Lauritzen loss of 350m dollar in 2012
Writedowns of 167 million dollars and a loss on sales of vessels due to counterparty defaults amounting to 104 million dollar, sent J. Lauritzen down in a spin to a total loss of 350 million dollar in 2012.
“Characterised by oversupply in major shipping markets, surplus shipbuilding capacity,
low economic growth and tight credit conditions, 2012 brought plummeting asset values, a
Baltic Freight Index at a 25 year low and further defaults among shipping companies. JL was obviously influenced by these circumstances and our 2012 result was very
unsatisfactory”, says Jan Kastrup-Nielsen, JL’s new President and CEO.
The result for the year was a loss of 350 million dollar against 46 million dollar loss in 2011.
Adjusted for one-off items, JL’s result was a deficit of 95 million dollar, down from 21 million dollar in 2011 - mainly due to income lost as a consequence of counterparty defaults and the weaker bulk markets.
Apart from Lauritzen Bulkers, JL’s three other business units
- Lauritzen Kosan,
Lauritzen Tankers and Lauritzen Offshore - reported better EBITDA than in 2011.
In connection with the approval of JL’s Annual Report for 2012, the Lauritzen Foundation decided to convert two subordinated loans of originally DKK 850m into equity. At year-end 2012, the loans including accrued interest amounted to a total of DKK 903m, equivalent to USD 160m. The
conversion increases JL’s solvency ratio from 37% at year-end 2012 to 44%.
Terms for the refinancing of a loan facility, originally due mid-2014, have been agreed upon late February 2013 and consequently no refinancing is required until 2015.
After more than 14 years as President & CEO, Torben Janholt retires as planned in conjunction with the release of JL’s 2012 annual accounts. Jan Kastrup-Nielsen, who has been with JL since
2000 and member of Executive Management since 2009 is JL’s new President & CEO.
In its outlook for 2013 J. Lauritzen expects a EBITDA in the range of 60-80m dollar, slightly up on 2012.
The result for 2013 is anticipated to remain unsatisfactory with an expected loss of 75 -100 million dollar
Source: J Lauritzen
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