Capital Product Partners L.P. Expects Softer LNG Shipping Rates in 2024

Capital Product Partners L.P., an international owner of ocean-going vessels, Friday released its financial results for the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2023.

Operating Surplus and Operating Surplus after the quarterly allocation to the capital reserve for the fourth quarter of 2023 were $40.5 million and $1.5 million, respectively.

Announced common unit distribution of $0.15 for the fourth quarter of 2023.

Concluded a $500.0 million rights offering (the “Rights Offering”) and successfully closed a transaction to acquire 11 latest generation two-stroke (MEGA) Liquefied Natural Gas Carriers (“LNG/C”) to be delivered between the fourth quarter of 2023 and the first quarter of 2027 (the “LNG/C Transaction”).

On December 21, 2023 and January 2, 2024, the Partnership took delivery of the LNG/C Amore Mio I and the LNG/C Axios II, respectively, pursuant to the LNG/C Transaction.

Agreed to sell the 5,100 Twenty-foot Equivalent Unit (“TEU”) container vessel the M/V Long Beach Express.

Overview of Fourth Quarter 2023 Results

Net income for the quarter ended December 31, 2023, was $12.7 million, compared with net income of $21.1 million for the fourth quarter of 2022. Taking into account the interest attributable to the general partner and the allocation of net income to unvested units, net income per common unit for the quarter ended December 31, 2023, was $0.48, or $0.61 per common unit, if we exclude impairment of vessels in that quarter, compared to net income per common unit of $1.03 for the fourth quarter of 2022.

Total revenue for the quarter ended December 31, 2023, was $95.5 million, compared to $79.9 million during the fourth quarter of 2022. The increase in revenue was primarily attributable to the revenue contributed by the newbuilding vessels acquired by the Partnership, namely the M/V Manzanillo Express acquired on October 12, 2022, the M/V Itajai Express acquired on January 10, 2023, the LNG/C Asterix I acquired on February 17, 2023, the M/V Buenaventura Express acquired on June 20, 2023 and the LNG/C Amore Mio I acquired on December 21, 2023, partly offset by the sale of the M/V Cape Agamemnon on November 7, 2023.

Total expenses for the quarter ended December 31, 2023, were $55.1 million, compared to $42.1 million in the fourth quarter of 2022. Total vessel operating expenses during the fourth quarter of 2023 amounted to $20.6 million, compared to $17.3 million during the fourth quarter of 2022. The increase in vessel operating expenses was mainly due to the net increase in the average number of vessels in our fleet. Total expenses for the fourth quarter of 2023 also include a non-cash impairment charge of $3.5 million in total that we recognized in connection with the sale of the M/V Cape Agamemnon and the M/V Long Beach Express, and vessel depreciation and amortization of $22.2 million, compared to $17.0 million in the fourth quarter of 2022. The increase in depreciation and amortization during the fourth quarter of 2023 was mainly attributable to the net increase in the average size of our fleet. General and administrative expenses for the fourth quarter of 2023 increased to $5.7 million, compared to $4.0 million in the fourth quarter of 2022, mainly due to the costs incurred in connection with the LNG/C Transaction.

Total other expense, net for the quarter ended December 31, 2023, was $27.7 million compared to $16.6 million for the fourth quarter of 2022. Total other expense, net includes interest expense and finance cost of $27.9 million for the fourth quarter of 2023, compared to $18.4 million for the fourth quarter of 2022. The increase in interest expense and finance cost was mainly attributable to the increase in the Partnership’s average indebtedness and the increase in the weighted average interest rate compared to the fourth quarter of 2022.

Capitalization of the Partnership

As of December 31, 2023, total cash amounted to $204.1 million. Total cash includes restricted cash of $11.7 million, which represents the minimum liquidity requirement under our financing arrangements.

As of December 31, 2023, total partners’ capital amounted to $1,174.9 million, an increase of $536.5 million compared to $638.4 million as of December 31, 2022. The increase reflects net income for the year ended December 31, 2023, other comprehensive income of $3.2 million relating to the net effect of the cross-currency swap agreement we designated as an accounting hedge, the amortization associated with the equity incentive plan of $3.8 million and the net result from the issuance of common units in connection with the Rights Offering of $498.7 million, partly offset by distributions declared and paid during the period in a total amount of $12.2 million and the cost of repurchasing our common units under our Unit Repurchase Program for an aggregate amount of $4.1 million.

As of December 31, 2023, the Partnership’s total debt was $1,787.8 million before financing fees, reflecting an increase of $488.6 million compared to $1,299.2 million as of December 31, 2022. The increase is attributable to the assumption of $196.3 million of indebtedness in connection with the acquisition of the LNG/C Amore Mio I in December 2023, the drawdown of $392.0 million of new debt in relation to the acquisition of the newbuilding vessels acquired by the Partnership during the first half of 2023 and a $10.0 million increase in the U.S. Dollar equivalent of the euro-denominated bonds issued by CPLP Shipping Holdings Plc in July 2022 and October 2021 as of December 31, 2023, partly offset by the scheduled principal payments for the period of $86.4 million and the early repayment in full of the facility we entered into with CMB Financial Leasing Co., Ltd in 2021 to partly finance the acquisition of the three Panamax container vessels the M/V Long Beach Express, the M/V Seattle Express and the M/V Fos Express of a total amount of $23.4 million.

Operating Surplus

Operating surplus for the quarter ended December 31, 2023, amounted to $40.5 million, compared to $41.7 million for the previous quarter ended September 30, 2023, and $37.3 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2022. We allocated $39.0 million to the capital reserve, an increase of $4.5 million compared to the previous quarter due to the net increase in the rate of amortization of our debt. Operating surplus for the quarter ended December 31, 2023, after the quarterly allocation to the capital reserve, was $1.5 million. Operating surplus is a non-GAAP financial measure used by certain investors to measure the financial performance of the Partnership and other limited partnerships. Please refer to Appendix A at the end of the press release for a reconciliation of this non-GAAP measure with net income.

LNG/C Transaction

On December 21, 2023, the Partnership announced the closing of the umbrella agreement in respect of the LNG/C Transaction (the “Umbrella Agreement”), entered into on November 13, 2023, with Capital Maritime and Capital GP L.L.C. (the “General Partner”), providing for the acquisition of 11 latest generation two-stroke (MEGA) LNG/Cs (the “Vessels”) for a total acquisition price of $3,130.0 million. Upon the closing of the Umbrella Agreement, the Partnership entered into 11 share purchase agreements to acquire 100% of the equity interests in each vessel-owning company of the Vessels (the “Vessel SPAs”).

Each Vessel will have a capacity of 174,000 Cubic Meters and was built or is under construction at Hyundai Heavy Industries Co., LTD and Hyundai Samho Heavy Industries Co. Ltd., South Korea (collectively, “Hyundai”).

On December 21, 2023, and upon entry into the Vessel SPAs for LNG/Cs Axios II, Assos, Apostolos, Aktoras, Archimidis and Agamemnon (the “Initial Vessels”), we paid to Capital Maritime a deposit of $174.4 million, or 10% of the aggregate acquisition price of the Initial Vessels. We closed the Vessel SPA for the LNG/C Axios II upon delivery of the Vessel on January 2, 2024 and we expect to close the remaining acquisitions of each of the vessel-owning companies of the Initial Vessels upon each Vessel’s delivery from Hyundai. The remaining purchase price with respect to each Initial Vessel will be paid upon delivery of such vessel and closing of the applicable Vessel SPA, with a total of $1,287.0 million remaining due for the Initial Vessels.

On December 21, 2023, and upon entry into the Vessel SPAs for LNG/Cs Alcaios I, Antaios I, Athlos and Archon (the “Remaining Vessels”), the Partnership paid Capital Maritime $138.1 million to acquire 100% of the equity interests in each of the vessel-owning companies of the Remaining Vessels, which are expected to be delivered to the Partnership between the third quarter of 2026 and the first quarter of 2027. We expect to pay an additional amount of $909.9 million to Hyundai in pre-delivery and delivery installments for the Remaining Vessels.

The Umbrella Agreement and the Standby Purchase Agreement permit the Partnership and Capital Maritime to net payments due to each other under the transactions contemplated by the Umbrella Agreement, including the Vessel SPAs and the Standby Purchase Agreement.

Τhe balance of the consideration for the acquisitions of the five Initial Vessels and the four Remaining Vessels under the Umbrella Agreement will be funded by a combination of commercial debt, an unsecured seller’s credit of up to $220.0 million extended by Capital Maritime and maturing on June 30, 2027 (the “Seller’s Credit”), and cash on hand. On January 2, 2024, we deferred $92.6 million of the purchase price for the LNG/C Axios II pursuant to a drawdown under the Seller’s Credit.

Delivery of the LNG/C Amore Mio I and the LNG/C Axios II

On December 21, 2023, the Partnership took delivery of the LNG/C Amore Mio I. The vessel has commenced its three-year employment with Qatar Energy Trading LLC. Upon acquisition, we assumed indebtedness of $196.3 million in the form of a sale and leaseback transaction. The LNG/C Amore Mio I lease has a tenor of 10 years, is repayable in 12 quarterly installments of $5.5 million and 28 subsequent installments of $1.1 million and offers the option to repurchase the vessel at a predetermined price after the first anniversary of the arrangement, together with a purchase obligation of $98.2 million at the expiration of the lease in October 2033.

On January 2, 2024, the Partnership took delivery of the LNG/C Axios II. The vessel commenced an index-linked, one-year time charter, which will be followed by a seven-year bareboat charter with Bonny Gas Transport Limited (“BGT”). BGT maintains an option to extend the charter by an additional three years. The vessel acquisition was financed through netting 10% of the acquisition price against the amount due from CMTC pursuant to the Standby Purchase Agreement, a new senior secured loan facility for an amount of $190.0 million, repayable in 28 equal quarterly installments of $2.5 million and a balloon payment of $120.0 million together with the final quarterly installment in December 2030, and a drawdown of $92.6 million under the Seller’s Credit.

Sale of M/V Long Beach Express

On December 15, 2023, the Partnership agreed to sell the M/V Long Beach Express container vessel (68,618 dwt / 5,100 TEU, container vessel, built 2008, Hanjin Heavy Industries & Construction Co., Ltd., South Korea) to an unaffiliated party. Delivery of the M/V Long Beach Express to the buyer is expected within the first quarter of 2024.

Corporate Conversion

Pursuant to the Umbrella Agreement, CPLP, Capital Maritime and the General Partner have agreed to, in good faith, negotiate and jointly work with tax and other advisors to agree terms for the conversion of the Partnership from a Marshall Islands limited partnership to a corporation with customary corporate governance provisions by June 21, 2024.

Rights of First Refusal

Pursuant to the Umbrella Agreement, Capital Maritime granted the Partnership, beginning on December 21, 2023, rights of first refusal over (i) transfers of LNG/C vessels owned by Capital Maritime to third parties, opportunities to order newbuild LNG/C vessels of which Capital Maritime becomes aware, and employment opportunities for LNG/C vessels of which Capital Maritime becomes aware, in each case, for a period ending on December 21, 2033, (ii) transfers to third parties of two certain liquid CO2 carriers and two certain ammonia carriers recently ordered by Capital Maritime (the “Energy Transition Vessels”) for a period ending when Capital Maritime and its affiliates no longer beneficially own at least 25% of the issued and outstanding common units and (iii) if we acquire an Energy Transition Vessel from Capital Maritime, employment opportunities for such Energy Transition Vessel of which Capital Maritime becomes aware, for a period ending when Capital Maritime and its affiliates no longer beneficially own at least 25% of the issued and outstanding common units.

Management Commentary

Mr. Jerry Kalogiratos, Chief Executive Officer of our General Partner, commented:

“I am very pleased to see that the Partnership has made significant progress on all fronts, as we continue to successfully execute against the business plan we set out in November 2023. Importantly, we have concluded the $500.0 million Rights Offering and with that we closed the agreement to acquire the 11 two stroke, latest generation LNG/Cs, with two LNG/Cs already having joined our fleet in December 2023 and January 2024, respectively. Moreover, we agreed to sell one of our container vessels in line with the announced intention to gradually divest from our container vessels. Over the next few months, we expect to focus on the conversion of the Partnership into a corporation, which should help facilitate the transition of CPLP to an LNG and energy transition focused company with the ambition of being a bellwether of the industry.”

Quarterly Common Unit Cash Distribution

On January 25, 2024, the Board of Directors of the Partnership declared a cash distribution of $0.15 per common unit for the fourth quarter of 2023 payable on February 13, 2024, to common unit holders of record on February 6, 2024.

LNG Market Update

The reduced focus on energy security, along with warm weather and increased gas inventories, resulted in a decline in gas prices in 2023. This, combined with prolonged availability of vessels throughout the year, has kept charter rates lower compared to previous years. As a result, LNG spot rates for a 2-stroke vessel averaged $171,250 for the fourth quarter 2023, while the 1-year time charter rate as of the end of January 2024 stood at around $70,000/day.

The United States have now become the world’s largest exporter of LNG and China has reclaimed its status as the largest importer. Gas storage levels in Europe are at historical highs, with several importers in Asia reaching tank tops. With a steady flow of newbuild deliveries and limited new liquefaction capacity, 2024 is expected to be softer in terms of spot and short-term time charter rates. LNG fleet capacity growth of 10.5% is projected to outpace LNG tonne-mile trade growth of 5.6%. However, charter markets for 2-stroke vessels, which benefit significantly from higher carrying capacity and lower boil-off, are expected to remain generally healthy, as preference for these vessels is increasing even at lower gas prices.

Looking ahead, it is anticipated that the increasing shipping demand from new projects, both in terms of volume and longer distances, will induce further demand for LNG/Cs including newbuild orders with 2027-2028 delivery. Assuming that projects adhere to their timelines, and proposed projects reach Final Investment Decision (FID), demand for newbuild LNG/Cs is likely to surpass current yard capacity by the end of the decade.
Source: Capital Product Partners L.P.