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Ardmore Shipping Corporation Announces Financial Results For The Three And Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2018

HAMILTON, Bermuda, Feb. 6, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Ardmore Shipping Corporation (NYSE: ASC) ("Ardmore" or the "Company" or "we") today announced results for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2018.

Highlights and Recent Activity

  • Reported a net loss from continuing operations (see Non-GAAP Measures section below) of $8.8 million for the three months ended December 31, 2018, or $0.26 net loss from continuing operations per basic and diluted share, as compared to a net loss from continuing operations of $3.8 million, or $0.12 net loss from continuing operations per basic and diluted share, for the three months ended December 31, 2017. Reported a GAAP net loss of $17.0 million for the three months ended December 31, 2018 or $0.51 loss per basic and diluted share, as compared to a net loss of $3.8 million, or $0.12 loss per basic and diluted share, for the three months ended December 31, 2017. GAAP net loss includes $8.2 million related to a write-off of deferred finance fees and a loss on the sale of a vessel. The Company reported adjusted EBITDA (see Non-GAAP Measures section below) of $7.8 million for the three months ended December 31, 2018, as compared to $11.0 million for the three months ended December 31, 2017.

  • Reported a net loss from continuing operations (see Non-GAAP Measures section below) of $34.3 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2018, or $1.04 net loss from continuing operations per basic and diluted share, as compared to a net loss from continuing operations of $12.0 million, or $0.36 net loss from continuing operations per basic and diluted share, for the twelve months ended December 31, 2017. Reported a GAAP net loss of $42.9 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2018, or $1.31 loss per basic and diluted share, as compared to a net loss $12.5 million, or $0.37 loss per basic and diluted share, for the twelve months ended December 31, 2017. GAAP net loss includes $8.6 million related to write-off of deferred finance fees and loss on the sale of a vessel. The Company reported adjusted EBITDA (see Non-GAAP Measures section below) of $29.2 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2018, as compared to $45.7 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2017.

  • Spot MR tankers earned an average rate of $12,475 per day for the three months ended December 31, 2018, and $11,564 per day for the twelve months ended December 31, 2018. Chemical tankers earned an average rate of $10,779 per day for the three months ended December 31, 2018, and $11,406 per day for the twelve months ended December 31, 2018.

     
  • Completed financing transactions for seven vessels in the fourth quarter of 2018. The vessels included two 2015-built 37,000 Dwt Eco-design IMO 2 product and chemical tankers, and five 2014-built 50,000 Dwt Eco-design MR tankers, each of which were refinanced under finance lease arrangements. The net cash proceeds to the Company of these transactions, after prepayment of existing debt, were $32.7 million in the aggregate.

  • Agreed to terms for the sale of two vessels. The Ardmore Seatrader, a 2002-built 47,000 Dwt Eco-mod MR tanker, was sold for $8.3 million and delivered to the buyer on January 9, 2019. The Ardmore Seamaster, a 2004-built 45,840 Dwt Eco-mod MR tanker, is to be sold for $9.7 million and is expected to deliver to the buyer in February 2019.

  • The Company is maintaining its dividend policy of paying 60% of earnings from continuing operations. Consistent with this policy, the Company is not declaring a dividend for the fourth quarter of 2018.

Anthony Gurnee, the Company's Chief Executive Officer, commented:

"Ardmore successfully weathered very difficult market conditions in 2018 by maintaining its financial strength and keeping a clear focus on operational performance. We were pleased to see significant improvement in the market rate environment late in the year, with MR average TCE levels reaching a multi-year high of $17,500 / day in late December and with even better market conditions anticipated in 2019 as the impact of IMO 2020 begins to be felt.

The outlook for product demand is positive, supported by expected continued strong underlying oil consumption growth along with estimated global refinery capacity additions of 2.6 million barrels per day for 2019, the largest annual increase since the 1970s. In addition, a record-low orderbook combined with expected ongoing scrapping should result in MR net fleet growth of less than 1% per annum for the next few years, setting the stage for a sustained upturn.

Beyond these strong fundamentals, we expect a significant demand boost for product tankers commencing mid-2019 as the oil industry and shipping business respond to the IMO 2020 sulphur regulations. We expect this additional layer of product tanker demand, which some analysts expect to be 5% or more, to last up to two years until the market reaches a new equilibrium.

We remain intensely focused on operating performance, cost efficiency, and effective capital allocation. With a modern fleet, low-cost structure and strong balance sheet, we believe Ardmore is well positioned to take advantage of the anticipated charter market recovery and generate strong returns on investment for our shareholders."

Summary of Recent and Fourth Quarter 2018 Events

Fleet

Fleet Operations and Employment

As at December 31, 2018, the Company had 28 vessels in operation, including 22 Eco MR tankers ranging from 45,000 deadweight tonnes (Dwt) to 49,999 Dwt (15 Eco-Design and seven Eco-Mod) and six Eco-Design IMO 2 product / chemical tankers ranging from 25,000 Dwt to 37,800 Dwt. On January 9, 2019, the Company completed the sale of the Ardmore Seatrader and on February 1, 2019 the Company agreed to terms for the sale of the Ardmore Seamaster.

MR Tankers (45,000 Dwt – 49,999 Dwt)

At the end of the fourth quarter of 2018, the Company had 22 Eco MR tankers trading in the spot market. The Eco MR tankers earned an average of $12,475 per day in the fourth quarter of 2018. The Company's 15 Eco-Design MR tankers earned an average rate of $12,894 per day, and the Company's seven Eco-Mod MR tankers earned an average rate of $11,471 per day.

In the first quarter of 2019, the Company expects to have all revenue days for its MR Eco-Design and MR Eco-Mod tankers employed in the spot market. As of February 6, 2019, the Company has fixed approximately 45% of its total MR spot revenue days for the first quarter of 2019 at an average rate of approximately $15,500 per day.

Product / Chemical Tankers (IMO 2: 25,000 Dwt – 37,800 Dwt)

At the end of the fourth quarter of 2018, the Company had six Eco-Design IMO 2 product / chemical tankers in operation, all of which were trading in the spot market. During the fourth quarter of 2018, the Company's six Eco-Design product / chemical vessels earned an average rate of $10,779 per day.

In the first quarter of 2019, the Company expects to have all of its revenue days for its Eco-Design IMO 2 product / chemical tankers employed in the spot market. As of February 6, 2019, the Company has fixed approximately 45% of its Eco-Design IMO 2 product / chemical tankers spot revenue days for the first quarter of 2019 at an average rate of approximately $14,000 per day.

Financing

In the fourth quarter of 2018, Ardmore completed financing transactions for the seven vessels listed below under finance lease arrangements. The Company has options to repurchase the vessels at various stages prior to maturity and the other terms and conditions of the financings are generally in line with Ardmore's existing debt facilities:

  • The Ardmore Dauntless and Ardmore Defender, two 2015-built 37,000 Dwt Eco-design IMO 2 product / chemical tankers, were refinanced in a sale and leaseback transaction with Ocean Yield ASA having a lease term of 12 years.
  • The Ardmore Explorer and Ardmore Encounter, two 2014-built 50,000 Dwt Eco-design MR tankers, were refinanced in a sale and leaseback transaction with a top-tier Chinese financier having a lease term of seven years.
  • The Ardmore Seavanguard and Ardmore Exporter, two 2014-built 50,000 Dwt Eco-design MR tankers, were refinanced in a sale and leaseback transaction with a different top-tier Chinese financier having a lease term of seven years.
  • The Ardmore Engineer, a 2014-built 50,000 Dwt Eco-design MR tanker, was refinanced in a sale and leaseback transaction with a high-quality financier in Japan having a lease term of 11 years.

The total net cash proceeds to the Company of these sale and leaseback transactions, net of fees and prepayments of senior debt secured by the vessels, were $32.7 million in the aggregate. Deferred finance fees of $1.9 million associated with the debt prepaid were written off in the fourth quarter of 2018.

Vessel Sales

In November 2018, Ardmore agreed terms for the sale of the Ardmore Seatrader. The sale price for the vessel was $8.3 million and the vessel delivered to the buyer on January 9, 2019. Ardmore recognized a loss of $6.4 million on the sale in the fourth quarter of 2018.

In February 2019, Ardmore agreed to terms for the sale of the Ardmore Seamaster. The sale price for the vessel is $9.7 million and the vessel is expected to deliver to the buyer in February 2019, at which time the sale price would be paid. Ardmore expects to recognize a loss of $6.5 million on the sale in the first quarter of 2019.

Drydocking

The Company had 31 drydock days in the fourth quarter of 2018. Ardmore expects it will have 75 scheduled drydock days in the first quarter of 2019.

Dividend

Based on the Company's policy of paying dividends equal to 60% of earnings from continuing operations, the Company's Board of Directors has not declared a dividend for the quarter ended December 31, 2018, in which the Company reported a loss from continuing operations. Earnings from continuing operations is defined as earnings per share ("EPS") reported under U.S. GAAP, as adjusted for unrealized and realized gains and losses and extraordinary items.

Results for the Three Months Ended December 31, 2018 and 2017

The Company reported a net loss of $17.0 million for the three months ended December 31, 2018, or $0.51 loss per basic and diluted share, as compared to a net loss of $3.8 million, or $0.12 loss per basic and diluted share, for the three months ended December 31, 2017, reflecting a loss on sale of the Ardmore Seatrader, the write-off of deferred finance fees in relation to the sale and leaseback transactions and a loss from continuing operations. The Company reported EBITDA (see Non-GAAP Measures section below) of $1.4 million for the three months ended December 31, 2018, as compared to $11.0 million for the three months ended December 31, 2017. 

The Company reported a net loss from continuing operations (see Non – GAAP Measures section below) of $8.8 million for the three months ended December 31, 2018, or $0.26 net loss from continuing operations per basic and diluted share, as compared to a net loss from continuing operations of $3.8 million, or $0.12 net loss from continuing operations per basic and diluted share, for the three months ended December 31, 2017. The Company reported adjusted EBITDA (see Non-GAAP Measures section below) of $7.8 million for the three months ended December 31, 2018, as compared to $11.0 million for the three months ended December 31, 2017. 

Results for the Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2018 and 2017

The Company reported a net loss of $42.9 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2018, or $1.31 loss per basic and diluted share, as compared to a net loss of $12.5 million, or $0.37 loss per basic and diluted share, for the twelve months ended December 31, 2017, reflecting a loss on sale of the Ardmore Seatrader, the write-off of deferred finance fees in relation to the sale and leaseback transactions and a loss from continuing operations. The Company reported EBITDA (see Non-GAAP Measures section below) of $22.8 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2018, as compared to $45.7 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2017. 

The Company reported a net loss from continuing operations (see Non-GAAP Measures section below) of $34.3 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2018, or $1.04 loss per basic and diluted share, as compared to a net loss from continuing operations of $12.0 million, or $0.36 loss per basic and diluted share, for the twelve months ended December 31, 2017. The Company reported adjusted EBITDA (see Non-GAAP Measures section below) of $29.2 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2018, as compared to $45.7 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2017. 

Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Results for the Three Months Ended December 31, 2018 and 2017

Revenue. Revenue for the three months ended December 31, 2018 was $58.4 million, an increase of $10.6 million from $47.8 million for the three months ended December 31, 2017.

The Company's average number of owned vessels increased to 28 for the three months ended December 31, 2018 from 27 for the three months ended December 31, 2017, resulting in revenue days of 2,533 for the three months ended December 31, 2018 as compared to 2,438 for the three months ended December 31, 2017. 

The Company had 28 and 19 vessels employed directly in the spot market as at December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively. For spot chartering arrangements, the Company had 2,533 revenue days for the three months ended December 31, 2018, as compared to 1,704 for the three months ended December 31, 2017. This increase in spot chartering revenue days resulted in an increase in revenue of $18.7 million, while changes in the employment of vessels between pool and spot resulted in an increase in revenue of $1.3 million.

The Company had zero and eight vessels employed under third-party pool arrangements as at December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively. Revenue days derived from pool arrangements were zero for the three months ended December 31, 2018, as compared to 734 for the three months ended December 31, 2017. Removing all vessels from third-party pool arrangements during 2018 resulted in a decrease in pool revenue of $9.4 million for the three months ended December 31, 2018.

For vessels employed directly in the spot market, the Company typically pays all voyage expenses, and revenue is recognized on a gross freight basis, while under pool arrangements, the charterer typically pays voyage expenses, and revenue is recognized on a net basis.

Commissions and Voyage-Related Costs. Commissions and voyage-related costs were $30.1 million for the three months ended December 31, 2018, an increase of $12.6 million from $17.5 million for the three months ended December 31, 2017. Commissions and voyage-related costs increased due to the increased number of revenue days derived from spot charter arrangements for the three months ended December 31, 2018. This increase in revenue days is a result of removing all vessels from third party pool arrangements during 2018.

Total revenue days increased to 2,533 for the three months ended December 31, 2018, as compared to 2,438 for the three months ended December 31, 2017. For spot chartering arrangements, we had 2,533 revenue days for the three months ended December 31, 2018, as compared to 1,704 for the three months ended December 31, 2017.

TCE Rate. The average TCE rate for our fleet was $12,089 per day for the three months ended December 31, 2018, a decrease of $494 per day from $12,583 per day for the three months ended December 31, 2017. The decrease in average TCE rate was primarily the result of lower spot rates for the three months ended December 31, 2018.

Vessel Operating Expenses. Vessel operating expenses were $17.4 million for the three months ended December 31, 2018, an increase of $1.3 million from $16.1 million for the three months ended December 31, 2017. This increase is due to an increase in the average number of vessels in operation for the three months ended December 31, 2018. Vessel operating expenses by their nature are prone to fluctuations between periods. Average fleet operating costs per day, including technical management fees, were $6,544 for the three months ended December 31, 2018 as compared to $6,269 for the three months ended December 31, 2017.

Depreciation. Depreciation expense for the three months ended December 31, 2018 was $8.8 million, an increase of $0.2 million from $8.6 million for the three months ended December 31, 2017. This increase is primarily due to an increase in the average number of owned vessels to 28.0 for the three months ended December 31, 2018, from 27.0 for the three months ended December 31, 2017.

Amortization of Deferred Drydock Expenditure. Amortization of deferred drydock expenditure for the three months ended December 31, 2018 was $1.0 million, consistent with $1.0 million for the three months ended December 31, 2017. The capitalized costs of drydockings for a given vessel are amortized on a straight-line basis to the next scheduled drydocking of the vessel.

General and Administrative Expenses: Corporate. Corporate-related general and administrative expenses for the three months ended December 31, 2018 were consistent at $2.5 million for the three months ended December 31, 2018 and 2017.

General and Administrative Expenses: Commercial and Chartering. Commercial and chartering expenses are the expenses attributable to the Company's chartering and commercial operations departments in connection with the Company's spot trading activities. Commercial and chartering expenses for the three months ended December 31, 2018 were consistent at $0.6 million for the three months ended December 31, 2018 and 2017.

Interest Expense and Finance Costs. Interest expense and finance costs include loan interest, finance lease interest, and amortization of deferred finance fees. Interest expense and finance costs for the three months ended December 31, 2018 were $8.7 million, as compared to $5.4 million for the three months ended December 31, 2017. Cash interest expense increased by $1.6 million to $6.3 million for the three months ended December 31, 2018, from $4.7 million for the three months ended December 31, 2017. These increases in interest expense and finance costs are attributable to an increased average LIBOR during the three months ended December 31, 2018, compared to the three months ended December 31, 2017 as well as a change in our debt structure due to new finance leases entered into as part of vessel financing transactions during 2018. Amortization of deferred finance fees for the three months ended December 31, 2018 was $2.4 million, an increase of $1.7 million from $0.7 million for the three months ended December 31, 2017. Included in the $2.4 million is $1.9 million write-off of deferred finance fees in relation to the sale and leaseback transactions.

Liquidity

As of December 31, 2018, the Company had $56.9 million (December 31, 2017: $39.5 million) available in cash and cash equivalents. The following debt and lease liabilities (net of deferred finance fees) were outstanding as of the dates indicated:


As of


Dec 31, 2018

Dec 31, 2017

Debt

$ 228,354,248

$ 404,423,570

Finance leases

241,476,098

42,494,019

Operating leases (1)

1,968,654

-

Total

$ 471,799,000

$446,917,589



(1)

Due to the implementation of ASC 842, Leases, on January 1, 2018, operating leases have been recognized as a right of use asset and corresponding liability in respect of all material lease contracts. Prior periods have not been restated.

Conference Call

The Company plans to have a conference call on February 6, 2019 at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time to discuss its results for the quarter ended December 31, 2018. All interested parties are invited to listen to the live conference call and slide presentation by choosing from the following options:

  1. By dialing 844-492-3728 (U.S.) or 412-542-4189 (International) and referencing "Ardmore Shipping."
  2. By accessing the live webcast at Ardmore Shipping's website at www.ardmoreshipping.com.

Participants should dial into the call 10 minutes before the scheduled time.

If you are unable to participate at this time, an audio replay of the call will be available through February 13, 2019 at 877-344-7529 or 412-317-0088. Enter the passcode 10128501 to access the audio replay. A recording of the webcast, with associated slides, will also be available on the Company's website. The information provided on the teleconference is only accurate at the time of the conference call, and the Company will take no responsibility for providing updated information.

About Ardmore Shipping Corporation

Ardmore owns and operates a fleet of MR product and chemical tankers ranging from 25,000 to 50,000 deadweight tonnes. Ardmore provides seaborne transportation of petroleum products and chemicals worldwide to oil majors, national oil companies, oil and chemical traders, and chemical companies, with its modern, fuel-efficient fleet of mid-size product and chemical tankers.

We are strategically focused on modern, fuel-efficient, mid-size product and chemical tankers. We actively pursue opportunities to exploit the overlap we believe exists between the clean petroleum product ("CPP") and chemical sectors in order to enhance earnings, and also seek to engage in more complex CPP trades, such as multi-grade and multi-port loading and discharging operations, where our knowledge of chemical operations is beneficial to our CPP customers. Our fuel-efficient operations are designed to enhance our investment returns and provide value-added service to our customers. We believe we are at the forefront of fuel efficiency and emissions reduction trends and are well positioned to capitalize on these developments with our fleet of Eco-design and Eco-mod vessels. Our acquisition strategy is to continue to build our fleet with Eco-design newbuildings and modern second-hand vessels that can be upgraded to Eco-mod. We have a resolute focus on both high-quality service and efficient operations, and we believe that our corporate overhead and operating expenses are among the lowest of our peers.

 

Ardmore Shipping Corporation
Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet
(Expressed in U.S. dollars, unless otherwise stated)



As at

ASSETS

Dec 31, 2018


Dec 31, 2017

Current assets




Vessel held for sale

8,083,405


-

Cash and cash equivalents

56,903,038


39,457,407

Receivables, trade

27,460,132


27,264,803

Working capital advances

-


3,100,000

Prepayments

1,291,399


1,412,875

Advances and deposits

2,132,804


3,015,807

Other receivables

786,084


-

Inventories

12,812,039


9,632,246

Total current assets

109,468,901


83,883,138





Non-current assets




Vessels and vessel equipment, net

721,492,473


751,816,840

Ballast water treatment systems, net

528,774


-

Deferred drydock expenditure, net

7,127,364


4,118,168

Deposit for vessel acquisition

-


1,635,000

Leasehold improvements, net

423,620


446,532

Other non-current assets, net

3,549,511


3,640,311

Operating lease, right of use asset

2,169,158


-

Total non-current assets

735,290,900


761,656,851





TOTAL ASSETS

844,759,801


845,539,989





LIABILITIES AND EQUITY




Current liabilities




Payables, trade

24,608,108


16,104,399

Other payables

35,900


6,265

Accrued interest on loans and finance leases

1,732,859


1,537,976

Current portion of long-term debt

22,834,543


37,071,548

Current portion of finance lease obligations (1)

25,849,200


3,537,466

Current portion of operating lease obligations

477,147


-

Total current liabilities

75,537,757


58,257,654





Non-current liabilities




Non-current portion of long-term debt

205,519,705


367,352,022

Non-current portion of finance lease obligations

215,626,898


38,956,553

Non-current portion of operating lease obligations

1,491,507


-

Total non-current liabilities

422,638,110


406,308,575





Equity




Share capital

350,192


340,613

Additional paid in capital

414,508,403


405,549,985

Treasury stock

(15,348,909)


(15,348,909)

Accumulated deficit

(52,925,752)


(9,567,929)

Total equity

346,583,934


380,973,760





TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY

844,759,801


845,539,989





(1)    Includes $8.3 million related to vessel held for sale, which amount was repaid on January 2, 2019.

 

 

Ardmore Shipping Corporation

Unaudited Condensed Statement of Operations

(Expressed in U.S. dollars, unless otherwise stated)



Three months ended


Twelve months ended


Dec 31, 2018


Dec 31, 2017


Dec 31, 2018


Dec 31, 2017

REVENUE








Revenue

58,421,019


47,766,635


210,179,181


195,935,392









OPERATING EXPENSES








Commissions and voyage related costs

30,093,524


17,537,975


98,142,454


72,737,902

Vessel operating expenses

17,350,485


16,104,102


67,017,632


62,890,401

Depreciation

8,794,828


8,645,709


35,137,880


34,271,091

Amortization of deferred drydock expenditure

1,042,200


952,818


3,637,276


2,924,031

General and administrative expenses








Corporate

2,527,729


2,494,822


12,626,373


11,979,017

Commercial and chartering

639,524


607,414


3,233,888


2,619,748

Total operating expenses

60,448,290


46,342,840


219,795,503


187,422,190









(Loss) / profit from operations

(2,027,271)


1,423,795


(9,616,322)


8,513,202









Interest expense and finance costs

(8,745,760)


(5,350,638)


(27,405,608)


(21,380,165)

Interest income

194,916


109,179


606,665


436,195

Loss on vessel held for sale

(6,360,813)


-


(6,360,813)


-









Loss before taxes

(16,938,928)


(3,817,664)


(42,776,078)


(12,430,768)









Income tax

(25,000)


(11,728)


(162,923)


(59,567)









Net loss

(16,963,928)


(3,829,392)


(42,939,001)


(12,490,335)









Net loss per share, basic and diluted

(0.51)


(0.12)


(1.31)


(0.37)









RESULTS FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS (1)















Net loss from continuing operations

(8,750,557)


(3,829,392)


(34,310,733)


(11,966,212)









Net loss per share from continuing operations

(0.26)


(0.12)


(1.04)


(0.36)

















Weighted average number of shares outstanding,
basic and diluted

33,097,831


33,045,043


32,837,866


33,441,879

























(1)

Net loss from continuing operations is a non-GAAP measure and is defined and reconciled under the "Non-GAAP Measures" section below.

 

 

Ardmore Shipping Corporation

Unaudited Condensed Statement of Cash Flows

(Expressed in U.S. dollars, unless otherwise stated)



Twelve months ended


Dec 31, 2018


Dec 31, 2017

OPERATING ACTIVITIES




Net loss

(42,939,001)


(12,490,335)

Non-cash items:




Depreciation

35,137,880


34,271,091

Amortization of deferred drydock expenditure

3,637,276


2,924,031

Share based compensation

1,636,547


457,046

Loss on vessel held for sale

6,360,813


-

Amortization of deferred finance fees

4,668,077


3,060,525

Foreign exchange on operating leases

(200,504)


-

Adoption of accounting standard (1)

(418,822)


-

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:




Receivables, trade

(195,329)


(4,116,021)

Working capital advances

3,100,000


200,000

Prepayments

121,476


(609,872)

Advances and deposits

882,968


120,555

Other receivables

(786,084)


82,636

Inventories

(3,179,793)


(2,292,994)

Payables, trade

8,507,701


1,656,356

Accruals for capital items

(532,261)


-

Charter revenue received in advance

-


(507,780)

Other payables

29,635


911

Accrued interest on loans and finance leases

194,883


(530,015)

Deferred drydock expenditure

(6,599,085)


(3,809,906)

Net cash provided by operating activities

9,426,377


18,416,228





INVESTING ACTIVITIES




Payments for acquisition of vessels and equipment

(16,824,102)


(372,504)

Payments for acquisition of ballast water treatment systems

(528,774)


-

Transfer to segregated account in respect of agreement to buy new vessels

-


(1,635,000)

Payments for leasehold improvements

(52,384)


(12,279)

Payments for other non-current assets

(151,619)


(262,468)

Net cash used in investing activities

(17,556,879)


(2,282,251)





FINANCING ACTIVITIES




Proceeds from long-term debt

3,902,122


11,092,157

Repayments of long-term debt

(184,306,269)


(62,691,746)

Proceeds from finance leases

209,725,500


33,120,000

Repayments of finance leases

(7,336,520)


(2,060,264)

Payments for deferred finance fees

(3,740,150)


(826,840)

Repurchase of common stock

-


(11,262,750)

Net proceeds from equity offerings

7,331,450


-

Net cash provided by / (used in) financing activities

25,576,133


(32,629,443)





Net increase / (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

17,445,631


(16,495,466)





Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year

39,457,407


55,952,873





Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year

56,903,038


39,457,407


(1)  This adjustment is a result of the adoption of the new accounting standard ASC 842, Leases and relates to the timing of recognition of revenue. The net adjustment to the Company's revenue in 2018 attributable to the adoption of the new accounting standard from January 1, 2018 is $35,759, comprised of ($418,822) in 2017 and $454,581 in 2018.



 

 

Ardmore Shipping Corporation

Unaudited Other Operating Data

(Expressed in U.S. dollars, unless otherwise stated)



Three months ended


Twelve months ended


Dec 31, 2018


Dec 31, 2017


Dec 31, 2018


Dec 31, 2017









ADJUSTED EBITDA (1)

7,809,757


11,022,322


29,158,834


45,708,324









AVERAGE DAILY DATA
















MR Tankers Spot & Pool TCE per day (2)

12,475


12,131


11,564


12,975









Fleet TCE per day (2)

12,089


12,583


11,529


12,709









Fleet operating costs per day (3)

6,147


5,888


6,042


5,914

Technical management fees per day (4)

397


381


414


384


6,544


6,269


6,456


6,298

MR Tankers Eco-Design








TCE per day (2)

12,894


12,042


11,406


12,902

Vessel operating costs per day (5)

6,329


6,170


6,469


6,185









MR Tankers Eco-Mod








TCE per day (2)

11,471


13,163


11,916


12,975

Vessel operating costs per day (5)

6,932


6,641


6,519


6,597









Prod/Chem Tankers Eco-Design (25k - 38k Dwt)








TCE per day (2)

10,779


13,369


11,406


11,949

Vessel operating costs per day (5)

6,603


6,141


6,352


6,282









FLEET








Upgrades and enhancements expensed

376,242


495,388


1,097,027


784,697









Average number of owned operating vessels

28


27


28


27













(1)

Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP measure and is defined and reconciled to the most directly comparable U.S. GAAP measure under the "Non-GAAP Measures" section below.

(2)

Time Charter Equivalent ("TCE") daily rate, represents net revenues divided by revenue days. Revenue days are the total number of calendar days the vessels are in our possession less off-hire days generally associated with drydocking or repairs, idle days or repositioning associated with vessels held for sale. For vessels employed on voyage charters, TCE is the net rate after deducting voyage expenses incurred, divided by revenue days, including among other expenses, all commissions and pool administration fees. MR Tankers Spot & Pool TCE is reported on a discharge to discharge basis.

(3)

Fleet operating costs per day are routine operating expenses and comprise crewing, repairs and maintenance, insurance, stores, lube oils and communication costs. They do not include additional costs related to the upgrading or enhancement of the vessels that are not capitalized.

(4)

Technical management fees are fees paid to third-party technical managers.

(5)

Vessel operating costs per day include technical management fees.

 

 

Ardmore Shipping Corporation

Fleet List as at February 6, 2019


Vessel Name

Type

Dwt Tonnes

IMO

Built

Country

Flag

Specification

Ardmore Seavaliant

Product/Chemical

49,998

2/3

Feb-13

Korea

MI

Eco-design

Ardmore Seaventure

Product/Chemical

49,998

2/3

Jun-13

Korea

MI

Eco-design

Ardmore Seavantage

Product/Chemical

49,997

2/3

Jan-14

Korea

MI

Eco-design

Ardmore Seavanguard

Product/Chemical

49,998

2/3

Feb-14

Korea

MI

Eco-design

Ardmore Sealion

Product/Chemical

49,999

2/3

May-15

Korea

MI

Eco-design

Ardmore Seafox

Product/Chemical

49,999

2/3

Jun-15

Korea

MI

Eco-design

Ardmore Seawolf

Product/Chemical

49,999

2/3

Aug-15

Korea

MI

Eco-design

Ardmore Seahawk

Product/Chemical

49,999

2/3

Nov-15

Korea

MI

Eco-design

Ardmore Endeavour

Product/Chemical

49,997

2/3

Jul-13

Korea

MI

Eco-design

Ardmore Enterprise

Product/Chemical

49,453

2/3

Sep-13

Korea

MI

Eco-design

Ardmore Endurance

Product/Chemical

49,466

2/3

Dec-13

Korea

MI

Eco-design

Ardmore Encounter

Product/Chemical

49,478

2/3

Jan-14

Korea

MI

Eco-design

Ardmore Explorer

Product/Chemical

49,494

2/3

Jan-14

Korea

MI

Eco-design

Ardmore Exporter

Product/Chemical

49,466

2/3

Feb-14

Korea

MI

Eco-design

Ardmore Engineer

Product/Chemical

49,420

2/3

Mar-14

Korea

MI

Eco-design

Ardmore Seafarer

Product/Chemical

45,744

3

Aug-04

Japan

MI

Eco-mod

Ardmore Seamaster(1)

Product/Chemical

45,840

3

Sep-04

Japan

MI

Eco-mod

Ardmore Seamariner

Product/Chemical

45,726

3

Oct-06

Japan

MI

Eco-mod

Ardmore Sealancer

Product

47,451

Jun-08

Japan

MI

Eco-mod

Ardmore Sealeader

Product

47,463

Aug-08

Japan

MI

Eco-mod

Ardmore Sealifter

Product

47,472

Jul-08

Japan

MI

Eco-mod

Ardmore Dauntless

Product/Chemical

37,764

2

Feb-15

Korea

MI

Eco-design

Ardmore Defender

Product/Chemical

37,791

2

Feb-15

Korea

MI

Eco-design

Ardmore Cherokee

Product/Chemical

25,215

2

Jan-15

Japan

MI

Eco-design

Ardmore Cheyenne

Product/Chemical

25,217

2

Mar-15

Japan

MI

Eco-design

Ardmore Chinook

Product/Chemical

25,217

2

Jul-15

Japan

MI

Eco-design

Ardmore Chippewa

Product/Chemical

25,217

2

Nov-15

Japan

MI

Eco-design

Total

27

1,202,878







(1) The Company has agreed to terms for the sale of the Ardmore Seamaster. The vessel is expected to be delivered to the buyer in February 2019.


 

Non-GAAP Measures

This press release describes EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA and net loss from continuing operations, which are not measures prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP and are defined and reconciled below. EBITDA is defined as earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization. Adjusted EBITDA is defined as EBITDA before certain items that Ardmore believes are not representative of its operating performance. Net loss from continuing operations excludes certain items from GAAP net loss because they are considered to be unusual items.

These non-GAAP measures are presented in this press release as the Company believes that they provide investors with a means of evaluating and understanding how Ardmore's management evaluates operating performance. EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA increase the comparability of the Company's fundamental performance from period to period. This increased comparability is achieved by excluding the potentially disparate effects between periods of interest expense, taxes, depreciation or amortization, which items are affected by various and possibly changing financing methods, capital structure and historical cost basis and which items may significantly affect net income between periods.  The Company believes that including EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA and net loss from continuing operations, as financial and operating measures, assist investors in selecting between investing in the Company and other investment alternatives and monitoring the Company's ongoing financial and operational strength and health in assessing whether to continue to hold the Company's common stock.

These non-GAAP measures should not be considered in isolation from, as a substitute for, or superior to financial measures prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. In addition, these non-GAAP measures may not have a standardized meaning and therefore may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other companies. All amounts in the tables below are expressed in U.S. dollars, unless otherwise stated.

Reconciliation of net loss to EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA


Three months ended


Twelve months ended


Dec 31, 2018


Dec 31, 2017


Dec 31, 2018


Dec 31, 2017









Net loss

(16,963,928)


(3,829,392)


(42,939,001)


(12,490,335)

Interest income

(194,916)


(109,179)


(606,665)


(436,195)

Interest expense and finance costs

8,745,760


5,350,638


27,405,608


21,380,165

Income tax

25,000


11,728


162,923


59,567

Depreciation

8,794,828


8,645,709


35,137,880


34,271,091

Amortization of deferred drydock expenditure

1,042,200


952,818


3,637,276


2,924,031

EBITDA

1,448,944


11,022,322


22,798,021


45,708,324

Loss on vessel held for sale

6,360,813


-


6,360,813


-

ADJUSTED EBITDA

7,809,757


11,022,322


29,158,834


45,708,324



Reconciliation of net loss to net loss from continuing operations


Three months ended


Twelve months ended


Dec 31, 2018


Dec 31, 2017


Dec 31, 2018


Dec 31, 2017









Net loss

(16,963,928)


(3,829,392)


(42,939,001)


(12,490,335)

Write-off of deferred finance fees

1,852,558


-


2,267,455


524,123

Loss on vessel held for sale

6,360,813


-


6,360,813


-

Net loss from continuing operations

(8,750,557)


(3,829,392)


(34,310,733)


(11,966,212)









Net loss from continuing operations per share

(0.26)


(0.12)


(1.04)


(0.36)

Weighted average number of shares

33,097,831


33,045,043


32,837,866


33,441,879

 

Forward Looking Statements

Matters discussed in this press release may constitute forward-looking statements. The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides safe harbor protections for forward-looking statements in order to encourage companies to provide prospective information about their business. 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. The Company desires to take advantage of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and is including this cautionary statement in connection with this safe harbor legislation. In some cases, you can identify the forward-looking statements by the use of words such as "believe", "anticipate", "intends", "estimate", "forecast", "plan", "potential", "may", "expect", and similar expressions.

Forward looking statements in this press release include, among others, statements addressing: the Company's expected number of revenue days for its tankers in the spot market in the first quarter of 2019; anticipated future market conditions and fundamentals and future tanker rates and demand growth, including as a result of IMO 2020; expected global refinery capacity additions, and expected level of MR net fleet growth; and the timing of the sale of the Ardmore Seamaster and the size and timing of the related loss from the sale. The forward-looking statements in this press release are based upon various assumptions, including, without limitation, Ardmore management's examination of historical operating trends, data contained in the Company's records and other data available from third parties. Although the Company 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 Company's control, the Company cannot assure you that it will achieve or accomplish these expectations, beliefs or projections.

In addition to these important factors, other important factors that, in the Company's view, could cause actual results to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements include: the failure of counterparties to fully perform their contracts with the Company; the strength of world economies and currencies; general market conditions, including fluctuations in charter rates and vessel values; changes in demand for and the supply of tanker vessel capacity; changes in the projections of spot and time charter or pool trading of the Company's vessels; changes in the Company's operating expenses, including bunker prices, drydocking and insurance costs; the market for the Company's vessels; competition in the tanker industry; availability of financing and refinancing; charter counterparty performance; ability to obtain financing and comply with covenants in such financing arrangements; changes in governmental rules and regulations or actions taken by regulatory authorities; general domestic and international political conditions; potential disruption of shipping routes due to accidents, piracy or political events; the Company may not be able to charter vessels for all remaining revenue days during the first quarter of 2019 in the spot market or may choose to charter vessels on other employment; vessels breakdowns and instances of off-hires; and other factors. Please see the Company's filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission for a more complete discussion of these and other risks and uncertainties.

Investor Relations Enquiries:
Mr. Leon Berman
The IGB Group
45 Broadway, Suite 1150
New York, NY 10006
Tel: 212-477-8438
Fax: 212-477-8636
Email: lberman@igbir.com

Or

Mr. Bryan Degnan
The IGB Group
45 Broadway, Suite 1150
New York, NY 10006
Tel: 646-673-9701
Fax: 212-477-8636
Email: bdegnan@igbir.com

SOURCE Ardmore Shipping Corporation

Investor Enquiries

Mr Leon Berman, The IGB Group
Tel: +1 212-477-8438 Fax: +1 212-477-8636
Email: lberman@igbir.com