimates that are inherently subject to significant uncertainties and contingencies, many of which are beyond Seaspan's control. Actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Accordingly, these forward-looking statements should be considered in light of various important factors listed above and including, but not limited to, those set forth in "Item 3. Key Information--D. Risk Factors" in Seaspan's Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 2018 on Form 20-F filed on March 26, 2019 and in the "Risk Factors" in Reports on Form 6-K that are filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission from time to time relating to its quarterly financial results.
Seaspan does not intend to revise any forward-looking statements in order to reflect any change in Seaspan's expectations or events or circumstances that may subsequently arise. Seaspan expressly disclaims any obligation to update or revise any of these forward-looking statements, whether because of future events, new information, a change in Seaspan's views or expectations, or otherwise. You should carefully review and consider the various disclosures included in Seaspan's Annual Report and in Seaspan's other filings made with the Securities and Exchange Commission that attempt to advise interested parties of the risks and factors that may affect Seaspan's business, prospects and results of operations.
Investor Inquiries:
Mr. Matt Borys
Seaspan Corporation
Tel. +1-778-328-5340
Email: mborys@seaspanltd.ca
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SOURCE Seaspan Corporation
