Seaspan Reports Financial Results for the Three and Six Months Ended June 30, 2016

Series of Transactions Strengthens Balance Sheet and Supports Continued Growth of Stable Cash Flows

HONG KONG, China, July 25, 2016 /CNW/ - Seaspan Corporation ("Seaspan") (NYSE: SSW) announced today its financial results for the three and six months ended June 30, 2016. Below is a summary of Seaspan's key financial results:

Summary of Key Financial Results (in thousands of US dollars):

Summary of Key Highlights

• Achieved vessel utilization of 98.1% and 97.7% for the three and six months ended June 30, 2016, or 98.4% and 98.3% if the impact of scheduled off-hire days is excluded.
• Accepted delivery of one vessel during the second quarter and leased in two vessels, bringing Seaspan's operating fleet to a total of 89 vessels at June 30, 2016.
• Paid $13.2 million of regular quarterly dividends to preferred shareholders of record as of April 29, 2016.  Dividends per share were:
  • $0.59375 Series C (NYSE: SSW PR C)
  • $0.496875 Series D (NYSE: SSW PR D)
  • $0.515625 Series E (NYSE: SSW PR E)
• Paid a quarterly dividend for the 2016 first quarter of $0.375 per Class A common share to all shareholders of record as of April 20, 2016.
• Raised approximately $1.2 billion through capital markets and financing transactions during 2016.

Gerry Wang, Chief Executive Officer, Co-Chairman and Co-Founder of Seaspan, commented, "We continued to generate strong financial and operational results in the second quarter, which was defined by a series of transactions that strengthened our balance sheet and positioned us for further growth. Seaspan secured in excess of $1.0 billion in new capital during the second quarter, comprised of loan, lease and equity financings. Our continued ability to access capital from diverse sources is a strong endorsement of our stress tested business model and disciplined growth strategy."

Mr. Wang, added, "During the second quarter, we expanded our fleet with the delivery of our eighth 14000 TEU SAVER design containership, which commenced a ten-year fixed-rate contract with Yang Ming. We also grew our operating fleet by entering into leasing arrangements for two newly-delivered vessels that were previously owned by GCI and constructed under our supervision.  Each of these vessels has been contracted for long-term fixed-rate charters.  Finally, at the end of the second quarter, Seaspan acquired two newbuilding 11000 TEU vessels from GCI and their associated 17-year charters with MSC.  With these actions, we have taken significant steps to ensure the stability of our cash flows while increasing our position as the world's largest independent owner and lessor of containerships."

Second Quarter Developments

Vessel Deliveries

During the second quarter of 2016, Seaspan accepted delivery of one 14000 TEU vessel, the YM Width. The vessel was constructed at CSBC Corporation, Taiwan using our fuel efficient SAVER design and commenced a 10-year fixed-rate time charter with Yang Ming Marine Transport Corp. ("Yang Ming Marine") on May 29, 2016.

On April 28, 2016, Seaspan entered into a lease financing arrangement with third parties for one 10000 TEU newbuilding vessel, the MOL Beyond. The vessel is being leased from the third parties over a term of 11 years, with an option to purchase the vessel at the nine-year anniversary of the lease for a pre-determined fair value purchase price. Seaspan received the eight-year time charter contract with Mitsui O.S.K. Lines Ltd. for the MOL Beyond from Greater China Intermodal Investment LLC ("GCI") for no consideration.

On May 6, 2016, Seaspan entered into a lease financing arrangement with third parties for one 14000 TEU newbuilding vessel, the YM Window. The vessel is being leased from the third parties over a term of 12 years, with an option to purchase the vessel at the 9.5-year anniversary of the lease for a pre-determined fair value purchase price. Seaspan received the 10-year time charter contract with Yang Ming Marine for the YM Window from GCI for no consideration.

Vessel Acquisitions

On June 29, 2016, Seaspan acquired two 11000 TEU newbuilding vessels from GCI for a total purchase price of $195.6 million. These vessels will commence 17-year bareboat charters with MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company S.A. ("MSC") upon their respective deliveries scheduled in 2017. MSC is obligated to purchase the vessels for a pre-determined amount at the end of their respective charters. These two vessels are sister ships to Seaspan's three 11000 TEU vessels also scheduled for delivery in 2017 and chartered to MSC.

Equity Financings

On May 17, 2016, Seaspan issued to a third-party Asian investor 5,600,000 Series F preferred shares at a price of $25.00 per share, for an aggregate purchase price of $140.0 million. The holder of the Series F preferred shares has the right to convert these shares into common shares at a conversion price of $18.00 per share. The dividend rate is initially set at 6.95%, but will increase by 1.0% annually after the fifth anniversary date up to a maximum of 10.5% by the ninth anniversary date, or in certain circumstances to 10.5% on January 1, 2018. Seaspan has the right to call the Series F preferred shares at par plus any accumulated and unpaid dividends at any time after the dividend increases above 6.95%.

On May 27, 2016, Seaspan issued 5,750,000 Class A common shares in a public offering for net proceeds of approximately $81.1 million before expenses. Concurrently with the closing of the public offering, Seaspan's chief executive officer and affiliates of one of Seaspan's directors and of Dennis Washington purchased directly from Seaspan, in a private placement and at the public offering price, an aggregate of $15.0 million additional Class A common shares.

On June 16, 2016, Seaspan issued 4,600,000 Series G preferred shares at a price of $25.00 per share, for net proceeds of approximately $111.4 million before expenses. Dividends are payable on the Series G preferred shares at a rate of 8.20% per annum on the stated liquidation preference of $25.00 per share.

Redemption of Series C Preferred Shares

In June 2016, Seaspan redeemed 13,321,774 Series C preferred shares, representing all of the issued and outstanding Series C preferred shares, using net proceeds from the Series F preferred share issuance and Class A common share public offering and concurrent private placement.

Revolving Credit Facility

On April 29, 2016, Seaspan completed the renewal of its 364-day unsecured, revolving loan facility with various banks for a total commitment of up to $150.0 million. The facility includes features providing for an increase in commitments by up to $30.0 million, enabling a total facility size of up to $180.0 million. The revolving loan facility bears interest at LIBOR plus a margin.

Lease Financings       

On May 5, 2016, Seaspan entered into 17-year financing arrangements with an Asian-based leasing company, consisting of leases with commitments totalling approximately $253 million to fund the construction and delivery of three 11000 TEU newbuilding containerships and leases with commitments totalling approximately $168 million to fund the construction and delivery of two 11000 TEU containerships. These financing arrangements bear interest at LIBOR plus a margin. The five 11000 TEU newbuilding containerships will commence 17-year bareboat charters upon their deliveries, scheduled during 2017.     

On May 25, 2016, Seaspan entered into a sale-leaseback transaction with special purpose companies, ("SPCs"), for the YM Width for gross proceeds of $144.0 million. Under the lease, Seaspan sold the vessel to the SPCs and leased the vessel back for twelve years, with an option to purchase the vessel at the 9.5-year anniversary for a pre-determined fair value purchase price.

Employment Agreement with CEO Gerry Wang

On May 16, 2016, Seaspan entered into an employment agreement with Gerry Wang to replace the existing employment agreement, dated December 7, 2012. Pursuant to the new employment agreement, Mr. Wang has agreed to continue to serve as Seaspan's chief executive officer and co-chairman through May 31, 2021.

Financial Services Agreement

On May 16, 2016, Seaspan entered into a Financial Services Agreement, with Seaspan Financial Services Ltd., ("SFSL"), an entity owned and controlled by Graham Porter, a Seaspan director, to replace the Financial Services Agreement dated March 14, 2011, between Seaspan and Tiger Ventures Limited, an entity also owned and controlled by Mr. Porter. Under the Financial Services Agreement, SFSL will provide Seaspan with certain strategic services, including negotiating and procuring pre-delivery and post-delivery financing or refinancing for the construction of new vessels or the acquisition of second hand vessels.

Subsequent Events

Dividends

On July 12, 2016, Seaspan declared the following quarterly cash dividends on its common and preferred shares, for a total distribution of $47.9 million:

Results for the Three and Six Months Ended June 30, 2016

At the beginning of 2016, Seaspan had 85 vessels in operation. Seaspan accepted delivery of two newbuilding vessels and leased in two vessels during the six months ended June 30, 2016, bringing its operating fleet to a total of 89 vessels at June 30, 2016. Revenue from time charters is determined primarily by the number of operating days, and ship operating expense is determined primarily by the number of ownership days.

The following table summarizes Seaspan's vessel utilization by quarter and for the six months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015:

The following table summarizes Seaspan's consolidated financial results for the three and six months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015:

Revenue

Revenue increased by 12.6% to $224.3 million and 13.4% to $439.8 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2016, respectively, over the same periods in 2015, primarily due to the delivery of newbuilding vessels in 2015 and 2016 and the additional two leased in vessels in 2016, partially offset by lower average charter rates for vessels that were on short-term charters.

The increases in operating days and the related financial impact thereof for the three and six months ended June 30, 2016, respectively, relative to the same periods in 2015, are attributable to the following:

Vessel utilization was 98.1% and 97.7% for the three and six months ended June 30, 2016, respectively, compared to 98.0% and 98.4% the same periods in 2015.

The decrease in vessel utilization for the six months ended June 30, 2016, compared to the same period in 2015, was primarily due to an increase in unscheduled off-hire by 159 days. The increase in unscheduled off-hire was primarily due to eight vessels that were off-charter for a total of 230 days during the six months ended June 30, 2016, compared to two vessels that were off-charter for a total of 38 days in the same period of 2015.

Seaspan completed dry-dockings for 12 vessels during the three and six months ended June 30, 2016:

During the remainder of 2016, Seaspan expects three vessels to undergo their scheduled dry-dockings.

Ship Operating Expense

Ship operating expense decreased by 0.1% to $49.2 million for the three months ended June 30, 2016, compared to the same period in 2015, primarily due to cost savings initiatives implemented, which resulted in lower crew costs and lower stores and spares purchases. This decrease is partially offset by a 10.3% increase in ownership days due to the delivery of newbuilding vessels in 2015 and 2016, and the additional two leased in vessels in 2016.

Ship operating expense increased by 3.2% to $96.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2016, compared to the same period in 2015, primarily due to an 11.3% increase in ownership days for the six months ended June 30, 2016. The increase in ownership days is primarily due to the delivery of newbuilding vessels in 2015 and 2016, and the additional two leased in vessels in 2016, partially offset by cost savings initiatives implemented which resulted in lower crew costs.

Depreciation and Amortization Expense

Depreciation and amortization expense increased by 4.1% to $54.5 million and by 14.6% to $113.4 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2016, respectively, compared to the same periods in 2015, primarily due to an increase in fleet size from vessels delivered in 2015 and an increase in dry-dock amortization from an increase in the number of vessels dry-docked. For the six months ended June 30, 2016, the increase in depreciation and amortization was also due to write-offs of replaced vessel equipment.

General and Administrative Expense

General and administrative expense increased by 42.0% to $9.1 million and by 27.9% to $16.9 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2016, respectively, compared to the same periods in 2015. The increases were primarily due to professional fees and other corporate expenses incurred.

Operating Lease Expense

Operating lease expense increased to $20.7 million and $35.5 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2016, respectively, from $8.6 million and $14.7 million in the same periods in 2015. The increase was primarily due to the deliveries of four vessels in 2015 and two vessels in 2016 that were financed through sale-leaseback transactions. Under these transactions, Seaspan sold the vessels to the SPCs and are leasing the vessels back over a term of 11 or 12 years, with an option to purchase the vessels at the nine or 9.5-year anniversary of the lease for a pre-determined fair value purchase price. The unamortized portion of the deferred gain on all sale-leasebacks was $202.3 million as at June 30, 2016.

In addition, operating lease expense also increased due to the two leases entered into with third parties in April and May 2016 for a 10000 TEU vessel, the MOL Beyond and a 14000 TEU vessel, the YM Window, respectively.

Interest Expense and Amortization of Deferred Financing Fees

The following table summarizes Seaspan's borrowings:

Interest expense and amortization of deferred financing fees is comprised primarily of interest incurred on long-term debt and other long-term liabilities, excluding deferred gains, relating to operating vessels at either the variable rate calculated by reference to LIBOR plus the applicable margin or at fixed rates. Interest expense also includes a non-cash reclassification of amounts from accumulated other comprehensive loss related to previously designated hedging relationships. Interest incurred on long-term debt and other long-term liabilities for Seaspan's vessels under construction is capitalized to the cost of the respective vessels under construction. Effective January 1, 2016, in accordance with recent accounting pronouncements, interest expense includes the amortization of debt issuance costs. Previously these amounts were reported as amortization of deferred charges. The comparative figures for the prior period have been reclassified to conform with the current year's presentation.

Interest expense and amortization of deferred financing fees increased by $1.8 million to $30.1 million and by $7.0 million to $60.2 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2016, respectively, compared to the same periods in 2015. These increases were due to an increase in operating borrowings primarily related to certain vessels that delivered in 2015 and an increase in LIBOR, partially offset by repayments made on existing operating borrowings and lower amortization of deferred financing fees. For the six months ended June 30, 2016, the increase in interest expense was also due to the full period impact of three 4500 TEU vessels which were refinanced in March 2015.

Although Seaspan has entered into fixed interest rate swaps for some of its variable rate debt, the difference between the variable interest rate and the swapped fixed-rate on operating debt is recorded in Seaspan's change in fair value of financial instruments rather than in interest expense.

Refinancing expenses

Refinancing expenses decreased by $0.4 million to $0.8 million and by $1.5 million to $0.8 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2016, respectively, compared to the same periods in 2015. These decreases were primarily due to deferred financing fees that were written-off in connection with the termination and repayment of term loans.

Change in Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The change in fair value of financial instruments resulted in losses of $23.6 million and $75.8 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2016, respectively, compared to a gain of $19.5 million and a loss of $19.9 million for the same periods in 2015. The losses for the three and six months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015 were primarily due to decreases in the forward LIBOR curve and the effect of the passage of time.

The fair value of interest rate swap and swaption agreements is subject to change based on the company-specific credit risk of Seaspan and of the counterparty included in the discount factor and the interest rate implied by the current swap curve, including its relative steepness. In determining the fair value, these factors are based on current information available to Seaspan.  These factors are expected to change through the life of the instruments, causing the fair value to fluctuate significantly due to the large notional amounts and long-term nature of Seaspan's derivative instruments.  Because these factors may change, the fair value of the instruments is an estimate and may deviate significantly from the actual cash settlements realized during the term of the instruments. Seaspan's valuation techniques have not changed and remain consistent with those followed by other valuation practitioners.

About Seaspan 

Seaspan provides many of the world's major shipping lines with creative outsourcing alternatives to vessel ownership by offering long-term leases on large, modern containerships combined with industry-leading ship management services. Seaspan's managed fleet consists of 118 containerships representing a total capacity of over 935,000 TEU, including 14 newbuilding containerships on order scheduled for delivery to Seaspan and third parties by the end of 2017. Seaspan's current operating fleet of 89 vessels has an average age of approximately six years and an average remaining lease period of approximately five years, on a TEU weighted basis.

Seaspan has the following securities listed on The New York Stock Exchange:

Conference Call and Webcast

Seaspan will host a conference call and webcast presentation for investors and analysts to discuss its results for the three and six months ended June 30, 2016 on July 26, 2016 at 6:30 a.m. PT / 9:30 a.m. ET. Participants should call 1-877-246-9875 (US/Canada) or 1-707-287-9353 (International) and request the Seaspan call. A telephonic replay will be available for anyone unable to participate in the live call. To access the replay, call 1-855-859-2056 or 1-404-537-3406 and enter the replay passcode: 51022200. The recording will be available from July 26, 2016 at 9:30 a.m. PT / 12:30 p.m. ET through 8:59 p.m. PT / 11:59 p.m. ET on August 9, 2016. The conference call will also be broadcast live over the Internet and will include a slide presentation. To access the live webcast of the conference call, go to www.seaspancorp.com and click on "News & Events" then "Events & Presentations" for the link. The webcast will be archived on the site for one year.