TEN Celebrates 25 years as a Public Company – To Ring the Opening Bell at the NYSE on March 14, 2018

30% Fleet Expansion Successfully Completed

15 New Vessels All with Long Term Contracts to Solid Counterparties

RECENT HIGHLIGHTS

  • Net income for the year 2017 of $20.4 million before non-cash items (impairment charges and loss on sale of vessels).
  • Net income in the fourth quarter 2017 of $2.7 million before non-cash items (impairment charges and loss on sale of vessels).
  • Strong balance sheet and cash liquidity at $202.7 million as of December 31, 2017.
  • 77% of fleet under secured contracts with $1.3 billion in minimum revenues and average charter life of 2.6 years.
  • Average TCE per vessel at approx. $19,000 per day outperforms market. Further reductions in vessel daily operating expenses at $7,688 despite a weak dollar. 
  • Maintained outstanding fleet utilization at 98% in the fourth quarter 2017.
  • 15-vessel newbuilding program successfully completed in Q4 2017.
  • Sale of two 2005-built suezmax tankers through a sale and leaseback transaction generating $15.6 million of free cash.
  • Fleet of 65 vessels, totaling 7.2 million dwt, consisting of 47 tankers that trade in the crude space, three shuttle tankers, 13 tankers carrying products and two LNG vessels.
  • Dividend of $0.05 per common share paid in December 2017 and new dividend of $0.05 per common share declared for payment on May 10, 2018.

ATHENS, Greece, March 12, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- TEN, Ltd (TEN) (NYSE:TNP) (the “Company”) today reported results (unaudited) for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2017.

YEAR-END 2017 RESULTS
Gross revenue amounted to $529.2 million, a 9.8% increase over 2016, due to the increase of the fleet by seven new vessels on long term attractive contracts.

EBITDA (Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization) totaled $216.3 million adjusted, while operating income amounted to $76.3 million before non-cash impairment charges and the loss on the sale of two suezmax vessels through a sale and leaseback transaction. The daily time charter equivalent (TCE) for the fleet (voyage revenue less voyage expenses) averaged $18,931 for the year, well above the spot market average for 2017, in all categories of vessels we operate.

Net income, excluding the above non-cash items, reached $20.4 million. 

Continuous proactive vessel management together with the scale of our technical managers assisted in reducing daily vessel operating expenses to $7,688 from $7,763 in 2016, despite the impact of a weaker US dollar. Efficient cost management also contributed to lower average daily overheads (G&A, management fees) per vessel which experienced a significant drop by 13.4%.

Depreciation and dry-docking amortization costs were $139.0 million due to fleet growth.

Interest and finance costs reached $56.8 million due to increased loan expenses and interest on the loans drawn down for the newly delivered vessels to the fleet.

FOURTH QUARTER 2017 RESULTS
TEN generated gross revenues of $134.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2017, a 2.9% increase over the $130.7 million revenue earned in the fourth quarter of 2016, the increase being mainly due to the addition of 7.4 modern vessels, on average, between the two fourth quarters.

Revenues net of voyage expenses (bunker, port expenses and commissions) for the same period were $106.6 million, a 7.6% increase from the same quarter of 2016 while total voyage expenses declined by 11.8% as more of the fleet’s vessels were placed under time-charters.

Net income for the quarter was at $2.7 million before the non-cash items mentioned above.

During the fourth quarter 2017, the vessels on time charter contracts generated $90.5 million gross revenue, enough to cover all the operating, overhead and finance costs of the whole fleet. Vessels on spot charters, despite the softness in that market, contributed an additional $21 million of revenue after bunker and port expenses, indicating that the expected improvement in spot rates, after the majority of the current orderbook delivers, will have a significantly positive impact on TEN’s bottom line.

Despite a difficult tanker market due to a temporary surplus vessel capacity and production cuts by leading suppliers, which resulted in market spot rates in several sectors falling to exceptionally low levels, TEN’s vessels, which primarily operate under secured contracts,  achieved an average daily net revenue per vessel of $18,343, a comparatively high rate compared to the spot market. During the quarter, the fleet achieved a notable 98% utilization rate.

Operating income before non-cash items came in at $15.9 million and daily operating expenses per vessel remained at economic levels at $7,823 despite a 9.3% weakening of the US dollar against the Euro, which affected crew costs and repair costs. Average daily overheads per vessel (G&A, management fees) fell by 2.9%.

In October 2017, TEN took delivery of the aframax newbuilding Bergen TS, bringing to completion the newbuilding program of 15 vessels. The Bergen TS immediately started its pre-arranged long-term charter, as with all the preceding newbuildings joining the fleet.

Interest and finance costs in the fourth quarter of 2017 totaled $13.7 million, an increase over the 2016 fourth quarter partly due to the new financing obtained for the new building program and market increases in the applicable LIBOR rate.  This was offset by gains achieved from bunker hedges.

TEN’s balance sheet remained strong with cash balances at $202.7 million as of December 31, 2017. Net debt to capital at December 31, 2017 was at a healthy 50.9%. Adjusted EBITDA in the fourth quarter amounted to $52.9 million.

Other Developments
On December 21, 2017 TEN sold the 2005-built suezmax tankers, Euronike and Eurochampion 2004 to third-party entities, for $65.2 million and chartered them back on a bareboat basis for five years as part of a sale and leaseback deal. The sale resulted in a non-cash loss of $3.9 million, but related debt of $36.0 million was prepaid leaving $15.6 million of free cash immediately available.

Following internal impairment tests, our oldest vessels, the 1998-built VLCC Millennium and the 2002-built suezmax Silia T, were determined to have carrying values in excess of fair value as assessed by independent brokers. Consequently, an impairment charge of $8.9 million was incurred.

Dividend – Common Shares
The Company will pay a dividend of $0.05 per common share on May 10, 2018 to shareholders of record as of May 3, 2018. Inclusive of this payment, TEN will have distributed a total of $10.65 per share in uninterrupted dividends to its common shareholders since the Company’s listing on the NYSE in March 2002.

Corporate Strategy
2018 started with TEN operating the largest fleet in its 25 year history, 77% of which in secured contracts averaging 2.7 years with minimum secured revenues of $1.3 billion. Of the vessels under those fixed contracts, 40% have the ability to capture market upswings through pre-agreed profit sharing provisions which together with the vessels operating in pure spot contracts, empower the Company with significant cash generating muscle when rates firm, expected in mid to late 2018.       

TEN continues to position its fleet to safeguard cashflows to meet all 65 vessels’ costs and expenses, while having a large enough complement of spot and profit-share chartered vessels have the flexibility to take advantage of rate changes and evolving trading patterns.  Management will continue to adapt its chartering policy to conform to these norms and adjust the fleet’s employment profile accordingly, but always cognizant of its stated strategy of smoothing market cyclicality while offering visibility to its investors.

In terms of fleet management, growth opportunities will continue to be explored and assessed provided they do not add undue burden on TEN’s balance sheet. Conversely, vessel divestments, particularly relating to our first-generation tankers, will become more important as asset prices recover, as expected, when the current schedule of newbuilding deliveries, mostly ordered on speculation, begins to decline.

“As we enter our 25th year, we are proud to report profits in such a challenging environment. TEN’s tried and tested strategy of providing downside protection while allowing for the flexibility to capture rate hikes, has proved effective once again. The markets are gradually positioning for an upturn and TEN is well placed to reap those rewards as they will occur,” Mr. Nikolas P. Tsakos, President and CEO of TEN commented. “I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of our associates and partners for their support and continuous efforts these 25 years and especially our men and women that serve on our vessels together with our onshore colleagues, the Board of Directors and management of TEN,” Mr. Tsakos concluded.

Conference Call:
As previously announced, today, Monday, March 12, 2018 at 10:00 a.m Eastern Time, TEN will host a conference call to review the results as well as management's outlook for the business. The call, which will be hosted by TEN's senior management, may contain information beyond that which is included in the earnings press release.

Conference Call details:
Participants should dial into the call 10 minutes before the scheduled time using the following numbers: 1 866 819 7111 (US Toll Free Dial In), 0800 953 0329 (UK Toll Free Dial In) or +44 (0)1452 542 301 (Standard International Dial In). Please quote "Tsakos" to the operator. A telephonic replay of the conference call will be available until Monday, March 19, 2018 by dialling 1 866 247 4222 (US Toll Free Dial In), 0800 953 1533 (UK Toll Free Dial In) or +44 (0)1452 550 000 (Standard International Dial In). Access Code: 90295809#

Simultaneous Slides and Audio Webcast:
There will also be a simultaneous live, and then archived, slides webcast of the conference call, available through TEN's website (www.tenn.gr). The slides webcast will also provide details related to fleet composition and deployment and other related company information. This presentation will be available on the Company's corporate website reception page at www.tenn.gr. Participants for the live webcast should register on the website approximately 10 minutes prior to the start of the webcast.

ABOUT TEN
TEN, founded in 1993, is one of the first and most established public shipping companies in the world today. TEN’s fleet consists of 65 double-hull vessels, constituting a mix of crude tankers, product tankers and LNG carriers, totaling 7.2 million dwt. Of these, 47 vessels trade in crude, 13 in products, three are shuttle tankers and two are LNG carriers.

ABOUT FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Except for the historical information contained herein, the matters discussed in this press release are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those predicted by such forward-looking statements. TEN undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

For further information please contact:
Company
Tsakos Energy Navigation Ltd.
George Saroglou
COO
+30210 94 07 710
gsaroglou@tenn.gr
Investor Relations / Media
Capital Link, Inc.
Nicolas Bornozis
Paul Lampoutis
+212 661 7566 ten@capitallink.com


             
TSAKOS ENERGY NAVIGATION LIMITED AND SUBSIDIARIES
Selected Consolidated Financial and Other Data
(In Thousands of U.S. Dollars, except share, per share and fleet data)
             
   Three months ended  Year ended
   December 31 (unaudited)  December 31
 STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS DATA 2017   2016   2017   2016 
             
 Voyage revenues$134,517  $130,664  $529,182  $481,790 
             
 Voyage expenses 27,873   31,585   113,403   106,403 
 Charter hire expense 311   -   311   - 
 Vessel operating expenses 46,579   38,959   173,864   146,546 
 Depreciation and amortization 36,518   31,737   139,020   113,420 
 General and administrative expenses 7,300   6,626   26,324   25,611 
 Loss on sale of vessels 3,860   -   3,860   - 
 Vessel impairment charge 8,922   -   8,922   - 
 Total expenses 131,363   108,907   465,704   391,980 
             
   Operating  income 3,154   21,757   63,478   89,810 
             
 Interest and finance costs, net (13,693)   (10,068)   (56,839)   (35,873) 
 Interest income 268   179   1,082   623 
 Other, net 598   626   1,464   1,935 
 Total other expenses, net (12,827)   (9,263)   (54,293)   (33,315) 
   Net (loss) income (9,673)   12,494   9,185   56,495 
             
   Less: Net income attributable to the noncontrolling interest (413)   (558)   (1,573)   (712) 
 Net (loss) income attributable to Tsakos Energy Navigation Limited$(10,086)    $11,936  $7,612    $55,783 
             
 Effect of preferred dividends (6,642)   (3,969)   (23,776)   (15,875) 
 Net (loss) income  attributable to common stockholders of Tsakos Energy Navigation Limited$(16,728)  $7,967  $(16,164)  $39,908 
             
 (Loss) Earnings per share, basic and diluted$(0.19)  $0.10   $(0.19)  $0.47  
             
 Weighted average number of common shares, basic and diluted 85,884,192   83,720,866   84,713,572   84,905,078 
             


 BALANCE SHEET DATA   December 31   December 31 
   2017   2016 
 Cash 202,673   197,773 
 Other  assets 140,909   186,210 
 Vessels, net 3,028,404   2,677,061 
 Advances for vessels  under construction 1,650   216,531 
   Total assets  $3,373,636    $3,277,575 
         
 Debt, net of deferred finance costs 1,751,869   1,753,855 
 Other liabilities 113,629   106,270 
 Stockholders' equity 1,508,138   1,417,450 
   Total liabilities and stockholders' equity  $3,373,636    $3,277,575 
           


   Three months ended  Year ended
 OTHER FINANCIAL DATA December 31 (unaudited)  December 31
   2017    2016   2017    2016 
 Net cash from operating activities$30,772   $32,204  $170,340   $170,354 
 Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities$15,489   $(224,160)  $(241,830)   $(576,075) 
 Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities$(62,250)   $159,683  $73,477   $303,822 
               
 TCE per ship per day$18,343   $19,466  $18,931   $20,412 
               
 Operating expenses per ship per day$7,823   $7,557  $7,688   $7,763 
 Vessel overhead costs per ship per day$1,226   $1,262  $1,152   $1,331 
   9,049    8,819   8,840    9,094 
               
 FLEET DATA             
               
 Average number of vessels during period 62.7    57.1   60.6    52.6 
 Number of vessels at end of period 65.0    58.0   65.0    58.0 
 Average age of fleet at end of period Years7.7    7.9   7.7    7.9 
 Dwt at end of period (in thousands) 7,237    6,216   7,237    6,216 
               
 Time charter employment - fixed rate  Days2,499    1,835   9,109    6,959 
 Time charter employment - variable rate  Days1,810    1,233   6,357    3,850 
 Period employment (coa) at market rates  Days276    271   1,093    947 
 Spot voyage employment at market rates  Days1,229    1,798   5,536    6,814 
   Total operating days 5,814    5,137   22,095    18,570 
   Total available days  5,954    5,250   22,850    19,244 
   Utilization 97.6%    97.8%   96.7%    96.5% 


 Non-GAAP Measures
               
   Reconciliation of Net (loss) income to Adjusted Net income
               
   Three months ended  Year ended
   December  31  December 31
   2017    2016  2017   2016
               
 Net (loss) income attributable to Tsakos Energy Navigation Limited$(10,086)    11,936 $7,612  $55,783
 Loss on sale of vessels 3,860    -  3,860    -
 Vessel impairment charge 8,922    -  8,922    -
 Adjusted net income attributable to Tsakos Energy Navigation Limited$2,696   $11,936 $20,394  $55,783
               
 Calculation of Adjusted Earnings per Share
               
   Three months ended  Year ended
   December  31  December 31
   2017    2016  2017   2016
               
 Adjusted net income attributable to Tsakos Energy Navigation Limited$2,696    11,936 $20,394  $55,783
               
 Weighted average number of common shares, basic and diluted 85,884,192    83,720,866  84,713,572    84,905,078
               
 Adjusted earnings per share attributable to Tsakos Energy Navigation Limited$0.03   $0.14 $0.24  $0.66
               
 Reconciliation of Net (loss) income to Adjusted EBITDA
               
   Three months ended  Year ended
   December  31  December 31
   2017    2016  2017   2016
               
 Net (loss) income attributable to Tsakos Energy Navigation Limited$(10,086)   $11,936 $7,612  $55,783
 Depreciation and amortization 36,518    31,737  139,020   113,420
 Interest expense 13,693    10,068  56,839   35,873
 Loss on sale of vessels 3,860    -  3,860    -
 Vessel impairment charge 8,922    -  8,922    -
 Adjusted EBITDA$52,907   $53,741 $216,253  $205,076
               
 The Company reports its financial results in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). However, management believes that certain non-GAAP measures used within the financial community  may provide users of this financial information additional meaningful comparisons between current results and results in prior operating periods as well as comparisons between the performance of us and other shipping companies. Management also uses these non-GAAP financial measures in making financial, operating and planning decisions and in evaluating the Company’s performance. We are using the following  Non-GAAP measures:
 (i) TCE which represents voyage revenues less voyage expenses divided by the number of operating days.            
 (ii) Vessel overhead costs are General & Administrative expenses, which also include Management fees, Stock compensation expense and Management incentive award.
 (iii) Operating expenses per ship per day which exclude Management fees, General & Administrative expenses, Stock compensation expense and Management incentive award.
 (iv) Adjusted net income, adjusted earnings per share and adjusted EBITDA. See above for reconciliation to net (loss) income and earnings per share, respectively.
 Our presentation of adjusted net income, adjusted earnings per share and adjusted EBITDA should not be contrued as an influence that our future results will be unaffected by unusual or non-recurring items.Non-GAAP financial measures should be viewed in addition to and not as an alternative for, the Company’s reported results prepared in accordance with GAAP.
 The Company does not incur corporation tax.             


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