Hafnia posts strongest first-half results in company’s history

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Hafnia, a leading product tanker company with a diversified and modern fleet of over 130 vessels, announced results for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024.

Highlights and Recent Activity

Second Quarter 2024

  • Recorded net profit of USD 259.2 million or USD 0.51 per share1 compared to USD 213.3 million or USD 0.42 per share in Q2 2023.
  • Commercially managed pool and bunker procurement business generated income of USD 10.7 million compared to USD 10.1 million in Q2 2023.
  • Time Charter Equivalent (TCE)2 earnings were USD 417.4 million compared to USD 349.3 million in Q2 2023, resulting in an average TCE2 of USD 39,244 per day.
  • Adjusted EBITDA2 of USD 317.1 million compared to USD 261.6 million in Q2 2023.
  • 72% of total earning days of the fleet were covered for Q3 2024 at USD 34,934 per day as of August 9, 2024.
  • Net asset value (NAV)3 was approximately USD 4.5 billion, or approximately USD 8.77 per share (NOK 93.31), at quarter end, primarily driven by rising vessel values.
  • Hafnia’s Board of Directors approved an increase to the dividend payout ratio to 80% from 70% when the net loan-to-value ratio is above 20%, but equal to or below 30%. Additionally, if the net loan-to-value ratio is equal to or below 20%, the payout ratio will be further elevated to 90%.
  • Hafnia will distribute a total of USD 207.4 million, or USD 0.4049 per share, in dividends, corresponding to a payout ratio of 80%.
  • On 16 July 2024, Hafnia sold the LR1 vessel, Hafnia Thames, to an external party. On 20 August 2024, Hafnia sold the MR vessel, Hafnia Pegasus, to an external party.

First Half 2024

  • Produced record net profit of USD 478.8 million or USD 0.94 per share1 as compared to USD 469.9 million or USD 0.93 per share in H1 2023.
  • Commercially managed pool and bunker procurement business generated income of USD 20.5 million compared to USD 21.2 million in H1 2023.
  • Time Charter Equivalent (TCE)2 earnings were USD 796.2 million compared to USD 726.5 million for H1 2023, resulting in an average TCE2 of USD 37,750 per day.
  • Adjusted EBITDA2 of USD 604.1 million compared to USD 557.6 million in H1 2023.

1 Based on weighted average number of shares as at 30 June 2024

2 See Non-IFRS Measures Section below

3 NAV is calculated using the fair value of Hafnia’s owned vessels.

Mikael Skov, CEO of Hafnia, commented:

I am delighted to announce that Hafnia in Q2 has once again delivered strong results, achieving a net profit of USD 259.2 million, bringing our total net profit in the first half of 2024 to USD 478.8 million.

This quarter marks our best performance since the beginning of 2023 and represents the strongest first-half results in our company’s history. Our adjacent fee-generating business segments have continued to thrive in this earning environment, contributing USD 10.7 million to our overall results in Q2.

At the end of the second quarter, our net asset value (NAV) 1 stands at around USD 4.5 billion. This increase is primarily driven by the rising value of our vessels, resulting in a NAV per share of approximately ~USD 8.77 (NOK 93.31).

With these strong results and in line with our recent increase in the dividend payout ratio, I am pleased to announce a dividend payout ratio of 80% based on a net LTV of 21.3% attained in Q2.

With this, we will distribute a total of USD 207.4 million or USD 0.4049 per share in dividends. This marks the highest dividend payout in our company’s history for the second consecutive quarter, reinforcing our dedication to providing strong shareholder returns.

The product tanker market remained strong in the second quarter, despite ongoing volatility. Geopolitical tensions and disruptions in the Red Sea, along with continued refinery ramp-ups and dislocations, have contributed significantly to the increase in product tonne-mile demand.

The market outlook remains optimistic with elevated product tanker rates expected to continue for an extended period. This is primarily due to low global stockpiles, which have led to a substantial increase in refinery throughput and cargo flow. Additionally, the start of production at Nigeria’s Dangote refinery and the anticipated ramp-up in Chinese refineries by late 2024 are anticipated to further boost global refinery operations.

As of August 9, 2024, 72% of the Q3 earning days are covered at an average of USD 34,934 per day, and 45% covered at USD 33,534 per day for the remainder of 2024. This positions us for a strong quarter ahead, especially compared to Q3 of last year, which averaged USD 28,954 per day.

In July, one of our vessels, the Hafnia Nile, was unfortunately involved in a collision with a VLCC in the South China Sea. All 22 crew members of Hafnia Nile were safely rescued. Hafnia is currently collaborating with the Malaysian Marine Department (MMD) and the Maritime and Port Authority (MPA) of Singapore in their ongoing investigations concerning the nature of the collision.

As we conclude another quarter, I sincerely thank our partners and the exceptional team at Hafnia for their invaluable support in helping us achieve our goals. Looking ahead, we remain committed to navigating challenges with agility and seizing further opportunities to strengthen our market position.

1 NAV is calculated using the fair value of Hafnia’s owned vessels.