Ardmore Shipping Corporation Announces Financial Results For The Three Months Ended March 31, 2017

HAMILTON, Bermuda, May 3, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Ardmore Shipping Corporation (NYSE: ASC) ("Ardmore" or the "Company" or "we") today announced results for the three months ended March 31, 2017.

Highlights

• Reported a net loss of $2.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017, or $0.06 basic and diluted loss per share, as compared to a net income of $6.7 million, or $0.26 basic and diluted earnings per share, for the three months ended March 31, 2016. The Company reported EBITDA (see Non-GAAP Measures section below) of $11.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017, as compared to $18.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2016. 
• Delivered a satisfactory chartering performance for the quarter with spot and pool MR tankers earning an average of $13,131 per day and Eco-Design chemical tankers earning an average of $12,907 per day.
• Maintaining a dividend policy of paying out 60% of earnings from continuing operations. Consistent with this policy, the Company is not declaring a dividend for the first quarter 2017.

Anthony Gurnee, the Company's Chief Executive Officer, commented:

"We are satisfied with our performance in the first quarter, as our fleet continued to perform well under soft charter market conditions. Following delivery of the last of the recently acquired Eco-Design MRs in November 2016, this was the first quarter with all six vessels in operation; these vessels made a very positive contribution to our financial performance in the quarter, as their high specifications and low breakeven costs resulted in significant accretion to operating income in a challenging market.

MR charter rates increased modestly from the prior quarter, driven by increased activity in the Atlantic basin, while high refined product inventory levels have continued to put downward pressure on tonne mile demand. Looking beyond the near-term spot market, we remain confident that the underlying fundamentals and outlook for the MR tanker sector are very positive. Demand growth is set to continue in the 4-5% range, driven by increased consumption and export-oriented refinery activity, while supply growth for MRs is slowing; the orderbook is at historical lows, scrapping continues to take place, and the pace of deliveries will decline further over the course of 2017.  Taken together, these trends should result in net fleet growth well below projected demand growth. With our strong balance sheet, modern fleet, and low cost structure, and with revenue days set to increase by 13% in 2017, we believe Ardmore is well positioned to take advantage of the anticipated charter market recovery and to generate strong returns and value accretion for our shareholders."

Summary of Recent and First Quarter 2017 Events

Fleet

Fleet Operations and Employment

The Company has 27 vessels currently in operation, comprising 21 Eco MR tankers ranging from 45,000 Dwt to 49,999 Dwt (15 Eco-Design and six Eco-Mod) and six Eco-Design IMO 2 product / chemical tankers ranging from 25,000 Dwt to 38,000 Dwt.

MR Tankers (45,000 Dwt – 49,999 Dwt)

At the end of the first quarter of 2017, the Company had 21 MR tankers trading in the spot market or in pools. The 21 spot or pool trading MR tankers, comprising 15 Eco-Design and six Eco-Mod, earned an average of $13,131 per day in the quarter. Overall for the quarter, our 15 Eco-Design MR tankers earned $13,181 per day, and our six Eco-Mod MR tankers earned $12,260 per day.

In the second quarter of 2017, the Company expects to have all revenue days for its MR Eco-Design and MR Eco-Mod tankers employed in the spot market or in pools. As of May 2, 2017, the Company has fixed approximately 40% of its total MR spot and pool revenue days for the second quarter 2017 at approximately $14,000 per day.

Product / Chemical Tankers (IMO 2: 25,000 Dwt – 37,800 Dwt)

At the end of the first quarter of 2017, the Company had six Eco-Design IMO 2 product / chemical tankers in operation, all of which were trading spot or in pools. During the first quarter of 2017, across all employment types, the Company's six Eco-Design product / chemical vessels earned an average daily rate of $12,907 per day in the quarter.

In the second quarter of 2017, the Company expects to have all of its revenue days for its Eco-Design IMO 2 product / chemical tankers employed in the spot market or in pools. As of May 2, 2017, the Company has fixed approximately 40% of its Eco-Design IMO 2 product / chemical tankers spot and pool revenue days for the second quarter 2017 at approximately $12,000 per day.

Drydocking

The Company had eight drydock days in the first quarter of 2017. Ardmore expects approximately 30 scheduled drydock days in the second quarter of 2017.

Dividend

Based on the Company's policy of paying out dividends equal to 60% of earnings from continuing operations, the Company's Board of Directors has not declared a dividend for the quarter ended March 31, 2017, in which the Company experienced a loss from continuing operations of $2.2 million. The Company paid out dividends of $0.16 per share for the quarter ended March 31, 2016, and $0.27 per share for the full year 2016. The Company's Board of Directors reaffirmed its intention to maintain a policy of paying out dividends equal to 60% of earnings from continuing operations moving forward. Earnings from continuing operations is defined as earnings per share ("EPS") reported under US GAAP, as adjusted for unrealized and realized gains and losses and extraordinary items.

Results for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2017 and 2016

The Company reported a net loss of $2.2 million, or $0.06 basic and diluted loss per share, for the three months ended March 31, 2017, as compared to a net income of $6.7 million, or $0.26 basic and diluted earnings per share, for the three months ended March 31, 2016. For the three months ended March 31, 2017, the Company reported EBITDA (see "Non-GAAP Measures" section below) of $11.7 million, a decrease of $7.1 million from $18.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2016.

Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Results for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2017 and 2016

Revenue. Revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2017 was $49.7 million, an increase of $6.2 million from $43.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2016.

The average number of owned vessels increased to 27 for the three months ended March 31, 2017, from 24 for the three months ended March 31, 2016, resulting in revenue days of 2,410 for the three months ended March 31, 2017, as compared to 2,166 for the three months ended March 31, 2016.

We had 19 and 10 vessels employed directly in the spot market as at March 31, 2017 and March 31, 2016, respectively. For spot chartering arrangements, we had 1,606 revenue days for the three months ended March 31, 2017, as compared to 821 for the three months ended March 31, 2016. This increase in revenue days derived from spot chartering arrangements resulted in an increase in revenue of $19.8 million, partially offset by a $2.1 million decrease in spot market revenue related to lower average spot rates.

We had eight and 14 vessels employed under time charter and pool arrangements as at March 31, 2017 and March 31, 2016, respectively. Revenue days derived from time charter and pool arrangements were 804 for the three months ended March 31, 2017, as compared to 1,346 for the three months ended March 31, 2016. The decrease in revenue days in time charter and pool arrangements resulted in a decrease in revenue of $9.2 million, while lower charter rates for the quarter ended March 31, 2017 resulted in a decrease in revenue of $2.3 million.

As noted previously, for vessels employed directly in the spot market, revenue is recognized on a gross freight basis, while under time chartering and pool arrangements, the charterer typically pays voyage expenses and revenue is recognized on a net basis.

Commissions and Voyage Related Costs. Commissions and voyage related costs were $18.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017, an increase of $11.4 million from $7.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2016. Commissions and voyage related costs increased due to the increased number of revenue days for the three months ended March 31, 2017, and in particular, the increased number of revenue days derived from spot charter arrangements for which we typically are responsible for all voyage expenses as opposed to the charterer. Revenue days increased to 2,410 for the three months ended March 31, 2017, as compared to 2,166 for the three months ended March 31, 2016, which accounted for all of the increase in commissions and voyage related costs. For spot chartering arrangements, we had 1,606 revenue days for the three months ended March 31, 2017, as compared to 821 for the three months ended March 31, 2016.

TCE Rate. The average TCE rate for our fleet was $12,919 per day for the three months ended March 31, 2017, decreasing by $4,212 per day from $17,131 per day for the three months ended March 31, 2016. The decrease in average TCE rate was the result of lower average time charter and spot rates for the three months ended March 31, 2017.

Vessel Operating Expenses. Vessel operating expenses were $15.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017, an increase of $1.8 million from $13.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2016. This increase is primarily due to an increase in the number of vessels in operation for the three months ended March 31, 2017. Due to the nature of this expenditure, vessel operating expenses are prone to fluctuations between periods. Fleet operating costs per day, including technical management fees of an average of $390 per day, were $6,361 for the three months ended March 31, 2017, as compared to $6,194 for the three months ended March 31, 2016.

Depreciation. Depreciation expense for the three months ended March 31, 2017 was $8.4 million, an increase of $1.3 million from $7.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2016. This increase is primarily due to an increase in the average number of owned vessels to 27 for the three months ended March 31, 2017, from 24 for the three months ended March 31, 2016.

Amortization of Deferred Drydock Expenditure. Amortization of deferred drydock expenditure for the three months ended March 31, 2017 was $0.6 million, consistent with the three months ended March 31, 2016 when amortization of deferred drydock expenditure was also $0.6 million. The capitalized costs of drydockings for a given vessel are depreciated on a straight-line basis to the next scheduled drydocking of the vessel.

General and Administrative Expenses: Corporate. Corporate-related general and administrative expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2017 were $3.0 million, a decrease of $0.3 million from $3.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2016. This decrease is primarily due to a reduction in professional fees of $0.2 million for the period March 31, 2017 as during the period ended March 31, 2016, we incurred legal costs in connection with our debt refinancing.

General and Administrative Expenses: Commercial and Chartering. Commercial and chartering expenses are the expenses attributable to our chartering and post-fixture operations departments in connection with our spot trading activities. Commercial and chartering expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2017 were $0.7 million, an increase of $0.3 million from $0.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2016. This increase reflects the expansion of chartering and commercial activities in our Singapore and Houston offices, and an increased headcount in the chartering department for the three months ended March 31, 2017.

Interest Expense and Finance Costs. Interest expense and finance costs include loan interest, capital lease interest, and amortization of deferred financing fees, and are net of capitalized interest. Interest expense and finance costs for the three months ended March 31, 2017 were $4.9 million, as compared to $4.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2016. Cash interest expense increased by $0.5 million to $4.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017, from $3.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2016. This increase in cash interest expense is attributable to an increase in our long-term debt due to the expansion of our fleet coupled with an increased LIBOR. Amortization of deferred financing charges for the three months ended March 31, 2017 was $0.6 million, consistent with the three months ended March 31, 2016 when amortization of deferred financing charges was also $0.6 million.

Liquidity

As of March 31, 2017, the Company had $45.2 million (March 31, 2016: $47.5 million) available in cash and cash equivalents. The following debt and capital lease liabilities (net of deferred finance fees) were outstanding as of the dates indicated:

Conference Call

The Company plans to have a conference call on May 3, 2017 at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time to discuss its results for the quarter ended March 31, 2017. All interested parties are invited to listen to the live conference call and slide presentation by choosing from the following options:

1. By dialing 844-492-3728 (U.S.) or 412-542-4189 (International) and referencing "Ardmore Shipping."
2. By accessing the live webcast at Ardmore Shipping's website at www.ardmoreshipping.com.

Participants should dial into the call 10 minutes before the scheduled time.

If you are unable to participate at this time, an audio replay of the call will be available through May 10, 2017 at 877-344-7529 or 412-317-0088. Enter the passcode 10106417 to access the audio replay. A recording of the webcast, with associated slides, will also be available on the Company's website. The information provided on the teleconference is only accurate at the time of the conference call, and the Company will take no responsibility for providing updated information.

About Ardmore Shipping Corporation

Ardmore owns and operates a fleet of MR product / chemical tankers ranging from 25,000 to 50,000 deadweight tonnes. Ardmore provides seaborne transportation of petroleum products and chemicals worldwide to oil majors, national oil companies, oil and chemical traders, and chemical companies, with its modern, fuel-efficient fleet of tankers.

Ardmore's core strategy is to develop a modern, high-quality fleet of product / chemical tankers, building key long-term commercial relationships and maintaining its cost advantage in assets, operations and overhead, while creating significant synergies and economies of scale as the Company grows. Ardmore provides its services to customers through voyage charters, commercial pools, and time charters, and enjoys close working relationships with key commercial and technical management partners.

Non-GAAP Measures

This press release describes EBITDA, which is not a measure prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP and is reconciled below. EBITDA is defined as earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization.

This non-GAAP measure is presented in this press release as the Company believes that it provides investors with a means of evaluating and understanding how Ardmore's management evaluates operating performance. This non-GAAP measure should not be considered in isolation from, as substitutes for, or superior to financial measures prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. In addition, this non-GAAP measure does not have a standardized meaning, and is therefore unlikely to be comparable to similar measures presented by other companies. All amounts in the tables below are expressed in U.S. dollars, unless otherwise stated.

Forward Looking Statements

Matters discussed in this press release may constitute forward-looking statements. The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides safe harbor protections for forward-looking statements in order to encourage companies to provide prospective information about their business. Forward-looking statements 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. 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. The words "believe", "anticipate", "intends", "estimate", "forecast", "plan", "potential", "may", "expect", and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements.

The forward-looking statements in this press release are based upon various assumptions, including, without limitation, Ardmore management's examination of historical operating trends, data contained in the Company's records and other data available from third parties. Although the Company believes 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 the Company's control, the Company cannot assure you that it will achieve or accomplish these expectations, beliefs or projections.

In addition to these important factors, other important factors that, in the Company's view, could cause actual results to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements include: the failure of counterparties to fully perform their contracts with the Company; the strength of world economies and currencies; general market conditions, including fluctuations in charter rates and vessel values; changes in demand for and the supply of tanker vessel capacity; changes in the Company's operating expenses, including bunker prices, drydocking and insurance costs; the market for the Company's vessels; competition in the tanker industry; availability of financing and refinancing; charter counterparty performance; ability to obtain financing and comply with covenants in such financing arrangements; changes in governmental rules and regulations or actions taken by regulatory authorities; general domestic and international political conditions; potential disruption of shipping routes due to accidents, piracy or political events; vessels breakdowns and instances of off-hires; and other factors. Please see the Company's filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission for a more complete discussion of these and other risks and uncertainties.

Investor Relations Enquiries: 
Mr. Leon Berman 
The IGB Group 
45 Broadway, Suite 1150 
New York, NY 10006
Tel: 212-477-8438
Fax: 212-477-8636
Email: [email protected]  

Or

Mr. Bryan Degnan
The IGB Group
45 Broadway, Suite 1150
New York, NY 10006
Tel: 646-673-9701 
Fax: 212-477-8636
Email: [email protected]  

SOURCE Ardmore Shipping Corporation