HAMILTON, BERMUDA — (Marketwire) — 02/23/12 — Teekay Tankers Ltd. (NYSE: TNK) –
Highlights
Teekay Tankers Ltd. (Teekay Tankers or the Company) today reported its fourth quarter and annual results for 2011. During the quarter, the Company generated $9.3 million in Cash Available for Distribution(2). on February 7, 2012, Teekay Tankers declared a dividend of $0.11 per share(3) for the fourth quarter of 2011, which will be paid on February 28, 2011 to all shareholders of record on February 21, 2011.
Teekay Tankers– policy is to pay a variable quarterly dividend equal to its Cash Available for Distribution, subject to any reserves its board of directors may from time to time determine are required. Since the Company–s initial public offering in December 2007, it has declared a dividend in 17 consecutive quarters, which now totals $6.865 per share on a cumulative basis (including the $0.11 per share dividend to be paid on February 28, 2011).
“A combination of seasonal factors and record oil production levels pushed rates higher during the fourth quarter,” commented Bruce Chan, Teekay Tankers– Chief Executive Officer. “We are encouraged by this strengthening which has had an even greater benefit on our first quarter results to date. With approximately two thirds of first quarter revenue days booked, Teekay Tankers has realized averaged TCE rates of approximately $21,000 per day for our three spot-traded Suezmax tankers and $13,000 per day for our five spot-traded Aframax tankers (including in-chartered vessels), compared to approximately $12,900 and $8,500 per day, respectively, in the fourth quarter.”
“With global tanker supply growth expected to exceed demand growth for at least the first half of 2012, we expect the current seasonal spot tanker rate strength to give way to similar weakness and volatility as experienced in 2011,” Mr. Chan continued. “With this outlook in mind, we continue to tactically manage our fleet in favor of increased fixed-rate cover. at the same time, we are taking measures to preserve some of the upside to potential market strength. During the fourth quarter we renegotiated the rates for two chartered-in Aframax tankers to $10,000 per day and $10,500 per day, respectively, enhancing our operating leverage at rates currently below the spot rate average for the first quarter to date. the contracts have multiple options to extend at escalating rates after their current three-month firm periods, which provide us with flexibility in coming quarters.”
Mr. Chan added, “With secondhand tanker values down by approximately 20 to 30 percent in 2011 and possibly further reductions, we believe 2012 will provide opportunities to acquire assets at attractive prices. When assessing opportunities, our preference will favor mid-size Aframax and Suezmax tankers, where we have already established a strong franchise, and the long-haul product tanker sector, where we believe market dynamics are becoming increasingly attractive. With approximately $360 million of available liquidity following our recent equity offering, we believe Teekay Tankers is well positioned for fleet growth in the coming quarters.”
Summary of Recent Transactions
In early November 2011, Teekay Tankers extended its time-charter out contract for the Kyeema Spirit, for an additional two years at a rate of approximately $17,000 per day. in addition, the Company exercised its extension options on two in-chartered Aframax tankers, the Sanko Brave and Stavanger Bell, at renegotiated rates of $10,000 per day and $10,500 per day until March 2012 and April 2012, respectively, with various extension options.
In early February 2012, and as previously announced, the Company completed a public follow-on offering of 17.25 million Class A common shares (includes underwriters– over-allotment option of 2.25 million shares which was exercised). Teekay Tankers used the proceeds from this equity offering to repay a portion of its outstanding debt under its revolving credit facility. Teekay Tankers continues to evaluate the tanker market for attractive vessel acquisition opportunities and may draw on its revolving credit facilities to finance future acquisitions.
Estimated First Quarter 2012 Dividend
The table below presents the estimated cash dividend per share for the quarter ending March 31, 2012 at various average rates earned by the Company–s spot tanker fleet and reflects the estimated contribution from its existing fixed-rate, time-charter out contracts and the effect of scheduled vessel drydockings. These estimates are based on current assumptions and actual dividends may differ materially from those included in the following table. in addition, the Company–s Aframax and Suezmax spot rates earned during the first quarter of 2012 may not necessarily equal industry averages:
Tanker Market
Crude tanker rates strengthened during the fourth quarter of 2011 due to seasonal factors and an increase in global oil production to record highs. in the Atlantic, weather in the North Sea and Baltic Sea and transit delays through the Turkish Straits led to an increase in European Aframax and Suezmax rates. the return of Libyan oil production to approximately 1.0 million barrels per day (mb/d) by the end of the year also provided support to tanker rates in the Mediterranean. in the Pacific, an increase in Asian oil imports to meet peak winter demand caused rates to firm up, particularly in the large crude oil tanker sectors. Weather disruptions in the Atlantic have continued to give support to crude tanker rates in early 2012.
The tanker fleet grew by 26.1 million deadweight tonnes (mdwt), or 5.8 percent, during 2011, compared to an increase of 17.7 mdwt, or 4.1 percent, during 2010. a total of 39.6 mdwt of new tankers entered the fleet in 2011, a decrease from 41.5 mdwt in the previous year. a total of 13.6 mdwt of tankers were removed for scrapping or conversion during 2011, a decrease from 23.8 mdwt in 2010. Approximately 50 mdwt of tankers are scheduled for delivery during 2012; however, the Company anticipates an order book slippage rate of around 33 percent due to construction delays and order cancellations and estimate actual deliveries of approximately 33.5 mdwt. Assuming scrapping of 12 mdwt occurs, the Company estimates that the tanker fleet will grow by approximately 21.5 mdwt, or 4.5 percent, during 2012.
Based on the average range of forecasts from the International Energy Agency (IEA), the Energy Information Agency (EIA) and the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), global oil demand is expected to grow by 1.0 mb/d in 2012, with growth expected to be driven entirely by non-OECD regions. This increase in oil demand is expected to increase demand for tankers through 2012. In addition, the Company anticipates that average voyage distances will lengthen during 2012 due to a narrowing in the price spread between crude oil produced in the Atlantic – such as Brent – and Middle Eastern grades, which makes Atlantic basin crude more attractive to Asian buyers.
With tanker supply growth expected to exceed demand growth for at least the first half of 2012, the current seasonal strength is expected to give way to spot tanker rate weakness and volatility similar to that experienced in 2011. These conditions are expected to persist through much of 2012 before an anticipated reduction in tanker supply growth begins to provide support for potentially stronger rates in the latter part of the year.
Financial Summary
The Company reported adjusted net loss(1) (as detailed in Appendix a to this release) of $1.2 million, or $0.02 per share, for the quarter ended December 31, 2011, compared to adjusted net income of $2.6 million, or $0.05 per share, for the quarter ended December 31, 2010. the reduction in adjusted net income is primarily the result of lower average realized tanker rates for our spot and time-charter out fleets during the fourth quarter of 2011, compared to the same period in the prior year. Adjusted net loss excludes an unrealized gain relating to the changes in fair value of interest rate swaps of $0.7 million, or $0.01 per share, for the quarter ended December 31, 2011. Adjusted net income(1) for the three months ended December 31, 2010 excludes an unrealized gain of $5.9 million, or $0.12 per share, relating to changes in the fair value of interest rate swaps, and $0.7 million, or $0.02 per share, relating to a net loss attributable to the Dropdown Predecessor (as defined below). These adjustments are detailed in Appendix a included in this release. Including these items, the Company reported, on a GAAP basis, a net loss of $0.5 million, or $0.01 per share, for the quarter ended December 31, 2011, compared to a net income of $7.8 million, or $0.17 per share, for the quarter ended December 31, 2010. Net revenues(2) were $27.3 million for the fourth quarter of 2011, compared to $29.6 million for the same period last year.
Adjusted net income(1) for the year ended December 31, 2011 was $10.1 million, or $0.17 per share, compared to adjusted net income of $22.4 million, or $0.53 per share, for the year ended December 31, 2010. the reduction in the adjusted net income is primarily the result of lower average realized tanker rates for our spot and time-charter out fleets in the year ended December 31, 2011, compared to the prior year, which was partially offset by higher revenues of $6.0 million from the Company–s investment in two term loans, which were made in July 2010. Adjusted net income excludes an unrealized loss relating to the changes in fair value of interest rate swaps of $5.3 million, or $0.09 per share, a goodwill impairment charge associated with the Suezmax tanker fleet of $13.3 million, or $0.22 per share, and a one-time management fee associated with the portion of stock-based compensation grants of the Company–s former Chief Executive Officer of $0.5 million, or $0.01 per share, for the year ended December 31, 2011. Adjusted net income for the year ended December 31, 2010 excludes an unrealized loss relating to changes in the fair value of interest swaps of $5.0 million, or $0.12 per share, a loss from the sale of the Falster Spirit and Sotra Spirit during the year of $1.9 million, or $0.04 per share, as well as net income of $0.7 million, or $0.02 per share, attributable to the Dropdown Predecessor. These adjustments are detailed in Appendix a included in this release. Including these items, the Company reported, on a GAAP basis, a net loss of $9.1 million, or $0.15 per share, for the year ended December 31, 2011, compared to net income of $16.3 million, or $0.37 per share, for the year ended December 31, 2010. Net revenues(2) were $118.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2011, compared to $136.9 million for the prior year.
For accounting purposes, the Company is required to recognize the changes in the fair value of its derivative instruments in the statements of income. This method of accounting does not affect the Company–s cash flows or the calculation of Cash Available for Distribution, but results in the recognition of unrealized gains or losses in the statements of income.
The Company–s financial statements for 2010 include historical results of vessels acquired by the Company from Teekay, referred to herein as the Dropdown Predecessor, for the periods when these vessels were owned and operated by Teekay.
1. Adjusted net income (loss) is a non-GAAP financial measure. Please refer to Appendix a included in this release for a reconciliation of this non-GAAP measure to the most directly comparable financial measure under United States generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) and information about specific items affecting net income (loss) that are typically excluded by securities analysts in their published estimates of the Company–s financial results.
2. Net revenues represents revenues less voyage expenses. Net revenues is a non-GAAP financial measure used by certain investors to measure the financial performance of shipping companies. Please see the Company–s website at for a reconciliation of net revenues to the most directly comparable financial measure under GAAP.
Operating Results
The following table highlights the operating performance of the Company–s time-charter and spot vessels measured in net voyage revenue per revenue day, or time-charter equivalent (TCE) rates, before related-party pool management fees, related-party commissions and offhire bunker expenses:
Teekay Tankers– Fleet
The following table summarizes the Company–s fleet as of February 1, 2012:
The fleet list above includes a Very Large Crude Carrier (VLCC) newbuilding that Teekay Tankers owns through a 50/50 joint venture it entered into with Wah Kwong Maritime Transport Holdings Limited in October 2010. the newbuilding is scheduled to deliver in April 2013, at which time it will commence a time-charter out to a major Chinese shipping company for a period of five years. the time-charter contract includes a fixed floor rate, coupled with a profit-sharing component.
In July 2010, the Company made loans secured by first-priority ship mortgages on two VLCC newbuildings, the income of which the Company believes approximates that of two vessels trading on fixed-rate bareboat charters. Including the income earned from these loans, and assuming options on the in-chartered vessels are not exercised, the Company currently has fixed-rate coverage of approximately 58 percent and 47 percent for the first quarter and fiscal 2012, respectively.
Liquidity
As of December 31, 2011, the Company had total liquidity of $293.4 million (which consisted of $15.9 million of cash and $277.5 million in an undrawn revolving credit facility), compared to total liquidity of $291.6 million as at September 30, 2011. Including net proceeds from the Company–s February 2012 equity offering, the Company–s current liquidity is approximately $360 million.
Conference Call
The Company plans to host a conference call on February 23, 2012 at 1:00 p.m. (ET) to discuss its results for the fourth quarter and fiscal year 2011. an accompanying investor presentation will be available on Teekay Tankers– website at prior to the start of the call. All shareholders and interested parties are invited to listen to the live conference call by choosing from the following options:
The conference call will be recorded and made available until Thursday, March 1, 2012. This recording can be accessed following the live call by dialing (888) 203-1112 or (647) 436-0148, if outside North America, and entering access code 4754557.
About Teekay Tankers
Teekay Tankers owns a fleet of nine double-hull Aframax tankers and six double-hull Suezmax tankers, and in-charters an additional two Aframax tankers, all of which an affiliate of Teekay Corporation manages through a mix of short- or medium-term, fixed-rate time-charter contracts and spot tanker market trading. in addition, the Company owns a VLCC newbuilding, through a 50 percent joint venture which is scheduled to deliver in April 2013. Teekay Tankers Ltd. was formed in December 2007 by Teekay Corporation (NYSE: TK) as part of its strategy to expand its conventional oil tanker business. Since inception, Teekay Tankers has distributed on a quarterly basis all of its Cash Available for Distribution, less reserves established by its board of directors.
Teekay Tankers– common stock trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “TNK”.
Set forth below is a reconciliation of the Company–s unaudited adjusted net (loss) income attributable to the shareholders of Teekay Tankers Ltd., a non-GAAP financial measure, to net (loss) income as determined in accordance with GAAP. the Company believes that, in addition to conventional measures prepared in accordance with GAAP, certain investors use this information to evaluate the Company–s financial performance. the items below are also typically excluded by securities analysts in their published estimates of the Company–s financial results. Adjusted net (loss) income attributable to the shareholders of Teekay Tankers Ltd. is intended to provide additional information and should not be considered a substitute for measures of performance prepared in accordance with GAAP.
Cash Available for Distribution
The Company has adopted a dividend policy to pay a variable quarterly dividend equal to its Cash Available for Distribution, subject to any reserves its board of directors may from time to time determine are required for the prudent conduct of its business. Cash Available for Distribution represents net (loss) income, plus depreciation and amortization, unrealized losses from derivatives, non-cash items and any write-offs or other non-recurring items, less unrealized gains from derivatives and net income attributable to the historical results of vessels acquired by the Company from Teekay Corporation for the period when these vessels were owned and operated by Teekay Corporation.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This release contains forward-looking statements (as defined in Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) which reflect management–s current views with respect to certain future events and performance, including statements regarding: tanker market fundamentals, including the balance of supply and demand in the tanker market, spot tanker charter rates and anticipated scrapping rates; the Company–s financial position and ability to acquire additional assets, and available market opportunities to acquire vessels, including any product tankers; estimated dividends per share for the quarter ending March 31, 2012 based on various spot tanker rates earned by the Company; the Company–s mix of spot market and time-charter trading, and fixed-rate cover for the first quarter and fiscal 2012; anticipated drydocking and vessel upgrade costs; the Company–s ability to generate cash flow and pay dividends; and potential vessel acquisitions, and their affect on the Company–s future Cash Available for Distribution. the following factors are among those that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements, which involve risks and uncertainties, and that should be considered in evaluating any such statement: changes in the production of or demand for oil; changes in trading patterns significantly affecting overall vessel tonnage requirements; lower than expected level of tanker scrapping; changes in applicable industry laws and regulations and the timing of implementation of new laws and regulations; the potential for early termination of short- or medium-term contracts and inability of the Company to renew or replace short- or medium-term contracts; changes in interest rates and the capital markets; the ability of the owner of the two VLCC newbuildings securing the two first-priority ship mortgage loans to continue to meet its payment obligations; increases in the Company–s expenses, including any drydocking expenses and associated offhire days; the ability of Teekay Tankers– Board of directors to establish cash reserves for the prudent conduct of Teekay Tankers– business or otherwise; failure of Teekay Tankers Board of Directors and its Conflicts Committee to accept future acquisitions of vessels that may be offered by Teekay Corporation or third parties; market opportunities to acquire additional assets; and other factors discussed in Teekay Tankers– filings from time to time with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, including its Report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010. the Company expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect any change in the Company–s expectations with respect thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based.
Contacts:
Teekay Tankers Ltd. – Investor Relations Enquiries
Kent Alekson
+1 (604) 844-6654