Thu 28 May 2015, 08:14 GMT

Aegean posts $7.1 million rise in Q1 net income


New operations in Fujairah and U.S. 'meaningfully contributed' to the bunker firm's Q1 results, says CEO.



Aegean Marine Petroleum Network Inc. has announced that net income for the first quarter of 2015 rose by $7.1 million to $12.2 million, or $0.25 basic and diluted earnings per share, up from $5.1 million, or $0.11 basic and diluted earnings per share, during the corresponding period last year.

Net income attributable to Aegean shareholders - excluding a non-cash loss from the sale of non-core vessels and vessel impairment charge - was $8.7 million or $0.18 basic and diluted earnings per share.

Total revenues decreased by 40.1 percent to $1,015.1 million compared to $1,694.4 million last year. This was attributed to "the drop in the price of oil".

Sales of marine petroleum products between January and March decreased by 40.6 percent to $994.5 million, compared to $1,673.7 million in 2014.

Gross profit, which equals total revenue less directly attributable cost of revenue, decreased by 2.8 percent to $80.6 million compared to $82.9 million in the same period in 2014.

The volume of marine fuel sold increased by 7.8 percent to 2,915,450 metric tonnes compared to 2,705,823 metric tonnes during the prior-year period.

Operating income adjusted for the sale of non-core assets amounted to $20.1 million compared to $18.8 million in 2014.

Operating expenses decreased by $3.6 million, or 5.5 percent, to $60.5 million as adjusted for the sale of non-core assets for the three months ended March 31, 2015, compared to $64.1 million as adjusted for the sale of non-core assets and vessel impairment charge for the same period in 2014.

Net cash used in operating activities during the three-month period was $23.8 million.

Net cash used in investing activities was $2.8 million, mainly due to advances for vessels under construction.

Net cash used in financing activities was $5.2 million, deriving mainly from the repayment of long-term debt.

As of March 31, 2015, the company had cash and cash equivalents of $91.0 million and working capital of $263.1 million. Non-cash working capital, or working capital excluding cash and debt, was $480.1 million.

As of March 31, 2015, Aegean had $967.1 million in available liquidity, which includes unrestricted cash and cash equivalents of $91.0 million and available undrawn amounts under the company's working capital facilities of $876.1 million, to finance working capital requirements.

Commenting on the results, E. Nikolas Tavlarios, President of Aegean Marine Petroleum Network, said: "During the first quarter, we continued to successfully execute our strategy and extended our track record of profitability through our expanded global operations. Our unique and dynamic business model supported strategic expansion opportunities at the end of 2014 and allowed the company to advance its position in the global fuel supply market during the start of 2015.

"Our increased global operations, including our Fujairah facility, U.S. West Coast operations and East Coast bunkering business, meaningfully contributed to our results during the quarter. In Fujairah, we expect the facility will further diversify our revenue and allow us to benefit from the growth of onshore storage demand. At an industry level, we are beginning to experience positive shifts in the shipping and tanker markets and believe Aegean Marine is poised to benefit from these improving trends."

Spyros Gianniotis, Aegean's Chief Financial Officer, stated: "The first quarter marked another profitable quarter despite persistent market headwinds. We remain focused on executing on our proven strategy, which has enabled us to overcome market fluctuations, strengthen our balance sheet and maintain our competitive advantage. Looking ahead, we are confident in our ability to capitalize on the anticipated market recovery and achieve even greater results, while continuing to return value to our shareholders."

Greece 

Renewable and low-carbon methanol project pipeline chart as of April 2026. Renewable methanol project pipeline reaches 61 MMT as China groundbreakings accelerate  

GENA Solutions reports pipeline growth despite concerns over construction readiness for Chinese projects.

Rendering of a diesel-electric chemical tanker. Berg Propulsion to supply propulsion system for Akdeniz-built chemical tanker  

Turkish shipyard Akdeniz orders diesel-electric propulsion package for an 8,000-dwt vessel destined for Transka Tankers.

Ningyuan Diankun vessel. China Classification Society certifies 740-teu pure-electric container ship  

Ningyuan Diankun features battery-swapping capability and is claimed to eliminate 1,462 tonnes of CO2 annually.

UK ETS and FuelEU Maritime event graphic. Lloyd’s Register to host UK ETS and FuelEU Maritime briefing in London  

Event on 12 May will examine maritime emissions regulations ahead of UK ETS expansion.

Ruri Planet vessel. Japanese shipbuilder delivers dual-fuel LNG bulk carrier Ruri Planet  

The 209,000-tonne Capesize vessel can run on heavy fuel oil or LNG.

L&T Energy GreenTech and Itochu agreement signing. L&T Energy GreenTech signs 300,000-tonne green ammonia supply deal with Itochu  

Indian firm to supply Japanese trading house from planned Kandla facility for marine fuel applications.

CMA CGM Iron vessel. Methanol-powered container ship is named CMA CGM D’Artagnan  

French shipping group adds vessel to methanol fleet as part of net-zero target.

Maersk Tahiti vessel. Bound4blue completes second suction sail installation for Maersk Tankers  

Four 24-metre eSAIL units fitted on Maersk Tahiti at Chinese shipyard in April.

Aerial view of Port of Yokohama. Asia-Pacific ports advance cross-sector hydrogen and e-fuel infrastructure  

Accelleron report highlights a coordinated approach combining energy, industry and shipping demand to stimulate market development.

Keel-laying ceremony of a vessel with builder's hull no. 8392. Exmar lays keel for ammonia-powered midsize gas carrier  

Belgian shipping company marks construction milestone for dual-fuel vessel at Hyundai Heavy Industries yard.