CMB Releases Third Quarter Results

CMB’s executive committee has discussed the preliminary results recorded for the third quarter 2007. Bocimar contributes $47.45m (2006: $69.01m) to the consolidated result for the third quarter. At the end of the third quarter Bocimar expanded its fleet considerably. An order was placed for 10 Handysize bulk vessels (33,500 dwt) from Samjin Corporation (Korea). The delivery of these vessels is scheduled to take place between September 2009 and December 2010. In addition Bocimar has ordered, in 50/50 joint venture with Drylog, one 180,000 dwt Capesize unit from Dalian (China). The delivery of the vessel will take place in June 2009. The prospects for the remainder of the year are good. For the fourth quarter the fleet is almost fully covered at rewarding levels. The current spot freight markets remain historically high. This is, in turn, having a considerable impact on the values of newbuilding prices as well as second- hand values of bulk vessels. In consequence, the value of a 5 year-old Capesize vessel has risen since the beginning of the year from $83m to $135m, an increase of more than 60%. The contribution of other activities amounts to $15.8m (2006: $5.75m). This contribution takes into account a capital gain of more than $5.75m realized on the sale of Fukuoka 1266 (2007-19,700 dwt). This was the last of four chemical tankers that were ordered by CMB together with Wah Kwong in 2003 and 2004, and sold in early 2006. A further capital gain, amounting to $14.38m, was realized on the first phase of the transfer of Hessenatie Logistics’s logistics site – Cargovil. The transfer of the second phase is scheduled for the fourth quarter and will generate a capital gain of approximately $2.88m.