MONACO, April 29, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Safe Bulkers, Inc. (the "Company") (NYSE:SB), an international provider of marine drybulk transportation services, announced today its unaudited financial results for the three month periods ended March 31, 2024. The Board of Directors of the Company also declared a cash dividend of $0.05 per share of outstanding common stock. Financial highlights         In million U.S. Dollars except per share data Q1 2024 Q4 2023 Q3 2023 Q2 2023 Q1 2023 Net revenues 81.7 82.3 64.7 70.6       66.8 Net income       25.3 27.6 15.0 15.4       19.3 Adjusted Net income1       24.2 29.5 11.1 15.3       14.2 EBITDA2       47.9 48.8 34.8 34.4       38.2 Adjusted EBITDA 2       46.8 50.7 30.9 34.3       33.1 Earnings per share basic and diluted3       0.21 0.23 0.12 0.12       0.15 Adjusted earnings per share basic and diluted 3       0.20 0.25 0.08 0.12       0.10                         Average daily results in U.S. Dollars         Time charter equivalent rate4   18,158 18,321 14,861 17,271   15,760 Daily vessel operating expenses5     5,442 4,642 5,357 6,477     5,550 Daily vessel operating expenses excluding dry-docking and pre-delivery expenses6     5,038 4,232 4,720 5,224     5,132 Daily general and administrative expenses7     1,513 1,473 1,453 1,435     1,493             _______________1 Adjusted Net income is a non-GAAP measure. Adjusted Net income represents Net income before impairment and loss on vessels held for sale, gain/(loss) on sale of assets, gain/(loss) on derivatives, early redelivery income/(cost), other operating expense and gain/(loss) on foreign currency. See Table 3.2 EBITDA is a non-GAAP measure and represents Net income plus net interest expense, tax, depreciation and amortization. See Table 3. Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP measure and represents EBITDA before gain/(loss) on derivatives, early redelivery income/(cost), other operating expenses and gain/(loss) on foreign currency. See Table 3.3 Earnings per share ("EPS") and Adjusted EPS represent Net Income and Adjusted Net income less preferred dividend divided by the weighted average number of shares respectively. See Table 3.4 Time charter equivalent ("TCE") rate represents charter revenues less commissions and voyage expenses divided by the number of available days. See Table 4.5 Daily vessel operating expenses are calculated by dividing vessel operating expenses for the relevant period by the number of ownership days for such period. See Table 4.6 Daily vessel operating expenses excluding dry-docking and pre-delivery expenses are calculated by dividing vessel operating expenses excluding dry-docking and pre-delivery expenses for the relevant period by the number of ownership days for such period. See Table 4.7 Daily general and administrative expenses are calculated by dividing general and administrative expenses for the relevant period by the number of ownership days for such period. See Table 4. Selected financial highlights           In million U.S. Dollars Q1 2024 Q4 2023 Q3 2023 Q2 2023 Q1 2023 Total cash8       87.1 98.8 83.3 88.5       98.7 Undrawn revolving credit facilities9     129.2 131.5 148.0 128.5     109.0 Financing commitments10          — 55.5 51.0 80.7     148.2 Unsecured debt11     107.9 108.6 103.8 106.7     106.5 Secured debt12     426.4 398.6 336.9 339.0     316.0 Total debt13     534.3 507.2 440.7 445.7     422.5 Number of vessels at period end          47 46 45 45          44 Average age of fleet     10.04 10.19 10.59 10.60     10.59 Net debt per vessel14         9.5 8.9 7.9 7.9         7.4 Management Commentary Dr. Loukas Barmparis, President of the Company, said: "During the first quarter of 2024, we operated in a relatively stronger market compared to the previous year. Having comfortable liquidity and leverage, and consistent with our ESG strategy, we placed an additional order for a Phase 3 newbuild, continued the renewal of our fleet by selling three of our older vessels, repurchased 4.9 million shares of our common stock and at the same time declared a dividend of five cents per share of common stock. We are focused to create long-term value for our shareholders by maintaining a strong capital structure together with the development of a young, modern and energy efficient fleet, with operational competitive advantage ahead of forthcoming stringent environmental regulations." Environmental investments - Dry-dockings The Company is gradually renewing its fleet with newbuilds designed to meet the most recent International Maritime Organization (the "IMO") regulations related to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions (the "IMO GHG Phase 3") and of nitrogen oxides emissions (the "IMO NOx Tier III"), and selectively selling older vessels. As of April 19, 2024, the newbuild program consists of 16 vessels in the aggregate, including contracts for two methanol dual-fueled Kamsarmax newbuilds. Nine of such newbuild vessels have already been delivered to us. The aggregate capital expenditure of the newbuild program is approximately $579.5 million, of which $200.6 million is remaining to be paid. Furthermore, the Company is continuing the environmental upgrade program of its existing fleet, targeting increased energy efficiency and lower fuel consumption, which is expected to reduce GHG emissions. As of April 19, 2024, 20 existing vessels in total have been upgraded. The cost of low friction paint applications that are part of the environmental upgrades is recorded as operating expenses, while the cost of energy saving devices is capitalized and recorded as capital expenditures. During the first quarter of 2024, the Company has completed environmental upgrades on two vessels, namely the Agios Spyridonas and the Venus Harmony. During the second quarter of 2024, the Company has scheduled six dry-dockings, which include environmental upgrades and the installation of one exhaust gas cleaning device, ("Scrubber"), with 160 estimated aggregate down time days. _______________8 Total Cash represents Cash and cash equivalents plus Time deposits and Restricted cash.9 Undrawn borrowing capacity under revolving reducing credit facilities.10 Secured financing commitments for loan and sale and lease back financings.11 Unsecured debt represents the five-year tenor unsecured non-amortizing bond, net of deferred financing costs, maturing in February 2027.12 Secured debt represents Long-term debt plus current portion of long-term debt, net of deferred financing costs.13 Total Debt represents Unsecured debt plus Secured debt.14 Net debt per vessel represents Total Debt less Total Cash divided by the number of vessels at period's end. Fleet Update As of April 19, 2024, we had a fleet of 46 vessels, two of which were held for sale, consisting of 10 Panamax, 11 Kamsarmax, 17 Post-Panamax and 8 Capesize class vessels, with an aggregate carrying capacity of 4.6 million dwt and an average age of 10.0 years. Eleven vessels in our fleet are eco-ships built 2014 onwards, and nine are IMO GHG Phase 3 - NOx Tier III ships built 2022 onwards. Orderbook In January 2024, the Company entered a contract for the acquisition of one Japanese, 81,800 dwt, Kamsarmax class IMO GHG Phase 3 - NOx Tier III dry-bulk newbuild vessel with scheduled delivery within the third quarter of 2026, sister to newbuilds recently delivered to us. As of April 19, 2024, we had an orderbook of seven IMO GHG Phase 3 - NOx Tier III Kamsarmax class newbuilds, two of which are methanol dual-fueled, with scheduled deliveries, one in 2024, two in 2025, three in 2026 and one in the first quarter of 2027. Subsequent newbuild order On April 25, 2024, the Company entered a contract for the acquisition of one Japanese, 82,000 dwt, Kamsarmax class IMO GHG Phase 3 - NOx Tier III dry-bulk newbuild vessel with scheduled delivery within the fourth quarter of 2026, sister vessel to a number of newbuilds in our orderbook with advanced energy efficiency characteristics resulting to lower fuel consumption. Newbuild deliveries The Company, during the first quarter of 2024 and as of April 19, 2024, took delivery of two Japanese Kamsarmax class IMO GHG Phase 3 - NOx Tier III sister newbuilds, namely the Ammoxostos and the Kerynia. Vessel Sales In November 2023, the Company entered into an agreement for the sale of the Pedhoulas Cherry, a 2015 Chinese-built, Kamsarmax class, dry-bulk vessel at a gross sale price of $26.6 million. The vessel was delivered to her new owners in February 2024. In February 2024, the Company entered into an agreement for the sale of the Maritsa, a 2005 Japanese-built, Panamax class dry-bulk vessel, the oldest vessel in its fleet, at a gross sale price of $12.2 million. The vessel is scheduled to be delivered to her new owners in May 2024. In March 2024, the Company has entered into two separate agreements, for the sale of the Panayiota K, a 2010-built Post-Panamax class dry-bulk vessel, at a gross sale price of $20.5 million, which was delivered to her owners in April 2024, and of the Paraskevi 2, a 2011-built, Panamax class, dry-bulk vessel, at a gross sale price of $20.3 million, which is scheduled to be delivered to her new owners in July 2024. Chartering our Fleet Our vessels are used to transport bulk cargoes, particularly coal, grain and iron ore, along worldwide shipping routes. We intend to employ our vessels on both period time charters and spot time charters, according to our assessment of market conditions. Our customers represent some of the world's largest consumers of marine drybulk transportation services. The vessels we deploy on period time charters provide us with visible and relatively stable cash flows, while the vessels we deploy in the spot market allow us to maintain our flexibility in low charter market conditions as well as provide an opportunity for a potential upside in our revenue when charter market conditions improve. The chartering of our vessels is arranged by our Managers15 without any management commission. During the first quarter of 2024, we operated 47.08 vessels, on average earning a TCE of $18,158, compared to 43.83 vessels earning a TCE of $15,760 during the same period in 2023. As of April 19, 2024, we employed, or had contracted to employ, (i) 9 vessels in the spot time charter market (with up to three months` original duration) and (ii) 38 vessels in the period time charter market (with original duration in excess of three months). Of the vessels chartered in the period time charter market, 12 have an original duration of more than two years. As of April 19, 2024, the average remaining charter duration across our fleet was 0.8 years. As of April 19, 2024, we had contracted revenue of approximately $274.2 million, net of commissions, from our non-cancellable spot and period time charter contracts excluding the Scrubber benefit. During the first quarter of 2024, we took advantage of the strong Capesize charter market to fix forward the Aghia Sofia, upon completion of her current index-linked period time charter expected for September 2024, under a new period time charter with an expected duration of 18 to 20 months at a gross daily charter hire rate of $26,000, whilst we extended the index-linked period time charter of the Maria, which had an initial duration expiring in September 2024, with a period time charter of an expected duration of 48 to 60 months at a gross daily charter hire rate of $25,950, from April 1, 2024. These period time charters are accretive to our revenue generation and add significant cash flow visibility. As of April 19, 2024, all eight of our Capesize class vessels have been chartered in period time charters, seven of which have remaining charter durations exceeding one year. As of April 19, 2024, the average remaining charter duration of our Capesize class vessels was 2.7 years and the average daily charter hire was $24,413, resulting in a contracted revenue of approximately $189.0 million net of commissions, excluding the additional compensation related to the use of Scrubbers. Our contracted fleet employment profile as of April 19, 2024, is presented in Table 1 below. Table 1: Contracted employment profile of fleet ownership days as of April 19, 2024   2024 (remaining) 53 % 2024 (full year) 63 % 2025 20 % 2026 7 % _______________15 Safety Management Overseas S.A., Safe Bulkers Management Monaco Inc., and Safe Bulkers Management Limited, each of which is referred to herein as "our Manager" and collectively "our Managers". Debt As of March 31, 2024, our consolidated debt before deferred financing costs was $534.3 million, including the €100 million - 2.95% p.a. fixed coupon, non-amortizing, unsecured bond issued in February 2022, maturing in February 2027. As of March 31, 2024, our consolidated leverage16 was approximately 34% and our weighted average interest rate during the three-month period ended March 31, 2024 was 6.51% inclusive of the applicable loan margin. During the three-month period ended March 31, 2024, we made scheduled principal payments of $7.0 million, voluntary debt prepayments of $70.7 million and drawings of $25.5 million under a new loan facility, $30.0 million under a new sale and leaseback facility and $43.0 million under our existing revolving facilities. The repayment schedule of our debt as of March 31, 2024, is presented in Table 2 below: Table 2: Loan repayment Schedule as of March 31, 2024(in USD million)   Ending December 31, 2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 2031-2034 Total Secured debt 23.2 71.6 100.9 45.8 46.2 15.4 30.4 92.9 426.4 Unsecured debt 0.0 0.0 0.0 107.9 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 107.9 Total debt 23.2 71.6 100.9 153.7 46.2 15.4 30.4 92.9 534.3 Fleet scrap value17                 337.9                     Liquidity, capital resources, capital expenditure requirements and debt as of March 31, 2024 As of March 31, 2024, we had a fleet of 47 vessels, three of which were held for sale, and an orderbook of seven newbuilds. In relation to our orderbook, we had paid $78.8 million and had $200.6 million of remaining capital expenditure requirements. We had $87.1 million in cash, cash equivalents, bank time deposits and restricted cash and $129.2 million in undrawn borrowing capacity available under existing revolving reducing credit facilities. The aggregate gross sale proceeds of our three held for sale vessels amounted to $53.0 million, with no requirement for any associated debt prepayment. Furthermore, we had contracted revenue of approximately $276.2 million, net of commissions, from our non-cancellable spot and period time charter contracts excluding the Scrubber benefit, and additional borrowing capacity in connection with the financing of seven unencumbered vessels and seven newbuilds upon their delivery. In relation to capital expenditure requirements of the seven newbuilds, the schedule of payments was $36.1 million in 2024, $52.5 million in 2025, $84.2 million in 2026 and $27.8 million in 2027. The scrap value17 of our fleet, excluding our three held for sale vessels, was $337.9 million and the outstanding consolidated debt before deferred financing costs was $534.3 million, including the unsecured bond. _______________16 Consolidated leverage is a non-GAAP measure and represents total consolidated liabilities divided by total consolidated assets. Total consolidated assets are based on the market value of all vessels, as provided by independent broker valuers on quarter-end, owned or leased on a finance lease taking into account their employment, and the book value of all other assets. This measure assists our management and investors by increasing the comparability of our leverage from period to period.17 The fleet scrap value is calculated on the basis of fleet aggregate light weight tons ("lwt"), excluding held for sale vessels, and market scrap rate of $497.5/lwt ton (Clarksons data) on March 31, 2024 and $510.0/lwt ton (Clarksons data) on April 19, 2024. Liquidity, capital resources, capital expenditure requirements and debt as of April 19, 2024 As of April 19, 2024, we had a fleet of 46 vessels, two of which were held for sale, and an orderbook of seven newbuilds. In relation to our orderbook, we paid $78.8 million and had $200.6 million of remaining capital expenditure requirements. We had $81.8 million in cash, cash equivalents, bank time deposits, restricted cash and $164.2 million in undrawn borrowing capacity available under existing revolving reducing credit facilities. The aggregate gross sale proceeds of our two held for sale vessels amounted to $32.5 million. Furthermore, we had contracted revenue of approximately $274.2 million, net of commissions, from our non-cancellable spot and period time charter contracts excluding the Scrubber benefit, and additional borrowing capacity in connection with the financing of seven unencumbered vessels and seven newbuilds upon their delivery. In relation to capital expenditure requirements of the seven newbuilds, the schedule of payments was $36.1 million in 2024, $52.5 million in 2025, $84.2 million in 2026 and $27.8 million in 2027. The scrap value17 of the fleet, excluding our two held for sale vessels, was $346.4 million and the outstanding consolidated debt before deferred financing costs was $492.5 million, including the unsecured bond. Common Stock Repurchase Program In November 2023, the Company authorized a program under which it could from time to time in the future purchase up to 5,000,000 shares of the Company's common stock, representing at that time approximately 4.5% of the shares of the Company's common stock outstanding and 8.1% of its public float. In April 2024, having repurchased and canceled 4,860,953 shares of common stock, the Company terminated the program. All such purchases were made in the open market in compliance with applicable laws and regulations, and purchases on the open market were conducted within the safe harbor provisions of Regulation 10b-18 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Dividend Policy On April 29, 2024, the Board of Directors of the Company declared a cash dividend on the Company's common stock of $0.05 per share which is payable on May 30, 2024 to the shareholders of record of the Company's common stock at the closing of trading on May 17, 2024. As of April 19, 2024, the Company had 106,763,976 shares of common stock issued and outstanding. In April 2024, the Board of Directors of the Company declared a cash dividend of $0.50 per share on each of its Series C preferred shares (NYSE:SB) and Series D preferred shares (NYSE:SB) for the period from January 30, 2024 to April 29, 2024. The dividend will be paid on April 30, 2024, to all shareholders of record as of April 18, 2024 of the Series C Preferred Shares and of the Series D Preferred Shares, respectively. In February 2024, the Board of Directors of the Company declared a cash dividend on the Company's common stock of $0.05 per share which was paid on March 19, 2024 to the shareholders of record of the Company's common stock at the closing of trading on March 1, 2024. In January 2024, the Board of Directors of the Company declared a cash dividend of $0.50 per share on each of its Series C preferred shares (NYSE:SB) and Series D preferred shares (NYSE:SB) for the period from October 30, 2023 to January 29, 2024. The dividend was paid on January 30, 2024, to all shareholders of record as of January 19, 2024 of the Series C Preferred Shares and of the Series D Preferred Shares, respectively. The declaration and payment of dividends, if any, will always be subject to the discretion of the Board of Directors of the Company. There is no guarantee that the Company's Board of Directors will determine to issue cash dividends in the future. The timing and amount of any dividends declared will depend on, among other things: (i) the Company's earnings, fleet employment profile, financial condition and cash requirements and available sources of liquidity; (ii) decisions in relation to the Company's growth, fleet renewal and leverage strategies; (iii) provisions of Marshall Islands and Liberian law governing the payment of dividends; (iv) restrictive covenants in the Company's existing and future debt instruments; and (v) global economic and financial conditions. War in Ukraine As a result of the war between Russia and Ukraine that commenced in February 2022, the US, the EU, the UK, Switzerland and other countries and territories have announced unprecedented levels of sanctions and other measures against Russia and certain Russian entities and nationals. We intend on complying with these requirements and addressing their potential consequences. While we do not have any Ukrainian or Russian crews, our vessels currently do not sail in the Black Sea and we conduct limited operations in Russia, we will continue to monitor the situation to assess whether the conflict could have any impact on our operations or financial performance. Trade disruption in the Red Sea and conflicts in Middle East Following attacks on merchant vessels in the region of the southern end of the Red Sea, there is disruption in the maritime trade and supply chains towards the Mediterranean Sea through the Suez Canal. Since the beginning of this disruption, we have diverted our fleet from sailing in the Red Sea region. The expanded conflicts in the Middle East represent additional geopolitical and economic risks that could increase the volatility of the global economy. While our vessels currently do not sail in the Red Sea, we will continue to monitor the situation to assess whether there will be any impact on our operations which could negatively affect our results of operations and financial condition. Conference Call On Tuesday, April 30, 2024, at 10:00 A.M. Eastern Time, the Company's management team will host a conference call to discuss the Company's financial results. Conference Call Details: Participants should dial into the call 10 minutes before the scheduled time using the following numbers: +1 877 405 1226 (US Toll-Free Dial In) or +1 201 689 7823 (US and Standard International Dial In), or +0 800 756 3429 (UK Toll-Free Dial In). Please quote "Safe Bulkers" to the operator and/or conference ID 13745373. Click here for additional participant International Toll-Free access numbers. Alternatively, participants can register for the call using the call me option for a faster connection to join the conference call. You can enter your phone number and let the system call you right away. Click here for the call me option. Slides and Audio Webcast: There will also be a live, and then archived, webcast of the conference call and accompanying slides, available through the Company's website. To listen to the archived audio file, visit our website www.safebulkers.com and click on Events & Presentations. Participants to the live webcast should register on the website approximately 10 minutes prior to the start of the webcast. Management Discussion of First Quarter 2024 Results During the first quarter of 2024, we operated in a stronger charter market environment compared to the same period in 2023, with increased revenues due to higher charter hires, increased earnings from Scrubber fitted vessels, increased operating expenses and higher interest expenses due to increased interest rates. During the first quarter of 2024, we operated 47.08 vessels on average, earning an average TCE of $18,158 compared to 43.83 vessels earning an average TCE of $15,760 during the same period in 2023. The Company's net income for the first quarter of 2024 was $25.3 million compared to net income of $19.3 million during the same period in 2023. The main factors driving the change in net income are as follows: Net revenues: Net revenues increased by 22% to $81.7 million for the first quarter of 2024, compared to $66.8 million for the same period in 2023. This is due to higher revenues from charter hires and increased revenues earned by our Scrubber fitted vessels as well as due to the increased average number of vessels during the first quarter of 2024. Vessel operating expenses: Vessel operating expenses increased by 6% to $23.3 million for the first quarter of 2024 compared to $21.9 million for the same period in 2023 mainly due to the following factors: (i) spare parts increased to $3.5 million for the first quarter of 2024, compared to $2.4 million for the same period in 2023 due to the increased average number of vessels during the first quarter of 2024 and the forthcoming dry-dockings and (ii) crew wages and crew expenses increased to $10.3 million for the first quarter of 2024, compared to $10.0 million for the same period in 2023, mainly due to the increased average number of vessels during the first quarter of 2024. The Company expenses dry-docking and pre-delivery costs as incurred, which costs may vary from period to period. Excluding dry-docking costs and pre-delivery expenses of $1.7 million and $1.6 million for the first quarter of 2024 and 2023, respectively, vessel operating expenses increased by 6% to $21.6 million during the first quarter of 2024 in comparison to $20.3 million during the same period of 2023. Dry-docking expense is related to the number of dry-dockings in each period and pre-delivery expenses are related to the number of vessel deliveries and second-hand acquisitions in each period. Other shipping companies may defer and amortize dry-docking expense, while many do not include dry-docking expenses within vessel operating expenses costs but present these separately. Depreciation: Depreciation expense increased by $1.4 million, or 11% to $14.4 million for the first quarter of 2024, compared to $13.0 million for the same period in 2023, mainly due to the increased number of vessels during the first quarter of 2024. Voyage expenses: Voyage expenses decreased to $4.9 million for the first quarter of 2024, compared to $5.9 million for the same period in 2023, mainly due to a combination of decreased repositioning expenses and decreased bunker consumption costs for scrubber fitted vessels under charter agreements which provide for variable consideration based on the bunker consumption. Gain on assets sale: Gain on sale of assets decreased to $2.3 million in the first quarter of 2024, as a result of a gain from the sale of Pedhoulas Cherry, compared to $4.6 million as a result of a gain from the sale of Pedhoulas Trader for the same period in 2023. Interest expense: Interest expense increased to $8.3 million in the first quarter of 2024 compared to $5.6 million for the same period in 2023. This change is mainly due to the increased weighted average interest rate of 6.51% during the first quarter of 2024, compared to 4.63% for the same period in 2023, as a result of the higher USD rates environment. Gain/(loss) on derivatives: Loss on derivatives amounted to $2.4 million in the first quarter of 2024 compared to a gain of $1.2 million for the same period in 2023 mainly due to the mark-to-market valuations of our Foreign Exchange Forward contracts and losses realized from Forward Freight agreements. Daily vessel operating expenses: Daily vessel operating expenses, calculated by dividing vessel operating expenses by the ownership days of the relevant period, decreased by 2% to $5,442 for the first quarter of 2024 compared to $5,550 for the same period in 2023. Daily vessel operating expenses excluding dry-docking and predelivery expenses decreased by 2% to $5,038 for the first quarter of 2024 compared to $5,132 for the same period in 2023. Daily general and administrative expenses:18 Daily general and administrative expenses, which include management fees payable to our Managers and daily company administration expenses, increased by 1% to $1,513 for the first quarter of 2024, compared to $1,493 for the same period in 2023, as a result of increased number of vessels during the first quarter of 2024. Balance sheet Assets held for sale: As of March 31, 2024, we had classified the assets directly associated with the vessels Panayiota K, Maritsa and Paraskevi 2 as assets held for sale and presented them on the balance sheet separately under current assets in the amount of $39.0 million, which represented the net book value of the vessels and their inventories. As of December 31, 2023, we had classified the assets directly associated with the vessel Pedhoulas Cherry as assets held for sale and presented them on the balance sheet separately under current assets in the amount of $24.2 million, which represented the net book value of the vessel and her inventories. _______________18 See table 4 Unaudited Interim Financial Information and Other DataSAFE BULKERS, INC.CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (UNAUDITED)(In thousands of U.S. Dollars except for share and per share data)     Three-Months Period Ended March 31,   2023   2024 REVENUES:       Revenues 69,493     84,975   Commissions (2,648 )   (3,306 ) Net revenues            66,845                81,669   EXPENSES:       Voyage expenses (5,931 )   (4,860 ) Vessel operating expenses (21,893 )   (23,312 ) Depreciation (13,011 )   (14,353 ) General and administrative expenses (5,889