Eagle Bulk Shipping Inc. - Quarter Report: 2008 June (Form 10-Q)

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 10-Q

 

 

 

 

Commission File Number 000—51366

 

EAGLE BULK SHIPPING INC.

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

477 Madison Avenue

New York, New York 10022

Address of Principal Executive Offices

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (212) 785—2500

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15 (d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.  Yes x  No o

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer”, “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

 

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).  Yes o  No x

 

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.

 

Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share, 46,770,486 shares outstanding as of August 7, 2008.

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

 

EAGLE BULK SHIPPING INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Consolidated Financial Statements.

EAGLE BULK SHIPPING INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(UNAUDITED)

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Consolidated Financial Statements.

EAGLE BULK SHIPPING INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (UNAUDITED)
FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2008

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Consolidated Financial Statements.

EAGLE BULK SHIPPING INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(UNAUDITED)

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Consolidated Financial Statements.

EAGLE BULK SHIPPING INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

 

The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Eagle Bulk Shipping Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiaries (collectively, the “Company”). The Company is engaged in the ocean transportation of dry bulk cargoes worldwide through the ownership and operation of dry bulk vessels. The Company’s fleet is comprised of Handymax bulk carriers and the Company operates its business in one business segment.

 

The Company is a holding company incorporated in 2005, under the laws of the Republic of the Marshall Islands and is the sole owner of all of the outstanding shares of the Republic of the Marshall Islands incorporated wholly-owned subsidiaries. The primary activity of each of the subsidiaries is the ownership of a vessel. The operations of the vessels are managed by a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, Eagle Shipping International (USA) LLC, a Republic of the Marshall Islands limited liability company.

 

As of June 30, 2008, the Company’s operating fleet consists of 20 vessels. The Company has a contract for the purchase of a vessel to be delivered in September 2008. The Company also has contracts for the construction of 34 vessels under its newbuilding program. The following table presents certain information concerning the Company’s fleet as of June 30, 2008:

 

 

The following table represents certain information about the Company’s charterers which individually accounted for more than 10% of the Company’s gross time charter revenue during the periods indicated:

 

The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States, and the rules and regulations of the SEC (“Securities and Exchange Commission”) which apply to interim financial statements. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes normally included in consolidated financial statements prepared in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States. They should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s 2007 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

 

The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements include all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring adjustments) that management considers necessary for a fair presentation of its consolidated financial position and results of operations for the interim periods presented. The results of operations for the interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the entire year.

 

 

 

At June 30, 2008, the Company’s operating fleet consisted of 20 dry bulk vessels. The Company has placed a deposit for the purchase of a Supramax vessel, Redwing, in the amount of $7,650,000 and the vessel is expected to be delivered in September 2008. In June 2008, the Company also took delivery of the Wren, the first of its 35 newbuild vessels. The Wren has been recorded at its fair market value in connection with the acquisition of its construction contract from Kyrini Shipping Inc. in 2007.

 

 

 

The Company had contracted for the construction of 35 Supramax vessels, five in Japan and 30 in China. In June 2008, the first of these vessels, Wren, was constructed in China and delivered to the Company.

 

As of June 30, 2008, the Company had five Supramax vessels under construction at a shipyard in Japan. These five vessels construction contracts are Japanese yen based and the total cost of these contracts in US dollars is $167,172,089. The Company will incur additional associated costs relating to the construction of these vessels. As of June 30, 2008, the Company has advanced $62,912,091 in progress payments towards these contracts. These vessels are expected to be delivered between 2008 and 2010.

 

Following the delivery of the first Chinese built vessel, Wren, in June 2008, the Company has 29 Supramax vessels under construction at a shipyard in China. As of June 30, 2008, the total remaining cost of the construction project in China is approximately $1,235,000,000. As of June 30, 2008, the Company has advanced $293,039,542 in progress payments towards the construction of these vessels. These vessels are expected to be delivered between 2008 and 2010. The Company will incur additional costs relating to the construction of these vessels, including capitalized interest, insurance, legal, and technical supervision costs. The Company had acquired the rights to these newbuilding vessels in 2007 from Kyrini Shipping Inc., an unrelated privately held Greek shipping company for consideration of $150,000,000. The acquisition comprised purchase contracts for the construction of the 26 Supramax vessels and time charter employment contracts for 21 of the 26 vessels. The assets and liabilities acquired are required to be recorded at fair value. The Wren, the first of the newbuild vessels which delivered in June 2008, has been recorded at its fair market value. At June 30, 2008, the Company has recorded deferred revenue of $8,793,903 in connection with the

assumed time charter on the newbuild vessel and this amount will be amortized to revenue over the life of the time charter assumed on this vessel. The amounts recorded as of June 30, 2008 are preliminary and subject to the completion of a valuation.

 

Further, the Company had acquired options for the construction of 9 additional Supramax vessels from the shipyard. On December 27, 2007, the Company exercised four of these options and the options for the remaining five vessels expired on March 31, 2008.

 

As of June 30, 2008, the Company has advanced a net of $380,671,562 in progress payments towards the newbuilding vessels including $24,719,929 in associated costs relating to the construction of these vessels.

 

 

 

At June 30, 2008, the Company’s debt consisted of $665,694,643 in net borrowings under the $1,600,000,000 amended revolving credit facility. These borrowings consisted of $283,343,310 for the 20 vessels currently in operation and $382,351,333 to fund the Company’s newbuilding program. During the six months ended June 30, 2008, the Company borrowed $68,451,753 to fund the progress payments for the newbuilding vessels.

 

For the six months ended June 30, 2008, interest rates on the outstanding debt ranged from 3.11% to 6.04%, including a margin of 0.80% over LIBOR applicable under the terms of the amended revolving credit facility. The weighted average effective interest rate was 5.46%. The Company incurs a commitment fee of 0.25% on the undrawn portion of the revolving credit facility. Interest costs on borrowings used to fund the Company’s newbuilding program are capitalized until the vessels are delivered.

 

Interest Expense, exclusive of capitalized interest, consists of:

 

 

Cash interest paid, exclusive of capitalized interest, in the six month periods ended June 30, 2008 and 2007 amounted to $6,079,939 and $6,217,965, respectively.

 

Interest-Rate Swaps

 

The Company has entered into interest rate swaps to effectively convert a portion of its debt from a floating to a fixed-rate basis. Under these swap contracts, exclusive of applicable margins, the Company will pay fixed rate interest and receive floating-rate interest amounts based on three-month LIBOR settings.

The swaps are designated and qualify as cash flow hedges. As of June 30, 2008, the Company has the following swap contracts outstanding:

 

 

Upon maturity, this amount will commence a new swap with a fixed interest rate of 3.90% and matures in September 2013.

 

 

The Company records the fair value of the interest rate swaps as an asset or liability on its balance sheet. The effective portion of the swap is recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income. Accordingly, a liability of $12,223,412 and $13,531,883 has been recorded in Other Liabilities in the Company’s balance sheets as of June 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, respectively.

 

Foreign Currency Swaps

 

The Company has entered into foreign exchange swap transactions to hedge foreign currency risks on its capital asset transactions (vessel newbuildings). The swaps are designated and qualify as cash flow hedges.

 

At June 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, the Company had outstanding foreign currency swap contracts for notional amounts aggregating 11.28 billion Japanese yen swapped into the equivalent of $104,259,998.

 

The Company records the fair value of the currency swaps as an asset or liability in its financial statements. The effective portion of the swap is recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income. Accordingly, an amount of $4,263,882 and $932,638 have been recorded in Other Assets in the accompanying balance sheets as of June 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, respectively.

 

 

Vessel Technical Management Contracts

 

The Company has technical management agreements for each of its vessels with independent technical managers. The Company paid average monthly technical management fees of $9,537 and $8,895 per vessel during the six months ended June 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively.

 

Operating Lease

 

In December 2005, the Company entered into a lease for office space. The lease is secured by a Letter of Credit backed by cash collateral of $124,616 which amount is recorded as Restricted Cash in the accompanying balance sheets. In March 2008, the Company amended the lease to incorporate additional office space. The amended lease expires in 2018. The cash collateral securing the lease has been increased

by $151,440. The Company has recorded the total Cash collateral of $276,056 as Restricted Cash. The future minimum commitments under the leases for office space as of June 30, 2008 are as follows:

 

 

As of June 30, 2008, the Company has incurred an amount of $69,674 in leasehold improvements which has been recorded in Other Assets in the accompanying balance sheets. Leasehold improvements will be amortized over the remaining life of the lease.

 

 

The computation of basic earnings per share is based on the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted net income per share gives effect to the assumed exercise of stock options and restricted stock units using the treasury stock method, unless the impact is anti-dilutive.

 

 

 

Dividends

 

The Company’s current policy is to declare quarterly dividends to shareholders in March, May, August and November. Payment of dividends is limited by the terms of certain agreements which the Company and its subsidiaries are party to. The Company’s revolving credit facility permits it to pay quarterly dividends in amounts up to its 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 for the period, provided that there is not a default or breach of loan covenant under the credit facility and the payment of the dividends would not result in a default or breach of a loan covenant. Depending on market conditions in the dry bulk shipping industry and acquisition opportunities that may arise, the Company may be required to obtain additional debt or equity financing which could affect its dividend policy. However, any determination to pay dividends in the future will be at the discretion of the Board of Directors and will depend upon the Company’s results of operations, financial condition, capital restrictions, covenants and other factors deemed relevant by the Board of Directors.

 

On February 27, 2008, the Company’s Board of Directors declared a cash dividend for the fourth quarter of 2007 of $0.50 per share. The aggregate amount of this cash dividend was $23,378,577 and was paid on March 18, 2008 to all shareholders of record as of March 13, 2008.

On May 6, 2008, the Company’s Board of Directors declared a cash dividend for the first quarter of 2008 of $0.50 per share. The aggregate amount of this cash dividend was $23,385,243 and was paid on May 23, 2008 to all shareholders of record as of May 20, 2008.

 

 

The Company adopted the 2005 Stock Incentive Plan for the purpose of affording an incentive to eligible persons. The 2005 Stock Incentive Plan provides for the grant of equity-based awards, including stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, restricted stock units, stock bonuses, dividend equivalents and other awards based on or relating to the Company’s common shares to eligible non-employee directors, selected officers and other employees and independent contractors. The plan is administered by a committee of the Company’s Board of Directors. An aggregate of 2.6 million shares of the Company’s common stock has been authorized for issuance under the plan.

 

In 2006 and 2007, the Company awarded stock options to members of its management and its independent non-employee directors. As of June 30, 2008, options covering 617,334 of the Company’s common shares are outstanding with exercise prices ranging from $13.23 to $21.88 per share (the market prices at dates of grant). The options granted to the directors vested and became exercisable on the grant dates. The options granted to members of its management vest and become exercisable over three years. All options expire ten years from the date of grant. For purposes of determining the non-cash compensation cost for the Company’s stock option plans using the fair value method of FAS 123(R), the fair value of the options granted was estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model.

 

In 2007, the Company granted restricted stock units (“RSUs”) to members of its management which vest ratably over three years. In June 2008, the Company granted 833,333 RSUs, vesting ratably over five years, to its Chief Executive Officer as part of an employment agreement. As of June 30, 2008, RSUs covering a total of 1,627,046 of the Company’s shares are outstanding. These RSUs also entitle the participant to receive a dividend equivalent payment on the unvested portion of the underlying shares granted under the award, each time the Company pays a dividend to the Company’s shareholders. The Company is amortizing to non-cash compensation expense the fair value of the non-vested restricted stock at the grant date. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2008, the amortization charge was $1,974,240 and $3,800,286, respectively. The remaining expense for each of the years ending 2008, 2009, and 2010 will be $6,077,090, $12,154,180 and $11,483,253, respectively, and $11,976,801 thereafter.

 

On January 15, 2008, the Company granted 30,000 shares of its common stock to its independent non-employee directors. The fair value of the stock at the grant date is equal to the closing stock price on that date and a total amount of $608,400 has been recorded in non-cash compensation expense for the six months ended June 30, 2008.

 

Non-cash compensation expenses include profits interests awarded to members of the Company’s management by the Company’s former principal shareholder, Eagle Ventures LLC. These profits interests diluted only the interests of owners of Eagle Ventures LLC, and did not dilute direct holders of the Company’s common stock. However, the Company’s statement of operations reflects non-cash charges for compensation related to the profits interests. The non-cash compensation charges were being recorded as an expense over the estimated service period in accordance with SFAS No. 123(R). As Eagle Ventures has sold substantially all of its holdings in the Company, the non-cash, non-dilutive charges relating to profits interests ended in the first quarter of 2007 and there are no charges in future periods. Accordingly, the expense for the six-month period ended June 30, 2007 included $3,137,812 in non-cash, non-dilutive charges relating to the profits interests.

The non-cash compensation expenses recorded by the Company and included in General and Administrative Expenses are as follows:

 

 

In 2006 and 2007, the Company granted Dividend Equivalent Rights Award (“DERs”) to its independent non-employee directors and members of its management. These DERs entitle the participant to receive a dividend equivalent payment each time the Company pays a dividend to the Company’s shareholders. As of June 30, 2008, DERs equivalent to 632,334 of the Company’s common shares are outstanding. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2008, the Company has also recorded in General and Administrative Expense cash compensation expenses of $713,023 and $1,426,046.

 

 

Dividend

 

On August 5, 2008, the Company’s Board of Directors declared a cash dividend for the second quarter of 2008 of $0.50 per share, based on 46,770,486 of the Company’s common shares outstanding, payable to all shareholders of record as of August 20, 2008. The aggregate amount of this cash dividend payable to the Company’s shareholders on August 26, 2008 is $23,385,243.

 

Long-Term Debt

 

On July 3, 2008, the Company entered into an Amendatory Agreement to its $1,600,000,000 revolving credit facility. Among other things, the amended facility provides us with an additional incremental commitment of up to $200,000,000 under the same terms and conditions as the existing facility, subject to satisfaction of certain additional conditions. The Company now also has the ability to purchase additional drybulk vessels in excess of 85,000dwt and over 10 years of age, but no more than 20 years of age, with certain limitations. The agreement also provides for the purchase or acquisition of more than one additional vessel en bloc or the acquisition of beneficial ownership in one or more additional vessel(s). The agreement amends the margin applicable over the Libor interest rate on borrowings to 0.95% for the next two years. Thereafter, if the advance ratio is less than 35%, the margin will be 0.80% per year; if the advance ratio is equal to or greater than 35% but less than 60%, the margin will be 0.95%; if the advance ratio is equal to or greater than 60%, the margin will be 1.05%. The agreement also amends the commitment fee on the undrawn portion of the revolving credit facility to 0.30%. In connection with this latest amendment, applicable arrangement fees will be incurred and these fees will be in proportion to the arrangement fees previously incurred when the revolving facility was increased to $1,600,000,000 in 2007. All other terms and conditions remain unchanged.

 

The following is a discussion of the Company’s financial condition and results of operation for the three-month and six-month periods ended June 30, 2008 and 2007. This section should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this report and the notes to those financial statements.

 

This discussion contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and are intended to be covered by the safe harbor provided for under these sections. These statements may include words such as “believe,” “estimate,” “project,” “intend,” “expect,” “plan,” “anticipate,” and similar expressions in connection with any discussion of the timing or nature of future operating or financial performance or other events. Forward looking statements reflect management’s current expectations and observations with respect to future events and financial performance. Where we express an expectation or belief as to future events or results, such expectation or belief is expressed in good faith and believed to have a reasonable basis. However, our forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties, and other factors, which could cause actual results to differ materially from future results expressed, projected, or implied by those forward-looking statements. The principal factors that affect our financial position, results of operations and cash flows include, charter market rates, which have recently increased to historic highs, and periods of charter hire, vessel operating expenses and voyage costs, which are incurred primarily in U.S. dollars, depreciation expenses, which are a function of the cost of our vessels, significant vessel improvement costs and our vessels’ estimated useful lives, and financing costs related to our indebtedness. Our actual results may differ materially from those anticipated in these forward looking statements as a result of certain factors which could include the following: (i) changes in demand in the dry bulk market, including, without limitation, changes in production of, or demand for, commodities and bulk cargoes, generally or in particular regions; (ii) greater than anticipated levels of dry bulk vessel new building orders or lower than anticipated rates of dry bulk vessel scrapping; (iii) changes in rules and regulations applicable to the dry bulk industry, including, without limitation, legislation adopted by international bodies or organizations such as the International Maritime Organization and the European Union or by individual countries; (iv) actions taken by regulatory authorities; (v) changes in trading patterns significantly impacting overall dry bulk tonnage requirements; (vi) changes in the typical seasonal variations in dry bulk charter rates; (vii) changes in the cost of other modes of bulk commodity transportation; (viii) changes in general domestic and international political conditions; (ix) changes in the condition of the Company’s vessels or applicable maintenance or regulatory standards (which may affect, among other things, our anticipated dry docking costs); (x) and other factors listed from time to time in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. This discussion also includes statistical data regarding world dry bulk fleet and orderbook and fleet age. We generated some of this data internally, and some were obtained from independent industry publications and reports that we believe to be reliable sources. We have not independently verified this data nor sought the consent of any organizations to refer to their reports in this quarterly report. We disclaim any intent or obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required under applicable securities laws.

 

Overview

 

We are Eagle Bulk Shipping Inc., a Republic of Marshall Islands corporation headquartered in New York City. We own one of the largest fleets of Supramax dry bulk vessels in the world. Supramax dry bulk vessels range in size from 50,000 to 60,000 dwt. We transport a broad range of major and minor bulk cargoes, including iron ore, coal, grain, cement and fertilizer, along worldwide shipping routes. As of June 30, 2008, we owned and operated a modern fleet of 20 Handymax dry bulk vessels, 17 of which are of the Supramax class. In addition to our operating fleet of 20 vessels, we have contracted for the purchase of a second-hand Supramax vessel which will be delivered in September 2008. We also have a Supramax newbuilding program for the construction of 35 newbuilding vessels in Japan and China. The first of these

vessels was delivered to us in June 2008. Upon delivery of all newbuilding vessels by early 2012, our total fleet will consist of 55 vessels with a combined carrying capacity of 3 million dwt.

 

We are focused on maintaining a high quality fleet that is concentrated primarily in one vessel type — Handymax dry bulk carriers and its sub-category of Supramax vessels which are Handymax vessels ranging in size from 50,000 to 60,000 dwt. These vessels have the cargo loading and unloading flexibility of on-board cranes while offering cargo carrying capacities approaching that of Panamax dry bulk vessels, which range in size from 60,000 to 100,000 dwt and rely on port facilities to load and offload their cargoes. We believe that the cargo handling flexibility and cargo carrying capacity of the Supramax class vessels make them attractive to cargo interests and vessel charterers. The 20 vessels in our operating fleet, with an aggregate carrying capacity of 1,021,023 deadweight tons, have an average age of only 6 years compared to an average age for the world Handymax dry dulk fleet of over 15 years.

 

Each of our vessels is owned by us through a separate wholly owned Republic of the Marshall Islands limited liability company.

 

We maintain our principal executive offices at 477 Madison Avenue, New York, New York 10022. Our telephone number at that address is (212) 785-2500. Our website address is www.eagleships.com. Information contained on our website does not constitute part of this quarterly report.

 

Our financial performance since inception is based on the following key elements of our business strategy:

 

 

We have employed all of our vessels in our operating fleet on time charters for periods ranging from one to three years. The following table represents certain information about the Company’s revenue earning charters on its operating fleet as of June 30, 2008:

 

 

 

 

 

The Company has entered into a 35 vessel construction program. The first of these vessels, the Wren, was constructed in China and delivered to the Company in June 2008. As of June 30, 2008, the Company has contracts for 34 vessels to be constructed in China and Japan. The following table represents certain information about the Company’s newbuilding vessels and their employment upon delivery:

 

 

 

Fleet Management

 

The management of our fleet includes the following functions:

 

 

Commercial and Strategic Management

 

We carry out the commercial and strategic management of our fleet through our wholly owned subsidiary, Eagle Shipping International (USA) LLC, a Republic of the Marshall Islands limited liability company that maintains its principal executive offices in New York City. We currently have a total of nineteen shore based personnel, including our senior management team and our office staff, who either directly or through this subsidiary, provides the following services:

 

 

Technical Management

 

The technical management of our fleet is provided by unaffiliated third party technical managers V.Ships, whom we believe is the world’s largest provider of independent ship management and related services and Wilhelmsen Ship Management (formerly Barber Ship Management, “Barber”), a leading internationally recognized ship manager. In conjunction with our management, V. Ships and Barber have established an operating expense budget for each vessel. All deviations from the budgeted amounts are for our account. We review the performance of our ship managers on an ongoing basis and may add or change technical managers.

 

Our technical managers are paid a fixed management fee for each vessel in our operating fleet for the technical management services provided. For the three-month periods ended June 30, 2008 and 2007, the technical management fee averaged $9,015 and $8,875 per vessel per month, respectively. For the six-month periods ended June 30, 2008 and 2007, the technical management fee averaged $9,537 and $8,895 per vessel per month, respectively. Management fees paid to our technical managers are recorded under Vessel Expenses.

 

Value of Assets and Cash Requirements

 

The replacement costs of comparable new vessels may be above or below the book value of our fleet. The market value of our fleet may be below book value when market conditions are weak and exceed book

value when markets conditions are strong. Customary with industry practice, we may consider asset redeployment which at times may include the sale of vessels at less than their book value.

 

The Company’s results of operations and cash flow may be significantly affected by future charter markets.

 

Critical Accounting Policies

 

The discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations is based upon our interim, unaudited, consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States, and the rules and regulations of the SEC which apply to interim financial statements. The preparation of those financial statements requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, revenues and expenses and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of our financial statements. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions and conditions.

 

Critical accounting policies are those that reflect significant judgments of uncertainties and potentially result in materially different results under different assumptions and conditions. As the discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations is based upon our interim, unaudited, consolidated financial statements, they do not include all of the information on critical accounting policies normally included in consolidated financial statements. Accordingly, a detailed description of these critical accounting policies should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Reports on Form 10-K. There have been no material changes from the “Critical Accounting Policies” previously disclosed in our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007.

 

Results of Operations for the three month periods ended June 30, 2008 and 2007:

 

Fleet Data

 

We believe that the measures for analyzing future trends in our results of operations consist of the following:

 

 

 

 

Revenues

 

All our vessels are employed on time charters. Our time charter equivalent (“TCE”) rate is equal to the time charter rate. As is common in the shipping industry, we pay commissions ranging from 1.25% to 6.25% of the total daily charter hire rate of each charter to unaffiliated ship brokers and in-house brokers associated with the charterers, depending on the number of brokers involved with arranging the charter.

 

Net revenues for the three-month period ended June 30, 2008 of $37,223,200 included billed time charter revenues of $39,170,513 and deductions for brokerage commissions of $1,947,313. These net revenues were 31% greater than net revenues for the comparable three-month period ended June 30, 2007, primarily due to a larger fleet size as reflected by increased operating days and an increase in daily time charter rates. Net revenues for the three-month period ended June 30, 2007 of $28,338,047 included billed time charter revenues of $31,011,901, deductions for brokerage commissions of $1,593,854 and amortization of net prepaid charter revenue of $1,080,000.

 

Net revenues for the six-month period ended June 30, 2008 of $73,909,216 included billed time charter revenues of $77,781,434 and deductions for brokerage commissions of $3,872,218. Net revenues for the six-month period ended June 30, 2008 were 34% greater than the net revenues in the comparable period in 2007 primarily due to a larger fleet size as reflected by increased operating days, and an increase in daily time charter rates. Net revenues for the comparable six-month period ended June 30, 2007 of $55,246,579 included billed time charter revenues of $60,488,275, deductions for brokerage commissions of $3,081,696 and amortization of net prepaid charter revenue of $2,160,000.

 

Vessel Expenses

 

Vessel operating expenses include crew wages and related costs, the cost of insurance, expenses relating to repairs and maintenance, the cost of spares and consumable stores and related inventory, tonnage taxes, pre-operating costs associated with the delivery of acquired vessels including providing the newly acquired vessels with initial provisions and stores, and other miscellaneous expenses.

 

Vessel expenses for the three-month period ended June 30, 2008 were $7,596,479 compared to $6,856,581 in the comparable three-month period ended June 30, 2007. The increase in vessel expense is attributable to a larger fleet size in operation for the second quarter of 2008 and increases in vessel crew and lubricants costs. Vessel expenses for the three-month period ended June 30, 2008 included $7,110,980 in vessel operating costs and $485,499 in technical management fees. Vessel expenses for the comparable period in 2007 included $6,435,504 in vessel operating costs and $421,077 in technical management fees.

 

Vessel expenses for the six-month period ended June 30, 2008 were $15,587,740 compared to $13,102,479 in the comparable six-month period ended June 30, 2007. The increase in vessel expense is attributable to a larger fleet size in operation for the six-month period of 2008 and increases in vessel crew

and lubricants costs. Vessel expenses for the six-month period ended June 30, 2008 included $14,550,939 in vessel operating costs and $1,036,801 in technical management fees. Vessel expenses for the six-month period ended June 30, 2007 included $12,271,965 in vessel operating costs and $830,514 in technical management fees.

 

Our vessel expenses will increase with the enlargement of our fleet. Other factors beyond our control, some of which may affect the shipping industry in general, may also cause these expenses to increase, including, for instance, developments relating to market prices for crew, insurance and petroleum-based lubricants and supplies.

 

Depreciation and Amortization

 

The cost of our vessels is depreciated on a straight-line basis over the expected useful life of each vessel. Depreciation is based on the cost of the vessel less its estimated residual value. We estimate the useful life of our vessels to be 28 years from the date of initial delivery from the shipyard to the original owner. Furthermore, we estimate the residual values of our vessels to be $150 per lightweight ton, which we believe is common in the dry bulk shipping industry. Our depreciation charges will increase as our fleet is enlarged.

 

For the three-month periods ended June 30, 2008 and 2007, total depreciation and amortization expense were $7,390,982 and $6,046,953, respectively. Total depreciation and amortization expense for the three-month period ended June 30, 2008 includes $6,769,365 of vessel depreciation and $621,617 relating to the amortization of deferred drydocking costs. Comparable amounts for the three-month period ended June 30, 2007 were $5,719,027 of vessel depreciation and $327,926 of amortization of deferred drydocking costs.

 

For the six-month periods ended June 30, 2008 and 2007, total depreciation and amortization expense were $14,727,021 and $11,837,584, respectively. Total depreciation and amortization expense for the six-month period ended June 30, 2008 includes $13,477,780 of vessel depreciation and $1,249,241 relating to the amortization of deferred drydocking costs. Comparable amounts for the six-month period ended June 30, 2007 were $11,234,675 of vessel depreciation and $602,909 of amortization of deferred drydocking costs.

 

Amortization of deferred financing costs is included in interest expense. These financing costs relate to costs associated with our revolving credit facility and these are amortized over the life of the facility. For the three-month periods ended June 30, 2008 and 2007, the amortization of deferred financing costs was $61,312 and $59,772, respectively. For the six-month periods ended June 30, 2008 and 2007, the amortization of deferred financing costs was $123,219 and $117,784, respectively.

 

General and Administrative Expenses

 

Our general and administrative expenses include onshore vessel administration related expenses such as legal and professional expenses and administrative and other expenses including payroll and expenses relating to our executive officers and office staff, office rent and expenses, directors fees, and directors and officers insurance. General and administrative expenses also include non-cash compensation expenses.

 

General and administrative expenses for the three-month periods ended June 30, 2008 and 2007 were $4,762,933 and $1,697,530, respectively. These general and administrative expenses include a non-cash compensation component of $2,056,240 and $124,356, respectively. The increase in general and administrative expenses for the three-month period ended June 30, 2008 was attributable to expenses, including non-cash compensation expenses, associated with a larger fleet.

 

General and administrative expenses for the six-month periods ended June 30, 2008 and 2007 were $9,812,092 and $6,600,573, respectively. These general and administrative expenses include a non-cash compensation component of $4,571,943 and $3,383,579, respectively. The increase in general and administrative expenses for the six-month period ended June 30, 2008 was attributable to expenses associated with a larger fleet. We expect general and administrative expenses to increase as we expand our fleet.

Capitalized Interest

 

Interest costs on borrowings used to fund the Company’s newbuilding program are capitalized as part of the cost of the newbuilding vessels until the vessels are delivered.

 

For the three-month period ended June 30, 2008, capitalized interest amounted to $6,214,415 and this amount has been recorded and included in Advances for Vessel Construction in the financial statements. For the corresponding three months period in 2007, capitalized interest amounted to $847,623.

 

For the six-month period ended June 30, 2008, capitalized interest amounted to $12,337,530 and this amount has been recorded and included in Advances for Vessel Construction in the financial statements. For the corresponding six-month period in 2007, capitalized interest amounted to $1,356,674.

 

EBITDA

 

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 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:

 

 

 

 

Effects of Inflation

 

We do not believe that inflation has had or is likely, in the foreseeable future, to have a significant impact on vessel operating expenses, drydocking expenses or general and administrative expenses.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

Net cash provided by operating activities during the six month periods ended June 30, 2008 and 2007 was $49,815,118 and $37,606,769, respectively. The increase was primarily due to cash generated from the operation of the fleet for 3,294 days in the six month period ended June 30, 2008 compared to 2,854 days during the same period in 2007.

 

Net cash used in investing activities during the six month period ended June 30, 2008, was $159,879,332 compared to $166,314,920 during the corresponding period in 2007. Investing activities during the current six month period included an amount of $70,103,682 spent for the acquisition of GOLDENEYE, placing a deposit of $7,650,000 for a vessel, REDWING, which is to be delivered in September 2008, and advancing a total of $82,055,976 for the newbuilding vessel construction program. Investing activities during the comparable six month period in 2007 primarily related to the expenditure of $138,803,974 for the acquisition of three Supramax vessels, SHRIKE, SKUA and KITTIWAKE, advances of $39,522,428 for the newbuilding vessel construction program, and net proceeds of $12,011,482 from the sale of SHIKRA, a 1984-built Handymax vessel, to an unrelated third party.

 

Net cash provided by financing activities during the six month period ended June 30, 2008 was $20,157,135, compared to net cash provided by financing activities of $129,312,075 during the corresponding six month period in 2007. Financing activities during the current six month period included borrowings of $68,451,753 from our revolving credit facility to fund the newbuilding program, and paying $46,763,820 in dividends. Financing activities during the comparable six month period in 2007 primarily relates to gross proceeds of $110,171,870 from the sale of common shares of the Company’s stock, incurring costs of $3,186,989 associated with the share sale, borrowings of $74,841,779 from our revolving credit facility, debt repayments of $12,440,000 from the gross proceeds of the sale of the SHIKRA, and payment $39,165,910 in dividends.

 

As of June 30, 2008, our cash balance was $62,996,613 compared to a cash balance of $22,879,415 at June 30, 2007. In addition, $10,000,000 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 June 30, 2008. Also recorded in Restricted Cash is an amount of $276,056 which is collateralizing a letter of credit relating to our office leases.

 

As of June 30, 2008, total availability under our $1,600,000,000 revolving credit facility is $934,305,357. The facility also provides us with the ability to borrow up to $20,000,000 for working capital purposes. We anticipate that our current financial resources, together with cash generated from operations and, if necessary, borrowings under our revolving credit facility will be sufficient to fund the operations of our fleet, including our working capital requirements, for the foreseeable future. We will rely on operating cash flows as well as our revolving credit facility and possible additional equity and debt financing alternatives to fund our long term capital requirements for vessel construction and implement future growth plans. We were in compliance with all of the covenants contained in our debt agreements as of June 30, 2008.

 

Revolving Credit Facility

 

On July 3, 2008, the Company entered into an amended agreement to its $1,600,000,000 revolving credit facility. Among other things, the amended facility provides us with an additional incremental commitment of up to $200,000,000 under the same terms and conditions as the existing facility, subject to satisfaction of certain additional conditions. The Company now also has the ability to purchase additional drybulk vessels in excess of 85,000dwt and over 10 years of age, but no more than 20 years of age, with certain limitations. The Agreement also provides for the purchase or acquisition of more than one additional vessel en bloc or the acquisition of beneficial ownership in one or more additional vessel(s). The agreement amends the margin applicable over the Libor interest rate on borrowings to 0.95% for the next two years. Thereafter, if the advance ratio is less than 35%, the margin will be 0.80% per year; if the advance ratio is equal to or greater than 35% but less than 60%, the margin will be 0.95%; if the advance ratio is equal to or greater than 60%, the margin will be 1.05%. The agreement also amends the commitment fee on the undrawn portion of the revolving credit facility to 0.30%. In connection with this

latest amendment, applicable arrangement fees will be incurred and these fees will be in proportion to the arrangement fees previously incurred when the revolving facility was increased to $1,600,000,000 in 2007. All other terms and conditions remain unchanged.

 

Dividends

 

Our current policy is to declare quarterly dividends to stockholders in March, May, August and November in amounts that are substantially equal to our cumulative available cash from operations during the previous quarters less any cash reserves for drydocking and working capital. Our revolving credit facility permits us to pay quarterly dividends in amounts up to cumulative free cash flows which is our quarterly 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 drydocking for the period, provided that there is not a default or breach of loan covenant under the credit facility and the payment of the dividends would not result in a default or breach of a loan covenant. Depending on market conditions in the dry bulk shipping industry and acquisition opportunities that may arise, we may be required to obtain additional debt or equity financing which could affect our dividend policy.

 

On February 27, 2008 the Company’s Board of Directors declared a cash dividend for the fourth quarter of 2007 of $0.50 per share. The aggregate amount of this cash dividend was $23,378,577 and was paid on March 18, 2008 to all shareholders of record as of March 13, 2008.

 

On May 6, 2008 the Company’s Board of Directors declared a cash dividend for the first quarter of 2008 of $0.50 per share. The aggregate amount of this cash dividend was $23,385,243 and was paid on May 23, 2008 to all shareholders of record as of May 20, 2008.

 

Subsequent to the end of the second quarter, on August 5, 2008, the Company’s Board of Directors declared a cash dividend for the second quarter of 2008 of $0.50 per share, based on 46,770,486 of the Company’s common shares outstanding, payable to all shareholders of record as of August 20, 2008. The aggregate amount of this cash dividend payable to the Company’s shareholders on August 26, 2008 is $23,385,243.

 

Contractual Obligations

 

The following table sets forth our expected contractual obligations and their maturity dates as of June 30, 2008:

 

 

 

 

Capital Expenditures

 

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 June 30, 2008, our fleet consists of 20 vessels which are currently operational. In addition to our operating fleet, we have contracted for the purchase of a second-hand Supramax vessel which will be delivered in September 2008. We also have a Supramax newbuilding program for the construction of 34 newbuilding vessels which will be delivered to us between 2008 and 2012.

 

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, even though the trend of these costs have been higher due to higher cost of steel, paints and other input variables. In addition, ship repair capacity constraint at shipyards and adverse weather has an impact on the number of days a vessel is in drydock. 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. We drydocked two vessels in the six-months ended June 30, 2008. 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:

 

 

 

 

Off-balance Sheet Arrangements

 

We do not have any off-balance sheet arrangements.

 

 

Interest Rate Risk

 

There have been no material changes from the “Interest Rate Risk” previously disclosed in our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007.

 

In addition to the interest rate swaps outstanding as of December 31, 2007, during the six months ended June 30, 2008, the Company entered into the following interest rate swap contracts:

 

 

The Company records the fair value of the interest rate swaps as an asset or liability on its balance sheet. The effective portion of the swap is recorded in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income. Accordingly, a liability of $12,223,412 and $13,531,883 has been recorded in Other Liabilities in the Company’s financial statements as of June 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, respectively.

 

Currency and Exchange Rates

 

There have been no material changes from the “Currency and Exchange Rates” risk previously disclosed in our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007.

 

 

Disclosure Controls and Procedures

 

Our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, (the “Exchange Act”)) as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based upon that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that, as of the end of such period, our disclosure controls and procedures are effective.

 

Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

 

There have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the period covered by this report that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

 

 

We are not aware of any legal proceedings or claims to which we or our subsidiaries are party or of which our property is subject. From time to time in the future, we may be subject to legal proceedings and claims in the ordinary course of business, principally personal injury and property casualty claims. Those claims, even if lacking merit, could result in the expenditure by us of significant financial and managerial resources.

 

 

There have been no material changes from the “Risk Factors” previously disclosed in our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007.

 

 

None.

 

 

None.

 

 

The Annual Meeting of Shareholders of the Company was held on May 22, 2008. There were 46,757,153 shares of common stock outstanding and entitled to vote at the meeting. A majority of the outstanding shares of common stock entitled to vote were present by proxy at the meeting. At the meeting the matters described below were approved by the shareholders.

 

1. The following persons were elected Class III directors of the Company to serve until the Annual Meeting of Shareholders in 2011 or until their successors are duly elected and qualified, by the following number of votes:

 

 

The following persons continue as Class I directors of the Company: Jon Tomasson and Sophocles N. Zoullas, and the following persons continue as Class II directors of the Company: Joseph M. Cianciolo, David B. Hiley and Forrest E. Wylie

 

2. The ratification of the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as the independent registered public accounting firm to audit the financial statements of the Company and its subsidiaries for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2008, was approved by the following number of votes:

 

 

There were no broker non-votes.

 

 

None.

 

EXHIBIT INDEX

 

 

 

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

 

EAGLE BULK SHIPPING INC.

 

Sophocles N. Zoullas

Chairman of the Board and

Chief Executive Officer

 

Date: August 7, 2008

 

Alan S. Ginsberg

Chief Financial Officer

and Treasurer

 

Date: August 7, 2008