Knightsbridge Tankers Q3 2010 Results

Third quarter 2010 and nine months results
Knightsbridge Tankers Limited reports net income of $8.9 million and earnings per share of $0.48 for the third quarter of 2010. The average daily time charter equivalents ("TCEs") earned by the Company's VLCCs excluding bareboat charters and Capesize vessels were $30,800 and $40,700, respectively, compared with $49,800 and $45,500 in the preceding quarter. VLCC revenues and TCEs decreased mainly due to weaker results from the Mayfair, which operated in the spot market and the absence of profit share from the Hampstead and Kensington in the third quarter. Although Capesize revenues increased due to the delivery of Golden Future in July, average  Capesize TCEs decreased due to the lower rate earned by the Golden Future compared with the other two vessels.
 
The net increase in cash and cash equivalents in the quarter was $11.1 million. The Company generated cash from operating activities of $20.0 million, paid $47.0 million in connection with the purchase of Golden Future and paid a dividend of $9.3 million. The Company borrowed $104.6 million, net of fees paid, and repaid debt of $57.3 million. In November 2010, the Company has average cash breakeven rates for its VLCCs excluding bareboat charters and Capesize vessels of approximately $19,200 and $8,800 per vessel per day, respectively.
 
For the nine months ended September 30, 2010 the Company reports net income of $32.6 million and earnings per share of $1.86. The average daily TCEs for the Company's VLCCs excluding bareboat charters and Capesize vessels for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 were $38,500 and $43,500 respectively.
 
The tanker market
The market rate for a VLCC trading on a standard 'TD3' voyage between The Arabian Gulf and Japan in the third quarter of 2010 was WS 52; equivalent to $17,000/day; representing a decrease of approximately WS 36 points or $37,500/day between the second quarter of 2010 and an increase of WS 16.5 points from the third quarter of 2009. Present market indications are approximately $30,000/day.
 
Bunkers at Fujairah averaged approximately $444.5/mt in the third quarter of 2010 compared to $461/mt in the second quarter of 2010; a decrease of $16.5/mt. Bunker prices varied from a low of $421.5/mt at the beginning of July and a high of $468/mt at the beginning of August.
 
The International Energy Agency's (IEA) October 2010 report stated an average OPEC oil production, including Iraq, of 29.2 million barrels per day (mb/d) during the third quarter of the year. This was an increase of 250,000 barrels per day compared to the second quarter of 2010 and an increase of 420,000 barrels per day compared to the third quarter of 2009.
 
IEA further estimates that world oil demand averaged 87.6 mb/d in the third quarter of 2010, representing an increase of 840,000 barrels per day compared to the second quarter of 2010, and approximately 2.4 mb/d from the third quarter of 2009. Additionally, the IEA estimates that world oil demand will average approximately 87 mb/d in 2010 representing an increase of 2.5 percent or approximately 2.2 mb/d from 2009.
 
The VLCC fleet totalled 539 vessels at the end of the third quarter of 2010, up from 530 vessels at the end of the previous quarter. 14 VLCCs were delivered during the quarter versus an estimated 12 at the beginning of the year. Throughout 2010 the current estimate is 63 deliveries. The orderbook counted 183 vessels at the end of the third quarter, up from 170 orders from the previous quarter. 27 new orders were placed during the quarter and the current orderbook represents about 34 percent of the VLCC fleet. During the quarter five vessels were removed from the trading fleet for scrapping or conversion/storage purposes. According to Fearnleys the single hull fleet now stands at 49 vessels.
 
The dry bulk market
In spite of a net fleet growth of 11.8 percent (55.8 million dwt) the dry bulk segment has again surprised on the upside. Iron ore transport to China, which has been the fastest growing sea borne trade the last decade has even experienced a small decline the three first quarters this year compared to 2009. The combination of these two factors should cater for a lower utilization of the dry bulk fleet.
 
However, other areas have contributed positively and overall demand has been able to absorb the vast number of newbuildings so far. We would like to emphasize three reasons:
1.       Strong increase in coal imports to China and India
2.       Congestions
3.       Chinese coastal trade
 
The Capesize spot market has experienced a lot of volatility during third quarter. Average earnings have been $26,233 per day, with a low of $12,000 per day mid July and a high of $ 41,000 per day early September
 
Asset values have softened slightly during the quarter. By the end of September 2010 the value of a five year old Capesize was $55.4 million compared to $60.4 million by the end of the previous quarter.
 
Long term time charters are still holding up, one year time charter period is estimated to generate $30.000 per day for modern tonnage while five year time charter stands at approximately $27,500 per day.
 
Corporate and outlook
Herman Billung, the Chief Executive Officer of Golden Ocean Management AS, was elected a director of the Company at the Annual General Meeting on September 27, 2010.
 
In July 2010, the Company entered into a new $58.24 million term loan facility with DnB NOR Bank that matures in June 2015. This new term loan facility consists of four equal tranches of $14.56 million. The Company drew down the entire amount of this term loan facility partly to refinance the balance of $56.0 million outstanding under the $140.0 million loan facility with the Royal Bank of Scotland.
 
In July 2010, the Company took delivery of the Capesize vessel "Golden Future" from Golden Ocean Group Limited ("Golden Ocean"). The Golden Future was built at the Zhoushan Jinhaiwan Shipyard Co., Ltd. and completed in February 2010. The vessel is employed on a time charter with a minimum term of 35 months from February 2010 at a gross rate of $31,500 per day.
 
In September 2010, the Company agreed to acquire the Capesize vessel "Golden Zhejiang" from Golden Ocean for a purchase price of $65.5 million and took delivery of the vessel on October 27, 2010. The Golden Zhejiang was built at the Zhoushan Jinhaiwan Shipyard Co., Ltd. and was completed in September 2010. The vessel is employed on a time charter with a minimum term of 48 months from September 2010 at a gross rate of $29,900 per day. The Company took delivery of the vessel in October and settled $18.5 million of the purchase price by issuing 973,684 restricted common shares to Golden Ocean and used cash of $47 million to finance the remaining portion of the purchase price. Knightsbridge expects to draw down $25 million of debt against the Golden Zhejiang in the fourth quarter of 2010. The Golden Zhejiang is the fourth Capesize vessel in the Knightsbridge fleet. Golden Ocean is acting as the commercial manager for all of the Capesize vessels.
 
On September 27, 2010, the Company announced an underwritten public offering of 4,250,000 common shares and a 30 day option granted to the underwriters to purchase up to 637,500 additional shares to cover overallotments. The offering was priced at $19.00 per share and the underwriters exercised the over-allotment option in full. As a result, 4,887,500 common shares were issued in October and net proceeds of approximately $88.2 million were received. The proceeds have been used to fund a portion of the purchase price of the Golden Zhejiang and the remainder is expected to be used to repay indebtedness, fund future vessel acquisitions, for working capital and for general corporate purposes.

In October 2010, the VLCC Mayfair commenced a five year bareboat charter at a rate which is determined by the Company to be equivalent to at least $32,000 per day on a time charter basis. The charterers will pay for the vessel's drydocking due in the fourth quarter 2010. With the commencement of this bareboat charter, all of the Company's vessels are fixed on time and bareboat charters expiring between 2011 and 2015.

In May 2010, the Company entered into a commitment letter with Nordea for a new $175.0 million senior secured credit facility maturing in May 2015 consisting of a term loan in the amount of $100.0 million and a revolving credit facility in the amount of $75.0 million. This offer was confirmed in a term sheet in September and the Company expects to enter into this new senior secured credit facility in the fourth quarter. The Company intends to use $75.0 million in borrowings available under the term loan to refinance $75.0 million of debt under the amended Nordea credit facility and intends to use the remaining $25.0 million in borrowings under the term loan to partially finance the acquisition costs of the Golden Zhejiang.
 
Based on the third quarter cash flow and its profitable forward contract coverage, Knightsbridge is pleased to announce that the dividend level of the previous quarter will be maintained in the third quarter and has decided to declare a dividend of $0.50 per share. The record date for the dividend is November 19, 2010, ex dividend date is November 17, 2010 and the dividend will be paid on or around December 6, 2010.
 
Based on the recent completion of the public offering and the secured revolving credit facility, Knightsbridge has the ability to further grow the Company by purchasing an additional vessel without having to raise additional equity. Henceforth the Board is actively looking for tonnage that can contribute to the Company's dividend capacity.
 
18,564,515 ordinary shares were outstanding as of September 30, 2010. The weighted average number of shares outstanding for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2010, was 18,325,735 and 17,513,068, respectively.