BOURBON - Virtually Stable Revenues for the 1st Quarter of 2010 and Strong Growth for the Bulk Activity
PARIS, May 5, 2010 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ --
- BOURBON Vessels Enjoy Solid Profile in a Bottom-of-Cycle Offshore Market
Commenting on the results, Jacques de Chateauvieux, Chairman & Chief Executive Officer of BOURBON said: "As expected, the offshore activity bottomed out in the first half of 2010, while the bulk market benefited from continuing high freight rates. The recovery that is already evident in the Offshore Marine Services Activity, witness the new contract signed with Petrobras in Brazil, will progressively influence activity in the second half and have a knock-on effect on prices, with a preference for BOURBON vessels paving the way for the upturn."
1st quarter
(in millions of euros) Q1 2010(*) Q1 2009 Change at Change
current at
exchange constant
rates exchange
rates
Offshore Division 189.0 202.0 -6.5% -3.3%
of which Marine Services 153.3 166.7 -8.0%
of which Subsea Services 35.6 35.3 +0.8%
Bulk Division 38.5 29.9 +28.6% +36.5%
Other 8.8 6.7 +30.2% +46.8%
BOURBON TOTAL 236.2 238.7 -1.0% +3.1%
(*) unaudited figures
Revenues in the 1st quarter of 2010 were virtually stable compared with the same period in 2009 (up 3.1% at constant exchange rates), to a total of 236.2 million euros. The Offshore Division was down 6.5%, the impact of the fleet's vigorous growth being unable to offset the slump in market conditions. The 28.6% increase in Bulk revenues reflects the continuing high level of freight rates and an increase in the number of vessels operated.
- OFFSHORE DIVISION
Year-on-year, revenues for the Offshore Division in the first quarter were down 6.5% (-3,3% at constant exchange rates) to 189.0 million euros. This decline reflects the progressive deterioration in market conditions over the last year. Nevertheless, revenues for BOURBON vessels were almost 1% higher, thanks to the commissioning of 67 vessels (24 in the Bourbon Liberty series) over the last twelve months.
The decline in revenues continued from the last quarter, but at a reduced rate (-2.9% compared with -6.3% in the previous quarter). Revenues for BOURBON vessels fell 1.5%, compared with a decrease of 4.9% in the last quarter of 2009.
These factors confirm the pertinence of the strategy of investing in a modern and efficient fleet that will enable our clients lower their costs.
- Revenues by Activity
(in millions of Q1 2010 Q1 2009 Change Q4 2009 Change
euros)
% %
Marine Services 153.3 166.7 -8.0% 155.7 -1.5%
Subsea Services 35.6 35.3 +0.8% 38.9 -8.3%
TOTAL 189.0 202.0 -6.5% 194.6 -2.9%
BOURBON vessels 180.3 179.3 +0.6% 183.0 -1.5%
Chartered vessels 8.6 22.7 -61.9% 11.6 -25.5%
Marine Services
Year-on-year, revenues for the Marine Services activity in the 1st quarter were down 8% at 153.3 million euros. This decline is largely due to a reduction in revenues from chartered vessels.
The impact of the continuing decline in utilization rates and charter prices on the revenues for BOURBON's vessels was offset by the increase in the number of vessels.
Subsea Services
Year-on-year, revenues for the Subsea Services activity were almost 1% higher; this reflects the importance of chartered vessels, pending the commission of the first IMR vessels that are under construction in China, in the second half of 2010.
- Revenues by geographical region
1st quarter
(in millions of euros) Q1 2010 Q1 2009 Change
Offshore Division 189.0 202.0 -6.5%
Africa 121.2 134.5 -9.9%
Europe & Med/Middle East 27.7 33.4 -17.0%
Asia 19.3 21.4 -10.1%
American Continent 20.7 12.6 +63.9%
In the 1st quarter, the extent of the deterioration of conditions depended on the region. The American continent progressed strongly, thanks to the Mexico activity and the acquisition of the remaining 50% of the Group's holding in Brazil. By contrast, Europe, especially the North Sea, was particularly affected, as was Asia, albeit to a lesser extent. In Africa, which represents the main area of activity, there was a significant decline in Angola and the Congo, with only Equatorial Guinea making headway.
- BULK DIVISION
In the 1st quarter, revenues for the Bulk Division came to 38.5 million euros, up 28.6% compared with the 1st quarter 2009. This strong growth was due partly to the very sharp rise in freight rates over the previous year, with the Baltic Supramax Index (BSI) registering $25,216/day versus $10,875/day in 2009; while on the other hand, the increase in the number of vessels in operation (+5 full-time equivalent vessels) took the average number of vessels in the quarter to 23, in a market seeing renewed growth. Meanwhile, performance remains impacted by the long-term contractualization policy.
Compared with the previous quarter, revenues were 35.8% higher due to the continuing improvement in freight rates and the increase in the number of operated vessels (+ 4 full-time equivalent vessels).
It should be noted that the Division took delivery of 4 vessels in the 1st quarter. Following the sale of two bulk carriers in January 2010, this takes the number of BOURBON's directly-owned vessels to 14.
- MAJOR OPERATIONS AND HIGHLIGHTS
As announced on March 4, 2010, BOURBON now wholly owns its Brazilian subsidiary Bourbon Offshore Maritima, formerly Delba Maritima Navegacao. The buy-out agreements were signed on December 29, 2009.
It should be noted that the sale by the Bulk Division of two bulk carriers generated a net capital gain of 22 million dollars.
- OUTLOOK
Offshore Division
Given the expected increase in demand for oil, the faster pace of decline in production in existing fields, and the necessity in the medium term of reconstituting reserves, an upturn in oil activity is expected in 2010. Production maintenance activities should be the first to benefit followed, in the second half of 2010, by drilling activities.
The market's recovery allows the Group to anticipate a gradual recovery in activity, with the initial effects expected during the second half of 2010.
In accordance with its Horizon 2012 plan and its strategy of "investing to reduce client costs", BOURBON will continue to take delivery of new modern high-productivity vessels, such as the Bourbon Liberty vessels, which provide the continental offshore market with replacement vessels that transport more, consume less and have the maneuverability of vessels operating in deepwater offshore.
Bulk Division
At April 1, 2010, the Bulk Division directly owned 13 bulk vessels and one cement carrier. It will take delivery of two new 58,000-tonne Supramax vessels before the end of 2010. Freight rates are expected to continue at current levels for the remainder of the year, which, despite vessels already chartered out to third parties, will still have a favorable impact on activity in the coming months.
- FINANCIAL CALENDAR
- Combined Annual and Special Shareholders' Meeting: June 9, 2010
- 2nd quarter and 1st half 2010 revenues: August, 9 2010
- 1st half 2010 financial results: August 31, 2010
- Presentation of 1st half 2010 results: September 1st, 2010
APPENDICES
- BOURBON QUARTERLY DATA
2010 2009
(in millions of euros) Q1 Q4 Q3 Q2 Q1
Offshore Division
Marine Services 153.3 155.7 167.5 171.6 166.7
Subsea Services 35.6 38.9 40.1 34.1 35.3
Offshore TOTAL 189.0 194.6 207.6 205.7 202.0
of which BOURBON vessels 180.3 183.0 192.5 184.5 179.3
of which chartered vessels 8.6 11.6 15.1 21.2 22.7
Bulk Division 38.5 28.3 30.5 30.6 29.9
Other 8.8 8.6 8.8 7.2 6.7
BOURBON TOTAL 236.2 231.5 246.8 243.5 238.7
- Key indicators
Q1 2010 Q1 2009 Change
EUR/$ Average exchange rate for the 1.38 1.30 + 6%
quarter (in EUR)
EUR/$ Exchange rate at closing on March 1.35 1.33 + 1%
31 st (in EUR)
Average Brent price for the quarter (in 76 $/bl 45 $/bl + 68%
$/bl)
Average Baltic Supramax Index for the 25,216 $/day 10,875 $/day + 132%
quarter (in $/day)
About BOURBON
BOURBON offers a broad range of offshore oil and gas marine services. Under its strategic plan BOURBON intends to become the leader in modern offshore oil and gas marine services by offering the most demanding clients worldwide, a full line of innovative, high performance and new-generation vessels and a modular offer of Inspection, Maintenance and Repair services, with the launch of its new "Subsea Services" Activity.
BOURBON also specializes in bulk transport and protects the French coastline for the French Navy.
Classified by ICB (Industry Classification Benchmark) in the "Oil Services" sector, BOURBON is listed for trading on Euronext Paris, Compartment A, and is included in the Deferred Settlement Service SRD and in the SBF 120 and Dow Jones Stoxx 600 indices..
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SOURCE BOURBON MANAGEMENT
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