Genco Shipping & Trading Limited Announces Second Quarter Financial Results

NEW YORK, Aug. 07, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Genco Shipping & Trading Limited (NYSE:GNK) (“Genco” or the “Company”) today reported its financial results for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017.

The following financial review discusses the results for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017 and June 30, 2016.

Second Quarter 2017 and Year-to-Date Highlights

• Recorded a net loss of $14.5 million for the second quarter of 2017
  • Basic and diluted loss per share of $0.42
  • Adjusted basic and diluted loss of $12.5 million or $0.36 per share, excluding $1.3 million for gain on sale of vessel and $3.3 million non-cash impairment charge¹
• During the second quarter of 2017 we completed our vessel sale program
  • Sold the Genco Prosperity for total net proceeds of $2.9 million

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1} We believe the non-GAAP measure presented provides investors with a means of better evaluating and understanding the Company’s operating performance.

Financial Review: 2017 Second Quarter

The Company recorded a net loss for the second quarter of 2017 of $14.5 million, or $0.42 basic and diluted net loss per share. Comparatively, for the three months ended June 30, 2016, the Company recorded a net loss of $110.7 million, or $15.32 basic and diluted net loss per share. Basic and diluted net loss per share for the three months ended June 30, 2016 has been adjusted for the one-for-ten reverse stock split of Genco’s common stock effected on July 7, 2016.

John C. Wobensmith, Chief Executive Officer, commented, “During the second quarter, we took additional steps to strengthen our leading and sizeable drybulk platform as the market continues its recovery. Our ongoing success optimizing the profile and deployment of Genco’s diversified fleet provides us significant optionality in a rising market. In addition, our fleet strongly aligns with global trade dynamics and our increased focus on providing customers with a full-service logistics solution through direct liftings of both major and minor bulks contribute to our strong commercial prospects. We intend to maintain our position as a leading low cost operator, which should serve us well as supply and demand fundamentals continue to come into balance. With significant financial flexibility, we also remain well positioned to capitalize on compelling opportunities as we seek to further enhance Genco’s industry leadership.”

The Company’s revenues increased to $45.4 million for the three months ended June 30, 2017, compared to $31.9 million for the three months ended June 30, 2016. The increase was primarily due to higher spot market rates achieved by the majority of the vessels in our fleet during the second quarter of 2017 versus the same period last year partially offset by the operation of fewer vessels during the second quarter of 2017 as compared to the second quarter of 2016.

The average daily time charter equivalent, or TCE, rates obtained by the Company’s fleet was $8,439 per day for the three months ended June 30, 2017 as compared to $4,618 for the three months ended June 30, 2016. The increase in TCE was primarily due to higher spot rates achieved by the majority of the vessels in our fleet during the second quarter of 2017 versus the second quarter of 2016. The freight market strength that materialized at the end of Q1 2017 carried into the beginning of the second quarter as a result of record Chinese steel output which led to heightened demand for seaborne iron ore and coal cargoes. Additionally, the South American grain season aided in supporting smaller class vessels. Towards the end of the quarter, the freight market came under pressure as the drybulk fleet expanded at a higher pace due to a significant year-over-year decline in demolition activity.

Total operating expenses were $52.6 million for the three months ended June 30, 2017 compared to $132.6 million for the three months ended June 30, 2016. During the three months ended June 30, 2017, a $3.3 million impairment loss was recorded as of June 30, 2017, as the Company determined that the sum of the estimated undiscounted future cash flows for the Genco Surprise, a 1998-built Panamax vessel, would not exceed the carrying value of the vessel. Additionally, as of June 30, 2017, we recorded a gain on sale of vessel in the amount of $1.3 million due to the sale of the Genco Prosperity during Q2 2017. During the three months ended June 30, 2016, a $67.6 million impairment loss was recorded in order to adjust the value of nine of our vessels to their estimated net realizable value as of June 30, 2016, as the Company determined that the sale or scrapping of these vessels was more likely than not based on the terms of the commitment letter of the $400 Million Credit Facility. Vessel operating expenses declined to $23.9 million for the three months ended June 30, 2017 compared to $28.5 million for the three months ended June 30, 2016. This decrease was primarily due to the operation of fewer vessels during the second quarter of 2017 as compared to the same period of the prior year. The decrease was also due to lower expenses related to crewing and insurance as well as the timing of purchases of stores partially offset by higher drydocking related expenses. General and administrative expenses were $5.8 million for the second quarter of 2017 compared to $11.6 million for the second quarter of 2016, primarily due to a decrease in nonvested stock amortization expense. Included in general and administrative expenses is nonvested stock amortization expense of $1.6 million and $5.4 million for the second quarter of 2017 and 2016, respectively. Depreciation and amortization expenses decreased to $18.2 million for the three months ended June 30, 2017 from $19.7 million for the three months ended June 30, 2016, primarily due to the operation of fewer vessels in the second quarter of 2017 as well as the revaluation of ten of our vessels to their estimated net realizable value during the first half of 2016.

Daily vessel operating expenses, or DVOE, decreased to $4,333 per vessel per day for the second quarter of 2017 compared to $4,511 per vessel per day for the same quarter of 2016, predominantly due to lower expenses related to crewing and insurance as well as the timing of purchases of stores, partially offset by higher drydocking related expenses. We believe daily vessel operating expenses are best measured for comparative purposes over a 12‑month period in order to take into account all of the expenses that each vessel in our fleet will incur over a full year of operation. For the six months ended June 30, 2017 our DVOE decreased to $4,364 from $4,542 for the same period of 2016. Based on estimates provided by our technical managers and management’s views, our DVOE budget for 2017 is $4,440 per vessel per day on a weighted average basis for the entire year for the core fleet of 60 vessels.

Apostolos Zafolias, Chief Financial Officer, commented, “Our year-over-year results improved and reflected higher spot market rates achieved by the majority of the vessels in our fleet. This enabled Genco to increase its cash position to $181 million at the end of the second quarter, further enhancing our financial flexibility. We also continued to focus on cost management initiatives in the quarter, enabling Genco to maintain break-even levels among the lowest in the industry.”

Financial Review: First Half 2017

The Company recorded a net loss of $30.1 million or $0.89 basic and diluted net loss per share for the six months ended June 30, 2017. This compares to a net loss of $165.1 million or $22.87 basic and diluted net loss per share for the six months ended June 30, 2016. Basic and diluted net loss per share for the six months ended June 30, 2016 has been adjusted for the one-for-ten reverse stock split of Genco’s common stock effected on July 7, 2016. Net loss for the six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, includes non-cash vessel impairment charges of $3.3 million and $69.3 million, respectively. Net loss for the six months ended June 30, 2017 also includes the gain on sale of vessels in the amount of $7.7 million due to the sale of five vessels during the period. Revenues increased to $83.6 million for the six months ended June 30, 2017 compared to $52.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2016 due to higher spot market rates achieved by the majority of our vessels partially offset by the operation of fewer vessels. TCE rates obtained by the Company increased to $7,458 per day for the six months ended June 30, 2017 from $3,622 per day for the six months ended June 30, 2016, due to higher rates achieved by the majority of the vessels in our fleet. Total operating expenses for the six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016 were $99.4 million and $200.5 million, respectively. Total operating expenses, excluding a non-cash vessel impairment charge of $3.3 million relating to the revaluation of the Genco Surprise to its fair value as of June 30, 2017 and the gain on sale of vessels of $7.7 million, were $103.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2017. This compares to adjusted total operating expenses, which excludes non-cash vessel impairment charges totaling $69.3 million relating to the revaluation of ten vessels to their estimated net realizable value, of $131.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2016. We believe the presentation of the adjusted amounts above is useful to investors in understanding our current performance and financial condition, as it excludes items that may not be indicative of our core operating results. General and administrative expenses for the six months ended June 30, 2017 decreased to $10.7 million as compared to $22.2 million for the same period of 2016, primarily due to a decrease in nonvested stock amortization expense. Daily vessel operating expenses per vessel were $4,364 versus $4,542 in the comparative periods predominantly due to lower expenses related to crewing and insurance, as well as the timing of purchases of spares and stores partially offset by higher drydocking related expenses.

After the second quarter of 2017, the Company decided to dispose of the five 1999-built vessels in its fleet at times and on terms to be determined in the future. Since the estimated future undiscounted cash flows for each of these vessels did not exceed their net book values, we have adjusted their values to fair market value and will incur an impairment loss of approximately $19 million in the third quarter of 2017.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Cash Flow

Net cash used in operating activities for the six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016 was $0.6 million and $41.2 million, respectively. Included in the net loss during the six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016 are $3.3 million and $72.0 million of non-cash impairment charges, respectively. Also included in the net loss during the six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016 are $2.3 million and $10.9 million, respectively, of non-cash amortization of nonvested stock compensation related to the Company’s equity incentive plans. There was also a gain on sale of vessels in the amount of $7.7 million due to the sale of five vessels and paid in kind interest of $3.0 million related to the $400 Million Credit Facility during the six months ended June 30, 2017. Depreciation and amortization expense for the six months ended June 30, 2017 decreased by $3.7 million primarily due to the operation of fewer vessels in the second quarter of 2017 as well as the revaluation of ten of our vessels to their estimated net realizable value during the first half of 2016. Additionally, the fluctuation in prepaid expense and other current assets decreased by $8.8 million due to the timing of prepaid payments made and the hull and machinery insurance claims for repairs of the Genco Tiger and Baltic Lion. Lastly, there was a $4.2 million increase in deferred drydocking costs incurred because there were more vessels that completed drydocking during the six months ended June 30, 2017 as compared to the same period during 2016. This was offset by an increase in the fluctuation in accounts payable and accrued expenses of $2.9 million due to the timing payments.

Net cash provided by investing activities was $17.0 million during the six months ended June 30, 2017 as compared to $3.7 million during the six months ended June 30, 2016.  The increase is primarily due to a $13.6 million increase in the proceeds from the sale of five vessels during the six months ended June 30, 2017 as compared to the scrapping of one vessel during the six months ended June 30, 2016. Additionally, there was a $1.8 million decrease in deposits of restricted cash during the six months ended June 30, 2017 primarily as a result of the release of restricted cash for required capital expenditures for our vessels. These increases were partially offset by a decrease of $2.4 million for the proceeds from the sale of available-for-sale securities for the six months ended June 30, 2016.

Net cash used in financing activities was $2.7 million and $26.9 million during the six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively.  Net cash used in financing activities of $2.7 million for the six months ended June 30, 2017 consisted primarily of the following:  $1.1 million payment of Series A Preferred Stock issuance costs; $1.4 million repayment of debt under the 2014 Term Loan Facilities; and $0.2 million repayment of debt under the $400 Million Credit Facility.  Net cash used in financing activities of $26.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2016 consisted primarily of the following: $10.2 million repayment of debt under the $253 Million Term Loan Facility, $6.0 million repayment of debt under the $148 Million Credit Facility, $3.8 million repayment of debt under the $100 Million Term Loan Facility, $3.3 million repayment of debt under the 2015 Revolving Credit Facility, $1.4 million repayment of debt under $44 Million Term Loan Facility, $1.4 million repayment of debt under the 2014 Term Loan Facilities; and $0.8 million repayment of debt under the $22 Million Term Loan Facility.  On November 15, 2016, the $400 Million Credit Facility refinanced the following six credit facilities: the $253 Million Term Loan Facility, the $148 Million Credit Facility, the $100 Million Term Loan Facility, the 2015 Revolving Credit Facility, the $44 Million Term Loan Facility and the $22 Million Term Loan Facility.

Capital Expenditures

We make capital expenditures from time to time in connection with vessel acquisitions. As of August 7, 2017, our fleet consists of 13 Capesize, six Panamax, four Ultramax, 21 Supramax, one Handymax and 15 Handysize vessels with an aggregate capacity of approximately 4,688,000 dwt.  

In addition to acquisitions that we may undertake in future periods, we will incur additional capital expenditures due to special surveys and drydockings for our fleet. Four of our vessels completed drydocking during the second quarter of 2017. We currently expect five of our vessels to be drydocked during the remainder of 2017 including one Capesize, two Panamax and two Supramax vessels.

We estimate our capital expenditures related to drydocking for our fleet through 2017 to be:

(1) Estimates are based on our budgeted cost of drydocking our vessels in China. Actual costs will vary based on various factors, including where the drydockings are actually performed. We expect to fund these costs with cash from operations. These costs do not include drydock expense items that are reflected in vessel operating expenses or potential costs associated with the installation of ballast water treatment systems.

(2) Actual length will vary based on the condition of the vessel, yard schedules and other factors.

Four of our vessels completed drydocking during the second quarter of 2017 while one other vessel began drydocking during the end of the second quarter. The offhire days recorded for these vessels during the second quarter of 2017 due to scheduled drydocking amounted to 100.6 days. Capitalized costs associated with drydocking incurred during the second quarter of 2017 were approximately $2.5 million.

Summary Consolidated Financial and Other Data

The following table summarizes Genco Shipping & Trading Limited’s selected consolidated financial and other data for the periods indicated below.

1) EBITDA represents net income (loss) plus net interest expense, taxes, and depreciation and amortization. EBITDA is included because it is used by management and certain investors as a measure of operating performance. EBITDA is used by analysts in the shipping industry as a common performance measure to compare results across peers. Our management uses EBITDA as a performance measure in consolidating internal financial statements and it is presented for review at our board meetings. For these reasons, we believe that EBITDA is a useful measure to present to our investors. EBITDA is not an item recognized by U.S. GAAP (i.e. non-GAAP measure) and should not be considered as an alternative to net income, operating income or any other indicator of a company's operating performance required by U.S. GAAP. EBITDA is not a source of liquidity or cash flows as shown in our consolidated statement of cash flows. The definition of EBITDA used here may not be comparable to that used by other companies.
2) Average number of vessels is the number of vessels that constituted our fleet for the relevant period, as measured by the sum of the number of days each vessel was part of our fleet during the period divided by the number of calendar days in that period.
3) We define ownership days as the aggregate number of days in a period during which each vessel in our fleet has been owned by us. Ownership days are an indicator of the size of our fleet over a period and affect both the amount of revenues and the amount of expenses that we record during a period.
4) We define available days as the number of our ownership days less the aggregate number of days that our vessels are off-hire due to scheduled repairs or repairs under guarantee, vessel upgrades or special surveys and the aggregate amount of time that we spend positioning our vessels between time charters. Companies in the shipping industry generally use available days to measure the number of days in a period during which vessels should be capable of generating revenues.
5) We define operating days as the number of our available days in a period less the aggregate number of days that our vessels are off-hire due to unforeseen circumstances. The shipping industry uses operating days to measure the aggregate number of days in a period during which vessels actually generate revenues.
6) We calculate fleet utilization by dividing the number of our operating days during a period by the number of our available days during the period. The shipping industry uses fleet utilization to measure a company's efficiency in finding suitable employment for its vessels and minimizing the number of days that its vessels are off-hire for reasons other than scheduled repairs or repairs under guarantee, vessel upgrades, special surveys or vessel positioning.
7) We define TCE rates as our net voyage revenue (voyage revenues less voyage expenses (including voyage expenses to Parent)) divided by the number of our available days during the period, which is consistent with industry standards. TCE rate is a common shipping industry performance measure used primarily to compare daily earnings generated by vessels on time charters with daily earnings generated by vessels on voyage charters, because charterhire rates for vessels on voyage charters are generally not expressed in per-day amounts while charterhire rates for vessels on time charters generally are expressed in such amounts.
8) We define daily vessel operating expenses to include crew wages and related costs, the cost of insurance expenses relating to repairs and maintenance (excluding drydocking), the costs of spares and consumable stores, tonnage taxes and other miscellaneous expenses. Daily vessel operating expenses are calculated by dividing vessel operating expenses by ownership days for the relevant period.

Genco Shipping & Trading Limited’s Fleet

Genco Shipping & Trading Limited transports iron ore, coal, grain, steel products and other drybulk cargoes along worldwide shipping routes. As of August 7, 2017, Genco Shipping & Trading Limited’s fleet consists of 13 Capesize, six Panamax, four Ultramax, 21 Supramax, one Handymax and 15 Handysize vessels with an aggregate capacity of approximately 4,688,000 dwt.

Our current fleet contains 15 groups of sister ships, which are vessels of virtually identical sizes and specifications. We believe that maintaining a fleet that includes sister ships reduces costs by creating economies of scale in the maintenance, supply and crewing of our vessels. As of August 7, 2017, the average age of our current fleet was 9.3 years.

The following table reflects the employment of Genco’s fleet as of August 7, 2017:

(1) The charter expiration dates presented represent the earliest dates that our charters may be terminated in the ordinary course. Under the terms of certain contracts, the charterer is entitled to extend the time charter from two to four months in order to complete the vessel's final voyage plus any time the vessel has been off-hire.
(2) Time charter rates presented are the gross daily charterhire rates before third-party brokerage commission generally ranging from 1.25% to 6.25%. In a time charter, the charterer is responsible for voyage expenses such as bunkers, port expenses, agents’ fees and canal dues.
(3) We have reached an agreement with Swissmarine Services S.A. on a time charter for 11 to 14.5 months at a rate based on 98% of the Baltic Capesize Index 5TC (BCI), as published by the Baltic Exchange, reflected in daily reports. Hire is paid every 15 days in arrears less a 5.00% third-party brokerage commission. The vessel delivered to charterers on June 19, 2017 after completion of drydocking for scheduled repairs.
(4) We have reached an agreement with Oldendorff GMBH & Co. on a time charter for approximately 45 days at a rate of $14,500 per day. Hire is paid every 15 days in advance less a 5.00% third-party brokerage commission. The vessel is expected to deliver to charterers on or about August 11, 2017.
(5) We have agreed to an extension with Swissmarine Asia Pte. Ltd. on a time charter for 6.5 to 9.5 months at a rate on 88% of the BCI, as published in daily reports. Hire is paid every 15 days in arrears less a 5.00% third-party brokerage commission. The extension began on June 26, 2017.
(6) We have reached an agreement with Koch Shipping Pte. Ltd. on a time charter for 5 to 8.5 months at a rate of $15,300 per day except for the first 50 days in which the hire rate is $10,000 per day. Hire is paid every 15 days in advance less a 5.00% third-party brokerage commission. The vessel delivered to charterers on May 18, 2017.
(7) We have reached an agreement with Trafigura Maritime Logistics Pte. Ltd. on a time charter for 3.5 to 7.5 months at a rate of $10,750 per day. Hire is paid every 15 days in advance less a 5.00% third-party brokerage commission. The vessel delivered to charterers on July 12, 2017.
(8) The vessel redelivered to Genco on June 29, 2017 and is currently in drydocking for scheduled maintenance.
(9) We have reached an agreement with Cargill International S.A. on a time charter trip at a rate of $9,000 per day. Hire is paid every 15 days in advance less a 5.00% third-party brokerage commission. The vessel delivered to charterers on July 2, 2017 after repositioning. A ballast bonus was awarded after the repositioning period. The vessel redelivered to Genco on April 17, 2017 and then completed drydocking for scheduled maintenance.
(10) We have reached an agreement with Raffles Shipping International Pte. Ltd. on a time charter for approximately 55 days at a rate of $10,500 per day. Hire is paid every 15 days in advance less a 5.00% third-party brokerage commission. The vessel delivered to charterers on July 10, 2017 after repositioning. A ballast bonus was awarded after the repositioning period. The vessel redelivered to Genco on May 26, 2017.
(11) We have reached an agreement with Swissmarine Asia Pte., Ltd. on a time charter for 3.5 to 8.5 months at a rate of $8,000 per day. Hire is paid every 15 days in advance less a 5.00% third-party brokerage commission. The vessel delivered to charterers on June 18, 2017.
(12) We have reached an agreement with Golden Ocean Trading Ltd. Bermuda on a time charter for approximately 60 days at a rate of $9,650 per day. Hire is paid every 15 days in advance less a 5.00% third-party brokerage commission. The vessel delivered to charterers on August 4, 2017 after repositioning. The vessel had redelivered to Genco on July 29, 2017.
(13) We have reached an agreement with SK Shipping Co., Ltd. on a time charter for approximately 75 days at a rate of $2,700 per day. If the time charter exceeds 66 days then the hire rate will be $8,500 per day. Hire is paid every 15 days in advance less a 6.25% third-party brokerage commission. The vessel delivered to charterers on June 23, 2017.
(14) We have reached an agreement with Cargill International S.A. on a time charter for approximately 40 days at a rate of $13,000 per day. Hire is paid every 15 days in advance less a 5.00% third-party brokerage commission. The vessel is expected to deliver to charterers on or about August 14, 2017 after repositioning. The vessel redelivered to Genco on August 1, 2017.
(15) We have reached an agreement with Western Bulk Carriers A/S on a time charter for approximately 35 days at a rate of $8,250 per day. Hire is paid every 15 days in advance less a 5.00% third-party brokerage commission. The vessel delivered to charterers on August 1, 2017.
(16) We have reached an agreement to enter these vessels into the Bulkhandling Handymax A/S Pool, a vessel pool trading in the spot market of which Torvald Klaveness acts as the pool manager. Genco can withdraw a vessel with three months’ notice.
(17) We have reached an agreement with Gearbulk Pool Ltd., Norway on a time charter for approximately 40 days at a rate of $16,000 per day. Hire is paid every 15 days in advance less a 5.00% third-party brokerage commission. The vessel delivered to charterers on April 29, 2017 after repositioning. The vessel had redelivered to Genco on April 10, 2017.
(18) We have reached an agreement with ED&F Man Shipping Ltd. on a time charter for approximately 25 days at a rate of $9,000 per day. Hire is paid every 15 days in advance less a 5.00% third-party brokerage commission. The vessel is expected to deliver to charterers on or about August 8, 2017.
(19) We have reached an agreement with Western Bulk Pte. Ltd., Singapore on a time charter for 3 to 5.5 months at a rate of $9,350 per day. Hire is paid every 15 days in advance less a 5.00% third-party brokerage commission. The vessel delivered to charterers on March 19, 2017 after repositioning. The vessel had redelivered to Genco on March 16, 2017.
(20) We have reached an agreement with Clipper Bulk Shipping NV on a time charter for approximately 50 days at a rate of $3,500. If the time charter exceeds 50 days then the hire rate will be $7,000 per day. Hire is paid every 15 days in advance less a 3.75% third-party broker commission. The vessel delivered to charterers on June 19, 2017.
(21) We have reached an agreement with Oldendorff Carriers GMBH & Co. on a time charter for 3 to 5.5 months at a rate of $7,900 per day. Hire is paid every 15 days in advance less a 5.00% third-party brokerage commission. The vessel delivered to charterers on June 21, 2017.
(22) We have agreed to an extension with Centurion Bulk Pte. Ltd., Singapore on a time charter at a rate of $9,000 per day. The minimum and maximum expiration dates of the time charter are October 1, 2017 and December 1, 2017, respectively. Hire is paid every 15 days in advance less a 5.00% third-party broker age commission.
(23) We have reached an agreement with Cam Negoce Paris for one voyage for approximately 61 days.
(24) We have reached an agreement with Ultrabulk A/S on a time charter for approximately 25 days at a rate of $6,000 per day. Hire is paid every 15 days in advance less a 5.00% third-party brokerage commission. The vessel is expected to deliver to charterers on or about August 9, 2017.
(25) We have reached an agreement with Marubeni Grain and Oilseeds Trading Asia Pte. Ltd. for one voyage for approximately 35 days.
(26) We have reached an agreement with Cargill Americas Inc. for one voyage for approximately 30 days.
(27) We have agreed to an extension with Centurion Bulk Pte. Ltd. Singapore on a time charter for 2.5 to 5.5 months at a rate of $8,500 per day. Hire is paid every 15 days in advance less a 5.00% third-party brokerage commission. The extension began on July 4, 2017.
(28) We have reached an agreement with Xianglong Shipping Co., Ltd. on a time charter for approximately 20 days at a rate of $8,000 per day. Hire is paid every 15 days in advance less a 5.00% third-party brokerage commission. The vessel delivered to charterers on July 21, 2017.
(29) We have reached an agreement with Sun United Maritime Ltd. on a time charter for approximately 65 days at a rate of $6,000 per day. If the time charter extends beyond 65 days, the hire rate will be $7,500 per day. Hire is paid every 15 days in advance less a 5.00% third-party brokerage commission. The vessel is expected to deliver to charterers on or about August 17, 2017.
(30) We have reached an agreement with Ultrabulk A/S on a time charter for 2.5 to 5.5 months at a rate of $9,000 per day. Hire is paid every 15 days in advance less a 5.00% third-party brokerage commission. The vessel delivered to charterers on April 23, 2017.
(31) We have reached an agreement with Clipper Bulk Shipping on a time charter for 3 to 5.5 months at a rate of $8,000 per day. Hire is paid every 15 days in advance less a 5.00% third-party brokerage commission. The vessel delivered to charterers on March 15, 2017 after repositioning. The vessel had redelivered to Genco on February 21, 2017.
(32) We have reached an agreement with Thorco Bulk A/S on a time charter for approximately 30 days at a rate of $13,500 per day. Hire is paid every 15 days in advance less a 5.00% third-party brokerage commission. The vessel delivered to charterers on July 2, 2017 after repositioning. The vessel had redelivered to Genco on June 19, 2017.
(33) We have reached an agreement with Clipper Bulk Shipping on a time charter for 3 to 5.5 months at a rate of $8,000 per day. Hire is paid every 15 days in advance less a 5.00% third-party brokerage commission. The vessel delivered to charterers on March 28, 2017.
(34) We have reached an agreement with Ultrabulk S.A. on a time charter for 2.5 to 5.5 months at a rate of $8,500 per day. Hire is paid every 15 days in advance less a 5.00% third-party brokerage commission. The vessel delivered to charterers on May 24, 2017.

About Genco Shipping & Trading Limited

Genco Shipping & Trading Limited transports iron ore, coal, grain, steel products and other drybulk cargoes along worldwide shipping routes. As of August 7, 2017, Genco Shipping & Trading Limited’s fleet consists of 13 Capesize, six Panamax, four Ultramax, 21 Supramax, one Handymax and 15 Handysize vessels with an aggregate capacity of approximately 4,688,000 dwt.

Conference Call Announcement

Genco Shipping & Trading Limited will hold a conference call on Tuesday, August 8, 2017 at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time to discuss its 2017 second quarter financial results. The conference call and a presentation will be simultaneously webcast and will be available on the Company’s website, www.GencoShipping.com. To access the conference call, dial (323) 794-2130 or (866) 564-2842 and enter passcode 2914626. A replay of the conference call can also be accessed for two weeks by dialing (888) 203-1112 or (719) 457-0820 and entering the passcode 2914626. The Company intends to place additional materials related to the earnings announcement, including a slide presentation, on its website prior to the conference call.

Website Information

We intend to use our website, www.GencoShipping.com, as a means of disclosing material non-public information and for complying with our disclosure obligations under Regulation FD. Such disclosures will be included in our website’s Investor Relations section. Accordingly, investors should monitor the Investor Relations portion of our website, in addition to following our press releases, SEC filings, public conference calls, and webcasts. To subscribe to our e-mail alert service, please click the “Receive E-mail Alerts” link in the Investor Relations section of our website and submit your email address.  The information contained in, or that may be accessed through, our website is not incorporated by reference into or a part of this document or any other report or document we file with or furnish to the SEC, and any references to our website are intended to be inactive textual references only.

"Safe Harbor" Statement Under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995

This press release contains forward-looking statements made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements use words such as “anticipate,” “budget,” “estimate,” “expect,” “project,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” and other words and terms of similar meaning in connection with a discussion of potential future events, circumstances or future operating or financial performance.  These forward looking statements are based on management’s current expectations and observations. Included among the factors that, in our view, could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward looking statements contained in this report are the following: (i) further declines or sustained weakness in demand in the drybulk shipping industry; (ii) continuation of weakness or further declines in drybulk shipping rates; (iii) changes in the supply of or demand for drybulk products, generally or in particular regions; (iv) changes in the supply of drybulk carriers including newbuilding of vessels or lower than anticipated scrapping of older vessels; (v) changes in rules and regulations applicable to the cargo industry, including, without limitation, legislation adopted by international organizations or by individual countries and actions taken by regulatory authorities; (vi) increases in costs and expenses including but not limited to: crew wages, insurance, provisions, lube, oil, bunkers, repairs, maintenance and general, administrative, and management fee expenses; (vii) whether our insurance arrangements are adequate; (viii) changes in general domestic and international political conditions; (ix) acts of war, terrorism, or piracy; (x) changes in the condition of the Company’s vessels or applicable maintenance or regulatory standards (which may affect, among other things, our anticipated drydocking or maintenance and repair costs) and unanticipated drydock expenditures; (xi) the Company’s acquisition or disposition of vessels; (xii) the amount of offhire time needed to complete repairs on vessels and the timing and amount of any reimbursement by our insurance carriers for insurance claims, including offhire days; (xiii) the completion of definitive documentation with respect to charters; (xiv) charterers’ compliance with the terms of their charters in the current market environment; (xv) the extent to which our operating results continue to be affected by weakness in market conditions and charter rates; (xvi) our ability to maintain contracts that are critical to our operation, to obtain and maintain acceptable terms with our vendors, customers and service providers and to retain key executives, managers and employees; and other factors listed from time to time in our public filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission including, without limitation, the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016 and its subsequent reports on Form 10-Q and Form 8-K. Our ability to pay dividends in any period will depend upon various factors, including the limitations under any credit agreements to which we may be a party, applicable provisions of Marshall Islands law and the final determination by the Board of Directors each quarter after its review of our financial performance. The timing and amount of dividends, if any, could also be affected by factors affecting cash flows, results of operations, required capital expenditures, or reserves.  As a result, the amount of dividends actually paid may vary.  We do not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward‑looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.