Tsakos Energy Navigation Announces 3Q Profits

Tsakos Energy Navigation Limited (TEN) (NYSE: TNP) reported financial results (unaudited) for the third quarter and first nine months of 2007. Net income was a record $50.0m for the third quarter of 2007, (including capital gains of $31.8m) as compared with $44.5m (including capital gains of $13.3m) for the third quarter of 2006. Net revenues (voyage revenues net of commissions and voyage expenses) expanded 3.9% to $97.2m from $93.5m reflecting growth of the fleet (43.6 vessel average in Q3 2007 versus 37.1 vessel average in Q3 2006) and the effect of the Company’s balanced employment policy to provide contracted rates in cyclical markets. The time charter equivalent per ship per day was $26,467 in the third quarter of 2007 versus $29,779 in the third quarter of 2006. Operating income rose 15.8% to $71.1m (including capital gains of $31.8m) in this year’s third quarter from $61.4m (including capital gains of $13.3m) in the similar period of last year. Depreciation was higher at $21.3m from $16.6m as a result of the growth and continuous modernization of the fleet. Net financing costs also grew reflecting financing of the fleet expansion, higher interest rates and interest rate swap valuations. Net income before depreciation rose by 16.7% to $71.3m as against $61.1m in the same quarter last year. Diluted earnings per share increased 12% to $2.61 from $2.33 in the third quarter of 2006.