Danaos Corporation Reports First Quarter Results for the Period Ended March 31, 2023

ATHENS, Greece--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Danaos Corporation (“Danaos”) (NYSE: DAC), one of the world’s largest independent owners of containerships, today reported unaudited results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2023. Highlights for the First Quarter Ended March 31, 2023: Adjusted net income1 of $145.3 million, or $7.14 per share, for the three months ended March 31, 2023 compared to $235.3 million, or $11.36 per share, for the three months ended March 31, 2022, a decrease of 38.2%. Our adjusted net income for the three months ended March 31, 2022 included a non-recurring $110.0 million dividend from ZIM that accounted for $5.31 per share. Net income of $146.2 million, or $7.18 per share, for the three months ended March 31, 2023 compared to $331.5 million, or $16.00 per share, for the three months ended March 31, 2022. Our net income for the three months ended March 31, 2022 included a non-recurring $209.5 million total gain on ZIM investment that accounted for $10.11 per share. Cash and cash equivalents were $359.6 million as of March 31, 2023. Total liquidity was $730.8 million as of March 31, 2023, including undrawn available commitments under our Revolving Credit Facility. As of the date of this release, Danaos has repurchased in total 683,889 shares of its common stock in the open market for $40.5 million, under its share repurchase program of up to $100 million announced in June 2022. During the three months ended March 31, 2023, we invested $4.3 million for a 49% shareholding interest in a newly established company, Carbon Termination Technologies Corporation (“CTTC”), currently engaged in the research and development of decarbonization technologies for the shipping industry. Operating revenues of $243.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023 compared to $229.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022, an increase of 6.0%. During the last three months, we concluded new charter agreements for $380.7 million of contracted revenues that included $262.0 million related to 3-year charters for six under construction containerships expected to be delivered during the second half of 2024. On May 12, 2023, we made an early prepayment of our outstanding leaseback obligations related to two of our vessels, which amounted to $66.3 million as of March 31, 2023. As a result of this early prepayment, we currently have no lease obligations on the balance sheet. Adjusted EBITDA1 of $179.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023 compared to $269.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022, a decrease of 33.6%. Our adjusted EBITDA for the three months ended March 31, 2022 included a non-recurring $110.0 million dividend from ZIM. Total contracted cash operating revenues, on the basis of concluded charter contracts through the date of this release, were $2.3 billion as of March 31, 2023. The remaining average contracted charter duration was 3.2 years, weighted by aggregate contracted charter hire. Contracted operating days charter coverage is currently 97.3% for 2023, and 73.2% for 2024. As of March 31, 2023, Net Debt2 was $137.9 million, and Net Debt / LTM Adjusted EBITDA was 0.18x, while 44 of our vessels are debt-free currently. Danaos has declared a dividend of $0.75 per share of common stock for the first quarter of 2023, which is payable on June 7, 2023, to stockholders of record as of May 26, 2023. Three Months Ended March 31, 2023 Financial Summary - Unaudited (Expressed in thousands of United States dollars, except per share amounts) Three months ended Three months ended March 31, March 31, 2023 2022 Operating revenues $ 243,574 $ 229,901 Net income $ 146,201 $ 331,465 Adjusted net income1 $ 145,255 $ 235,297 Earnings per share, diluted $ 7.18 $ 16.00 Adjusted earnings per share, diluted1 $ 7.14 $ 11.36 Diluted weighted average number of shares (in thousands) 20,349 20,717 Adjusted EBITDA1 $ 179,040 $ 269,484 1 Adjusted net income, adjusted earnings per share and adjusted EBITDA are non-GAAP measures. Refer to the reconciliation of net income to adjusted net income and net income to adjusted EBITDA provided below. 2 Net Debt is defined as total debt gross of deferred finance costs less cash and cash equivalents. Danaos’ CEO Dr. John Coustas commented: “Danaos reports yet another solid quarter, despite the continuing geopolitical uncertainty and the turmoil in the financial markets. Box rates strengthened after the Chinese New Year due to the blank sailings and discipline on the part of liner companies. In addition, the charter market improved due to the very limited supply of charter-free vessels as well as the impact of speed reduction as charterers seek to comply with CII regulations. Danaos has continued its successful chartering and asset management strategy, driving steady and predictable performance and laying the groundwork for continued growth while also pursuing environmentally sound policies. Our chartering strategy delivered another strong quarter, and we have operating days charter coverage of 97% for 2023 and 73% for 2024. Our strong chartering capabilities and our business strategy continue to drive solid performance. In the first quarter, we successfully secured more than $380 million of contracted revenue through multi-year charters, including $262 million for all six new buildings that will be delivered to us in 2024. In addition, we have placed an order for two additional 6,000 TEU vessels of the latest eco design to be delivered in the fourth quarter of 2024 and the second quarter of 2025. Our modernization efforts that are key to the future of the Company, highlight our commitment to maintaining a high quality fleet while supporting the ongoing decarbonization of the industry. We are very well positioned to navigate the operating environment with the new regulatory requirements that are becoming very demanding and complex. Our very strong operating platform provides us significant competitive advantage in complying with upcoming regulations, while strengthening our value proposition and ties with our customers as the industry focuses on achieving environmental goals and closer cooperation between owners and charterers becomes increasingly important. We appreciate the ongoing support of our customers and employees and will continue to work diligently for the benefit of our shareholders.” Three months ended March 31, 2023 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2022 During the three months ended March 31, 2023, Danaos had an average of 68.3 containerships compared to 71.0 containerships during the three months ended March 31, 2022. Our fleet utilization for the three months ended March 31, 2023 was 96.8% compared to 97.4% for the three months ended March 31, 2022. Our adjusted net income amounted to $145.3 million, or $7.14 per share, for the three months ended March 31, 2023 compared to $235.3 million, or $11.36 per share, for the three months ended March 31, 2022. We have adjusted our net income in the three months ended March 31, 2023 for a $1.6 million gain on sale of vessel and a $0.7 million non-cash finance fees amortization. Please refer to the Adjusted Net Income reconciliation table, which appears later in this earnings release. The $90.0 million decrease in adjusted net income for the three months ended March 31, 2023 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2022 is primarily attributable to a $110.0 million dividend from ZIM (net of withholding taxes) recognized in the three months ended March 31, 2022. We also incurred a $2.6 million equity loss on investments in the three months ended March 31, 2023 and a $1.2 million increase in total operating expenses, which were partially offset by a $13.7 million increase in operating revenues and a $10.1 million decrease in net finance expenses. On a non-adjusted basis, net income amounted to $146.2 million, or $7.18 earnings per diluted share, for the three months ended March 31, 2023 compared to net income of $331.5 million, or $16.00 earnings per diluted share, for the three months ended March 31, 2022. Our net income for the three months ended March 31, 2022 included a total gain on our investment in ZIM of $209.5 million, net of withholding taxes on dividend. Operating Revenues Operating revenues increased by 6.0%, or $13.7 million, to $243.6 million in the three months ended March 31, 2023 from $229.9 million in the three months ended March 31, 2022. Operating revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2023 reflected: a $30.4 million increase in revenues in the three months ended March 31, 2023 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2022 mainly as a result of higher charter rates; a $3.3 million decrease in revenues in the three months ended March 31, 2023 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2022 due to vessel disposals; a $3.3 million decrease in revenues in the three months ended March 31, 2023 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2022 due to lower non-cash revenue recognition in accordance with US GAAP; and a $10.1 million decrease in revenues in the three months ended March 31, 2023 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2022 due to decreased amortization of assumed time charters. Vessel Operating Expenses Vessel operating expenses increased by $1.4 million to $40.6 million in the three months ended March 31, 2023 from $39.2 million in the three months ended March 31, 2022, primarily as a result of an increase in the average daily operating cost for vessels on time charter to $6,807 per vessel per day for the three months ended March 31, 2023 compared to $6,307 per vessel per day for the three months ended March 31, 2022, which was partially offset by a decrease in the average number of vessels in our fleet. The average daily operating cost increased mainly due to increased repair and maintenance and crew expenses. Management believes that our daily operating costs remain among the most competitive in the industry. Depreciation & Amortization Depreciation & Amortization includes Depreciation and Amortization of Deferred Dry-docking and Special Survey Costs. Depreciation Depreciation expense decreased by 5.4%, or $1.8 million, to $31.5 million in the three months ended March 31, 2023 from $33.3 million in the three months ended March 31, 2022 due to our recent sale of three vessels. Amortization of Deferred Dry-docking and Special Survey Costs Amortization of deferred dry-docking and special survey costs increased by $1.1 million to $3.8 million in the three months ended March 31, 2023 from $2.7 million in the three months ended March 31, 2022. General and Administrative Expenses General and administrative expenses decreased by $0.6 million to $6.8 million in the three months ended March 31, 2023, from $7.4 million in the three months ended March 31, 2022. The decrease was primarily attributable to decreased management fees due to the recent sale of three vessels and decreased stock-based compensation expenses. Other Operating Expenses Other Operating Expenses include Voyage Expenses. Voyage Expenses Voyage expenses increased by $0.7 million to $7.9 million in the three months ended March 31, 2023 from $7.2 million in the three months ended March 31, 2022 primarily as a result of the increase in commissions due to the increase in revenue per vessel, which was partially offset by a decrease in the average number of vessels in our fleet. Gain on Sale of Vessels In January 2023, we completed the sale of the Amalia C for net proceeds of $4.9 million resulting in a gain of $1.6 million. Interest Expense and Interest Income Interest expense decreased by 60.8%, or $10.4 million, to $6.7 million in the three months ended March 31, 2023 from $17.1 million in the three months ended March 31, 2022. The decrease in interest expense is a result of: a $5.7 million decrease in interest expense due to a decrease in our average indebtedness by $849.0 million between the two periods. Average indebtedness was $507.7 million in the three months ended March 31, 2023, compared to average indebtedness of $1,356.7 million in the three months ended March 31, 2022. This decrease was partially offset by an increase in our debt service cost by approximately 3.0%; a $3.4 million decrease in interest expense due to capitalized interest on our vessels under construction in the three months ended March 31, 2023 compared to none in the three months ended March 31, 2022; a $2.7 million decrease in the amortization of deferred finance costs and debt discount related to our refinancing; and a $1.4 million reduction of accumulated accrued interest that had been accrued in 2018 in relation to two of our credit facilities that were fully repaid in May 2022. As of March 31, 2023, outstanding debt, gross of deferred finance costs, was $431.1 million, which included $262.8 million aggregate principal amount of our Senior Notes, and our leaseback obligations of $66.3 million. These balances compare to debt of $1,118.6 million and a leaseback obligations of $210.2 million as of March 31, 2022. Interest income increased by $2.7 million to $2.7 million in the three months ended March 31, 2023 compared to nil in the three months ended March 31, 2022 mainly as a result of increased interest income earned on time deposits in the three months ended March 31, 2023. Gain on investments The gain on investments of $221.7 million in the three months ended March 31, 2022 consisted of the change in fair value of our shareholding interest in ZIM of $99.5 million and dividends recognized on ZIM ordinary shares of $122.2 million. In April and September 2022, we sold all of our remaining ordinary shares of ZIM for net proceeds of $246.6 million. Other finance expenses, net Other finance expenses, net increased by $0.4 million to $1.0 million in the three months ended March 31, 2023 compared to $0.6 million in the three months ended March 31, 2022 mainly due to an increase in commitment fees for our revolving credit facility. Equity loss on investments Equity loss on investments amounting to $2.6 million in the three months ended March 31, 2023 relates to our share of initial expenses of a newly established company, Carbon Termination Technologies Corporation (“CTTC”), currently engaged in the research and development of decarbonization technologies for the shipping industry. Loss on derivatives Amortization of deferred realized losses on interest rate swaps remained stable at $0.9 million in each of the three months ended March 31, 2023 and March 31, 2022. Other income/(expenses), net Other income, net was $0.2 million in the three months ended March 31, 2023 compared to other income, net of $0.5 million in the three months ended March 31, 2022. Income taxes Income taxes of $12.2 million in the three months ended March 31, 2022, related to the taxes withheld on dividend income earned on ZIM ordinary shares and compared to no income tax in the three months ended March 31, 2023. Adjusted EBITDA Adjusted EBITDA decreased by 33.6%, or $90.5 million, to $179.0 million in the three months ended March 31, 2023 from $269.5 million in the three months ended March 31, 2022. As outlined above, the decrease is primarily attributable to a recognition of a $110.0 million dividend from ZIM in the three months ended March 31, 2022. We also incurred a $1.7 million increase in total operating expenses and a $2.6 million equity loss on investments in the three months ended March 31, 2023, which were partially offset by a $23.8 million increase in operating revenues. Adjusted EBITDA for the three months ended March 31, 2023 is adjusted for a $1.6 million gain on sale of vessel. Tables reconciling Net Income to Adjusted EBITDA can be found at the end of this earnings release. Dividend Payment Danaos has declared a dividend of $0.75 per share of common stock for the first quarter of 2023, which is payable on June 7, 2023 to stockholders of record as of May 26, 2023. Recent Developments As of the date of this release, we have repurchased in total 683,889 shares of our common stock in the open market for $40.5 million, under our share repurchase program of up to $100 million announced in June 2022. On May 12, 2023, we made an early prepayment of our outstanding leaseback obligations related to two of our vessels, which amounted to $66.3 million as of March 31, 2023. On April 28, 2023, we entered into contracts for the construction of two 6,000 TEU container vessels with the latest eco design characteristics. The vessels are expected to be delivered in the fourth quarter of 2024 and second quarter of 2025, respectively. Conference Call and Webcast On Tuesday, May 16, 2023 at 9:00 A.M. ET, the Company's management will host a conference call to discuss the results. Participants should dial into the call 10 minutes before the scheduled time using the following numbers: 1 844 802 2437 (US Toll Free Dial In), 0800 279 9489 (UK Toll Free Dial In) or +44 (0) 2075 441 375 (Standard International Dial In). Please indicate to the operator that you wish to join the Danaos Corporation earnings call. A telephonic replay of the conference call will be available until May 23, 2023 by dialing 1 877 344 7529 (US Toll Free Dial In) or 1-412-317-0088 (Standard International Dial In) and using 9465910# as the access code. Audio Webcast There will also be a live and then archived webcast of the conference call on the Danaos website (www.danaos.com). Participants of the live webcast should register on the website approximately 10 minutes prior to the start of the webcast. Slide Presentation A slide presentation regarding the Company and the containership industry will also be available on the Danaos website (www.danaos.com). About Danaos Corporation Danaos Corporation is one of the largest independent owners of modern, large-size containerships. Our current fleet of 68 containerships aggregating 421,293 TEUs and 8 under construction containerships aggregating 58,398 TEUs ranks Danaos among the largest containership charter owners in the world based on total TEU capacity. Our fleet is chartered to many of the world's largest liner companies on fixed-rate charters. Our long track record of success is predicated on our efficient and rigorous operational standards and environmental controls. Danaos Corporation's shares trade on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "DAC". Forward-Looking StatementsRead the full story here

Danaos Corporation Reports First Quarter Results for the Period Ended March 31, 2023

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