GNK Genco Shipping and Trading Limited

Recorded Net Income of $18.3 Million in Q4 2018 Marking a Strong End to 2018

Genco Shipping & Trading Limited (NYSE:GNK) (“Genco” or the “Company”), the largest U.S. headquartered drybulk shipowner focused on the transportation of major and minor bulk commodities globally, today reported its financial results for the three months and twelve months ended December 31, 2018.

The following financial review discusses the results for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017.

Fourth Quarter 2018 and Year-to-Date Highlights

• Recorded net income of $18.3 million for the fourth quarter of 2018
  • Basic and diluted earnings per share of $0.44
  • Adjusted net income of $16.3 million or adjusted basic and diluted earnings per share of $0.39, excluding a $2.0 million gain on sale of vessels
• Net revenue (voyage revenues minus voyage expenses and charter hire expenses) totaled $75.6 million during Q4 2018, 27% higher than the same period of 2017
• TCE increased to $13,237 for Q4 2018, marking a year-over-year improvement of 23%
  • TCE for 2018 reached $11,364, the Company’s highest level since 2011
  • Our 2018 TCE outperformed the relevant Baltic Exchange benchmark sub-indices as adjusted for our owned fleet profile by approximately $500 per vessel per day, highlighting the importance of our expanded commercial platform1
• Maintained low daily vessel operating expenses (“DVOE”) of $4,336 per vessel per day during Q4 2018, as a result of our industry leading cost efficient structure
  • During 2018, DVOE was $4,379 per vessel per day, which is below our 2018 budget without sacrificing our high safety and maintenance standards
• Our cash position as of December 31, 2018 was $202.8 million
• Recorded EBITDA of $44.4 million during Q4 2018 and $65.3 million for the full year of 2018
  • Adjusted EBITDA of $42.4 million for Q4 2018, after excluding a $2.0 million of gain on sale of vessels2
  • Adjusted EBITDA of $122.9 million for 2018, after excluding $56.6 million for impairment of vessels assets, $4.5 million for a loss on debt extinguishment and $3.5 million for gain on sale of vessels2
• Entered into an amendment to our $460 Million Credit Facility in February 2019 providing an additional tranche of up to $35 million to cover up to 90% of the expenses related to the acquisition and installation of exhaust gas cleaning systems (“scrubbers”) on our 17 Capesize vessels
• Completed the sales of a total of eight vessels as part of our fleet renewal program during 2018, including:
  • The sales of five vessels during the fourth quarter of 2018 for a cumulative gain of $2.0 million
  • These sales were in addition to the two vessels sold in Q3 2018, the Genco Surprise and Genco Progress, for a cumulative gain of $1.5 million
  • In January 2019, we sold the Genco Vigour, which was our last remaining unencumbered vessel

________________________1 TCE relative performance is benchmarked against the weighted average of the relevant sub-indices of the Baltic Dry Index as published by the Baltic Exchange (BCI 5TC, BPI, BSI 58 and BHSI) net of 5% for commissions, adjusted for our owned fleet composition as well as the characteristics of our vessels.2 We believe the non-GAAP measure presented provides investors with a means of better evaluating and understanding the Company’s operating performance. Please see Summary Consolidated Financial and Other Data below for a further reconciliation.

John C. Wobensmith, Chief Executive Officer, commented, “During 2018, we continued to execute upon the Company’s strategic plan as we further developed our active commercial platform, took steps to optimize our fleet composition and enhanced our capital structure. Specifically, under the first full year of our revamped commercial operation, we outperformed our benchmarks meaningfully which, together with firm market conditions, led Genco to generate significant operating cash flows while reinforcing an already strong balance sheet. So far in 2019, seasonal factors coupled with events such as the Vale dam tragedy have led to volatility in freight rates in the short-term. We believe such short-term volatility highlights the importance of our solid liquidity position as well as our approach of deploying a fleet with direct exposure to the major and minor drybulk commodities both of which present strong long-term demand prospects underpinned by a backdrop of low net fleet growth.”

Our Commercial Strategy Continues to Actively Drive Revenue and Margin Growth

Overall, our fleet deployment strategy remains weighted towards short-term fixtures, which provides optionality for the Company. We believe that our active commercial strategy, together with our efficient cost structure, provides continuing potential for increased margins. Furthermore, our barbell approach to fleet composition provides direct exposure to both major and minor bulk commodities enabling our fleet’s cargo carrying capabilities to closely mirror those of global commodity trade flows.

Our fourth quarter of 2018 TCE results by class are listed below. During the fourth quarter, we took advantage of our prior strategic positioning of select vessels to key designated regions to drive TCE on our minor bulk fleet. Additionally, fixed rate coverage at near 2018 peak levels on our Capesize fleet ahead of a volatile quarter minimized exposure to a counter-seasonal decline in freight rates. During the quarter, Genco’s approach to fleet composition described above proved beneficial, as earnings on the smaller vessels remained resilient despite the volatility in the Capesize segment. Our TCE performance during the fourth quarter of 2018 improved by 23% as compared to the same period the year before.

• Capesize: $17,052
• Panamax: $10,134
• Ultramax, Supramax and Handymax: $12,724
• Handysize: $10,545
• Fleet average: $13,237

We currently have the following net TCE fixed for the first quarter of 2019. We continue to take a portfolio approach to the deployment of our Capesize fleet as we have fixed several vessels on West Australian round voyages in the Pacific while booking fronthaul voyages during Q4 2018 with our Atlantic positions. For the minor bulk fleet, we continue benefiting from scale in designated key regions where we have established a critical mass.

• Capesize: $13,739 for 84% of the available Q1 2019 days
• Panamax: $7,140 for 70% of the available Q1 2019 days
• Ultramax and Supramax: $9,421 for 84% of the available Q1 2019 days
• Handysize: $7,056 for 89% of the available Q1 2019 days
• Fleet average: $10,042 for 85% of the available Q1 2019 days

Scrubber Facility

On February 28, 2019, we entered into an amendment to our $460 Million Credit Facility to provide an additional tranche of up to $35 million to cover up to 90% of the expenses related to the acquisition and installation of scrubbers on our 17 Capesize vessels. Borrowings under the $35 million tranche will bear interest at LIBOR plus 250 basis points through September 30, 2019 and LIBOR plus a range of 225 to 275 basis points thereafter, dependent upon total net indebtedness to consolidated EBITDA for the preceding four calendar quarters.  Nordea Bank ABP, New York Branch, Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken AB (publ), Crédit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank, and Danish Ship Finance A/S are the lenders for the additional tranche.

Fleet Renewal Program

During the second half of the year, the Company agreed to sell eight vessels as part of our previously announced fleet renewal program, achieving total gross proceeds of $52.5 million. Seven of these vessels were delivered to their respective buyers in 2018, while the remaining vessel delivered in January 2019. Specifically, in Q3 2018, we delivered two vessels to their respective buyers, namely: the Genco Surprise, a 1998-built Panamax vessel, on August 7, 2018, and the Genco Progress, a 1999-built Handysize vessel, on September 13, 2018. In Q4 2018, we delivered five vessels to their respective buyers, namely: the Genco Cavalier, a 2007-built Supramax vessel, on October 16, 2018; the Genco Explorer, a 1999-built Handysize vessel, on November 13, 2018; the Genco Muse, a 2001-built Handymax vessel, on December 5, 2018; the Genco Beauty, a 1999-built Panamax vessel, on December 17, 2018; and the Genco Knight, a 1999-built Panamax vessel, on December 26, 2018. Furthermore, we completed the sale of the Genco Vigour, a 1999-built Panamax vessel, on January 28, 2019. As a result of the sales, Genco will save anticipated drydocking and ballast water treatment system installation costs of approximately $11.5 million previously scheduled for 2018 and 2019.

Our fleet now consists of 58 vessels with a carrying capacity of 5,075,000 dwt. On a per sector basis, the fleet currently consists of 17 Capesize, two Panamax, six Ultramax, 20 Supramax, and 13 Handysize vessels with an average age of 9.0 years, representing reduction in average age of almost two years from our prior fleet composition of 60 vessels before any of the 2018 and 2019 vessel sale and purchase activity.

Financial Review: 2018 Fourth Quarter

The Company recorded net income for the fourth quarter of 2018 of $18.3 million, or $0.44 basic and diluted net earnings per share. Comparatively, for the three months ended December 31, 2017, the Company recorded net income of $2.6 million, or $0.07 basic and diluted net earnings per share.

The Company’s revenues increased to $112.2 million for the three months ended December 31, 2018, 50% higher than the $74.9 million recorded for the three months ended December 31, 2017. The increase in revenues was primarily due to the employment of vessels on spot market voyage charters as well as higher spot market rates achieved by the majority of our vessels.  

The average daily time charter equivalent, or TCE, rates obtained by the Company’s fleet was $13,237 per day for the three months ended December 31, 2018 as compared to $10,761 for the three months ended December 31, 2017. The increase in TCE was primarily due to higher rates achieved by the majority of the vessels in our fleet during the fourth quarter of 2018 versus the fourth quarter of 2017. During the fourth quarter of 2018, the drybulk freight market remained at healthy levels despite pockets of volatility in the middle of the quarter for Capesize vessel earnings. For the full year of 2018, the Baltic Dry Index averaged 1,353, its highest level since 2011 led by strong global steel production and firm growth in imports of raw materials from developing economies met with the backdrop of low net fleet growth on the supply side. Subsequently, in the first quarter of 2019, seasonal factors such as frontloaded newbuilding deliveries, the Lunar New Year celebration and weather-related disruptions hampering cargo availability have been exacerbated by the tragic Vale dam breach, further coal restrictions in China as well as the overhang of the U.S.-China trade dispute. All of these factors have affected the market since the beginning of the year. Nonetheless, the Company has fixed approximately 85% of its Q1 2019 days at a fleet-wide average TCE of $10,042.

Total operating expenses were $86.2 million for the three months ended December 31, 2018 compared to $64.9 million for the three months ended December 31, 2017. Included in the three months ended December 31, 2018 was a gain on sale of vessels totaling $2.0 million. Voyage expenses rose to $36.3 million for the three months ended December 31, 2018 versus $15.6 million during the prior year period primarily due to the increased employment of vessels on spot market voyage charters as part of our commercial strategy, in which we incur significantly higher voyage expenses as compared to time charters, spot market-related time charters and pool arrangements. Vessel operating expenses marginally increased to $24.8 million for the three months ended December 31, 2018, from $24.2 million for the three months ended December 31, 2017. General and administrative expenses were $6.4 million for the fourth quarter of 2018 compared to $5.6 million for the fourth quarter of 2017. Depreciation and amortization expenses increased to $18.4 million for the three months ended December 31, 2018 from $17.6 million for the three months ended December 31, 2017.

Daily vessel operating expenses, or DVOE, amounted to $4,336 per vessel per day for the fourth quarter of 2018, and $4,379 for the twelve months ended December 31, 2018, below our budget of $4,440 per vessel per day and compared to $4,387 per vessel per day for the fourth quarter of 2017. The decrease in DVOE was predominantly due to lower maintenance related expenses, and partially offset by higher crew related expenses. We believe daily vessel operating expenses are best measured for comparative purposes over a 12‑month period in order to take into account all of the expenses that each vessel in our fleet will incur over a full year of operation. Based on estimates provided by our technical managers and management’s views, our DVOE budget for 2019 is $4,525 per vessel per day on a weighted average basis for the entire year for our fleet.

Apostolos Zafolias, Chief Financial Officer, commented, “We ended 2018 with a sizeable cash balance, as we benefited from a stronger rate environment, a strengthened commercial strategy and low direct vessel operating expenses. During the year, we also continued to access capital under favorable terms, serving to strengthen our balance sheet and support our ability to grow and invest in the fleet. In addition to our $108 million acquisition credit facility, we closed on an oversubscribed $460 million credit facility and subsequently upsized it to provide an additional tranche of up to $35 million to support our comprehensive IMO 2020 strategy.”

Financial Review: Twelve Months 2018

The Company recorded a net loss of $32.9 million or $0.86 basic and diluted net loss per share for the twelve months ended December 31, 2018. This compares to a net loss of $58.7 million or $1.71 basic and diluted net loss per share for the twelve months ended December 31, 2017. Net loss for the twelve months ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, includes non-cash vessel impairment charges of $56.6 million and $22.0 million, respectively. Net loss for the twelve months ended December 31, 2018 also includes a loss on debt extinguishment in the amount of $4.5 million as well as a gain from sale of vessels totaling $3.5 million. Net loss for the twelve months ended December 31, 2017 includes a gain on sale of vessels in the amount of $7.7 million. Revenues increased to $367.5 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2018 compared to $209.7 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2017. The increase in revenues was primarily due to the employment of vessels on spot market voyage charters as well as higher spot market rates achieved by the majority of our vessels. Voyage expenses increased to $114.9 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2018 from $25.3 million for the same period in 2017.  This increase was primarily due to the employment of vessels on spot market voyage charters during the 2018 as part of our commercial strategy, in which we incur significantly higher voyage expenses as compared to time charters, spot market-related time charters and pool arrangements. TCE rates obtained by the Company increased to $11,364 per day for the twelve months ended December 31, 2018 from $8,474 per day for the twelve months ended December 31, 2017, due to higher rates achieved by the majority of the vessels in our fleet. Total operating expenses for the twelve months ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 were $367.0 million and $239.3 million, respectively. Total operating expenses include non-cash vessel impairment charges of $56.6 million relating to the revaluation of certain vessels that comprise our fleet renewal plan to their respective fair values for the twelve months ended December 31, 2018, as well as a $3.5 million gain from sale of vessels. For the twelve months ended December 31, 2017, total operating expenses include non-cash vessel impairment charges totaling $22.0 million and a gain on sale of vessels of $7.7 million. General and administrative expenses for the twelve months ended December 31, 2018 increased to $23.1 million as compared to the $22.2 million in the same period of 2017. Daily vessel operating expenses per vessel were $4,379 versus $4,417 in the comparative periods. The decrease in DVOE was predominantly due to lower drydocking related expenses, partially offset by higher expenses crew related expenses. EBITDA for the twelve months ended December 31, 2018 amounted to $65.3 million compared to $42.0 million during the prior period. During the twelve months of 2018 and 2017, EBITDA included non-cash impairment charges, loss on debt extinguishment and gains on sale of vessels as mentioned above. Excluding these non-cash charges, our adjusted EBTIDA would have amounted to $122.9 million and $56.3 million, for the respective periods.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Cash Flow

Net cash provided by operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2018 was $65.9 million as compared to $24.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2017.  Included in the net loss during the year ended December 31, 2018 were $56.6 million of non-cash impairment charges, as well as a $4.5 million loss on the extinguishment of debt, a $5.3 million payment on the $400 Million Credit Facility and gains totaling $3.5 million arising from the sale of seven vessels.  Included in the net loss during the year ended December 31, 2017 were $22.0 million of non-cash impairment charges, paid in kind interest incurred of $4.5 million related to the $400 Million Credit Facility, as well as a gain on sale of vessels in the amount of $7.7 million due to the sale of five vessels. Depreciation and amortization expense for the year ended December 31, 2018 decreased by $2.8 million primarily due to the revaluation of nine of our vessels that were written down to their estimated fair market value during the first quarter of 2018, as well as the revaluation of six of our vessels that were written down to their estimated fair market value during the second and third quarters of 2017.  These decreases in depreciation were partially offset by an increase in depreciation expense for the six vessels delivered during the third quarter of 2018.  Additionally, the fluctuation in inventories increased by $7.7 million due to additional fuel inventory for our vessels as the result of the employment of our vessels on spot market voyage charters. There was also a $7.6 million increase in the fluctuation in due from charterers due to the timing of payments received from charterers.  These changes were offset by a $5.5 million decrease in deferred drydocking costs incurred because there were less vessels that completed drydocking during 2018 as compared to 2017. 

Net cash used in investing activities was $195.4 million during the year ended December 31, 2018 as compared to net cash provided by investing activities of $17.4 million during the year ended December 31, 2017.  Net cash used in investing activities during 2018 consisted primarily of $241.9 million purchase of vessels related primarily to the six vessels that delivered to us during the third quarter of 2018.  This cash outflow during 2018 was partially offset by $44.3 million of proceeds from the sale of seven vessels during the second half of 2018 and $3.6 million of proceeds received for hull and machinery claims related primarily to the receipt of the remaining insurance settlement for the main engine repair claim for the Genco Tiger.  Net cash provided by investing activities during 2017 consisted primarily of $15.5 million of proceeds from the sale of five vessels during 2017 and $2.4 million of proceeds received for hull and machinery claims related primarily to the receipt of the remaining insurance settlement for the main engine repair claims for the Baltic Lion and the Genco Tiger.

Net cash provided by financing activities during the year ended December 31, 2018 was $127.3 million as compared to net cash used in financing activities of $5.6 million during the year ended December 31, 2017.  Net cash provided by financing activities of $127.3 million during 2018 consisted primarily of the $460.0 million drawdown on the $460 Million Credit Facility, the $108.0 million drawdown on the $108 Million Credit Facility and the net proceeds from the issuance of common stock on June 19, 2018 of $109.8 million partially offset by the following:  $399.6 million repayment of debt under the $400 Million Credit Facility; $93.9 million repayment of debt under the $98 Million Credit Facility; $25.5 million repayment of debt under the 2014 Term Loan Facilities; $15.0 million repayment of debt under the $460 Million Credit Facility; $11.8 million payment of deferred financing costs; $3.0 million payment of debt extinguishment costs and $1.6 million repayment of debt under the $108 Million Credit Facility.  On August 14, 2018, we entered into the $108 Million Credit Facility to finance a portion of the purchase price for the six vessels acquired during the three months ended September 30, 2018.  On June 5, 2018, the $460 Million Credit Facility refinanced the following three existing credit facilities; the $400 Million Credit Facility, the $98 Million Credit Facility and the 2014 Term Loan Facilities.  Net cash used in financing activities of $5.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2017 consisted of the following: $2.8 million repayment of debt under the 2014 Term Loan Facilities; $1.3 million repayment of debt under the $98 Million Credit Facility; $1.1 million payment of Series A Preferred Stock issuance costs; and $0.4 million repayment of debt under the $400 Million Credit Facility.

Capital Expenditures

We make capital expenditures from time to time in connection with vessel acquisitions. We completed installment payment obligations relating to vessels we agreed to acquire in 2018 during the third quarter of 2018 using a combination of cash on hand and commercial bank financing as previously reported. 

In addition to acquisitions that we may undertake in future periods, we will incur additional capital expenditures due to special surveys and drydockings for our fleet. We did not drydock any of our vessels during the fourth quarter of 2018. We currently expect two vessels to drydock during the first quarter of 2019, and an additional 33 vessels to drydock during the remainder of the year.

We also anticipate incurring capital expenditures with respect to the installation of ballast water treatment systems, which we intend to fund with cash on hand.  In addition, we expect to incur capital expenditures for the installation of scrubbers on our 17 Capesize vessels and are considering options to install scrubbers on an additional 15 minor bulk vessels. We expect the cost for our Capesize vessels, including installation, to be approximately $2.25 million per vessel, which may vary according to the specifications of our vessels and technical aspects of the installation, among other variables. We anticipate funding the acquisition and installation of scrubbers on our 17 Capesize vessels through a combination of commercial bank debt from an additional tranche of up to $35 million under our $460 Million Credit Facility and cash on hand.

We estimate our capital expenditures related to drydocking, including capitalized costs incurred during drydocking related to vessel assets and vessel equipment, ballast water treatment system costs, scrubber costs and scheduled off-hire days for our fleet through 2019 to be:

	Q1 2019	Q2 2019	Q3 2019	Q4 2019
Estimated Drydock Costs (1)	$2.5 million	$19.2 million	$8.7 million	$3.2 million
Estimated Scrubber Costs (2)	$0.0 million	$22.5 million	$15.8 million	$0.0 million
Estimated Offhire Days (3)	40	480	295	60

(1) Estimates are based on our budgeted cost of drydocking our vessels in China. Actual costs will vary based on various factors, including where the drydockings are actually performed. We expect to fund these costs with cash on hand. These costs do not include drydock expense items that are reflected in vessel operating expenses. Included are estimated costs associated with the installation of ballast water treatment systems. Estimated costs presented include approximately $7.5 million of costs associated with 6 vessels that could potentially be sold based on our fleet renewal program.

(2) We anticipate funding the acquisition and installation of scrubbers on our 17 Capesize vessels through a combination of commercial bank debt from an additional tranche of up to $35 million under our $460 Million Credit Facility and cash on hand. Assumes expenditures on date of installation.

(3) Actual length will vary based on the condition of the vessel, yard schedules and other factors. Estimated offhire presented includes approximately 120 days associated with 6 vessels that could potentially be sold based on our fleet renewal program.

Summary Consolidated Financial and Other Data

The following table summarizes Genco Shipping & Trading Limited’s selected consolidated financial and other data for the periods indicated below.

				Three Months EndedDecember 31, 2018				Three Months EndedDecember 31, 2017				Twelve Months EndedDecember 31, 2018				Twelve Months EndedDecember 31, 2017
				(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)								(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)
				(unaudited)								(unaudited)
INCOME STATEMENT DATA:
Revenues:
	Voyage revenues			$	112,185			$	74,918			$	367,522			$	209,698
		Total revenues			112,185				74,918				367,522				209,698
Operating expenses:
	Voyage expenses				36,305				15,579				114,855				25,321
	Vessel operating expenses				24,785				24,219				97,427				98,086
	Charter hire expenses				302				-				1,534				-
	General and administrative expenses (inclusive of nonvested stock amortization				6,380				5,640				23,141				22,190
	expense of $0.5 million, $0.5 million, $2.2 million and $4.1 million, respectively)
	Technical management fees				2,075				1,925				8,000				7,659
	Depreciation and amortization				18,370				17,582				68,976				71,776
	Impairment of vessel assets				-				-				56,586				21,993
	Gain on sale of vessels				(2,004	)			-				(3,513	)			(7,712	)
		Total operating expenses			86,213				64,945				367,006				239,313
Operating income (loss)					25,972				9,973				516				(29,615	)
Other (expense) income:
	Other income (expense)				95				(12	)			367				(164	)
	Interest income				1,058				546				3,801				1,551
	Interest expense				(8,842	)			(7,938	)			(33,091	)			(30,497	)
	Loss on debt extinguishment				-				-				(4,533	)			-
		Other expense			(7,689	)			(7,404	)			(33,456	)			(29,110	)
Income (loss) before income taxes					18,283				2,569				(32,940	)			(58,725	)
	Income tax expense				-				-				-				-
Net income (loss)				$	18,283			$	2,569			$	(32,940	)		$	(58,725	)
Net earnings (loss) per share - basic				$	0.44			$	0.07			$	(0.86	)		$	(1.71	)
Net earnings (loss) per share - diluted				$	0.44			$	0.07			$	(0.86	)		$	(1.71	)
Weighted average common shares outstanding - basic					41,704,296				34,559,830				38,382,599				34,242,631
Weighted average common shares outstanding - diluted					41,792,956				34,682,302				38,382,599				34,242,631
								December 31, 2018				December 31, 2017
BALANCE SHEET DATA (Dollars in thousands):								(unaudited)
Assets
	Current assets:
		Cash and cash equivalents						$	197,499			$	174,479
		Restricted cash							4,947				7,234
		Due from charterers, net							22,306				12,855
		Prepaid expenses and other current assets							10,449				7,338
		Inventories							29,548				15,333
		Vessels held for sale							5,702				-
	Total current assets								270,451				217,239
	Noncurrent assets:
		Vessels, net of accumulated depreciation of $244,529 and $213,431, respectively							1,344,870			$	1,265,577
		Deferred drydock, net							9,544				13,382
		Fixed assets, net							2,290				1,014
		Other noncurrent assets							-				514
		Restricted cash							315				23,233
	Total noncurrent assets								1,357,019				1,303,720
	Total assets							$	1,627,470			$	1,520,959
Liabilities and Equity
	Current liabilities:
		Accounts payable and accrued expenses						$	29,143				23,230
		Current portion of long-term debt							66,320				24,497
		Deferred revenue							6,404				4,722
	Total current liabilities								101,867				52,449
	Noncurrent liabilities
		Long-term lease obligations							3,468				2,588
		Long-term debt, net of deferred financing costs of $16,272 and $9,032, respectively							468,828				490,895
	Total noncurrent liabilities								472,296				493,483
	Total liabilities								574,163				545,932
	Commitments and contingencies
	Equity:
		Common stock							416				345
		Additional paid-in capital							1,740,163				1,628,355
		Retained deficit							(687,272	)			(653,673	)
		Total equity							1,053,307				975,027
	Total liabilities and equity							$	1,627,470			$	1,520,959
								Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2018				Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2017
STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS (Dollars in thousands):								(unaudited)
Cash flows from operating activities
		Net loss						$	(32,940	)		$	(58,725	)
		Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by operating activities:
		Depreciation and amortization							68,976				71,776
		Amortization of deferred financing costs							3,035				2,325
		PIK interest, net							-				4,542
		Payment of PIK interest							(5,341	)			-
		Amortization of nonvested stock compensation expense							2,231				4,053
		Impairment of vessel assets							56,586				21,993
		Gain on sale of vessels							(3,513	)			(7,712	)
		Loss on debt extinguishment							4,533				-
		Insurance proceeds for protection and indemnity claims							303				765
		Insurance proceeds for loss of hire claims							58				2,230
		Change in assets and liabilities:
			Increase in due from charterers						(10,099	)			(2,482	)
			Increase in prepaid expenses and other current assets						(6,626	)			(5,875	)
			Increase in inventories						(14,215	)			(6,485	)
			Decrease in other noncurrent assets						514				-
			Increase in accounts payable and accrued expenses						2,571				1,494
			Increase in deferred revenue						1,190				3,234
			Increase in lease obligations						880				720
			Deferred drydock costs incurred						(2,236	)			(7,782	)
		Net cash provided by operating activities							65,907				24,071
Cash flows from investing activities
		Purchase of vessels, including deposits							(241,872	)			(262	)
		Purchase of other fixed assets							(1,462	)			(290	)
		Net proceeds from sale of vessels							44,330				15,513
		Insurance proceeds for hull and machinery claims							3,629				2,444
		Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities							(195,375	)			17,405
Cash flows from financing activities
		Proceeds from the $108 Million Credit Facility							108,000				-
		Repayments on the $108 Million Credit Facility							(1,580	)			-
		Proceeds from the $460 Million Credit Facility							460,000				-
		Repayments on the $460 Million Credit Facility							(15,000	)			-
		Repayments on the $400 Million Credit Facility							(399,600	)			(400	)
		Repayments on the $98 Million Credit Facility							(93,939	)			(1,332	)
		Repayments on the 2014 Term Loan Facilities							(25,544	)			(2,763	)
		Payment of debt extinguishment costs							(2,962	)			-
		Proceeds from issuance of common stock							110,249				-
		Payment of common stock issuance costs							(496	)			-
		Payment of Series A Preferred Stock issuance costs							-				(1,103	)
		Payment of deferred financing costs							(11,845	)			-
		Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities							127,283				(5,598	)
Net (decrease) increase in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash									(2,185	)			35,878
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period									204,946				169,068
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period								$	202,761			$	204,946
				Three Months Ended December 31, 2018
Adjusted Net Income Reconciliation				(unaudited)
Net Income				$	18,283
	-		Gain on sale of vessels		(2,004	)
			Adjusted net income	$	16,279
			Adjusted net earnings per share - basic	$	0.39
			Adjusted net earnings per share - diluted	$	0.39
			Weighted average common shares outstanding - basic		41,704,296
			Weighted average common shares outstanding - diluted		41,792,956
			Weighted average common shares outstanding - basic as per financial statements		41,704,296
			Dilutive effect of stock options		-
			Dilutive effect of restricted stock awards		88,660
			Weighted average common shares outstanding - diluted as adjusted		41,792,956
				Three Months Ended December 31, 2018				Three Months Ended December 31, 2017				Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2018				Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2017
				(Dollars in thousands)								(Dollars in thousands)
EBITDA Reconciliation:				(unaudited)								(unaudited)
	Net Income (loss)			$	18,283			$	2,569			$	(32,940	)		$	(58,725	)
	+		Net interest expense		7,784				7,392				29,290				28,946
	+		Depreciation and amortization		18,370				17,582				68,976				71,776
			EBITDA(1)	$	44,437			$	27,543			$	65,326			$	41,997
	+		Impairment of vessel assets		-				-				56,586				21,993
	-		Gain on sale of vessels		(2,004	)			-				(3,513	)			(7,712	)
	+		Loss on debt extinguishment		-				-				4,533				-
			Adjusted EBITDA	$	42,433			$	27,543			$	122,932			$	56,278
				Three Months Ended								Twelve Months Ended
				December 31, 2018				December 31, 2017				December 31, 2018				December 31, 2017
FLEET DATA:				(unaudited)								(unaudited)
Total number of vessels at end of period					59				60				59				60
Average number of vessels (2)					62.1				60.0				61.0				60.8
Total ownership days for fleet (3)					5,716				5,520				22,249				22,207
Total chartered-in days (4)					19				-				132				-
Total available days for fleet (5)					5,728				5,514				22,231				21,759
Total available days for owned fleet (6)					5,710				5,514				22,099				21,759
Total operating days for fleet (7)					5,661				5,468				21,975				21,466
Fleet utilization (8)					98.7	%			99.1	%			98.5	%			98.1	%
AVERAGE DAILY RESULTS:
Time charter equivalent (9)				$	13,237			$	10,761			$	11,364			$	8,474
Daily vessel operating expenses per vessel (10)					4,336				4,387				4,379				4,417
				Three Months Ended								Twelve Months Ended
				December 31, 2018				December 31, 2017				December 31, 2018				December 31, 2017
FLEET DATA:				(unaudited)								(unaudited)
Ownership days
Capesize					1,564.0				1,196.0				5,251.5				4,745.0
Panamax					439.5				552.0				2,022.7				2,190.0
Ultramax					552.0				368.0				1,731.2				1,460.0
Supramax					1,855.4				1,932.0				7,588.4				7,665.0
Handymax					65.4				92.0				338.4				632.8
Handysize					1,239.2				1,380.0				5,316.4				5,514.6
Total					5,715.6				5,520.0				22,248.5				22,207.4
Chartered-in days
Capesize					-				-				-				-
Panamax					-				-				-				-
Ultramax					-				-				-				-
Supramax					-				-				49.4				-
Handymax					0.3				-				37.3				-
Handysize					18.2				-				45.8				-
Total					18.6				-				132.5				-
Available days (owned & chartered-in fleet)
Capesize					1,563.7				1,195.0				5,171.7				4,651.3
Panamax					439.5				552.0				2,021.7				2,020.5
Ultramax					552.0				368.0				1,724.0				1,455.7
Supramax					1,850.2				1,928.9				7,624.4				7,555.2
Handymax					65.8				92.0				365.7				609.3
Handysize					1,256.9				1,378.3				5,323.8				5,466.5
Total					5,728.1				5,514.3				22,231.3				21,758.5
Available days (owned fleet)
Capesize					1,563.7				1,195.0				5,171.7				4,651.3
Panamax					439.5				552.0				2,021.7				2,020.5
Ultramax					552.0				368.0				1,724.0				1,455.7
Supramax					1,850.2				1,928.9				7,575.0				7,555.2
Handymax					65.4				92.0				328.4				609.3
Handysize					1,238.7				1,378.3				5,278.1				5,466.5
Total					5,709.5				5,514.3				22,098.9				21,758.5
Operating days
Capesize					1,563.5				1,192.0				5,169.5				4,519.4
Panamax					420.9				547.5				1,970.9				2,009.6
Ultramax					549.6				361.4				1,700.4				1,443.8
Supramax					1,823.8				1,917.1				7,528.4				7,499.9
Handymax					61.0				91.0				351.8				583.6
Handysize					1,242.5				1,359.2				5,253.8				5,410.1
Total					5,661.3				5,468.3				21,974.8				21,466.4
Fleet utilization
Capesize					100.0	%			99.7	%			99.4	%			96.4	%
Panamax					95.8	%			99.2	%			97.4	%			98.6	%
Ultramax					99.6	%			98.2	%			98.2	%			98.9	%
Supramax					98.3	%			99.2	%			98.6	%			98.8	%
Handymax					92.7	%			98.9	%			93.6	%			92.2	%
Handysize					98.8	%			98.5	%			98.4	%			98.8	%
Fleet average					98.7	%			99.1	%			98.5	%			98.1	%
Average Daily Results:
Time Charter Equivalent
Capesize				$	17,052			$	16,749			$	15,422			$	12,017
Panamax					10,134				9,474				9,648				7,974
Ultramax					11,452				12,250				10,420				9,203
Supramax					12,977				9,019				10,816				7,466
Handymax					16,313				7,976				12,031				7,421
Handysize					10,545				8,310				9,099				6,960
Fleet average					13,237				10,761				11,364				8,474
Daily vessel operating expenses
Capesize				$	4,868			$	4,895			$	4,855			$	4,816
Panamax					4,094				3,861				4,137				4,334
Ultramax					4,557				4,659				4,531				4,511
Supramax					4,195				4,505				4,303				4,517
Handymax					3,745				3,690				4,767				4,160
Handysize					3,896				3,967				4,035				3,972
Fleet average					4,336				4,387				4,379				4,417

 

1. EBITDA represents net income (loss) plus net interest expense, taxes, and depreciation and amortization. EBITDA is included because it is used by management and certain investors as a measure of operating performance. EBITDA is used by analysts in the shipping industry as a common performance measure to compare results across peers. Our management uses EBITDA as a performance measure in consolidating internal financial statements and it is presented for review at our board meetings. We believe that EBITDA is useful to investors as the shipping industry is capital intensive which often results in significant depreciation and cost of financing. EBITDA presents investors with a measure in addition to net income to evaluate our performance prior to these costs. EBITDA is not an item recognized by U.S. GAAP (i.e. non-GAAP measure) and should not be considered as an alternative to net income, operating income or any other indicator of a company's operating performance required by U.S. GAAP. EBITDA is not a measure of liquidity or cash flows as shown in our consolidated statement of cash flows. The definition of EBITDA used here may not be comparable to that used by other companies.
2. Average number of vessels is the number of vessels that constituted our fleet for the relevant period, as measured by the sum of the number of days each vessel was part of our fleet during the period divided by the number of calendar days in that period.
3. We define ownership days as the aggregate number of days in a period during which each vessel in our fleet has been owned by us. Ownership days are an indicator of the size of our fleet over a period and affect both the amount of revenues and the amount of expenses that we record during a period.
4. We define chartered-in days as the aggregate number of days in a period during which we chartered-in third-party vessels.
5. We define available days, which Genco has recently updated and incorporated in the table above to better demonstrate the manner in which Genco evaluates its business, as the number of our ownership days and chartered-in days less the aggregate number of days that our vessels are off-hire due to familiarization upon acquisition, repairs or repairs under guarantee, vessel upgrades or special surveys.  Amounts for available days in the table above for the periods ended December 31, 2017 have been adjusted for our updated method of calculating available days.  Companies in the shipping industry generally use available days to measure the number of days in a period during which vessels should be capable of generating revenues.
6. We define available days for the owned fleet as available days less chartered-in days.
7. We define operating days as the number of our total available days in a period less the aggregate number of days that the vessels are off-hire due to unforeseen circumstances. The shipping industry uses operating days to measure the aggregate number of days in a period during which vessels actually generate revenues. Amounts for operating days in the table above for the periods ended December 31, 2017 have been adjusted for our updated method of calculating available days. 
8. We calculate fleet utilization, which Genco has recently updated and incorporated in the table above to better demonstrate the manner in which Genco evaluates its business, as the number of our operating days during a period divided by the number of ownership days plus chartered-in days less drydocking days. Amounts for fleet utilization in the table above for the periods ended December 31, 2017 have been adjusted for our updated method of calculating fleet utilization. 
9. We define TCE rates as our voyage revenues less voyage expenses and charter hire expenses, divided by the number of the available days of our owned fleet during the period, which is consistent with industry standards. TCE rate is a common shipping industry performance measure used primarily to compare daily earnings generated by vessels on time charters with daily earnings generated by vessels on voyage charters, because charterhire rates for vessels on voyage charters are generally not expressed in per-day amounts while charterhire rates for vessels on time charters generally are expressed in such amounts.

	Three Months Ended December 31, 2018				Three Months Ended December 31, 2017				Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2018				Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2017
Total Fleet	(unaudited)								(unaudited)
Voyage revenues (in thousands)	$	112,185			$	74,918			$	367,522			$	209,698
Voyage expenses (in thousands)		36,305				15,579				114,855				25,321
Charter hire expenses (in thousands)		302				-				1,534				-
		75,578				59,339				251,133				184,377
Total available days for owned fleet		5,710				5,514				22,099				21,759
Total TCE rate	$	13,237			$	10,761			$	11,364			$	8,474

10. We define daily vessel operating expenses to include crew wages and related costs, the cost of insurance expenses relating to repairs and maintenance (excluding drydocking), the costs of spares and consumable stores, tonnage taxes and other miscellaneous expenses. Daily vessel operating expenses are calculated by dividing vessel operating expenses by ownership days for the relevant period.

Debt Overview

Debt outstanding as of December 31, 2018, gross of unamortized debt issuance costs and inclusive of the current portion of long-term debt, amounted to $551 million. On February 28, 2019, we entered into an amendment to our $460 Million Credit Facility providing an additional tranche of up to $35 million to cover up to 90% of the expenses related to the acquisition and installation of scrubbers on our 17 Capesize vessels. Borrowings under the $35 million tranche will bear interest at LIBOR plus 250 basis points through September 30, 2019 and LIBOR plus a range of 225 to 275 basis points thereafter.

					December 31, 2018				December 31, 2017
Long-term debt, net consists of the following:
Principal amount					$	551,420			$	519,083
PIK interest						-				5,341
Less: Unamortized debt issuance costs						(16,272	)			(9,032	)
Less: Current portion						(66,320	)			(24,497	)
Long-term debt, net					$	468,828			$	490,895
	December 31, 2018								December 31, 2017
	Principal				Unamortized Debt Issuance Cost				Principal				Unamortized Debt Issuance Cost
$460 Million Credit Facility	$	445,000			$	14,423			$	-			$	-
$108 Million Credit Facility		106,420				1,849				-				-
$400 Million Credit Facility		-				-				399,600				6,332
$98 Million Credit Facility		-				-				93,939				1,370
2014 Term Loan Facilities		-				-				25,544				1,330
PIK interest		-				-				5,341				-
	$	551,420			$	16,272			$	524,424			$	9,032

About Genco Shipping & Trading Limited

Genco Shipping & Trading Limited transports iron ore, coal, grain, steel products and other drybulk cargoes along worldwide shipping routes. As of March 5, 2019, Genco Shipping & Trading Limited’s fleet consists of 17 Capesize, two Panamax, six Ultramax, 20 Supramax and 13 Handysize vessels with an aggregate capacity of approximately 5,075,000 dwt.

The following table reflects Genco’s fleet list as of March 5, 2019:

		Vessel	DWT	Year Built
Capesize
1		Genco Resolute	181,060	2015
2		Genco Endeavour	181,060	2015
3		Genco Constantine	180,183	2008
4		Genco Augustus	180,151	2007
5		Genco Liberty	180,032	2016
6		Genco Defender	180,021	2016
7		Baltic Lion	179,185	2012
8		Genco Tiger	179,185	2011
9		Genco London	177,833	2007
10		Baltic Wolf	177,752	2010
11		Genco Titus	177,729	2007
12		Baltic Bear	177,717	2010
13		Genco Tiberius	175,874	2007
14		Genco Commodus	169,098	2009
15		Genco Hadrian	169,025	2008
16		Genco Maximus	169,025	2009
17		Genco Claudius	169,001	2010
Panamax
1		Genco Thunder	76,588	2007
2		Genco Raptor	76,499	2007
Ultramax
1		Baltic Hornet	63,574	2014
2		Baltic Mantis	63,470	2015
3		Baltic Scorpion	63,462	2015
4		Baltic Wasp	63,389	2015
5		Genco Weatherly	61,556	2014
6		Genco Columbia	60,294	2016
Supramax
1		Genco Hunter	58,729	2007
2		Genco Auvergne	58,020	2009
3		Genco Rhone	58,018	2011
4		Genco Ardennes	58,018	2009
5		Genco Brittany	58,018	2010
6		Genco Languedoc	58,018	2010
7		Genco Pyrenees	58,018	2010
8		Genco Bourgogne	58,018	2010
9		Genco Aquitaine	57,981	2009
10		Genco Warrior	55,435	2005
11		Genco Predator	55,407	2005
12		Genco Provence	55,317	2004
13		Genco Picardy	55,257	2005
14		Genco Normandy	53,596	2007
15		Baltic Jaguar	53,474	2009
16		Baltic Leopard	53,447	2009
17		Baltic Cougar	53,432	2009
18		Genco Loire	53,430	2009
19		Genco Lorraine	53,417	2009
20		Baltic Panther	53,351	2009
Handysize
1		Genco Spirit	34,432	2011
2		Genco Mare	34,428	2011
3		Genco Ocean	34,409	2010
4		Baltic Wind	34,409	2009
5		Baltic Cove	34,403	2010
6		Genco Avra	34,391	2011
7		Baltic Breeze	34,386	2010
8		Genco Bay	34,296	2010
9		Baltic Hare	31,887	2009
10		Baltic Fox	31,883	2010
11		Genco Champion	28,445	2006
12		Genco Challenger	28,428	2003
13		Genco Charger	28,398	2005

Conference Call Announcement

Genco Shipping & Trading Limited will hold a conference call on Tuesday, March 5, 2019 at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time to discuss its 2018 fourth quarter financial results. The conference call and a presentation will be simultaneously webcast and will be available on the Company’s website, www.GencoShipping.com. To access the conference call, dial (334) 323-0522 or (877) 260-1479 and enter passcode 6651935. A replay of the conference call can also be accessed for two weeks by dialing (888) 203-1112 or (719) 457-0820 and entering the passcode 6651935. The Company intends to place additional materials related to the earnings announcement, including a slide presentation, on its website prior to the conference call.

Website Information

We intend to use our website, www.GencoShipping.com, as a means of disclosing material non-public information and for complying with our disclosure obligations under Regulation FD. Such disclosures will be included in our website’s Investor Relations section. Accordingly, investors should monitor the Investor Relations portion of our website, in addition to following our press releases, SEC filings, public conference calls, and webcasts. To subscribe to our e-mail alert service, please click the “Receive E-mail Alerts” link in the Investor Relations section of our website and submit your email address.  The information contained in, or that may be accessed through, our website is not incorporated by reference into or a part of this document or any other report or document we file with or furnish to the SEC, and any references to our website are intended to be inactive textual references only.

"Safe Harbor" Statement Under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995

This presentation contains forward-looking statements made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements use words such as “anticipate,” “budget,” “estimate,” “expect,” “project,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” and other words and terms of similar meaning in connection with a discussion of potential future events, circumstances or future operating or financial performance. These forward-looking statements are based on management’s current expectations and observations. Included among the factors that, in our view, could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward looking statements contained in this report are the following: (i) declines or sustained weakness in demand in the drybulk shipping industry; (ii) continuation of weakness or declines in drybulk shipping rates; (iii) changes in the supply of or demand for drybulk products, generally or in particular regions; (iv) changes in the supply of drybulk carriers including newbuilding of vessels or lower than anticipated scrapping of older vessels; (v) changes in rules and regulations applicable to the cargo industry, including, without limitation, legislation adopted by international organizations or by individual countries and actions taken by regulatory authorities; (vi) increases in costs and expenses including but not limited to: crew wages, insurance, provisions, lube, oil, bunkers, repairs, maintenance and general, administrative, and management fee expenses; (vii) whether our insurance arrangements are adequate; (viii) changes in general domestic and international political conditions; (ix) acts of war, terrorism, or piracy; (x) changes in the condition of the Company’s vessels or applicable maintenance or regulatory standards (which may affect, among other things, our anticipated drydocking or maintenance and repair costs) and unanticipated drydock expenditures; (xi) the Company’s acquisition or disposition of vessels; (xii) the amount of offhire time needed to complete repairs on vessels and the timing and amount of any reimbursement by our insurance carriers for insurance claims, including offhire days; (xiii) the completion of definitive documentation with respect to charters; (xiv) charterers’ compliance with the terms of their charters in the current market environment; (xv) the extent to which our operating results continue to be affected by weakness in market conditions and charter rates; (xvi) our ability to maintain contracts that are critical to our operation, to obtain and maintain acceptable terms with our vendors, customers and service providers and to retain key executives, managers and employees; (xvii) the completion of documentation for vessel transactions and the performance of the terms thereof by buyers or sellers of vessels and us; (xviii) the terms of definitive documentation for the purchase and installation of scrubbers and our ability to have scrubbers installed within the price range and time frame anticipated; (xix) our ability to obtain any additional financing we may seek for scrubbers on acceptable terms; (xx) the relative cost and availability of low sulfur and high sulfur fuel or any additional scrubbers we may seek to install; (xxi) our ability to realize the economic benefits or recover the cost of the scrubbers we plan to install; (xxii) worldwide compliance with IMO 2020 regulations and other factors listed from time to time in our public filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission including, without limitation, the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017 and our subsequent reports on Form 10-Q and Form 8-K. Our ability to pay dividends in any period will depend upon various factors, including the limitations under any credit agreements to which we may be a party, applicable provisions of Marshall Islands law and the final determination by the Board of Directors each quarter after its review of our financial performance. The timing and amount of dividends, if any, could also be affected by factors affecting cash flows, results of operations, required capital expenditures, or reserves.  As a result, the amount of dividends actually paid may vary.  We do not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward‑looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

CONTACT:Apostolos ZafoliasChief Financial OfficerGenco Shipping & Trading Limited(646) 443-8550