Scorpio Bulkers Plunges Deeper into Red
Scorpio Bulkers Inc. posted a net loss of USD 138.6 million, or USD 0.71 basic and diluted loss per share, for the three months ended June 30, 2015, increasing its net loss of USD 15 million from the same period last year.
This loss includes the write down on assets held for sale of USD 119.6 million, a write off of USD 2.4 million of a portion of deferred financing costs accumulated on two credit facilities, and the noncash amortization of stock-based compensation of USD 6.1 million.
For the six months ended June 30, 2015, the company’s net loss reached USD 190.7 million, or USD 1.03 basic and diluted loss per share, against a net loss of USD 25.7 million in the same period last year.
Scorpio said that this loss includes the write down on assets held for sale of USD 151.4 million, a write off of USD 6 million of a portion of deferred financing costs accumulated on three credit facilities for which the commitments were reduced pursuant to the removal from the facilities of certain vessels that have been classified as held for sale, and the noncash amortization of stock-based compensation of USD 12.2 million.
In order to cut its losses in what has been characterized as devastating bulk shipping market, overall, the Nasdaq-listed bulker owner and operator has agreed to sell 20 newbuilding construction contracts, consisting of eight Capesize, two Aframax tanker newbuilding contracts, two Kamsarmax, one Ultramax, four LR2 product tanker and three LR1 product tanker newbuilding contracts.
Out of that number, 16 newbuilding vessels have been sold, with three Capesizes and one Kamsarmax left.
Scorpio expects these sales to result in approximately USD 197 million of aggregate cash proceeds, including refunds of deposits previously made, and an approximately USD 673.2 million reduction of its capital expenditure obligations.
The company’s newbuilding program consists of contracts for the construction of 60 dry bulk vessels, comprised of 28 Ultramax, 21 Kamsarmax and 11 Capesize newbuildings. Of this total, through July 27, 2015, Scorpio took delivery of three Capesize, three Kamsarmax and six Ultramax vessels.
The total construction price for the remaining 48 drybulk vessels is USD 1,621.4 million, with USD 994.3 million yet to be paid.
