SEACOR Holdings Earnings Dip

SEACOR Holdings Inc. has announced its results for its year and fourth quarter ended December 31, 2013.

Highlights
•    For the year ended December 31, 2013, net income attributable to SEACOR Holdings Inc. from continuing operations was $47.2 million, or $2.32 per diluted share, compared with $25.3 million, or $1.22 per diluted share, from continuing operations in the preceding year.
•    For the quarter ended December 31, 2013, net income attributable to SEACOR Holdings Inc. from continuing operations was $8.4 million, or $0.41 per diluted share, compared with $30.3 million, or $1.36 per diluted share, from continuing operations in the preceding quarter ended September 30, 2013. Fourth quarter results included a reduction in gains on equipment sales, costs and lost revenues associated with the drydocking of one of the company's tankers, a seasonal reduction in liftboat fleet activities and equity losses relating to the structural failure of an Argentinian terminal facility. These reductions were partially offset by higher barge pool activity levels arising from the seasonal harvest. A detailed discussion of results by business segment is included below.  
•    The company made a determination to provide for income taxes relating to the spin-off of Era Group Inc. effective as of January 31, 2013, the date of the spin-off. This provision resulted in an increase in the net loss from discontinued operations for the first quarter of 2013 of $10.1 million and will result in the restatement of the company's Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the first three fiscal quarters of 2013 to reflect the impact of the tax accrual on its quarterly and year-to-date earnings and balance sheet.
•    During the fourth quarter, the company issued $230 million of its 3% Convertible Senior Notes due November 15, 2028.
•    As of December 31, 2013, the company's unfunded capital commitments were $547 million. Subsequent to December 31, 2013, the company committed to purchase additional equipment for a total of $94.1 million.
•    As of December 31, 2013, the company's total outstanding long-term debt was $879.4 million.
•    As of December 31, 2013, the company held balances of cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash, marketable securities, construction reserve funds and Title XI reserve funds totaling $825.6 million.
 

Offshore Marine Services - Operating revenues for the fourth quarter were $148.4 million compared with $156.2 million in the preceding quarter. Income from operations for the fourth quarter was $18.8 million compared with $45.8 million in the preceding quarter, including gains on asset dispositions of $3.1 million in the fourth quarter and $15.3 million in the preceding quarter.

In the U.S. Gulf of Mexico, operating revenues were $6.1 million lower in the fourth quarter. Time charter revenues for the company's liftboat fleet were $5.7 million lower primarily due to seasonal drydocking activity and a reduction of 163 available days following the disposal of two liftboats during the preceding quarter. In keeping with past practice, the company normally plans for the drydocking of liftboats during the winter months as the demand for the liftboat fleet is typically stronger in the summer months. Time charter revenues for the company's anchor handling towing supply vessels were $2.9 million lower due to weaker market conditions. Time charter revenues for other vessel classes were $2.9 million higher primarily due to a reduction in drydocking days and the repositioning of a vessel into the region. Utilization was 77.9% compared with 75.9% in the preceding quarter and average day rates decreased from $19,060 per day to $18,224 per day. As of December 31, 2013, the company had no vessels cold-stacked in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico.

In International regions, operating revenues were $1.7 million lower in the fourth quarter. In West Africa, time charter revenues were $2.3 million lower primarily due to an increase in out-of-service time for drydocking. In Europe, time charter revenues were $1.3 million higher primarily due to an increase in average day rates attributable to several contractual price escalators and a reduction in drydocking days. Excluding wind farm utility vessels, utilization was 85.1% compared with 88.7% in the preceding quarter and average day rates increased from $13,211 per day to $13,250 per day.

Operating expenses were $4.2 million higher in the fourth quarter. Repair and maintenance expenses were $1.6 million higher primarily due to increased expenditure in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico associated with the maintenance of the liftboat fleet. Drydocking expenses were $2.9 million higher primarily due to an increase in drydocking activity in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico and West Africa. Leased-in equipment expense was $2 million higher primarily due to higher bareboat charter-in costs in the Middle East. Personnel costs were $2.2 million lower primarily due to the recognition of a $2.7 million charge during the preceding quarter for the company's share of a funding deficit arising from the March 2012 actuarial valuation of the United Kingdom Merchant Navy Officers' Pension Fund.

Administrative and general expenses were $3 million higher in the fourth quarter primarily due to an increase in management bonus awards and higher legal and professional fees.

In the fourth quarter, the total number of days available for charter for the company's fleet, excluding wind farm utility vessels, decreased by 318 days, or 3%, primarily due to net fleet dispositions. Overall utilization, excluding wind farm utility vessels, decreased from 83% to 82%. Overall average day rates, excluding wind farm utility vessels, decreased by 2% from $15,677 per day to $15,355 per day. Time charter operating data by vessel class is presented in a table included herein.

During the fourth quarter, the company sold five offshore support vessels and other equipment for net proceeds of $56.7 million and gains of $14.8 million, of which $3.1 million was recognized and $11.7 million was deferred. During the preceding quarter, the company sold six offshore support vessels and other equipment for net proceeds of $42.2 million and gains of $15.3 million, all of which was recognized currently.

Equity in earnings of 50% or less owned companies, net of tax, were $1.5 million higher in the fourth quarter primarily due to improved earnings in the company's Sea-Cat Crewzer joint ventures.

Inland River Services - Income from operations was $12.3 million on operating revenues of $65.4 million in the fourth quarter compared with operating income of $4.8 million on operating revenues of $52.7 million in the preceding quarter. Operating results from the dry cargo barge pool were $9.9 million higher primarily due to higher activity levels as a result of the seasonal harvest in the fourth quarter. The increase was partially offset by a $1.2 million reduction in operating results in the liquid unit tow and 10,000 barrel tank barge operations primarily due to out-of-service time and costs associated with regulatory inspections for liquid tank barges. Operating results from terminal operations were $0.8 million lower primarily due to lower throughput at Gateway Terminals.

Equity in earnings (losses) of 50% or less owned companies were lower in the fourth quarter primarily due to $4.4 million of losses relating to the structural failure of a terminal facility at the Port of Ibicuy, Argentina.

Shipping Services - Income from operations was $5.2 million on operating revenues of $51.4 million in the fourth quarter compared with operating income of $10.1 million on operating revenues of $48.2 million in the preceding quarter. Operating results for tanker operations were $6.4 million lower primarily due to lower operating revenues of $1.3 million for 26 out-of-service days and higher operating expenses of $4.8 million for drydocking. The company has not scheduled any product tanker drydockings in 2014. Operating results for harbor towing and bunkering included an increase in harbor tug traffic of $1.8 million and lower drydocking expenses of $1 million, offset by reduced gains on asset dispositions of $3.1 million. Operating results for liner and short sea transportation were $1.3 million higher primarily due to a seasonal increase in cargo shipping demand.

Equity in earnings (losses) of 50% or less owned companies, net of tax, were $1.8 million higher in the fourth quarter primarily due to a $1.1 million gain, net of tax, on the accretion of the company's investment in its Very Large Gas Carrier joint venture as a result of a secondary private placement equity offering.

Illinois Corn Processing - ICP reported a segment profit of $2.5 million on operating revenues of $46.9 million in the fourth quarter compared with a segment loss of $0.6 million on operating revenues of $52.6 million in the preceding quarter. The improvement in segment profit was primarily due to significantly higher fuel ethanol margins and increased sales of high quality alcohol.

Corporate and Eliminations - Administrative and general expenses were $3.5 million higher in the fourth quarter compared with the preceding quarter primarily due to higher management bonus accruals.

Marketable security gains (losses), net - Marketable security losses, net of $3.6 million during the fourth quarter consist of unrealized losses on the company's long and short marketable security positions.

Capital Commitments - As of December 31, 2013, the company's unfunded capital commitments were $547 million and included: 16 offshore support vessels for $112.7 million; 80 inland river dry cargo barges for $40.2 million; six inland river tank barges for $4.7 million; five inland river towboats for $4.7 million; three U.S.-flag product tankers for $374.1 million and other equipment and improvements for $10.6 million. Of these commitments, $304.9 million is payable during 2014, $232.8 million is payable during 2015-2016, and $9.3 million is payable during 2017. Subsequent to December 31, 2013, the company committed to purchase one U.S.-flag articulated tug-barge and additional equipment for a total of $94.1 million. Expected delivery by vessel class is presented in a table included herein.

Restatement - As noted above, the company made a determination to provide for income taxes of $10.1 million relating to the spin-off of Era Group Inc. effective as of January 31, 2013, the date of the spin-off. The company has restated its results from discontinued operations for the quarter ended March 31, 2013 in the table included in this press release and the company will file amended versions of its Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for each of the first three fiscal quarters of 2013 to restate its financial results for those periods, together with an explanation of the restatements, as soon as reasonably practicable.

For the quarter ended March 31, 2013, SEACOR Holdings Inc. now reports a net loss of $21 million, or $1.06 per diluted share, compared with a previously reported net loss of $10.9 million, or $0.55 per diluted share, and now reports a net loss from discontinued operations of $10.2 million, or $0.51 per diluted share, compared with a previously reported net loss from discontinued operations of $0.1 million. Net loss from continuing operations of $10.8 million, or $0.55 per diluted share, remains as previously reported.

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