Global Ship Lease Reports Results for the Second Quarter of 2024

Global Ship Lease, Inc, an owner of containerships, announced today its unaudited results for the three and six month periods ended June 30, 2024.

Second Quarter of 2024 and Year to Date Highlights

– Reported operating revenue of $175.0 million for the second quarter of 2024, an increase of 8.0% on operating revenue of $162.1 million for the prior year period. For the six months ended June 30, 2024, operating revenue was $354.6 million, up 10.3% from $321.4 million in first half of 2023.

– Reported net income available to common shareholders of $85.6 million for the second quarter of 2024, an increase of 13.5% on net income of $75.4 million for the prior year period. Normalized net income (a non-U.S. GAAP financial measure, described below) for the same period was $86.7 million, up 17.2% on Normalized net income of $74.0 million for the prior year period. For the six months ended June 30, 2024, net income available to common shareholders was $175.1 million, an increase of 18.6% on net income of $147.6 million for the prior year period. Normalized net income for the same period was $175.7 million, up 17.5% on Normalized net income for the prior year period of $149.5 million.

– Generated $122.3 million of Adjusted EBITDA (a non-U.S. GAAP financial measure, described below) for the second quarter of 2024, up 13.0% on Adjusted EBITDA of $108.2 million for the prior year period. Adjusted EBITDA for the six months ended June 30, 2024 was $247.7 million, up 16.2% on Adjusted EBITDA of $213.1 million for the prior year period.

– Earnings per share for the second quarter of 2024 was $2.43, up 14.1% on the earnings per share of $2.13 for the prior year period. Normalized earnings per share (a non-U.S. GAAP financial measure, described below) for the second quarter of 2024 was $2.46, up 17.7% on the Normalized earnings per share of $2.09 for the prior year period. Earnings per share for the six months ended June 30, 2024 was $4.98, up 20.0% on the earnings per share of $4.15 for the prior year period. Normalized earnings per share for the six months ended June 30, 2024 was $4.99, up 18.5% on the Normalized earnings per share of $4.21 for the prior year period.

– Declared a total dividend, including the first payment of the Supplemental Dividend, of $0.45 per Class A common share for the second quarter of 2024, to be paid on September 4, 2024 to common shareholders of record as of August 23, 2024. Paid a dividend of $0.375 per Class A common share for the first quarter of 2024 on June 3, 2024.

– On June 26, 2024 announced upgrades by three leading credit rating agencies. The Corporate Family Rating for Global Ship Lease was upgraded to Ba2 from Ba3, with a stable outlook, by Moody’s Investor Service; S&P Global Ratings upgraded the long-term issuer credit rating to BB+ from BB, with a stable outlook; and the Kroll Bond Rating Agency (“KBRA”) upgraded the corporate rating to BB+ from BB, with a stable outlook. KBRA also affirmed the BBB/stable investment grade rating and outlook for the 5.69% Senior Secured Notes due July 15, 2027 (the “2027 Secured Notes”).

– Between January 1, 2024 and June 30, 2024, added $402.7 million of contracted revenue to forward charter cover, calculated on the basis of the median firm periods of the respective charters, on a total of 24 new charters or extensions: eight for ships between 2,200 and 3,500 TEU; 11 for ships between 5,000 TEU and 6,100 TEU; and, five for ships between 6,500 TEU and 8,000 TEU. Durations of these new charters and extensions for the median firm periods range between nine months and 40 months. A number of the vessels were forward fixed several months ahead of their expected availability in the market.

– During the first quarter of 2024, repurchased an aggregate of 251,772 Class A common shares for a total consideration of approximately $5.0 million. Repurchase prices ranged between $18.98 and $20.83 per share, with an average price of $19.84 per share. There were no such repurchases in the second quarter of 2024. Approximately $33.0 million of capacity remains under the Company’s opportunistic share buy-back authorization.

George Youroukos, our Executive Chairman, stated: “The positive industry momentum that marked the early part of this year accelerated through the second quarter of 2024. Demand for high-quality, mid-sized and smaller containerships such as those in the GSL fleet was further strengthened by continued disruptions in the Red Sea. Almost all of the containerships carrying the 20% of global container freight volumes that previously transited the Red Sea and Suez are now being re-routed for a longer, less efficient voyage around the Cape of Good Hope. The direct impact of these longer voyages and the increased congestion and delays throughout the supply chain are adding a further layer of demand, absorbing effective supply, and driving charter rates and asset values upward. Liner operators have been increasingly willing to secure multi-year charters at high rates, and we are capitalizing on this to lock in as much charter coverage as possible, on both a prompt and forward basis. Reflecting this highly supportive environment and our commitment to returning capital to our shareholders, we have introduced a supplemental dividend alongside our fixed quarterly dividend, thereby increasing our total quarterly dividend payments by 20%.”

Thomas Lister, our Chief Executive Officer, stated: “GSL’s strong cash flows and forward visibility have enabled us to materially strengthen our through-cycle resilience and profitability while also returning significant capital to shareholders and remaining poised to act on the right countercyclical growth opportunities when they arise. Our recent credit rating upgrades underscore our progress in de-levering our balance sheet and locking in long-term contracted revenues at good rates while remaining disciplined in our evaluation of growth opportunities. In a highly complex and dynamic geopolitical environment, with our strong platform and low break-even rates, we believe that GSL is well positioned to continue to build shareholder value now and for the long term.”
Source: Global Ship Lease Inc.