International Seaways, Inc. - Quarter Report: 2017 September (Form 10-Q)

UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q 

(Mark One)

x QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15 (d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2017

OR

¨ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15 (d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from          to         

Commission File Number        1-37836-1     

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 ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate website, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (Section 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). 

YES x NO ¨

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 “accelerated filer”, “large accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. x

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

APPLICABLE ONLY TO ISSUERS INVOLVED IN BANKRUPTCY PROCEEDINGS DURING THE PRECEDING FIVE YEARS

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed all documents and reports required to be filed by Sections 12, 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 subsequent to the distribution of securities under a plan confirmed by a court. YES x NO ¨

APPLICABLE ONLY TO CORPORATE ISSUERS

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practical date. The number of shares outstanding of the issuer’s common stock as of November 7, 2017: common stock, no par value 29,089,865 shares. 

INTERNATIONAL SEAWAYS, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS

(UNAUDITED)

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements

INTERNATIONAL SEAWAYS, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS

(UNAUDITED)

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements

INTERNATIONAL SEAWAYS, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE (LOSS)/INCOME

DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS

(UNAUDITED)

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements

INTERNATIONAL SEAWAYS, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS

(UNAUDITED)

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements

INTERNATIONAL SEAWAYS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN EQUITY

DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS

(UNAUDITED)

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements

INTERNATIONAL SEAWAYS, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

Note 1 — Basis of Presentation:

Basis of Presentation

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of International Seaways, Inc. (“INSW”), a Marshall Islands corporation, and its wholly owned subsidiaries. The Company owns and operates a fleet of 56 oceangoing vessels, including seven vessels that have been chartered-in under operating leases and six vessels in which the Company has interests through its joint venture partnerships, engaged primarily in the transportation of crude oil and refined petroleum products in the International Flag trade through its wholly owned subsidiaries. In addition, during October 2017, the Company entered into agreements to (i) purchase a 2010-built VLCC tanker, which was delivered in November 2017; and (ii) sell a 2004-built MR and a 2002-built MR, which will be delivered to buyers during the fourth quarter of 2017 and the first quarter of 2018, respectively, (see Note 5, “Vessels”). Unless context indicates otherwise, references to “INSW”, the “Company”, “we”, “us” or “our”, refer to International Seaways, Inc. and its subsidiaries.

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 include the revenues and expenses of the individual entities that comprise INSW carved out from the historical results of operations and cash flows of its former parent, Overseas Shipholding Group, Inc. (“OSG”), for these entities using both specific identification and allocation.

Following our spin-off from OSG on November 30, 2016, we now perform functions previously performed by OSG using internal resources and purchased services, some of which were being provided by OSG during a transitional period that ended on June 30, 2017 pursuant to a transition services agreement between INSW and OSG.

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. They do not include all of the information and notes required by generally accepted accounting principles in the United States. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for a fair statement of the results have been included. Operating results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2017.

The condensed consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2016 has been derived from the audited financial statements at that date but does not include all of the information and notes required by generally accepted accounting principles in the United States for complete financial statements. For further information, refer to the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016.

All intercompany balances and transactions within INSW have been eliminated. Investments in 50% or less owned affiliated companies, in which INSW exercises significant influence, are accounted for by the equity method.

Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation, specifically, in relation to the adoption of ASU No. 2016-09, as described further below in Note 2, “Significant Accounting Policies.”

Dollar amounts, except per share amounts are in thousands.

Note 2 — Significant Accounting Policies:

Cash, cash equivalents and Restricted cash — Interest-bearing deposits that are highly liquid investments and have a maturity of three months or less when purchased are included in cash and cash equivalents. The 2017 Debt Facilities (as defined in Note 9, “Debt”) stipulate that net cash proceeds of any INSW asset sale or casualty event exceeding $5,000, are restricted and required to be reinvested in fixed or capital assets within twelve months of such sale or casualty event or used to repay the principal balance outstanding on the 2017 Debt Facilities.

INTERNATIONAL SEAWAYS, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

Concentration of Credit Risk — Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk are voyage receivables due from charterers and pools in which the Company participates. During the three and nine months periods ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, the Company did not have any individual customers who accounted for 10% or more of its revenues apart from the pools in which it participates. The pools in which the Company participates accounted in aggregate for 72% and 90% of consolidated voyage receivables at September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively.

Deferred finance charges — Finance charges, excluding original issue discount, incurred in the arrangement or amendments resulting from the modification of debt are deferred and amortized to interest expense on either an effective interest method or straight-line basis over the life of the related debt. Unamortized deferred finance charges of $587 and $1,691 relating to the 2017 Revolver Facility and the INSW Revolver Facility (as defined in Note 9) are included in other assets in the condensed consolidated balance sheets as of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively. Unamortized deferred financing charges of $24,302 and $19,827 relating to the 2017 Term Loan Facility and the INSW Term Loan (as defined in Note 9) are included in long-term debt in the condensed consolidated balance sheets as of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively. Interest expense relating to the amortization of deferred financing charges amounted to $652 and $4,452 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively and $1,484 and $4,501 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, respectively.

Recently Adopted Accounting Standards — In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-09, Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting (ASC 718), which simplifies several aspects of the accounting for share-based payment transactions, including the income tax consequences, forfeitures, classification of awards as either equity or liabilities, and classification in the statement of cash flows. The standard is effective for annual periods beginning after December 31, 2016 and interim periods within that reporting period. As a result of the adoption of this accounting standard, effective January 1, 2017, the Company elected to account for forfeitures of share-based payments as they occur. The adoption of this accounting policy had no impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements since management’s estimate of the forfeiture rate on share-based payment awards granted prior to January 1, 2017 was zero. In addition, the adoption of this accounting standard resulted in the presentation of $261 and $26 of cash paid to the tax authorities for shares withheld to satisfy the Company’s statutory income tax withholding obligations as a financing cash outflow in the condensed consolidated statement of cash flows for the nine-months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

Recently Issued Accounting Standards — In September 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-13, Amendments to SEC Paragraphs Pursuant to the Staff Announcement at the July 20, 2017 EITF Meeting and Rescission of Prior SEC Staff Announcements and Observer Comments, which allows certain public business entities (“PBEs”) that otherwise would not meet the definition of a public business entity except for a requirement to include its financial statements or financial information in another entity’s filings with the SEC, to elect to use non-PBE transition dates for the sole purpose of adopting ASU No. 2016-02, Leases (ASC 842), and ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (ASC 606). Accordingly, all financial statements or financial information of the Company’s FSO and LNG joint ventures that may be included in the Company’s filings with the SEC pursuant to SEC Regulation S-X Rule 4-08(g), Summarized Financial Information of Subsidiaries Not Consolidated and 50 Percent or Less Owned Persons, and/or SEC Regulation S-X Rule 3-09, Separate Financial Statements of Subsidiaries Not Consolidated and 50 Percent or Less Owned Persons, will likely not reflect the adoptions of ASC 606 and ASC 842 until January 1, 2019 and January 1, 2020, respectively.

In August 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-12, Derivatives and Hedging (ASC 815), which makes more financial and nonfinancial hedging strategies eligible for hedge accounting, amends the presentation and disclosure requirements, and changes how companies assess effectiveness. It is intended to more closely align hedge accounting with companies’ risk management strategies, simplify the application of hedge accounting, and increase transparency as to the scope and results of hedging programs. The new guidance permits a qualitative effectiveness assessment for certain hedges instead of a quantitative test after initial qualification if the company can reasonably support an expectation of high effectiveness throughout the term of the hedge. An initial quantitative test to establish that the hedge relationship is highly effective is still required. For cash flow hedges, if the hedge is highly effective, all changes in the fair value of the derivative hedging instrument will be recorded in other comprehensive income. They will be reclassified to earnings when the hedged item impacts earnings. On the other hand, for fair value hedges, because the change in fair value of the hedged item and the derivative hedging instrument will still be recorded in current earnings, if the hedge is not 100% effective there will be an income statement impact. The standard will be effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 31, 2018 and early adoption is permitted. Management does not expect the adoption of this accounting standard to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

INTERNATIONAL SEAWAYS, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

In May 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-09, Compensation—Stock Compensation (ASC 718), which provides guidance in regards to a change to the terms or conditions of a share-based payment award. An entity is required to account for the effects of a modification unless all the following are met: (1) the fair value of the modified award is the same as the fair value of the original award immediately before the original award is modified; (2) the vesting conditions of the modified award are the same as the vesting conditions of the original award immediately before the original award is modified; (3) the classification of the modified award as an equity instrument or a liability instrument is the same as the classification of the original award immediately before the original award is modified. The standard will be effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 31, 2017 and early adoption is permitted. The guidance is to be applied prospectively to an award modified on or after the adoption date. Management does not expect the adoption of this accounting standard to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In March 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-07, Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost (ASC 715), which requires that an employer classify and report the service cost component in the same line item or items in the statement of operations as other compensation costs arising from services rendered by the pertinent employees during the period and disclose by line item in the statement of operations the amount of net benefit cost that is included in the statement of operations. The other components of net benefit cost would be presented in the statement of operations separately from the service cost component and outside the subtotal of income from operations. The standard will be effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 31, 2017 and early adoption is permitted. The guidance requires application using a retrospective transition method. Management does not expect the adoption of this accounting standard to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In November 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-18, Statement of Cash Flows (ASC 230): Restricted Cash, which requires that amounts generally described as restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents be included with cash and cash equivalents when reconciling the beginning-of-period and end-of-period total amounts shown on the statement of cash flows. The standard is effective for annual periods beginning after December 31, 2017 and interim periods within that reporting period with early adoption permitted. Management does not expect the adoption of this accounting standard to have a material impact on the Company’s condensed consolidated statements of cash flows.

In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-15, Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments (ASC 230), which amends the guidance in ASC 230 on the classification of certain cash receipts and payments in the statement of cash flows. The primary purpose of the ASU is to reduce the diversity in practice that has resulted from the lack of consistent principles on this topic with respect to (1) debt prepayment or debt extinguishment costs; (2) settlement of zero-coupon debt; (3) contingent consideration payments made after a business combination; (4) proceeds from the settlement of insurance claims; (5) proceeds from the settlement of corporate-owned life insurance policies; (6) distributions received from equity method investees; (7) beneficial interests in securitization transactions; and (8) separately identifiable cash flows and application of the predominance principle. The standard will be effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 31, 2017 and early adoption is permitted. The guidance requires application using a retrospective transition method. We currently anticipate adopting the standard for classification of distributions received from equity method investees using the cumulative equity earnings approach, which will result in the retrospective reclassification of distributions received from certain affiliated companies accounted for by the equity method, from investing activities to operating activities. Management does not expect the adoption of other provisions of this accounting standard to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, Leases (ASC 842), which requires lessees to recognize most leases on the balance sheet. This is expected to increase both reported assets and liabilities. The standard will be effective for the first interim reporting period within annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018, although early adoption is permitted. Lessees and lessors will be required to apply the new standard at the beginning of the earliest period presented in the financial statements in which they first apply the new guidance, using a modified retrospective transition method. The requirements of this standard include a significant increase in required disclosures. Management is analyzing the impact of the adoption of this guidance on the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements, including assessing changes that might be necessary to information technology systems, processes and internal controls to capture new data and address changes in financial reporting. Management expects that the Company will recognize increases in reported amounts for property, plant and equipment and related lease liabilities upon adoption of the new standard.

INTERNATIONAL SEAWAYS, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (ASC 606), a standard that will supersede virtually all of the existing revenue recognition guidance in U.S. GAAP. The standard establishes a five-step model that will apply to revenue earned from a contract with a customer. The standard’s requirements will also apply to the sale of some non-financial assets that are not part of an entity’s ordinary activities (e.g., sales of property or plant and equipment). Extensive disclosures will be required, including disaggregation of total revenue, information about performance obligations, changes in contract asset and liability account balances between periods and key judgments and estimates. The FASB has issued several amendments to the standard, including clarification of the accounting for licenses of intellectual property and identifying performance obligations. The guidance permits two methods of adoption: retrospectively to each prior reporting period presented (full retrospective method), or retrospectively with the cumulative effect of initially applying the guidance recognized at the date of initial application (the cumulative catch-up transition method). The new standard will be effective for us beginning January 1, 2018 and could have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. We anticipate adopting the standard using the cumulative catch-up transition method. We have undertaken a comprehensive approach to assessing the impact of the guidance on our business by reviewing our current accounting policies and practices to identify any potential differences that may result from applying the new requirements to our consolidated financial statements. We are continuing to consult with other shipping companies on business assumptions, processes, systems and controls to determine revenue recognition and disclosure under the new standard. We have made significant progress on our review of this standard, the results of which indicate that (i) the timing and recognition of earnings from the pool arrangements and time charter/bareboat charter-out contracts to which the Company is party may not change significantly from current practice; (ii) there may be a change in the timing of revenue recognition under spot voyage contracts and our lightering business that may have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements, depending on the number of spot voyages we have in progress at December 31, 2017, which cannot be reasonably estimated at this time (although at September 30, 2017, only one of the Company’s vessels operated on spot voyage charters); (iii) there will be a significant expansion of required disclosures regarding revenue recognition, including a requirement to disclose the portion of total revenues recognized in accordance with other standards such as ASC 840, Leases; and (iv) the use of time charter equivalent (“TCE”) revenues as a means of measuring performance and comparing results amongst shipping industry participants could become more challenging. Our reviews and assessments of our contracts with customers have been substantially completed and the remaining phases of implementation include (i) the drafting of sample disclosures to identify any remaining information gaps; (ii) the quantification of the cumulative catch-up adjustment that will be recognized on January 1, 2018, which cannot be done until the first quarter of 2018; (iii) testing of the operating effectiveness of internal controls related to the implementation of this standard; and (iv) the completion of our evaluation of any accounting system changes that may be required to facilitate the gathering of information required for the presentation and disclosure requirements of ASC 606.

Note 3 — Earnings per Common Share:

Basic earnings per common share is computed by dividing earnings, after the deduction of dividends and undistributed earnings allocated to participating securities, by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period.

The computation of diluted earnings per share assumes the issuance of common stock for all potentially dilutive stock options and restricted stock units not classified as participating securities. Participating securities are defined by ASC 260, Earnings Per Share, as unvested share-based payment awards that contain non-forfeitable rights to dividends or dividend equivalents and are included in the computation of earnings per share pursuant to the two-class method.

There were 38,938 and 34,844 weighted average shares of unvested restricted common stock considered to be participating securities for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively and no unvested restricted common stock considered to be participating securities for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016. Such participating securities are allocated a portion of income, but not losses under the two-class method. As of September 30, 2017, there were 155,345 shares of restricted stock units and 275,830 stock options outstanding and considered to be potentially dilutive securities.

INTERNATIONAL SEAWAYS, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

The components of the calculation of basic earnings per share and diluted earnings per share are as follows:

Reconciliations of the numerator of the basic and diluted earnings per share computations are as follows:

For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 earnings per share calculations, there were no dilutive equity awards outstanding. Awards of 426,196 and 367,033 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively, were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share because inclusion of these awards would be anti-dilutive.

Note 4 — Business and Segment Reporting:

The Company has two reportable segments: Crude Tankers and Product Carriers. The joint ventures with two floating storage and offloading service vessels are included in the Crude Tankers Segment. The joint venture with four LNG Carriers is included in Other. Adjusted income/(loss) from vessel operations for segment purposes is defined as income/(loss) from vessel operations before general and administrative expenses, third-party debt modification fees, separation and transition costs and loss on disposal of vessels and other property, including impairments. The accounting policies followed by the reportable segments are the same as those followed in the preparation of the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements.

INTERNATIONAL SEAWAYS, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

Information about the Company’s reportable segments as of and for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 follows:

INTERNATIONAL SEAWAYS, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

Reconciliations of time charter equivalent (“TCE”) revenues of the segments to shipping revenues as reported in the condensed statements of operations follow:

Consistent with general practice in the shipping industry, the Company uses time charter equivalent revenues, which represents shipping revenues less voyage expenses, as a measure to compare revenue generated from a voyage charter to revenue generated from a time charter. Time charter equivalent revenues, a non-GAAP measure, provides additional meaningful information in conjunction with shipping revenues, the most directly comparable GAAP measure, because it assists Company management in making decisions regarding the deployment and use of its vessels and in evaluating their financial performance.

Reconciliations of adjusted (loss)/income from vessel operations of the segments to (loss)/income before income taxes, as reported in the condensed consolidated statements of operations follow:

Reconciliations of total assets of the segments to amounts included in the condensed consolidated balance sheets follow:

INTERNATIONAL SEAWAYS, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

Note 5 — Vessels:

Vessel Impairments

The Company gave consideration as to whether events or changes in circumstances had occurred since December 31, 2016 that could indicate that the carrying amounts of the vessels in the Company’s fleet may not be recoverable as of September 30, 2017. Factors considered included declines in valuations during 2017 for vessels of certain sizes and ages, any negative changes in forecasted near term charter rates and an increase in the likelihood that the Company will sell certain of its vessels before the end of their estimated useful lives in conjunction with the Company’s fleet renewal program. The Company concluded that the increased likelihood of disposal prior to the end of their respective useful lives constituted impairment trigger events for one Panamax and two MRs that were being actively marketed for sale as of September 30, 2017. In regards to the vessels in the Company’s fleet that are not currently being marketed for sale, the Company determined that the negative market developments noted above did not rise to the level of impairment triggering events as of September 30, 2017. If such declines continue for a protracted period of time or worsen, we will re-evaluate whether these changes in industry conditions constitute impairment triggers for additional vessels in the Company’s fleet.

In developing estimates of undiscounted future cash flows for performing Step 1 of the impairment tests, the Company utilized weighted probabilities assigned to possible outcomes for each of the three vessels for which impairment trigger events were determined to exist. The Company entered into a memorandum of agreement for the sale of one of the two MRs in October 2017, with a scheduled delivery to buyers during the fourth quarter of 2017. Accordingly, a 100% probability was attributed to the vessel being sold before the end of its useful life. As the Company is considering selling the other two vessels as a part of its fleet renewal program, 50% probabilities were assigned to the possibility that the vessels will be sold prior to the end of their respective useful lives. In estimating the fair value of the vessels for the purposes of Step 2 of the impairment tests, the Company considered the market and income approaches by using a combination of third party appraisals, the sales price per the memorandum of agreement discussed above, and discounted cash flow models prepared by the Company. Based on the tests performed, the sum of the undiscounted cash flows for each of the three vessels was less than its carrying value as of September 30, 2017. Accordingly, impairment charges totaling $7,346 were recorded on the three vessels to write-down their carrying values to their estimated fair values, which were determined using the market approach, at September 30, 2017.

Vessel Acquisitions and Deliveries

During the quarter ended September 30, 2017, the Company acquired two 2017-built Suezmax tankers for an aggregate price of $116,000. Both vessels were delivered in July 2017.

In October 2017, the Company entered into a memorandum of agreement for the acquisition of a 2010-built VLCC tanker for a price of $53,000. The vessel was delivered in November 2017.

Vessel Sales

During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, the Company sold a 2001-built MR, which was delivered to buyers in August 2017. A gain of $1,940 was recognized on the sale of this vessel during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017. In October 2017, the Company entered into two memorandums of agreement for the sale of a 2004-built MR (which is referenced in the “Vessel Impairments” section above) and a 2002-built MR, which are scheduled to be delivered to buyers during the fourth quarter of 2017 and the first quarter of 2018, respectively. The vessels did not meet the criteria for being classified as assets held for sale as of September 30, 2017. The Company expects to recognize a net aggregate gain on such sales.

Note 6 — Equity Method Investments:

Investments in affiliated companies include joint ventures accounted for using the equity method. As of September 30, 2017, the Company had an approximate 50% interest in three joint ventures. One joint venture operates four LNG carriers (the “LNG Joint Venture”). The other two joint ventures converted two ULCCs to Floating Storage and Offloading Service vessels (collectively the “FSO Joint Venture”).

INTERNATIONAL SEAWAYS, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

In May 2017, the FSO Joint Venture signed two five-year service contracts with North Oil Company (“NOC”), the new operator of the Al Shaheen oil field, off the coast of Qatar, relating to the two FSO service vessels. The shareholders of NOC are Qatar Petroleum Oil & Gas Limited and Total E&P Golfe Limited. Such contracts commenced at the expiry of the existing contracts during the third quarter of 2017.

The FSO Joint Venture financed the purchase of the vessels from each of Euronav NV and INSW and their conversion costs through partner loans and a long-term bank financing, which was secured by, among other things, the service contracts and the FSOs themselves. Approximately $75,343 was outstanding under the bank financing facility as of December 31, 2016. In July 2017, the FSO Joint Venture repaid the principal balance outstanding on the bank financing facility, using cash on hand.

The FSO Joint Venture previously entered into floating-to-fixed interest rate swaps with major financial institutions. These agreements, which paid fixed rates of approximately 3.9% and received floating rates based on LIBOR, had maturity dates ranging from July to September 2017. In conjunction with the repayment of the principal balance outstanding on the bank financing facility, the interest rate swap associated with the FSO Africa covering a notional amount of $58,158 was terminated early and settled on June 15, 2017. The interest rate swap associated with the FSO Asia was settled upon maturity in July 2017.

Investments in and advances to affiliated companies as reflected in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet as of September 30, 2017 consisted of: FSO Joint Venture of $260,701, LNG Joint Venture of $94,545 and Other of $25,472 (which primarily relates to working capital deposits that the Company maintains for commercial pools in which it participates).

A condensed summary of the results of operations of the joint ventures follows:

See Note 11, “Related Parties,” for disclosures on guarantees INSW has issued in favor of its joint venture partners, lenders and/or customers.

Note 7 — Variable Interest Entities (“VIEs”):

As of September 30, 2017, the Company participates in eight commercial pools and three joint ventures. One of the pools and the two FSO joint ventures were determined to be VIEs. The Company is not considered a primary beneficiary of either the pool or the joint ventures.

The following table presents the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities in the condensed consolidated balance sheet related to the VIEs as of September 30, 2017:

INTERNATIONAL SEAWAYS, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

In accordance with accounting guidance, the Company evaluated its maximum exposure to loss related to these VIEs by assuming a complete loss of the Company’s investment in these VIEs. The table below compares the Company’s liability in the condensed consolidated balance sheet to the maximum exposure to loss at September 30, 2017:

In addition, as of September 30, 2017, the Company had approximately $8,331 of trade receivables from the pool that was determined to be a VIE. These trade receivables, which are included in voyage receivables in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet, have been excluded from the above tables and the calculation of INSW’s maximum exposure to loss. The Company does not record the maximum exposure to loss as a liability because it does not believe that such a loss is probable of occurring as of September 30, 2017.

Note 8 — Fair Value of Financial Instruments, Derivatives and Fair Value Disclosures:

The following methods and assumptions were used to estimate the fair value of each class of financial instrument:

Cash and cash equivalents— The carrying amounts reported in the condensed consolidated balance sheet for interest-bearing deposits approximate their fair value.

Debt— The fair value of debt is estimated based on quoted market prices.

Interest rate swaps and caps— The fair values of interest rate swaps and caps are the estimated amounts that the Company would receive or pay to terminate the swaps or caps at the reporting date, which include adjustments for the counterparty’s or the Company’s credit risk, as appropriate, after taking into consideration any underlying collateral securing the swap or cap agreements.

ASC 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures, relating to fair value measurements defines fair value and established a framework for measuring fair value. The ASC 820 fair value hierarchy distinguishes between market participant assumptions developed based on market data obtained from sources independent of the reporting entity and the reporting entity's own assumptions about market participant assumptions developed based on the best information available in the circumstances. ASC 820 defines fair value as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date, essentially an exit price. In addition, the fair value of assets and liabilities should include consideration of non-performance risk, which for the liabilities described below includes the Company's own credit risk.

The levels of the fair value hierarchy established by ASC 820 are as follows:

Level 1- Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities

Level 2- Quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets or inputs that are observable

Level 3- Inputs that are unobservable (for example cash flow modeling inputs based on assumptions)

The estimated fair values of the Company’s financial instruments, other than derivatives that are not measured at fair value on a recurring basis, categorized based upon the fair value hierarchy, are as follows:

INTERNATIONAL SEAWAYS, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

Derivatives

The Company manages its exposure to interest rate volatility risk by using derivative instruments.

Interest Rate Risk

The Company uses interest rate caps and swaps for the management of interest rate risk exposure. INSW was party to an interest rate cap agreement (“Interest Rate Cap”) with a major financial institution covering a notional amount of $400,000 to limit the floating interest rate exposure associated with the INSW Term Loan. The Interest Rate Cap agreement was designated and qualified as a cash flow hedge and contained no leverage features. The Interest Rate Cap had a cap rate of 2.5% through the termination date of February 5, 2017.

Tabular disclosure of derivatives location

For interest rate caps, fair values are derived using valuation models that utilize the income valuation approach. These valuation models take into account contract terms such as maturity, as well as other inputs such as interest rate yield curves and creditworthiness of the counterparty and the Company. The December 31, 2016 fair value of the interest rate cap that expired on February 5, 2017 was zero.

The following tables present information with respect to gains and losses on derivative positions reflected in the condensed consolidated statements of operations or in the condensed consolidated statements of other comprehensive income. 

The effect of cash flow hedging relationships recognized in other comprehensive income excluding amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss (effective portion), including hedges of equity method investees, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 follows:

The effect of cash flow hedging relationships on the unaudited condensed consolidated statement of operations is presented excluding hedges of equity method investees. The effect of INSW’s cash flow hedging relationships on the unaudited condensed consolidated statement of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 follows:

INTERNATIONAL SEAWAYS, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

See Note 13, “Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss,” for disclosures relating to the impact of derivative instruments on accumulated other comprehensive loss.

Fair Value Hierarchy

The following table summarizes the fair values of assets for which an impairment charge was recognized for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017:

INTERNATIONAL SEAWAYS, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

Note 9 — Debt:

Debt consists of the following:

Capitalized terms used hereafter have the meaning given in these condensed consolidated financial statements or in the respective transaction documents referred to below, including subsequent amendments thereto.

2017 Debt Facilities

On June 22, 2017, INSW, its wholly owned subsidiary, International Seaways Operating Corporation (the “Administrative Borrower” or “ISOC”) and certain of its subsidiaries entered into secured debt facilities with Jefferies Finance LLC and JP Morgan Chase Bank, N.A., as joint lead arrangers, UBS Securities LLC, as joint bookrunner, DNB Markets Inc., Fearnley Securities AS, Pareto Securities Inc. and Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken AB (Publ) as co-managers, and the other lenders party thereto, consisting of (i) a revolving credit facility of $50,000 (the “2017 Revolver Facility”) and (ii) a term loan of $500,000 (the “2017 Term Loan Facility” and together with the 2017 Revolver Facility, the “2017 Debt Facilities”) containing an accordion feature whereby the 2017 Term Loan Facility could be increased up to an additional $50,000 subject to certain conditions. The 2017 Term Loan Facility matures on June 22, 2022, and the 2017 Revolver Facility matures on December 22, 2021. The maturity dates for the 2017 Debt Facilities are subject to acceleration upon the occurrence of certain events (as described in the credit agreement).

The 2017 Debt Facilities are secured by a first lien on substantially all of the assets of the Administrative Borrower and certain of its subsidiaries. On June 22, 2017, the proceeds received from the 2017 Term Loan Facility were used to repay the $458,416 outstanding balance under the INSW Facilities (defined below) and to pay certain expenses related to the refinancing. The remaining proceeds will be used for general corporate purposes, including fleet renewal and growth.

On July 19, 2017, the Company drew down $50,000 under the 2017 Revolver Facility, and on July 24, 2017, the Company entered into an amendment of the 2017 Debt Facilities (the “First Amendment”) to effect the increase of the 2017 Term Loan Facility by $50,000, pursuant to the accordion feature described above. No other terms of the 2017 Debt Facilities were amended. The net proceeds from these two borrowings were used for general corporate purposes, including funding the acquisition of two 2017-built Suezmax tankers as described above in Note 5, “Vessels.” On August 18, 2017, the outstanding balance under the 2017 Revolver Facility was repaid in full using cash on hand and proceeds of the sale of the 2001-built MR described in Note 5, “Vessels,” above.

Interest on the 2017 Debt Facilities is calculated, at the Administrative Borrower’s option, based upon (i) an alternate base rate (“ABR”) plus the applicable margin or (ii) Adjusted LIBOR plus the applicable margin. ABR is defined as the highest of (i) the Base Rate (i.e., the prime rate published in The Wall Street Journal), (ii) the Federal Funds Effective Rate plus 0.50%, (iii) the one-month Adjusted LIBOR Rate plus 1.00% and (iv) 2.00% per annum. The applicable margins and floor interest rates for each facility are as follows:

INTERNATIONAL SEAWAYS, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

The 2017 Term Loan Facility amortizes in quarterly installments equal to 0.625% of the original principal amount of the loan for the first four quarterly installments and equal to 1.25% of the original principal amount of the loan for all quarterly installments thereafter. The 2017 Term Loan Facility is subject to additional mandatory annual prepayments in an aggregate principal amount of 50% of Excess Cash Flow, as defined in the credit agreement.

Management determined that it had no Excess Cash Flow under the 2017 Term Loan Facility for the six months ended September 30, 2017 and has projected no Excess Cash Flow for the remaining three months ended December 31, 2017 based on the financial results as of September 30, 2017. Accordingly, there is currently no mandatory prepayment expected during the first quarter of 2018.

As set forth in the 2017 Debt Facilities credit agreement, the 2017 Debt Facilities contain certain restrictions relating to new borrowings and INSW’s ability to receive cash dividends, loans or advances from ISOC and its subsidiaries that are Restricted Subsidiaries. As of September 30, 2017, permitted cash dividends that can be distributed to INSW by ISOC under the 2017 Term Loan Facility was $15,000.

The 2017 Debt Facilities have covenants to maintain the aggregate Fair Market Value (as defined in the credit agreement) of the Collateral Vessels at greater than or equal to $300,000 at the end of each fiscal quarter and to ensure that at any time, the outstanding principal amounts of the 2017 Debt Facilities and certain other secured indebtedness permitted under credit agreement minus the amount of unrestricted cash and cash equivalents does not exceed 65% of the aggregate Fair Market Value of the Collateral Vessels plus the Fair Market Value of certain joint venture equity interests. The Company had substantial headroom under this covenant as of September 30, 2017, with an estimated ratio of 43%.

INSW Facilities

On June 22, 2017, the agreements governing the INSW Facilities — a secured term loan facility in the aggregate amount of $628,375 (the “INSW Term Loan”) and a secured revolving loan facility of up to $50,000 (the “INSW Revolver Facility”), dated as of August 5, 2014, as amended by that certain First Amendment, dated as of June 3, 2015, that certain Second Amendment, dated as of July 18, 2016, that certain Third Amendment, dated as of September 20, 2016 and that certain Fourth Amendment, dated as of November 30, 2016, among INSW, OIN Delaware LLC (the sole member of which is INSW), certain INSW subsidiaries, Jefferies Finance LLC, as administrative agent, and other lenders party thereto, were terminated in accordance with their terms.

Interest Expense

Total interest expense, including amortization of issuance and deferred financing costs (for additional information related to deferred financing costs see Note 2, “Significant Accounting Policies”), commitment, administrative and other fees for the 2017 Debt Facilities and the INSW Facilities for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 was $10,935 and $28,651, respectively and for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 was $9,212 and $29,488, respectively. Interest paid for the 2017 Debt Facilities and INSW Facilities for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 was $10,165 and $26,897, respectively and for the INSW Facilities for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 was $8,471 and $26,097, respectively.

Debt Modifications, Repurchases and Extinguishments

During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, the Company incurred issuance costs aggregating $2,191 and $24,197, respectively, in connection with the 2017 Debt Facilities. Issuance costs paid to all lenders and third-party fees associated with lenders of the 2017 Debt Facilities who had not participated in the INSW Facilities aggregating $15,067 were capitalized as deferred finance charges. Third party fees associated with the First Amendment and with lenders of the 2017 Debt Facilities who had participated in the INSW Facilities aggregating $1,191 and $9,130, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively, were expensed and are included in third-party debt modification fees in the unaudited condensed consolidated statement of operations. In addition, an aggregate net loss of $7,020 for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 realized on the modification of the Company’s debt facilities, is included in other income/(expense) in the unaudited condensed consolidated statement of operations. The net loss reflects a write-off of unamortized original issue discount and deferred financing costs associated with the INSW Facilities, which were treated as partial extinguishments. Issuance costs incurred with respect to the 2017 Debt Facilities have been treated as a reduction of debt proceeds.

INTERNATIONAL SEAWAYS, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

During the nine months ended September 30, 2016, INSW made repurchases of the INSW Term Loan in the open market of $68,922 and mandatory principal prepayments of $83,832. The aggregate net losses of $2,368 and $1,342 realized on these transactions for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, respectively, is included in other income/(expense) in the unaudited condensed consolidated statement of operations. The net loss reflects a $2,368 and $5,097, respectively, write-off of unamortized original issue discount and deferred financing costs associated with the principal reductions for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, which were treated as partial extinguishments and a $3,755 discount on repurchase of debt for the nine months ended September 30, 2016. Third party legal and consulting fees (aggregating $225) incurred by INSW in relation to the open market repurchases are included in general and administrative expenses in the unaudited condensed consolidated statement of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2016.

Note 10 — Taxes:

The Company derives substantially all of its gross income from the use and operation of vessels in international commerce. The Company’s entities that own and operate vessels are primarily domiciled in the Marshall Islands, which does not impose income tax on shipping operations. The Company also has or had subsidiaries in various jurisdictions that perform administrative, commercial or technical management functions. These subsidiaries are subject to income tax based on the services performed in countries in which their offices are located; current and deferred income taxes are recorded accordingly.

A substantial portion of income earned by the Company is not subject to income tax. With respect to subsidiaries not subject to income tax in their respective countries of incorporation, no deferred taxes are provided for the temporary differences in the bases of the underlying assets and liabilities for tax and accounting purposes.

The Company qualifies for an exemption from U.S. federal income taxes under Section 883 of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”) and U.S. Treasury Department regulations for 2017, because less than 50 percent of the total value of the Company’s stock has been held by one or more shareholders who own 5% or more of the Company’s stock for more than half of the days of 2017.

The Marshall Islands impose tonnage taxes, which are assessed on the tonnage of certain of the Company’s vessels. These tonnage taxes are included in vessel expenses in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of operations.

As of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, the Company has recognized a reserve for uncertain tax positions of $151 and $153, respectively, and accrued interest of $33 and $33, respectively, in noncurrent other liabilities in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets.

Note 11 — Related Parties:

Corporate Overhead Allocations from OSG

During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, the Company benefited from certain corporate functions provided by OSG. In addition, certain entities within INSW incurred similar costs in respect of corporate functions that provided services to non-INSW subsidiaries of OSG. An allocation of these corporate expenses, including legal costs related to certain litigation undertaken by OSG, is reflected in the condensed consolidated financial statements in general and administrative expenses, depreciation and amortization and reorganization items, net. Income earned directly by OSG was not subject to allocation because it was not directly related to the INSW business.

INTERNATIONAL SEAWAYS, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

Reorganization items, net for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 includes a credit for the recovery of costs allocated to INSW in prior years related to certain litigation undertaken by OSG that was settled by OSG in February 2016. Details of the amounts allocated from OSG during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 are as follows:

Transition Services Agreement

During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, INSW earned fees totaling $2 and $63, respectively, for services provided to OSG and incurred fees totaling $0 and $126, respectively, for services received from OSG, pursuant to the terms of the Transition Services Agreement, which ended in June 2017.

Payable to OSG aggregating $285 and $683 as of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively, were primarily in relation to the spin-related agreements (Transition Services, Separation and Distribution and Employee Matters Agreements) between INSW and OSG.

Guarantees

The FSO Joint Venture is a party to a number of contracts: (a) the FSO Joint Venture is an obligor pursuant to a guarantee facility agreement dated as of July 14, 2017, by and among, the FSO Joint Venture, ING Belgium NV/SA, as issuing bank, and Euronav and INSW, as guarantors (the ‘‘Guarantee Facility’’); and (b) the FSO Joint Venture is party to two service contracts with NOC (the ‘‘NOC Service Contracts’’).

INSW severally guarantees the obligations of the FSO Joint Venture pursuant to the Guarantee Facility and severally guaranteed the obligations of the FSO Joint Venture to Maersk Oil Qatar AS (“MOQ”) under the MOQ service contracts, which contracts were novated to NOC in July 2017 (the ‘‘MOQ Guarantee’’) and severally guarantees the obligations of the FSO Joint Venture under the NOC Service Contracts. In addition, INSW continues the MOQ Guarantee for the period ended on the novation date of the service contracts for MOQ, which period will end when the Qatari authorities determine that the FSO Joint Venture has paid all Qatari taxes owed by the FSO Joint Venture under such service contracts for tax periods through the novation date.

INSW maintains a guarantee in favor of Qatar Liquefied Gas Company Limited (2) (‘‘LNG Charterer’’) relating to certain LNG Tanker Time Charter Party Agreements with the LNG Charterer and each of Overseas LNG H1 Corporation, Overseas LNG H2 Corporation, Overseas LNG S1 Corporation and Overseas LNG S2 Corporation (such agreements, the ‘‘LNG Charter Party Agreements,’’ and such guarantee, the ‘‘LNG Performance Guarantee’’). INSW will pay QGTC an annual fee of $100 until such time that QGTC ceases to provide a guarantee in favor of the LNG charterer relating to performance under the LNG Charter Party Agreements.

OSG continues to provide a guarantee in favor of the LNG Charterer relating to the LNG Charter Party Agreements (such guarantees, the ‘‘OSG LNG Performance Guarantee’’). INSW will indemnify OSG for liabilities arising from the OSG LNG Performance Guarantee pursuant to the terms of the Separation and Distribution Agreement. In connection with the OSG LNG Performance Guarantee, INSW pays a $125 fee per year to OSG, which will increase to $135 per year in 2018 and will be terminated if OSG ceases to provide the OSG LNG Performance Guarantee.

INTERNATIONAL SEAWAYS, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

Capital Contributions from OSG and Dividends Paid to OSG

For the nine months ended September 30, 2016 the Company recorded capital contributions from OSG of $3,275 comprised of allocated reorganizations items, net of ($102), non-cash expense relating to stock compensation benefits of $2,157 and certain allocated general and administrative costs of $1,220. For additional information relating to stock compensation benefits see Note 12, “Capital Stock and Stock Compensation.”

During the nine months ended September 30, 2016, INSW made dividend distributions to OSG totaling $202,000.

Note 12 — Capital Stock and Stock Compensation:

The Company accounts for stock compensation expense in accordance with the fair value method required by ASC 718, Compensation – Stock Compensation. Such fair value method requires share based payment transactions to be measured according to the fair value of the equity instruments issued.

Information regarding share-based compensation awards granted by INSW during the nine months ended September 30, 2017 follows:

Director Compensation - Restricted Common Stock

The Company awarded a total of 38,938 restricted common stock shares during the nine months ended September 30, 2017 to its non-employee directors. The weighted average fair value of INSW’s stock on the measurement date of such awards was $20.03 per share. Such restricted share awards vest in full on the earlier of the next annual meeting of the stockholders or June 7, 2018, subject to each director continuing to provide services to INSW through such date. The restricted share awards granted may not be transferred, pledged, assigned or otherwise encumbered prior to vesting. Prior to the vesting date, a holder of restricted share awards otherwise has all the rights of a shareholder of INSW, including the right to vote such shares and the right to receive dividends paid with respect to such shares at the same time as common shareholders generally.

Management Compensation - Restricted Stock Units and Stock Options

During the nine months ended September 30, 2017, the Company granted 66,503 time-based restricted stock units (“RSUs”) to certain senior officers. The weighted average grant date fair value of these awards was $18.91 per RSU. Each RSU represents a contingent right to receive one share of INSW common stock upon vesting. Each award of RSUs will vest in equal installments on each of the first three anniversaries of the grant date.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2017, the Company awarded 30,856 performance-based RSUs to its senior officers. Each performance stock unit represents a contingent right to receive RSUs based upon the covered employees being continuously employed through the end of the period over which the performance goals are measured and shall vest as follows: (i) one-third of the target RSUs shall vest on December 31, 2019, subject to INSW’s three-year earnings per share (“EPS”) performance in the three-year EPS performance period relative to a target (the “EPS Target”) set forth in the award agreements; (ii) one-third of the target RSUs shall vest on December 31, 2019, subject to INSW’s return on invested capital (“ROIC”) performance in the three-year ROIC performance period relative to a target rate (the “ROIC Target”) set forth in the award agreements; and (iii) one-third of the target RSUs will be subject to INSW’s three-year total shareholder return (“TSR”) performance relative to that of a performance peer group over a three-year performance period (“TSR Target”). Vesting is subject in each case to the Human Resources and Compensation Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors’ certification of achievement of the performance measures and targets no later than March 15, 2020. The EPS Target and ROIC Target are performance conditions which, as of September 30, 2017, INSW management believes, are not yet considered probable of being achieved. Accordingly, for financial reporting purposes, no compensation costs will be recognized for these awards until it becomes probable that the performance conditions will be achieved. The weighted average grant date fair value of the awards with performance conditions was determined to be $19.73 per RSU. The weighted average grant date fair value of the TSR based performance awards, which have a market condition, was estimated using a Monte Carlo probability model and determined to be $24.35 per RSU.

INTERNATIONAL SEAWAYS, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

In addition, during the nine months ended September 30, 2017, INSW granted 20,638 performance-based RSUs (8,756 of which represented the 2017 tranche of the awards originally made on October 12, 2015) to certain members of its senior management. The grant date fair value of the performance awards was determined to be $19.13 per RSU. Each performance stock unit represents a contingent right to receive RSUs based upon certain performance related goals being met and the covered employees being continuously employed through the end of the period over which the performance goals are measured. These performance awards shall vest on December 31, 2017, subject to INSW’s ROIC performance for the year ended December 31, 2017 relative to a target rate (the “2017 ROIC Target”) set forth in the award agreements. Vesting is subject in each case to the Human Resources and Compensation Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors’ certification of achievement of the performance measures and targets no later than March 31, 2018. Achievement of the performance condition in this award is considered probable and accordingly, compensation cost has been recognized beginning on March 29, 2017, the date of the award.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2017, INSW awarded to certain of its senior officers an aggregate of 148,271 stock options. Each stock option represents an option to purchase one share of INSW common stock for an exercise price that ranged from $14.03 to $22.42 per share. The weighted average grant date fair value of the options was $9.23 per option. The fair values of the options were estimated using the Black-Scholes option pricing model with inputs that include the INSW stock price, the INSW exercise price and the following weighted average assumptions: risk free interest rates ranging from 1.95% to 2.11%, dividend yields of 0.0%, expected stock price volatility factor of .44, and expected lives at inception of six years, respectively.

On March 29, 2017, pursuant to the terms of the INSW Management Equity Incentive Plan and the Employee Matters Agreement with OSG, the Human Resources and Compensation Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors adjusted the applicable performance metrics for the OSG performance based units held by certain members of senior management that had been converted into INSW performance based units as of the November 30, 2016 spin-off date. The performance metrics were modified as follows: (i) one-third of the target RSUs shall vest on December 31, 2018, subject to INSW’s three-year EPS performance in the three-year EPS performance period relative to the same compounded annual growth rate (the “Modified EPS Target”) set forth in the original OSG award agreements; (ii) one-third of the target RSUs shall vest on December 31, 2018, subject to a proportionate average of OSG’s ROIC performance for the first eleven months and INSW’s ROIC performance for the last twenty-five months of the three-year ROIC performance period relative to the same target rate used under the original OSG award agreements (the “Modified ROIC Target”); and (iii) one-third of the target RSUs will be subject to a three-year TSR performance relative to that of the same performance peer group used under the original OSG award, over a three-year TSR performance period (“Modified TSR Target”). The TSR performance shall be measured using a proportionate average of the TSR performance of OSG for the first eleven months and INSW’s TSR performance for the last twenty-five months in the three-year TSR performance period. The modifications to the awards with performance conditions (EPS and ROIC Target awards) did not result in incremental compensation cost as these performance targets are not yet considered probable of being achieved. The modification of the TSR Target award resulted in incremental compensation expense of $124, which will be recognized over the remaining performance period of the awards.

Share Repurchases

In connection with the settlement of vested restricted stock units, the Company repurchased 969 and 13,961 shares of common stock during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively at an average cost of $19.69 and $18.66, respectively, per share (based on the market prices on the dates of vesting) from certain members of management to cover withholding taxes.

On May 2, 2017, the Company’s Board of Directors approved a resolution authorizing the Company to implement a stock repurchase program. Under the program, the Company may opportunistically repurchase up to $30,000 worth of shares of the Company’s common stock from time to time over a 24-month period, on the open market or otherwise, in such quantities, at such prices, in such manner and on such terms and conditions as management determines is in the best interests of the Company. Shares owned by employees, directors and other affiliates of the Company will not be eligible for repurchase under this program without further authorization from the Board. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, the Company repurchased and retired 160,000 shares of its common stock in open-market purchases at an average price of $19.86 per share, for a total cost of $3,177.

INTERNATIONAL SEAWAYS, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

Note 13 — Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss:

The components of accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of related taxes, in the condensed consolidated balance sheets follow:

The changes in the balances of each component of accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of related taxes, during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 follow: 

INTERNATIONAL SEAWAYS, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

Amounts reclassified out of each component of accumulated other comprehensive loss follow:

See Note 8, “Fair Value of Financial Instruments, Derivatives and Fair Value Disclosures,” for additional disclosures relating to derivative instruments.

INTERNATIONAL SEAWAYS, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

Note 14 — Leases:

1. Charters-in:

As of September 30, 2017, INSW had commitments to charter in seven MR vessels. All of the charters-in, of which three are bareboat charters with expiry dates ranging from November 2017 to June 2018 and four are time charters with expiry dates ranging from June 2018 to July 2018, are accounted for as operating leases. Lease expense relating to charters-in is included in charter hire expenses in the condensed consolidated statements of operations. The future minimum commitments and related number of operating days under these operating leases are as follows:

The future minimum commitments for time charters-in exclude amounts with respect to vessels chartered-in where the duration of the charter was one year or less at inception but include amounts with respect to workboats employed in the Crude Tankers Lightering business which are cancellable upon 180 days’ notice. Time charters-in commitments have been reduced to reflect estimated days that the vessels will not be available for employment due to drydock because INSW does not pay charter hire when time chartered-in vessels are not available for its use. Certain of the charters in the above tables provide INSW with renewal and purchase options.

2. Charters-out:

At September 30, 2017, the future minimum revenues, before reduction for brokerage commissions, expected to be received on non-cancelable bareboat and time charters and the related revenue days (revenue days represent calendar days, less days that vessels are not available for employment due to repairs, drydock or lay-up) are as follows:

Future minimum revenues do not include (1) the Company’s share of time charters entered into by the pools in which it participates, and (2) the Company’s share of time charters entered into by the joint ventures, which the Company accounts for under the equity method. Revenues from a time charter are not generally received when a vessel is off-hire, including time required for normal periodic maintenance of the vessel. In arriving at the minimum future charter revenues, an estimated time off-hire to perform periodic maintenance on each vessel has been deducted, although there is no assurance that such estimate will be reflective of the actual off-hire in the future.

INTERNATIONAL SEAWAYS, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

Note 15 — Reorganization Items, net:

On November 14, 2012 (the “Petition Date”), OSG and 180 of its subsidiaries including INSW Debtor entities, filed voluntary petitions for reorganization under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Code (the “Bankruptcy Code”) in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware (the “Bankruptcy Court”). The Debtors filed with the Bankruptcy Court a plan of reorganization which was subsequently confirmed by the Bankruptcy Court’s order entered on July 18, 2014. On August 5, 2014 (the “Effective Date”), the plan of reorganization became effective and OSG and its affiliated debtors, including INSW Debtor entities, emerged from bankruptcy. On February 10, 2017, pursuant to a final decree and order of the Bankruptcy Court, OSG’s one remaining case, as the parent company, was closed.

Reorganization items, net represent amounts incurred subsequent to the bankruptcy date as a direct result of the filing of the Chapter 11 cases. The table below reflects the recovery of previously allocated professional fees associated with a litigation matter that OSG subsequently settled for an amount in excess of its related out-of-pocket expenses.

No cash was paid for reorganization items for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016. Allocations of non-cash reorganization expenses recorded as a capital contribution from/(distribution to) OSG were $3,849 and ($102) for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, respectively.

Note 16 — Contingencies:

INSW’s policy for recording legal costs related to contingencies is to expense such legal costs as incurred. 

Multi-Employer Plans

The Merchant Navy Officers Pension Fund (“MNOPF”) is a multi-employer defined benefit pension plan covering British crew members that served as officers on board INSW’s vessels (as well as vessels of other owners). The trustees of the plan have indicated that, under the terms of the High Court ruling in 2005, which established the liability of past employers to fund the deficit on the Post 1978 section of MNOPF, calls for further contributions may be required if additional actuarial deficits arise or if other employers liable for contributions are not able to pay their share in the future. As the amount of any such assessment cannot currently be reasonably estimated, no reserves have been recorded for this contingency in INSW’s condensed consolidated financial statements as of September 30, 2017. The next deficit valuation is due March 31, 2018.

The Merchant Navy Ratings Pension Fund (“MNRPF”) is a multi-employer defined benefit pension plan covering British crew members that served as ratings (seamen) on board INSW’s vessels (as well as vessels of other owners) more than 20 years ago. During 2014 the trustees of the MNRPF sought court approval for a new deficit reduction regime for participating employers. Participating employers include current employers, historic employers that have made voluntary contributions, and historic employers such as INSW that have made no deficit contributions. The trustees received court approval of the new deficit reduction regime in February 2015 and INSW received an assessment of $1,487 which was recorded in June 2015, of which £639 ($988) was paid in October 2015 and the balance was paid on October 25, 2016. Calls for further contributions may be required if additional actuarial deficits arise or if other employers liable for contributions are unable to pay their share in the future. Based on the latest estimated deficit valuation using a measurement date of March 31, 2017, which was distributed to employers in June 2017, INSW recorded a reserve of £290 ($388) for a potential assessment by the trustees of the MNRPF as of September 30, 2017.

INTERNATIONAL SEAWAYS, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

Galveston Accident

In late September 2017, an industrial accident at a leased facility in Galveston resulted in fatalities to two temporary employees. In accordance with law, an investigation of the accident is currently underway by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration and local law enforcement. In addition, two lawsuits relating to the accident, each of which claims damages in excess of $25,000, have been filed in state court in Texas (Harris County District Court) and identify a subsidiary of the Company as one of several defendants. The subsidiary has filed its answer to those complaints generally denying the allegations and stating certain affirmative defenses, and has separately filed a motion for declaratory judgment in federal court in Texas (Southern District) seeking judgment that it does not owe contractual indemnification obligations to certain of the other defendants. We believe it is too early to determine what, if any, effect the outcome of this matter will have on us.

Legal Proceedings Arising in the Ordinary Course of Business

The Company is a party, as plaintiff or defendant, to various suits in the ordinary course of business for monetary relief arising principally from personal injuries, wrongful death, collision or other casualty and to claims arising under charter parties and other contract disputes. A substantial majority of such personal injury, wrongful death, collision or other casualty claims against the Company are covered by insurance (subject to deductibles not material in amount). Each of the claims involves an amount which, in the opinion of management, should not be material to the Company’s financial position, results of operations and cash flows.

INTERNATIONAL SEAWAYS, INC.

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains forward looking statements. Such forward-looking statements represent the Company’s reasonable expectation with respect to future events or circumstances based on various factors and are subject to various risks and uncertainties and assumptions relating to the Company’s operations, financial results, financial condition, business, prospects, growth strategy and liquidity. Accordingly, there are or will be important factors, many of which are beyond the control of the Company, that could cause the Company’s actual results to differ materially from those indicated in these statements. Undue reliance should not be placed on any forward-looking statements and consideration should be given to the following factors when reviewing any such statement. Such factors include, but are not limited to:

INTERNATIONAL SEAWAYS, INC.

The Company assumes no obligation to update or revise any forward looking statements. Forward looking statements in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and written and oral forward looking statements attributable to the Company or its representatives after the date of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q are qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statement contained in this paragraph and in other reports hereafter filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

General:

We are a provider of ocean transportation services for crude oil and refined petroleum products. We operate our vessels in the International Flag market. Our business includes two reportable segments: Crude Tankers and Product Carriers. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, we derived 62% and 65%, respectively, of our TCE revenues from our Crude Tankers segment. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, we derived 65% and 67%, respectively, of our TCE revenues from our Crude Tankers segment. Revenues from our Product Carriers segment constituted the balance of our TCE revenues for both periods.

As of September 30, 2017, we owned or operated an International Flag fleet of 56 vessels aggregating 6.7 million deadweight tons (“dwt”) and 864,800 cubic meters (“cbm”), including seven vessels that have been chartered-in under operating leases. Our fleet includes ULCC, VLCC, Suezmax, Aframax and Panamax crude tankers and LR1, LR2 and MR product carriers. Through joint venture partnerships, we have ownership interests in two FSO service vessels and four LNG Carriers (together the “JV Vessels”). In addition, during October 2017, the Company entered into agreements to (i) purchase a 2010-built VLCC tanker, which was delivered in November 2017; and (ii) sell a 2004-built MR and a 2002-built MR, which will be delivered to buyers during the fourth quarter of 2017 and the first quarter of 2018, respectively.

The Company’s revenues are highly sensitive to patterns of supply and demand for vessels of the size and design configurations owned and operated by the Company and the trades in which those vessels operate. Rates for the transportation of crude oil and refined petroleum products from which the Company earns a substantial majority of its revenues are determined by market forces such as the supply and demand for oil, the distance that cargoes must be transported, and the number of vessels expected to be available at the time such cargoes need to be transported. The demand for oil shipments is significantly affected by the state of the global economy, levels of U.S. domestic and international oil production and OPEC exports. The number of vessels is affected by newbuilding deliveries and by the removal of existing vessels from service, principally through storage, scrappings or conversions. The Company’s revenues are also affected by the mix of charters between spot (voyage charter) and long-term (time or bareboat charter). Because shipping revenues and voyage expenses are significantly affected by the mix between voyage charters and time charters, the Company manages its vessels based on TCE revenues. Management makes economic decisions based on anticipated TCE rates and evaluates financial performance based on TCE rates achieved. Other than the JV Vessels, the Company’s revenues are derived predominantly from spot market voyage charters and those vessels are predominantly employed in the spot market via market-leading commercial pools. We derived 79% and 80%, respectively, of our total TCE revenues in the spot market for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, compared with 70% and 76% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, respectively.

INTERNATIONAL SEAWAYS, INC.

The following is a discussion and analysis of our financial condition as of September 30, 2017 and results of operations for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2017 and 2016. You should consider the foregoing when reviewing the condensed consolidated financial statements and this discussion and analysis. You should read this section together with the condensed consolidated financial statements, including the notes thereto. This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q includes industry data and forecasts that we have prepared based, in part, on information obtained from industry publications and surveys. Third-party industry publications, surveys and forecasts generally state that the information contained therein has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable. In addition, certain statements regarding our market position in this report are based on information derived from internal market studies and research reports. Unless we state otherwise, statements about the Company’s relative competitive position in this report are based on our management's beliefs, internal studies and management's knowledge of industry trends.

All dollar amounts are in thousands, except daily dollar amounts and per share amounts.

Operations and Oil Tanker Markets:

The International Energy Agency (“IEA”) estimates global oil consumption for the third quarter of 2017 at 97.8 million barrels per day (“b/d”) an increase of 1.1 million b/d, or 1.1%, over the same quarter in 2016. The estimate for global oil consumption for all of 2017 is 97.7 million b/d, an increase of 1.7% over 2016. OECD demand in 2017 is estimated to increase by 0.9% to 47.3 million b/d, while non-OECD demand is estimated to increase by 2.2% to 50.4 million b/d.

Global oil production in the third quarter of 2017 totaled 97.9 million b/d, an increase of 0.6 million b/d from the third quarter of 2016. OPEC crude oil production increased in the third quarter of 2017 to 32.7 million b/d from 32.3 million b/d in the second quarter of 2017, an increase of 0.4 million b/d. Non-OPEC production increased by 1.0 million b/d to 58.2 million b/d in the third quarter of 2017 compared with the third quarter of 2016. The U.S. Energy Information Administration (“EIA”) estimates that crude oil production in the U.S. increased by 0.1 million b/d from 9.1 million b/d in April 2017 to 9.2 million b/d in July.

U.S. refinery throughput increased by 0.6 million b/d to 17.6 million b/d in July 2017 compared with July 2016. U.S. crude oil imports decreased by about 0.3 million b/d in July 2017 compared with July 2016 with imports from OPEC countries decreasing by 0.3 million b/d, an 8% decrease over the same period.

Chinese imports of crude oil continued to be strong with September 2017 levels reaching 9 million b/d. For the period January through August, imports averaged 8.4 million b/d, an increase of over 12% from the same period in 2016.

During the third quarter of 2017, the fleet of vessels over 10,000 dwt increased by 4.6 million dwt as the crude fleet increased by 3.3 million dwt, while the product carrier fleet expanded by 1.3 million dwt. Year over year, the size of the tanker fleet increased by 31.5 million dwt with the largest increases in the VLCC, Suezmax, Aframax and MR sectors.

During the third quarter of 2017, the crude tanker orderbook decreased by 3.7 million dwt, although the VLCC orderbook was unchanged, and the product carrier orderbook decreased by 1.1 million dwt. From the end of the third quarter of 2016 through the end of the third quarter of 2017, the total tanker orderbook declined by 16.2 million dwt with all sectors showing large declines.

INTERNATIONAL SEAWAYS, INC.

VLCC freight rates remained weak during the third quarter of 2017, declining from a high of around $15,000 early in the quarter to a low of around $5,000 in the middle of the quarter before recovering to around $14,000 at the end of the quarter. Freight rates in other segments were mostly lower during the third quarter of 2017, which is the seasonally weakest quarter of the year, compared with the prior quarter although MR rates saw a brief spike following Hurricane Harvey. The previously announced OPEC-led production cuts combined with a heavy newbuilding delivery schedule were largely to blame for the weaker tanker markets during the third quarter. In addition, scheduled 2018 deliveries are still significant. The combination of these factors will likely limit any meaningful recovery in freight rates in the near term. On a more positive note, according to the EIA crude, gasoline and distillate stocks are all down year over year by 2.5%, 1.8% and 14.6%, respectively, for the week ending October 6. Reduced inventories could lead to an increase in demand for shipping to replace oil in storage.

Update on Critical Accounting Policies:

The Company’s consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States, which require the Company to make estimates in the application of its accounting policies based on the best assumptions, judgments and opinions of management. For a description of all of the Company’s material accounting policies, see Note 3, “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies,” to the Company’s consolidated financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2016 included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K. See Note 2, “Significant Accounting Policies,” to the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements for any changes or updates to the Company’s critical accounting policies for the current period.

Results from Vessel Operations:

During the third quarter of 2017, results from vessel operations increased by $24,009 to a loss of $23,749 from a loss of $47,758 in the third quarter of 2016. This principally reflects lower vessel impairment charges in the current period offset by a decline in TCE revenues.

TCE revenues decreased in the current quarter by $20,677, or 27%, to $56,489 from $77,166 in the third quarter of 2016. Approximately $20,264 of this decrease was due to a decline in average daily rates across INSW’s fleet sectors.

During the first nine months of 2017, results from vessel operations decreased by $54,500 to a loss of $20,050 from income of $34,450 in the first nine months of 2016. This decrease primarily resulted from reduced TCE revenues, the incurrence of third-party debt modification fees (see Note 9, “Debt,” to the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements), and increased charter hire expense. Such impacts were partially offset by decreases in vessel impairment charges and general and administrative expenses in the current period.

The decrease in TCE revenues in the first nine months of 2017 of $92,929, or 31%, to $209,901 from $302,830 in the corresponding prior year period primarily reflected lower average daily rates across INSW’s fleet sectors, which accounted for approximately $91,346 of the overall decrease.

The increase in charter hire expense was principally attributable to increased activity in the Crude Tankers Lightering business.

See Note 4, “Business and Segment Reporting,” to the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements for additional information on the Company’s segments, including equity in income of affiliated companies and reconciliations of (i) time charter equivalent revenues to shipping revenues and (ii) adjusted income from vessel operations for the segments to income before income taxes, as reported in the condensed consolidated statements of operations.

INTERNATIONAL SEAWAYS, INC. 

The following tables provide a breakdown of TCE rates achieved for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, between spot and fixed earnings and the related revenue days. The information in these tables is based, in part, on information provided by the commercial pools in which the segment’s vessels participate, and excludes revenue and revenue days, for which recoveries were recorded by the Company under its loss of hire insurance policies. 

INTERNATIONAL SEAWAYS, INC.

During the third quarter of 2017, TCE revenues for the Crude Tankers segment decreased by $15,251, or 30%, to $34,905 from $50,156 in the third quarter of 2016. Such decrease resulted primarily from the impact of significantly lower average blended rates in the VLCC, Aframax and Panamax sectors aggregating approximately $14,060. The decline in TCE revenues also reflects a $998 decrease in revenue in the Crude Tankers Lightering business during the current quarter, and a decrease in revenue days in the Panamax and Aframax sectors, which had the effect of decreasing revenue by approximately $1,138. The decrease in Panamax and Aframax revenue days reflects 74 incremental drydock and repair days in the current quarter. Serving to partially offset the declines in revenue were the acquisitions of two 2017-built Suezmaxes, each of which delivered to the Company in July 2017 and had the effect of increasing revenue during the current quarter by a total of $1,804.

Vessel expenses increased by $1,962 to $22,880 in the current quarter from $20,918 in the third quarter of 2016. Approximately $1,158 of the increase was attributable to the Suezmax acquisitions discussed above and the balance of the increase was primarily related to an increase in drydock deviation costs incurred for the Panamax fleet. Charter hire expenses increased by $505 to $3,050 in the third quarter of 2017 from $2,545 in the third quarter of 2016 as a result of an increase in chartered-in workboats employed in the Crude Tankers Lightering business during the current quarter compared with the third quarter of 2016. The only vessels in the segment chartered-in by the Company during either period were Aframaxes and workboats employed in the Crude Tankers Lightering business. Depreciation and amortization increased by $1,533 to $14,798 in the third quarter of 2017 from $13,265 in the third quarter of 2016, such increase reflects the delivery of the two Suezmaxes noted above and increased drydock amortization.

During the first nine months of 2017, TCE revenues for the Crude Tankers segment decreased by $67,364, or 33%, to $136,695 from $204,059 in the first nine months of 2016 principally as a result of significantly lower average blended rates in the VLCC, Aframax and Panamax sectors aggregating approximately $65,172. Further contributing to the decrease was a decrease in revenue days for the VLCC, Aframax and Panamax sectors, which accounted for approximately $9,356 of the decline in TCE revenues. The decrease in VLCC, Aframax and Panamax revenue days was driven by 389 incremental drydock and repair days in the 2017 period. Increased activity levels in the Crude Tankers Lightering business in the first six months of the current year led to a $7,589 increase in revenue to $20,718 from $13,129 in the first nine months of 2016, which partially offset the revenue decreases described above. Also serving to offset the decrease was the impact of the Suezmax deliveries described above.

Vessel expenses increased by $2,435 to $64,980 in the first nine months of 2017 from $62,545 in the prior year’s period. The increase was primarily attributable to the same factors that drove the quarter-over-quarter increase described above, with the additional factor of a reserve of $388, which was recorded during the second quarter of 2017, for a potential assessment by the trustees of the MNRPF, as discussed in Note 16, “Contingencies,” to the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements. Charter hire expenses increased by $4,917 to $10,894 in the first nine months of 2017 from $5,977 in the first nine months of 2016 resulting from a significant increase in the number of full-service lighterings performed in the Crude Tankers Lightering business in the first six months of 2017 compared with the corresponding 2016 period. Depreciation and amortization increased by $1,924 to $41,149 in the first nine months of 2017 from $39,225 in the third quarter of 2016, such increase resulted primarily from the same factors discussed in the quarter-over-quarter variance described above.

INTERNATIONAL SEAWAYS, INC.

Excluding depreciation and amortization, and general and administrative expenses, operating income for the Crude Tankers Lightering business was $75 and $4,673 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively, and $1,264 and $2,731 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, respectively. The unfavorable variance in the current quarter’s operating income as compared to the third quarter of the prior year reflects lower margins earned. Such declining margins reflect increased charter hire expense in the current period, as Aframaxes were chartered-in at higher rates, which were driven by the impact of the prevalent hurricane weather activity on spot charter rates. In addition, there were more time chartered-in workboats in the three months ended September 30, 2017 compared to the same period in the prior year. The increase in operating income for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 compared to the first nine months of 2016 was driven by a significant increase in the number of full service lighterings performed in the first half of the year, 17 compared to two in the first six months of 2016.

The following tables provide a breakdown of TCE rates achieved for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, between spot and fixed earnings and the related revenue days. The information is based, in part, on information provided by the commercial pools in which the segment’s vessels participate and excludes revenue and revenue days for which recoveries were recorded by the Company under its loss of hire insurance policies.