Teekay Tankers Ltd. reports Q4 and annual results
Teekay Tankers Ltd. today reported its results for the three months ended December 31, 2012. During the fourth quarter of 2012, the company generated $10.8 million, or $0.13 per share, compared to $9.7 million, or $0.12 per share, in the third quarter of 2012. On February 20, 2013, Teekay Tankers declared a dividend of $0.03 per share(3) for the fourth quarter of 2012, which will be paid on March 11, 2013 to all shareholders of record on March 4, 2013.
Since the company's initial public offering in December 2007, it has declared a dividend in 21 consecutive quarters, which now totals $7.185 per share on a cumulative basis (including the dividend to be paid on March 11, 2013).
"Stronger spot rates materialized for brief periods later in the fourth quarter; however, the current oversupply of tanker capacity, combined with reduced OPEC oil production, has largely offset any seasonal strengthening of crude tanker rates so far in the first quarter of 2013," commented Bruce Chan , Teekay Tankers' Chief Executive Officer. "On a positive note, increasing product tanker demand has led to relatively stronger LR2 product tanker rates, a trend that we believe will continue in the medium-term due to the increased refinery capacity east of Suez, and a corresponding increase in long-haul product tanker demand."
"As a result of the continuing weak tanker market across most segments, delays to the expected tanker market recovery and a further decline in vessel market values during the course of the year, Teekay Tankers' US GAAP financial results for the fourth quarter of 2012 include a non-cash vessel impairment charge of approximately $353 million," Mr. Chan added. "Vessel values over the past five years have fallen significantly, and ships recorded on the books at these historically high values have become impaired. The ships which were affected the most are the Suezmaxes acquired by Teekay Corporation in 2007, and recorded on Teekay Tankers' balance sheet at the same values due to dropdown accounting rules. It is important to note that for the 13 vessels acquired more recently, in June 2012, had these ships been recorded on our balance sheet at Teekay Tankers' actual purchase price, rather than Teekay Corporation's book value, none of these vessels would have been written-down. The vessel impairment charge included in our fourth quarter results is non-cash in nature and does not impact the company's Cash Available for Distribution or cash dividend, nor does it affect any covenants related to Teekay Tankers' debt facilities."
"Despite the weak tanker market outlook for 2013, Teekay Tankers remains financially strong with a manageable debt level and over $325 million of available liquidity as at December 31, 2012," Mr. Chan continued. "At the current cyclically low asset values for both secondhand and newbuilding tankers, we believe this market provides favorable opportunities for investment in future growth either through the ordering of new, fuel-efficient vessels or the acquisition of quality on-the-water tonnage."
Mr. Chan continued, "In line with our goals of fleet renewal and growth, we have also elected to move Teekay Tankers to a fixed dividend policy. Commencing with the first quarter 2013 dividend, payable in June 2013, the dividend will be fixed at an annual amount of $0.12 per share, payable quarterly. We believe this is a sustainable level based on our existing fleet size and employment mix, and is a prudent policy which will enable us to retain an increasing amount of operating cash flow as the tanker market recovers for investment in Teekay Tankers' future growth."
Commencing December 8, 2012, Teekay Tankers time-chartered out the Aframax tanker Esther Spirit for a period of 12 months at a rate of $14,250 per day. In January 2013, the Company time-chartered in the Aframax tanker BM Breeze for a period of 12 months at a rate of $11,100 per day which includes an option for the Company to extend the time-charter for an additional 12-month period at a rate of $12,600 per day. In addition, the Company exercised its extension option on the time-charter in of the Aframax tanker Star Lady at a rate of $12,250 per day until July 2013.
On January 22, 2013, Teekay Tankers completed the sale of an Aframax tanker, the Nassau Spirit, for net proceeds of $9.1 million. The sale was completed ahead of the vessel's third special survey to avoid upcoming dry-docking costs as well as to reduce the Company's exposure to older spot-traded vessels that often experience increased discrimination from charterers.
Teekay Tankers currently owns a fleet of 27 double-hull vessels, including 11 Aframax tankers, 10 Suezmax tankers, three Long Range 2 (LR2) product tankers, three Medium-Range (MR) product tankers, and has time-chartered in two Aframax tankers, which vessels an affiliate of Teekay Corporation (NYSE:TK) manages through a mix of short- or medium-term fixed-rate time-charter contracts and spot tanker market trading. The Company also owns a VLCC newbuilding through a 50 percent joint venture, which is scheduled to deliver in the second quarter of 2013. Teekay Tankers was formed in December 2007 by Teekay Corporation as part of its strategy to expand its conventional oil tanker business.