Mon 23 Dec 2013 08:33

Carnival bunker costs fall $173 million


Fuel costs decline by 7.3 percent for Carnival during the 12 months ended November 30.



Carnival Corporation & plc. reports that fuel costs decreased by US$54 million, or 9.0 percent, during the three months ended November 30, 2013 compared to last year.

Bunker fuel expenses amounted to US$549 million between September and November, having been $603 million during the corresponding period in 2012.

In the 12-month period ended November 30, 2013, fuel costs declined by US$173 million, or 7.3 percent, to US$2,208 million, down from US$2,381 million in the 12 months ended November 30, 2012.

Fuel prices fell by 6.3 percent to $671 per metric tonne in the fourth quarter of 2013, down from $716 per metric tonne during the same three-month period in 2012. The figure was also better than the company's September guidance of $687 per metric tonne.

Please find below Carnival's fuel price and fuel consumption forecast for 2014.

2014 Fuel Price and Fuel Consumption Forecast

First quarter 2014:
Fuel price per metric tonne: $643
Fuel consumption (metric tonnes): 800,000

Full Year 2014
Fuel price per metric tonne: $650
Fuel consumption (metric tonnes): 3,225,000

In its overall results for the fourth quarter of 2013, Carnival posted a non-GAAP net income of $35 million, or $0.04 diluted EPS, for the fourth quarter of 2013 compared to a non-GAAP net income for the fourth quarter of 2012 of $111 million, or $0.14 per share. U.S. GAAP net income, which included net unrealized gains on fuel derivatives of $31 million, was $66 million, or $0.08 diluted EPS. For the fourth quarter of 2012, U.S. GAAP net income was $93 million, or $0.12 diluted EPS.

Revenues for the fourth quarter of 2013 were $3.7 billion compared to $3.6 billion for the prior year.

Non-GAAP net income for the full year 2013 was $1.2 billion, or $1.58 diluted EPS, compared to non-GAAP net income of $1.5 billion, or $1.94 diluted EPS, for the prior year. Full year 2013 U.S. GAAP net income was $1.1 billion, or $1.39 diluted EPS compared to $1.3 billion, or $1.67 per share for the prior year.

Revenues for the full year 2013 were $15.5 billion compared to $15.4 billion for the prior year.

Commenting on the full year 2013 results, President and Chief Executive Officer, Arnold Donald, said: "Even in a challenging year, our company continued to produce strong cash from operations approaching $3 billion, funding our capital commitments and returning value to shareholders through regular dividend distributions of $775 million and share repurchases of $100 million."

On the issue of fuel consumption and emissions reduction technology, Carnival said: "Additionally, the company increased efficiency fleetwide, achieving an additional five percent reduction in fuel consumption per unit this year, bringing the cumulative reduction to 23 percent since 2005.

"The company also furthered its environmental efforts through the successful testing of new 'scrubber' technology and plans to install exhaust-gas cleaning scrubbers throughout the fleet. Over the next few years, the company will further refine both the scrubber design and installation process. In addition to exceeding stricter air emission standards, this technology will help mitigate higher fuel costs."

Full Year 2014 Outlook

Based on current booking trends, the company forecasts full year 2014 net revenue yields, on a constant dollar basis, to be down slightly compared to the prior year (in line with the prior year on a current dollar basis). First quarter revenue yields (constant dollars) are expected to decline 3 to 4 percent compared to the previous year and improve during the remainder of 2014 based on a recovery in ticket prices.

The company expects net cruise costs excluding fuel per ALBD for full year 2014 to be slightly higher than in 2013 on a constant dollar basis. Taking the above factors into consideration, the company forecasts full year 2014 non-GAAP diluted earnings per share to be in the range of $1.40 to $1.80, compared to 2013 non-GAAP diluted earnings of $1.58 per share.

Donald stated, "With over 100 ships and more than 10 million guests we have a scale advantage that cannot be replicated in this industry. We are aggressively seeking opportunities to leverage that scale to drive top line improvement and gain cost efficiencies. To support that effort, we have realigned our leadership team and processes to achieve greater collaboration and cooperation. We have heightened our focus on the guest experience and further exceeding guest expectations. As 2014 progresses, we will commence a number of strategic initiatives designed to fuel our earnings power, drive cash flow and improve return on invested capital over time."

First Quarter 2014 Outlook

First quarter constant dollar net revenue yields are expected to decrease 3 to 4 percent compared to the previous year. Net cruise costs excluding fuel per ALBD for the first quarter are expected to be 4.5 to 5.5 percent higher on a constant dollar basis compared to 2013, mostly due to higher advertising costs.

Based on the above factors, the company expects non-GAAP diluted losses for the first quarter 2014 to be in the range of $(0.07) to $(0.11) per share versus 2013 non-GAAP earnings of $0.09 per share.


NSU Tubarao vessel. Anemoi completes rotor sail installation on 400,000 DWT ore carrier  

UK firm fits five 35m-tall units on NS United vessel, targeting 6-12% fuel savings.

Liberty Marine Fuels 10-year anniversary graphic. Liberty Marine Fuels marks 10 years in bunker brokering  

Aalborg-based bunker broker celebrates a decade of operations connecting shipowners, charterers, and suppliers.

Charis Chartosias, Island Oil. Island Oil appoints Charis Chartosias as Commercial Development Manager  

Marine fuel trader brings over 14 years' experience to Limassol-based company.

Amalie Møller Simonsen, Malik Supply. Malik Supply appoints HR consultant to support organisational development  

Danish marine fuel trader hires Amalie Møller Simonsen with HR experience at Gjensidige and Netcompany.

James Shiller, Dan-Bunkering. Dan-Bunkering relocates new fuels lead to Copenhagen to support European decarbonisation push  

James Shiller moves from Cape Town to Denmark as EU regulations drive alternative fuel adoption.

MPA and DNV sign MoU. MPA Singapore and DNV renew partnership to advance maritime decarbonisation and digitalisation  

Third MoU renewal focuses on zero-emission fuels, smart-ship systems, and talent development initiatives.

AET and Samsung Heavy Industries logo side by side. AET orders two LNG dual-fuel Suezmax tankers from Samsung Heavy Industries  

Singapore-based tanker operator to expand dual-fuel fleet with vessels featuring advanced efficiency and emissions reduction technologies.

Port of Tallinn and Ports of Stockholm sign MoU. Port of Tallinn and Ports of Stockholm launch green collaboration for fossil fuel-free shipping  

Estonian and Swedish ports sign MoU to promote sustainable maritime transport on Baltic Sea routes.

Grupo Ibaizabal vessel render. NextDF engines achieve 0.9% methane slip for Ibaizabal's LNG bunkering vessel  

Factory tests show methane emissions far below FuelEU Maritime threshold on newbuild.

Steve Esau, Sea-LNG. Sea-LNG welcomes EU transport plan's recognition of methane decarbonisation pathway  

Industry coalition says STIP validates investments in LNG, bio-methane, and e-methane for shipping.