GLDD Reports Fairly Solid Q1 2014 Despite Weather

The United States' largest dredging services provider, Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Corporation has reported its financial results for the quarter ended March 31, 2014, mentioning that its Rivers & Lakes and Environmental & Remediation sectors backlog was at a record level.

For the quarter ended March 31, 2014, Great Lakes reported Revenue of $174.4 million, Net loss from continuing operations of $2.5 million, and Adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations of $12.0 million.

Jon Berger, Chief Executive Officer, commented, “The dredging segment delivered $162.0 million in revenue and 12.9% gross profit margin in the first quarter of 2014. The first two months of the quarter were impacted by severe weather, which both contributed to longer project durations and equipment downtime for maintenance, resulting in reduced gross profit margin.

"The margin contraction also was driven by minimal dredging activity in the Middle East. Our fleet located in the Middle East was essentially idle in the quarter; however, work has begun on a project in Saudi Arabia and the Company is pursuing strong possibilities to put the fleet to work in the second half of the year.

"Increases in coastal protection revenue particularly along the East Coast and maintenance revenue were offset by decreases in domestic and foreign capital revenue and rivers & lakes dredging revenue.

“Despite the slow start in January and February, we have already experienced an improvement in March and are optimistic that this momentum will continue throughout the year. The severe weather delays will result in revenues to be earned in future periods as the work on the underlying projects is completed.

“Terra, which comprises our environmental & remediation segment, continues to demonstrate a solid performance, reporting a $6.5 million increase in Revenue over first quarter 2013 to $12.7 million in the first quarter of 2014, even while experiencing its own downtime due to the severe weather.”