Svein Moxnes Harfjeld
Analyst · Jefferies. Your line is now open
Thank you, Laila. As you could see from the cash bridge, Laila presented our capital allocation focus on two aspects, one, returning cash to our shareholders and two, investing further in our already healthy balance sheet. We are for the first quarter, returning $51 million to shareholders in the form of cash dividend of $0.35 per share, representing 60% of the adjusted net income or $0.58 per share. The dividend marks 41 consecutive quarters with cash dividends. Our other priority was to invest in our balance sheet by prepaying $58 million of bank debt. This has been applied to a revolving tranche in the credit facility and can as such be reborrowed. Following this, our interest-bearing debt as of May 5, was $808 million. We are not allocating capital towards buying ships. Whilst we appreciate the attraction of the prospective cash return for ships in the 10 to 15-year age bracket, it would not represent the fleet renewal for us. As for brand new ships or placing orders, we do neither find prices, nor technology to yet present attractive opportunities to invest. In conclusion, you should not expect DHT to employ capital towards fleet investments at this time. The COVID-19 outbreak is impacting our business in several ways. The main operational challenges relate to three areas. Firstly, as a result of quarantine policies and restrictions in ports to embark and disembark crew, our seafarers are staying on board longer than originally planned. Our seafarers are demonstrating, understanding and cooperation, hence our servicing – our services are continuing uninterrupted. We should take this opportunity to thank them for their fantastic efforts and support. Secondly, it could prove challenging to have supplies delivered to ships. As our [indiscernible] for these regularly trade imports, such as Singapore and Fujairah, we have so far experienced very limited impact. We should thank both our seafarers and shore staff for good preparation, allowing our ships to trade as planned. Thirdly, the current reduction in consumption of refined products has caused short storage tanks rapidly filling up. Consequently, delays the discharge to cargo could be experienced. These delays are forced floating storage and paid for, by the clients through the merge rates or pre-agreed rates to store oil. And now over to the operational highlights of the quarter, following on from a very healthy fourth quarter of 2019, the first quarter of this year continued on a strong note, although, it might be tough getting used to, for our investors, the market during the first quarter was another example of significant volatility. As we have suggested many times, we encourage investors to focus on periodical averages and importantly, on what truly matters, the earnings per share. Our spot vessels earned $66,400, a day, during the quarter, combined with a good showing from our ships on time charter with $54,000 per day during the period. Our fleet earned on average $64,400 per day in the quarter. We have, as of today, booked 66% of our spot capacity for the second quarter at $110,400 per day, a significant step up from the prior two quarters. Everyone at DHT continued to work hard and efficiently, both onshore and onboard our ships, resulting in stable and what we believe to be very competitive costs. OpEx for the quarter was $8,100 per day, also reflecting a well maintained quality fleet. We have a lean and competent organization, and our G&A was $4.3 million for the quarter. As we announced subsequent to quarter end, we have entered into fixed time charter contracts for 6 of our ships. It is in line with our strategy to try to secure some level of fixed income when rates are elevated, yet supporting business opportunities for our customers. The average daily hire for these 6 ships is $67,300 per day, generating significant cash flows and being highly profitable. In fact, these 6 time charter contracts are expected to generate an EBITDA contribution of about $121 million during the firm contract periods. 5 of the 6 ships have already delivered into these contracts, with the last ship planned for delivery, later this quarter. You should also note that 5 of these ships are in the mature end of our fleet, thereby, improving the average fuel efficiency for the fleet remaining in the spot markets. We believe the size of DHT to offer ample opportunities to invest and divest as well as having sufficient size to service clients. Importantly, in the context of the size and the decision to secure these time charters, we believe it demonstrates that the choice like this will have a meaningful impact on the company’s course, over the coming quarters. We wrapped up these contracts over some 10 days, proving that one can swiftly seize opportunities, the weather presents, to turn the boat quickly in anticipation of changing currents. Following this, we now have 10 of our ships on time charter contracts. The other 4 ships have fixed base rates at $31,500 per day, on average, with profit sharing structures. As such, these ships participate in strong markets, demonstrated by their average earnings well north of their base rates during the first quarter. And with that, over to Trygve.