COSCO China Shipyards Diminish Group Q1 2013 Profits

The Group achieved $9.7 million net profit on turnover of $733.0 million in Q1 2013, but shipyard & drybulk operations contributions down.

In Q1 2013, turnover from shipyard operations decreased by 25.5% to $719.2 million from $965.9 million in Q1 2012, owing to lower revenue contribution from the ship repair and ship building segment. The Group delivered 7 bulk carriers in Q1 2013. Of these, COSCO Zhousan and COSCO Guangdong shipyard delivered 2 bulk carriers each while COSCO Dalian shipyard delivered 3 bulk carriers. Turnover from dry bulk shipping and other businesses increased 7.8% from $12.8 million in Q1 2012 to $13.8 million in Q1 2013.

Outlook
As the Group continues construction in 2013 on new ship building contracts that were secured in 2010 to 2012 at low contract values due to the slumping bulk carrier shipping market then, the Group expects operating margins on these new shipbuilding projects to continue to be under great pressure notwithstanding improving gains in efficiency and productivity.

In offshore marine engineering operations, the Group aims to enhance its offerings. It is currently one of the largest marine engineering groups in the People’s Republic of China. Offshore marine projects in its order book as at 31 March 2013 include 1 deep-water drillship, 1 FPSO, 1 semi-submersible accommodation rig, 1 semi-submersible accommodation vessel, 1 jack-up barge, 1 semi submersible, 1 wind turbine installation vessels, 2 pipelay vessels, 2 Sevan 650 drilling units, 2 tender barge, 3 jack-up rigs, 4 tender rigs and 10 platform supply vessels.

As an early mover in the offshore marine segment among Chinese shipyards and with the experience and expertise gained over the years, the Group considers it is now a leading player among Chinese shipyards in the offshore marine segment. With the benefit of such experience and expertise gained over the years, they are now feel better positioned to understand and meet customers’ expectations.