Euronav NV reported its non-audited financial results for the fourth quarter ended 31 December 2022.
Hugo De Stoop, CEO of Euronav said: “Constrained vessel supply conditions within all segments of the large crude tanker market were supplemented further by two key factors during Q4 2022. Firstly, seasonal demand for crude gained traction as consumption rose into the 22/23 winter. Secondly, the EU embargo on Russian oil, effective 5 December 2022, created additional shipping demand as crude trading patterns required longer voyages and therefore captured more shipping capacity. These supportive catalysts helped drive freight rates to a 30-month high and we believe that the solid base of sector fundamentals (orderbook, fleet age, incoming regulations) will continue to underpin positive conditions within the tanker market for multiple quarters ahead.
Recent events have also been dynamic but have never affected the operational performance of the Company as we remain focused and committed to maintain our position of market leadership and have managed to rejuvenate the fleet at a critical time in the market cycle both in buying and ordering modern vessels at good prices as well as be patient and dispose of older assets when the value became interesting.
Whilst we regret the current situation, we will continue to act professionally and to work to a solution which is in the interests of all of our shareholders and stakeholders.”
For the fourth quarter of 2022, the Company realized a net profit of USD 234.7 million or USD 1.16 per share (fourth quarter 2021: a net loss of 72.2 USD million or USD (0.36) per share). Proportionate EBITDA (a non-IFRS measure) for the same period was USD 317.7 million (fourth quarter 2021: USD 38.8 million).