HAMILTON, Bermuda, Aug. 23, 2002 (PRIMEZONE) — Frontline Ltd. (NYSE:FRO) reports earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, and amortisation including earnings from associated companies (EBITDA) of $38.2 million and a net loss of $31.8 million for the second quarter of 2002. The net loss figure includes losses of $2.4 million related to the ordinary ship operating activities and losses of $29.4 million as a result of non ship operating activities whereof the main factor is an unrealised foreign currency loss due to revaluation of Yen debt. The loss per share for the quarter was $0.42.
The average daily time charter equivalents (“TCEs”) earned by VLCCs, Suezmax tankers, and Suezmax OBO carriers were $17,000, $17,600 and $15,300, respectively, compared with $20,600, $16,500 and $18,000, respectively in the immediately preceding quarter. These TCEs include vessels trading on the spot market and on time charters. Average daily ship operating expenses are in line with budget with the increased total expense in the second quarter reflecting the drydocking of five vessels.
Net interest expense for the quarter was $16.7 million (2001 second quarter $19.3 million). This compares with $15.1 million the first quarter of 2002, the increase arising from the delivery of two new buildings during the first quarter. Other financial items for the quarter were negative $4.8 million which includes a $1.7 million charge for the market value adjustment on interest rate swaps and a $4.5 million charge for the market value adjustment on the Company’s Equity Swap Line. The strengthening of the Yen against the U.S. Dollar in the second quarter of 2002 resulted in an unrealised foreign currency exchange loss of $13.8 million due to the revaluation of Yen debt in certain subsidiaries. In the second quarter of 2002, the $9.5 million negative share of results from associated companies also includes approximately $7.1 million unrealised exchange loss on Yen debt.
The Company has in the first half of 2002 reduced its Yen debt and capital lease obligations (including our share of associated companies) from JPY 37.6 billion by the end of last year to JPY 26.1 billion as of June 30. A significant part of the remaining exposure is linked to the nonrecourse subsidiary Golden Ocean and to vessels, which have secured charter income in Yen. Accounting wise, this contract coverage is not used to offset the loss mentioned.
For the first six months of 2002, the Company had EBITDA of $95.0 million (2001 $351.8 million) and reports a net loss of $16.9 million. This compares with a first half net income of $299.8 million in 2001 (including $32.3 million relating to the cumulative effect of a change in accounting policy). Loss per share for the 2002 year to date is $0.22 (2001 first half earnings per share of $3.89).
Net interest expense for the six month period was $31.8 million (2001 first half $41.1 million). The foreign exchange loss for the six month period was $12.1 million, reduced from $19.0 million gain at June 30, 2001.
THE MARKET
The soft tanker market at the end of the first quarter continued into the second quarter. Rates improved somewhat in May but fell back again in June influenced by among others a reduced Iraqi production. Rates have improved somewhat after June but the whole market has remained lack-lustre and earnings for crude oil tonnage have been unsatisfactory. The OPEC production has been curtailed in order to support the oil price in a market which has shown weak oil demand. The lack of crude oil cargoes out of the Middle East Gulf has put pressure on VLCC rates. This has led to increased VLCC activity in the Atlantic basin which in turn has negatively affected rates for other categories of crude oil carriers.
The activity of scrapping in the early part of the year has slowed down somewhat. So far this year 30 VLCCs have been scrapped, while 20 VLCCs have been delivered from the yards. For the Suezmax segment 12 ships have been scrapped while 12 ships have been delivered. Order books currently stand at 71 VLCCs and 65 Suezmaxes for delivery until the middle of 2005. Very few newbuilding orders have been placed in the period. After a significant fall in newbuilding prices last year it seems like the prices have flattened out supported partly by a stronger Yen and Won.
CORPORATE AND OTHER MATTERS
In June 2002, the Company sold four drybulk vessels with delivery of two vessels to the buyer in June and two in July. The sale of these four vessels releases approximately $16 million in liquidity, of which $9 million in the second quarter.
In early July 2002, the Company together with joint venture partners, took delivery of one VLCC newbuilding, Hakata, in which the Company has a one third share. Excluding this vessel, at June 30, 2002 the Company has four new building VLCCs on order. The three ships to be delivered in 2002 have already received committed financing. Remaining equity investment in the newbuilding program is estimated to $11 million in the third quarter, $7 million in the fourth quarter and $9 million in 2003.
In July 2002, the Company has entered into an agreement to timecharter in four 1999-2000 built doublehull VLCCs from British Petroleum (“BP”). The Company has also entered into a contract of affreightment with BP whereby Frontline will provide transportation for all BP Group VLCC cargoes worldwide.
At June 30, 2002, and for the quarter then ended, 76,466,566 ordinary shares were outstanding (as at June 2001, 76,912,566 and for the quarter then ended, 76,943,910). At June 30, 2002, the Bank of Nova Scotia Group had acquired 2,620,000 Frontline shares pursuant to the existing Equity Swap Line, of which 520,000 have been acquired in the first half of 2002.
The Board is seeking to benefit from opportunities created by the weak market conditions. It is, however, a limitation to the Board’s willingness to grow the company further that the current share price of Frontline only reflects 40 per cent of the Book value of the shares.
In Frontline’s 20 F for 2001 the situation around Golden Ocean’s VLCC, Golden Stream, was described. The Board is pleased to report that Frontline’s non recourse subsidiary Golden Ocean for the time being has reached an agreement with the lenders to the VLCC Golden Stream. The loans to Golden Stream have been extended on a pay as you earn basis. The ship is still operated as a part of the Frontline fleet.
The Board is comfortable with the Company’s financial position. The fact that the Company in the period 200001 totally made $697 million in profit has substantially strengthened the Company compared to the last down cycle. The daily cash break even for the fleet has been reduced with approximately $4,000 per day, and the Company’s cash liquidity has increased with approximately 50 per cent since the last down cycle in 199899. The book solidity in the Company has increased from 32 per cent in 1999 to 41 per cent in 2002. The shareholders should be assured that the Board continuously is working with the target of lowering the cash break even further. This can be achieved through reduced costs as well as through improved debt repayment profiles.
OUTLOOK
In our last quarterly report we expected recovery in oil demand and, as a consequence, increased chartering activity and rate improvements to take effect starting in the third quarter of 2002. The absence of economic recovery in important consumption areas combined with continued high crude oil prices, and a backwardation in the oil market have, however, hampered oil consumption and demand for transportation. The overall tanker fleet in dwt is today at the same level as it was when the market peaked in 2000. The Opec production is, however, reduced with more than 4 million barrels per day since the peak. Any substantial improvement in tanker rates will highly depend on increased Opec production.
The Board is pleased with the fact that the Company even in these weak market conditions can produce a core net income from the ordinary shipping activities, which is only $ 2.4 million under break even.
The Board expects currents rate levels to be supported against further falls by the uneconomical operation of the old turbine tankers. This sets the basis for the results for the third quarter. Based on a likely increase of Opec production in the fourth quarter the Board remains cautiously optimistic that the results for the last part of the year again will show a positive development.
FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS
This press release contains forward looking statements. These statements are based upon various assumptions, many of which are based, in turn, upon further assumptions, including Frontline Management’s examination of historical operating trends. Although Frontline believes that these assumptions were reasonable when made, because assumptions are inherently subject to significant uncertainties and contingencies which are difficult or impossible to predict and are beyond its control, Frontline cannot give assurance that it will achieve or accomplish these expectations, beliefs or intentions.
Important factors that, in the Company’s view, could cause actual results to differ materially from those discussed in this press release include the strength of world economies and currencies, general market conditions, including fluctuations in charter hire rates and vessel values, changes in demand in the tanker market, as a result of changes in OPEC’s petroleum production levels and world wide oil consumption and storage, changes in the Company’s operating expenses, including bunker prices, drydocking and insurance costs, changes in governmental rules and regulations or actions taken by regulatory authorities, potential liability from pending or future litigation, general domestic and international political conditions, potential disruption of shipping routes due to accidents or political events, and other important factors described from time to time in the reports filed by the Company with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.
August 22, 2002 The Board of Directors Frontline Ltd. Hamilton, Bermuda
For press release with tables please click the link provided: http://reports.huginonline.com/871217/107282.pdf
CONTACT: Frontline Management AS
Ola Lorentzon, Managing Director
47 23 11 40 00
Tom E. Jebsen, Chief Financial Officer
47 23 11 40 00
Frontline Ltd.
Tor Olav Troeim, Director and Vice President
47 906 88267