Navios Maritime Partners L.P., an international owner and operator of dry cargo and tanker vessels, reported its financial results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2023.
Angeliki Frangou, Chairwoman and Chief Executive Officer of Navios Partners stated, “I am pleased with the results for the full year and fourth quarter of 2023. For the full year, we reported revenue of $1.3 billion and net income of $433.6 million. For the quarter, we reported revenue of $327.3 million and net income of $132.4 million. Earnings per common unit were $14.08 for the full year and $4.30 for the quarter.”
Angeliki Frangou continued, “In 2023, the world continued to experience disruption in normal trade routes. Regional conflict in Ukraine and the Middle East created inefficiency, and traffic in the Suez Canal recently shrank by over 50%. In addition, most of the top ten economies are growing, with China leveraging its export strength. This robust environment can change quickly should conflict-driven inefficiencies clear and / or economies suffer some weakness. As usual, we continue to focus on things that we can control, such as reducing leverage, modernizing our energy efficient fleet and taking long-term cover where available.”
Fleet update
• Sale of vessels in 2023 and YTD 2024
• $327.6 million gross sale proceeds from sale of 17 vessels in 2023 and YTD 2024
• Completed the sale of 13 vessels for $242.2 million in 9M 2023
During the nine month period ended September 30, 2023, Navios Partners sold 13 vessels to various unrelated third parties, for gross sale proceeds of $242.2 million.
• Completed the sale of two vessels for $22.3 million in Q4 2023
During the fourth quarter of 2023, Navios Partners completed the sale of a 2004-built capesize of 180,310 dwt and a 2004-built panamax of 75,707 dwt, to unrelated third parties, for aggregate gross sale proceeds of $22.3 million.
• Agreed to sell two vessels for $63.1 million in Q1 2024
In January 2024, Navios Partners agreed to sell a 2009-built VLCC of 297,188 dwt and a 2004-built panamax of 76,602 dwt, to unrelated third parties, for aggregate gross sale proceeds of $63.1 million. The sales are expected to be completed during the first half of 2024.
• Two newbuilding containerships delivered in Q4 2023 and YTD 2024
In January 2024 and November 2023, Navios Partners took delivery of a 2024-built 5,300 TEU containership and a 2023-built 5,300 TEU containership, respectively. Both vessels have been chartered-out at an average rate of $37,050 net per day for an average period of 5.2 years.
• $136.9 million contracted revenue agreed in Q4 2023 and YTD 2024; $3.3 billion total contracted revenue
Navios Partners has entered into new long-term charters which are expected to generate revenue of $136.9 million.
One VLCC has been bareboat chartered-out for a period of five years, at a floating bareboat rate based on adjusted TD3C-WS with a floor of $26,730 net per day and a ceiling of $36,630 net per day (equal to a floor of $37,018 net per day and a ceiling of $46,918 net per day if grossed up by the fixed vessel operating expense for 2023). Contracted revenue has been calculated using the average of the floor and ceiling rates, excluding the adjustment for fixed vessel operating expense, for the five year period.
Two LR1 product tankers have been chartered-out for an average period of 3.3 years, at an average rate of $27,270 net per day.
One 2005-built capesize has been chartered-out for a period of 2.3 years, at a rate of $17,575 net per day.
Including the above long-term charters, Navios Partners currently has $3.3 billion contracted revenue through 2037.
Financing update
In January 2024, Navios Partners entered into a new credit facility with a commercial bank for up to $40.0 million in order to refinance three vessels. The credit facility: (i) matures five years after the drawdown date; and (ii) bears interest at Secured Overnight Financing Rate plus 195 bps per annum. The full amount is expected to be drawn during the first quarter of 2024.
In October 2023, Navios Partners completed a $22.8 million sale and leaseback transaction with an unrelated third party, in order to finance one dry bulk vessel. The sale and leaseback transaction: (i) matures 12 years from the date of the delivery of the vessel by the owners to the charterer; and (ii) bears interest at Term Secured Overnight Financing Rate plus 220 bps per annum.
Cash distribution
The Board of Directors of Navios Partners declared a cash distribution for the fourth quarter of 2023 of $0.05 per unit. The cash distribution will be paid on February 14, 2024 to unitholders of record as of February 12, 2024. The declaration and payment of any further dividends remain subject to the discretion of the Board of Directors and will depend on, among other things, Navios Partners’ cash requirements as measured by market opportunities and restrictions under its credit agreements and other debt obligations and such other factors as the Board of Directors may deem advisable.