Paragon Shipping Inc. reports first quarter 2014 results

PRNewswire/—Paragon Shipping Inc. (NASDAQ: PRGN) (“Paragon Shipping” or the “Company”), a global shipping transportation company specializing in drybulk cargoes, announced its results for the three months ended March 31, 2014. Financial Highlights (Expressed in thousands of United States Dollars, except for vessel data, TCE and share data) Management Commentary Commenting on the results, Mr. Michael Bodouroglou, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Paragon Shipping, stated, “During the first quarter of 2014, we accomplished many of our previously announced objectives. In line with our growth strategy, we increased our operating fleet to 14 vessels by taking delivery of the M/V Proud Seas in January and entered into an agreement to sell our 4,800 TEU containership to an unrelated third party, which, after taking into consideration our latest agreement with the shipyard to reduce the contract price of the respective vessel by $770,000, will result in a positive net cash inflow to the Company of approximately $10.0 million. We also increased our newbuilding program to seven drybulk vessels by ordering three Eco-Design Kamsarmax vessels for delivery in 2015. Regarding our loan and credit facilities, we improved our financial flexibility by entering into two new loan agreements that streamlined our debt amortization profile and removed restrictive covenants that placed various restrictions on our ability to pay dividends. Last but not least, the Board of Directors has authorized an amount of up to $10.0 million to be used to buy back common shares in the open market over the next twelve months in an effort to increase shareholders’ value.” Mr. Bodouroglou continued, “We continue to maintain full exposure to the drybulk spot charter market that enables us to capture any upside in rates as the drybulk market improves. However, during the first quarter of 2014, the drybulk market weakened, specifically for Panamax vessels, which, coupled with our two scheduled drydockings, translated into an adjusted loss of $6.5 million or $0.31 per share.” Mr. Bodouroglou concluded, “The Company is now positioned to take advantage of what we expect to be an improving drybulk market in the forthcoming years, which we expect will eventually enable the Company to resume paying cash dividends to its shareholders.” Newbuilding Program Update In April 2014, the Company entered into a memorandum of agreement for the sale of its 4,800 TEU containership to an unrelated third party for a net amount of $41.2 million. The sale of the vessel and its transfer to the new owners is expected to be concluded by the end of May, 2014. In May 2014, the Company also agreed with the shipyard, subject to certain closing conditions, to reduce the contract price of the respective vessel by $770,000. Based on the newbuilding contract, after taking into consideration the latest reduction in the contract price, the total contractual cost of the 4,800 TEU containership newbuilding amounts to $54.2 million, of which an amount of $31.2 million is currently outstanding and payable by the Company upon the delivery of the vessel from the shipyard. The sale of the vessel will result in a positive net cash inflow to the Company of approximately $10.0 million. In addition, the Company has mutually agreed with China Development Bank to cancel the corresponding credit facility for the vessel. In March 2014, the Company signed shipbuilding contracts for three Kamsarmax newbuilding drybulk carriers. These Eco-Design Kamsarmax newbuildings have a carrying capacity of 81,800 dwt each and will be built at Jiangsu Yangzijiang Shipbuilding Co. Two of the newbuildings are scheduled to be delivered in the second quarter of 2015 and one is scheduled to be delivered in the fourth quarter of 2015. The total consideration for these three newbuilding contracts is $91.7 million. On January 7, 2014, the Company took delivery of its fourth Handysize drybulk vessel; the M/V Proud Seas. In January 2014, an amount of $21.6 million was paid to the shipyard representing the final installment of the respective vessel, which was financed from the syndicated secured loan facility led by Nordea Bank Finland Plc (“Nordea”). Financing Update On May 6, 2014, the Company completed the documentation for a senior secured loan facility with a syndicate of major European banks led by Nordea in an amount of $160.0 million, $40.0 million more than the previously announced size. This new, upsized facility will be used for the refinancing of six vessels of its operating fleet (the four Handysize vessels M/V Prosperous Seas, M/V Precious Seas, M/V Priceless Seas and the M/V Proud Seas, and the Panamax vessels M/V Coral Seas and M/V Golden Seas), along with the financing of up to 60% of the market value of the remaining two Ultramax newbuilding drybulk carriers, the Hull numbers DY4050 and DY4052, and of two of its Kamsarmax newbuilding drybulk carriers, the Hull numbers YZJ1144 and YZJ1145, that are all expected to be delivered in the second quarter of 2015. On April 4, 2014, the Company completed the documentation for the previously announced loan agreement with HSH Nordbank AG for a $47.0 million senior secured loan facility, for the refinancing of the M/V Friendly Seas and the partial financing of the first two Ultramax newbuilding drybulk carriers, the Hull numbers DY152 and DY153. Both of these new “covenant light” facilities improve our balance sheet by reducing our overall leverage, leaving only one of the recently ordered Kamsarmax newbuildings to be financed. At the same time they increase our financial flexibility by having no dividend restrictions and include no earnings maintenance related covenants going forward. Share Buyback Program On May 12, 2014, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized a share buyback program of up to $10.0 million for a period of twelve months. The Company expects to repurchase these shares in the open market, at times and prices that are considered to be appropriate by the Company, but is not obligated under the terms of the program to repurchase any shares. As of the date of this press release, the Company has not purchased any shares. First Quarter 2014 Financial Results Gross charter revenue was $14.2 million for each of the first quarters of 2014 and 2013. The Company reported a net loss of $25.9 million, or $1.24 per basic and diluted share, for the first quarter of 2014, calculated based on a weighted average number of basic and diluted shares outstanding for the period of 20,560,102 and reflecting the impact of the non-cash items discussed below. For the first quarter of 2013, the Company reported net loss of $3.5 million, or $0.32 per basic and diluted share, calculated based on a weighted average number of basic and diluted shares of 10,992,088. Excluding all non-cash items described below, the adjusted net loss for the first quarter of 2014 was $6.5 million, or $0.31 per basic and diluted share, compared to adjusted net loss of $2.9 million, or $0.26 per basic and diluted share, for the first quarter of 2013. EBITDA for the first quarter of 2014 was negative $19.1 million, compared to positive $2.6 million for the first quarter of 2013. EBITDA for the first quarter of 2014 was calculated by adding the net loss of $25.9 million to net interest expense, including interest expense from interest rate swaps, and depreciation that in the aggregate amounted to $6.8 million. Adjusted EBITDA, excluding all non-cash items described below, was $0.3 million for the first quarter of 2014, compared to $3.2 million for the first quarter of 2013. The Company operated an average of 13.9 vessels during the first quarter of 2014, earning an average TCE rate of $8,557 per day, compared to an average of 12.7 vessels during the first quarter of 2013, earning an average TCE rate of $11,388 per day. Total adjusted operating expenses for the first quarter of 2014 equaled $9.7 million, or approximately $7,717 per vessel per day, which included vessel operating expenses, management fees, general and administrative expenses and dry-docking costs, and excluded share-based compensation for the period of $1.1 million. For the first quarter of 2013, total adjusted operating expenses were $10.2 million, or approximately $8,916 per vessel per day, which included the items mentioned above, and excluded share-based compensation of $0.5 million. As of March 31, 2014, the Company owned approximately 13.6% of the outstanding common stock of Box Ships Inc. (NYSE:TEU) (“Box Ships”), a former wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company which successfully completed its initial public offering in April 2011. The investment in Box Ships is accounted for under the equity method and is separately reflected on the Company’s unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets. Based on the unaudited financial statements reported by Box Ships on May 12, 2014, for the first quarter of 2014, the Company recorded a loss of $0.3 million, representing its share of Box Ships’ net loss for the period, compared to $0.6 million income for the first quarter of 2013. As of March 31, 2014, based on the increased probability of selling the 4,800 TEU containership newbuilding, the Company recorded a non-cash impairment loss of $15.7 million, relating to the write down to fair value of the contract price of the respective vessel. As of March 31, 2014, the difference between the fair value and the book value of the Company’s investment in Box Ships was considered to be other than temporary and therefore the investment was impaired and the Company recorded a non-cash loss of $2.8 million. First Quarter 2014 Non-cash Items The Company’s results for the three months ended March 31, 2014 included the following non-cash items:

• Impairment loss of $15.7 million, or $0.75 per basic and diluted share.
• Loss on investment in affiliate of $2.8 million, or $0.14 per basic and diluted share.
• An unrealized gain on interest rate swaps of $0.2 million, or $0.01 per basic and diluted share.
• Non-cash expenses of $1.1 million, or $0.05 per basic and diluted share, relating to share based compensation to the management company amounting to $0.9 million and to the amortization of the compensation cost recognized for non-vested share awards issued to executive officers, directors and employees amounting to $0.2 million.

In the aggregate, these non-cash items decreased the Company’s earnings by $19.4 million, which represents a $0.93 decrease in earnings per basic and diluted share, for the three months ended March 31, 2014. Cash Flows For the three months ended March 31, 2014, the Company generated net cash from operating activities of $1.2 million, compared to $0.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2013. For the three months ended March 31, 2014, net cash used in investing activities was $63.2 million and net cash from financing activities was $61.8 million. For the three months ended March 31, 2013, net cash used in investing activities was $0.6 million and net cash used in financing activities was $3.7 million. Conference Call and Webcast details The Company’s management team will host a conference call to discuss its first quarter 2014 results on May 20, 2014 at 9:00 am Eastern Time. Participants should dial into the call ten minutes before the scheduled time using the following numbers 1-877-300-8521 (USA) or +1-412-317-6026 (international) to access the call. A replay of the conference call will be available for seven days and can be accessed by dialing 1-877-870-5176 (USA) or +1-858-384-5517 (international) and using passcode 10045612. Slides and audio webcast There will also be a simultaneous live webcast through the Company’s website, www.paragonship.com. Participants should register on the website approximately ten minutes prior to the start of the webcast. If you would like a copy of the release mailed or faxed, please contact Allen & Caron Investor Relations at 212-691-8087. About Paragon Shipping Inc. Paragon Shipping Inc. is an international shipping company incorporated under the laws of the Republic of the Marshall Islands with executive offices in Athens, Greece, specializing in the transportation of drybulk cargoes. Paragon Shipping’s current fleet consists of fourteen drybulk vessels with a total carrying capacity of 853,699 dwt. In addition, Paragon Shipping’s current newbuilding program consists of two Ultramax drybulk carriers that are scheduled to be delivered in 2014, as well as two Ultramax drybulk carriers and three Kamsarmax drybulk carriers that are scheduled to be delivered in 2015. For more information, visit: www.paragonship.com. The information contained on Paragon Shipping’s website does not constitute part of this press release. Forward-Looking Statements Certain statements in this press release are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are based on our current expectations and beliefs and are subject to a number of risk factors and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, without limitation, the strength of world economies and currencies, general market conditions, including fluctuations in charter rates and vessel values, changes in demand for drybulk shipping capacity, changes in our operating expenses, including bunker prices, dry-docking and insurance costs, the market for our vessels, availability of financing and refinancing, charter counterparty performance, ability to obtain financing and comply with covenants in such financing arrangements, changes in governmental rules and regulations or actions taken by regulatory authorities, potential liability from pending or future litigation, general domestic and international political conditions, potential disruption of shipping routes due to accidents or political events, vessels breakdowns and instances of off-hires and other factors, as well as other risks that have been included in filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, all of which are available at www.sec.gov. Contacts: Paragon Shipping Inc. Robert Perri, CFA Chief Financial Officer [email protected] Allen & Caron Inc. Rudy Barrio (Investors) [email protected] (212) 691-8087 Len Hall (Media) [email protected] (949) 474-4300 - Tables Follow - Fleet List Drybulk Fleet The following tables represent our drybulk fleet and the drybulk newbuilding vessels that we have agreed to acquire as of May 19, 2014.