Thu 11 Aug 2011, 06:02 GMT

Aegean Q2 net income falls 73.3 percent


Year-on-year net earnings down despite a rise in total revenues during the second quarter.



Aegean Marine Petroleum Network Inc. reports that net income fell US$8.8 million, or 73.3 percent, during the second quarter in a comparison with the same period last year.

Net income for the three months ended June 30, 2011 was $3.2 million, or $0.07 basic and diluted earnings per share compared to a net income of $12.0 million, or $0.25 basic and diluted earnings per share, in 2010.

Total revenues during the second quarter climbed 32.8 percent to $1,774.9 million compared to $1,336.6 million for the same period in 2010.

Sales of marine petroleum products increased by 32.6 percent to $1,766.3 million compared to $1,331.8 million for the year-earlier period.

Net revenue, which equals total revenue less cost of goods sold and cargo transportation expenses, rose by 2.5 percent to $70.0 million in the second quarter of 2011 compared to $68.3 million in 2010.

The volume of marine fuel sold between April and June declined by 7.0 percent to 2,635,881 metric tonnes compared to 2,825,046 metric tonnes in the year-earlier period.

Operating income for the second quarter decreased by $8.3 million, or 43.2 percent, to $10.9 million compared to $19.2 million for the same period in 2010. Operating expenses, excluding the cost of fuel and cargo transportation costs, increased by $9.4 million, or 19.1 percent, to $58.5 million, compared to $49.1 million for the same period in 2010. Aegean said the increase was principally due to an expanded logistics infrastructure during the second quarter of 2011 compared to the second quarter of 2010.

Commenting on the results, E. Nikolas Tavlarios, President, commented, "Our results for the second quarter reflect an improved gross spread as management remains focused on strengthening Aegean's geographical sales mix and increasing operating efficiencies. While overall market conditions across the global marine fuel supply industry remain challenging, we continue to achieve notable progress implementing our strategy to enhance future performance. Specifically, we solidified our presence in the Canary Islands by establishing operations in Tenerife in the second quarter. This new and attractive market complements our presence in Las Palmas and provides our customers with greater flexibility in fulfilling their marine fuel needs. We also commenced physical supply and onshore storage operations in Panama as we intend to take advantage of the Panama Canal's projected expansion, which will significantly increase ship capacity.

"Complementing the growth in Aegean's integrated marine fuel logistics chain, we continue to take proactive measures to improve our cost structure, including the sale of non-core assets. During the second quarter, management continued to redeploy bunkering vessels from their existing locations to other markets within Aegean's global network to optimize performance and execute more profitable transactions with top counterparties."

As of June 30, 2011, the company had approximately $274.3 million in available liquidity, which includes unrestricted cash and cash equivalents and available undrawn amounts under the company's short-term working capital facilities, to finance working capital requirements. Furthermore, as of June 30, 2011, the company had approximately $8.0 million available under its secured term loans to finance the construction of its new double-hull bunkering tankers.

Spyros Gianniotis, Chief Financial Officer, stated, "Our strong financial foundation continues to provide a distinct competitive advantage, particularly in a challenging market environment. With substantial liquidity highlighted by total working capital credit facilities of approximately $880 million and a net-debt-to-capital ratio of 56.2 percent at the end of the quarter, we remain well positioned to meet the intensive working capital requirements inherent in our industry as we further expand our global marine fuel platform for the benefit of the Company and its shareholders."


Anne Mai Hatlem and Prof Lynn Loo. GCMD and Equinor sign five-year partnership on alternative fuels and carbon storage  

Singapore-based centre and Norwegian energy company to combine expertise in maritime pilots and low-carbon fuel supply.

Petrobras logo. Petrobras suspends bunker deliveries at Rio Grande after tropical storm  

Storm damage and power outage leave resumption timeline unclear.

Grande Egitto vessel. Grimaldi adds fourteenth ammonia-ready car carrier to fleet  

Grande Egitto, built by China Merchants Heavy Industries Jiangsu, will operate on the Asia–East Africa trade route.

ABS awards AiP to HD HHI and HD KSOE for ammonia bunkering vessel design. ABS grants design approval for ammonia bunkering vessel from HD HHI and HD KSOE  

Approval in principle covers a 22,000-cbm multi-purpose vessel intended to supply ammonia as marine fuel.

Trenching vessel render. Jan De Nul exercises option for alternative-fuel-capable trenching vessel  

Belgian marine contractor confirms option for a second subsea trenching vessel built on Ulstein's customised design platform.

ABS issues NTQ approval to MODEC and Eld Energy. ABS grants technology qualification approval for FPSO fuel cell system  

MODEC and Eld Energy’s solid oxide fuel cell system moves towards offshore trials after clearing initial ABS review stages.

IMO CCC 12th Session. IMO sub-committee finalises revised methanol fuel safety guidelines  

CCC 12 completes revision of interim methanol fuel guidelines while advancing work on carbon capture and low-flashpoint fuel rules.

Volare Shipping logo. Trafigura spins off VLCC fleet into new listed shipping company  

Volare Shipping established, with eight ammonia-ready vessels on order.

Ship-to-ship ammonia bunkering operation. Japan completes world's first ship-to-ship ammonia bunkering to ammonia-fuelled vessel  

Ammonia fuel transferred between ships at Ariake Shipyard ahead of gas carrier’s sea trials.

Lilac Cove vessel. Jiangnan delivers second LPG dual-fuel VLAC in series to Singapore’s EPS  

Lilac Cove, the world’s largest liquid ammonia carrier, joins Ivy Cove as Jiangnan advances its six-ship VLAC programme.