OAO Sovcomflot’s 9M/Q3 2014 Results

By Joseph R. Fonseca November 20, 2014

OAO Sovcomflot (SCF Group) today reported results for the nine months and third quarter (Q3) ended 30 September 2014.

Nine months 2014 – Financial Highlights (IFRS accounts)

USD millions	2014 (9 months to 30 September)	2013 (9 months to 30 September)	+/- Pct
Gross revenue (freight & hire receivable)	1,059.2	964.6	+9.8
Time charter equivalent (TCE)*	795.6	661.4	+20.3
EBITDA**	411.3	301.4	+36.5
Net (loss) / profit	109.1	(5.3)	n.a.

*TCE represents shipping revenues less voyage expenses and is commonly used in the shipping industry to measure financial performance, and to compare revenue generated from a voyage charter to revenue generated from a time charter

**Earnings before interest, tax, amortization and depreciation

3 Quarter 2014 – Financial Highlights (IFRS accounts)

USD millions	Q3 2014 (3 months to 30 September)	Q3 2013 (3 months to 30 September)	+/- Pct
Gross revenue (freight & hire receivable)	384.1	336.2	+14.2
Time charter equivalent (TCE)*	304.9	241.0	+26.5
EBITDA**	159.6	108.1	+47.6
Net (loss) / profit	45.5	9.2	+494.6

**Earnings before interest, tax, amortization and depreciation

Commenting on the results, Sergey Frank, President and CEO of OAO Sovcomflot, said, “Sovcomflot has performed strongly in the first nine months of 2014, with revenue and profits significantly ahead of the comparable period last year. These financial results reflect an improved freight rate environment over the period, especially within the crude oil segment of the tanker market. Equally, they demonstrate the benefits of our work to develop long-term relationships with ‘blue chip’ charterers across the globe, in order to provide safe and reliable transportation for their cargoes.

“During the period, we continued to focus on implementation of the Group’s strategy. This includes increasing the scale, range of services and contribution of our premium operations such as gas transportation and offshore support activities, with significant progress also being made in the seismic segment.

“The company took delivery of two ultra-modern LNG carriers of the Velikiy Novgorod series, and a second VLCC (320,000 dwt). These ships are operated under long-term agreements with OAO Gazprom and Petrochina International (China) respectively. Elsewhere, we completed several important new long-term agreements, including for the construction and operation of four IBSV’s for Sakhalin Energy, and for a unique Arctic LNG carrier to serve the Yamal LNG project. The delivery of these vessels is scheduled from 2016 to 2017.”

Nikolai Kolesnikov, Senior Executive Vice-President, Chief Financial Officer, commented, “OAO Sovcomflot has benefited from stable liquidity, whilst improving its credit position, during the first nine months of 2014. Our earnings visibility remains good, with contracted future revenues at some USD 8.8 billion including our joint ventures.”

Fleet Summary
As at 30 September 2014, the SCF Group fleet comprised 153 owned and chartered vessels (including vessels in joint ownership with third parties) amounting to over 12.7 million tonnes DWT in total.

There were ten vessels under construction at the period end (total 423,200 tonnes DWT), including: two LNG carriers; one ice-breaking LNG carrier; three Arctic shuttle tankers; one multi-functional ice breaking supply (MIB) vessel; three MIB standby vessels all of which are scheduled for delivery between December 2014 and March 2017 and all of which are contracted to Oil Majors on long term fixed income charters.