SEACOR Marine Announces Results for Its Third Quarter and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017

SEACOR Marine Announces Results for Its Third Quarter and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017

SEACOR Marine Holdings Inc. (NYSE:SMHI) (the “Company”), a leading provider of global marine and support transportation services to offshore oil and gas exploration, development and production facilities worldwide, today announced results for its third quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2017.

For the third quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2017, net loss attributable to SEACOR Marine Holdings Inc. was $20.5 million ($1.25 per diluted share) and $61.9 million ($3.51 per diluted share), respectively.

For the third quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2016, net loss attributable to SEACOR Marine Holdings Inc. was $27.9 million ($1.58 per diluted share) and $70.5 million ($3.99 per diluted share), respectively. Net loss attributable to SEACOR Marine Holdings Inc. for the preceding quarter ended June 30, 2017 was $34.0 million ($1.93 per diluted share).

Results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2017 included the following:

• Improved direct vessel profit (“DVP”) generated by operating regions of $9.4 million compared with $1.5 million in the preceding quarter primarily due to higher operating revenues.
• A reduction in administrative and general expenses to $10.3 million compared with $21.7 million in the preceding quarter primarily due to $10.1 million of one-time costs incurred in the preceding quarter associated with the Company’s spin-off from SEACOR Holdings Inc. (the Company’s former parent company, “SEACOR Holdings”) on June 1, 2017.
• Impairment charges of $9.9 million primarily associated with fully writing down two in-service specialty vessels to scrap value.
• An impairment charge of $8.3 million, net of tax, related to the Company’s investment in a jack-up drilling rig owned by Dynamic Offshore Drilling.

John Gellert, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, commented:

“Results for the quarter improved and we remain optimistic for our future prospects. Higher oil and gas prices are generating positive cash flow for our customers and should build a foundation for an eventual recovery in offshore activity.

Our fleet is focused on passenger transport via high speed, aluminum hull fast support vessels and on platform and well maintenance services utilizing liftboats. On a fleet-wide basis, we are currently transporting over 30,000 passengers per month in offshore markets worldwide. Our customers’ focus on cost control continues to drive demand for our vessels as a cost effective alternative to helicopters.

Our liftboat results reflect an improved summer season in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico and include the commencement of long-term charters for two liftboats, one in Mexico and one in the Middle East. The long-term charters should buffer our results as we enter the winter months in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico, a period of seasonally lower activity, especially for liftboats.

The quarter included costs to mobilize and re-activate vessels to position our fleet to capture opportunities. Consistent with our financial discipline, we fully expense these costs as incurred instead of amortizing them.

We continue to actively manage our assets by pruning our fleet of vessels which we do not believe will be competitive in our markets. Optimizing the size and mix of our fleet, operating expenses and shore side support infrastructure within a highly variable market is a balance we continue to manage.

The market for offshore vessel services remains challenging. Because of the diversity and versatility of our fleet, our active fleet management, our financial discipline and our strong liquidity position, we believe that we are well positioned.”

A comparison of results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2017 with the preceding quarter ended June 30, 2017 is included below.

Operating Revenues. Time charter revenues were $6.5 million higher compared with the preceding quarter. On a total fleet basis, time charter revenues increased by $2.8 million from improved utilization, $2.7 million from net fleet additions, $0.9 million due to the repositioning of vessels between geographic regions, and $0.5 million due to favorable changes in currency exchange rates. Time charter revenues decreased by $0.4 million due to a reduction in average rates per day worked. Other marine services revenues were $1.0 million lower compared with the preceding quarter.

During the six months ended September 30, 2017 (the period over which the comparisons in this release are presented), the Company acquired seven fast support vessels (including Sea-Cat Crewzers’ four high speed catamarans resulting from the Company’s acquisition in the preceding quarter of its partners’ 50% interests), acquired one supply vessel and sold one supply vessel. In addition, the Company reactivated nine vessels from cold-stacked status, cold-stacked six previously active vessels and removed from service two previously cold-stacked vessels.

On a total fleet basis, excluding wind farm utility vessels but including cold-stacked vessels (those that are not currently available for active service), utilization of the fleet increased from 43% to 49%, and average rates per day worked increased by 2% from $8,431 to $8,565. Days available for charter were 2% higher primarily due to net fleet additions and more operating days during the quarter. This release includes a table presenting time charter statistics by vessel class.

Direct Vessel Profit (“DVP”) by Region. DVP generated by the Company’s operating regions was $9.4 million compared with $1.5 million in the preceding quarter, an improvement of $7.9 million. In addition to improved operating revenues of $5.5 million, operating expenses (excluding leased-in equipment) were $2.4 million lower compared with the preceding quarter. As compared with the preceding quarter, third quarter results included higher personnel costs of $0.6 million associated with net fleet additions, higher repairs, maintenance and drydocking costs of $1.3 million associated with the net reactivation of cold-stacked vessels and lower insurance and loss reserve costs of $0.7 million. In addition, the preceding quarter results included the replacement of main engines in two fast support vessels for $4.0 million. Results by region were as follows:

United States, primarily Gulf of Mexico. Direct vessel loss was $2.1 million compared with $1.1 million in the preceding quarter, a $1.0 million decline. On a total fleet basis, including cold-stacked vessels, utilization of the fleet increased from 13% to 16%, and average rates per day worked decreased by 25% from $9,619 to $7,212. Days available for charter decreased by 5% primarily due to the repositioning of vessels between geographic regions. Operating expenses (excluding leased-in equipment) were $0.6 million higher compared with the preceding quarter primarily due to higher personnel costs of $0.4 million associated with fleet additions, higher repairs, maintenance and drydocking costs of $1.1 million associated with the net reactivation of cold-stacked vessels and $0.3 million associated with the active fleet, lower insurance and loss reserve costs of $0.6 million and lower running costs of $0.7 million associated with the repositioning of vessels between geographic regions. As of September 30, 2017, the Company had 31 of 42 owned and leased-in vessels cold-stacked in the U.S. (nine anchor handling towing supply vessels, 12 fast support vessels, nine liftboats and one specialty vessel) compared with 32 of 42 vessels as of June 30, 2017. As of September 30, 2017, the Company had one anchor handling towing supply vessel, one fast support vessel and one supply vessel retired and removed from service in this region.

Africa, primarily West Africa. DVP was $2.6 million compared with a direct vessel loss of $1.3 million in the preceding quarter, a $3.9 million improvement. Time charter revenues were $1.9 million higher primarily due to fleet additions of $1.6 million. On a total fleet basis, including cold-stacked vessels, utilization of the fleet increased from 67% to 71%, and average rates per day worked increased by 3% from $10,348 to $10,611. Days available for charter increased by 14% primarily due to fleet additions. Operating expenses (excluding leased-in equipment) were $2.5 million lower compared with the preceding quarter primarily due to the replacement of main engines in one fast support vessel during the preceding quarter for $2.0 million. As of September 30, 2017, the Company had one of 14 owned and leased-in vessels cold-stacked in Africa (one specialty vessel) compared with one of 14 vessels as of June 30, 2017. As of September 30, 2017, the Company had one fast support vessel retired and removed from service in this region.

Middle East and Asia. Direct vessel loss was $0.5 million compared with $3.3 million in the preceding quarter, a $2.8 million improvement. Time charter revenues were $2.1 million higher primarily due to increased utilization of $1.6 million. On a total fleet basis, including cold-stacked vessels, utilization of the fleet increased from 55% to 61%, and average rates per day worked increased by 8% from $6,580 to $7,138. Days available for charter increased by 6% primarily due to fleet additions and the repositioning of vessels between geographic regions. Operating expenses (excluding leased-in equipment) were $1.2 million lower compared with the preceding quarter primarily due to the replacement of main engines in one fast support vessel during the preceding quarter for $2.0 million. As of September 30, 2017, the Company had one of 25 owned and leased-in vessels cold-stacked in the Middle East and Asia (one windfarm utility vessel) compared with three of 23 vessels as of June 30, 2017.

Brazil, Mexico, Central and South America. DVP was $2.2 million compared with $1.0 million in the preceding quarter, a $1.2 million improvement. Time charter revenues were $1.4 million higher due to the repositioning of vessels between geographic regions. On a total fleet basis, including cold-stacked vessels, utilization of the fleet increased from 0% to 49%, and average rates per day worked increased from $0 to $16,060. Days available for charter increased by 75% primarily due to the repositioning of vessels between geographic regions. Operating expenses (excluding leased-in equipment) were $0.3 million higher compared with the preceding quarter due to the repositioning of vessels between geographic regions. As of September 30, 2017, the Company had one of four owned and leased-in vessels cold-stacked in Brazil, Mexico, Central and South America (one fast support vessel) compared with one of four vessels as of June 30, 2017. As of September 30, 2017, the Company had one supply vessel retired and removed from service in this region.

Europe, primarily North Sea. DVP was $7.2 million compared with $6.2 million in the preceding quarter, a $1.0 million improvement. Time charter revenues were $1.3 million higher primarily as a result of improved utilization of $0.7 million and favorable changes in currency exchange rates of $0.5 million. For the standby safety fleet, utilization increased from 80% to 84%, and average rates per day worked increased from $8,457 to $8,650. For the windfarm utility vessels, utilization decreased from 95% to 94%, and average rates per day worked increased from $2,124 to $2,221.

Administrative and general. Administrative and general expenses were $11.4 million lower compared with the preceding quarter primarily due to one-time costs associated with the Company’s spin-off from SEACOR Holdings on June 1, 2017. During the preceding quarter, the Company incurred additional expenses of $6.7 million on the accelerated vesting of share awards previously granted to Company personnel by SEACOR Holdings and an additional expense of $3.4 million resulting from non-deductible spin-off related expenses reimbursed to SEACOR Holdings.

Asset Dispositions and Impairments. During the third quarter, the Company recognized impairment charges of $9.9 million associated with one fast support vessel removed from service and two specialty vessels. In addition, the Company sold two offshore support vessels previously retired and removed from service and other equipment for net proceeds of $0.2 million and gains of $0.2 million.

During the preceding quarter, the Company recognized impairment charges of $5.7 million primarily associated with one leased-in supply vessel removed from service as it is not expected to be marketed prior to the expiration of its lease. In addition, the Company sold one supply vessel, two offshore support vessels previously retired and removed from service and other equipment for net proceeds of $1.3 million and losses of $0.6 million.

Derivative gains (losses). Net derivative gains during the third quarter were due to a $13.0 million reduction in the fair value of the Company’s conversion option liability on its 3.75% Convertible Senior Notes. The reduction in the conversion option liability was primarily the result of declines in the Company’s share price and estimated credit spread.

Income tax benefit. The Company’s effective income tax rate was 27.9% in the third quarter and 26.6% in the preceding quarter primarily due to losses of foreign subsidiaries not benefited and non-deductible expenses associated with the Company’s participation in SEACOR Holdings’ share award plans. In addition, the preceding quarter included non-deductible spin-off related expenses reimbursed to SEACOR Holdings.

Equity in earnings (losses) of 50% or less owned companies. Equity losses were $7.3 million compared with equity earnings of $1.6 million in the preceding quarter primarily due to an impairment charge of $8.3 million, net of tax, related to the Company’s investment in Dynamic Offshore Drilling. The Company recognized an other than temporary decline in the fair value of its equity investment upon Dynamic Offshore’s unsuccessful bid on a charter renewal for its jack-up drilling rig with a customer during the third quarter. Its existing charter terminates in February 2018.

Capital Commitments. As of September 30, 2017, the Company had unfunded capital commitments of $68.9 million that included four fast support vessels, three supply vessels and two wind farm utility vessels. The Company’s capital commitments by year of expected payment are as follows (in thousands):

Liquidity and Debt. As of September 30, 2017, the Company’s balances of cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash, and construction reserve funds totaled $177.4 million and its total outstanding debt was $316.7 million (net of $34.4 million in discount and issue costs).

SEACOR Marine provides global marine and support transportation services to offshore oil and gas exploration, development and production facilities worldwide. SEACOR Marine currently operates a diverse fleet of offshore support and specialty vessels that deliver cargo and personnel to offshore installations; handle anchors and mooring equipment required to tether rigs to the seabed; tow rigs and assist in placing them on location and moving them between regions; provides construction, well workover and decommissioning support; and carry and launch equipment used underwater in drilling and well installation, maintenance and repair. Additionally, SEACOR Marine’s vessels provide accommodations for technicians and specialists, safety support and emergency response services.

Certain statements discussed in this release as well as in other reports, materials and oral statements that the Company releases from time to time to the public constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Generally, words such as “anticipate,” “estimate,” “expect,” “project,” “intend,” “believe,” “plan,” “target,” “forecast” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements concern management’s expectations, strategic objectives, business prospects, anticipated economic performance and financial condition and other similar matters. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual events or results may differ significantly from these statements. Actual events or results are subject to significant known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other important factors, including decreased demand and loss of revenues as a result of a decline in the price of oil and resulting decrease in capital spending by oil and gas companies, an oversupply of newly built offshore support vessels, additional safety and certification requirements for drilling activities in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico and delayed approval of applications for such activities, the possibility of U.S. government implemented moratoriums directing operators to cease certain drilling activities in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico and any extension of such moratoriums, weakening demand for the Company’s services as a result of unplanned customer suspensions, cancellations, rate reductions or non-renewals of vessel charters or failures to finalize commitments to charter vessels in response to a decline in the price of oil, increased government legislation and regulation of the Company’s businesses could increase cost of operations, increased competition if the Jones Act and related regulations are repealed, liability, legal fees and costs in connection with the provision of emergency response services, such as the response to the oil spill as a result of the sinking of the Deepwater Horizon in April 2010, decreased demand for the Company’s services as a result of declines in the global economy, declines in valuations in the global financial markets and a lack of liquidity in the credit sectors, including, interest rate fluctuations, availability of credit, inflation rates, change in laws, trade barriers, commodity prices and currency exchange fluctuations, the cyclical nature of the oil and gas industry, activity in foreign countries and changes in foreign political, military and economic conditions, including as a result of the recent vote in the U.K. to leave the European Union, changes in foreign and domestic oil and gas exploration and production activity, safety record requirements, compliance with U.S. and foreign government laws and regulations, including environmental laws and regulations and economic sanctions, the dependence on several key customers, consolidation of the Company’s customer base, the ongoing need to replace aging vessels, industry fleet capacity, restrictions imposed by the Jones Act and related regulations on the amount of foreign ownership of the Company’s Common Stock, operational risks, effects of adverse weather conditions and seasonality, adequacy of insurance coverage, the ability to remediate the material weaknesses the Company has identified in its internal controls over financial reporting, the attraction and retention of qualified personnel by the Company, and various other matters and factors, many of which are beyond the Company’s control as well as those discussed in “Risk Factors” included in the Information Statement filed as Exhibit 99.1 to Amendment No. 3 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form 10 and other reports filed by the Company with the SEC. It should be understood that it is not possible to predict or identify all such factors. Consequently, the preceding should not be considered to be a complete discussion of all potential risks or uncertainties. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of the document in which they are made. The Company disclaims any obligation or undertaking to provide any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statement to reflect any change in the Company’s expectations or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which the forward-looking statement is based, except as required by law. It is advisable, however, to consult any further disclosures the Company makes on related subjects in its filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K (if any). These statements constitute the Company’s cautionary statements under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.

Please visit SEACOR Marine’s website at www.seacormarine.com for additional information.

For all other requests, contact Erica Bartsch at (212) 446-1875 or ebartsch@seacormarine.com.

For SEACOR Marine Holdings Inc.
Erica Bartsch, 212-446-1875
ebartsch@seacormarine.com

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