FRO – Third Quarter and Nine Months 2016 Results

29.11.2016

Frontline Ltd. (the “Company” or “Frontline”), today reported unaudited results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016:

Highlights

  • Achieved net income attributable to the Company of $5.5 million, or $0.03 per share, for the third quarter of 2016 and $98.7 million, or $0.63 per share, for the nine months ended September 30, 2016.
  • Achieved net income attributable to the Company adjusted for certain non-cash charges of $16.6 million, or $0.11 per share, for the third quarter of 2016 and $154.7 million, or $0.99 per share, for the nine months ended September 30, 2016.  
  • Announces a cash dividend of $0.10 per share for the third quarter of 2016.
  • Secured bank financing in a total amount of up to $870 million to partially finance all of the Company’s newbuilding contracts.
  • Five of the six medium range tankers, which the Company agreed to sell in June 2016, were delivered to the buyer in the third quarter. The final vessel was delivered in November.

             
Robert Hvide Macleod, Chief Executive Officer of Frontline Management AS commented:

“While the summer is typically a slower period in the tanker markets, seasonal weakness was more pronounced this year as supply disruptions, easing refinery margins and inventory drawdowns led to  reduced oil flows and a slowdown in tanker demand. In addition, the global fleet expanded as newbuilding vessels were delivered from shipyards. We believe that our performance in the third quarter against this market backdrop, further highlights Frontline’s competitive position in the market and efficient operations. Frontline’s low cash breakeven rates, large commercial scale, and historically successful access to capital are significant differentiators that support our leading position in the tanker market.”

The average daily time charter equivalents (“TCE”) earned by Frontline in the third quarter are shown below:

($ per day) Spot and time charter Spot Spot Guidance % covered   Estimated average daily BE rates
  Q3 2016 Q2 2016 Q3 2016 Q2 2016 Q4 2016   2016
VLCC  27 900 45 200 26 900 48 100 28 000 75 %   21 200
SMAX 21 200 30 300 19 200 28 600 19 000 55 %   17 300
LR2 23 800 24 300 20 600 22 300 16 000 60 %   15 300

Inger M. Klemp, Chief Financial Officer of Frontline Management AS, added: 

“We are pleased to have secured bank financing of up to $870 million to partially finance all of the Company’s 16 newbuilding contracts and the four vessels which were delivered during the third quarter.  We consider the terms achieved highly attractive, enabling us to maintain our low cash breakeven levels.”

Questions should be directed to:


Robert Hvide Macleod: Chief Executive Officer, Frontline Management AS

+47 23 11 40 84

Inger M. Klemp: Chief Financial Officer, Frontline Management AS

+47 23 11 40 76



Forward-Looking Statements


Matters discussed in this press release may constitute forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include statements concerning plans, objectives, goals, strategies, future events or performance, and underlying assumptions and other statements, which are other than statements of historical facts. Words, such as, but not limited to “believe,” “anticipate,” “intends,” “estimate,” “forecast,” “project,” “plan,” “potential,” “may,” “should,” “expect,” “pending” and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements in this press release are based upon various assumptions, many of which are based, in turn, upon further assumptions. Although Frontline believes that these assumptions were reasonable when made, because these assumptions are inherently subject to significant uncertainties and contingencies which are difficult or impossible to predict and are beyond the control of Frontline, Frontline cannot assure you that they will achieve or accomplish these expectations, beliefs or projections. The information set forth herein speaks only as of the date hereof, and Frontline disclaims any intention or obligation to update any forward-looking statements as a result of developments occurring after the date of this communication.


This information is subject to the disclosure requirements pursuant to section 5 -12 of the Norwegian Securities Trading Act.

3rd Quarter 2016 Results