COPENHAGEN, Denmark, March 13, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- "2012 proved challenging for shipping in general and in particular TORM faced uncertainty for a prolonged period. On a positive note, TORM succeeded in achieving a financial restructuring, which brings stability to the Company for the coming period. The Board of Directors is con-fident that TORM together with its most important stakeholders will re-establish the foundation for a stronger company going forward," says Chairman of the Board Flemming Ipsen.
  • In 2012, the Company incurred a loss before tax of USD 579 million. This is clearly unsatisfactory and impacted by special items of USD -326 million including restructuring costs of USD 210 million, impairment loss from assets held for sale of USD 74 million, an impairment loss of USD 42 million related to FR8. The performance is in line with the revised forecast of 27 February 2013.  
  • Throughout 2012, the Tanker Division's earnings were negatively impacted by low freight rates and continued tonnage oversupply in the global product tanker market. The continued European financial crisis and a slowdown in GDP growth in China and the USA negatively affected global indicators. Combined, these factors led to a slowdown in global oil consumption, consequently adversely impacting oil product transportation. The Tanker Division's result was to a significant degree adversely affected by TORM's financial situation in 2012.  
  • During 2012, dry bulk freight rates continued to be volatile and under pressure. The dry bulk spot market stayed volatile due to seasonality and events such as the drought during the US grain season, the Indonesian raw material export ban and the tropical storms Isaac and Sandy. In 2012, the bulk market saw the highest level of newbuilding deliveries ever recorded. However, demand from China continued to be strong. The Bulk Division experienced a high number of waiting days in 2012 due to the Company's challenging financial situation.  
  • The Company's 2012 performance was negatively impacted by a USD 16 million net loss from the sale of TORM Lana and the cancellation of one product tanker newbuilding contract. In addition, there was a loss of USD 10 million from the termination of finance lease vessels in connection with the restructuring. Five MR vessels are accounted for as assets held for sale with an impairment charge of USD 74 million.  
  • As stated in company announcements no. 31 dated 2 October 2012 and no. 32 and no. 33 dated 5 November 2012, TORM entered into a Restructuring Agreement with its banks and time charter partners that secured the Company deferral of bank debt, new liquidity and substantial savings from the restructured time charter book. The receivable that the time charter partners were given for the amended contractual conditions as well as a fee to the banks, estimated at a total net present value of USD 200 million, has been converted into shares in TORM, corresponding to 90% of the shares in the Company. Consequently, the existing shareholders retained an ownership interest of 10%.  
  • As of 31 December 2012, cash totaled USD 28 million and undrawn credit facilities amounted to USD 42 million. TORM has no newbuilding order book and therefore no CAPEX commitments related hereto.  
  • The book value of the fleet excluding finance lease vessels as of 31 December 2012 was USD 1,934 million. Based on broker valuations, TORM's fleet excluding finance lease vessels had a market value of USD 1,145 million as of 31 December 2012. In accordance with IFRS, TORM estimates the fleet's total long-term earning potential each quarter based on discounted future cash flows. The estimated value of the fleet as of 31 December 2012 supports the carrying amount.  
  • As of 31 December 2012, net interest-bearing debt amounted to USD 1,868 million.  
  • As of 31 December 2012, equity amounted to USD 267 million (DKK 1,513 million), corresponding to USD 0.4 per share (DKK 2.1) excluding treasury shares, resulting in an equity ratio of 11%.  
  • As of 31 December 2012, 8% of the total earning days in the Tanker Division for 2013 were covered at a rate of USD/day 15,126 and 66% of the total earning days in the Bulk Division at USD/day 13,155.  
  • For the full year 2013, TORM forecasts a loss before tax of USD 100-150 million before potential vessel sales and impairment charges. TORM expects to remain in compliance with the financial covenants for 2013. In addition, TORM expects to be operational cash flow positive after interest payment. The uncertainties and sensitivities about freight rates and asset prices may have an effect on the Company's compliance with the financial covenants. As 24,676 earning days are uncovered at year-end 2012, a change in freight rates of USD/day 1,000 would impact profit before tax by USD 25 million.  
  • The Board of Directors proposes that no dividend be distributed for 2012.

Safe Harbor statements as to the future

Matters discussed in this release may constitute forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements reflect our current views with respect to future events and financial performance and may include statements concerning plans, objectives, goals, strategies, future events or performance, and underlying assumptions and statements other than statements of historical facts. The forward-looking statements in this release are based upon various assumptions, many of which are based, in turn, upon further assumptions, including without limitation, management's examination of historical operating trends, data contained in our records and other data available from third parties. Although TORM 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 our control, TORM cannot guarantee that it will achieve or accomplish these expectations, beliefs or projections.

Important factors that, in our view, could cause actual results to differ materially from those discussed in the forward- looking statements include the strength of the world economy and currencies, changes in charter hire rates and vessel values, changes in demand for "tonne miles" of oil carried by oil tankers, the effect of changes in OPEC's petroleum production levels and worldwide oil consumption and storage, changes in demand that may affect attitudes of time charterers to scheduled and unscheduled dry-docking, changes in TORM's operating expenses, including bunker prices, dry-docking and insurance costs, changes in the regulation of shipping operations, including requirements for double hull tankers or actions taken by regulatory authorities, potential liability from pending or future litigation, domestic and international political conditions, potential disruption of shipping routes due to accidents and political events or acts by terrorists.

Risks and uncertainties are further described in reports filed by TORM with the US Securities and Exchange Commission, including the TORM Annual Report on Form 20-F and its reports on Form 6-K. Forward-looking statements are based on management's current evaluation, and TORM is only under an obligation to update and change the listed expectations to the extent required by law.