UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 

 

 

FORM 6-K

 

Report of Foreign Private Issuer

Pursuant to Rule 13a-16 or 15d-16 of

the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

 

 

For the nine months ended September 30, 2019

 

Commission file number 001-36028

 

ARDMORE SHIPPING CORPORATION

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Belvedere Building,

Ground Floor,

69 Pitts Bay Road,

Pembroke,

HM08,

Bermuda

(Address of principal executive office)

 

 

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover Form 20-F or Form 40-F.

 

Form 20-F x           Form 40- F ¨

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(1).

 

Yes ¨           No x

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(7).

 

Yes ¨           No x

 

 

 

 

 

INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS FORM 6-K REPORT

 

Attached to this Report on Form 6-K are (1) Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations and (2) the unaudited condensed interim consolidated financial statements and related notes of Ardmore Shipping Corporation (the “Company”), as at and for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018.

 

This Report is hereby incorporated by reference into the following registration statements of the Company:

 

· Registration Statement on Form F-3D (Registration No. 333-203205) filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on April 2, 2015;

 

· Registration Statement on Form S-8 (Registration No. 333-213344) filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on August 26, 2016;

 

· Registration Statement on Form F-3 (Registration No. 333-227129) filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on August 31, 2018; and
     
  · Registration Statement on Form F-3 (Registration No. 333-233540) filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on August 30, 2019.

 

 

 

 

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

Matters discussed in this report may constitute forward-looking statements. The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides safe harbor protections for forward-looking statements in order to encourage companies to provide prospective information about their business. Forward-looking statements include statements concerning plans, objectives, goals, strategies, future events or performance, and underlying assumptions and other statements, which are other than statements of historical facts. The Company desires to take advantage of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and is including this cautionary statement in connection with this safe harbor legislation. The words “believe”, “anticipate”, “intend”, “estimate”, “forecast”, “plan”, “potential”, “should”, “may”, “will”, “expect” and similar expressions are among those that identify forward-looking statements.

 

Forward-looking statements in this press release include, among others, statements regarding future operating results; the employment of the Company’s vessels; the outcome of the Company’s strategies; future drydocking days; sufficiency of liquidity and capital resources; sensitivity to fluctuations in currency and interest rates; and the impact to the Company of the adoption of new or revised auditing standards. The forward-looking statements in this report are based upon various assumptions, including, among others, the Company’s examination of historical operating trends, data contained in the Company’s records and other data available from third parties. Although the Company believes that these assumptions were reasonable when made, because these assumptions are inherently subject to significant uncertainties and contingencies which are difficult or impossible to predict and are beyond the Company’s control, the Company cannot assure you that it will achieve or accomplish these expectations, beliefs or projections.

 

In addition to these important factors, other important factors that, in the Company’s view, could cause actual results to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements include: the strength of world economies and currencies; general market conditions, including fluctuations in charter rates and vessel values; changes in demand for and the supply of tanker vessel capacity; changes in the Company’s operating expenses, including bunker prices, drydocking and insurance costs; changes in the projections of spot and time charter or pool trading of the Company’s vessels; fluctuations in oil prices; the market for the Company’s vessels; competition in the tanker industry; 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; new or revised accounting pronouncements; general domestic and international political conditions; potential disruption of shipping routes due to accidents, piracy or political events; vessel breakdowns and instances of off-hires; the Company’s financial condition and liquidity; and other factors. Please see the Company’s filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission for a more complete discussion of these and other risks and uncertainties. The Company cautions readers of this report not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of their dates. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of the Company’s future performance, and actual results and future developments may vary materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements.

 

 

 

 

SIGNATURES

 

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

 

 

ARDMORE SHIPPING CORPORATION

     
Date: November 5, 2019 By: /s/ Paul Tivnan 
    Paul Tivnan
    Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer and Secretary

 

 

 

 

ARDMORE SHIPPING CORPORATION

 

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

 

The following Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations should be read in conjunction with the unaudited condensed interim consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes contained in this Report on Form 6-K and with our audited consolidated financial statements contained in “Item 18. Financial Statements” and “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects” of our Annual Report on Form 20-F/A for the year ended December 31, 2018. The unaudited condensed interim consolidated financial statements included in this report have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (U.S. GAAP) and are presented in U.S. dollars as at and for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018. Unless the context otherwise requires, the terms “Ardmore,” the “Company”, “we,” “our” and “us” refer to Ardmore Shipping Corporation (NYSE: ASC) and its consolidated subsidiaries.

 

GENERAL

 

Ardmore owns and operates a fleet of Medium Range (MR) product and chemical tankers ranging from 25,000 to 50,000 deadweight tonnes (Dwt). Ardmore provides seaborne transportation of petroleum products and chemicals worldwide to oil majors, national oil companies, oil and chemical traders, and chemical companies, with its modern, fuel-efficient fleet of mid-size tankers.

 

We are strategically focused on modern, fuel-efficient, mid-size product and chemical tankers. We actively pursue opportunities to exploit the overlap we believe exists between the clean petroleum product (CPP) and chemical sectors in order to enhance earnings, and also seek to engage in more complex CPP trades, such as multi-grade and multi-port loading and discharging operations, where our knowledge of chemical operations is beneficial to our CPP customers.

 

Our fuel-efficient operations are designed to enhance our investment returns and provide value-added service to our customers. We believe we are at the forefront of fuel efficiency and emissions reduction trends and are well positioned to capitalize on these developments with our fleet of Eco-design and Eco-mod vessels. Our acquisition strategy is to continue to build our fleet with Eco-design newbuildings and modern second-hand vessels that can be upgraded to Eco-mod.

 

We are an integrated shipping company. The majority of our fleet is technically managed by a combination of Ardmore Shipping Services (Ireland) Limited and Anglo Ardmore Ship Management Limited, a joint venture entity that is 50% owned by us, and we also retain a third-party technical manager for some of our vessels. We have a resolute focus on both high-quality service and efficient operations, and we believe that our corporate overhead and operating expenses are among the lowest of our peers.

 

We are commercially independent, as we have no blanket employment arrangements with third-party or related-party commercial managers. Through our in-house chartering and commercial team, we market our services directly to a broad range of customers, including oil majors, national oil companies, oil and chemical traders, chemical companies, and pooling service providers. We monitor the tanker markets to understand and best utilize our vessels and may change our chartering strategy to take advantage of changing market conditions.

 

 

 

 

As of September 30, 2019, our fleet consisted of 25 vessels, which are reflected in the following table:

 

Vessel Name   Type   Dwt Tonnes   IMO   Built   Country   Flag   Specification
Ardmore Seavaliant   Product/Chemical   49,998   2/3   Feb-13   Korea   MI   Eco-design
Ardmore Seaventure   Product/Chemical   49,998   2/3   Jun-13   Korea   MI   Eco-design
Ardmore Seavantage   Product/Chemical   49,997   2/3   Jan-14   Korea   MI   Eco-design
Ardmore Seavanguard   Product/Chemical   49,998   2/3   Feb-14   Korea   MI   Eco-design
Ardmore Sealion   Product/Chemical   49,999   2/3   May-15   Korea   MI   Eco-design
Ardmore Seafox   Product/Chemical   49,999   2/3   Jun-15   Korea   MI   Eco-design
Ardmore Seawolf   Product/Chemical   49,999   2/3   Aug-15   Korea   MI   Eco-design
Ardmore Seahawk   Product/Chemical   49,999   2/3   Nov-15   Korea   MI   Eco-design
Ardmore Endeavour   Product/Chemical   49,997   2/3   Jul-13   Korea   MI   Eco-design
Ardmore Enterprise   Product/Chemical   49,453   2/3   Sep-13   Korea   MI   Eco-design
Ardmore Endurance   Product/Chemical   49,466   2/3   Dec-13   Korea   MI   Eco-design
Ardmore Encounter   Product/Chemical   49,478   2/3   Jan-14   Korea   MI   Eco-design
Ardmore Explorer   Product/Chemical   49,494   2/3   Jan-14   Korea   MI   Eco-design
Ardmore Exporter   Product/Chemical   49,466   2/3   Feb-14   Korea   MI   Eco-design
Ardmore Engineer   Product/Chemical   49,420   2/3   Mar-14   Korea   MI   Eco-design
Ardmore Seamariner   Product/Chemical   45,726   3   Oct-06   Japan   MI   Eco-mod
Ardmore Sealancer   Product   47,451   -   Jun-08   Japan   MI   Eco-mod
Ardmore Sealeader   Product   47,463   -   Aug-08   Japan   MI   Eco-mod
Ardmore Sealifter   Product   47,472   -   Jul-08   Japan   MI   Eco-mod
Ardmore Dauntless   Product/Chemical   37,764   2   Feb-15   Korea   MI   Eco-design
Ardmore Defender   Product/Chemical   37,791   2   Feb-15   Korea   MI   Eco-design
Ardmore Cherokee   Product/Chemical   25,215   2   Jan-15   Japan   MI   Eco-design
Ardmore Cheyenne   Product/Chemical   25,217   2   Mar-15   Japan   MI   Eco-design
Ardmore Chinook   Product/Chemical   25,217   2   Jul-15   Japan   MI   Eco-design
Ardmore Chippewa   Product/Chemical   25,217   2   Nov-15   Japan   MI   Eco-design
Total   25   1,111,294                    

 

 

 

 

SIGNIFICANT DEVELOPMENTS

 

Financing

 

In October 2019, Ardmore agreed terms for two new credit facilities for $201.5 million in the aggregate, with the Company’s close relationship banks. The first facility is a $140 million term loan and incorporates $40 million revolving component. The proceeds from this facility will be used to refinance eight ships. The second facility is a $61.5 million term loan and proceeds will be used to refinance four ships. The total cash released on the refinancing is $15.8 million in the aggregate.

 

These financings strengthen the Company's financial flexibility through the incorporation of a revolving component in one of the facilities, extending debt maturities to the end of 2024 and lowering the Company's cost of debt. The covenants and other conditions of the facilities are consistent with those of Ardmore’s existing debt facilities. Ardmore expects to complete documentation and close both financings in the fourth quarter of 2019.

  

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

Factors You Should Consider When Evaluating Our Results

 

There are a number of factors that should be considered when evaluating our historical financial performance and assessing our future prospects and we use a variety of financial and operational terms and concepts when analyzing our results of operations. Please read “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects” in our Annual Report on Form 20-F/A for the year ended December 31, 2018 for additional information.

 

In accordance with U.S. GAAP, we report gross revenues in our income statement and include voyage operating expenses among our operating expenses. Ship-owners base economic decisions regarding the deployment of their vessels upon actual and anticipated time charter equivalent, or TCE rates (which represent net revenues divided by revenue days) and industry analysts typically measure rates in terms of TCE rates. This is because under time charters and pooling arrangements the customer typically pays the voyage operating expenses, while under voyage charters, also known as spot market charters, the shipowner usually pays the voyage operating expenses. As a result, for vessels employed directly in the spot market, revenue is recognized on a gross freight basis, while under time chartering and pool arrangements, the charterer typically pays voyage operating expenses and revenue is recognized on a net basis. To normalize these differences, the discussion of revenue below focuses on TCE rates where applicable. Net revenues, a non-U.S. GAAP financial measure, represents revenues less commission and voyage expenses. Commission and voyage expenses are all expenses unique to a particular voyage, including any bunker fuel expenses, port fees, cargo loading and unloading expenses, canal tolls, agency fees and commissions.

 

 

 

 

Statement of Operations for the Three Months Ended September 30, 2019 and September 30, 2018

 

The following table presents our operating results for the three months ended September 30, 2019 and September 30, 2018.

 

INCOME STATEMENT DATA

 

    Three months ended              
    Sep 30, 2019     Sep 30, 2018     Variance     Variance (%)  
Revenue   $ 52,098,723     $ 48,923,231     $ 3,175,492       6 %
                                 
Commissions and voyage expenses     (22,920,617 )     (24,360,806 )     1,440,189       6 %
Vessel operating expenses     (14,857,895 )     (16,255,279 )     1,397,384       9 %
Depreciation     (8,026,856 )     (8,910,486 )     883,630       10 %
Amortization of deferred drydock expenditure     (1,190,008 )     (943,926 )     (246,082 )     (26 )%
General and administrative expenses                                
Corporate     (3,897,939 )     (3,432,622 )     (465,317 )     (14 )%
Commercial and chartering     (843,692 )     (1,012,236 )     168,544       17 %
Interest expense and finance costs     (6,344,892 )     (6,317,760 )     (27,132 )     0 %
Interest income     235,212       144,760       90,452       62 %
                                 
Loss before taxes     (5,747,964 )     (12,165,124 )     6,417,160       53 %
                                 
Income tax     35,246       (60,197 )     95,443       159 %
                                 
Net loss   $ (5,712,718 )   $ (12,225,321 )   $ 6,512,603       53 %

 

Revenue. Revenue for the three months ended September 30, 2019 was $52.1 million, an increase of $3.2 million from $48.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2018.

 

Our average number of owned vessels decreased to 25.0 for the three months ended September 30, 2019, from 28.0 for the three months ended September 30, 2018, resulting in revenue days of 2,276 for the three months ended September 30, 2019, as compared to 2,471 for the three months ended September 30, 2018.

 

We had 25 and 28 vessels employed directly in the spot market as at September 30, 2019, and September 30, 2018, respectively. For spot chartering arrangements, we had 2,276 revenue days for the three months ended September 30, 2019 as compared to 2,288 for the three months ended September 30, 2018. This decrease in revenue days derived from spot chartering arrangements resulted in a decrease in spot market revenue of $0.2 million, while changes in spot rates resulted in an increase in revenue of $4.8 million.

 

We had zero vessels employed under third-party pool arrangements as at September 30, 2019, and September 30, 2018. Revenue days derived from pool arrangements were zero for the three months ended September 30, 2019, as compared to 183 for the three months ended September 30, 2018. Removing all vessels from third-party pool arrangements during 2018 resulted in a decrease in pool revenue of $1.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2019.

 

For vessels employed directly in the spot market, we typically pay all voyage expenses, and revenue is recognized on a gross freight basis, while under time chartering and pool arrangements, the charterer typically pays voyage expenses and revenue is recognized on a net basis.

 

Commissions and Voyage Expenses. Commissions and voyage expenses were $22.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2019, a decrease of $1.5 million from $24.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2018. Commissions costs have increased in line with the increase in revenue; however, this has been offset by a decrease in voyage expenses due to the decrease in the average number of owned vessels of 25.0 for the three months ended September 30, 2019, compared to 28.0 for the three months ended September 30, 2018.

 

TCE Rate. The average TCE rate for our fleet was $13,029 per day for the three months ended September 30, 2019, an increase of $2,768 per day from $10,261 per day for the three months ended September 30, 2018. The increase in average TCE rate was the result of higher spot rates and lower commissions and voyage expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2019. TCE rates represent net revenues (or revenue less commission and voyage expenses) divided by revenue days.

 

 

 

 

Vessel Operating Expenses. Vessel operating expenses were $14.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2019, a decrease of $1.4 million from $16.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2018. This decrease is due to a decrease in the average number of vessels in operation for the three months ended September 30, 2019, and the timing of vessel operating expenses between quarters. Vessel operating expenses, by their nature, are prone to fluctuations between periods. Average fleet operating expenses per day, including technical management fees, were $6,194 for the three months ended September 30, 2019, as compared to $6,176 for the three months ended September 30, 2018.

 

Depreciation. Depreciation expense for the three months ended September 30, 2019 was $8.0 million, a decrease of $0.9 million from $8.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2018. This decrease is primarily due to a decrease in the average number of owned vessels to 25.0 for the three months ended September 30, 2019, from 28.0 for the three months ended September 30, 2018.

 

Amortization of Deferred Drydock Expenditure. Amortization of deferred drydock expenditure for the three months ended September 30, 2019 was $1.2 million, an increase of $0.3 million from $0.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2018. The increase is primarily due to an increased number of drydockings as our fleet ages. The capitalized costs of drydockings for a given vessel are amortized on a straight-line basis to the next scheduled drydocking of the vessel.

 

General and Administrative Expenses: Corporate. Corporate-related general and administrative expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2019 were $3.9 million, an increase of $0.5 million from $3.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2018. The increase is primarily due to the issuance of new awards of stock appreciation rights and restricted stock units in the first and second quarters of 2019.

 

General and Administrative Expenses: Commercial and Chartering. Commercial and chartering expenses are the expenses attributable to our chartering and commercial operations departments in connection with our spot trading activities. Commercial and chartering expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2019 were $0.8 million, a decrease of $0.2 million from $1.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2018. This decrease is primarily due to a decrease in staff costs due to headcount reduction in the third quarter of 2019.

 

Interest Expense and Finance Costs. Interest expense and finance costs include loan interest, finance lease interest, and amortization of deferred finance fees. Interest expense and finance costs for the three months ended September 30, 2019 were $6.3 million, consistent with $6.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2018. Cash interest expense increased by $0.1 million to $5.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2019, from $5.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2018. The consistency in interest expense and finance costs period-over-period is attributable to a decreased average LIBOR during the three months ended September 30, 2019 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2018, offset by a change in our debt structure due to new finance leases entered into as part of vessel financing transactions during 2018. Amortization of deferred finance fees for the three months ended September 30, 2019 was $0.5 million, a decrease of $0.1 million from $0.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2018.

 

 

 

 

Statement of Operations for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2019 and September 30, 2018

 

The following table presents our operating results for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 and September 30, 2018.

 

INCOME STATEMENT DATA

 

      Nine months ended                  
      Sep 30, 2019       Sep 30, 2018       Variance       Variance (%)  
Revenue   $ 169,357,211     $ 151,758,162     $ 17,599,049       12 %
                                 
Commissions and voyage expenses     (73,449,918 )     (68,048,930 )     (5,400,988 )     (8 )%
Vessel operating expenses     (46,574,921 )     (49,667,147 )     3,092,226       6 %
Depreciation     (24,289,741 )     (26,343,052 )     2,053,311       8 %
Amortization of deferred drydock expenditure     (3,443,651 )     (2,595,076 )     (848,575 )     (33 )%
General and administrative expenses                                
Corporate     (11,390,669 )     (10,098,644 )     (1,292,025 )     (13 )%
Commercial and chartering     (2,493,372 )     (2,594,364 )     100,992       4 %
Loss on sale of vessels     (13,162,192 )     -       (13,162,192 )     (100 )%
Interest expense and finance costs     (20,107,786 )     (18,659,848 )     (1,447,938 )     (8 )%
Interest income     792,211       411,749       380,462       92 %
                                 
Loss before taxes     (24,762,828 )     (25,837,150 )     1,074,322       4 %
                                 
Income tax     (46,674 )     (137,923 )     91,249       66 %
                                 
Net loss   $  (24,809,502 )   $ (25,975,073 )   $ 1,165,571       5 %

 

Revenue. Revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 was $169.4 million, an increase of $17.6 million from $151.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018.

 

Our average number of owned vessels decreased to 25.7 for the nine months ended September 30, 2019, from 28.0 for the nine months ended September 30, 2018, resulting in revenue days of 6,820 for the nine months ended September 30, 2019, as compared to 7,392 for the nine months ended September 30, 2018.

 

We had 25 and 28 vessels employed directly in the spot market as at September 30, 2019, and September 30, 2018, respectively. For spot chartering arrangements, we had 6,820 revenue days for the nine months ended September 30, 2019, as compared to 6,213 for the nine months ended September 30, 2018. This increase in revenue days derived from spot chartering arrangements resulted in an increase in spot market revenue of $13.5 million, while changes in spot rates resulted in an increase in revenue of $18.1 million.

 

We had zero vessels employed under third-party pool arrangements as at September 30, 2019, and September 30, 2018. Revenue days derived from pool arrangements were zero for the nine months ended September 30, 2019, as compared to 1,179 for the nine months ended September 30, 2018. Removing all vessels from third-party pool arrangements during 2018 resulted in a decrease in pool revenue of $14.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2019.

 

For vessels employed directly in the spot market, we typically pay all voyage expenses, and revenue is recognized on a gross freight basis, while under time chartering and pool arrangements, the charterer typically pays voyage expenses, and revenue is recognized on a net basis.

 

Commissions and Voyage Expenses. Commissions and voyage expenses were $73.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2019, an increase of $5.4 million from $68.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018. Commissions and voyage expenses increased due to the increased number of revenue days and increased TCE rates during the nine months ended September 30, 2019 derived from spot charter arrangements, where we typically pay all voyage expenses and revenue is recognized on a gross freight basis.

 

TCE Rate. The average TCE rate for our fleet was $14,045 per day for the nine months ended September 30, 2019, an increase of $2,229 per day from $11,816 per day for the nine months ended September 30, 2018. The increase in average TCE rate was the result of higher spot rates for the nine months ended September 30, 2019. TCE rates represent net revenues (or revenue less commission and voyage expenses) divided by revenue days.

 

 

 

 

Vessel Operating Expenses. Vessel operating expenses were $46.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2019, a decrease of $3.1 million from $49.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018. This decrease is due to a decrease in the average number of vessels in operation for the nine months ended September 30, 2019. Vessel operating expenses, by their nature, are prone to fluctuations between periods. Average fleet operating expenses per day, including technical management fees, were $6,515 for the nine months ended September 30, 2019, as compared to $6,426 for the nine months ended September 30, 2018.

 

Depreciation. Depreciation expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 was $24.3 million, a decrease of $2.0 million from $26.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018. This decrease is primarily due to a decrease in the average number of owned vessels to 25.7 for the nine months ended September 30, 2019, from 28.0 for the nine months ended September 30, 2018.

 

Amortization of Deferred Drydock Expenditure. Amortization of deferred drydock expenditure for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 was $3.4 million, an increase of $0.8 million from $2.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018. The increase is primarily due to an increased number of drydockings as our fleet ages. The capitalized costs of drydockings for a given vessel are amortized on a straight-line basis to the next scheduled drydocking of the vessel.

 

General and Administrative Expenses: Corporate. Corporate-related general and administrative expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 were $11.4 million, an increase of $1.3 million from $10.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018. The increase is primarily due to the issuance of new awards of stock appreciation rights and restricted stock units in the first and second quarters of 2019, and increased staff salaries due to a higher headcount for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2018.

 

General and Administrative Expenses: Commercial and Chartering. Commercial and chartering expenses are the expenses attributable to our chartering and commercial operations departments in connection with our spot trading activities. Commercial and chartering expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 were $2.5 million, a decrease of $0.1 million from $2.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018. This decrease is primarily due to a decrease in staff costs due to headcount reduction in 2019.

 

Loss on Sale of Vessels. Loss on sale of vessels for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 was $13.2 million, compared to nil for the nine months ended September 30, 2018. This relates to the sales of the Ardmore Seamaster and Ardmore Seafarer in 2019.

 

Interest Expense and Finance Costs. Interest expense and finance costs include loan interest, finance lease interest, and amortization of deferred finance fees. Interest expense and finance costs for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 were $20.1 million, as compared to $18.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018. Cash interest expense increased by $2.2 million to $18.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2019, from $16.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018. These increases in interest expense and finance costs are attributable to an increased average LIBOR during the nine months ended September 30, 2019, compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2018, as well as to a change in our debt structure due to new finance leases entered into as part of vessel financing transactions during 2018. Amortization of deferred finance fees for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 was $1.5 million, a decrease of $0.8 million from $2.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018. Included in the $2.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018, was a write-off of deferred finance fees in relation to sale and leaseback transactions of $0.4 million.

 

 

 

 

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

 

Our primary sources of liquidity are cash and cash equivalents, cash flows provided by our operations, our undrawn credit facilities and capital raised through financing transactions. As at September 30, 2019, our total cash and cash equivalents were $46.2 million, a decrease of $10.7 million from $56.9 million as at December 31, 2018. We believe that our working capital, together with expected cash flows from operations, will be sufficient for our present requirements.

 

Our short-term liquidity requirements include the payment of operating expenses (including voyage expenses and bunkers from spot chartering our vessels), drydocking expenditures, debt servicing costs, lease payments, any dividends on our shares of common stock, scheduled repayments of long-term debt, as well as funding our other working capital requirements. Our short-term spot charters contribute to the volatility of our net operating cash flow, and thus our ability to generate sufficient cash flows to meet our short-term liquidity needs. Historically, the tanker industry has been cyclical, experiencing volatility in profitability and asset values resulting from changes in the supply of, and demand for, vessel capacity. In addition, tanker spot markets historically have exhibited seasonal variations in charter rates. Tanker spot markets are typically stronger in the winter months as a result of increased oil consumption in the northern hemisphere and unpredictable weather patterns that tend to disrupt vessel scheduling. Spot charters preserve flexibility to take advantage of increasing rate environments, but also expose the ship-owner to decreasing rate environments.

 

Our long-term capital needs are primarily for capital expenditures and debt repayment. Generally, we expect that our long-term sources of funds will be cash balances, long-term bank borrowings, finance leases and other debt or equity financings. We expect that we will rely upon these financing sources, to fund acquisitions and expansion capital expenditures.

 

Our credit facilities and finance leases are described in Notes 2 (“Debt”) and 3 (“Finance leases”), respectively, to our condensed interim consolidated financial statements included in this Report on Form 6-K. Our financing facilities contain covenants and other restrictions we believe are typical of debt financing collateralized by vessels, including among others covenants that restrict the relevant subsidiaries from incurring or guaranteeing additional indebtedness, granting certain liens, and selling, transferring, assigning or conveying assets. Our financing facilities do not impose a restriction on dividends, distributions, or returns of capital unless an event of default has occurred, is continuing or will result from such payment. Our financing facilities require us to maintain various financial covenants. Should we not meet these financial covenants or other covenants, the lenders may declare our obligations under the applicable agreements immediately due and payable, and terminate any further loan commitments, which would significantly affect our short-term liquidity requirements. As at September 30, 2019, we were in compliance with all covenants relating to our financing facilities.

 

 

 

 

CASH FLOW DATA

 

Cash Flow Data for the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2019 and September 30, 2018

 

CASH FLOW DATA

 

    Three months ended     Nine months ended  
    Sep 30, 2019     Sep 30, 2018     Sep 30, 2019     Sep 30, 2018  
Net cash provided by / (used in) operating activities   $ 2,098,403     $ (2,409,166 )   $ 13,276,540     $ 7,472,914  
Net cash (used in) / provided by investing activities     (1,049,278 )     (1,340,227 )     24,133,394       (16,748,834 )
Net cash (used in) / provided by financing activities     (9,677,379 )     (10,869,974 )     (48,099,214 )     3,089,679  

 

Cash provided by / (used in) operating activities

 

For the three months ended September 30, 2019, cash flow provided by operating activities was $2.1 million. Net profit (after adding back depreciation, amortization of deferred drydock expenditure, share-based compensation, amortization of deferred finance fees and foreign exchange on operating leases of $10.3 million) was an inflow of $4.6 million. Changes in operating assets and liabilities resulted in an outflow of $1.9 million and drydock payments were $0.6 million. For the three months ended September 30, 2018, cash flow used in operating activities was $2.4 million. Net profit (after adding back depreciation, amortization of deferred drydock expenditure, share-based compensation, amortization of deferred finance fees and foreign exchange on operating leases of $10.9 million) was an outflow of $1.3 million. Changes in operating assets and liabilities resulted in an inflow of $1.2 million and drydock payments were $2.3 million.

 

For the nine months ended September 30, 2019, cash flow provided by operating activities was $13.3 million. Net profit (after adding back depreciation, amortization of deferred drydock expenditure, share-based compensation, loss on sale of vessels, amortization of deferred finance fees and foreign exchange on operating leases of $44.0 million) was an inflow of $19.2 million. Changes in operating assets and liabilities resulted in an outflow of $1.6 million and drydock payments were $4.3 million. For the nine months ended September 30, 2018, cash flow provided by operating activities was $7.5 million. Net profit (after adding back depreciation, amortization of deferred drydock expenditure, share-based compensation, amortization of deferred finance fees and foreign exchange on operating leases of $32.3 million) was an inflow of $6.3 million. Changes in operating assets and liabilities resulted in an inflow of $5.3 million and drydock payments were $4.1 million.

 

Cash (used in) / provided by investing activities

 

For the three months ended September 30, 2019, net cash used in investing activities was $1.0 million, consisting of payments in relation to vessel equipment, ballast water treatment systems, leasehold improvements and other non-current assets. For the three months ended September 30, 2018, net cash used in investing activities was $1.3 million, consisting of payments in relation to vessel equipment, leasehold improvements and other non-current assets.

 

For the nine months ended September 30, 2019, net cash provided by investing activities was $24.1 million. Net proceeds from the sales of the Ardmore Seatrader, Ardmore Seamaster and Ardmore Seafarer were $26.6 million. Payments in relation to vessel equipment, ballast water treatment systems, leasehold improvements and other non-current assets were $2.5 million. For the nine months ended September 30, 2018, net cash used in investing activities was $16.7 million, consisting of payments in relation to the acquisition of the Ardmore Sealancer, vessel equipment, leasehold improvements and other non-current assets.

 

Cash (used in) / provided by financing activities

 

For the three months ended September 30, 2019, the net cash used in financing activities was $9.7 million. Repayments of debt amounted to $5.1 million and total principal repayments of finance lease arrangements were $4.6 million. For the three months ended September 30, 2018, the net cash used in financing activities was $10.9 million. Proceeds from debt were $0.9 million. Costs associated with the sale of common stock under our at-the-market offering program amounted to $0.2 million. Repayments of debt amounted to $9.0 million and total principal repayments of finance lease arrangements were $2.2 million. We also made payments of $0.4 million related to deferred finance fees in respect of finance lease arrangements.

 

For the nine months ended September 30, 2019, the net cash used in financing activities was $48.1 million. Repayments of debt amounted to $26.2 million and total principal repayments of finance lease arrangements were $21.9 million. For the nine months ended September 30, 2018, the net cash provided by financing activities was $3.1 million. Proceeds from debt were $3.6 million and proceeds from finance lease arrangements were $56.6 million. Net proceeds from the sale of common stock under our at-the-market offering program and the exercise by the underwriter of the option to purchase additional shares of our common stock granted in connection with the November 2017 public secondary offering of our common stock amounted to $7.2 million. Repayments of debt amounted to $58.7 million and total principal repayments of finance lease arrangements were $4.5 million. We also made payments of $1.1 million related to deferred finance fees in respect of finance lease arrangements.

 

 

 

 

CAPITAL EXPENDITURES

 

Drydock

 

The drydocking schedule for our vessels that were in operation as of September 30, 2019 is as follows:

 

      For the Years Ended December 31,  
      2019       2020       2021       2022  
Number of vessels in drydock (excluding in-water surveys)     7       10       5       -  

 

We endeavor to manage the timing of future dockings across the fleet in order to minimize the number of vessels that are drydocked at any one time. As our fleet matures and expands, our drydock expenses are likely to increase.

 

Ballast Water Treatment System Installation

 

The ballast water treatment system (“BWTS”) installation schedule for our vessels that were in operation as of September 30, 2019 is as follows:

 

    For the Years Ended December 31,  
    2019     2020     2021     2022  
Number of BWTS installations     2       1       10       -  

 

We endeavor to manage the timing of future ballast water treatment system installations across the fleet in order to minimize the number of vessels that are completing ballast water treatment system installations at any one time.

 

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES

 

We prepare our financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP, which requires us to make estimates in the application of our accounting policies based on our best assumptions, judgments and opinions. On a regular basis, management reviews the accounting policies, assumptions, estimates and judgments to ensure that our consolidated financial statements are presented fairly and in accordance with U.S. GAAP. However, because future events and their effects cannot be determined with certainty, actual results could differ materially from our assumptions and estimates. Accounting estimates and assumptions that we consider to be the most critical to an understanding of our financial statements because they inherently involve significant judgments and uncertainties are discussed in “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects” in our Annual Report on Form 20-F/A for the year ended December 31, 2018. There have been no significant changes to these estimates and assumptions in the nine months ended September 30, 2019.

 

OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS

 

We have no off-balance sheet arrangements that have, or are reasonably likely to have, a current or future material effect on our financial condition, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures or capital resources.

 

DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

 

In addition to the risks set forth below, you should carefully consider the risk factors discussed in “Item 3. Key Information – Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 20-F/A for the year ended December 31, 2018, regarding risks which could materially affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

 

Foreign Exchange Risk

 

The majority of our transactions, assets and liabilities are denominated in U.S. Dollars, our functional currency. We incur certain general and operating expenses in other currencies (primarily the Euro, Singapore Dollar, and Pounds Sterling) and, as a result, there is a risk that currency fluctuations may have a negative effect on the value of our cash flows. Such risk may also have an adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations. We believe these adverse effects to be immaterial and we have not entered into any derivative contracts to manage foreign exchange risk during the nine months ended September 30, 2019.

  

 

 

 

Interest Rate Risk

 

We are exposed to the impact of interest rate changes primarily through borrowings that require us to make interest payments based on LIBOR. Significant increases in interest rates could adversely affect our results of operations and our ability to repay debt. We regularly monitor interest rate exposure and may enter into swap arrangements to hedge exposure where it is considered economically advantageous to do so.

 

The disclosure in the immediately following paragraph about the potential effects of changes in interest rates is based on a sensitivity analysis, which models the effects of hypothetical interest rate shifts. A sensitivity analysis is constrained by several factors, including the necessity to conduct the analysis based on a single point in time and by the inability to include the extraordinarily complex market reactions that normally would arise from the market shifts. Although the following results of a sensitivity analysis for changes in interest rates may have some limited use as a benchmark, they should not be viewed as a forecast. This forward-looking disclosure also is selective in nature and addresses only the potential impacts on our borrowings.

 

Assuming we do not hedge our exposure to interest rate fluctuations, a hypothetical 100 basis-point increase or decrease in our variable interest rates would have increased or decreased our interest expense for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2019 by $3.0 million using the average long-term debt balance and finance leases balance and actual interest incurred in each period.

 

Liquidity Risk

 

Our principal objective in relation to liquidity is to ensure that we have access at minimum cost to sufficient liquidity to enable us to meet our obligations as they come due and to provide adequately for contingencies. Our policy is to manage our liquidity by forecasting of cash flows arising from or expense relating to time charter revenue, pool revenue, vessel operating expenses, general and administrative overhead and servicing of debt.

 

Credit Risk

 

There is a concentration of credit risk with respect to our cash and cash equivalents to the extent that substantially all of the amounts are held in ABN Bank and Nordea Bank, and in short-term funds (with a credit risk rating of at least AA) managed by Blackrock and State Street Global Advisors. While we believe this risk of loss is low, we intend to review and revise our policy for managing cash and cash equivalents if considered prudent to do so.

 

We limit our credit risk with trade accounts receivable by performing ongoing credit evaluations of our customers’ financial condition. We generally do not require collateral for our trade accounts receivable.

 

We may be exposed to a credit risk in relation to vessel employment and at times may have multiple vessels employed by one charterer. We consider and evaluate concentration of credit risk regularly and perform on-going evaluations of these charterers for credit risk, including credit concentration risk. As at September 30, 2019, our 25 vessels in operation were employed with 20 different charterers.

 

 

 

 

Ardmore Shipping Corporation

 

INDEX TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

    Page
Unaudited Condensed Interim Consolidated Balance Sheets as at September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018   F-2
Unaudited Condensed Interim Consolidated Statement of Operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019 and September 30, 2018   F-3
Unaudited Condensed Interim Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019 and September 30, 2018   F-4
Unaudited Condensed Interim Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 and September 30, 2018   F-5
Notes to the Unaudited Condensed Interim Consolidated Financial Statements   F-6

 

F-1 

 

 

Ardmore Shipping Corporation

Unaudited Condensed Interim Consolidated Balance Sheets

As at September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018
(Expressed in U.S. Dollars, unless otherwise stated)

 

    As at  
    Sep 30, 2019     Dec 31, 2018  
ASSETS                
Current assets                
Cash and cash equivalents     46,213,758       56,903,038  
Vessel held for sale     -       8,083,405  
Receivables, trade     24,702,993       27,460,132  
Prepayments     1,201,682       1,291,399  
Advances and deposits     3,045,292       2,132,804  
Other receivables     136,200       786,084  
Inventories     9,027,903       12,812,039  
Total current assets     84,327,828       109,468,901  
                 
Non-current assets                
Vessels and vessel equipment, net     666,588,995       721,492,473  
Deferred drydock expenditure, net     7,716,950       7,127,364  
Ballast water treatment systems, net     2,333,451       528,774  
Leasehold improvements, net     365,708       423,620  
Other non-current assets, net     3,503,628       3,549,511  
Operating lease, right of use asset     1,839,800       2,169,158  
Total non-current assets     682,348,532       735,290,900  
                 
TOTAL ASSETS     766,676,360       844,759,801  
                 
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY                
Current liabilities                
Payables, trade     16,563,570       24,608,108  
Other payables     72,664       35,900  
Accrued interest on debt and finance leases     1,704,759       1,732,859  
Current portion of long-term debt     19,797,647       22,834,543  
Current portion of finance lease obligations     17,858,905       25,849,200  
Current portion of operating lease obligations     342,504       477,147  
Total current liabilities     56,340,049       75,537,757  
                 
Non-current liabilities                
Non-current portion of long-term debt     183,478,657       205,519,705  
Non-current portion of finance lease obligations     202,239,877       215,626,898  
Non-current portion of operating lease obligations     1,196,394       1,491,507  
Total non-current liabilities     386,914,928       422,638,110  
                 
Equity                
Share capital     350,192       350,192  
Additional paid in capital     416,155,354       414,508,403  
Treasury stock     (15,348,909 )     (15,348,909 )
Accumulated deficit      (77,735,254 )     (52,925,752 )
Total equity     323,421,383       346,583,934  
                 
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY     766,676,360       844,759,801  

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed interim consolidated financial statements.

 

F-2 

 

 

Ardmore Shipping Corporation

Unaudited Condensed Interim Consolidated Statement of Operations

For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019 and September 30, 2018
(Expressed in U.S. Dollars, unless otherwise stated)

 

    Three months ended     Nine months ended  
    Sep 30, 2019     Sep 30, 2018     Sep 30, 2019     Sep 30, 2018  
Revenue     52,098,723       48,923,231       169,357,211       151,758,162  
                                 
Commissions and voyage expenses     (22,920,617 )     (24,360,806 )     (73,449,918 )     (68,048,930 )
Vessel operating expenses     (14,857,895 )     (16,255,279 )     (46,574,921 )     (49,667,147 )
Depreciation     (8,026,856 )     (8,910,486 )     (24,289,741 )     (26,343,052 )
Amortization of deferred drydock expenditure     (1,190,008 )     (943,926 )     (3,443,651 )     (2,595,076 )
General and administrative expenses                                
Corporate     (3,897,939 )     (3,432,622 )     (11,390,669 )     (10,098,644 )
Commercial and chartering     (843,692 )     (1,012,236 )     (2,493,372 )     (2,594,364 )
Loss on sale of vessels     -       -       (13,162,192 )     -  
Interest expense and finance costs     (6,344,892 )     (6,317,760 )     (20,107,786 )     (18,659,848 )
Interest income     235,212       144,760       792,211       411,749  
                                 
Loss before taxes      (5,747,964 )     (12,165,124 )      (24,762,828 )     (25,837,150 )
                                 
Income tax     35,246       (60,197 )     (46,674 )     (137,923 )
                                 
Net loss      (5,712,718 )     (12,225,321 )      (24,809,502 )     (25,975,073 )
                                 
Loss per share, basic and diluted     (0.17 )     (0.37 )     (0.75 )     (0.79 )
Weighted average number of shares outstanding, basic and diluted     33,097,831       33,097,831       33,097,831       32,750,259  

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed interim consolidated financial statements.

 

F-3 

 

 

Ardmore Shipping Corporation

Unaudited Condensed Interim Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity

For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019 and September 30, 2018

(Expressed in U.S. Dollars, unless otherwise stated)

 

    Number of
shares
outstanding
    Share
capital
    Additional
paid-in
capital
    Treasury
stock
    Accumulated
deficit
    TOTAL  
                                     
Balance as at July 1, 2019     33,097,831       350,192       415,516,029       (15,348,909 )     (72,022,536 )     328,494,776  
Share-based compensation     -       -       639,325       -       -       639,325  
Loss for the period     -       -       -       -       (5,712,718 )     (5,712,718 )
Balance as at September 30, 2019     33,097,831       350,192       416,155,354       (15,348,909 )     (77,735,254 )     323,421,383  
                                                 
Balance as at July 1, 2018     33,097,831       350,192       413,603,844       (15,348,909 )     (23,736,503 )     374,868,624  
Share-based compensation     -       -       631,335       -       -       631,335  
Costs associated with equity offerings     -       -       (151,914 )     -       -       (151,914 )
Loss for the period     -       -       -       -       (12,225,321 )     (12,225,321 )
Balance as at September 30, 2018     33,097,831       350,192       414,083,265       (15,348,909 )     (35,961,824 )     363,122,724  

 

    Number of
shares
outstanding
    Share
capital
    Additional
paid-in
capital
    Treasury
stock
    Accumulated
deficit
    TOTAL  
                                     
Balance as at January 1, 2019     33,097,831       350,192       414,508,403       (15,348,909 )     (52,925,752 )     346,583,934  
Share-based compensation     -       -       1,646,951       -       -       1,646,951  
Loss for the period     -       -       -       -       (24,809,502 )     (24,809,502 )
Balance as at September 30, 2019     33,097,831       350,192       416,155,354       (15,348,909 )     (77,735,254 )     323,421,383  
                                                 
Balance as at January 1, 2018     32,139,956       340,613       405,549,985       (15,348,909 )     (9,567,929 )     380,973,760  
Adoption of accounting standard     -       -       -       -       (418,822 )     (418,822 )
Share-based compensation     -       -       1,301,476       -       -       1,301,476  
Net proceeds from equity offerings     957,875       9,579       7,231,804       -       -       7,241,383  
Loss for the period     -       -       -       -       (25,975,073 )     (25,975,073 )
Balance as at September 30, 2018     33,097,831       350,192       414,083,265       (15,348,909 )     (35,961,824 )     363,122,724  

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed interim consolidated financial statements.

 

F-4 

 

 

Ardmore Shipping Corporation

Unaudited Condensed Interim Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

For the nine months ended September 30, 2019 and September 30, 2018

(Expressed in U.S. Dollars, unless otherwise stated)

 

    Nine months ended  
    Sep 30, 2019     Sep 30, 2018  
OPERATING ACTIVITIES                
Net loss      (24,809,502 )     (25,975,073 )
Adjustment to reconcile net loss to net cash flow provided by operating activities:                
Depreciation     24,289,741       26,343,052  
Amortization of deferred drydock expenditure     3,443,651       2,595,076  
Share-based compensation     1,646,951       1,301,476  
Loss on sale of vessels     13,162,192       -  
Amortization of deferred finance fees     1,526,417       2,229,288  
Foreign exchange on operating leases     (100,398 )     (165,908 )
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:                
Receivables, trade     2,757,139       (618,396 )
Working capital advances     -       3,100,000  
Prepayments     89,717       (27,388 )
Advances and deposits     (912,491 )     1,044,789  
Other receivables     649,884       (943,258 )
Inventories     3,784,136       (5,141,686 )
Payables, trade     (7,710,940 )     8,732,141  
Accruals for capital items     (255,741 )     (1,137,521 )
Other payables     39,754       59,635  
Accrued interest on debt and finance leases     (28,100 )     255,317  
Deferred drydock expenditure     (4,295,870 )     (4,178,630 )
Net cash provided by operating activities     13,276,540       7,472,914  
                 
INVESTING ACTIVITIES                
Net proceeds from sale of vessels     26,557,707       -  
Payments for acquisition of vessels and equipment     (491,735 )     (16,562,821 )
Payments for acquisition of ballast water treatment systems     (1,772,722 )     -  
Payments for leasehold improvements     (13,030 )     (52,384 )
Payments for other non-current assets     (146,826 )     (133,629 )
Net cash provided by / (used in) investing activities     24,133,394       (16,748,834 )
                 
FINANCING ACTIVITIES                
Proceeds from long-term debt     -       3,587,161  
Repayments of long-term debt     (26,183,384 )     (58,704,318 )
Proceeds from finance leases     -       56,600,000  
Repayments of finance leases     (21,915,830 )     (4,583,547 )
Payments for deferred finance fees     -       (1,051,000 )
Net proceeds from equity offering     -       7,241,383  
Net cash (used in) / provided by financing activities     (48,099,214 )     3,089,679  
                 
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents     (10,689,280 )     (6,186,241 )
                 
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year     56,903,038       39,457,407  
                 
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period     46,213,758       33,271,166  
                 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed interim consolidated financial statements.

 

F-5 

 

 

Ardmore Shipping Corporation

Notes to the Unaudited Condensed Interim Consolidated Financial Statements

For the nine months ended September 30, 2019 and September 30, 2018

(Expressed in U.S. Dollars, unless otherwise stated)

 

1.          General information and significant accounting policies

 

1.1.       Background

 

Ardmore Shipping Corporation (NYSE: ASC) (ASC), together with its subsidiaries (collectively, “Ardmore” or “the Company”), provides seaborne transportation of petroleum products and chemicals worldwide to oil majors, national oil companies, oil and chemical traders, and chemical companies, with its modern, fuel-efficient fleet of mid-size product and chemical tankers. As at September 30, 2019, Ardmore had 25 vessels in operation. The average age of Ardmore’s operating fleet as at September 30, 2019 was 6.2 years.

 

1.2.       Management and organizational structure

 

ASC was incorporated in the Republic of the Marshall Islands on May 14, 2013. ASC commenced business operations through its predecessor company, Ardmore Shipping LLC, on April 15, 2010.

 

As at September 30, 2019, ASC had 75 wholly owned subsidiaries, the majority of which represent single ship-owning companies for ASC’s fleet, and one 50%-owned joint-venture entity which provides technical management services to the majority of the ASC fleet. Ardmore Shipping (Bermuda) Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary incorporated in Bermuda, carries out the Company’s management services and associated functions. Ardmore Shipping Services (Ireland) Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary incorporated in Ireland, provides the Company’s corporate, accounting, fleet administration and operations services. Each of Ardmore Shipping (Asia) Pte. Limited and Ardmore Shipping (Americas) LLC, wholly owned subsidiaries incorporated in Singapore and Delaware, respectively, performs commercial management and chartering services for the Company.

 

1.3.       Basis of preparation

 

The accompanying unaudited condensed interim consolidated financial statements, which include the accounts of ASC and its subsidiaries, have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (U.S. GAAP) and applicable rules and regulations of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for interim financial information. Accordingly, they do not include all the information and notes required by U.S. GAAP for complete financial statements. All subsidiaries, aside from the 50%-owned joint-venture entity, are 100% directly or indirectly owned by ASC. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated on consolidation. Certain prior period amounts within the statement of changes in equity have been reclassified to be consistent with the current period’s presentation. These unaudited condensed interim consolidated statements and the accompanying notes should be read in conjunction with the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto for the year ended December 31, 2018 included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 20-F/A.

 

These unaudited condensed interim consolidated financial statements have been prepared on the same basis as the annual financial statements, and, in the opinion of management, reflect all adjustments, which include only normal recurring adjustments, considered necessary for a fair presentation of the Company’s financial position, results of operations and cash flows as at and for the periods presented.

 

In accordance with the SEC Disclosure Update and Simplification Release, which became effective November 2018 for interim results presentation, the presentation of the statement of changes in equity reflects the results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018.

 

The condensed consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2018 has been derived from the audited financial statements at that date but does not include all of the footnotes required by U.S. GAAP for complete financial statements.

 

1.4.       Summary of significant accounting policies

 

There have been no changes in the Company’s significant accounting policies for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 as compared to the significant accounting policies described in the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2018. The accounting policies used in the preparation of the unaudited condensed interim consolidated financial statements are consistent with those applied in the audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2018.

 

F-6 

 

 

Ardmore Shipping Corporation

Notes to the Unaudited Condensed Interim Consolidated Financial Statements

For the nine months ended September 30, 2019 and September 30, 2018

(Expressed in U.S. Dollars, unless otherwise stated)

 

1.              General information and significant accounting policies (continued)

 

1.4.           Summary of significant accounting policies (continued)

 

1.4.1.        Lease revenue from voyage charters

 

For the majority of the Company’s spot charters, the Company makes its vessels and crew available to operate as determined by the charterer. On this basis, the Company has concluded that these spot charter contracts contain a lease component for accounting purposes. For spot charters where the customer is not taking control of the vessel and only requires a method of transportation, the Company has concluded that these charters do not contain a lease component and are considered service contracts.

 

For those spot charters that contain a lease, the Company has performed a quantitative and qualitative analysis to determine whether the lease component or the non-lease component is the predominant component of the contract. The Company has determined that the appropriate timeframe for the Company’s quantitative analysis is a period of 10 years. The Company believes that a 10-year period is an appropriate timeframe because this period is expected to include low and high points in the normal shipping cycle. Therefore, the conclusion on this quantitative analysis is expected to be generally consistent, regardless of when the analysis is done in the determined timeframe. The Company’s conclusion on the quantitative analysis done on this basis is that the lease component is the predominant component. For its qualitative analysis, the Company considered that the predominant benefit for its customers is taking control of the vessel and having the right to direct its use, rather than the benefit derived from the service the Company provides executing the customers’ instructions. Based on the Company’s qualitative analyses, the Company has also concluded that the lease component is the predominant component. As the period the Company makes its vessels and crew available is the same period that it provides the service to execute the customer’s orders, the Company has concluded that lease and non-lease component have the same pattern of transfer. As permitted by ASC 842, the Company has taken the practical expedient to not disclose the different lease and non-lease components.

 

Additionally, for those spot charters that the Company determined contain a lease the Company is the lessor and these spot charters have terms that allow the charterer to exercise substantive decision-making rights which have an economic value to the charterer and therefore allow the charterer to direct how and for what purpose the vessel will be used. Under these charters there are no substantive substitution rights and the vessel is specified in the contract. Voyage expenses will be recognized over the term of the lease. Initial costs, such as broker commissions, are deferred and expensed over the voyage term.

 

Lease revenues from voyage charters on the spot market are recognized ratably on a discharge-to-discharge basis, i.e. from when cargo is discharged (unloaded) at the end of one voyage to when it is discharged after the next voyage. In those cases where the charterer directs the use of the vessel from the loading port, lease revenue is recognized ratably on a load to discharge basis, i.e. from when cargo is loaded at the port to when it is discharged. Revenue is recognized in both of these cases, provided an agreed non-cancellable charter between the Company and the charterer is in existence, and collectability is reasonably assured. Lease revenue under voyage charters is not recognized until a charter has been agreed even if the vessel has discharged its previous cargo and is proceeding to an anticipated port of loading.

 

Demurrage revenue represents payments by the charterer to the Company when the loading or discharging time exceeds the stipulated time in the voyage charter. Demurrage is only included in the voyage revenue recognition when the excess time has been incurred. The additional time required to execute the charterer’s orders are not considered distinct but to form part of the single obligation of making the vessel and the crew available and executing the charterer’s orders. Demurrage revenue is recognized ratably on a discharge-to-discharge basis, provided collection is reasonably assured.

 

1.4.2.       Pool revenues

 

Ardmore includes certain of its vessels in commercial pooling arrangements from time to time. The pooling arrangements in which Ardmore participated in 2018 are arrangements in which the earnings from all participants are pooled and shared. In these arrangements, the members seek to benefit from the more efficient employment of their vessels as the manager leverages the size of the fleet commercially and operationally. The manager is responsible for the commercial management on behalf of the members of the pool, and the pool members are responsible for maintaining the operational efficiency of their participating vessels.

 

F-7 

 

 

Ardmore Shipping Corporation

Notes to the Unaudited Condensed Interim Consolidated Financial Statements

For the nine months ended September 30, 2019 and September 30, 2018

(Expressed in U.S. Dollars, unless otherwise stated)

 

1.              General information and significant accounting policies (continued)

 

1.4.           Summary of significant accounting policies (continued)

 

1.4.2.        Pool revenues (continued)

 

Pool revenues and expenses for the Company’s pool arrangements have been accounted for in accordance with the guidance for collaborative arrangements. Revenues and voyage expenses of Ardmore’s vessels operating in commercial pooling arrangements are pooled with the revenues and voyage expenses of other pool participants. The resulting net pool revenues are allocated to the pool participants according to an agreed formula. The formulas used to allocate net pool revenues allocate revenue to pool participants on the basis of the number of days a vessel operates in the pool with weighted adjustments made to reflect the vessels’ differing capacities and performance capabilities. Therefore, the determined net revenues represent the pool members’ consideration for their different contribution to the collaborative arrangement. Ardmore accounts for its vessels’ share of net pool revenue on a monthly basis. Net pool revenues due from the pooling arrangements are included in receivables, trade.

 

 

1.4.3.       Service revenue from voyages

 

Voyage charters on the spot market that do not meet the lease definition are recognized ratably on a load-to-discharge basis, (i.e. from when cargo is loaded at the port to when it is discharged after the voyage). Demurrage revenue, which is included in voyage revenues, represents payments by the charterer to Ardmore when the loading or discharging time exceeds the stipulated time in the voyage charter, and is also recognized ratably on a load-to-discharge basis. This reflects the consideration to which the Company expects to be entitled to receive in exchange for the promised services. Voyage expenses, including, among others, commissions and administration fees, are deferred and expensed over the voyage term. Initial costs to reposition a vessel are considered fulfillment costs and are deferred and recognized from load to discharge in the same manner as the voyage expenses.

 

1.4.4.       Expenses

 

Voyage expenses, including, among others, commissions and administration fees, are deferred and expensed over the voyage term. Under time charters or pool employment, expenses such as port fees, cargo loading and unloading expenses, canal tolls and agency fees are paid by the charterers. Under voyage charters, these expenses are borne by Ardmore and are deferred and expensed over the voyage term.

 

Bunker fuel expenses under voyage charters are borne by Ardmore and expensed as incurred.

 

Vessel operating expenses are costs that are directly attributable to the operation of the vessels such as costs of crewing, repairs and maintenance, insurance, stores, lube oils, communication expenses, and technical management fees. Vessel operating expenses are expensed as incurred.

 

1.4.5.       Operating leases (office rent)

 

Operating leases relate to long-term commitments for the Company’s offices. Ardmore recognizes on the balance sheet the right to use those assets and a corresponding liability in respect of all material lease contracts. The discount rate used for calculating the cost of the operating leases is the incremental cost of borrowing.

 

1.4.6.       Finance leases

 

Finance leases relate to financing arrangements for vessels in operation. Interest costs are expensed to interest expense and finance costs in the consolidated statement of operations using the effective interest method over the life of the lease.

 

F-8 

 

 

Ardmore Shipping Corporation

Notes to the Unaudited Condensed Interim Consolidated Financial Statements

For the nine months ended September 30, 2019 and September 30, 2018

(Expressed in U.S. Dollars, unless otherwise stated)

 

1.              General information and significant accounting policies (continued)

 

1.4.           Summary of significant accounting policies (continued)

 

1.4.7.        Impairment

 

Vessels and equipment that are “held and used” are assessed for impairment when events or circumstances indicate the carrying amount of the asset may not be recoverable. When such indicators are present, a vessel to be held and used is tested for recoverability by comparing the estimate of future undiscounted net operating cash flows expected to be generated by the use of the vessel over its remaining useful life and its eventual disposition to its carrying amount together with the carrying value of deferred drydock and special survey costs related to the vessel. Net operating cash flows are determined by applying various assumptions regarding future revenues net of commissions, operating expenses, scheduled drydockings, expected off-hire and scrap values, and taking into account historical revenue data and published forecasts on future world economic growth and inflation. In estimating future revenues, the Company considers charter rates for each vessel class over the estimated remaining lives of the vessels using both historical average rates for the Company over the last 5 years, where available, and historical average one-year time charter rates for the industry over the last 10 years in each case adjusted for inflation. Recognizing that rates tend to be cyclical and considering market volatility based on factors beyond the Company’s control, management believes it is reasonable to use estimates based on a combination of more recent inflation-adjusted internally generated rates and the inflation-adjusted 10-year average historical average industry rates.

 

An impairment charge is recognized if the carrying value is in excess of the estimated future undiscounted net operating cashflows. The impairment loss is measured based on the excess of the carrying amount over the fair market value of the asset.

 

1.5.          Share-based payments

 

Ardmore may grant share-based payment awards, such as restricted stock units and stock appreciation rights, as incentive-based compensation to certain of its directors, executive officers and employees. Ardmore measures the cost of such awards using the grant date fair value of the award and recognizes that cost, net of estimated forfeitures, over the requisite service period, which generally equals the vesting period. If the award contains a market condition, such conditions are included in the determination of the fair value of the award. Once the fair value has been determined, the associated expense is recognized in the consolidated statement of operations over the requisite service period. For additional information, please see Note 8 (“Stock appreciation rights”) and Note 9 (“Restricted stock units”).

 

1.6.          Recent accounting pronouncements

 

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13: Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326) which requires recognition of management’s estimates of current expected credit losses, rather than the current incurred losses model. The new model is generally applicable to all financial instruments that are not accounted for at fair value through net income. The standard will be effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2019, with early adoption permitted. We are currently assessing the impact of adoption; however, the Company does not expect adoption of this standard to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

 

1.7.           Financial instruments

 

The carrying values of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable and accounts payable reported in the consolidated balance sheet are reasonable estimates of their fair values due to their short-term nature. The fair values of long-term debt approximate the recorded values, due to the variable interest rates payable.

 

F-9 

 

 

Ardmore Shipping Corporation

Notes to the Unaudited Condensed Interim Consolidated Financial Statements

For the nine months ended September 30, 2019 and September 30, 2018

(Expressed in U.S. Dollars, unless otherwise stated)

 

2.              Debt

 

As at September 30, 2019 Ardmore had five loan facilities, which it has used primarily to finance vessel acquisitions or vessels under construction and also for working capital. ASC’s applicable ship-owning subsidiaries have granted first-priority mortgages against the relevant vessels in favor of the lenders as security for Ardmore’s obligations under the loan facilities, which totaled 13 vessels as at September 30, 2019. ASC and its subsidiary ASLLC have provided guarantees in respect of the loan facilities. ASC has granted a guarantee over its trade receivables in respect of the ABN AMRO Revolving Facility. These guarantees can be called upon following a payment default. The outstanding principal balances on each loan facility as at September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018 were as follows:

 

    As at  
    Sep 30, 2019     Dec 31, 2018  
NIBC Bank Facility     6,400,000       7,465,000  
CACIB Bank Facility     29,200,000       31,300,000  
ABN/DVB/NIBC Joint Bank Facility     76,310,030       92,131,594  
Nordea/SEB Joint Bank Facility     80,896,719       86,371,847  
ABN AMRO Revolving Facility     13,272,587       14,994,279  
Total debt     206,079,336       232,262,720  
Deferred finance fees     (2,803,032 )     (3,908,472 )
Net total debt     203,276,304       228,354,248  
Current portion of long-term debt     21,017,892       24,217,892  
Current portion of deferred finance fees     (1,220,245 )     (1,383,349 )
Total current portion of long-term debt     19,797,647       22,834,543  
Non-current portion of long-term debt     183,478,657       205,519,705  

 

Future minimum repayments under the Company’s loan facilities for each year indicated below are as follows:

    As at  
    Sep 30, 2019  
2019 (1)     5,254,473  
2020     34,290,479  
2021     24,222,892  
2022     142,311,492  
      206,079,336  

 

(1) Three-month period ending December 31, 2019

 

NIBC Bank Facility

 

On September 12, 2014, one of ASC’s subsidiaries entered into a $13.5 million long-term loan facility with NIBC Bank N.V. to finance a second-hand vessel acquisition which delivered to Ardmore in 2014. The facility was drawn down in September 2014 and bears interest at a rate of LIBOR plus 2.90%. Principal repayments on the loans are made on a quarterly basis, with a balloon payment payable with the final installment. The loan facility matures in September 2021.

 

CACIB Bank Facility

 

On May 22, 2014, two of ASC’s subsidiaries entered into a $39.0 million long-term loan facility with Credit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank to finance two vessels under construction. On March 10, 2016, this facility was refinanced, the lenders provided an additional $25.0 million commitment for additional financing and an additional tranche of $2.3 million was drawn down. The $25.0 million of additional financing was drawn and repaid in full during the three-month period ended September 30, 2016. Interest is calculated on each tranche at a rate of LIBOR plus 2.50%. Principal repayments on the loans are made on a quarterly basis, with a balloon payment payable with the final installment. The full facility matures in 2022.

 

F-10 

 

 

Ardmore Shipping Corporation

Notes to the Unaudited Condensed Interim Consolidated Financial Statements

For the nine months ended September 30, 2019 and September 30, 2018

(Expressed in U.S. Dollars, unless otherwise stated)

 

2.             Debt (continued)

 

ABN/DVB/NIBC Joint Bank Facility

 

On January 13, 2016, 12 of ASC’s subsidiaries entered into a $213 million long-term loan facility with ABN AMRO Bank N.V. (“ABN AMRO”) and DVB Bank America N.V. to refinance existing facilities. The loan was fully drawn down on January 22, 2016. Interest is calculated at a rate of LIBOR plus 2.55%. Principal repayments on the loans are made on a quarterly basis, with a balloon payment payable with the final installment. The loan matures in 2022. In May 2017, $20.1 million was repaid as part of the refinancing of the Ardmore Sealeader and Ardmore Sealifter. On December 7, 2018, one of the tranches was repaid as part of the refinancing of the Ardmore Engineer. On February 19, 2019, one of the tranches was repaid due to the sale of the Ardmore Seamaster. On May 24, 2019, one of the tranches was repaid due to the sale of the Ardmore Seafarer.

 

On August 4, 2016, an incremental term loan of $36.6 million was made under the amended facility in order to fund two vessel acquisitions, and NIBC Bank N.V. joined as an additional lender under the facility. The incremental term loan consisted of two tranches, and interest is calculated at a rate of LIBOR plus 2.75%. On December 6, 2018, the two additional tranches were repaid as part of the refinancing of the Ardmore Seavanguard and Ardmore Exporter.

 

Nordea/SEB Joint Bank Facility

 

On January 13, 2016, seven of ASC’s subsidiaries entered into a $151 million long-term loan facility with Nordea Bank AB (publ) and Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken AB (publ) to refinance existing facilities. The loan was fully drawn down on January 22, 2016. Interest is calculated at a rate of LIBOR plus 2.50%. Principal repayments on the loans are made on a quarterly basis, with a balloon payment payable with the final installment. On October 29, 2018, two of the tranches were repaid as part of the refinancing of the Ardmore Dauntless and Ardmore Defender. The loan matures in 2022.

 

ABN AMRO Revolving Facility

 

On October 24, 2017, Ardmore entered into a $15 million revolving credit facility with ABN AMRO to fund working capital. Interest is calculated at a rate of LIBOR plus 3.5%. Interest payments are payable on a quarterly basis. The facility matures in October 2020 with an option to extend for a further year.

 

Long-term debt financial covenants

 

Ardmore’s existing long-term debt facilities described above include certain covenants. The financial covenants require that ASC:

 

· maintain minimum solvency of not less than 30%;

 

· maintain minimum cash and cash equivalents based on the number of vessels owned and chartered-in and 5% of outstanding debt; the required minimum cash balance as of September 30, 2019, was $21.2 million;

 

· ensure that the aggregate fair market value of the applicable vessels plus any additional collateral is, depending on the facility, no less than 130% of the debt outstanding for the facility;

 

· maintain a corporate net worth of not less than $150 million; and

 

· maintain positive working capital, excluding balloon maturities.

 

The Company was in full compliance with all of its loan covenants as of September 30, 2019 and 2018.

 

F-11 

 

 

Ardmore Shipping Corporation

Notes to the Unaudited Condensed Interim Consolidated Financial Statements

For the nine months ended September 30, 2019 and September 30, 2018

(Expressed in U.S. Dollars, unless otherwise stated)

 

3.       Finance leases

 

As at September 30, 2019 Ardmore was a party, as the lessee, to six finance lease facilities, which it has used primarily to finance vessel acquisitions and for working capital. ASC’s applicable ship-owning subsidiaries have granted first-priority mortgages against the relevant vessels in favor of the lenders as security for Ardmore’s obligations under the finance lease facilities, which totaled 12 vessels as at September 30, 2019. ASC has provided guarantees in respect of the finance lease facilities. These guarantees can be called upon following a payment default. The outstanding principal balances on each finance lease facility as at September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018 were as follows:

 

    As at  
    Sep 30, 2019     Dec 31, 2018  
River Hudson LLC     -       10,380,600  
Japanese Leases No.1 and 2     32,609,200       36,253,400  
Japanese Lease No.3     16,089,500       17,870,500  
CMBFL Leases No.1 to 4     81,784,768       87,496,402  
Ocean Yield ASA     62,517,180       66,563,040  
Japanese Lease No.4     24,501,138       26,061,943  
China Huarong Leases     47,921,297       51,555,997  
Total minimum finance lease payments     265,423,083       296,181,882  
Amounts representing interest and deferred finance fees     (45,324,301 )     (54,705,784 )
Net minimum finance lease payments     220,098,782       241,476,098  
Amount receivable in respect of finance leases     (2,880,000 )     (2,880,000 )
Adjusted net minimum finance lease payments     217,218,782       238,596,098  
                 
Current portion of finance lease obligations     18,543,717       26,589,017  
Current portion of deferred finance fees     (684,812 )     (739,817 )
Non-current portion of finance lease obligations     205,036,468       218,985,447  
Non-current portion of deferred finance fees     (2,796,591 )     (3,358,549 )
Total finance lease obligations     220,098,782       241,476,098  
Amount receivable in respect of finance leases     (2,880,000 )     (2,880,000 )
Net finance lease obligations     217,218,782       238,596,098  

 

The future minimum lease payments required under the finance lease facilities as at September 30, 2019, were as follows:

    As at  
    Sep 30, 2019  
2019 (1)     6,774,144  
2020     26,868,099  
2021     26,523,339  
2022     26,470,805  
2023     38,028,900  
2024 - 2030     140,757,796  
Total minimum lease payments     265,423,083  
Less amounts representing interest and deferred finance fees     (45,324,301 )
Net minimum lease payments     220,098,782  
Amount receivable in respect of finance leases     (2,880,000 )
Adjusted net minimum lease payments     217,218,782  

 

(1) Three-month period ending December 31, 2019

 

F-12 

 

 

Ardmore Shipping Corporation

Notes to the Unaudited Condensed Interim Consolidated Financial Statements

For the nine months ended September 30, 2019 and September 30, 2018

(Expressed in U.S. Dollars, unless otherwise stated)

 

3.             Finance leases (continued)

 

River Hudson LLC

 

On December 22, 2016, one of ASC’s subsidiaries entered into an agreement for the sale and leaseback (under a finance lease arrangement) of the Ardmore Seatrader. The facility was drawn down in December 2016. Repayments on the lease are made on a monthly basis and include principal and interest. The finance lease is scheduled to expire in 2021 and includes a mandatory purchase obligation for Ardmore to repurchase the vessel, as well as a purchase option exercisable by Ardmore, which Ardmore could elect to exercise at an earlier date. On January 2, 2019, Ardmore exercised the purchase option and repaid the facility in full.

 

Japanese Leases No. 1 and 2

 

On May 30, 2017, two of ASC’s subsidiaries entered into an agreement for the sale and leaseback (under a finance lease arrangement) of the Ardmore Sealeader and Ardmore Sealifter, with JPV No. 7 and JPV No. 8, respectively. The facility was drawn down in May 2017. Repayments on the leases are made on a monthly basis and include principal and interest. The finance leases are scheduled to expire in 2023 and include purchase options exercisable by Ardmore. As part of the lease arrangement, Ardmore provided the purchasers with $2.9 million in the aggregate which shall be repaid at the end of the lease period, or upon the exercise of any of the purchase options. This amount is included as a receivable within ‘Other non-current assets, net’ in the consolidated balance sheet, with the associated finance lease liability presented gross of the $2.9 million.

 

Japanese Lease No. 3

 

On January 30, 2018, one of ASC’s subsidiaries entered into an agreement for the sale and leaseback (under a finance lease arrangement) of the Ardmore Sealancer with Neil Co., Ltd. The facility was drawn down in January 2018. Repayments on the lease are made on a monthly basis and include principal and interest. The finance lease is scheduled to expire in 2024 and includes purchase options exercisable by Ardmore. As part of the lease arrangement, Ardmore provided the purchaser with $1.4 million in the aggregate which shall be repaid at the end of the lease period, or upon the exercise of any of the purchase options. This amount has been offset against the finance lease liability in the consolidated balance sheet, with the associated finance lease liability presented net of the $1.4 million.

 

CMBFL Leases No. 1 to 4

 

On June 26, 2018, two of ASC’s subsidiaries entered into an agreement for the sale and leaseback (under a finance lease arrangement) of the Ardmore Endurance and Ardmore Enterprise, respectively, with CMB Financial Leasing Co., Ltd (“CMBFL”). The facility was drawn down in June 2018. Interest is calculated at a rate of LIBOR plus 3.10%. Principal repayments on the leases are made on a quarterly basis. The finance leases are scheduled to expire in 2025 and include a mandatory purchase obligation for Ardmore to repurchase the vessels, as well as purchase options exercisable by Ardmore, which Ardmore could elect to exercise at an earlier date.

 

On October 25, 2018, two of ASC’s subsidiaries entered into an agreement for the sale and leaseback (under a finance lease arrangement) of the Ardmore Encounter and Ardmore Explorer, respectively, with CMBFL. The facility was drawn down in October 2018. Interest is calculated at a rate of LIBOR plus 3.00%. Principal repayments on the leases are made on a quarterly basis. The finance leases are scheduled to expire in 2025 and include a mandatory purchase obligation for Ardmore to repurchase the vessels, as well as purchase options exercisable by Ardmore, which Ardmore could elect to exercise at an earlier date.

 

Ocean Yield ASA

 

On October 25, 2018, two of ASC’s subsidiaries entered into an agreement for the sale and leaseback (under a finance lease arrangement) of the Ardmore Dauntless and Ardmore Defender, respectively with Ocean Yield ASA. The facility was drawn down in October 2018. Interest is calculated at a rate of LIBOR plus 4.50%. Principal repayments on the leases are made on a monthly basis. The finance leases are scheduled to expire in 2030 and include a mandatory purchase obligation for Ardmore to repurchase the vessels, as well as purchase options exercisable by Ardmore, which Ardmore could elect to exercise at an earlier date.

 

Japanese Lease No. 4

 

On November 30, 2018, one of ASC’s subsidiaries entered into an agreement for the sale and leaseback (under a finance lease arrangement), with Rich Ocean Shipping of the Ardmore Engineer. The facility was drawn down in December 2018. Interest is calculated at a rate of LIBOR plus 3.20%. Principal repayments on the leases are made on a monthly basis. The finance leases are scheduled to expire in 2029 and include a mandatory purchase obligation for Ardmore to repurchase the vessel, as well as purchase options exercisable by Ardmore, which Ardmore could elect to exercise at an earlier date.

 

F-13 

 

 

Ardmore Shipping Corporation

Notes to the Unaudited Condensed Interim Consolidated Financial Statements

For the nine months ended September 30, 2019 and September 30, 2018

(Expressed in U.S. Dollars, unless otherwise stated)

 

3.              Finance leases (continued)

 

China Huarong Leases

 

On November 30, 2018, two of ASC’s subsidiaries entered into an agreement for the sale and leaseback (under a finance lease arrangement), of the Ardmore Seavanguard and Ardmore Exporter, respectively, with China Huarong Financial Leasing Co., Ltd (“China Huarong”). The facility was drawn down in December 2018. Interest is calculated at a rate of LIBOR plus 3.50%. Principal repayments on the leases are made on a quarterly basis. The finance leases are scheduled to expire in 2025 and include a mandatory purchase obligation for Ardmore to repurchase the vessels, as well as purchase options exercisable by Ardmore, which Ardmore could elect to exercise at an earlier date.

 

Finance leases financial covenants

 

Some of Ardmore’s existing finance lease facilities include financial covenants which are consistent with, or no more onerous than, ASC’s long-term debt financial covenants described in Note 2. The Company was in full compliance with all of its finance lease covenants as of September 30, 2019 and 2018.

 

4.             Operating leases

 

4.1.          Operating leases – spot charter

 

For those spot charters that the Company has determined are operating leases, the term of the lease is always less than one year. The lease payments to be received for ongoing charters at September 30, 2019 relate to outstanding freight and demurrage revenue expected to be received in the coming months. Therefore, the disclosure of the maturity analysis of lease payments required by ASC 842, Leases, is limited to one year. For those ongoing charters at September 30, 2019, the outstanding lease payments to be received by the Company as at September 30, 2019 amounted to $16.3 million.

 

4.2.           Operating leases – office rent

 

On January 1, 2018 Ardmore adopted ASC 842, Leases which requires lessees to recognize on their balance sheet a right of use asset and a corresponding liability in respect of all material lease contracts. The discount rate used is the incremental cost of borrowing.

 

The liabilities described below are for the Company’s offices in Cork, Ireland, Singapore, Bermuda and Houston, Texas and are denominated in various currencies. The weighted average remaining term of the Company’s office leases as of September 30, 2019 was 6.1 years. Under ASC 842, the right of use asset is a nonmonetary asset and is remeasured into the Company’s reporting currency of the US Dollar using the exchange rate for the applicable currency as at the adoption date of ASC 842. The operating lease liability is a monetary liability and is remeasured quarterly using the current foreign exchange rates. The difference in measurement between the right of use asset and lease liability is included in general and administrative expenses in the consolidated statement of operations.

 

    As at  
    Sep 30, 2019     Dec 31, 2018  
Operating lease, right of use asset     1,839,800       2,169,158  
Total operating leases, right of use asset     1,839,800       2,169,158  
                 
Current portion of operating lease obligations     342,504       477,147  
Non-current portion of operating lease obligations     1,196,394       1,491,507  
Total operating leases obligations     1,538,898       1,968,654  

 

F-14 

 

 

Ardmore Shipping Corporation

Notes to the Unaudited Condensed Interim Consolidated Financial Statements

For the nine months ended September 30, 2019 and September 30, 2018

(Expressed in U.S. Dollars, unless otherwise stated)

 

4.             Operating leases (continued)

 

4.2.          Operating leases – office rent (continued)

 

    Three months ended  
    Sep 30, 2019     Sep 30, 2018  
Foreign exchange on operating leases     62,019       165,908  
Total foreign exchange on operating leases     62,019       165,908  

 

    Nine months ended  
    Sep 30, 2019     Sep 30, 2018  
Foreign exchange on operating leases     100,398       165,908  
Total foreign exchange on operating leases     100,398       165,908  

 

As of September 30, 2019, the Company had the following undiscounted operating lease commitments:

 

    2019 (1)     2020     2021     2022     2023     2024-2026  
Office space     137,106       339,772       296,499       303,198       309,341       689,727  
      137,106       339,772       296,499       303,198       309,341       689,727  

 

(1) Three-month period ending December 31, 2019.

 

5.             Sale of vessels

 

In February 2019, Ardmore agreed to terms for the sale of the Ardmore Seamaster. Effective February 1, 2019, Ardmore reclassified the vessel as held for sale and ceased to depreciate the vessel. Ardmore repaid the outstanding debt facility on the vessel in February 2019. The sales price for the vessel was $9.7 million, resulting in a net loss of $6.6 million when the vessel delivered to the buyer in February 2019.

 

In May 2019, Ardmore agreed to terms for the sale of the Ardmore Seafarer. Effective May 7, 2019, Ardmore reclassified the vessel as held for sale and ceased to depreciate the vessel. Ardmore repaid the outstanding debt facility on the vessel in May 2019. The sales price for the vessel was $9.1 million, resulting in a net loss of $6.6 million when the vessel delivered to the buyer in May 2019.

 

The net loss on the sale of vessels for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 is calculated as follows:

 

    Seamaster     Seafarer     Total  
Sales proceeds     9,700,000       9,100,000       18,800,000  
Net book value of vessels     (15,979,901 )     (15,537,708 )     (31,517,609 )
Sales related costs     (223,178 )     (99,503 )     (322,681 )
Debt termination costs and related finance fees     (66,684 )     (55,218 )     (121,902 )
Net loss on sale of vessels     (6,569,763 )     (6,592,429 )     (13,162,192 )

 

F-15 

 

 

Ardmore Shipping Corporation

Notes to the Unaudited Condensed Interim Consolidated Financial Statements

For the nine months ended September 30, 2019 and September 30, 2018

(Expressed in U.S. Dollars, unless otherwise stated)

 

6.             Other non-current assets, net

    As at  
    Sep 30, 2019     Dec 31, 2018  
Amount receivable in respect of finance leases     2,880,000       2,880,000  
Equipment, fixtures & fittings     623,628       669,511  
      3,503,628       3,549,511  

 

Amount receivable in respect of finance leases is accounted for at amortized cost.

 

 

7.              Interest expense and finance costs

    Three months ended  
    Sep 30, 2019     Sep 30, 2018  
Interest incurred     5,840,869       5,699,572  
Amortization of deferred finance fees     504,023       618,188  
      6,344,892       6,317,760  

 

    Nine months ended  
    Sep 30, 2019     Sep 30, 2018  
Interest incurred     18,581,369       16,430,560  
Amortization of deferred finance fees     1,526,417       1,814,391  
Write-off of deferred finance fees in relation to refinancing     -       414,897  
      20,107,786       18,659,848  

 

8.              Stock appreciation rights (SARs)

 

As at September 30, 2019, ASC had granted 2,550,762 stock appreciation rights (SARs) (inclusive of 5,779 forfeited SARs) to certain of its officers and directors under its 2013 Equity Incentive Plan. Under a SAR award, the grantee is entitled to receive the appreciation of a share of ASC’s common stock following the grant of the award. Each SAR provides for a payment of an amount equal to the excess, if any, of the fair market value of a share of ASC’s common stock at the time of exercise of the SAR over the per share exercise price of the SAR, multiplied by the number of shares for which the SAR is then exercised. Payment under the SAR will be made in the form of shares of ASC’s common stock, based on the fair market value of a share of ASC’s common stock at the time of exercise of the SAR.

 

On April 4, 2018 ASC cancelled the 1,078,125 SARs awarded on August 1, 2013 (the IPO SARs), which had a per share exercise price significantly in excess of the current fair market value of a share of ASC’s common stock and replaced the IPO SARs with new awards of 1,719,733 SARs (the New SARs) that will vest in three equal tranches. The New SARs have a contractual term of seven years and provide for certain dividend equivalent rights. The New SARs were valued using the Black-Scholes model.

 

On March 7, 2019 ASC granted 560,000 SARs that will vest in three equal tranches. The SARs were valued using the Black-Scholes model.

 

The SAR awards granted prior to the 2018 award contained a market condition whereby, in no event will the appreciation per share for any portion of the SAR award be deemed to exceed four times (i.e. 400%) the per share exercise price of the SAR. The market condition does not apply after July 31, 2016. The SAR awards with a market condition were valued by applying a model based on the Monte Carlo simulation. The model inputs were the grant price, dividend yield based on the initial intended dividend set out by the Company, a risk-free rate of return equal to the zero-coupon U.S. Treasury bill commensurate with the contractual terms of the SARs and expected volatility based on the average of the most recent historical volatilities in the Company’s peer group. Both the Monte Carlo simulation and Black-Scholes model rely on the same underlying financial theory.

 

F-16 

 

 

Ardmore Shipping Corporation

Notes to the Unaudited Condensed Interim Consolidated Financial Statements

For the nine months ended September 30, 2019 and September 30, 2018

(Expressed in U.S. Dollars, unless otherwise stated)

 

8.              Stock appreciation rights (SARs) (continued)

 

A summary of awards, simulation inputs, outputs and valuation methodology is as follows:

 

Model Inputs
Grant Date     SARs
Awarded
      Exercise
Price
    Vesting
Period
    Grant
Price
      Dividend
Yield
      Risk-
free
rate of
Return
      Expected
Volatility
      Weighted
Average
Fair Value
@ grant
date
    Average
Expected
Exercise
Life
  Valuation
Method
12-Mar-14     22,118     $ 13.66     3 yrs   $ 13.66       2.93 %     2.06 %     56.31 %   $ 4.17     4.6 - 5.0 yrs   Monte Carlo
01-Sep-14     5,595     $ 13.91     3 yrs   $ 13.91       2.88 %     2.20 %     53.60 %   $ 4.20     4.5 - 5.0 yrs   Monte Carlo
06-Mar-15     37,797     $ 10.25     3 yrs   $ 10.25       3.90 %     1.90 %     61.38 %   $ 2.98     4.2 - 5.0 yrs   Monte Carlo
15-Jan-16     205,519     $ 9.20     3 yrs   $ 9.20       6.63 %     1.79 %     58.09 %   $ 2.20     4.0 - 5.0 yrs   Monte Carlo
04-Apr-18     1,719,733     $ 7.40     3 yrs   $ 7.40       0 %     2.51 %     40.59 %   $ 2.67     4.25 yrs   Black-Scholes
07-Mar-19     560,000     $ 5.10     3 yrs   $ 5.10       0 %     2.43 %     43.65 %   $ 2.00     4.5 yrs   Black-Scholes

 

The cost of each tranche of SARs is being recognized by the Company on a straight-line basis. The recognition of share-based compensation costs related to the tranches that vested before July 31, 2016 would have been accelerated if the market condition had been met and the requisite service period had been completed. The Company’s policy for issuing shares upon the exercise, if any, of the SARs is to register and issue new common shares to the grantee. Changes in the SARs for the period ended September 30, 2019 are set forth below:

 

    No. of Units     Weighted average exercise price  
Balance as at January 1, 2019     1,984,983     $ 7.72  
SARs granted during the nine months ended September 30, 2019     560,000     $ 1.12  
Balance as at September 30, 2019 (none of which are exercisable or convertible)     2,544,983     $ 7.15  

 

The total cost related to non-vested awards expected to be recognized through 2022 is set forth below:

 

Period   TOTAL  
2019 (1)     1,496,171  
2020     1,262,129  
2021     373,333  
2022     62,222  
      3,193,855  

 

  (1) Twelve-month period ending December 31, 2019

 

F-17 

 

 

Ardmore Shipping Corporation

Notes to the Unaudited Condensed Interim Consolidated Financial Statements

For the nine months ended September 30, 2019 and September 30, 2018

(Expressed in U.S. Dollars, unless otherwise stated)

 

9.             Restricted stock units (RSUs)

 

On January 2, 2019, ASC granted 176,659 restricted stock units (RSUs) to certain of its officers that will vest in two equal annual tranches. On March 7, 2019 ASC granted 86,210 RSUs to certain of its officers that will vest in three equal annual tranches. On May 28, 2019, ASC granted 59,237 RSUs to certain of its directors that will vest in twelve months from the date of grant.

 

Under an RSU award, the grantee is entitled to receive a share of ASC’s common stock for each RSU at the end of the vesting period. Payment under the RSU will be made in the form of shares of ASC’s common stock. The cost of RSUs will be recognized by the Company on a straight-line basis over the vesting period. The Company’s policy for issuing shares upon the vesting of the RSUs is to register and issue new common shares to the grantee.

 

Changes in the RSUs for the period ended September 30, 2019 is set forth below:

    No. of Units     Weighted average fair value at grant date  
Balance as at January 1, 2019     -       -  
RSUs granted during the nine months ended September 30, 2019     322,106     $ 5.28  
Balance as at September 30, 2019 (none of which are vested)     322,106     $ 5.28  

 

The total cost related to non-vested awards expected to be recognized through 2022 is set forth below:

 

Period   TOTAL  
2019 (1)     790,105  
2020     740,781  
2021     146,557  
2022     24,426  
      1,701,869  

 

(1) Twelve-month period ending December 31, 2019

 

10.           Subsequent events

 

In October 2019, Ardmore agreed terms for two new credit facilities for $201.5 million in the aggregate, with the Company’s close relationship banks. The first facility is a $140 million term loan and incorporates $40 million revolving component. The proceeds from this facility will be used to refinance eight ships. The second facility is a $61.5 million term loan and proceeds will be used to refinance four ships. The total cash released on the refinancing is $15.8 million in the aggregate.

 

These financings strengthen the Company's financial flexibility through the incorporation of a revolving component in one of the facilities, extending debt maturities to the end of 2024 and lowering the Company's cost of debt. The covenants and other conditions of the facilities are consistent with those of Ardmore’s existing debt facilities. Ardmore expects to complete documentation and close both financings in the fourth quarter of 2019.

 

F-18

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