LIMASSOL, Cyprus, May 16, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Castor Maritime Inc. (NASDAQ:CTRM) ("Castor" or the "Company"), a diversified global shipping company, today announced its results for the three months ended March 31, 2024. Earnings Highlights of the First Quarter Ended March 31, 2024: Total vessel revenues from continuing operations: $20.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024, as compared to $24.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023, or a 16.7% decrease; Net income from continuing operations of $22.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024, as compared to net loss from continuing operations of $(6.5) million for the three months ended March 31, 2023, or a 443.1% increase; Net income of $22.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024, as compared to net income of $10.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023, or a 106.5% increase; Earnings / (loss) per common share, basic from continuing operations: $2.23 per share for the three months ended March 31, 2024, as compared to $(0.69) per share for the three months ended March 31, 2023; EBITDA from continuing operations(1): $26.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024, as compared to $1.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023; Adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations(1): $16.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024, as compared to $9.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023; Cash and restricted cash from continuing operations of $165.2 million as of March 31, 2024, as compared to $120.9 million as of December 31, 2023. (1) EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are not recognized measures under United States generally accepted accounting principles ("U.S. GAAP"). Please refer to Appendix B for the definition and reconciliation of these measures to Net income / (loss), the most directly comparable financial measure calculated and presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Management Commentary First Quarter 2024: Mr. Petros Panagiotidis, Chief Executive Officer of Castor commented: "In the first quarter of 2024 we observed a recovery in the dry cargo market, which, along with a number of vessel sales announced in earlier months, resulted in robust cash flows for the quarter. "In April, in order to provide greater clarity as to our capital structure, we launched a tender offer for the vast majority of our outstanding warrants. This follows a number of private purchases that we completed in the fourth quarter in 2023 for the warrants subject of this tender offer, as well as other warrants outstanding at the time. "We enjoy a strong balance sheet and we remain committed to our growth trajectory by seeking further opportunities in the shipping space, including opportunities to modernize our fleet." Earnings Commentary: First Quarter ended March 31, 2024, and 2023 Results Total vessel revenues from continuing operations for the three months ended March 31, 2024, decreased to $20.4 million from $24.5 million in the same period of 2023. This variation was mainly driven by the decrease in our Available Days (defined below) from 1,980 days in the three months ended March 31, 2023, to 1,441 days in the three months ended March 31, 2024, following the sale of three dry bulk vessels during the three months ended March 31, 2024 and the sale of five dry bulk vessels from the second to fourth quarters of 2023. This decrease in Available Days was partially offset by an increase in prevailing charter rates of our dry bulk vessels. There was a decrease in voyage expenses from continuing operations to $1.1 million in the three months ended March 31, 2024, from $1.3 million in the same period of 2023, which was mainly associated with a decrease in bunkers consumption. Vessel operating expenses from continuing operations decreased by $3.2 million to $8.1 million in the three months ended March 31, 2024 from $11.3 million in the same period of 2023, mainly reflecting the decrease in the Ownership Days of our fleet to 1,441 days in the three months ended March 31, 2024, from 1,980 days in the same period in 2023. Management fees for continuing operations in the three months ended March 31, 2024, amounted to $1.4 million, whereas in the same period of 2023, management fees totaled $1.8 million. This decrease in management fees is due to the decrease in the total number of Ownership Days for which our managers charge us a daily management fee following the sales of the dry bulk vessels mentioned above, partly offset by the management fee adjustment for inflation under our Amended and Restated Master Management Agreement, with effect from July 1, 2023. The decrease in depreciation and amortization costs by $1.9 million to $3.9 million in the three months ended March 31, 2024, from $5.8 million in the same period of 2023, mainly reflects the decrease in our Ownership Days following the sale of three dry bulk vessels during the three months ended March 31, 2024 and the sale of five dry bulk vessels from the second to fourth quarters of 2023. General and administrative expenses from continuing operations in the three months ended March 31, 2024, amounted to $1.9 million, whereas, in the same period of 2023, general and administrative expenses totaled $1.1 million. This increase mainly stemmed from higher professional fees during the period. Gain on sale of vessels from continuing operations in the three months ended March 31, 2024, amounted to $7.9 million following the sales of: (i) M/V Magic Moon on January 16, 2024, (ii) M/V Magic Nova on March 11, 2024 and (iii) M/V Magic Orion on March 22, 2024. During the three months ended March 31, 2024, we incurred net interest costs and finance costs from continuing operations amounting to $0.6 million compared to $2.3 million during the same period in 2023. The decrease is due to the drop in our weighted average indebtedness, as well as an increase in interest income we earned from our time and cash deposits, due to increased interest rates, as partially offset by a higher weighted average interest rate in our borrowings, as a result of the increase in the variable benchmark rates during the three months ended March 31, 2024, as compared with the same period of 2023. Other income, net from continuing operations in the three months ended March 31, 2024, amounted to $11.1 million, which includes (i) an unrealized gain of $9.9 million from revaluing our investments in listed equity securities at period end market rates, (ii) dividend income on equity securities of $0.8 million and (iii) dividend income of $0.4 million from our investment in 140,000 1.00% Series A Fixed Rate Cumulative Perpetual Convertible Preferred Shares of Toro (the "Toro Series A Preferred Shares"). Other expenses, net in the three months ended March 31, 2023 amounted to $7.3 million and mainly included (i) an unrealized loss of $7.7 million from revaluing our investments in listed equity securities at period end market rates, (ii) dividend income on equity securities of $0.3 million and (iii) dividend income of $0.1 million from our investment in the Toro Series A Preferred Shares. Recent Financial Developments Commentary: Warrants tender offer On April 22, 2024, we commenced a tender offer (the "Offer") to purchase all of our outstanding Common Share Purchase Warrants issued on April 7, 2021 (the "Warrants") at a price of $0.105 per Warrant, net to the seller in cash, without interest. Payments made pursuant to the Offer will be rounded down to the nearest whole cent. The purpose of the Offer is to reduce the number of shares that would become outstanding upon the exercise of the Warrants, thereby providing investors and potential investors with greater clarity as to our capital structure. The Offer will expire at the end of the day, 5:00 P.M., Eastern time, on Friday, May 31, 2024, unless extended. The Warrants are exercisable in the aggregate into 1,033,077 of our common shares, par value $0.001 per share (the "warrant shares"), at an exercise price per warrant share of $55.30. The number of warrant shares and this exercise price reflect adjustments as a result of the 1-for-10 reverse stock split discussed above. Liquidity/ Financing/Cash flow update Our consolidated cash position (including our restricted cash) from continuing operations as of March 31, 2024, increased by $44.3 million to $165.2 million, as compared to our cash position on December 31, 2023, which amounted to $120.9 million. The increase was mainly the result of: (i) $11.3 million of net operating cash flows received during the three months ended March 31, 2024, (ii) $43.8 million inflow of net proceeds from the sales of the M/V Magic Moon, M/V Magic Nova and M/V Magic Orion and from advance deposits of $4.95 million received relating to the sale of the M/V Magic Nebula, M/V Magic Venus and M/V Magic Horizon, offset by $3.8 million of cash outflow from the purchase of equity securities, (iii) $0.6 million of dividends paid on the Series D Preferred Shares and (iv) $11.4 million for scheduled principal repayments and early prepayments due to sale of vessels, on our debt. As of March 31, 2024, our total debt from continuing operations, gross of unamortized deferred loan fees, was $75.2 million, of which $26.6 million is repayable within one year, as compared to $86.6 million of gross total debt as of December 31, 2023, a decline mainly due to prepayments in connection with vessel dispositions. Recent Business Developments Commentary: Nasdaq Listing Standards Compliance Update On April 20, 2023, we received a notification from the Nasdaq Stock Market ("Nasdaq") that the Company was not in compliance with the minimum $1.00 per share bid price requirement for continued listing on the Nasdaq Capital Market and we were provided with 180 calendar days to regain compliance with the Nasdaq Capital Market minimum bid price requirement. On October 19, 2023, we announced that we received a notification letter on October 18, 2023 from the Nasdaq granting us an additional 180-day extension to April 15, 2024 to regain compliance with Nasdaq's minimum bid price requirement. On March 27, 2024, we effected a 1-for-10 reverse stock split of our common stock for the purpose of regaining compliance with the Nasdaq minimum bid price requirement pursuant to the authority granted to our board of directors by our shareholders. As a result of the reverse stock split, the number of outstanding shares was decreased to 9,662,354 common shares as of March 27, 2024, while the par value of our common shares remained unchanged at $0.001 per share. On April 11, 2024, we received written confirmation from Nasdaq that we had regained compliance with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5550(a)(2). All share and per share amounts, as well as warrant shares eligible for purchase under the Company's effective warrant schemes have been retroactively adjusted to reflect the reverse stock split. Vessel Sales On November 10, 2023, we entered into an agreement with an unaffiliated third party for the sale of the M/V Magic Moon, a 2005-built Panamax, at a price of $11.8 million. The vessel was delivered to its new owners on January 16, 2024. We recognized during the first quarter of 2024 a net gain on the sale of the M/V Magic Moon of approximately $2.4 million. On December 7, 2023, we entered into an agreement with an unaffiliated third party for the sale of the M/V Magic Orion, a 2006-built Capesize, at a price of $17.4 million. The vessel was delivered to its new owners on March 22, 2024. We recognized during the first quarter of 2024 a net gain on the sale of the M/V Magic Orion of approximately $1.4 million. On December 21, 2023, we entered into an agreement with an entity affiliated with a family member of our Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer for the sale of the M/V Magic Venus, a 2010-built Kamsarmax, at a price of $17.5 million. The terms of the transaction were negotiated and approved by a special committee of our disinterested and independent directors. The vessel was delivered to its new owners on May 10, 2024. We expect to recognize during the second quarter of 2024 a net gain of approximately $3.5 million, excluding any transaction-related costs. On January 19, 2024, we entered into an agreement with an entity beneficially owned by a family member of our Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer for the sale of the M/V Magic Horizon, a 2010-built Panamax, at a price of $15.8 million. The terms of the transaction were negotiated and approved by a special committee of our disinterested and independent directors. The vessel is expected to be delivered to its new owners during the second quarter of 2024. We expect to recognize during the second quarter of 2024 a net gain of approximately $4.6 million, excluding any transaction-related costs. On January 19, 2024, we entered into an agreement with an entity beneficially owned by a family member of our Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer for the sale of the M/V Magic Nova, a 2010-built Panamax, at a price of $16.1 million. The terms of the transaction were negotiated and approved by a special committee of our disinterested and independent directors. The vessel was delivered to its new owners on March 11, 2024. We recognized during the first quarter of 2024 a net gain of approximately $4.1 million. On February 15, 2024, we entered into an agreement with an entity affiliated with a family member of our Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer for the sale of the M/V Magic Nebula, a 2010-built Kamsarmax, at a price of $16.2 million. The terms of the transaction were negotiated and approved by a special committee of our disinterested and independent directors. The vessel was delivered to its new owners on April 18, 2024. We expect to recognize during the second quarter of 2024 a net gain of approximately $2.5 million, excluding any transaction-related costs. On May 1, 2024, we entered into an agreement with an unaffiliated third party for the sale of the M/V Magic Vela, a 2011-built Panamax, at a price of $16.4 million. The vessel is expected to be delivered to its new owners during the second quarter of 2024. We expect to recognize during the second quarter of 2024 a net gain of approximately $2.7 million, excluding any transaction-related costs. Fleet Employment Status (as of May 15, 2024) During the three months ended March 31, 2024, we operated on average 15.8 vessels earning a Daily TCE Rate(2) of $13,411 as compared to an average of 22.0 vessels earning a Daily TCE Rate(2) of $11,713 during the same period in 2023. Our employment profile as of May 15, 2024 is presented immediately below. (2) Daily TCE Rate is not a recognized measure under U.S. GAAP. Please refer to Appendix B for the definition and reconciliation of this measure to Total vessel revenues, the most directly comparable financial measure calculated and presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Dry Bulk Carriers Vessel Name Type Capacity (dwt) Year Built Country of Construction Type of Employment(1) Daily Gross Charter Rate Estimated Redelivery Date Earliest Latest Magic Thunder Kamsarmax 83,375 2011 Japan TC period $16,200 per day(3) Sep-24 -(11) Magic Perseus Kamsarmax 82,158 2013 Japan TC period $16,300 per day(4) Sep-24 -(11) Magic Starlight Kamsarmax 81,048 2015 China TC period $14,600 per day(5) Jun-24 -(12) Magic Mars Panamax 76,822 2014 Korea TC period $14,750 per day(6) May-24 -(12) Magic Horizon (2) Panamax 76,619 2010 Japan TC period $17,450 per day (7) Mar-24 -(13) Magic P Panamax 76,453 2004 Japan TC period $15,150 per day(8) May-24 -(12) Magic Vela(2) Panamax 75,003 2011 China TC period 95% of BPI4TC (9) May-24 Aug-24 Magic Eclipse Panamax 74,940 2011 Japan TC period 100% of BPI4TC May-24 Aug-24 Magic Pluto Panamax 74,940 2013 Japan TC period $18,150 per day (10) Sep-24 -(11) Magic Callisto Panamax 74,930 2012 Japan TC period 101% BPI4TC Apr-24 Jul-24   Containerships Vessel Name Type Capacity (dwt) YearBuilt Country of Construction Type of Employment Daily Gross Charter Rate ($/day) Estimated Redelivery Date Earliest Latest Ariana A Containership 38,117 2005 Germany TC period $16,000 May-24 Jun-24(14) Gabriela A Containership 38,121 2005 Germany TC period $17,000 Feb-25 May-25 (1)   TC stands for time charter. (2)   We agreed to sell the M/V Magic Horizon and M/V Magic Vela on January 19, 2024, and May 1, 2024, respectively. The vessels are still employed under their existing charter parties and are each expected to be delivered to their new owners during the second quarter of 2024. (3)   The vessel's daily gross charter rate is equal to 97% of BPI5TC(15). In accordance with the prevailing charter party, on January 19, 2024, we converted the index-linked rate to fixed from April 1, 2024 until June 30, 2024 at a rate of $16,200 per day. Thereafter, the rate will be converted back to index-linked. (4)   The vessel's daily gross charter rate is equal to 100% of BPI5TC. In accordance with the prevailing charter party, on January 17, 2024, we converted the index-linked rate to fixed from April 1, 2024, until June 30, 2024, at a rate of $16,300 per day. Thereafter, the rate will be converted back to index-linked. (5)   The vessel's daily gross charter rate is equal to 98% of BPI5TC. In accordance with the prevailing charter party, on January 12, 2024, we converted the index-linked rate to fixed from April 1, 2024 until June 30, 2024 at a rate of $14,600 per day. Thereafter, the rate will be converted back to index-linked. (6)