Commercial Barge Line Company Announces Results for Second Quarter 2012

JEFFERSONVILLE, IN--(Marketwire - Aug 7, 2012) -

Highlights

• Adjusted EBITDAR for the trailing twelve month period ended June 30, 2012 was $220.1 million -- a 26% increase over Adjusted EBITDAR for the year ended December 31, 2011.
• Adjusted EBITDAR of $53.4 million for the current quarter increased 33% from prior quarter.
• Operating income of $17.8 million in the current quarter improved by $33.7 million over prior quarter.
• Net barrel capacity of our liquid fleet increased by over 6% as a result of the addition of 16 tank barges to our liquid fleet during the current six month period which included eight Jeffboat-built tank barges and the acquisition of eight tank barges.
• Strong liquidity with $240.4 million in available borrowing capacity.
• Ratio of Net Funded Debt to trailing twelve month Adjusted EBITDAR reduced to 1.8 times at quarter-end.

Commercial Barge Line Company (the "Company") today announced results for the quarter and six months ended June 30, 2012. Revenues for the current quarter increased 9% over the prior year's second quarter to $218.7 million. Revenues for the current six month period increased 16% over the prior six month period to $436.8 million. For the current quarter, Adjusted EBITDAR was $53.4 million, a 33% increase over $40.2 million for the prior quarter. On a trailing-twelve month basis, Adjusted EBITDAR was $220.1 million, an increase of 26% over Adjusted EBITDAR of $174.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2011.

Commenting on the results, Mark Knoy, President and Chief Executive Officer, stated, "We continue to see solid year-over-year improvements in our financial performance as a result of our focus on safe and efficient operating practices and cost control. We have also enjoyed a robust demand for our liquid transportation services and reasonably good operating conditions to date. As a result, our trailing twelve-months Adjusted EBITDAR has increased 26% over full year 2011 results to $220.1 million. This progress was made despite a challenging dry cargo market, where the market has endured rate pressure resulting from weak domestic coal demand, uncertainties in the grain markets linked to the developing drought and the overall sluggishness of the US economic recovery. Our employees have responded well to these challenges to date and have been successful in offsetting much of these pressures with solid execution, creativity, good customer service and hard work."

Segment Revenues

Transportation segment revenues increased almost 7% to $174.2 million while total affreightment ton-mile volume increased 3.4% to 7.4 billion ton-miles in the current quarter. Improvements in asset utilization and favorable operating conditions early in the quarter enabled the Company to achieve these increased volumes while operating an average barge fleet that was 18% smaller and with 11% fewer boats. These gains in asset utilization were driven by reductions in non-revenue barge days as well as increased tons per barge of almost 2% in our dry cargo business.

Fuel-neutral transportation revenues increased over 4% for the current quarter, driven by strong demand for liquid transportation services. The Company realized a 29% increase in its liquids business revenues driven by higher demand for dedicated liquid transportation services resulting from the continued growth of domestic crude production in the Eagle Ford and western Canadian crude shale regions and strong chemical production levels. The Company's liquid barge utilization was approximately 93% for the current quarter. Revenues associated with dedicated liquid transport agreements increased 39% over the prior year quarter and represented almost half of all liquid revenues in the current quarter. Liquid affreightment revenues, which are more heavily weighted toward chemicals also showed strength as they increased by 12% over prior year's levels.

Dry cargo revenues declined almost 9%, on a fuel-neutral basis, compared to the prior year's second quarter as a result of continued rate weakness, which was mitigated by a 14% increase in export coal ton-mile volumes and a 4% increase in grain ton-mile volumes. Grain rates declined approximately 25% and export coal rates declined by approximately 22% in the quarter compared to prior year. These market rate pressures were generally attributable to excess barge capacity resulting from declines in domestic utility coal demand and reduced grain exports during the quarter due to higher domestic consumption levels in advance of this year's harvest. Demurrage revenues in the Company's dry cargo business for the current quarter decreased over prior quarter levels by 12%.

Manufacturing segment revenues increased 22% to $44.5 million, with 79 total barges sold compared to 70 in the prior quarter.  The manufacturing segment's external revenue backlog at the period end was $41.6 million, or approximately $60 million lower than the backlog at both June 30 and December 31, 2011. This decline is attributable to a significant portion of the manufacturing segments capacity being allocated to produce barges for the transportation segment as we continue to revitalize our fleet. We currently have no additional 2012 capacity for external barges.

Transportation segment revenues increased 10% to $324.4 million for the six month period. Total affreightment ton-mile volume increased over 7% to 15.6 billion ton-miles, produced with an average barge fleet that was 12% smaller and with 8% fewer boats.

Fuel-neutral transportation revenues increased 6% for the current six month period. Our liquids business revenues improved by 22% while dry cargo revenues declined 2%, on a fuel-neutral basis. For the six month period, the Company experienced 26% higher coal ton-mile volumes and 10% higher grain ton-mile volumes. This growth was more than offset by declines in grain rates of 16% and export coal rates of 18%. Demurrage revenues in the Company's dry cargo business decreased from prior year levels by 24%.

Manufacturing segment revenues for the current six month period increased 53% to $80.3 million, with 144 barges sold to third parties compared to 99 barges in the prior six month period.

Operating Results

As a result of our higher revenues and the changes in our costs described in the following discussion of Adjusted EBITDAR, operating income and net income rose $33.7 million and $22.1 million, respectively, over the prior quarter and $64.4 million and $40.9 million, respectively, over the prior year six month period.

For the current quarter, Adjusted EBITDAR was $53.4 million, a 33% increase over $40.2 million for the prior quarter. In the current quarter, the transportation segment improved its Adjusted EBITDAR by $12.5 million. Adjusted EBITDAR for the prior year's second quarter includes an adjustment for the estimated impact of the extreme flooding in that quarter of $16.6 million. The improvement in Adjusted EBITDAR is attributable to the following:

• Lower boat and barge repair expense, attributable to the scrapping of a significant number of older barges and to the boat repower and upgrade program, which drove over half of the improvement in transportation Adjusted EBITDAR. 
• Improved operating productivity resulted in lower relative boat costs for the quarter, improving Adjusted EBITDAR by $1.7 million.
• More stable fuel costs and quarter-over-quarter fuel efficiency improvements contributed $2.8 million to the improvement. 
• Decreases in port and cargo costs attributable to lower fleeting days and better lane management contributed $2.8 million to the improvement. 
• Gains on the sale of equipment were also $1.2 million higher in the current quarter.

These positive factors were partially offset by the margin impact of changes in revenue of approximately $0.8 million with the positive impact of our strong liquids business and higher loadings per barge more than offset by dry cargo pricing pressure and lower dry demurrage revenues. Additionally, selling, general and administrative expenses and were approximately $2.9 million higher in the quarter, driven primarily by the timing in recognition of certain incentive compensation accruals.

Manufacturing segment Adjusted EBITDAR increased $0.7 million to $4.7 million in the current quarter on higher external sales volume and improved labor and materials efficiency in the shipyard.

For the current six month period, Adjusted EBITDAR was $111.7 million, a 70% increase over $65.9 million for the prior six month period. On a trailing-twelve month basis, Adjusted EBITDAR was $220.1 million, an increase of 26% over Adjusted EBITDAR of $174.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2011.

In the current six month period, the transportation segment improved its Adjusted EBITDAR by $41.0 million. Higher gains on disposal of equipment contributed $17.6 million to the improved Adjusted EBITDAR while improved boat productivity resulting from higher ton-mile production achieved with a smaller fleet of boats and barges contributed $9.1 million. Lower boat and barge repair expense, partially attributable to the scrapping of a significant number of older barges and to the boat repower and upgrade program drove approximately $6.0 million of the improvement in transportation Adjusted EBITDAR. Additional factors in the change in Adjusted EBITDAR include $3.2 million lower claims expenses, improved realization on fuel pricing surcharges and fuel efficiency improvements of $1.0 million and decreased port and cargo costs of $1.4 million. These positive factors were partially offset by the margin impact of changes in revenue, which had a negative impact of approximately $0.7 with the positive impact of higher unit tow volume and higher loadings per barge more than offset by lower pricing and lower dry demurrage volume. For the current six month period selling, general and administrative expenses and were essentially flat, despite higher incentive compensation accruals.

Manufacturing segment Adjusted EBITDAR increased $4.8 million in the current six month period to $10.3 million on higher external sales volume and improved labor and materials efficiency in the shipyard.

Outlook

Commenting on the outlook for the remainder of 2012, Mr. Knoy said, "As we look forward through the balance of 2012, we expect to continue to have significant opportunities and to face potential challenges. Domestic crude oil production increases are expected to continue to outpace existing distribution infrastructure capacity, opening further opportunities for us to leverage our liquids transportation capacity. As a result, we are adjusting our capital deployment strategies on a real-time basis to allow us to have the right equipment to take advantage of these market opportunities. We currently have the ability to put up to an additional 1.8 million barrels of tank barge capacity into service over the coming 12 to 18 months.

"Drought conditions are presenting us with several challenges as river conditions have worsened in recent weeks. These low water conditions are causing operating inefficiencies in the form of fewer tons per loading, fewer barges per tow and fewer miles per day along the lower Mississippi River. We cannot predict how long we will face these conditions and are taking steps to tightly control expenses and maintain the safety of our employees, our equipment, the environment and our customers' cargoes until conditions improve. Effectively responding to these challenges will require focus and teamwork, and I am confident that our teammates are up to the task.

"At this time, the potential impact of the drought on the grain harvest and our business is unclear. Factors such as domestic demand for grain for ethanol and livestock consumption, as well as global grain price dynamics will also have an impact on US grain export levels. Significant changes in these factors, such as a drop in demand for corn to be used in domestic ethanol production, could meaningfully swing export levels. Given these uncertainties, we have booked a meaningful portion of our grain capacity through the harvest season as conditions have warranted. We believe this provides us with some acceptable downside protection in current market conditions."

Liquidity and Debt Position

At June 30, 2012, we had total indebtedness of $374.7 million, including the $26.4 million premium recorded at the Acquisition date to recognize the fair value of the 2017 Notes, net of amortization through June 30, 2012. At this level of debt, we had $240.4 million in remaining availability under our Credit Facility. The Credit Facility has no maintenance financial covenants unless borrowing availability is generally less than $48.8 million. At June 30, 2012, debt levels were $191.6 million above this threshold.

As of June 30, 2012, the present value of the lease payments associated with revenue generating equipment was approximately $46.9 million. Including the present value of these lease payments, the Company's total indebtedness was $421.6 million as of June 30, 2012. The ratio of funded net debt to Adjusted EBITDAR for the trailing twelve months ended June 30, 2012 reflected an improvement to 1.8 times.

About the Company

Commercial Barge Line Company, headquartered in Jeffersonville, Indiana, is an integrated marine transportation and service company operating in the United States Jones Act trades. For more information about the Company, visit the Company's website at http://www.aclines.com/.

Non-GAAP Measures

Adjusted EBITDAR is a non-GAAP financial measure that the Company believes provides investors with a useful tool for analyzing its operating results as it eliminates the impact of certain non-comparable items and discontinued operations. The Company has included a reconciliation of its financial results to Adjusted EBITDAR elsewhere in this release.

Forward-Looking Statements

This release includes certain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are based on management's present expectations and beliefs about future events. As with any projection or forecast, these statements are inherently susceptible to risks, uncertainty and changes in circumstance. Important factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements and should be considered in evaluating the outlook of Commercial Barge Line Company. Risks and uncertainties are detailed from time to time in Commercial Barge Line Company's filings with the SEC, including our report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011. Commercial Barge Line Company is under no obligation to, and expressly disclaims any obligation to, update or alter its forward-looking statements, whether as a result of changes, new information, subsequent events or otherwise.

COMMERCIAL BARGE LINE COMPANY
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
(Unaudited - In thousands)
				Three Months Ended June 30,				Three Months Ended June 30,				Six Months Ended June 30,				Six Months Ended June 30,
				2012				2011				2012				2011
Revenues
	Transportation and Services			$	174,196			$	163,317			$	356,469			$	324,443
	Manufacturing				44,475				36,547				80,339				52,554
		Revenues			218,671				199,864				436,808				376,997
Cost of Sales
	Transportation and Services				147,715				167,673				309,157				325,930
	Manufacturing				40,629				35,001				71,640				51,445
		Cost of Sales			188,344				202,674				380,797				377,375
Gross Profit (Loss)					30,327				(2,810	)			56,011				(378	)
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses					12,496				13,014				22,700				30,690
Operating Income (Loss)					17,831				(15,824	)			33,311				(31,068	)
Other Expense (Income)
	Interest Expense				7,626				7,624				15,311				15,092
	Other, Net				(265	)			(214	)			(303	)			(344	)
		Other Expense			7,361				7,410				15,008				14,748
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations
	Before Income Taxes				10,470				(23,234	)			18,303				(45,816	)
Income Taxes (Benefit)					3,962				(7,495	)			6,932				(16,298	)
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations					6,508				(15,739	)			11,371				(29,518	)
Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax					-				134				26				37
	Net Income (Loss)			$	6,508			$	(15,605	)		$	11,397			$	(29,481	)

COMMERCIAL BARGE LINE COMPANY
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In thousands)
				June 30,				December 31,
				2012				2011
				(Unaudited)
ASSETS
Current Assets
	Cash and Cash Equivalents			$	1,531			$	938
	Accounts Receivable, Net				78,810				87,368
	Inventory				57,295				62,483
	Deferred Tax Asset				1,633				6,390
	Assets Held for Sale				1,612				1,612
	Prepaid and Other Current Assets				21,055				19,308
		Total Current Assets			161,936				178,099
Properties, Net					933,435				935,576
Investment in Equity Investees					6,631				6,470
Accounts Receivable, Related Parties, Net					11,969				12,021
Goodwill					17,692				17,692
Other Assets					40,311				45,521
		Total Assets		$	1,171,974			$	1,195,379
LIABILITIES
Current Liabilities
	Accounts Payable			$	41,694			$	48,653
	Accrued Payroll and Fringe Benefits				12,870				20,035
	Deferred Revenue				14,967				15,251
	Accrued Claims and Insurance Premiums				11,604				13,823
	Accrued Interest				12,380				11,708
	Customer Deposits				590				1,165
	Other Liabilities				29,536				29,104
		Total Current Liabilities			123,641				139,739
Long Term Debt					374,703				384,225
Pension and Post Retirement Liabilities					65,839				67,531
Deferred Tax Liability					180,046				178,602
Other Long Term Liabilities					39,276				46,335
		Total Liabilities			783,505				816,432
SHAREHOLDER'S EQUITY
Other Capital					424,455				424,932
Retained Deficit					(9,430	)			(20,826	)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss					(26,556	)			(25,159	)
		Total Shareholder's Equity			388,469				378,947
		Total Liabilities and Shareholder's Equity		$	1,171,974			$	1,195,379

NET INCOME (LOSS) TO ADJUSTED EBITDA AND EBITDAR RECONCILIATION
(Unaudited - Dollars in thousands)
			For the Three Months Ended					For the Six Months Ended
			June 30,					June 30,
			2012		2011			2012			2011
Net Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations			6,508		(15,739	)		11,371			(29,518	)
Discontinued Operations, Net of Income Taxes			-		134			26			37
Consolidated Net Income (Loss)			6,508		(15,605	)		11,397			(29,481	)
Adjustments from Continuing Operations:
	Interest Income		-		(103	)		(5	)		(158	)
	Interest Expense		7,626		7,624			15,311			15,092
	Depreciation and Amortization		27,195		27,888			54,205			55,394
	Taxes		3,962		(7,495	)		6,932			(16,298	)
Adjustments from Discontinued Operations:
	Interest Income		-		(18	)		-			(18	)
	Depreciation and Amortization		-		19			-			38
EBITDA from Continuing Operations			45,291		12,175			87,814			24,512
EBITDA from Discontinued Operations			-		135			26			57
Consolidated EBITDA			45,291		12,310			87,840			24,569
	Long-term Boat and Barge Rents		3,878		3,849			7,770			7,677
EBITDAR from Continuing Operations			49,169		16,024			95,584			32,189
EBITDAR from Discontinued Operations			-		135			26			57
Consolidated EBITDAR			49,169		16,159			95,610			32,246
Other Non-cash or Non-comparable charges included in net income:
Continuing Operations
	Share Based Compensation		35		322			84			1,815
	Merger Related and Consulting Expenses		4,201		6,874			27,173			13,446
	(Gain) Loss on Excess Boat Sales		-		-			(11,278	)		-
	Restructuring Costs		30		411			129			1,828
Total Continuing Operations			4,266		7,607			16,108			17,089
Discontinued Operations
	Merger Related and Consulting Expenses		-		20			-			20
Total Discontinued Operations			-		20			-			20
Flood Costs			-		16,618			-			16,618
Adjusted EBITDA from Continuing Operations			49,557		36,400			103,922			58,219
Adjusted EBITDA from Discontinued Operations			-		155			26			77
Adjusted Consolidated EBITDA			49,557		36,555			103,948			58,296
Adjusted EBITDAR from Continuing Operations			53,435		40,249			111,692			65,896
Adjusted EBITDAR from Discontinued Operations			-		155			26			77
Adjusted Consolidated EBITDAR			53,435		40,404			111,718			65,973

COMMERCIAL BARGE LINE COMPANY
Statement of Operating Income by Reportable Segment
(Dollars in thousands)
(Unaudited)
				Reportable Segments
				Transportation				Manufacturing			All Other Segments			Intersegment Elimination				Total
Three Months Ended June 30, 2012
Total revenue				$	174,387			$	54,627		$	-		$	(10,343	)		$	218,671
Intersegment revenues					191				10,152			-			(10,343	)			-
Revenue from external customers					174,196				44,475			-			-				218,671
Operating expense
	Materials, supplies and other				46,800				-			-			-				46,800
	Rent				6,699				-			-			-				6,699
	Labor and fringe benefits				28,123				-			-			-				28,123
	Fuel				39,518				-			-			-				39,518
	Depreciation and amortization				25,235				-			-			-				25,235
	Taxes, other than income taxes				2,843				-			-			-				2,843
	Gain on disposition of equipment				(1,503	)			-			-			-				(1,503	)
	Cost of goods sold				-				40,629			-			-				40,629
		Total cost of sales			147,715				40,629			-			-				188,344
	Selling, general & administrative				11,347				1,149			-			-				12,496
		Total operating expenses			159,062				41,778			-			-				200,840
Operating income				$	15,134			$	2,697		$	-		$	-			$	17,831

				Reportable Segments
				Transportation				Manufacturing			All Other Segments				Intersegment Elimination				Total
Three Months Ended June 30, 2011
Total revenue				$	163,652			$	36,600		$	-			$	(388	)		$	199,864
Intersegment revenues					335				53			-				(388	)			-
Revenue from external customers					163,317				36,547			-				-				199,864
Operating expense
	Materials, supplies and other				61,413				-			-				-				61,413
	Rent				6,977				-			-				-				6,977
	Labor and fringe benefits				25,683				-			-				-				25,683
	Fuel				45,749				-			-				-				45,749
	Depreciation and amortization				25,908				-			-				-				25,908
	Taxes, other than income taxes				3,246				-			-				-				3,246
	Gain on disposition of equipment				(1,303	)			-			-				-				(1,303	)
	Cost of goods sold				-				35,001			-				-				35,001
		Total cost of sales			167,673				35,001			-				-				202,674
Selling, general & administrative					12,613				400			1				-				13,014
		Total operating expenses			180,286				35,401			1				-				215,688
Operating (loss) income				$	(16,969	)		$	1,146		$	(1	)		$	-			$	(15,824	)

COMMERCIAL BARGE LINE COMPANY
Statement of Operating Income by Reportable Segment
(Dollars in thousands)
(Unaudited)
				Reportable Segments
				Transportation				Manufacturing			All Other Segments			Intersegment Elimination				Total
Six Months Ended June 30, 2012
Total revenue				$	356,762			$	106,051		$	-		$	(26,005	)		$	436,808
Intersegment revenues					293				25,712			-			(26,005	)			-
Revenue from external customers					356,469				80,339			-			-				436,808
Operating expense
	Materials, supplies and other				107,835				-			-			-				107,835
	Rent				13,427				-			-			-				13,427
	Labor and fringe benefits				56,822				-			-			-				56,822
	Fuel				82,799				-			-			-				82,799
	Depreciation and amortization				50,300				-			-			-				50,300
	Taxes, other than income taxes				5,861				-			-			-				5,861
	Gain on disposition of equipment				(7,887	)			-			-			-				(7,887	)
	Cost of goods sold				-				71,640			-			-				71,640
		Total cost of sales			309,157				71,640			-			-				380,797
Selling, general & administrative					20,532				2,168			-			-				22,700
		Total operating expenses			329,689				73,808			-			-				403,497
Operating income				$	26,780			$	6,531		$	-		$	-			$	33,311

				Reportable Segments
				Transportation				Manufacturing			All Other Segments				Intersegment Elimination				Total
Six Months Ended June 30, 2011
Total revenue				$	324,980			$	64,581		$	-			$	(12,564	)		$	376,997
Intersegment revenues					537				12,027			-				(12,564	)			-
Revenue from external customers					324,443				52,554			-				-				376,997
Operating expense
	Materials, supplies and other				118,256				-			-				-				118,256
	Rent				13,964				-			-				-				13,964
	Labor and fringe benefits				55,926				-			-				-				55,926
	Fuel				81,572				-			-				-				81,572
	Depreciation and amortization				51,427				-			-				-				51,427
	Taxes, other than income taxes				6,113				-			-				-				6,113
	Gain on disposition of equipment				(1,328	)			-			-				-				(1,328	)
	Cost of goods sold				-				51,445			-				-				51,445
		Total cost of sales			325,930				51,445			-				-				377,375
Selling, general & administrative					29,680				1,008			2				-				30,690
		Total operating expenses			355,610				52,453			2				-				408,065
Operating (loss) income				$	(31,167	)		$	101		$	(2	)		$	-			$	(31,068	)