Nordic American Tanker Shipping Ltd. (NYSE:NAT) – Announces Dividend and Earnings in respect of the 4th Quarter of 2007

Hamilton, Bermuda, February 12th, 2008
 
 
Nordic American Tanker Shipping Ltd. (“Nordic American” or “the Company”) today announced its results for the 4th quarter of 2007. The Company’s results improved in 4Q07 compared to 3Q07. After a weak period up to early December the spot tanker market turned around quickly. In January 2008 our vessels achieved about $45,000 per day – compared with an average of about $27,000 during 4Q07.  The recent instability in the financial markets has not impacted the results of the Company.
 
The Company’s operating cash flow has enabled the Company to declare a dividend of $0.50 per share for 4Q07 while the dividend was $0.40 in the 3Q07.  The Company has now declared a dividend for 42 consecutive quarters since the autumn of 1997 when our first three vessels were delivered. For the last four quarters, including the dividend to be paid for 4Q07, a total of $3.31 has been declared in dividend.
 
Based upon the premise that a significantly weakened development of the world economy can be avoided in the time to come, it is expected that 2008 should be another good year for Nordic American.
 
Highlights:
  • Our fleet now consists of 14 double hull suezmax tankers including the two newbuildings to be delivered in 4Q09 and in April 2010.   In the autumn of 2004 the Company had three suezmax tankers.
  • The Board of Directors has declared a dividend of $0.50 per share for the 4th quarter of 2007. The dividend is expected to be paid on March 7th, 2008, to shareholders of record as of February 22nd, 2008.
  • Net income for 4Q07 was $0.06 per share based on the average number of shares outstanding during the quarter – 29,975,312 – the same number of shares issued and outstanding as of December 31st, 2007. Loss of income and other one time costs, discussed later in this release, has reduced the earnings per share by approximately $0.16 per share for the quarter.
  • In 4Q07 total offhire was 80 days related to planned drydocking, steel replacements and repairs.
  • The consolidation of our commercial and technical operations has now been completed and is expected to create cost and income synergies going forward.
  • Several shipping companies have decided to convert single hull oil tankers into dry cargo vessels and into vessels for the offshore oil industry, thereby moderating the growth in the world tanker fleet.
 
Dividends per Share, Earnings per Share and Financial Information:
 
The operating cash flow(1) was $17.2m for 4Q07, compared to $13.8m for 3Q07 and $26.6m for 4Q06.
 
The Board has declared a dividend of $0.50 per share in respect of 4Q07. A dividend of $0.40 per share was declared for 3Q07.  The dividend for 4Q06 was $1.00 per share. The development of the dividend is above all a direct reflection of the level of the volatile spot tanker market.
 
Net income for 4Q07 was $1.7m, or $0.06 per share (EPS).  This compares to a net income of -$1.2m or     -$0.04 per share for 3Q07. In 4Q06, net income was $13.7m, or $0.52 per share.  In 4Q07 the Company incurred one time costs equivalent to $0.07 per share due to loss of income following the drydocking of one vessel and time lost during steel repairs. The results for 4Q07 also reflect non-cash pension costs of $2.7m (or $0.09 per share) of which $0.9m relates to 2007 and $1.8m relates to prior periods in connection with the previously disclosed implementation of a pension arrangement established in 2007 for the Company’s Chief Executive Officer. The CEO has had his position since the inception of the Company in 1995 and has no plans to retire from his present position.
 
In the 4th quarter one of our vessels underwent a 10-year special survey and steel replacement with a loss of 80 income days. The costs of the extra steel investments are not expected to impact dividends going forward and are depreciated as capital costs. 
 
We consider our general and administrative costs per day per ship to be at a low level. We also continue to have a strong focus on keeping the operating costs of our vessels low. However, we note the continuing upward pressure across the shipping industry on vessel operating costs – above all related to crewing costs, lubricating oil costs and repair and maintenance costs.  
 
The Company does not engage in freight or interest derivatives.
 
We estimate that our average cash breakeven for our fleet of 12 vessels (excluding the two newbuildings) is approximately $9,800 per day per vessel.  When the freight market is above this level, the Company can be expected to pay dividends based on its strategy. The breakeven rate is the amount of average daily revenues for our vessels which would cover our vessel operating expenses, voyage expenses, if any, cash general and administrative expenses, interest expense and other financial charges.

The debt financing of the two newbuildings, is not expected to impact dividend payments to shareholders nor earnings in the period up to delivery of the vessels. A deposit of 10% of the purchase price was paid in November 2007 in the aggregate amount of $18m for both vessels.  Further payments will be made in the autumn of 2008, in 2009 and at the time of delivery of the vessels.
 
At the end of 4Q07, our net debt was approximately $7.7m per vessel or $92.2m in total. At the same time we have approximately $394m undrawn under our $500m revolving credit facility with maturity in 2010.  There is no repayment obligation during the term of the facility, and the Company pays interest only on drawn amounts, and a commitment fee for undrawn amounts. The Company has one of the strongest balance sheets in the tanker industry, providing flexibility for the Company if a weaker freight environment should occur. Some shipping companies are now facing challenges when it comes to financing their large newbuilding programs as shipping banks are more restrictive than before in granting credit.
 
For further details on our financial results, please see later in this release.
 
 
The Fleet:
 
Eleven of the Company’s 12 trading vessels are employed in the spot market, while one vessel remains employed on a long-term fixed rate charter.
 
By way of comparison, in the autumn of 2004 the Company had three vessels; at the end of 2005 the Company had eight vessels; and at the end of 2006 the Company had 12 vessels. During 4Q07, we also had 12 vessels in operation. With the two newbuildings announced in November 2007, the Company will have a fleet of 14 vessels.
 
 
Vessel                         Dwt            Employment
Gulf Scandic                151,475        Long term fixed charter
Nordic Hawk               151,475        Spot
Nordic Hunter              151,400        Spot
Nordic Voyager           149,591        Spot
Nordic Fighter              153,328        Spot
Nordic Freedom           163,455        Spot
Nordic Discovery         153,328        Spot
Nordic Saturn               157,332        Spot
Nordic Jupiter              157,411        Spot
Nordic Cosmos            159,998        Spot
Nordic Moon                159,999        Spot
Nordic Apollo               159,999        Spot
Newbuilding                 163,000        Delivery 4Q09
Newbuilding                 163,000        Delivery by end April 2010
Total                       2,194,791
 
 
The consolidation of our commercial operations has been completed.  The Company is now working together with Frontline Ltd. (NYSE: FRO) and the private Stena group of Sweden – both world names in the tanker industry. These arrangements are expected to create synergies through economies of scale, resulting in a positive impact on our overall results. At the same time we have consolidated our technical operating functions and V.Ships Norway AS is managing 11 of our vessels.  The changeover has resulted in one-time costs of about $700,000 which are reflected in our results for 2007 and of which $370,000 are related to 4Q07. Going forward, the consolidation should facilitate cost efficient crew rotation and provide for economies of scale, which should positively impact the operating cost level for the ships.
 
One vessel will be in scheduled drydock in 1Q08, with an expected loss of 25 income days.
 
 
The Market:
 
The average daily rate for our spot vessels was about $27,000 per day net to us during 4Q07 compared with $24,600 for 3Q07. Typically, when freight rates are increasing, as they did as from early December 2007 and towards the end of the year, a few weeks will elapse before this increase is translated into improved results for our Company as our ships normally at any given point in time have employment a few weeks ahead.  Conversely, in a decreasing spot market the freight income will be higher than the daily spot market rates for a while. We expect that freight rates may continue to fluctuate significantly.
 
The graph above shows the average yearly spot rates as from 2000 as reported by R.S. Platou Economic Research a.s.
 
The world’s suezmax fleet stood at 354 vessels at the end of the 4Q07, compared to 352 vessels at the end of 3Q07.  Four new vessels were delivered during 4Q07 while two vessels were converted.  19 vessels are scheduled to be delivered from the shipyards in 2008, and the total suezmax orderbook stood at 131 vessels at the end of December 2007. At the same time, there are 53 single hull vessels still in service but they are expected to be phased out from the tanker trade by 2010 due to international legislative changes. A recent high profile pollution incident in Korean waters has further damaged the weak position of single hull tankers. We believe that this development is advantageous for our Company, which owns only double hull tankers. Following the strength of the offshore oil industry and the dry cargo market, both single hull suezmax tankers and very large crude carriers are being withdrawn from the tanker market as they are converted to other purposes – such as offshore vessels and dry bulk carriers. From January 2006 through the end of 2007 about 10 million dwt of tanker tonnage has been scheduled for conversion to nontanker purposes. This development has the effect of dampening tanker supply growth. We expect a marginal increase of the suezmax tanker fleet during 2008.  Some single hull vessels may be scrapped – depending on the level of the suezmax tanker market going forward.
 
Deliveries of new tankers from shipyards over the next few years can be estimated with a high degree of certainty.  The shipyards are expected to operate more or less at full capacity with their present orderbooks, and new orders placed for suezmax tankers are typically for delivery in 2011 or later. There is always potential for slippage, with delivery of some vessels from the yards being delayed compared with the original schedules.
 
The level of the tanker market in the longer term is essentially a function of supply and demand for tanker tonnage. In addition to the supply of new vessels from the ship yards, adjusted for phasing out single hull tonnage and for other vessel deletions, the level of the tanker market in the foreseeable future is above all dependent on the development of the world economy. So far we have not seen that the instability of the financial markets have impacted trade flows in the crude oil business.  Far Eastern countries and other emerging areas including South America, are showing strong economic growth, which to some extent is balancing out the economic challenges in the United States and the Western world.
 
World oil demand is one important indicator of demand for tanker tonnage. The graph shows that the world oil demand has increased each year the last 20 years with the exception of 1993. The oil demand has demonstrated resistance to recessions, bubbles and international conflicts.
 
 
 
Strategy going forward:
 
The operations of the Company are based on its unique and transparent operating model. Some other listed companies have on occasions changed policies and invested in sectors outside of their core business. In the foreseeable future we intend to stick to our operating model and to our core business. Investors can rely on Nordic American to continue to be predictable. Going forward, our policy is that growth should be accretive; that is, after an acquisition of vessels or other forms of expansion, the Company should be able to pay higher dividend than before such an event. A full dividend payout policy with high spot market exposure and a strong balance sheet should provide for a competitive yield compared with other shipping companies.  
 
We focus on a cost efficient management of the Company, both in regard to the operating expenses of the vessels and general and administrative expenses (G&A). The Company’s G&A costs continue to be among the lowest in the industry. 
 
We regard it as extremely important that the interests of management are aligned with those of shareholders.
 
The Company’s exposure to the spot market is based on our analysis showing that the spot market over time can be expected to produce higher revenues on average than the time charter market.  A certain amount of term charter coverage is also being contemplated from time to time.
 
The main objective of the Company is to maximize its risk adjusted total return(2) for shareholders via a transparent, predictable and simple strategic platform. 
 
 
* * * * *
________________________
(1)  Operating cash flow is a non-GAAP financial term often used by investors to measure financial performance of shipping companies.  Operating cash flow represents income from vessel operations before depreciation and non-cash administrative charges.  Please see page 7 for a reconciliation of this non-GAAP measure as used in this release to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure.
 
(2)  The total return is based on the price for our common shares plus dividends reinvested in our common shares.
 
 
 
CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING 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. The words “believe,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “estimate,” “forecast,” “project,” “plan,” “potential,” “may,” “should,” “expect,” “pending” and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements.
The forward-looking statements in this press release are based upon various assumptions, many of which are based, in turn, upon further assumptions, including without limitation, our management’s examination of historical operating trends, data contained in our records and other data available from third parties.  Although we believe 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 our control, we cannot assure you that we will achieve or accomplish these expectations, beliefs or projections.  We undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
Important factors that, in our 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 charter rates and vessel values, changes in demand in the tanker market, as a result of changes in OPEC’s petroleum production levels and world wide oil consumption and storage, changes in our operating expenses, including bunker prices, drydocking and insurance costs, the market for our vessels, availability of financing and refinancing, changes in governmental rules and regulations or actions taken by regulatory authorities, potential liability from pending or future litigation, general domestic and international political conditions, potential disruption of shipping routes due to accidents or political events, vessels breakdowns and instances of off-hire, failure on the part of a seller to complete a sale to us and other important factors described from time to time in the reports filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the prospectus and related prospectus supplement, our Annual Report on Form 20-F, and our Reports on Form 6-K.
 
Contacts:
Scandic American Shipping Ltd 
Manager for:
Nordic American Tanker Shipping Limited
P.O Box 56, 3201 Sandefjord, Norway
Tel: + 47 33 42 73 00 E-mail:  nat@scandicamerican.com
Rolf Amundsen, Investor Relations
Nordic American Tanker Shipping Limited
Tel: +1 800 601 9079 or + 47 908 26 906
 
Gary J. Wolfe
Seward & Kissel LLP, New York, USA
Tel: +1 212 574 1223
 
Turid M. Sørensen, CFO
Nordic American Tanker Shipping Limited
Tel:  + 47 33 42 73 00 or + 47 905 72 927
 
Herbjørn Hansson, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
Nordic American Tanker Shipping Limited
Tel:  +1 866 805 9504 or + 47 901 46 291
 

4th quarter 2007 Results