SINGAPORE, Feb. 27, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) --
Grindrod Shipping Holdings Ltd. (GRIN)
(GSH) (“Grindrod Shipping†or "Company" or
“we†or “usâ€), a global provider of maritime transportation
services in the drybulk and product tanker sectors, today announced
its second half and full year 2018 earnings results for the period
ended December 31, 2018.
Financial Highlights for the second half of the year ended December 31, 2018(1)
Financial Highlights for the full year ended December 31, 2018(1)
(1) The proportionate share of our
joint ventures is not reflected in our condensed consolidated and
combined statement of profit and loss, but is reflected in our
segment results.
(2) Adjusted EBITDA and TCE per day are non-GAAP
financial measures. For the definitions of these non-GAAP financial
measures and the reconciliation of these measure to the most
directly comparable financial measure calculated and presented in
accordance with GAAP, please refer to the definitions and
reconciliations at the end of this press release.
Operational Highlights for the second half of the year ended December 31, 2018
Latest Developments
CEO Commentary
Martyn Wade, the Chief Executive Officer of Grindrod Shipping, commented:
“Our results in the second half of 2018 showed a marked improvement reflecting the stronger dry bulk markets but also our continued ability to outperform the relevant industry benchmarks in our dry bulk fleet. Specifically, for the second half of 2018, our TCE per day in the handysize segment was $9,066 compared to the BHSI of $8,329 (adjusted for 5.0% commissions), an outperformance of approximately 8.8%, whereas in the ultramax/supramax segment our TCE per day was $12,795 compared to the BSI-58 of $11,267 (adjusted for 5.0% commissions), an outperformance of approximately 13.6%. We should note that in the first half of 2018 we had outperformed the BHSI and BSI-58, by approximately 9.7% and 5.1% respectively. On the tanker side, the markets remained weak for most of the second half of 2018 with a resurgence as of November 2018 which carried into 2019 but has recently declined from the highs in late 2018. Still, we achieved an MR tanker TCE per day of $10,950 during the second half of 2018 compared to $8,573 for the Clarksons MR Clean Average Earnings assessment, an outperformance of approximately 27.7%.
“The dry bulk market in 2019 to date shows signs of weakness reflecting trade wars, the Chinese New Year’s seasonal impact, a slowdown in Chinese imports and other external market disruptions. Yet we believe that the long term fundamentals appear positive reflecting the reduced supply outlook combined with steady demand especially for minor bulks, which are typically carried by Grindrod Shipping’s vessels. We also expect the product tanker market to improve given the increase in refining capacity and dislocation between refiners and end users combined with the low orderbook for MR tankers. Furthermore, the implementation of the IMO 2020 regulations may have a positive impact on the overall market further limiting supply as the result of higher scrapping rates, increased off hires and slow steaming.
“In this environment, we expect to continue to leverage our competitive advantages which include the modernity and high quality of our Japanese built fleet, our ability to maximize revenue through the use of in-house commercial pools and cargoes, and our close commercial relationships with global and regional industry players. We believe that the current market weakness may present attractive growth opportunities and we believe that Grindrod Shipping is well positioned to take advantage of these opportunities. Our company continues to operate a diversified fleet of dry bulk and product tanker vessels which affords management the opportunity to pursue potential consolidation and growth opportunities in both sectors.â€
Results for the Six Months Ended December 31, 2018 and 2017
In comparison to the results for the second half of 2017, the results for the second half of 2018 were impacted by the sale of two non-core businesses on January 1, 2018. In the drybulk business, our handysize and supramax/ultramax operating days declined to 6,279 days for the six months ended December 31, 2018 from 7,676 days for the six months ended December 31, 2017, primarily as a result of a reduction of short-term chartered-in days. A significant portion of both our drybulk and tankers fleet continued to be exposed to the spot markets in the second half of 2018. Handysize and supramax/ultramax drybulk spot markets were generally stronger in the second half of 2018 than they were in the second half of 2017. On the other hand, while there was an improvement in the MR tanker market from November 2018, the second half of 2018 in this sector was generally weaker than the second half of 2017.
Revenues were $168.2 million for the six months ended December 31, 2018 and $215.5 million for the six months ended December 31, 2017. Vessel revenues were $156.4 million for the six months ended December 31, 2018 and $194.4 million for the six months ended December 31, 2017.
In the drybulk business, handysize total revenues and supramax/ultramax total revenues were $72.9 million and $73.6 million, respectively, for the six months ended December 31, 2018 and $72.3 million and $78.7, respectively, for the six months ended December 31, 2017. Handysize vessel revenues and supramax/ultramax vessel revenues were $63.4 million and $73.0 million, respectively, for the six months ended December 31, 2018 and $64.5 million, and $78.2 million, respectively, for the six months ended December 31, 2017.
In the tankers business, our medium range tankers and small tankers total revenues were $19.0 million and $12.2 million, respectively, for the six months ended December 31, 2018 and $29.7 million and $10.9 million, respectively, for the six months ended December 31, 2017. Medium range tankers and small tankers vessel revenues were $19.0 million and $8.4 million, respectively, for the six months ended December 31, 2018 and $18.8 million and $10.9 million, respectively for the six months ended December 31, 2017.
Handysize TCE per day was $9,066 per day for the six months ended December 31, 2018 and $8,422 per day for the six months ended December 31, 2017. Supramax/ultramax TCE per day was $12,795 per day for the six months ended December 31, 2018 and $10,639 per day for the six months ended December 31, 2017.
Medium range tankers TCE per day was $10,950 per day for the six months ended December 31, 2018 and $10,592 per day for the six months ended December 31, 2017. Small tankers TCE per day was $11,453 per day for the six months ended December 31, 2018 and $13,458 per day for the six months ended December 31, 2017.
Cost of sales was $159.5 million for the six months ended December 31, 2018 and $203.1 million for the six months ended December 31, 2017. In the drybulk business, handysize segment and supramax/ultramax segment cost of sales was $67.0 million and $71.9 million, respectively, for the six months ended December 31, 2018 and $68.3 million and $79.2 million, respectively, for the six months ended December 31, 2017.
Handysize voyage expenses and supramax/ultramax voyage expenses were $32.9 million and $35.7 million, respectively, for the six months ended December 31, 2018 and $31.8 million, and $37.9 million, respectively, for the six months ended December 31, 2017. Handysize vessel operating costs and supramax/ultramax vessel operating costs were $13.5 million and $1.7 million for the six months ended December 31, 2018, respectively, and $13.5 million and $1.7 million, respectively for the six months ended December 31, 2017. Handysize vessel operating costs per day were $5,167 per day for the six months ended December 31, 2018 and $5,124 per day for the six months ended December 31, 2017. Supramax/ultramax vessel operating costs per day were $4,667 per day for the six months ended December 31, 2018 and $4,592 per day for the six months ended December 31, 2017.
The average daily charter-in costs for our long-term supramax/ultramax fleet was $12,668 per day during the second six months of 2018. During this period, out of 2,913 operating days in the supramax/ultramax segment, 50.3% were fulfilled with owned/long-term chartered-in vessels and the remaining 49.7% with short-term chartered-in vessels. As noted above, the IVS Shikra was redelivered in August 2018 (which was our only long-term chartered-in Handysize vessel).
In the tankers business, medium range tankers and small tankers cost of sales were $20.1 million and $10.3 million, respectively, for the six months ended December 31, 2018 and $33.0 million and $8.1 million, respectively, for the six months ended December 31, 2017. Medium range tankers voyage expenses and small tankers voyage expenses were $4.2 million and $1.3 million, respectively, for the six months ended December 31, 2018 and $3.4 million and $2.2 million, respectively, for the six months ended December 31, 2017. Medium range tankers vessel operating costs and small tankers vessel operating costs were $5.4 million and $4.1 million, respectively, for the six months ended December 31, 2018 and $6.4 million and $4.7 million, respectively, for the six months ended December 31, 2017. Medium range tankers vessel operating costs per day were $6,502 per day for the six months ended December 31, 2018 and $6,806 per day for the six months ended December 31, 2017. Small tankers vessel operating costs per day were $6,390 per day for the six months ended December 31, 2018 and $7,286 per day for the six months ended December 31, 2017.
The average daily charter-in costs for our long-term medium range tanker fleet was $14,972 per day during the second six months of 2018 and during this period all of the operating days in the medium range segment, were fulfilled with owned/long-term chartered-in vessels. The Company did not have any long-term or short-term chartered-in small tanker vessels during this period.
Gross profit was $8.7 million for the six months ended December 31, 2018 and $12.4 million for the six months ended December 31, 2017.
Other operating income was $3.4 million for the six months ended December 31, 2018 and $2.8 million for the six months ended December 31, 2017 primarily due to the increase in foreign exchange gains for the six months ended December 31, 2018.
Administrative expenses were $14.3 million for the six months ended December 31, 2018 and $19.3 million for the six months ended December 31, 2017. The higher level of administrative expenses in the period ended December 31, 2017 was primarily due to $2.4 million of costs in the six months ended December 31, 2017 relating to our spin-off from Grindrod Limited, as well as other administrative costs relating to the two non-core businesses sold on January 1, 2018.
Other operating expenses were $3.4 million and $37.0 million in the six months ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. The decrease in operating expenses for the six months ended December 31, 2018 was primarily due to impairment losses on vessels of $16.5 million, impairment loss on goodwill and intangibles of $12.1 million and impairment on assets of the two non-core businesses sold on January 1, 2018 of $5.1 million recorded in the six months ended December 31, 2017.
Share of results of joint ventures was a profit of $0.9 million for the six months ended December 31, 2018 and a loss of $11.8 million for the six months ended December 31, 2017. The improvement for the six months ended December 31, 2018 was primarily due to the recognition of impairment losses on vessels in our joint ventures for the six months ended December 31, 2017.
We recorded an impairment loss on financial assets of $1.6 million in the second half of 2018 and no impairment loss on financial assets in the second half of 2017.
Interest income was $1.8 million for the six months ended December 31, 2018 and $3.9 million for the six months ended December 31, 2017. The decrease in interest income for the six months ended December 31, 2018 was primarily due to repayment of certain loans to our joint ventures.
Interest expense was $3.6 million for the six months ended December 31, 2018 and $3.5 million for the six months ended December 31, 2017.
Income tax expense for the six months ended December 31, 2018 was a credit of $0.8 million and for the six months ended December 31, 2017 was an expense of $1.3 million. The reduction of income tax expense for the six months ended December 31, 2018 was primarily due to the exclusion of the two non-core businesses sold on January 1, 2018 from our results since that date.
Loss for the six months ended December 31, 2018 was $7.2 million and loss for the six months ended December 31, 2017 was $53.9 million.
Results for the Full Years Ended December 31, 2018 and 2017
Our results for the full year ended December 31, 2018 relative to the full year ended December 31, 2017 were impacted by the sale of two non-core businesses on January 1, 2018, which had combined revenues of $54.9 million, combined cost of sales of $39.3 million and a combined profit of $6.9 million for the full year ended 2017. In the drybulk business, our handysize and supramax/ultramax operating days declined from 15,304 days in the 12 months ended December 31, 2017 to 12,810 days for the 12 months ended December 31, 2018, primarily as a result of a reduction of short-term chartered-in days. Handysize and supramax/ultramax drybulk spot market rates were generally stronger in fiscal 2018 than fiscal 2017, and particularly so in the first half of 2018 compared to the first half of 2017. On the other hand, while there was an improvement in the medium range tanker market since November 2018, overall this tanker market was generally weaker in fiscal 2018 than compared to fiscal 2017.
Revenues were $319.0 million for the 12 months ended December 31, 2018 and $409.5 million for the 12 months ended December 31, 2017. Vessel revenues were $303.9 million for the 12 months ended December 31, 2018 and $386.0 million for the 12 months ended December 31, 2017.
In the drybulk business, handysize total revenues and supramax/ultramax total revenues were $126.7 million and $147.3 million, respectively, for the 12 months ended December 31, 2018 and $126.7 million and $157.4 million, respectively, for the 12 months ended December 31, 2017. Handysize vessel revenues and supramax/ultramax vessel revenues were $116.4 million and $146.1 million, respectively, for the 12 months ended December 31, 2018 and $118.3 million, and $156.5 million, respectively, for the 12 months ended December 31, 2017.
In the tankers business, our medium range tankers and small tankers total revenues were $37.9 million and $21.2 million, respectively, for the 12 months ended December 31, 2018 and $53.3 million and $22.7 million, respectively, for the 12 months ended December 31, 2017. Medium range tankers and small tankers vessel revenues were $37.9 million and $17.4 million, respectively, for the 12 months ended December 31, 2018 and $42.6 million and $22.7 million, respectively for the 12 months ended December 31, 2017.
Handysize TCE per day was $9,032 per day for the 12 months ended December 31, 2018 and $7,675 per day for the 12 months ended December 31, 2017. Supramax/ultramax TCE per day was $11,878 per day for the 12 months ended December 31, 2018 and $10,551 per day for the 12 months ended December 31, 2017.
Medium range tankers TCE per day was $11,258 per day for the 12 months ended December 31, 2018 and $11,691 per day for the 12 months ended December 31, 2017. Small tankers TCE per day was $11,392 per day for the 12 months ended December 31, 2018 and $13,014 per day for the 12 months ended December 31, 2017.
Cost of sales was $307.9 million for the 12 months ended December 31, 2018 and $387.4 million for the 12 months ended December 31, 2017.
In the drybulk business, handysize segment and supramax/ultramax segment cost of sales was $117.6 million and $146.6 million, respectively, for the 12 months ended December 31, 2018 and $124.0 million and $155.9 million, respectively, for the 12 months ended December 31, 2017. Handysize voyage expenses and supramax/ultramax voyage expenses were $57.7 million and $71.1 million, respectively, for the 12 months ended December 31, 2018 and $59.0 million, and $76.5 million, respectively, for the 12 months ended December 31, 2017. Handysize vessel operating costs and supramax/ultramax vessel operating costs were $26.5 million and $3.4 million for the 12 months ended December 31, 2018, respectively, and $26.5 million and $3.3 million, respectively for the 12 months ended December 31, 2017. Handysize vessel operating costs per day were $5,201 per day for the 12 months ended December 31, 2018 and $5,034 per day for the 12 months ended December 31, 2017. Supramax/ultramax vessel operating costs per day were $4,641 per day for the 12 months ended December 31, 2018 and $4,519 per day for the 12 months ended December 31, 2017.
The average daily charter-in costs for our long-term supramax/ultramax fleet was $12,886 per day for the year ended December 31, 2018, and $13,092 per day for the year ended December 31, 2017.
In the tankers business, medium range tankers and small tankers cost of sales were $39.8 million and $18.6 million, respectively, for the 12 months ended December 31, 2018 and $56.5 million and $18.5 million, respectively, for the 12 months ended December 31, 2017. Medium range tankers voyage expenses and small tankers voyage expenses were $8.0 million and $3.5 million, respectively, for the 12 months ended December 31, 2018 and $7.6 million and $3.7 million, respectively, for the 12 months ended December 31, 2017. Medium range tankers vessel operating costs and small tankers vessel operating costs were $11.3 million and $9.0 million, respectively, for the 12 months ended December 31, 2018 and $13.3 million and $9.5 million, respectively, for the 12 months ended December 31, 2017. Medium range tankers vessel operating costs per day were $6,888 per day for the 12 months ended December 31, 2018 and $6,869 per day for the 12 months ended December 31, 2017. Small tankers vessel operating costs per day were $7,069 per day for the 12 months ended December 31, 2018 and $7,427 per day for the 12 months ended December 31, 2017.
The average daily charter-in costs for our long-term medium range tanker fleet was $14,995 per day for the year ended December 31, 2018 and $14,756 per day for the year ended December 31, 2017.
Gross profit was $11.1 million for the 12 months ended December 31, 2018 and $22.1 million for the 12 months ended December 31, 2017. Gross profit for the 12 months ended December 31, 2017 included $15.7 million of gross profit of the two non-core businesses that were sold on January 1, 2018.
Other operating income was $11.5 million for the 12 months ended December 31, 2018 and $4.7 million for the 12 months ended December 31, 2017. Profit on sale of the two non-core businesses of $3.8 million were recorded in the 12 months ended December 31, 2018 and foreign exchange gains were $3.5 million higher for the same period.
For the year to December 31, 2018 administrative expenses were $31.6 million, and they were $32.9 million for the year to December 31, 2017.
Other operating expenses were $5.4 million and $39.2 million in the 12 months ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. The decrease in other operating expenses for the six months ended December 31, 2018 was primarily due to impairment losses on vessels of $16.5 million, impairment loss on goodwill and intangibles of $12.1 million and impairment loss on assets of disposal group of $5.1 million for the 12 months ended December 31, 2017.
Share of losses of joint ventures was $0.5 million for the 12 months ended December 31, 2018 and $12.9 million for the 12 months ended December 31, 2017. The decrease was primarily due to impairment losses on vessels recorded in the 12 months ended December 31, 2017.
We recorded an impairment loss on financial assets of $1.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2018 and no impairment loss on financial assets in 2017.
Interest income was $3.8 million for the 12 months ended December 31, 2018 and $7.2 million for the 12 months ended December 31, 2017. Interest on loans to our joint ventures decreased for the 12 months ended December 31, 2018 due to partial repayments of certain borrowings.
For each of the year to December 31, 2018 and the year to December 31, 2017, interest expense was $6.5 million.
Income tax expense for the 12 months ended December 31, 2018 was $1.4 million and for the 12 months ended December 31, 2017 was $3.2 million. Income tax expense decreased in 2018 due to the exclusion of the non-core businesses sold on January 1, 2018 from our results since that date.
Loss for the 12 months ended December 31, 2018 was $20.6 million and loss for the 12 months ended December 31, 2017 was $60.8 million.
Cash from operating activities was an outflow of $37.4 million for the 12 months ended December 31, 2018 and an inflow of $3.4 million for the 12 months ended December 31, 2017. Cash from operating activities for the 12 months ended December 31, 2018 includes capital expenditure on vessels of $21.4 million, proceeds from vessel sales of $8.3 million and payments to related parties of $6.0 million. For the 12 months ended December 31, 2017, cash from operating activities includes capital expenditure on vessels of $5.2 million, proceeds from vessel sales of $17.7 million and payments to related parties of $5.0 million.
Cash generated from (used in) investing activities was an inflow of $40.0 million for the 12 months ended December 31, 2018 and an outflow of $2.1 million for the 12 months ended December 31, 2017. Cash generated from (used in) investing activities was impacted by the proceeds from the sales of the two non-core businesses in the 12 months ended December 31, 2018 of $25.3 million and payments received from related parties of $14.1 million.
Cash used in financing activities was an outflow of $11.9 million for the 12 months ended December 31, 2018 and an outflow of $19.8 million for the 12 months ended December 31, 2017. Cash used in financing activities in the 12 months ended December 31, 2018 was primarily impacted by the repayment of loans from related parties of $8.4 million, movement of cash to restricted cash of $8.6 million and a net inflow of $6.8 million from the incurrence of new debt and the repayment of existing debt. Cash used in financing activities in the 12 months ended December 31, 2017 was primarily impacted by the issuance of equity to Grindrod Limited of $15.0 million and repayment of loans from related parties of $42.0 million.
The above cash flow figures are reflected in the summarized cash flow information shown in tabular form in a subsequent section of this announcement under the heading “Unaudited Summary Statement of Cash Flowsâ€, which reflects $33.5 million of cash and cash equivalents as at December 31, 2018, which is after deducting $13.8 million of restricted cash which is pledged to certain banks to secure loans and other credit facilities. As of December 31, 2018, we had cash and cash equivalents of $47.3 million including the $13.8 million of restricted cash.
Conference Call Details
Tomorrow, Thursday, February 28, 2019 at 8:00 a.m. Eastern Standard Time / 3:00 p.m. South African Standard Time / 9:00 p.m. Singapore Time, the Company's management will host a conference call and webcast to discuss the earnings results.
Participants should dial into the call 10 minutes before the scheduled time using the following numbers: +866 966 1396 (US Toll Free Dial In), +0800 376 7922 (UK Toll Free Dial In), +800 852 6250 (Singapore Toll Free Dial In), or +0800 014 553 (South Africa Toll Free Dial In), +44 (0)2071 928000 (International Standard Dial In). Please enter code: 9069683.
An audio replay of the conference call will be available until Thursday, March 7, 2019, by dialing +866 331 1332 (US Toll Free Dial In), +65 3158 3995 (Singapore Dial In), +44 (0)3333 009785 (International Standard Dial In). Access code: 9069683.
Audio Webcast - Slides Presentation