Chartering Arrangements
Navios Logistics continually monitors developments in the shipping industry and makes decisions based on an individual vessel and segment basis, as well as on its view of overall market conditions, in order to implement its overall business strategy. In the barge business, Navios Logistics typically operates under a mix of time charters and contracts of affreightment (“CoAs”) with durations of one to five years (some of which have minimum guaranteed volumes) and spot contracts. In the cabotage business, Navios Logistics typically operates under time charters with durations in excess of one year. Some of Navios Logistics’ charters provide fixed pricing, minimum volume requirements and labor cost and fuel price adjustment formulas.
Factors Affecting Navios Logistics’ Results of Operations
For further discussion on factors affecting our results of operations, see also “Risk Factors” included in the 2019 Form 20-F. For information regarding governmental, economic, fiscal, monetary or political policies that could materially affect our operations, see “Risk Factors — Risks Relating to Argentina”, “Risks Relating to Uruguayan Free Zone Regulation” and “Other Risks Relating to the Countries in which We Operate.” in the 2019 Form 20-F.
The recent global outbreak of novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19)
Our business could be materially and adversely affected by the outbreak of COVID-19. The coronavirus or other epidemics or pandemics could potentially result in delayed deliveries of our vessels under construction, disrupt our operations and significantly affect global markets, affecting the demand for our services, the operation of our port terminal facilities, global demand for commodities, as well as the price of regional freights and hires, our port tariffs, and otherwise disrupt the operations of our customers and suppliers. For example, on March 17, 2020, we received a notice of force majeure from the shipyard (“CIE”) building the six liquid barges ordered during the third quarter of 2019, as a result of COVID-19. On May 4, 2020, CIE resumed construction works. As of the date hereof, the barges are expected to be delivered starting from the fourth quarter of 2020 through the first quarter of 2021.
If the impact of coronavirus continues or worsens, we may be unable to charter our vessels at the rates or for the length of time we currently expect, commence or complete the construction of our planned port terminal facilities in Port Murtinho, Brazil and in Nueva Palmira, Uruguay. The effects of the coronavirus remain uncertain, and, should customers be under financial pressure, this could negatively affect our charterers’ and clients’ willingness to perform their obligations to us. The loss or termination of any of our contracts, or a decline in payments thereunder, could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.
Any prolonged measure may affect our normal operations. All these measures have further affected the process of construction and repair of vessels, as well as the presence of workers in shipyards, of administrative personnel in their offices, and of seafarers. Any prolonged restrictive measures in order to control the novel coronavirus or other adverse global public health developments may have a material and adverse effect on our business operations and demand for our services generally.
Contract Rates
The shipping and logistics industry has been highly volatile in the recent past. In order to maximize the utilization of its fleet and storage capacity, the Company must be able to renew the contracts that utilize its fleet and ports upon the expiration or termination of current contracts. This ability depends upon economic conditions in the sectors in which the vessels, barges and pushboats operate, changes in the supply and demand for vessels, barges and pushboats and changes in the supply and demand for the transportation and storage of commodities.
Weather Conditions
As Navios Logistics specializes in the transportation and storage of liquid cargoes and dry bulk cargoes along the Hidrovia, any changes adversely affecting the region, such as low water levels, could reduce or limit Navios Logistics’ ability to effectively transport cargo.
Droughts and other adverse weather conditions, including any possible effects of climate change, could result in a decline in production of the agricultural products Navios Logistics transports and stores, and this could result in a reduction in demand for its services.
Foreign Currency Transactions
Navios Logistics’ operating results, which are reported in U.S. dollars, may be affected by fluctuations in the exchange rate between the U.S. dollar and other currencies. Navios Logistics uses the U.S. dollar as its functional and reporting currency. Therefore, revenue and expense accounts are translated into U.S. dollars at the exchange rate in effect at the date of each transaction. The balance sheets of Navios Logistics’ foreign operations are translated using the exchange rate at the balance sheet date except for property and equipment and equity, which are translated at historical rates.
Navios Logistics’ subsidiaries in Uruguay, Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay transact some of their operations in Uruguayan pesos, Argentinean pesos, Brazilian reales and Paraguayan guaranies, respectively; however, all of the subsidiaries’ primary cash flows are U.S. dollar-denominated. Transactions in currencies other than the functional currency are translated at the exchange rate in effect at the date of each transaction. Differences in exchange rates during the period between the date a transaction denominated in a foreign currency is consummated and the date on which it is either settled or translated are recognized in the statement of income.
See “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk” for additional discussion related to foreign currency transactions.
Inflation and Fuel Price Increases
The impact of inflation and the resulting pressure on prices in the South American countries in which Navios Logistics operates may not be fully neutralized by equivalent adjustments in the rate of exchange between the local currencies and the U.S. dollar. Fuel prices fluctuate significantly from time to time due to geopolitical events that may not correlate with changes to other prices. With respect to Navios Logistics’ vessel, barge and pushboat business, Navios Logistics has negotiated, and will continue to negotiate, crew cost adjustment and fuel price adjustment clauses; however, in some cases, the prices that Navios Logistics pays for fuel and crew costs are temporarily not aligned with the adjustments that Navios Logistics obtains under its freight contracts.
3