Ardmore Shipping (ASC) 6-KHighlights and Recent Activity

HAMILTON, Bermuda, Nov. 7, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Ardmore Shipping Corporation (NYSE: ASC) ("Ardmore", the "Company" or "we") today announced results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023.

Highlights and Recent Activity

• Reported net income of $20.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2023, or $0.49 earnings per basic and diluted share, compared to net income of $61.0 million, or $1.57 earnings per basic share and $1.52 earnings per diluted share for the three months ended September 30, 2022. We reported Adjusted earnings of $20.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2023, or $0.49 Adjusted earnings per basic and diluted share, compared to Adjusted earnings of $61.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2022, or $1.59 Adjusted earnings per basic share and $1.54 Adjusted earnings per diluted share (see Adjusted earnings in the Non-GAAP Measures section).
• Reported net income and of $87.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023, or $2.12 earnings per basic share and $2.09 earnings per diluted share, compared to net income of $82.0 million, or $2.27 earnings per basic and $2.22 earnings per diluted share, for the nine months ended September 30, 2022. We reported Adjusted earnings of $87.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023, or $2.12 Adjusted earnings per basic share and $2.09 Adjusted earnings per diluted share, compared to Adjusted earnings of $89.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2022, or $2.48 Adjusted earnings per basic share and $2.43 Adjusted earnings per diluted share (see Adjusted earnings in the Non-GAAP Measures section).
• Consistent with the Company's variable dividend policy of paying out dividends on its shares of common stock equal to one-third of Adjusted earnings, the Board of Directors declared a cash dividend on November 7, 2023, of $0.16 per common share for the quarter ended September 30, 2023. The dividend will be paid on December 15, 2023, to all shareholders of record on November 30, 2023.
• MR tankers earned an average spot TCE rate of $28,493 per day for the three months ended September 30, 2023. Chemical tankers earned an average TCE rate of $20,023 per day for the three months ended September 30, 2023. Based on approximately 50% total revenue days currently fixed for the fourth quarter of 2023, the average spot TCE rate is approximately $30,100 per day for MR tankers; based on approximately 60% of revenue days fixed for the fourth quarter of 2023, the average TCE rate for chemical tankers is approximately $23,000 per day.
• In the third quarter of 2023, we completed the installation of modular, carbon capture-ready scrubbers on two vessels during scheduled drydockings.

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

"MR and chemical tanker charter markets have remained robust through the typically slow summer months, with strong momentum leading into the seasonally stronger winter season. In addition, the combination of low refined product inventories and increasing geopolitical risk has led to recurring stretches of pronounced market volatility. Meanwhile, tanker supply growth remains constrained, with limited newbuilding deliveries and tight shipyard capacity through at least 2026.

In this operating environment, Ardmore's strategic priorities have been very consistent, including executing on the Company's long-standing capital allocation policy. While we continue to assess potential growth opportunities on an ongoing basis, we have instead placed emphasis on the very high returns offered by the installation of performance optimization and decarbonization technologies onboard our existing fleet, all while paying our shareholders an attractive quarterly dividend and reducing our financial leverage. We believe Ardmore's consistent focus on performance and progress places it in a strong position to continue building value, not just via spot exposure in these robust markets, but also via operational and financial efficiency over the long-term."

Summary of Recent and Third Quarter 2023 Events

Fleet

Fleet Operations and Employment

As of September 30, 2023, the Company had 26 vessels in operation (including four chartered-in vessels), consisting of 20 MR tankers ranging from 45,000 deadweight tonnes (dwt) to 49,999 dwt (15 Eco-Design and five Eco-Mod) and six Eco-Design IMO 2 product/chemical tankers ranging from 25,000 dwt to 37,800 dwt. The Company also commercially manages one of Carl Büttner's 24,000 dwt chemical tankers.

MR Tankers (45,000 dwt – 49,999 dwt)

At the end of the third quarter of 2023, the Company had 20 MR tankers in operation, all of which were trading in the spot market. The MR tankers earned an average TCE rate of $28,493 per day in the third quarter of 2023. In the third quarter of 2023, the Company's 15 MR Eco-Design tankers earned an average TCE rate of $25,932 and the Company's five MR Eco-Mod tankers earned an average TCE rate of $36,362 per day.

In the fourth quarter of 2023, the Company expects to have all revenue days for its MR tankers employed in the spot market. As of November 7, 2023, the Company had fixed approximately 50% of its total MR revenue days for the fourth quarter of 2023 at an average TCE rate of approximately $30,100 per day, which includes MR Eco-Design tankers at $30,800 per day and MR Eco-Mod tankers at $28,500 per day.

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

At the end of the third quarter of 2023, the Company had six Eco-Design IMO 2 product / chemical tankers in operation, all of which were trading in the spot market. During the third quarter of 2023, the Company's six Eco-Design product / chemical vessels earned an average TCE rate of $20,023 per day.

In the fourth quarter of 2023, the Company expects to have all revenue days for its Eco-Design IMO 2 product / chemical tankers employed in the spot market. As of November 7, 2023, the Company had fixed approximately 60% of its Eco-Design IMO 2 product / chemical tankers revenue days for the fourth quarter of 2023 at an average TCE rate of approximately $23,000 per day.

Drydocking

The Company had 151 drydocking days in the third quarter of 2023. The Company is currently scheduled to have 108 drydocking days in the fourth quarter of 2023.

Dividend on Common Shares

Consistent with the Company's variable dividend policy of paying out dividends on its shares of common stock equal to one-third of Adjusted earnings, as calculated for dividends (see Adjusted earnings (for purposes of dividend calculations) in the Non-GAAP Measures section), the Board of Directors declared a cash dividend on November 7, 2023, of $0.16 per common share for the quarter ended September 30, 2023. The dividend will be paid on December 15, 2023, to all shareholders of record on November 30, 2023.

Scrubber Installations

In the third quarter of 2023, the Company completed the installation of modular, carbon capture-ready scrubbers on two vessels during their scheduled drydockings. Prior to the end of 2024, the Company intends to install scrubber systems on an additional seven vessels during their scheduled drydockings.

Geopolitical Conflict

The ongoing conflict in Ukraine has disrupted energy supply chains, caused instability and significant volatility in the global economy and resulted in economic sanctions by several nations. The ongoing conflict has contributed significantly to related increases in spot tanker rates.

Geopolitical tensions have escalated further on a global basis, including the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict. Escalation or expansion of hostilities or such crisis, interventions by other groups or nations, the impositions of economic sanctions, disruption of shipping trade routes, or similar outcomes could affect the price of crude oil and the oil industry, the tanker industry, demand for the Company's services, its business, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.

Please see "Item 3. Key Information--Risk Factors" in the Company's Annual Report on Form 20-F for information about risks to the Company and its business relating to political instability, terrorist or other attacks, war or international hostilities and the conflict in Ukraine.

Results for the Three Months Ended September 30, 2023 and 2022

The Company reported net income of $20.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2023, or $0.49 earnings per basic and diluted share, as compared to net income of $61.0 million, or $1.57 earnings per basic and $1.52 earnings per diluted share for the three months ended September 30, 2022.

Results for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2023 and 2022

The Company reported net income of $87.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023, or $2.12 earnings per basic share and $2.09 earnings per diluted share, as compared to net income of $82.0 million, or $2.27 earnings per basic and $2.22 earnings per diluted share for the nine months ended September 30, 2022.

Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Results for the Three Months Ended September 30, 2023 and 2022

Revenue. Revenue for the three months ended September 30, 2023 was $86.9 million, a decrease of $55.5 million from $142.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2022.

The Company's average number of operating vessels was 26.0 for the three months ended September 30, 2023, compared to 27.0 for the three months ended September 30, 2022.

The Company had 2,185 spot revenue days for the three months ended September 30, 2023, as compared to 2,374 for the three months ended September 30, 2022. The Company had 26 vessels employed directly in the spot market as of September 30, 2023 and 2022. Changes in spot rates resulted in a decrease in revenue of $42.9 million and the decrease in spot revenue days resulted in a decrease in revenue of $11.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2023, as compared to the three months ended September 30, 2022.

The Company had no product tankers employed under time charter as of September 30, 2023, as compared to one as of September 30, 2022. There were no revenue days derived from time charters for the three months ended September 30, 2023, as compared to 92 for the three months ended September 30, 2022. The decrease in revenue days for time-chartered vessels resulted in a decrease in revenue of $1.4 million.

Voyage Expenses. Voyage expenses were $30.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2023, a decrease of $15.4 million from $46.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2022. The overall decrease included a $14.6 million decrease from lower bunker prices and a $1.0 million decrease in port and agency expenses plus commission costs.

TCE Rate. The average TCE rate for the Company's fleet was $26,347 per day for the three months ended September 30, 2023, a decrease of $13,961 per day from $40,308 per day for the three months ended September 30, 2022. The decrease in average TCE rate was primarily the result of lower spot rates for the three months ended September 30, 2023, as compared to the three months ended September 30, 2022, which was partially offset by a decrease in bunker prices. TCE rates represent net revenues (a non-GAAP measure representing revenue less voyage expenses) divided by revenue days. Net revenue utilized to calculate TCE is determined on a discharge-to-discharge basis, which is different from how we record revenue under U.S. GAAP.

Vessel Operating Expenses. Vessel operating expenses were $14.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2023, an increase of $1.1 million from $13.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2022. This increase was driven by a change in technical manager for four vessels, as well as the timing of certain vessel operating expenses between quarters. Vessel operating expenses, by their nature, are prone to fluctuations between periods.

Charter Hire Costs. Total charter hire expense was $4.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2023, a decrease of $0.4 million from $4.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2022. This decrease is the result of the Company having an average of 4.0 vessels chartered-in during the three months ended September 30, 2023, compared to an average of 4.5 vessels chartered-in for the three months ended September 30, 2022. Total charter hire expense for the three months ended September 30, 2023 was comprised of an operating expense component of $2.1 million and a vessel lease expense component of $2.0 million.

Depreciation. Depreciation expense for the three months ended September 30, 2023 was $6.9 million, a decrease of $0.4 million from $7.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2022. This decrease is attributable to the change in the scrap value of each vessel from $300 per lightweight ton ("lwt") to $400 per lwt during the first quarter of 2023.

Amortization of Deferred Drydock Expenditures. Amortization of deferred drydock expenditures for the three months ended September 30, 2023 was $0.7 million, a decrease of $0.3 million from $1.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2022. The deferred 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 September 30, 2023 were $5.1 million, a decrease of $0.7 million from $5.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2022. The decrease in costs was driven by non-recurring items, including refinancing-related fees of $0.4 million, incurred during the three months ended September 30, 2022, which did not occur during the three months ended September 30, 2023.

General and Administrative Expenses: Commercial and Chartering. Commercial and chartering expenses are the expenses attributable to Ardmore's chartering and commercial operations departments in connection with its spot trading activities. Commercial and chartering expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2023 were $1.1 million, an increase of $0.2 million from $0.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2022.

Unrealized Gains / (Losses) on Derivatives: We had no unrealized gains or losses on derivatives for the three months ended September 30, 2023, as compared to an unrealized gain of $3.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2022. The interest rate swap agreements expired in July 2023.

Interest Expense and Finance Costs. Interest expense and finance costs for the three months ended September 30, 2023 were $3.0 million, a decrease of $1.5 million from $4.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2022. The decrease in costs was primarily due to lower aggregate outstanding obligations following the refinancing of 19 vessels completed during the second half of 2022. Amortization of deferred finance fees for the three months ended September 30, 2023 was $0.3 million, with a slight decrease from $0.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2022.

Liquidity

As of September 30, 2023, the Company had $273.7 million in liquidity available, with cash and cash equivalents of $50.8 million (December 31, 2022: $50.6 million) and amounts available and undrawn under its revolving credit facilities of $222.9 million (December 31, 2022: $170.0 million). The following debt and lease liabilities (net of deferred finance fees) were outstanding as of the dates indicated:

Conference Call

The Company plans to host a conference call on November 7, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time to discuss its results for the quarter ended September 30, 2023. All interested parties are invited to listen to the live conference call and review the related 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'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 November 14, 2023 at 877–344–7529 or 412–317–0088. Enter the passcode 8627746 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 takes 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, through its modern, fuel-efficient fleet of mid-size tankers, seaborne transportation of petroleum products and chemicals worldwide to oil majors, national oil companies, oil and chemical traders, and chemical companies.

Ardmore's core strategy is to continue to develop a modern, high-quality fleet of product and chemical tankers, build key long-term commercial relationships and maintain its cost advantage in assets, operations and overhead, while creating synergies and economies of scale as the company grows. Ardmore provides its services to customers through voyage charters and time charters, and enjoys close working relationships with key commercial and technical management partners.

Ardmore's Energy Transition Plan ("ETP") focusses on three key areas: transition technologies, transition projects, and sustainable (non-fossil fuel) cargos. The ETP is an extension of Ardmore's strategy, building on its core strengths of tanker chartering, shipping operations, technical and operational fuel efficiency improvements, technical management, construction supervision, project management, investment analysis, and ship finance.

CO₂ Emissions Reporting⁽¹⁾

In April 2018, the International Maritime Organization's ("IMO") Marine Environment Protection Committee ("MEPC") adopted an initial strategy for the reduction of greenhouse gas ("GHG") emissions from ships, setting out a vision to reduce GHG emissions from international shipping and phase them out as soon as possible. Ardmore is committed to transparency and contributing to the reduction of CO₂ emissions in the Company's industry. Ardmore's reporting methodology is in line with the framework set out within the IMO's Data Collection System ("DCS") initiated in 2019.

On January 1, 2023 the BIMCO CII Operations Clause for Time Charter Parties came into force. This clause outlines that the charterer should take responsibility for a ship's emissions. On this basis, Ardmore's GHG emissions analysis has been updated to exclude the impact of ships time-chartered out and to include the impact of ships time-chartered in. Previously all vessels were included in Ardmore's analysis from the fleet except for vessels commercially managed by Ardmore.

Ardmore Performance

It should be noted that results vary quarter to quarter depending on ship activity, ballast / laden ratio, cargo carried, weather, waiting time, time in port and vessel speed. However, analysis is also presented on a trailing 12-month basis to provide a more accurate assessment of Ardmore's progress over a longer period and to mitigate seasonality. From a weather perspective rougher weather (based on Beaufort Scale wind force rating being greater than 4 BF) will generally have a mitigating impact on the ability to optimize fuel consumption while idle time will impact ships metrics as they will still require power to run but will not be moving. Overall Ardmore Shipping's carbon emissions for the trailing 12-month period increased from 375,263 metric tonnes to 420,298 metric tonnes of CO2, primarily due to increased distances travelled and heightened vessel speeds. Fleet EEOI for the period increased from 12.16 g / ctm to 13.37 g / ctm, primarily due to higher repositioning days on account of drydocks and heightened vessel speeds while AER increased from 5.93 g / tm to 6.10 g / tm, primarily due to heightened vessel speeds. Ardmore seeks to achieve improvements through a combination of technological advancements and operational optimization.

Non-GAAP Measures

EBITDA + vessel lease expense component (i.e. EBITDAR)

EBITDAR is defined as EBITDA (i.e. earnings before interest, loss on extinguishment, unrealized gains/(losses) on interest rate derivatives, profit/(loss) on equity method investments, taxes, depreciation and amortization) plus the vessel lease expense component of total charter hire expense for chartered-in vessels. Adjusted EBITDAR is defined as EBITDAR before certain items that Ardmore believes are not representative of its operating performance, including gain or loss on sale of vessels.

For the three months ended September 30, 2023, we recognized total charter hire expense of $4.1 million in respect of time charter-in vessels under operating leases. The total expense includes (i) $2.0 million in respect of the right to use the leased assets (i.e. vessel lease expense component), and (ii) $2.1 million in respect of the costs of operating the vessels (i.e. operating expense component). Under US GAAP, the expense related to the right to use the leased assets (i.e. capital component) is treated as an operating item on our consolidated statement of operations, and is not added back in our calculation of EBITDA. The treatment of operating lease expenses differs under US GAAP as compared to international financial reporting standards ("IFRS"). Under IFRS, the expense of an operating lease is presented in depreciation and interest expense.

Many companies in our industry report under IFRS; we therefore use EBITDAR and Adjusted EBITDAR as tools to compare our valuation with the valuation of these other companies in our industry. We do not use EBITDAR and Adjusted EBITDAR as measures of performance or liquidity. We present below reconciliations of net income / (loss) attributable to common stockholders to EBITDAR (which includes an adjustment for vessel lease operating expenses) and Adjusted EBITDAR.

EBITDAR and Adjusted EBITDAR, as presented, may not be directly comparable to similarly titled measures presented by other companies. In addition, EBITDAR and Adjusted EBITDAR should not be viewed as measures of overall performance since they exclude vessel rent, which is a normal, recurring cash operating expense related to our in-chartering of vessels that is necessary to operate our business. Accordingly, you are cautioned not to place undue reliance on this information.

EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted Earnings and Adjusted Earnings (for purposes of dividend calculations)

EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted earnings are not measures prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP and are defined and reconciled below. EBITDA is defined as earnings before interest, loss on extinguishment, unrealized gains/(losses) on interest rate derivatives, profit/(loss) on equity method investments, taxes, depreciation and amortization. Adjusted EBITDA is defined as EBITDA before certain items that Ardmore believes are not representative of its operating performance, including gain or loss on sale of vessels. Adjusted earnings excludes certain items from net income attributable to common stockholders, including gain or loss on sale of vessels and write-off of deferred finance fees (i.e., loss on extinguishment) because they are considered to not be representative of the Company's operating performance.

EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted earnings 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 Adjusted earnings as financial and operating measures assists investors in making investment decisions regarding the Company and its common stock.

For purposes solely of the quarterly common dividend calculation, Adjusted Earnings represents the Company's Adjusted earnings for the quarter ended September 30, 2023, but excluding the impact of unrealized gains / (losses) and certain non-recurring items.

These non-GAAP measures should not be considered in isolation from, as substitutes 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.

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 regarding: future operating or financial results, including future earnings; global and regional economic conditions and trends; shipping market trends and market fundamentals, including tanker demand and supply and future spot and charter rates; the potential effect of short-duration rate spikes in key regional markets; the Company's business strategies, initiatives and sustainability agenda, and related future outcomes; the potential effect of the recently declared Hamas-Israel war on the Company's business, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows; expected employment of the Company's vessels and expected drydocking days during the fourth quarter of 2023; management's estimates of the Depreciated Replacement Value (DRV) of its vessels and of the value of the Company's commercial management and pooling business; trends in the Company's performance as measured by energy efficiency and emission-reduction metrics; the impact of energy transition on the Company and the markets in which the Company operates; expected continuation of refinement by the Company of performance measures for emissions and efficiency; and the timing and payment of quarterly dividends by the Company. 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. The Company cautions readers of this release not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of their dates. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of the Company's future performance, and actual results and future developments may vary materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements.

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 strength of world economies and currencies; general market conditions, including fluctuations in spot and 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; a lack of simultaneous short-duration rate hikes in key regional markets; future developments relating to Russia's invasion of the Ukraine (including related sanctions and import bans) or the recently-declared Hamas-Israel war; changes in the Company's operating expenses, including bunker prices, drydocking and insurance costs; general domestic and international political conditions; geopolitical conflicts; potential disruption of shipping routes due to accidents, piracy or political events; the market for the Company's vessels; competition in the tanker industry; availability of financing and refinancing; changes in governmental rules and regulations or actions taken by regulatory authorities; the Company's ability to charter vessels for remaining revenue days during the fourth quarter of 2023 in the spot market; vessel breakdowns and instances of off-hire; the Company's operating results and capital requirements, and the declaration of any future dividends by the Company's board of directors; and other factors. Please see the Company's filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Company's Form 20–F for the year ended December 31, 2022, for a more complete discussion of these and other risks and uncertainties.