Eagle Bulk, one of the world’s largest owner-operators within the drybulk vessel segment, reported financial results for the quarter ended June 30, 2021.
Quarter highlights:
- Operated an average of 50 owned vessels for the quarter.
- Revenues, net of $129.9 million
- Generated TCE Revenue (1) of $93.4 million
- Achieved TCE (1) of $21,580/day for the quarter
- Realized a net income of $9.2 million, or $0.76 and $0.74 per basic and diluted share, respectively
- Adjusted net income(1) of $40.3 million, or $3.31(1) and $2.63(1) per adjusted basic and diluted share, respectively
- Realized Adjusted EBITDA(1) of $62.7 million
- Raised net proceeds of $27.4 million in new equity under the Company’s ATM program at a weighted average share price of $47.97 per share.
- Executed agreements to purchase two 2015-built scrubber-fitted Ultramax bulkcarriers for total consideration of USD 44 million.
- Took delivery of three previously announced vessel acquisitions.
- Published 2021 ESG Sustainability Report.
Recent Developments:
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Looking ahead, fixed 75% of Q3 2021 available days at an average TCE of $28,300 as of August 5, 2021
Eagle’s CEO Gary Vogel commented, “The market for the midsize drybulk segment continued to strengthen in the second quarter on the back of robust demand across the commodity spectrum, and especially for grain and infrastructure-related cargoes that we carry such as cement, manganese ore, and steel.
We achieved our best ever operating performance, producing an adjusted EBITDA of over $62 million, as the Baltic Supramax Index rose by almost 60% during the quarter, reaching levels not seen in more than a decade.
In parallel with spot rate development, asset prices have rallied strongly in recent months, with values for mid-aged vessels having increased by about 75% since the beginning of the year. This has had a profound impact on the valuation of our 53-ship fleet, including the nine vessels we acquired since December of last year.
Looking ahead, our TCE has continued to climb, and as of today, we have covered approximately 75% of our available days for the third quarter at a net TCE in excess of $28,000. Given both positive demand and historically low supply side fundamentals, we maintain an optimistic outlook on market developments going forward.”
1 These are non-GAAP financial measures. A reconciliation of GAAP to non-GAAP financial measures has been provided in the financial tables included in this press release. An explanation of these measures and how they are calculated are also included below under the heading “Supplemental Information – Non-GAAP Financial Measures”.
Fleet Operating Data
| Three Months Ended | Six Months Ended | |||||||||||
| June 30, 2021 | June 30, 2020 | June 30, 2021 | June 30, 2020 | |||||||||
| Ownership Days | 4,511 | 4,550 | 8,710 | 9,100 | ||||||||
| Chartered in Days | 497 | 525 | 1,155 | 1,129 | ||||||||
| Available Days | 4,824 | 5,007 | 9,472 | 9,878 | ||||||||
| Operating Days | 4,778 | 4,962 | 9,400 | 9,793 | ||||||||
| Fleet Utilization (%) | 99.0 | % | 99.1 | % | 99.2 | % | 99.1 | % | ||||
Fleet Development
Vessels acquired and delivered into the fleet in the second quarter of 2021
- Sankaty Eagle, a Supramax (58K DWT / 2011-built)
- Montauk Eagle, a Supramax (58K DWT / 2011-built)
- Rotterdam Eagle, an Ultramax (64K DWT / 2017-built)
Vessels acquired and expected to be delivered in the third quarter of 2021
- Newport Eagle, a Supramax (58K DWT / 2011-built)
- Antwerp Eagle, an Ultramax (64K DWT / 2015-built)
- Valencia Eagle, an Ultramax (64K DWT / 2015-built)
Vessels sold and expected to be delivered in the third quarter of 2021
- Tern, a Supramax (50K DWT / 2003-built) for net proceeds of $9.7 million
Effective as of September 15, 2020, the Company completed a 1-for-7 reverse stock split (the “Reverse Stock Split”) of the Company’s issued and outstanding shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, as previously approved by our Board of Directors (the “Board of Directors”) and our shareholders. Proportional adjustments were made to the Company’s issued and outstanding common stock and to the exercise price and the number of shares issuable upon exercise of all of the Company’s outstanding warrants, the exercise price and number of shares issuable upon exercise of the options outstanding under the Company’s equity incentive plans, and the number of shares subject to restricted stock awards under the Company’s equity incentive plans. All references to common stock and all per share data relating to periods prior to the Reverse Stock Split that are contained in this press release for the three and six months ended June 30, 2021 have been retrospectively adjusted to reflect the Reverse Stock Split unless explicitly stated otherwise.
Results of Operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020
For the three months ended June 30, 2021, the Company reported net income of $9.2 million, or basic and diluted income of $0.76 per share and $0.74 per share, respectively. In the comparable quarter of 2020, the Company reported a net loss of $20.5 million, or basic and diluted loss of $1.99 per share.
For the three months ended June 30, 2021, the Company reported an adjusted net income of $40.3 million, which excludes the unrealized loss on derivative instruments of $31.0 million or basic and diluted adjusted income of $3.31 per share and $2.63 per share, respectively.
For the six months ended June 30, 2021, the Company reported net income of $19.1 million, or basic and diluted income of $1.60 per share and $1.58 per share, respectively. In the comparable period of 2020, the Company reported a net loss of $24.0 million, or basic and diluted loss of $2.34 per share.
For the six months ended June 30, 2021, the Company reported an adjusted net income of $49.6 million, which excludes the unrealized loss on derivative instruments of $30.5 million or basic and diluted adjusted income of $4.15 per share and $3.31 per share, respectively.
Revenues, net
Net time and voyage charter revenues for the three months ended June 30, 2021 were $129.9 million compared with $57.4 million recorded in the comparable quarter in 2020. The increase in revenues was primarily attributable to higher charter rates as a result of the market recovery with increase in demand for drybulk products offset by a decrease in available days due to fewer owned days.
Net time and voyage charter revenues for the six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020 were $226.4 million and $131.8 million, respectively. The increase in revenues was primarily due to higher charter rates offset by a decrease in available days due to fewer owned days.
Voyage expenses
Voyage expenses for the three months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020 were $24.5 million compared to $23.8 million in the comparable quarter in 2020. The increase in voyage expenses was primarily due to an increase in broker commission expense as a result of the increase in revenues.
Voyage expenses for the six months ended June 30, 2021 were $51.1 million compared to $50.3 million in the comparable period in 2020. The increase in voyage expenses was primarily due to an increase in bunker consumption expense as bunker fuel prices increased in the current year compared to prior year and an increase in broker commission expense as a result of the increase in Revenues.
Vessel operating expenses
Vessel operating expenses for the three months ended June 30, 2021 were $23.7 million compared to $20.2 million in the comparable quarter in 2020. The increase in vessel operating expenses was primarily attributable to increases in lubes expense as a result of an increase in prices as well as higher inventory levels and vessel start-up expenses as the Company purchased three vessels in the second quarter of 2021. The Company continues to incur higher costs related to crew changes due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The ownership days for the three months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020 were 4,511 and 4,550, respectively.
Average daily vessel operating expenses excluding one-time, non-recurring expenses related to vessel acquisitions and sales for the three months ended June 30, 2021 was $5,020 as compared to $4,447 for the three months ended June 30, 2020.
Vessel operating expenses for the six months ended June 30, 2021 were $45.2 million compared to $43.9 million in the comparable period in 2020. The increase in vessel expenses was primarily attributable to an increase in lubes expense as a result of an increase in prices as well as higher inventory levels and vessel start-up expenses as the Company purchased six vessels in the first half of 2021, offset by a decrease in ownership days. The ownership days for the six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020 were 8,710 and 9,100, respectively.
Average daily vessel operating expenses excluding one-time, non-recurring expenses related to vessel acquisitions and sales for the six months ended June 30, 2021 was $4,959 as compared to $4,828 for the six months ended June 30, 2020.
Charter hire expenses
Charter hire expenses for the three months ended June 30, 2021 were $6.2 million compared to $4.7 million in the comparable quarter in 2020. The increase in charter hire expenses was principally due to an increase in charter hire rates due to improvement in the charter hire market, offset by a marginal decrease in chartered-in days. The total chartered-in days for the three months ended June 30, 2021 were 497 compared to 525 for the comparable quarter in the prior year. The Company currently charters in three Ultramax vessels on a long term basis with remaining lease terms of approximately one year.
Charter hire expenses for the six months ended June 30, 2021 were $14.6 million compared to $10.8 million in the comparable period in 2020. The increase in charter hire expenses was primarily due to an increase in charter hire rates due to improvement in the charter hire market and an increase in the number of chartered-in days. The total chartered-in days for the six months ended June 30, 2021 were 1,155 compared to 1,129 for the comparable period in the prior year.
Depreciation and amortization
Depreciation and amortization expense for the three months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020 was $13.1 million and $12.5 million, respectively. Total depreciation and amortization expense for the three months ended June 30, 2021 includes $11.0 million of vessel and other fixed asset depreciation and $2.1 million relating to the amortization of deferred drydocking costs. Comparable amounts for the three months ended June 30, 2020 were $10.7 million of vessel and other fixed asset depreciation and $1.8 million of amortization of deferred drydocking costs.
Depreciation and amortization expense for the six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020 was $25.6 million and $25.0 million, respectively. Total depreciation and amortization expense for the six months ended June 30, 2021 includes $21.5 million of vessel and other fixed asset depreciation and $4.1 million relating to the amortization of deferred drydocking costs. Comparable amounts for the six months ended June 30, 2020 were $21.3 million of vessel and other fixed asset depreciation and $3.7 million of amortization of deferred drydocking costs.
General and administrative expenses
General and administrative expenses for the three months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020 were $7.9 million and $6.8 million, respectively. General and administrative expenses included stock-based compensation of $0.6 million and $0.7 million for the three months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively.
General and administrative expenses for the six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020 were $15.6 million and $14.7 million, respectively. General and administrative expenses included stock-based compensation of $1.5 million and $1.6 million for the six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively.
Other operating expense
Other operating expense for the three and six months ended June 30, 2021 was $0.6 million and $1.5 million, respectively. In March 2021, the U.S. government began investigating an allegation that one of our vessels may have improperly disposed of ballast water that entered the engine room bilges during a repair. The Company posted a surety bond as security for any fines and penalties. Other operating expense consists of expenses relating to the incident, which include legal fees, surety bond expenses, vessel offhire, crew changes and travel costs.
Interest expense
Interest expense for the three months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020 was $8.8 million and $8.7 million, respectively.
Interest expense for the six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020 was $17.1 million and $17.9 million, respectively. The decrease in interest expense was primarily due to a decrease in outstanding debt under the Norwegian Bond Debt and a decrease in interest rates on the New Ultraco Debt Facility.
Realized and unrealized loss/(gain) on derivative instruments, net
Realized and unrealized loss/(gain) on derivative instruments, net for the three months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020 was $35.9 million and $0.9 million, respectively. The increase in realized and unrealized losses on derivative instruments was primarily due to the sharp increase in charter hire rates. The non cash unrealized losses on forward freight agreements (“FFA”) related to the second half of 2021 and 2022 amounted to $31.8 million based on 2,430 days hedged at an weighted average FFA contract price of $15,988 per day.
Realized and unrealized loss on derivative instruments, net for the six months ended June 30, 2021 was $36.6 million compared to a realized and unrealized gain on derivative instruments, net of $7.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2020. The increase in realized and unrealized losses on derivative instruments was primarily due to the sharp increase in charter hire rates.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
| Six Months Ended | |||||||
| June 30, 2021 | June 30, 2020 | ||||||
| Net cash provided by/(used in) operating activities (1) | $ | 30,585,379 | $ | (15,173,185 | ) | ||
| Net cash used in investing activities (2) | (86,503,299 | ) | (19,263,564 | ) | |||
| Net cash provided by financing activities (3) | 50,868,477 | 73,913,522 | |||||
| Net (decrease)/increase in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash | (5,049,443 | ) | 39,476,773 | ||||
| Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period | 88,848,771 | 59,130,285 | |||||
| Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period | $ | 83,799,328 | $ | 98,607,058 | |||
(1) Net cash provided by operating activities for the six months ended June 30, 2021 was $30.6 million, compared with net cash used in operating activities of $15.2 million in the comparable period in 2020. The cash flows from operating activities increased as compared to the same period in the prior year primarily due to the increase in charter hire rates.
(2) Net cash used in investing activities for the six months ended June 30, 2021 was $86.5 million, compared to $19.3 million in the comparable period in the prior year. During the six months ended June 30, 2021, the Company purchased six vessels for $77.8 million and paid $5.3 million as advances for the purchase of three additional vessels to be delivered in the third quarter of 2021. The Company paid $2.4 million for the purchase of ballast water treatment systems on our fleet. The Company also received insurance proceeds of $0.2 million for hull and machinery claims. Additionally, the Company paid $1.2 million for vessel improvements.
(3) Net cash provided by financing activities for the six months ended June 30, 2021 was $50.9 million compared to $73.9 million in the comparable period in 2020. During the six months ended June 30, 2021, the Company received $55.0 million in proceeds from the revolver loan under the New Ultraco Debt Facility, $11.0 million in proceeds from the term loan under the New Ultraco Debt Facility, $24.0 million in proceeds from the Holdco Revolving Credit Facility and $27.4 million in net proceeds from the ATM offering. The Company repaid $15.9 million of the New Ultraco Debt Facility, $4.0 million of the Norwegian Bond Debt, $30.0 million of the revolver loan under the New Ultraco Debt Facility and $15.0 million of the revolver loan under the Super Senior Facility. The Company also paid $1.0 million to settle net share equity awards. Additionally, the Company paid $0.2 million to the lenders of the Holdco Revolving Credit Facility, $0.2 million to the lenders of the New Ultraco Debt Facility and $0.3 million in financing costs relating to the equity offerings in December 2020.
As of June 30, 2021, our cash and cash equivalents including restricted cash was $83.8 million compared to $88.8 million as of December 31, 2020.
As of June 30, 2021, the Company’s debt consisted of $176.0 million in outstanding bonds under the Norwegian Bond Debt, $186.5 million under the New Ultraco Debt Facility, which includes $25.0 million of an outstanding revolver loan, $24.0 million under the Holdco Revolving Credit Facility and the Convertible Bond Debt of $114.1 million.
In addition, as of June 30, 2021, we had $56.0 million in undrawn revolver facilities available under the New Ultraco Debt Facility, Super Senior Facility and the Holdco Revolving Credit Facility.
Capital Expenditures and Drydocking
Our capital expenditures relate to the purchase of vessels and capital improvements to our vessels, which are expected to enhance the revenue earning capabilities and safety of the vessels.
In addition to acquisitions that we may undertake in future periods, the Company’s other major capital expenditures include funding the Company’s program of regularly scheduled drydocking necessary to comply with international shipping standards and environmental laws and regulations. Although the Company has some flexibility regarding the timing of its drydocking, the costs are relatively predictable. Management anticipates that vessels are to be drydocked every two and a half years for vessels older than 15 years and five years for vessels younger than 15 years. Funding of these requirements is anticipated to be met with cash from operations. We anticipate that this process of recertification will require us to reposition these vessels from a discharge port to shipyard facilities, which will reduce our available days and operating days during that period.
Drydocking costs incurred are deferred and amortized to expense on a straight-line basis over the period through the date of the next scheduled drydocking for those vessels. In the six months ended June 30, 2021, four of our vessels completed drydock one of our vessels was still in drydock as of June 30, 2021, and we incurred drydocking expenditures of $6.4 million. In the six months ended June 30, 2020, four of our vessels completed drydock and we incurred drydocking expenditures of $6.6 million.
The following table represents certain information about the estimated costs for anticipated vessel drydockings, BWTS, and vessel upgrades in the next four quarters, along with the anticipated off-hire days:
| Projected Costs (1) (in millions) | |||||||||||
| Quarter Ending | Off-hire Days(2) | BWTS | Drydocks | Vessel Upgrades(3) | |||||||
| September 30, 2021 | 283 | $ | 3.0 | $ | 6.6 | $ | 1.2 | ||||
| December 31, 2021 | 278 | 2.6 | 5.3 | 1.0 | |||||||
| March 31, 2022 | 152 | 1.8 | 1.4 | 0.4 | |||||||
| June 30, 2022 | 118 | 0.3 | 1.2 | 0.4 | |||||||
(1) Actual costs will vary based on various factors, including where the drydockings are actually performed.
(2) Actual duration of off-hire days will vary based on the age and condition of the vessel, yard schedules and other factors.
(3) Vessel upgrades represents capex relating to items such as high-spec low friction hull paint which improves fuel efficiency and reduces fuel costs, NeoPanama Canal chock fittings enabling vessels to carry additional cargo through the new Panama Canal locks, as well as other retrofitted fuel-saving devices. Vessel upgrades are discretionary in nature and evaluated on a business case-by-case basis.