Fleet Profile (As of August 12, 2009) Year Vessel Name Type DWT Built ----------- --------- --------- --------- Star Alpha (1) Capesize 175,075 1992 Star Beta Capesize 174,691 1993 Star Sigma Capesize 184,403 1991 Star Ypsilon Capesize 150,940 1991 Star Gamma Supramax 53,098 2002 Star Delta Supramax 52,434 2000 Star Epsilon Supramax 52,402 2001 Star Zeta Supramax 52,994 2003 Star Theta Supramax 52,425 2003 Star Kappa Supramax 52,055 2001 Star Omicron Supramax 53,489 2005 Star Cosmo Supramax 52,247 2005 Grand Total 12 1,106,253(1) The Company has agreed to sell the Star Alpha to a third party for a contracted sale price of $19.85 million. The Company expects to deliver the vessel to the buyers in December 2009. Second Quarter 2009 Results For the quarter ended June 30, 2009, total revenues amounted to $32.4 million compared to $59.2 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2008 mainly due to lower charter rates achieved for some of our vessels and 46 scheduled dry-docking days for the vessel Star Ypsilon. Operating loss amounted to $1.0 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2009 compared to operating income of $33.2 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2008. Net loss for the second quarter of 2009 amounted to $3.4 million or $0.06 loss per share calculated on 60,994,760 weighted average number of shares, basic and diluted. Net income for the second quarter of 2008 amounting to $31.6 million or $0.62 earnings per share calculated on 50,963,213 weighted average number of shares, basic and $0.56 earnings per share calculated on 56,047,237 weighted average number of shares, diluted. The second quarter of 2009 net loss figure includes the following non-cash items:
-- A loss of $1.0 million or $0.02 per basic and diluted share associated with amortization of fair value of below/above market acquired time charters, attributable to the amortization of the fair value of time charters attached to vessels acquired, which are amortized over the remaining period of the time charter into revenue. -- Expenses of $0.2 million, which relates to the amortization of stock based compensation recognized in connection with the 1,385,000 restricted shares (vested and unvested) issued to directors and employees pursuant to the Company's equity incentive plan. -- An unrealized gain of $0.6 million or $0.01 per basic and diluted share associated with the mark-to-market valuation of the Company's Freight Forward Agreements (FFAs).The second quarter of 2008 net income figure includes the following non-cash items:
-- A gain of $17.1 million or $0.33 and $0.30 per basic and diluted share, respectively, associated with amortization of fair value of below/above market acquired time charters, attributable to the amortization of the fair value of time charters attached to vessels acquired, which are amortized over the remaining period of the time charter into revenue. -- Expenses of $0.8 million, or $0.02 and 0.01 per basic and diluted share, respectively, relating to the amortization of stock based compensation recognized in connection with the 315,000 restricted shares (vested and unvested) issued to directors and employees pursuant to the Company's equity incentive plan. -- Vessel impairment loss of $0.6 million, or $0.01 per basic and diluted share, in connection with the sale of the vessel Star Iota.EBITDA for the second quarter of 2009 was $14.9 million as compared to $45.4 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2008. Adjusted EBITDA for the second quarter of 2009 and 2008 excluding all the above items was $15.5 million and $29.7 million, respectively. A reconciliation of EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA to net cash provided by cash flows from operating activities is set forth below. An average of 12 and 10.6 vessels were owned and operated during the second quarter of 2009 and 2008, respectively, earning an average Time Charter Equivalent, or TCE rate of $30,019 per day and $46,068 per day, respectively. We refer you to the information under the heading "Summary of Selected Data" later in this release for further information regarding our calculation of TCE rate. Total expenses increased to $33.4 million for the three-month period ended June 30, 2009 compared to $26.0 million for the three-month period ended June 30, 2008 due to higher vessel operating and voyage expenses and depreciation related to the operation of a larger fleet. Vessel operating expenses were $9.1 million for the second quarter of 2009 compared to $5.8 million for the same period last year. The increase in vessel operating expenses was due to the operation of a larger fleet, higher crewing and insurance expenses. Depreciation expenses increased approximately 30% to $15.8 million for the second quarter of 2009 from $12.2 million for the second quarter of 2008 mainly due to the growth of our fleet. General and administrative expenses decreased approximately 35% to $1.7 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2009 from $2.7 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2008, respectively. Therefore, on a per vessel and per day basis, general and administrative expenses decreased by approximately 42%. This decrease is mainly due to the economies of scale that reduce our average cost per vessel as we expand our fleet. First Half 2009 Results For the first half year ended June 30, 2009, total revenues amounted to $77.5 million compared to $100.9 million for the first half year ended June 30, 2008. This decrease is mainly due to lower charter rates achieved for some of our vessels. Operating income amounted to $24.2 million for the first half ended June 30, 2009 compared to operating income of $50.9 million for the first half ended June 30, 2008. Net Income for the first half of the year 2009 amounted to $19.0 million representing $0.31 earnings per share calculated on 60,694,160 weighted average number of shares, basic and diluted. Net Income for the first half of the year 2008 amounted to $48.3 million or $1.01 earnings per share calculated on 47,855,865 weighted average number of shares, basic and $0.91 earnings per share calculated on 52,798,013 weighted average number of shares, diluted. The first half of the year 2009 net income figure includes the following non-cash items:
-- A gain of $5.4 million or $0.09 per basic and diluted share, associated with amortization of fair value of below/above market acquired time charters, attributable to the amortization of the fair value of time charters attached to vessels acquired, which are amortized over the remaining period of the time charter into revenue. -- A gain of $10.9 million or $0.18 per basic and diluted share associated with the gain on the time charter agreement termination which mainly relates to the unamortized fair value of below market acquired time charter on a vessel early redelivery date. -- Expenses of $1.7 million, or $0.03 per basic and diluted share relating to the amortization of stock based compensation recognized in connection with the 1,385,000 restricted shares (vested and unvested) issued to directors and employees. -- An unrealized loss of $2.2 million or $0.04 per basic and diluted share associated with the mark-to-market valuation of the Company's Forward Freight Agreements.The first half of the year 2008 net income figure includes the following non-cash items:
-- A gain of $34.9 million, or $0.73 and $0.66 per basic and diluted share, respectively, associated with amortization of fair value of below/above market acquired time charters, attributable to the amortization of the fair value of time charters attached to vessels acquired, which are amortized over the remaining period of the time charter into revenue. -- Expenses of $2.2 million, or $0.05 and 0.04 per basic and diluted share relating to the amortization of stock based compensation recognized in connection with the 315,000 restricted shares (vested and unvested) issued to directors and employees under the Company's equity incentive plan. -- Vessel impairment loss of $4.6 million, or $0.10 per basic and $0.09 per diluted share, in connection with the sale of the vessel Star Iota.EBITDA for the first half of the year 2009 was $55.7 million as compared to $71.9 million for the first half ended June 30, 2008. Adjusted EBITDA for the first half of the year 2009 and 2008 excluding all the above items was $43.3 million and $43.9 million respectively. A reconciliation of EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA to net cash provided by cash flows from operating activities is set forth below. An average of 12 and 9.4 vessels were owned and operated during the first half of 2009 and 2008, respectively, earning an average Time Charter Equivalent, or TCE rate of $32,591 per day and $41,749 per day, respectively. We refer you to the information under the heading "Summary of Selected Data" later in this release for further information regarding our calculation of TCE rate. Total expenses increased to $64.5 million for the six-month period ended June 30, 2009 compared to $50.0 million for the six-month period ended June 30, 2008 due to higher vessel operating and voyage expenses and depreciation related to the operation of a larger fleet. Vessel operating expenses were $15.8 million for the first half of the year 2009 compared to $10.3 million for the same period last year. The increase in vessel operating expenses was due to the operation of a larger fleet, higher crewing and insurance expenses. Depreciation expenses increased approximately 50% to $31.5 million for the first half of the year 2009 from $21.1 million for the first half of the year 2008 mainly due to the growth of our fleet. General and administrative expenses decreased approximately 15% to $4.6 million for the first half of the year 2009 from $5.4 million the first half of the year 2008, respectively. Therefore, on per vessel and per day basis, general and administrative expenses decreased by approximately 34%. This decrease is mainly due to the economies of scale that reduce our average cost per vessel as we expand our fleet. Liquidity and Capital Resources Cash Flow Net cash provided by operating activities for the six months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008, was $42.1 million and $47.6 million, respectively. Net cash provided by operating activities for the six month period ended June 30, 2009 was primarily a result of recorded net income of $19.0 million, adjusted for depreciation of $31.5 million and stock based compensation and fair value of derivatives of $3.9 million, offset by amortization of fair value of below/above market acquired time charter agreements of $5.4 million and non-cash gain on time charter agreement termination of $10.9 million. Net cash provided by operating activities for the six months ended June 30, 2008 was primarily a result of recorded net income of $48.3 million, adjusted for depreciation, stock based compensation and the vessel impairment loss related to the sale of the vessel Star Iota of $27.9 million offset by the amortization of fair value of below/above market acquired time charter agreements of $35.3 million. Net cash used in investing activities for the six months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008, was $25.5 million and $297.0 million, respectively. For the six month period ended June 30, 2009, there was no cash used in investing activities due to the lack of acquisitions and/or sales of vessels during the period, however, there was an increase in restricted cash of $25.4 million related to the waivers obtained for the existing loan agreements and the FFA's. For the six months ended June 30, 2008 the cash used in investing activities related mainly to the payment of the cash consideration of $270.4 million paid for our initial fleet, the payment of $15.6 million representing the deposit of 10% of the purchase price for the vessels Star Cosmo and Star Star Ypsilon and $11.0 million related to the increase in restricted cash. Net cash used in financing activities for the six months ended June 30, 2009 was $22.6 million as compared to $268.4 million of net cash provided by financing activities for the six months ended June 30, 2008. For the six months ended June 30, 2009, net cash used in financing activities consisted of the payments of loan installments amounting to $24.5 million offset by cash provided from our Director's dividend reinvestment of $1.9 million. For the first half of the year 2008 net cash provided by financing activities consisted of the drawdown of $213.5 million related to our loan facilities and the proceeds from exercise of warrants of $94.0 million mainly offset by $23.4 million of cash dividends paid, $8.5 million of repayments under our loan agreements and payments of $6.1 million in connection with our repurchase of common stock and warrants.
Summary of Selected Data (TCE rate expressed in U.S. dollars) 3-months 3-months Ended Ended June 30, June 30, 2008 2009 ---------- ---------- Average number of vessels(1) 10.6 12.0 Number of vessels (as of the last day of the periods reported) 11 12 Average age of operational fleet (in years) (2) 10.4 10.2 Ownership days (3) 965 1,092 Available days (4) 911 1,046 Voyage days for fleet (5) 896 1,035 Fleet Utilization (6) 98.4% 98.9% Time charter equivalent rate(7) 46,068 30,019 6-months 6-months Ended Ended June 30, June 30, 2008 2009 ---------- ---------- Average number of vessels(1) 9.4 12 Number of vessels (as of the last day of the periods reported) 11 12 Average age of operational fleet (in years) (2) 10.4 10.2 Ownership days (3) 1,702 2,172 Available days (4) 1,573 2,102 Voyage days for fleet (5) 1,543 2,071 Fleet Utilization (6) 98.1% 98.5% Time charter equivalent rate(7) 41,749 32,591(1) 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 a part of our fleet during the period divided by the number of calendar days in that period. (2) Average age of operational fleet is calculated as at March 31, 2008 and 2009, respectively. (3) Ownership days are the total calendar days each vessel in the fleet was owned by Star Bulk for the relevant period. (4) Available days for the fleet are the ownership days after subtracting for off-hire days with major repairs, dry-docking or special or intermediate surveys or transfer of ownership. (5) Voyage days are the total days the vessels were in our possession for the relevant period after subtracting all off-hire days incurred for any reason (including off-hire for dry-docking, major repairs, special or intermediate surveys). (6) Fleet utilization is calculated by dividing voyage days by available days for the relevant period and takes into account the dry-docking periods. (7) Represents the weighted average time charter equivalent, or TCE rate, of our entire fleet. TCE rate is a measure of the average daily revenue performance of a vessel on a per voyage basis. Our method of calculating TCE rate is determined by dividing voyage revenues (net of voyage expenses and amortization of fair value of above/below market acquired time charter agreements) by voyage days for the relevant time period. Voyage expenses primarily consist of port, canal and fuel costs that are unique to a particular voyage, which would otherwise be paid by the charterer under a time charter contract, as well as commissions. TCE rate is a standard shipping industry performance measure used primarily to compare period-to-period changes in a shipping company's performance despite changes in the mix of charter types (i.e., spot charters, time charters and bareboat charters) under which the vessels may be employed between the periods. We included TCE revenues, a non-GAAP measure, as it provides additional meaningful information in conjunction with voyage revenues, the most directly comparable GAAP measure, because it assists our management in making decisions regarding the deployment and use of its vessels and in evaluating their financial performance. TCE rate is also included herein because it is a standard shipping industry performance measure used primarily to compare period-to-period changes in a shipping company's performance despite changes in the mix of charter types (i.e., spot charters, time charters and bareboat charters) under which the vessels may be employed between the periods and because we believe that it presents useful information to investors. EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA Reconciliation Star Bulk Carriers Corp. considers EBITDA to represent net income before interest, income taxes, depreciation and amortization. EBITDA does not represent and should not be considered as an alternative to net income or cash flow from operations, as determined by United States generally accepted accounting principles, or U.S. GAAP, and our calculation of EBITDA may not be comparable to that reported by other companies. EBITDA is included herein because it is a basis upon which the Company assesses its liquidity position; it is used by our lenders as a measure of our compliance with certain loan covenants; and because the Company believes that it presents useful information to investors regarding the Company's ability to service and/or incur indebtedness. The Company excluded amortization of the fair value of above/below market acquired time charters associated with time charters attached to vessels acquired, the unrealized loss resulting from Freight Forward Agreements and expenses relating to the amortization of stock-based compensation recognized during the period , to derive adjusted EBITDA. The Company excluded the above non-cash items to derive adjusted EBITDA because the Company believes that these non-cash items do not reflect the operational cash inflows and outflows of the Company's fleet. The following table reconciles net cash provided by operating activities to EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA:
3-months 3-months 6-months 6-months period period period period ended ended ended ended June 30, June 30, June 30, June 30, (Dollars in thousands) 2008 2009 2008 2009 --------- --------- --------- --------- Net cash provided by operating activities 30,776 17,585 47,647 42,136 Net increase/(decrease) in current assets 183 (2,922) 1,882 (34) Net decrease in current liabilities, excluding current portion of long term debt (2,817) (1,479) (8,089) (3,790) Amortization of fair value of above/below market acquired time charter agreements 17,050 (1,006) 34,919 5,358 Vessel impairment loss (588) - (4,642) - Other non cash charges (16) - (74) - Amortization of deferred finance charges (64) (129) (81) (185) Stock - based compensation (789) (214) (2,222) (1,666) Change in fair value of derivatives - 557 - (2,231) Non-cash (loss)/gain on time charter agreement termination - - - 10,919 Net Interest expense 1,628 2,462 2,596 5,181 --------- --------- --------- --------- EBITDA 45,363 14,854 71,936 55,688 ========= ========= ========= ========= Less: Amortization of fair value of above/below market acquired time charter agreements (17,050) 1,006 (34,919) (5,358) Non-cash loss/(gain) on time charter agreement termination - - - (10,919) Plus: Stock - based compensation 789 214 2,222 1,666 Change in fair value of derivatives - (557) - 2,231 Vessel impairment loss 588 - 4,642 - --------- --------- --------- --------- Adjusted EBITDA 29,690 15,517 43,881 43,308 ========= ========= ========= ========= Unaudited Consolidated Condensed Income Statements 3-months 3-months 6-months 6-months (Expressed in thousands of period period period period U.S. dollars except for ended ended ended ended share and per share data) June 30, June 30, June 30, June 30, 2008 2009 2008 2009 ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- Unaudited Unaudited Unaudited Unaudited Revenues: Hire voyage revenue 42,176 32,446 66,002 70,832 Freight voyage revenue - 1,717 - 4,563 Straight line adjustment, and amortization of fair value of below/above market acquired time charters 17,050 (1,793) 34,919 2,090 ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- Total Revenues: 59,226 32,370 100,921 77,485 Expenses: Voyage expenses (899) (2,314) (1,584) (4,620) Vessel operating expenses (5,781) (9,118) (10,333) (15,839) Drydocking expenses (3,598) (3,511) (6,392) (3,773) Depreciation (12,166) (15,836) (21,046) (31,497) Management fees (340) (248) (590) (533) Loss on FFA's - (587) - (3,610) Vessel impairment loss (588) - (4,642) - General and administrative expenses (2,657) (1,738) (5,444) (4,601) ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- Total expenses (26,029) (33,352) (50,031) (64,473) (Loss) / gain on time charter agreement termination - - - 11,179 ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- Operating income/(loss) 33,197 (982) 50,890 24,191 ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- Interest and finance costs (1,875) (2,734) (3,242) (5,476) Interest income 247 272 646 295 ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- Total other income (expenses), net (1,628) (2,462) (2,596) (5,181) ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- Net income/(loss) 31,569 (3,444) 48,294 19,010 ========== ========== ========== ========== Earnings per share, basic 0.62 (0.06) 1.01 0.31 ========== ========== ========== ========== Earnings per share, diluted 0.56 (0.06) 0.91 0.31 ========== ========== ========== ========== Weighted average number of shares outstanding, basic 50,963,213 60,994,760 47,855,865 60,694,160 ========== ========== ========== ========== Weighted average number of shares outstanding, diluted 56,047,237 60,994,760 52,798,013 60,694,160 ========== ========== ========== ========== Unaudited Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets (Expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars) December 31, 2008 June 30, 2009 ASSETS Cash and restricted cash 31,961 35,950 Other current assets 10,312 10,297 ---------------- ---------------- TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS 42,273 46,247 Fixed assets 821,284 789,821 Restricted Cash 12,010 27,510 Other non-current assets 15,809 12,944 ---------------- ---------------- TOTAL ASSETS 891,376 876,522 ================ ================ Current portion of long term debt 49,250 56,975 Other current liabilities 8,037 15,701 ---------------- ---------------- TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES 57,287 72,676 Long term debt 247,250 215,025 Other non-current liabilities 26,699 9,175 ---------------- ---------------- TOTAL LIABILITIES 331,236 296,876 STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY 560,140 579,646 ---------------- ---------------- TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY 891,376 876,522 ================ ================ Unaudited Cash flow Data 6-months 6-months period period ended ended (Expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars) June 30, June 30, 2008 2009 ----------- ----------- Net cash provided by operating activities 47,647 42,136 Net cash (used in) investing activities (297,006) (25,457) Net cash provided by/(used in) financing activities 268,417 (22,614)Conference Call details: Star Bulk's management team will host a conference call to discuss the Company's financial results tomorrow, August 13, 2009, at at 9:30 a.m., Eastern Daylight Time (EDT). Participants should dial into the call 10 minutes before the scheduled time using the following numbers: 1(866) 819-7111 (from the US), 0(800) 953-0329 (from the UK) or +(44) (0) 1452 542 301 (from outside the US). Please quote "Star Bulk." A replay of the conference call will be available until August 20, 2009. The United States replay number is 1(866) 247-4222; from the UK 0(800) 953-1533; the standard international replay number is (+44) (0) 1452 550 000 and the access code required for the replay is: 3128607#. Slides and audio webcast: There will also be a simultaneous live webcast over the Internet, through the Star Bulk website (www.starbulk.com). Participants to the live webcast should register on the website approximately 10 minutes prior to the start of the webcast. About Star Bulk Star Bulk is a global shipping company providing worldwide seaborne transportation solutions in the dry bulk sector. Star Bulk's vessels transport major bulks, which include iron ore, coal and grain and minor bulks such as bauxite, fertilizers and steel products. Star Bulk was incorporated in the Marshall Islands on December 13, 2006 and is headquartered in Athens, Greece. Its common stock and warrants trade on the Nasdaq Global Market under the symbols "SBLK" and "SBLKW" respectively. Currently, Star Bulk has an operating fleet of twelve dry bulk carriers. The total fleet consists of four Capesize, and eight Supramax dry bulk vessels with an average age of approximately 10.3 years and a combined cargo carrying capacity of 1,106,253 deadweight tons. Forward-Looking Statements Matters discussed in this press release may constitute forward-looking statements. The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides safe harbor protections for forward-looking statements in order to encourage companies to provide prospective information about their business. Forward-looking statements 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 Company desires to take advantage of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and is including this cautionary statement in connection with this safe harbor legislation. The words "believe," "anticipate," "intends," "estimate," "forecast," "project," "plan," "potential," "may," "should," "expect," "pending" and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements in this press release are based upon various assumptions, many of which are based, in turn, upon further assumptions, including without limitation, examination by the Company's management of historical operating trends, data contained in its records and other data available from third parties. Although the Company 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 the Company's control, the Company cannot assure you that it will achieve or accomplish these expectations, beliefs or projections. In addition to these important factors, other important factors that, in the Company's 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 fluctuations in charter rates and vessel values, changes in demand for dry bulk shipping capacity, changes in the Company's operating expenses, including bunker prices, drydocking and insurance costs, the market for the Company's vessels, availability of financing and refinancing, changes in governmental rules and regulations or actions taken by regulatory authorities, potential liability from pending or future litigation, general domestic and international political conditions, potential disruption of shipping routes due to accidents or political events, vessels breakdowns and instances of off-hires and other factors. Please see our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission for a more complete discussion of these and other risks and uncertainties. The information set forth herein speaks only as of the date hereof, and the Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update any forward-looking statements as a result of developments occurring after the date of this communication.
Contact Information: Company: George Syllantavos CFO Star Bulk Carriers Corp. 7 Fragoklisias Str. Maroussi 15125 Athens, Greece www.starbulk.com Investor Relations / Financial Media: Nicolas Bornozis President Capital Link, Inc. 230 Park Avenue, Suite 1536 New York, NY 10169 Tel. (212) 661-7566 E-mail: starbulk@capitallink.com www.capitallink.com