Eagle Bulk Shipping Inc. Reports First Quarter 2011 Results

Net Revenue Increase 60% Year-on-Year


NEW YORK, May 9, 2011 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Eagle Bulk Shipping Inc. (Nasdaq:EGLE) today announced its results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2011.

For the First Quarter:

  • Net income of $0.8 million, or $0.01 per share, before allowance for bad debts for Korea Line Corporation of $6.6 million.
  • Net reported loss of $5.8 million or $0.09 per share (based on a weighted average of 62,560,436 diluted shares outstanding for the quarter), compared to net income of $4.6 million, or $0.07 per share, for the comparable quarter in 2010.
  • Net revenues of $86.7 million, an increase of 60% compared to $54.2 million for the comparable quarter in 2010. Gross time charter and freight revenues also increased 58%, to $90.4 million, compared to only time charter revenues of $57.4 million for the comparable quarter in 2010.
  • EBITDA, as adjusted for exceptional items under the terms of the Company's credit agreement, was $24.1 million for the first quarter of 2011, a 27% decrease compared to $32.9 million for the comparable quarter in 2010.
  • Fleet utilization rate of 99.0%.
  • Took delivery of two newbuilding vessels, Thrush and Nighthawk. The Thrush immediately entered its time charter and the Nighthawk          was employed on a voyage charter.

Sophocles N. Zoullas, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, commented, "Eagle Bulk's first quarter results reflect a unique convergence of adverse events for the dry bulk market. Most notably for Eagle Bulk, this included the Korea Lines restructuring, which we successfully resolved by re-chartering all impacted vessels beginning in mid-February on short-periods.

 "Going forward, we are confident that a steady focus on operating excellence, backed by the versatility and durability of our Supramax vessels, will secure stability through a challenging market." 

Legal Proceedings

On January 25, 2011, Korea Line Corporation ("KLC"), one of our charterers, filed for protective receivership in Seoul, South Korea. On February 15, 2011, the Korean courts approved this request. For the period February 15, 2011 through March 15, 2011, the Company took over the employment of the majority of the affected chartered vessels and re-chartered out all affected vessels on the spot and short term time charter markets. Earnings during this interim period were used to offset the charter hire otherwise due from KLC.

On March 15, 2011, the Company reached a comprehensive agreement with the receivers of KLC regarding twelve time-chartered vessels impacted by KLC's decision to file for protective receivership earlier this year. The main points of this agreement were:

 

  • Charter rates on eleven vessels have been adjusted to $17,000 per vessel per day. Additionally, through December 31, 2015, the Company will receive all profits between $17,000 and $21,000 per vessel per day. During this period any additional profits above $21,000 per vessel per day are to be split equally between the Company and KLC.

 

  • After December 31, 2015, all profits above $17,000 per vessel per day are to be split equally until the conclusion of the charters which expire at the earliest on December 31, 2018.

 

  • For the next twelve months, the Company will charter these eleven vessels and KLC will be responsible for any shortfall between the vessels' actual daily earnings and $17,000 per vessel per day. Any such shortfall shall be treated as a "claim for common benefit" under the Korean laws of corporate reorganization.

 

  • Time charter rates on two newbuildings have been adjusted to $17,000 per vessel per day with the same profit-sharing arrangement as above. However, the Company will charter these vessels from their delivery later this year until December 31, 2011, during which time KLC shall be responsible for any shortfall between the vessels' actual daily earnings and $17,000 per vessel per day, which shortfall shall be treated as a "claim for common benefit" under the Korean laws of corporate Rehabilitation.

 

  • The charter on one vessel was not impacted, subject to the continued performance of the vessel's subcharterer. The daily time charter rate on this vessel remains $18,300 until January 2014, after which the rate will be $18,000 per day plus 50% of any profits above this rate until the earliest completion of the charter in December 2018.

 

  • The Company filed a claim for all unpaid amounts in respect of the employment of the eleven vessels currently under charter to KLC for the period to March 15, 2011. The disposition of those claims for unpaid amounts due under those charters will be determined by the Korean courts at a future date.

We evaluated the KLC matter to make a determination as to the impact, if any, on our business, liquidity, results of operations, financial condition or cash flows and have recorded $6,586,900 as allowance for bad debt.

Long-term Debt

On August 4, 2009, we entered into a third amendatory agreement to our revolving credit facility. Among other changes, the third amendatory agreement amended the facility's net worth covenant from a market value to book value measurement with respect to the value of our fleet and reduced the facility's EBITDA to interest coverage ratio, with these changes to stay in effect until we were in compliance with the facility's original covenants for two consecutive accounting periods.

Based on information which we provided in 2010 to the lenders under the revolving credit facility, the agent for the lenders has only recently notified us that according to its interpretation we were in compliance with the original covenants for the second and third quarters during 2010, and, therefore, our original collateral covenants have been reinstated.

We disagree with the interpretation of the original covenant calculation being used by the agent and have advised the agent that we were not in compliance with the original covenants for these two consecutive quarters, and, therefore, the amended collateral covenants should remain in place. Under the agent's interpretation of the covenant, we were in compliance both with the original collateral covenants and the amended collateral covenants during the accounting period ended December 31, 2010.  However, while we have remained in compliance with the amended collateral covenants during the accounting period ended March 31, 2011, we would not be in compliance for that period under the agent's interpretation of the original collateral covenants.

Under the facility agreement, the effectiveness of the determination of compliance for an accounting period is as of the date that we supply a compliance certificate (the "Compliance Certificate Date") to the agent.  The current Compliance Certificate Date for the accounting period ended March 31, 2011 is no later than May 30, 2011.  

We believe that our interpretation of the facility agreement's covenant calculation is correct, that the reinstatement of the original loan covenant was not valid, and that we remain in compliance with all covenants in effect at March 31, 2011.  We are in active discussions with the agent to resolve this technical matter.  However, if the agent's interpretation is determined to be correct, we would not be in compliance with the original covenants for the period ending March 31, 2011, which could lead to a default under the facility agreement effective as of the Compliance Certificate Date for that period and, would result in the classification as current of amounts due under the facility agreement and could lead to substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern, if we are unable to agree on satisfactory terms or obtain a waiver from the agent.  We continue to seek to reach a satisfactory agreement with the agent, but there can be no assurance that we will be successful in doing so.

Results of Operations for the three-month period ended March 31, 2011 and 2010

For the first quarter of 2011, the Company reported a net loss of $5,810,281 or $0.09 per share, based on a weighted average of 62,560,436 diluted shares outstanding. In the comparable first quarter of 2010, the Company reported net income of $4,573,634 or $0.07 per share, based on a weighted average of 62,282,017 diluted shares outstanding.

In the first quarter of 2011, the Company's revenues were earned from time and voyage charters. Gross revenues in the quarter ended March 31, 2011 were $90,382,988, compared with $57,362,935 recorded in the comparable quarter in 2010. Net revenues during the quarter ended March 31, 2011 increased 60% to $86,692,775 from $54,243,725 in the quarter ended March 31, 2010. Net revenues recorded in the 2011 quarter include non-cash amortization of the fair value below contract value of time charters acquired of $1,294,519, compared with $864,628 recorded in the 2010 quarter. Brokerage commissions incurred on gross revenues earned were $3,690,213 and $3,119,210 in the first quarters of 2011 and 2010, respectively.

Total operating expenses for the quarter ended March 31, 2011 were $82,274,862 compared with $38,556,526 recorded in the first quarter of 2010. The Company operated 40 vessels in the first quarter of 2011 compared with 33 vessels in the corresponding quarter in 2010. The increase in operating expenses was primarily due to operating a larger fleet and includes increases in vessels crew cost, insurance cost, general and administrative expenses and vessel depreciation expense. General and administrative expenses include a $6,586,900 allowance for bad debts related to amounts receivable from Korea Lines Corporation who have filed for protective receivership and have received South Korea court approval for rehabilitation.

EBITDA, adjusted for exceptional items under the terms of the Company's credit agreement, decreased to $24,127,569 for the first quarter of 2011, compared with $32,938,490 for the first quarter of 2010. (Please see below for a reconciliation of EBITDA to net income).

Newbuilding Program

The Company has entered into vessel newbuilding contracts with shipyards in Japan and China. Since the inception of the program to March 31, 2011, the Company has taken delivery of 21 newbuild vessels, and has 6 vessels to be constructed and delivered during 2011. As of March 31, 2011, the Company has recorded advances of $139,300,009 towards the construction cost of these 6 vessels. These costs include progress payments to the shipyards, capitalized interest on debt drawn for the progress payments, insurance, legal, and technical supervision costs. (Table below provides anticipated delivery dates on the newbuilding fleet).

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Net cash provided by operating activities during the three-month periods ended March 31, 2011 and 2010, was $13,792,518 and $30,920,496, respectively. The decrease was primarily due to lower rates on charter renewals, provision for accounts receivable of $6,586,900 offset by operation of a larger fleet.

Net cash used in investing activities during the three-month period ended March 31, 2011, was $42,865,432, compared to $117,084,424 during the corresponding three-month period ended March 31, 2010. Investing activities during the three-month period ended March 31, 2011 and 2010 related primarily to making progress payments and incurring related vessel construction expenses for the newbuilding vessels.

Net cash used by financing activities during the three-month period ended March 31, 2011, was $2,333,435, compared to net cash provided by financing activities of $98,972,546 during the corresponding three-month period ended March 31, 2010. Financing activities during the three-month period ended March 31, 2010, primarily involved borrowings of $101,972,546 from our revolving credit facility. 

As of March 31, 2011, our cash balance was $97,715,331, compared to a cash balance of $129,121,680 at December 31, 2010. In addition, $20,000,000 in cash deposits are maintained with our lender for loan compliance purposes and this amount is recorded in Restricted cash in our financial statements as of March 31, 2011. Also recorded in Restricted Cash is an amount of $276,056, which is collateralizing a letters of credit relating to our office leases and $637,543 which collateralize for our FFAs position as of March 31, 2011.

At March 31, 2011, we are fully borrowed on the amended Revolving Credit Facility with aggregated amount of $1,151,354,476 in net borrowings. These borrowings consisted of $1,046,662,222 for the 40 vessels currently in operation and $104,692,254 to fund the Company's newbuilding program.

On August 4, 2009, the Company entered into a third Amendatory Agreement to its revolving credit facility dated October 19, 2007 (See section in the Company's 2010 Annual Report on Form 10-K entitled "Revolving Credit Facility" for a description of the facility and its amendments). The facility also provides us with the ability to borrow up to $20,000,000 for working capital purposes.

We are in disagreement with the interpretation of the original covenant calculation being used by the agent of our lender, as described above in the Long-term Debt section.

We anticipate that our current financial resources, together with cash generated from operations will be sufficient to fund the operations of our fleet, including our working capital requirements, for the next twelve months. We will rely on operating cash flows and possible additional equity and debt financing alternatives to fund our long term capital requirements for vessel construction and implement future growth plans.

Our loan agreements for our borrowings are secured by liens on our vessels and contain various financial covenants. The covenants relate to our financial position, operating performance and liquidity. The market value of dry bulk vessels is sensitive, among other things, to changes in the dry bulk charter market. The recent general decline in the dry bulk carrier charter market has resulted in lower charter rates for vessels in the dry bulk market. The decline in charter rates in the dry bulk market coupled with the prevailing difficulty in obtaining financing for vessel purchases have adversely affected dry bulk vessel values. A continuation of these conditions, could lead to a significant decline in the fair market values of our vessels, which could impact our compliance with these loan covenants. The recent developments in the credit markets and related impact on the dry bulk charter market have also resulted in additional risks. The occurrence of one or more of these risk factors could adversely affect our results of operations or financial condition. Please refer to the section entitled "Risk Factors" in Part II of this document which should be read in conjunction with the risk factors included in the Company's 2010 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

It is our intention to fund our future acquisition related capital requirements through borrowings under the amended revolving credit facility and to repay all or a portion of such borrowings from time to time with cash generated from operations and from net proceeds of issuances of securities.  The Company has a shelf registration filed on Form S-3 in March 2, 2009, subsequently amended, which would enable the Company to issue such securities.

Disclosure of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

EBITDA represents operating earnings before extraordinary items, depreciation and amortization, interest expense, and income taxes, if any. EBITDA is included because it is used by certain investors to measure a company's financial performance. EBITDA is not an item recognized by GAAP and should not be considered a substitute for net income, cash flow from operating activities and other operations or cash flow statement data prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States or as a measure of profitability or liquidity. EBITDA is presented to provide additional information with respect to the Company's ability to satisfy its obligations including debt service, capital expenditures, and working capital requirements. While EBITDA is frequently used as a measure of operating results and the ability to meet debt service requirements, the definition of EBITDA used here may not be comparable to that used by other companies due to differences in methods of calculation.

Our revolving credit facility permits us to pay dividends, subject to certain limitations, in amounts up to our cumulative free cash flows which is our earnings before extraordinary or exceptional items, interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (Credit Agreement EBITDA), less the aggregate amount of interest incurred and net amounts payable under interest rate hedging agreements during the relevant period and an agreed upon reserve for dry-docking. Therefore, we believe that this non-GAAP measure is important for our investors as it reflects our ability to pay dividends. The following table is a reconciliation of net income, as reflected in the consolidated statements of operations, to the Credit Agreement EBITDA:

  Three Months Ended
  March 31, 2011 March 31, 2010
Net Income (loss) $(5,810,281) $4,573,634
Interest Expense 11,336,479 11,176,987
Depreciation and Amortization 17,158,844 13,706,370
Amortization of fair value (below) above market 
 of time charter acquired
(1,294,519) (864,628)
EBITDA 21,390,523 28,592,363
Adjustments for Exceptional Items:    
Non-cash Compensation Expense (1) 2,737,046 4,346,127
Credit Agreement EBITDA $24,127,569 $32,938,490

 

 

 (1) Stock based compensation related to stock options and restricted stock units.

Capital Expenditures and Drydocking

Our capital expenditures relate to the purchase of vessels and capital improvements to our vessels which are expected to enhance the revenue earning capabilities and safety of these vessels.

We make capital expenditures from time to time in connection with our vessel acquisitions. As of March 31, 2011, our fleet consists of 40 vessels which are currently operational and 6 newbuilding vessels which have been contracted for construction. 

In addition to acquisitions that we may undertake in future periods, the Company's other major capital expenditures include funding the Company's maintenance program of regularly scheduled drydocking necessary to preserve the quality of our vessels as well as to comply with international shipping standards and environmental laws and regulations. Although the Company has some flexibility regarding the timing of its dry docking, the costs are relatively predictable. Management anticipates that vessels are to be drydocked every two and a half years. Funding of these requirements is anticipated to be met with cash from operations. We anticipate that this process of recertification will require us to reposition these vessels from a discharge port to shipyard facilities, which will reduce our available days and operating days during that period.

Drydocking costs incurred are amortized to expense on a straight-line basis over the period through the date the next drydocking for those vessels are scheduled to occur. One vessel was drydocked in the three months ended March 31, 2011. The following table represents certain information about the estimated costs for anticipated vessel drydockings in the next four quarters, along with the anticipated off-hire days:

 

Quarter Ending Off-hire Days(1) Projected Costs(2)
June 30, 2011 22 $0.55 million
September 30, 2011 -- --
December 31, 2011 22 $0.55 million
March 31, 2012 -- --
     
(1)Actual duration of drydocking will vary based on the condition of the vessel, yard schedules and other factors.
(2) Actual costs will vary based on various factors, including where the drydockings are actually performed.

Summary Consolidated Financial and Other Data:

The following table summarizes the Company's selected consolidated financial and other data for the periods indicated below.

 

   
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS

(UNAUDITED)

 
   
Three Months Ended
  March 31, 2011 March 31, 2010
     
     
Revenues, net of commissions $86,692,775  $54,243,725
     
Voyage expenses 15,821,512
Vessel expenses 19,473,399 15,362,733
Charter hire expenses 15,924,682
Depreciation and amortization 17,158,844 13,706,370
General and administrative expenses 13,896,425 9,487,423
 Total operating expenses 82,274,862 38,556,526
     
     
Operating income 4,417,913 15,687,199
     
Interest expense 11,336,479 11,176,987
Interest income (57,670) (63,422)
Other income (1,050,615)
 Total other expense, net 10,228,194 11,113,565
     
Net income (loss) $(5,810,281) $4,573,634
     
 
Weighted average shares outstanding :
   
     
Basic 62,560,436 62,126,665
Diluted 62,560,436 62,282,017
 
Per share amounts:
   
     
Basic net income $ (0.09) $ 0.07
Diluted net income $ (0.09) $ 0.07
     
  Three Months Ended
  March 31, 2011 March 31, 2010
Fleet Operating Data    
Number of Owned Vessels in Operating fleet 40 33
Ownership Days……………………………………………… 3,548 2,826
Chartered-in under operating lease Days………………………. 1,029
Available Days………………………………………………… 4,556 2,804
Operating Days………………………………………………… 4,511 2,776
Fleet Utilization……………………………………………… 99.0% 99.0%

 

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
 
     
   March 31, 2011
(
unaudited)
  December 31,
2010
ASSETS:      
Current assets:      
Cash and cash equivalents $97,715,331   $129,121,680
Accounts receivable 17,564,874   14,366,495
Prepaid expenses 5,025,093   3,459,721
Inventories 5,342,449   3,190,052
Fair value above contract value of time charters acquired 587,872   594,611
Fair value of derivative instruments 295,329  
  Total current assets 126,530,948   150,732,559
Noncurrent assets:      
Vessels and vessel improvements, at cost, net of accumulated
 depreciation of $193,025,281 and $176,824,438, respectively
  
1,589,016,010
   
1,509,798,249
Advances for vessel construction 139,300,009   191,477,225
Other fixed assets, net of accumulated amortization of $189,005 and $153,375, respectively 442,484   420,204
Restricted cash 20,913,599   19,790,341
Deferred drydock costs 3,511,816   4,217,071
Deferred financing costs 15,326,031   16,458,496
Fair value above contract value of time charters acquired 3,465,724   3,608,812
Other assets and accounts receivable, net of allowance 2,260,259   70,001
 Total noncurrent assets 1,774,235,932   1,745,840,399
Total assets $1,900,766,880   $1,896,572,958
       
LIABILITIES & STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY      
Current liabilities:      
Accounts payable $9,019,248   $6,089,273
Accrued interest 5,684,315   6,651,554
Other accrued liabilities 10,655,581   5,850,474
Deferred revenue and fair value below contract value of time charters acquired 6,217,558   5,705,326
Unearned charter hire revenue 9,386,335   6,091,332
Fair value of derivative instruments   127,758
  Total current liabilities 40,963,037   30,515,717
Noncurrent liabilities:      
Long-term debt 1,151,354,476   1,151,354,476
Deferred revenue and fair value below contract value of time charters acquired 21,510,754   23,480,740
Fair value of derivative instruments 18,637,234   22,135,507
 Total noncurrent liabilities 1,191,502,464   1,196,970,723
Total liabilities 1,232,465,501   1,227,486,440
Commitment and contingencies      
Stockholders' equity:      
Preferred stock, $.01 par value, 25,000,000 shares authorized, none issued  
Common stock, $.01 par value, 100,000,000 shares authorized, 62,560,436 shares issued and outstanding  
625,604
   
625,604
Additional paid‑in capital 739,778,027   738,251,158
Retained earnings (net of dividends declared of $262,118,388 as of March 31, 2011 and 
 December 31, 2010, respectively)
 
(53,465,018)
   
(47,654,737)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss (18,637,234)   (22,135,507)
  Total stockholders' equity 668,301,379   669,086,518
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $1,900,766,880   $1,896,572,958
     
 

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(UNAUDITED)

   
  Three Months Ended  
   March 31, 2011   March 31, 2010
Cash flows from operating activities:      
Net income (loss) $ (5,810,281)   $ 4,573,634
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:      
Items included in net income not affecting cash flows:      
Depreciation 16,236,473   13,039,338
Amortization of deferred drydocking costs 922,371   667,032
Amortization of deferred financing costs 993,727   584,717
Amortization of fair value below contract value of time charter acquired (1,294,519)   (864,628)
Unrealized gain from forward freight agreements, net (423,087)  
Allowance for accounts receivable 6,586,900  
Non‑cash compensation expense 2,737,046   4,346,127
Drydocking expenditures (217,116)   (682,308)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:      
Accounts receivable (11,346,879)   (1,398,846)
Other assets (628,658)  
Prepaid expenses (1,565,372)   1,748,782
Inventories (2,152,397)  
Accounts payable 2,929,975   3,293,587
Accrued interest (1,262,367)   2,051,673
Accrued expenses 4,805,107   2,612,823
Deferred revenue (13,408)   (1,015,005)
Unearned charter hire revenue 3,295,003   1,963,570
       
Net cash provided by operating activities 13,792,518   30,920,496
       
Cash flows from investing activities:      
Vessels and vessel improvements and advances for vessel construction (42,807,522)   (117,071,528)
Purchase of other fixed assets (57,910)   (12,896)
       
Net cash used in investing activities (42,865,432)   (117,084,424)
       
Cash flows from financing activities:      
Bank borrowings   101,972,546
Changes in restricted cash (1,123,258)   (3,000,000)
Cash used to settle net share equity awards (1,210,177)  
       
Net cash (used) provided by financing activities (2,333,435)   98,972,546
       
Net (decrease) increase in cash (31,406,349)   12,808,618
Cash at beginning of period 129,121,680   71,344,773
       
Cash at end of period $ 97,715,331   $ 84,153,391
       
       
         

Commercial and strategic management of the fleet is carried out by a wholly‑owned subsidiary of the Company, Eagle Shipping International (USA) LLC, a Marshall Islands limited liability company with offices in New York City.

We have employed all of our vessels in our operating fleet on time and voyage charters. During the three months ended March 31, 2011, we took delivery of two newbuilding vessels, Thrush and Nighthawk, which promptly entered into their respective charters. The following table represents certain information about the Company's revenue earning charters on its operating fleet:

 

         
 
Vessel
Year
Built
 
Dwt
 
Time Charter Expiration (1)
Daily Time
Charter Hire Rate
Avocet 2010 53,462 Dec 2018/Apr 2019 $17,000(2)
Bittern 2009 57,809 Dec 2018/Apr 2019 $17,000(2)
Canary 2009 57,809 Dec 2018/Apr 2019 $17,000(2)
Cardinal 2004 55,362 Dec 2012 to Feb 2013 Index(3)
Condor 2001 50,296 Jul 2011 to Oct 2011 Index(3)
Crane 2010 57,809 Dec 2018/Apr 2019 $17,000(2)
Crested Eagle(6) 2009 55,989 April 2011 $11,500(3,4)
Crowned Eagle 2008 55,940 Jun 2011 to Sep 2011 Index(3)
Egret Bulker 2010 57,809 Oct 2012 to Feb 2013 $17,650(5)
Falcon(6) 2001 50,296 Apr 2011 $13,000
Gannet Bulker 2010 57,809 Jan 2013 to May 2013 $17,650(5)
Golden Eagle 2010 55,989 Apr 2011 to Jun 2011 $17,000
Goldeneye 2002 52,421 Oct 2011 to Dec 2011 $17,000
Grebe Bulker 2010 57,809 Feb 2013 to Jun 2013 $17,650(5)
Harrier 2001 50,296 Jul 2011 to Oct 2011 $21,000
Hawk I 2001 50,296 Jul 2011 to Sep 2011 $20,000
Heron 2001 52,827 May to Jul 2011 $14,750
Ibis Bulker 2010 57,775 Mar 2013 to Jul 2013 $17,650(5)
Imperial Eagle 2010 55,989 Nov 2012 to Feb 2013 Index(3)
Jaeger 2004 52,248 Nov 2012 to Jan 2013 Index(3)
Jay 2010 57,802 Dec 2018/Apr 2019 $17,000(2)
Kestrel I (6) 2004 50,326 Apr 2011 $13,600
Kingfisher 2010 57,776 Dec 2018/Apr 2019 $17,000(2)
Kite (6) 1997 47,195 Apr 2011 $14,000
Kittiwake 2002 53,146 Apr 2011 to Jun 2011 $16,500
Martin 2010 57,809 Dec 2018/Apr 2019 $17,000(2)
Merlin 2001 50,296 May 2011 to Jul 2011 $15,250
Osprey I 2002 50,206 Sep 2011 to Nov 2011 $18,500
Peregrine 2001 50,913 May 2011 to Aug 2011 $16,000
Redwing 2007 53,411 Jul 2011 to Sep 2011 $20,000
Shrike 2003 53,343 Jun 2011 to Aug 2011 $20,000
Skua 2003 53,350 May 2011 to Aug 2011 $13,250
Sparrow (6) 2000 48,225 Apr 2011 $17,000
Stellar Eagle (6) 2009 55,989 Apr 2011 Index(3)
Tern 2003 50,200 Jul 2011 to Sep 2011 $16,000
Thrasher 2010 53,360 Dec 2018/Apr 2019 $17,000(2)
Thrush 2011 53,297 Apr 2011 to Jul 2011 $13,000
Woodstar 2008 53,390 January 2014
Jan 2014 to Dec 2018/Apr 2019
$18,300
$18,000(7)
Wren 2008 53,349 Dec 2018/Apr 2019 $17,000(2)
         
1) The date range provided represents the earliest and latest date on which the charterer may redeliver the vessel to the Company upon the termination of the charter. The time charter hire rates presented are gross daily charter rates before brokerage commissions, ranging from 1.25% to 6.25%, to third party ship brokers.
 
(2) Up to December 2015 with 100% profit share between $17,000 to $21,000 and 50% profit share thereafter, from January 2016 to Dec 2018/Apr 2019 with 50% profit share above $17,000.
 
(3) Index, an average of the trailing Baltic Supramax Index.
 
(4) With 50% Index share over $11,500.
 
(5) With a 50% profit share over $20,000 per day. The charterer has an option to extend the charter by 2 periods of 11 to 13 months each.
 
(6) Upon conclusion of the previous time charter the vessel will commence a short term time charter for up to five months.
 
 (7) With 50% profit share over $22,000.
                 

 

The following table, as of March 31, 2011, represents certain information about the Company's newbuilding vessels being constructed and their expected employment upon delivery:

 

           
Vessel  Dwt Year
Built –
Actual or
Expected
Delivery
(1)
Time Charter
Employment
Expiration
(2)
Daily
Time
Charter
Hire Rate
(3)
 
Profit Share
 
 Oriole 58,000 2011Q2 Dec 2015 $17,000 (5)  
      Dec 2018/Apr 2019 $17,000 50% over $17,000  
 Owl  58,000 2011Q3 Dec 2015 $17,000 (5)  
      Dec 2018/Apr 2019 $17,000 50% over $17,000  
 Petrel (4) 58,000 2011Q3 Jun 2014 to Oct 2014 $17,650 50% over $20,000  
 Puffin (4) 58,000 2011Q4 Jul 2014 to Nov 2014 $17,650 50% over $20,000  
 Roadrunner (4) 58,000 2011Q4 Aug 2014 to Dec 2014 $17,650 50% over $20,000  
 Sandpiper (4) 58,000 2011Q4 Sep 2014 to Jan 2015 $17,650 50% over $20,000  
             
(1)  Vessel build and delivery dates are estimates based on guidance received from shipyard.  
(2)  The date range represents the earliest and latest date on which the charterer may redeliver the vessel to the Company upon the termination of the charter.
 
 
(3)  The time charter hire rate presented are gross daily charter rates before brokerage commissions ranging from 1.25% to 6.25% to third party ship brokers.
 
 
(4)  The charterer has an option to extend the charter by two periods of 11 to 13 months each.  
(5)  With 100% profit share between $17,000 to $21,000 and 50% profit share thereafter.  
                   

Glossary of Terms:

Ownership days: The Company defines ownership days as the aggregate number of days in a period during which each vessel in its fleet has been owned. Ownership days are an indicator of the size of the fleet over a period and affect both the amount of revenues and the amount of expenses that is recorded during a period.

Chartered-in under operating lease days:  The Company defines chartered-in under operating lease days as the aggregate number of days in a period during which the Company chartered-in vessels. The Company started to charter-in vessels on a spot basis during the fourth quarter of 2010. 

Available days: The Company defines available days as the number of ownership days less the aggregate number of days that its vessels are off-hire due to vessel familiarization upon acquisition, scheduled repairs or repairs under guarantee, vessel upgrades or special surveys and the aggregate amount of time that we spend positioning our vessels. The shipping industry uses available days to measure the number of days in a period during which vessels should be capable of generating revenues.

Operating days: The Company defines operating days as the number of its available days in a period less the aggregate number of days that the vessels are off-hire due to any reason, including unforeseen circumstances. The shipping industry uses operating days to measure the aggregate number of days in a period during which vessels actually generate revenues.

Fleet utilization: The Company calculates 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 amount 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. Our fleet continues to perform at very high utilization rates.

TCE rates: The Company defines TCE rates as our voyage and time charter revenues less voyage expenses during a period divided by the number of our available days during the period, which is consistent with industry standards. TCE rate is a standard 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 charter hire rates for vessels on voyage charters are generally not expressed in per day amounts while charter hire rates for vessels on time charters generally are expressed in such amounts.

Conference Call Information

As previously announced, members of Eagle Bulk's senior management team will host a teleconference and webcast at 8:30 a.m. ET on Tuesday May 10th, to discuss these results.

To participate in the teleconference, investors and analysts are invited to call 800-510-0178 in the U.S., or 617-614-3450 outside of the U.S., and reference participant code 45795794. A simultaneous webcast of the call, including a slide presentation for interested investors and others, may be accessed by visiting http://www.eagleships.com.

A replay will be available following the call until 11:59 PM ET on May 17th, 2011. To access the replay, call 888-286-8010 in the U.S., or 617-801-6888 outside of the U.S., and reference passcode 12542187.

About Eagle Bulk Shipping Inc.

Eagle Bulk Shipping Inc. is a Marshall Islands corporation headquartered in New York. The Company is a leading global owner of Supramax dry bulk vessels that range in size from 50,000 to 60,000 deadweight tons and transport a broad range of major and minor bulk cargoes, including iron ore, coal, grain, cement and fertilizer, along worldwide shipping routes.

Forward-Looking Statements

Matters discussed in this release may constitute forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements reflect our current views with respect to future events and financial performance and may include statements concerning plans, objectives, goals, strategies, future events or performance, and underlying assumptions and other statements, which are other than statements of historical facts.

The forward-looking statements in this release are based upon various assumptions, many of which are based, in turn, upon further assumptions, including without limitation, management's examination of historical operating trends, data contained in our records and other data available from third parties. Although Eagle Bulk Shipping Inc. believes that these assumptions were reasonable when made, because these assumptions are inherently subject to significant uncertainties and contingencies which are difficult or impossible to predict and are beyond our control, Eagle Bulk Shipping Inc. cannot assure you that it will achieve or accomplish these expectations, beliefs or projections.

Important factors that, in our view, could cause actual results to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements include the strength of world economies and currencies, general market conditions, including changes in charter hire rates and vessel values, changes in demand that may affect attitudes of time charterers to scheduled and unscheduled drydocking, changes in our vessel operating expenses, including dry-docking and insurance costs, or actions taken by regulatory authorities, potential liability from future litigation, domestic and international political conditions, potential disruption of shipping routes due to accidents and political events or acts by terrorists.

Risks and uncertainties are further described in reports filed by Eagle Bulk Shipping Inc. with the US Securities and Exchange Commission.

Visit our website at www.eagleships.com



            

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