Hafnia Limited (“Hafnia”, the “Company” or “we”, OSE ticker code: “HAFNI”, NYSE ticker code “HAFN”) today announced results for the three months ended March 31, 2024.
Highlights and Recent Activities
- In Q1 2024, Hafnia recorded a net profit of USD 219.6 million equivalent to a profit per share of USD 0.43 per share (Q1 2023: USD 256.6 million equivalent to a profit per share of USD 0.51 per share).
- The commercially managed pool business generated an income of USD 9.8 million (Q1 2023: USD 11.1 million).
- Time Charter Equivalent (TCE)1 earnings for Hafnia were USD 378.8 million in Q1 2024 (Q1 2023: USD 377.2 million) resulting in an average TCE1 of USD 36,230 per day.
- Adjusted EBITDA1 was USD 287.1 million in Q1 2024 (Q1 2023: USD 296.0 million).
- As of 10 May 2024, 68% of total earning days of the fleet were covered for Q2 2024 at USD 37,896 per day.
- On 27 March 2024, Hafnia publicly filed a registration statement with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), for the purpose of listing of the Company’s common shares on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”).
- On 9 April 2024, Hafnia’s common shares commenced trading on the NYSE under the ticker “HAFN”, while continuing to be listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange under the ticker “HAFNI”.
1 See Non-IFRS Section below
Mikael Skov, CEO of Hafnia, commented:
The strength of the product tanker market continued into 2024 from 2023 due to vessels being rerouted on longer voyages via the Cape of Good Hope to bypass disruptions in the Red Sea, resulting in higher spot rates across all segments compared to the previous quarter.
I am proud to share that Hafnia achieved a net profit of USD 219.6 million in our first quarter, demonstrated by our active management approach, modern fleet, and strong presence in the spot market. Our pool and bunkering business also performed well, contributing USD 9.8 million to our overall results. The IFRS 15 load-to-discharge adjustment has resulted in a negative TCE adjustment of USD 7.2 million.
With a diversified and modern fleet of over 130 modern vessels and increasing asset values, our net asset value (NAV1) stands at approximately USD 4.3 billion by the end of the quarter, translating to a NAV per share of around USD 8.37 (~NOK 90.35). This includes that we hold purchase options for eight chartered-in vessels, valued at approximately USD 120 million, enabling us to capitalise on asset value appreciation.
We achieved a significant milestone on April 9, 2024 by listing our common shares on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) under the ticker ‘HAFN’, complementing our existing listing on the Oslo Stock Exchange (OSE). This dual listing expands our investor base, offering direct exposure in the US markets to our strong commercial performance and track record of shareholder returns. On the same day, we announced that we’re raising our dividend payout ratio from 70% to 80% when our net loan-to-value is between 20% and 30%.
Additionally, when our net loan-to-value falls below 20%, we will raise this further to 90% from the previous 80%. This shows our dedication to providing solid returns to shareholders while also managing our finances responsibly.
At the close of the quarter, our net loan-to-value stood at 24.2% and I am pleased to announce a dividend payout ratio of 80%, translating to a dividend of USD 175.7 million or USD 0.3443 per share. This marks the highest dividend Hafnia has ever made and holds potential for further growth as we continue strengthening our balance sheet.
In the first quarter, the product tanker market was significantly impacted by events in the Red Sea, causing vessels to take longer routes. Looking ahead to the rest of 2024, the outlook remains positive. This is mainly due to refinery dislocations and ramp-ups expected in the Middle East, alongside minimal growth in tanker supply. Firm oil demand, particularly from China and India, also contributes to this positive outlook.
As of May 10, 2024, we’ve secured coverage for 68% of the earning days in Q2, averaging USD 37,896 per day, and 32% coverage at USD 33,901 per day for the entire 2024.
1 NAV is calculated using the fair value of Hafnia’s owned vessels.
Fleet
At the end of the quarter, Hafnia had 117 owned vessels and 14 chartered-in vessels. The total fleet of the Group comprises 10 LR2s, 35 LR1s (including 3 bareboat-chartered in and 4 time-chartered in), 62 MRs of which 9 are IMO II (including 10 time-chartered in and 5 bareboat chartered-in), and 24 Handy vessels of which 18 are IMO II (including 10 bareboat-chartered in).
The average estimated broker value of the owned fleet was USD 4,682 million, of which the LR2 vessels had a broker value of USD 641 million, the LR1 fleet had a broker value of USD 1,214 million2, the MR fleet had a broker value of USD 1,953 million3 and the Handy vessels had a broker value of USD 874 million4. The unencumbered vessels had a broker value of USD 600 million.
The fleet chartered-in had a right-of-use asset book value of USD 23.9 million with a corresponding lease liability of USD 28.8 million.
1 Including bareboat chartered in vessels; six LR1s and four LR2s owned through 50% ownership in the Vista Joint Venture and two MRs owned through 50% ownership in the Andromeda Joint Venture
2 Including USD 338 million relating to Hafnia’s 50% share of six LR1s and four LR2s owned through 50% ownership in the Vista Joint Venture
3 Including USD 50 million relating to Hafnia’s 50% share of two MRs owned through 50% ownership in the Andromeda Joint Venture; and IMO II MR vessels
4 Including IMO II Handy vessels
Key Figures
| USD million | Q2 2023 | Q3 2023 | Q4 20236 | Q1 2024 | ||||
| Income Statement | ||||||||
| Operating revenue (Hafnia vessels and TC vessels) | 482.0 | 427.8 | 472.0 | 521.8 | ||||
| Profit before tax | 214.7 | 147.9 | 178.3 | 221.3 | ||||
| Profit for the period | 213.3 | 146.9 | 176.4 | 219.6 | ||||
| Financial items | (19.8) | (22.6) | (7.1) | (18.9) | ||||
| Share of profit from joint ventures | 5.1 | 3.3 | 4.9 | 7.3 | ||||
| TCE income1 | 349.3 | 310.3 | 329.8 | 378.8 | ||||
| Adjusted EBITDA1 | 261.6 | 220.8 | 234.5 | 287.1 | ||||
| Balance Sheet | ||||||||
| Total assets | 4,086.7 | 3,821.6 | 3,913.9 | 3,897.0 | ||||
| Total liabilities | 1,910.9 | 1,623.4 | 1,686.2 | 1,541.8 | ||||
| Total equity | 2,175.8 | 2,198.2 | 2,227.7 | 2,355.2 | ||||
| Cash at bank and on hand2 | 241.5 | 124.8 | 141.6 | 128.9 | ||||
| Key financial figures | ||||||||
| Return on Equity (RoE) (p.a.) 3 | 40.8% | 27.9% | 33.3% | 38.3% | ||||
| Return on Invested Capital (p.a.) 4 | 26.4% | 19.2% | 19.3% | 27.6% | ||||
| Equity ratio | 53.9% | 57.5% | 56.9% | 60.4% | ||||
| Net loan-to-value (LTV) ratio5 | 30.1% | 27.4% | 26.3% | 24.2% |
1 See Non-IFRS Section below
2 Excluding cash retained in the commercial pools.
3 Annualised
4 ROIC is calculated using annualized EBIT less tax.
5 Net loan-to-value is calculated as vessel bank and finance lease debt (excluding debt for vessels sold but pending legal completion), debt from the pool borrowing base facilities less cash at bank and on hand, divided by broker vessel values (100% owned vessels).
6 Q4 2023 figures onwards include IFRS 15 load to discharge adjustments; while previous quarters were not adjusted. Operating revenue from Q4 2023 onwards is adjusted for pool allocation while previous quarters were not adjusted.
| For the 3 months ended 31 March 2024 | LR2 | LR1 | MR6 | Handy7 | Total | |||||
| Vessels on water at the end of the period1 | 6 | 29 | 60 | 24 | 119 | |||||
| Total operating days2 | 483 | 2,545 | 5,243 | 2,184 | 10,455 | |||||
| Total calendar days (excluding TC-in) | 546 | 2,275 | 4,550 | 2,184 | 9,555 | |||||
| TCE (USD per operating day)3 | 52,813 | 46,749 | 32,888 | 28,307 | 36,230 | |||||
| OPEX (USD per calendar day)4 | 8,550 | 8,178 | 7,812 | 7,569 | 7,886 | |||||
| G&A (USD per operating day)5 | 1,228 |
1 Excluding six LR1s and four LR2s owned through 50% ownership in the Vista Joint Ventures and two MRs owned through 50% ownership in the Andromeda Joint Ventures
2 Total operating days include operating days for vessels that are time chartered-in. Operating days are defined as the total number of days (including waiting time) in a period during which each vessel is owned, partly owned, operated under a bareboat arrangement (including sale and lease-back), or time chartered-in, net of technical off-hire days. Total operating days stated in the quarterly financial information include operating days for TC Vessels.
3 See Non-IFRS Section below
4 OPEX includes vessel running costs and technical management fees.
5 G&A includes all expenses and is adjusted for costs incurred in managing external vessels.
6 Inclusive of nine IMO II MR vessels.
7 Inclusive of 18 IMO II Handy vessels.
Market
In the first quarter of 2024, the product tanker market experienced a significant increase in earnings, largely due to ongoing issues affecting the Suez Canal, which caused shifts in trade routes. Additionally, challenges such as drought in the Panama Canal and low diesel inventories in Europe further drove strong performance for the quarter. Overall, the average rates in the first quarter surpassed those experienced in the fourth quarter of 2023.
According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), global oil demand in 2024 is showing signs of slowing down, with a decrease of 0.3 million barrels per day in the first quarter compared to 102.0 million barrels per day in the fourth quarter. The post-COVID surge in oil demand has peaked, and now global oil demand is primarily influenced by broader economic factors and market conditions rather than policy decisions. However, despite this, global oil demand for 2024 is still projected to increase by 1.2 million barrels per day to reach 103.2 million barrels, with non-OECD countries like China and India driving most of the growth. The demand mix is expected to be led by LPG/ethane and naphtha.
In addition to strong oil demand in 2024, changes in the refinery landscape are set to boost the product tanker market. In 2023, increases in export volumes were largely driven by new refinery operations in the Middle East, such as Al Zour in Kuwait and Duqm in Oman. These refineries, along with others opening in Africa and Asia, are expected to increase production further this year.
On the other hand, ongoing refinery shutdowns in regions like the U.S. and Europe mean that they will need to compensate for lost volumes with imports. This ongoing shift in refinery operations and distribution patterns will alter global oil trade routes and contribute to increased product tonne-miles.
While the impact of sanctions on Russia’s products has been fully felt, it has left a lingering effect on inventories. Distillate inventories in Europe remain below the past decade’s average, requiring replenishment. This potential increase in European imports to refill inventories is likely to occur through long-haul trades from the Middle East, where refinery capacities focused on middle distillates continue to expand.
Regarding the product tanker supply, the outlook for 2024 remains positive, with limited growth expected this year. Growth is, however, anticipated to pick up from 2025 onwards, primarily due to an increase in LR2 orders in 2023. While ordering in 2024 has also risen, the overall outlook remains favorable, with the product tanker order book accounting for a relatively modest 14% of fleet capacity as of the end of April 2024.
Looking ahead, healthy market conditions are expected to persist. Ongoing geopolitical uncertainties will drive demand for tonne miles while tonnage flows through the Panama Canal are gradually returning to normal. The dislocation of refinery capacity with oil-consuming regions and limited supply growth will support vessel utilization and contribute to overall tonne-mile growth.
Declaration of Dividend
Hafnia’s Board of Directors has declared a quarterly dividend of USD 0.3443 per share.
The record date will be 23 May 2024 with ex. The dividend date of 22 May 2024 and payment is from 29 May 2024 onwards. Please see the separate announcement for the dividend.
Conference Call
Hafnia will host a conference call for investors and financial analysts at 8:30 pm SGT/2:30 pm CET/8:30 am EST on 15 May 2024.
The details are as follows:
| Date: Wednesday, 15th May 2024 | ||
| Location | Local Time | |
| Oslo, Norway | 14:30 CET | |
| New York, U.S.A | 08:30 EST | |
| Singapore | 20:30 SGT | |
The financial results presentations will be available via live video webcast via the following link: Click here to join Hafnia’s Investor Presentation on 15 May 2024
| Meeting ID: 364 498 305 350 |
| Passcode: BkbxHb |
| Download Teams | Join on the web |
| Or Dial In (audio only): +45 32 72 66 19,, 59584768 # Denmark |
| Phone Conference ID: 595 847 68# |
About Hafnia
Hafnia is one of the world’s leading tanker owners, transporting oil, oil products and chemicals for major national and international oil companies, chemical companies, as well as trading and utility companies.
As Owners and Operators of over 200 vessels, we offer a fully integrated shipping platform, including technical management, commercial and chartering services, pool management, and a large-scale bunker desk. Hafnia has offices in Singapore, Copenhagen, Houston, and Dubai and currently employs over 4000 employees onshore and at sea.
Hafnia is part of the BW Group, an international shipping group involved in oil and gas transportation, floating gas infrastructure, environmental technologies, and deep-water production for over 80 years.