General Maritime Corporation Announces Third Quarter and Nine Months 2010 Financial Results

Places Seven Vessels on Long Term Time Charters

Completes Syndication of $372 Million Credit Facility

Declares Quarterly Dividend of $0.01 per Share

NEW YORK, Oct. 27 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- General Maritime Corporation (NYSE: GMR) today reported its financial results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010.

Financial Review: Third Quarter 2010

The Company recorded a net loss of $26.0 million or $0.30 basic and $0.30 diluted loss per share for the three months ended September 30, 2010 compared to net income of $14.8 million or $0.27 basic and $0.27 diluted earnings per share for the three months ended September 30, 2009. The decrease in net income was primarily the result of a 31.9% decrease in TCE to $19,109 per day for the three months ended September 30, 2010 compared to $28,077 per day for the prior year period, as well as a $13.6 million increase in net interest expense to $21.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2010 compared to $7.7 million for the prior year period. Excluding the acceleration of the amortization of the net time charter liability of $13.1 million, from the prior year period for the Arlington vessels which were redelivered to the Company earlier than expected, the decrease in TCE was 17.4% from $23,136 from the prior year period to $19,109 for the three months ended September 30, 2010.  

John Tavlarios, President of General Maritime Corporation, commented, "During the third quarter and year-to-date, we continued to grow General Maritime's fleet and contracted revenue stream while taking steps to enhance its financial flexibility. We are pleased to have already taken delivery of six of the seven double-hull vessels we agreed to acquire in June 2010.  During the quarter, we also significantly increased our time charter coverage by entering into contracts for six vessels with Trafigura, the third largest independent oil trader.  Additionally, we placed the Genmar Elektra, a 2002 build Aframax, with Clearlake, another leading oil trading firm.  General Maritime's ongoing success in implementing its flexible deployment strategy positions the Company to take advantage of future rate increases while maintaining a level of stability in results and covering a substantial portion of fixed costs."

Net voyage revenue, which is gross voyage revenues minus voyage expenses unique to a specific voyage (including port, canal and fuel costs), decreased 26.0% to $57.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2010 compared to $77.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2009.  This decrease was primarily due to an increase in voyage expense from $18.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2009, to $40.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2010.  This increase in voyage expense was due to higher bunker costs as well as an increase in percentage of spot market operating days for the third quarter 2010, compared to the prior year period.  EBITDA for the three months ended September 30, 2010 decreased 53.6% to $20.8 million compared to $44.7 million for the prior year period (please see below for a reconciliation of EBITDA to net income). As of September 30, 2010, the Company's net debt (calculated as total debt less cash) was $1,256 million.

Total vessel operating expenses, which are direct vessel operating expenses and general and administrative expenses, increased 11.2% from $32.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2009 to $35.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2010.  Total vessel operating expenses is a measurement of the Company's total expenses associated with operating its vessels. This increase was primarily due to the addition of 5 VLCCs which were acquired during the third quarter ended September 30, 2010 and are more expensive to operate.  Daily direct vessel operating expenses increased by 7.1% to $8,486 for the quarter ended September 30, 2010 compared to $7,923 for the prior year period.  The increase in daily direct vessel expenses is primarily due to the expiration of fixed cost technical management contracts for certain vessels, which subjected them to higher current market costs, and to the change in composition of the fleet to include the addition of the 5 VLCCs acquired during the quarter.  

General and administrative costs decreased by 1.4% to $9.3 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2010 compared to $9.5 million for the prior year period.  Contributing to this reduction was a decrease in professional expenses and the effects of changes in exchange rates.

Financial Review: Nine Months Ended September 30, 2010

The Company recorded a net loss of $49.4 million or $0.74 basic and $0.74 diluted loss per share, for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 compared to net income of $40.9 million, or $0.75 basic and $0.74 diluted earnings per share, for the nine months ended September 30, 2009. Net voyage revenues decreased 20.3% to $184.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 compared to $231.5 million for the prior year period.  EBITDA decreased 38.8% to $79.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 compared to $130.4 million for the prior year period.  TCE rates obtained by the Company's fleet decreased 24.0% to $21,915 per day for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 from $28,830 for the prior year period. Total vessel operating expenses increased 3.3% to $103.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 from $100.0 million for the prior year period, and daily direct vessel operating expenses increased 5.1% to $8,590 for the nine month period ended September 30, 2010 from $8,172 from the prior year period.

Summary Consolidated Financial and Other Data

The following table summarizes General Maritime Corporation's selected consolidated financial and other data for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009 as well as selected consolidated balance sheet data as of December 31, 2009.  Attached to this press release is an Appendix, which contains additional financial, operational and other data for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009.

General Maritime Corporation's Fleet

As of October 27, 2010, General Maritime Corporation's fleet was comprised of 37 wholly owned tankers, consisting of 7 VLCC, 12 Suezmax, 12 Aframax, 2 Panamax, and 4 Products tankers, with a total carrying capacity of approximately 5.6 million deadweight tons, or dwt.  The average age of the Company's fleet as of September 30, 2010 by dwt was 8.6 years compared to 9.3 years as of September 30, 2009.  

In the third quarter General Maritime entered into 7 new time charters. The Company placed 6 vessels to Trafigura, 2 VLCCs (Genmar Atlas and Genmar Hercules), 2 Suezmaxes (Genmar Argus and Genmar Spyridon) and 2 Aframaxes (Genmar Daphne and Genmar Defiance); each vessel is on a 12-month charter with an additional 12-month option period.  Additionally, the Company placed the Genmar Elektra on a 12-month time charter to Clearlake. The Trafigura charters are expected to commence by the end of October 2010 and the Clearlake charter began in August 2010.  Additional details of the charters are listed in the table below.  

As of October 27, 2010, General Maritime has 18 out of 37 vessels on time charters comprised of 5 VLCCs, 3 Suezmaxes, 4 Aframaxes, 2 Panamaxes and 4 Handymax tankers.  There are options to extend charters on 12 of the vessels, and a profit sharing arrangement on 1 vessel during their option period.  

The table below outlines our vessels which are on time charter as of October 27, 2010, their charter rates and the expiration dates for the charters.

Metrostar Acquisition Update

During the quarter ended September 30, 2010, the Company took delivery of 5 VLCCs associated with the Metrostar acquisition announced in June 2010.  These vessels consist of a 2010 built, a 2002 built, a 2003 built and two 2007 built vessels.  The vessels were paid for with the proceeds from the Company's equity offering in June 2010 and borrowings from the Company's $372 million credit facility.  

On October 5, 2010, the Company entered into a $22.8 million bridge loan with Nordea and DnB to fund a portion of the purchase price of the Genmar Maniate, a Suezmax newbuild it had agreed to acquire in the Metrostar acquisition.  

The Genmar Maniate was delivered on October 6, 2010 and is the sixth of seven Metrostar vessels to be delivered. The final vessel, the Genmar Spartiate, a Suezmax newbuilding, is expected to be delivered to the Company in April 2011.  

$372 Million Facility Update

On October 5, 2010, the Company announced that it had completed the syndication process of the new $372 million credit facility, led by Nordea and DnB NOR.  The Company is pleased to have a group of leading global lenders in its new facility, including NIBC Bank, Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken (SEB), DVB Bank and Citibank.  

Additionally, the Company announced that it had amended the $372 million facility to extend, by 12 months, the period within which the Company is required to raise 40% of the purchase price of the seven Metrostar vessels from new equity.  

Q3 2010 Dividend Announcement

On October 27, 2010 the Company's Board of Directors declared a Q3 2010 quarterly dividend of $0.01 per share payable on or about November 26, 2010 to shareholders of record as of November 12, 2010.  Under the terms of the $22.8 million bridge loan, the quarterly cash dividend will limited to $0.01 per share per quarter during the period while the $22.8 million bridge loan is outstanding.

Jeff Pribor, Chief Financial Officer of General Maritime Corporation, commented, "During the quarter and year-to-date, we took important steps to enhance General Maritime's financial flexibility during a time when we continue to grow our modern high-quality fleet.  Specifically, we amended our $372 million senior secured credit facility, which was successfully syndicated to four global lending institutions.  We appreciate the continued support we receive from world-class banks, underscoring General Maritime's leading industry position and strong future prospects."

About General Maritime Corporation

General Maritime Corporation is a leading crude and products tanker company serving principally within the Atlantic basin, which includes ports in the Caribbean, South and Central America, the United States, West Africa, the Mediterranean, Europe and the North Sea. General Maritime also currently operates tankers in other regions including the Black Sea and Far East. General Maritime owns a fully double-hull fleet of 37 tankers – seven VLCC, twelve Aframax, twelve Suezmax tankers, two Panamax and four Product tankers - with a total carrying capacity of approximately 5.6 million dwt.

All per share amounts presented throughout this press release, unless otherwise noted, have been adjusted to reflect the exchange of 1.34 shares of the Company's common stock for each share of common stock held by shareholders of General Maritime Subsidiary Corporation (formerly known as General Maritime Corporation) in connection with the Arlington acquisition.

Conference Call Announcement

General Maritime Corporation announced that it will hold a conference call on Thursday, October 28, 2010 at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Daylight Savings Time to discuss its 2010 third quarter financial results.  To access the conference call, dial (913) 312-1502 and enter the passcode 6264099.  A replay of the conference call can also be accessed until November 11, 2010 by dialing (888) 203-1112 for U.S. callers and (719) 457-0820 for international callers, and entering the passcode 6264099. The conference call will also be simultaneously webcast and will be available on the Company's website, www.GeneralMaritimeCorp.com. The Company intends to place additional materials related to the earnings announcement, including a slide presentation, on its website prior to the conference call.

"Safe Harbor" Statement Under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995

This press release contains forward-looking statements made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are based on management's current expectations and observations. Included among the factors that, in the Company's view, could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward looking statements contained in this press release are the following: loss or reduction in business from the Company's significant customers; the failure of the Company's significant customers to perform their obligations owed to us; changes in demand; a material decline in rates in the tanker market; changes in production of or demand for oil and petroleum products, generally or in particular regions; greater than anticipated levels of tanker newbuilding orders or lower than anticipated rates of tanker scrapping; changes in rules and regulations applicable to the tanker industry, including, without limitation, legislation adopted by international organizations such as the International Maritime Organization and the European Union or by individual countries; actions taken by regulatory authorities; actions by the courts, the U.S. Coast Guard, the U.S. Department of Justice or other governmental authorities and the results of the legal proceedings to which the Company or any of its vessels may be subject; changes in trading patterns significantly impacting overall tanker tonnage requirements; changes in the typical seasonal variations in tanker charter rates; changes in the cost of other modes of oil transportation; changes in oil transportation technology; increases in costs including without limitation: crew wages, insurance, provisions, repairs and maintenance; changes in general domestic and international political conditions; changes in the condition of the Company's vessels or applicable maintenance or regulatory standards (which may affect, among other things, the Company's anticipated drydocking or maintenance and repair costs); changes in the itineraries of the Company's vessels; adverse changes in foreign currency exchange rates affecting the Company's expenses; the fulfillment of the closing conditions under, or the execution of customary additional documentation for, the Company's agreements to acquire vessels; sourcing, completion and funding of financing on acceptable terms; financial market conditions and other factors listed from time to time in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including, without limitation, its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009 and its subsequent reports on Form 10-Q and Form 8-K. The Company's ability to pay dividends in any period will depend upon factors including applicable provisions of Marshall Islands law, restrictions under the Company's credit facilities and indenture governing the Company's Senior Notes and the final determination by the Board of Directors each quarter after its review of the Company's financial performance.  The timing and amount of dividends, if any, could also be affected by factors affecting cash flows, results of operations, required capital expenditures, or reserves.  As a result, the amount of dividends actually paid may vary.  The Company's dividend policy may be changed at any time by the Company's Board of Directors.