UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 20-F
(Mark One)
[_] REGISTRATION STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b) OR (g)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
OR
[X] ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2005
OR
[_] TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from ________________ to _________________
OR
[_] SHELL COMPANY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Date of event requiring this shell company report
---------------------------
For the transition period from
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Commission file number 001-16601
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Frontline Ltd.
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(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
Frontline Ltd.
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(Translation of Registrant's name into English)
Bermuda
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(Jurisdiction of incorporation or organisation)
Par-la-Ville Place, 14 Par-la-Ville Road, Hamilton, HM 08, Bermuda
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(Address of principal executive offices)
Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to section 12(b) of the Act.
Name of each exchange
Title of each class on which registered
Ordinary Shares, $2.50 Par Value New York Stock Exchange
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Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to section 12(g) of the Act.
None
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(Title of class)
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(Title of class)
Securities for which there is a reporting obligation pursuant to Section 15(d)
of the Act.
Ordinary Shares, $2.50 Par Value
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(Title of class)
Indicate the number of outstanding shares of each of the issuer's classes of
capital or common stock as of the close of the period covered by the annual
report.
74,825,169 Ordinary Shares, $2.50 Par Value
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Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as
defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.
Yes [X] No [_]
If this report is an annual or transition report, indicate by check mark if the
registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
Yes [_] No [X]
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required
to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during
the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was
required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing
requirements for the past 90 days.
Yes [X] No [_]
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an
accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of "accelerated
filer and large accelerated filer" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check
one):
Large accelerated filer [X] Accelerated filer [_] Non-accelerated filer [_]
Indicate by check mark which financial statement item the registrant has elected
to follow.
Item 17 [_] Item 18 [X]
If this is an annual report, indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a
shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
Yes [_] No [X]
(APPLICABLE ONLY TO ISSUERS INVOLVED IN BANKRUPTCY
PROCEEDINGS DURING THE PAST FIVE YEARS)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed all documents and
reports required to be filed by Sections 12, 13 or 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 subsequent to the distribution of securities under a plan
confirmed by a court.
Yes [_] No [_]
INDEX TO REPORT ON FORM 20-F
PAGE
PART I
Item 1. Identity of Directors, Senior Management and Advisers ............1
Item 2. Offer Statistics and Expected Timetable ..........................1
Item 3. Key Information...................................................1
Item 4. Information on the Company........................................10
Item 4A. Unresolved Staff Comments.........................................28
Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects......................29
Item 6. Directors, Senior Management and Employees........................47
Item 7. Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions.................49
Item 8. Financial Information.............................................50
Item 9. The Offer and Listing.............................................52
Item 10. Additional Information............................................53
Item 11. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk........64
Item 12. Description of Securities other than Equity Securities............65
PART II
Item 13. Defaults, Dividend Arrearages and
Delinquencies.....................................................66
Item 14. Material Modifications to the Rights of Security
Holders and Use of Proceeds.......................................66
Item 15. Controls and Procedures...........................................66
Item 16A. Audit Committee Financial Expert..................................66
Item 16B. Code of Ethics....................................................66
Item 16C. Principal Accountant Fees.........................................66
Item 16D. Exemptions from the Listing Standards for Audit Committees........67
Item 16E. Purchases of Equity Securities by the Issuer and
Affiliated Purchasers.............................................67
PART III
Item 17. Financial Statements..............................................68
Item 18. Financial Statements..............................................68
Item 19. Exhibits..........................................................68
CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Matters discussed in this report may constitute forward-looking statements. The
Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides safe harbor
protections for forward-looking statements in order to encourage companies to
provide prospective information about their business. Forward-looking statements
include statements concerning plans, objectives, goals, strategies, future
events or performance, and underlying assumptions and other statements, which
are other than statements of historical facts.
Frontline Ltd., or the Company, desires to take advantage of the safe harbor
provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and is
including this cautionary statement in connection with this safe harbor
legislation. This report and any other written or oral statements made by us or
on our behalf may include forward-looking statements, which reflect our current
views with respect to future events and financial performance. When used in this
report, the words "believe," "anticipate," "intend," "estimate," "forecast,"
"project," "plan," "potential," "will," "may," "should," "expect" and similar
expressions identify forward-looking statements.
The forward-looking statements in this report 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 we believe 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, we cannot assure you that we will achieve or accomplish these
expectations, beliefs or projections.
In addition to these important factors and matters discussed elsewhere herein
and in the documents incorporated by reference herein, 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 world
economies, fluctuations in currencies and interest rates, general market
conditions, including fluctuations in charterhire rates and vessel values,
changes in demand in the tanker market, including changes in demand resulting
from changes in OPEC's petroleum production levels and world wide oil
consumption and storage, changes in the Company's operating expenses, including
bunker prices, drydocking and insurance costs, changes in governmental rules and
regulations or actions taken by regulatory authorities, potential liability from
pending or future litigation, general domestic and international political
conditions, potential disruption of shipping routes due to accidents, political
events or acts by terrorists,, and other important factors described from time
to time in the reports filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange
Commission.
PART I
ITEM 1. IDENTITY OF DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND ADVISERS
Not Applicable
ITEM 2. OFFER STATISTICS AND EXPECTED TIMETABLE
Not Applicable
ITEM 3. KEY INFORMATION
Please note: Throughout this report, the "Company," "we," "us" and "our" all
refer to Frontline Ltd. and its subsidiaries. We use the term deadweight ton, or
dwt, in describing the size of vessels. Dwt, expressed in metric tons, each of
which is equivalent to 1,000 kilograms, refers to the maximum weight of cargo
and supplies that a vessel can carry. Unless otherwise indicated, all references
to "USD,""US$" and "$" in this report are to, and amounts are presented in, U.S.
dollars.
A. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
The selected income statement data of the Company with respect to the fiscal
years ended December 31, 2005, 2004 and 2003 and the selected balance sheet data
of the Company with respect to the fiscal years ended December 31, 2005 and 2004
have been derived from the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements included
herein and should be read in conjunction with such statements and the notes
thereto. The selected income statement data with respect to the fiscal years
ended December 31, 2002 and 2001 and the selected balance sheet data with
respect to the fiscal years ended December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001 have been
derived from consolidated financial statements of the Company not included
herein. The following table should also be read in conjunction with Item 5.
"Operating and Financial Review and Prospects" and the Company's Consolidated
Financial Statements and Notes thereto included herein. The income statement
data for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003, 2002 and 2001 has been
restated to reflect discontinued operations as a result of the sale of the
Company's last remaining dry bulk carrier in 2005. This restatement has no
effect on the Company's net income.
Fiscal Year Ended December 31,
2005 2004 2003 2002 2001
(in thousands of $, except Ordinary Shares, per Ordinary Share data and ratios)
Income Statement Data:
Total operating revenues (1) 1,513,833 1,853,570 1,159,439 543,637 714,611
Total operating expenses (1) 717,174 737,532 683,798 450,371 375,758
Net operating income 872,740 1,135,612 481,267 92,038 374,473
Net income from continuing 766,389 970,936 439,518 11,188 327,667
operations before income taxes,
minority interest and cumulative
effect of change in accounting
principle
Net income from continuing 598,054 905,763 439,515 11,210 327,223
operations before cumulative effect
of change in accounting principle
Discontinued operations (2) 8,785 117,619 3,612 (5,967) 23,960
Cumulative effect of change in
accounting principle (3) - - (33,767) (14,142) 31,545
Net income (loss) 606,839 1,023,382 409,360 (8,899) 382,728
Earnings from continuing operations
before cumulative effect of change
in accounting principle per Ordinary
Share
- basic $7.99 $12.21 $5.87 $0.15 $4.27
- diluted $7.99 $12.21 $5.86 $0.15 $4.26
Net income (loss) per Ordinary Share
- basic $8.11 $13.79 $5.47 $(0.12) $4.99
- diluted $8.11 $13.79 $5.45 $(0.12) $4.98
Cash dividends declared per share $6.60 $17.10 $4.55 $0.25 $1.50
Balance Sheet Data (at end of year):
Cash and cash equivalents 100,533 105,702 124,189 92,078 178,176
Newbuildings and vessel purchase 15,927 24,231 8,370 27,405 102,781
options
Vessels and equipment, net 2,584,847 2,254,361 2,165,239 2,373,329 2,196,959
Vessels under capital lease, net 672,608 718,842 765,126 264,902 317,208
Investments in associated companies 10,169 22,955 173,329 119,329 109,898
Total assets 4,567,839 4,338,760 4,463,535 3,034,743 3,033,774
Short-term debt and current portion
of long-term debt 240,191 151,614 191,131 167,807 227,597
Current portion of obligations under
capital lease 25,142 21,498 20,138 13,164 17,127
Long-term debt 2,199,538 1,990,131 2,091,286 1,277,665 1,164,354
Obligations under capital lease 706,279 732,153 753,823 259,527 283,663
Share capital 187,063 187,063 184,120 191,166 191,019
Stockholders' equity 715,166 917,968 1,255,417 1,226,973 1,252,401
Ordinary Shares outstanding 74,825,169 74,825,169 73,647,930 76,466,566 76,407,566
Weighted average ordinary shares
outstanding 74,825,169 74,192,939 74,901,900 76,456,340 76,714,000
Cash Flow Data
Cash provided by (used in) operating 979,774 905,987 523,280 143,805 477,607
activities
Cash provided by (used in) investing
activities (344,737) 178,490 (269,058) (224,673) (103,782)
Cash provided by (used in) financing
activities (640,206) (1,102,964) (233,303) (5,230) (299,163)
Other Financial Data
Equity to assets ratio (percentage) 15.7% 21.2% 28.1% 40.4% 41.3%
(4)
Debt to equity ratio (5) 4.4 3.2 2.4 1.4 1.4
Price earnings ratio (6) 4.7 3.2 4.7 neg 2.1
Net voyage revenues 815,019 1,192,910 766,205 354,356 551,524
Our vessels are operated under time charters, bareboat charters, voyage
charters, pool arrangements and contracts of affreightment ("COAs"). Under a
time charter, the charterer pays substantially all of the vessel voyage costs
which are primarily fuel and port charges. Under a bareboat charter the
charterer pays substantially all of the vessel voyage and operating costs. Under
a voyage charter, the vessel owner pays such costs. Under contracts of
affreightment, the owner carries an agreed upon quantity of cargo over a
specified route and time period. Accordingly, charter income from a voyage
charter would be greater than that from an equally profitable time charter to
take account of the owner's payment of vessel voyage costs, and charter income
from a bareboat charter would be lower than that from an equally profitable time
charter, to take account of the charterer's payment of vessel operating costs.
In order to compare vessels trading under different types of charters, it is
standard industry practice to measure the revenue performance of a vessel in
terms of average daily time charter equivalent earnings, or TCEs. For bareboat
charters this is calculated by dividing the sum of bareboat charter revenues and
an estimate of operating costs that we would pay under a comparable time charter
by the number of days on charter. For voyage charters, this is calculated by
dividing net voyage revenues by the number of days on charter. Days spent
off-hire are excluded from this calculation. Other companies may calculate TCE
using a different method. Net voyage revenues, a non-GAAP measure, provides more
meaningful information to us than voyage revenues, the most directly comparable
GAAP measure. Net voyage revenues are also widely used by investors and analysts
in the tanker shipping industry for comparing financial performance between
companies and to industry averages. The following table reconciles our net
voyage revenues to voyage revenues:
2005 2004 2003 2002 2001
(in thousands of $)
Voyage revenues 1,152,240 1,554,519 1,089,583 489,286 639,807
Voyage expenses and commission (337,221) (361,609) (323,378) (134,930) (88,283)
----------- ------------ ---------- ---------- -----------
Net voyage revenues 815,019 1,192,910 766,205 354,356 551,524
=========== ============ ========== ========== ===========
Notes:
1. Previously we have reported net operating revenues in our income statement
data. Effective December 31, 2003 we have reclassified voyage expenses and
commission as a component of total operating expenses and now report total
operating revenues and total operating expenses.
2. During the years ended December 31, 2005, 2004 and 2002 the Company disposed
of portions of its dry-bulk operations which have been recorded as
discontinued operations in the years ended December 31, 2005, 2004, 2003,
2002 and 2001. These operations were acquired in 2000.
3. In 2003, the Company adopted FIN 46R Consolidation of Variable Interest
Entities and recorded a charge of $33.7 million as a result of this change
in accounting principle. On January 1, 2002, the Company adopted FAS 142
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets and subsequently wrote off goodwill of
$14.1 million. In 2001, the Company changed its accounting policy for
drydockings to an "expense as incurred" method which resulted in a credit of
$31.5 million.
4. Equity to assets ratio is calculated as total stockholders' equity divided
by total assets. 5. Debt to equity ratio is calculated as total interest
bearing current and long-term liabilities, including
obligations under capital leases, divided by stockholders' equity.
6. Price earnings ratio is calculated using the closing year end share price
divided by basic Earnings per Share.
B. CAPITALISATION AND INDEBTEDNESS
Not Applicable
C. REASONS FOR THE OFFER AND USE OF PROCEEDS
Not Applicable
D. RISK FACTORS
We are engaged primarily in transporting crude oil and oil products. The
following summarises some of the risks that may materially affect our business,
financial condition or results of operations
The cyclical nature of the tanker industry may lead to volatile changes in
charter rates and vessel values which may adversely affect our earnings
Historically, the tanker industry has been highly cyclical, with volatility in
profitability and asset values resulting from changes in the supply of and
demand for tanker capacity. If the tanker market is depressed in the future our
earnings and available cash flow may decrease. Our ability to re-charter our
vessels on the expiration or termination of their current spot and time and
bareboat charters and the charter rates payable under any renewal or replacement
charters will depend upon, among other things, economic conditions in the tanker
market. Fluctuations in charter rates and vessel values result from changes in
the supply and demand for tanker capacity and changes in the supply and demand
for oil and oil products.
The factors affecting the supply and demand for oil tankers are outside of our
control, and the nature, timing and degree of changes in industry conditions are
unpredictable. The factors that influence demand for tanker capacity include:
o demand for oil and oil products;
o global and regional economic conditions;
o changes in oil production and refining capacity;
o environmental and other regulatory developments;
o the distance oil and oil products are to be moved by sea; and
o changes in seaborne and other transportation patterns.
The factors that influence the supply of tanker capacity include:
o the number of newbuilding deliveries;
o the scrapping rate of older vessels;
o vessel casualties;
o price of steel;
o the number of vessels that are out of service; and
o changes in environmental and other regulations that may
effectively cause reductions in the carrying capacity of vessels
or early obsolescence of tonnage.
The international tanker industry has experienced historically high charter
rates and vessel values in the recent past and there can be no assurance that
these historically high charter rates and vessel values will be sustained
Charter rates in the tanker industry recently have been near historically high
levels. We anticipate that future demand for our vessels, and in turn our future
charter rates, will be dependent upon continued economic growth in the world's
economy as well as seasonal and regional changes in demand and changes in the
capacity of the world's fleet. We believe that these charter rates are the
result of continued economic growth in the world economy that exceeds growth in
global vessel capacity. There can be no assurance that economic growth will not
stagnate or decline leading to a decrease in vessel values and charter rates. A
decline in charter rates could have a material adverse effect on our business,
financial condition, results of operation and ability to pay dividends.
Any decrease in shipments of crude oil may adversely affect our financial
performance
The demand for our oil tankers derives primarily from demand for Arabian Gulf
and West African crude oil, along with crude oil from the former Soviet Union,
or the FSU, which, in turn, primarily depends on the economies of the world's
industrial countries and competition from alternative energy sources. A wide
range of economic, social and other factors can significantly affect the
strength of the world's industrial economies and their demand for crude oil from
the mentioned geographical areas. One such factor is the price of worldwide
crude oil. The world's oil markets have experienced high levels of volatility in
the last 25 years. If oil prices were to rise dramatically, the economies of the
world's industrial countries may experience a significant downturn.
Any decrease in shipments of crude oil from the above mentioned geographical
areas would have a material adverse effect on our financial performance. Among
the factors which could lead to such a decrease are:
o increased crude oil production from other areas;
o increased refining capacity in the Arabian Gulf, West Africa or
the FSU;
o increased use of existing and future crude oil pipelines in the
Arabian Gulf, West Africa and the FSU;
o a decision by Arabian Gulf, West African and the FSU
oil-producing nations to increase their crude oil prices or to
further decrease or limit their crude oil production;
o armed conflict in the Arabian Gulf and West Africa and political
or other factors; and
o the development and the relative costs of nuclear power, natural
gas, coal and other alternative sources of energy.
We are highly dependent on spot oil voyage charters. Any decrease in spot
charter rates in the future may adversely affect our earnings
A significant portion of our vessels currently operate on a spot charter basis
or under contracts of affreightment under which we carry an agreed upon quantity
of cargo over a specified route and time period. Although spot chartering is
common in the tanker industry, the spot charter market is highly competitive and
spot charter rates may fluctuate significantly based upon tanker and oil supply
and demand. The successful operation of our vessels in the spot charter market
depends upon, among other things, obtaining profitable spot charters and
minimising, to the extent possible, time spent waiting for charters and time
spent travelling unladen to pick up cargo. We cannot assure you that future spot
charters will be available at rates sufficient to enable our vessels trading in
the spot market to operate profitably. In addition, bunkering, or fuel, charges
that account for a substantial portion of the operating costs, and generally
reflect prevailing oil prices, are subject to sharp fluctuations.
Our revenues experience seasonal variations that may affect our income
We operate our tankers in markets that have historically exhibited seasonal
variations in demand and, therefore, charter rates. Historically, oil trade and
therefore charter rates increased in the winter months and eased in the summer
months as demand for oil in the Northern Hemisphere rose in colder weather and
fell in warmer weather. In addition, unpredictable weather patterns in the
winter months tend to disrupt vessel scheduling. The tanker industry in general
is less dependent on the seasonal transport of heating oil than a decade ago as
new uses for oil and oil products have developed, spreading consumption more
evenly over the year. Most apparent is a higher seasonal demand during the
summer months due to energy requirements for air conditioning and motor
vehicles. The oil price volatility resulting from these factors has historically
led to increased oil trading activities and demand for vessels. The change in
demand for vessels may affect the charter rates that we receive.
As at December 31, 2005, we charter 50 vessels from Ship Finance International
Limited at fixed rates on long-term charters. In addition, we charter 13 vessels
under medium term charters from third parties. We are obliged to make fixed rate
hire payments even though our income may decrease to levels that make these
charters unprofitable.
The long term time charters to us from Ship Finance International Limited, which
we refer to as Ship Finance, extend for various periods depending on the age of
the vessels, ranging from approximately six to 22 years. With certain exceptions
as discussed below in Item 4. "Information on the Company History and
Development of the Company - Spin-off of Ship Finance" the daily base charter
rates, which are payable by us range from $25,575 in 2004 to $24,175 from 2011
and beyond for very large crude carriers, or VLCCs, and $21,100 in 2004 to
$19,700 from 2011 and beyond for Suezmaxes. The medium term charters to us
extend from four to 10 years. Daily base charter rates payable by us under these
charters range from $20,350-$22,281 in 2006 to $22,310 in 2015 for Suezmaxes and
from $27,880-$30,915 in 2006 to $29,140-$30,915 in 2015 for VLCCs.
If our earnings from the use of these vessels fall below these rates we will
incur losses.
Because the market value of our vessels may fluctuate significantly, we may
incur losses when we sell vessels which may adversely affect our earnings
The fair market value of vessels may increase and decrease depending on but not
limited to the following factors:
o general economic and market conditions affecting the shipping
industry;
o competition from other shipping companies;
o types and sizes of vessels;
o other modes of transportation;
o cost of newbuildings;
o shipyard capacity;
o governmental or other regulations;
o age of vessels;
o prevailing level of charter rates; and
o technological advances.
If we sell a vessel at a time when ship prices have fallen, the sale may be at
less than the vessel's carrying amount on our financial statements, with the
result that we could incur a loss and a reduction in earnings. In addition, if
we determine at any time that a vessel's future limited useful life and earnings
require us to impair its value on our financial statements, that could result in
a charge against our earnings and a reduction of our shareholder's equity. It is
possible that the market value of our vessels will decline in the future.
An increase in the supply of vessel capacity without an increase in demand for
vessel capacity would likely cause charter rates and vessel values to decline,
which could have a material adverse effect on our revenues and profitability
The supply of vessels generally increases with deliveries of new vessels and
decreases with the scrapping of older vessels, conversion of vessels to other
uses, such as floating production and storage facilities, and loss of tonnage as
a result of casualties. Currently there is significant new building activity
with respect to virtually all sizes and classes of vessels. If the amount of
tonnage delivered exceeds the number of vessels being scrapped, vessel capacity
will increase. If the supply of vessel capacity increases and the demand for
vessel capacity does not, the charter rates paid for our vessels as well as the
value of our vessels could materially decline. Such a decline in charter rates
and vessel values would likely have a material adverse effect on our revenues
and profitability.
An acceleration of the current prohibition to trade deadlines for our non-double
hull tankers could adversely affect our operations
Our tanker fleet includes 22 non-double hull tankers. The United States, the
European Union and the International Maritime Organization, or the IMO, have all
imposed limits or prohibitions on the use of these types of tankers in specified
markets after certain target dates, depending on certain factors such as the
size of the vessel and the type of cargo. In the case of our non-double hull
tankers, these phase out dates range from 2010 to 2015. In 2005, the Marine
Environmental Protection Committee of the IMO has amended the International
Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships to accelerate the phase
out of certain categories of single hull tankers, including the types of vessels
in our fleet, from 2015 to 2010 unless the relevant flag states extend the date.
This change could result in a number of our vessels being unable to trade in
many markets after 2010. The phase out of single hull tankers may therefore
reduce the demand for single hull tankers, and force the remaining single hull
tankers into employment on less desirable trading routes and increase the number
of tankers trading on those routes. As a result, single hull tankers may be
chartered less frequently and at lower rates. Moreover, additional regulations
may be adopted in the future that could further adversely affect the useful
lives of our non-double hull tankers, as well as our ability to generate income
from them.
Compliance with safety, environmental and other governmental and other
requirements may adversely affect our business
The shipping industry is affected by numerous regulations in the form of
international conventions, national, state and local laws and national and
international regulations in force in the jurisdictions in which such tankers
operate, as well as in the country or countries in which such tankers are
registered. These regulations include the U.S. Oil Pollution Act of 1990, or
OPA, the International Convention on Civil Liability for Oil Pollution Damage of
1969, International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, the
IMO International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea of 1974, or SOLAS,
the International Convention on Load Lines of 1966 and the U.S. Marine
Transportation Security Act of 2002. In addition, vessel classification
societies also impose significant safety and other requirements on our vessels.
We believe our vessels are maintained in good condition in compliance with
present regulatory and class requirements relevant to areas in which they
operate, and are operated in compliance with applicable safety/environmental
laws and regulations. However, regulation of vessels, particularly in the areas
of safety and environmental impact may change in the future and require
significant capital expenditures be incurred on our vessels to keep them in
compliance.
We may be unable to successfully compete with other tanker operators for
charters
The operation of tankers and transportation of crude and petroleum products and
the other businesses in which we operate are extremely competitive. Through our
operating subsidiaries we compete with other oil tanker owners (including major
oil companies as well as independent companies), and, to a lesser extent, owners
of other size vessels. The tanker market is highly fragmented. As of June, 2006,
we are the largest single tanker operator, controlling approximately 10.2% of
the world's VLCC and Suezmax tanker fleet measured by capacity. This includes
approximately one percentage point related to vessels under commercial
management. Although we currently operate approximately 10.2% of the world VLCC
and 10.4% of the world Suezmax tanker fleet, this market share does not enable
us to enforce any degree of pricing discipline in the markets in which we
compete. It is possible that our competitive position will erode in the future.
Our revenues may be adversely affected if we do not successfully employ our
tankers
As of June 2006, 27 of our vessels are contractually committed to time or
bareboat charters, with the contracts expiring in 2006 for three vessels and on
dates between 2007 and 2010 for the other 24 vessels. Although these time
charters generally provide reliable revenues, they also limit the portion of our
fleet available for spot market voyages during an upswing in the tanker industry
cycle, when spot market voyages might be more profitable.
The spot charter market is highly competitive, and spot market voyage charter
rates may fluctuate dramatically based on tanker and oil supply and demand and
other factors. We cannot assure you that future spot market voyage charters will
be available at rates that will allow us to operate our tankers profitably.
Rising fuel prices may adversely affect our profits
Fuel is a significant, if not the largest, operating expense for many of our
shipping operations when our vessels are not under period charter. The price and
supply of fuel is unpredictable and fluctuates based on events outside our
control, including geopolitical developments, supply and demand for oil and gas,
actions by OPEC and other oil and gas producers, war and unrest in oil producing
countries and regions, regional production patterns and environmental concerns.
As a result, an increase in the price of fuel may adversely affect our
profitability. Further, fuel may become much more expensive in the future, which
may reduce the profitability and competitiveness of our business versus other
forms of transportation, such as truck or rail.
Our vessels may suffer damage and we may face unexpected drydocking costs, which
could affect our cash flow and financial condition
If our vessels suffer damage, they may need to be repaired at a drydocking
facility. The costs of drydock repairs are unpredictable and can be substantial.
We may have to pay drydocking costs that our insurance does not cover. The
inactivity of these vessels while they are being repaired and repositioned, as
well as the actual cost of these repairs, would decrease our earnings. In
addition, space at drydocking facilities is sometimes limited and not all
drydocking facilities are conveniently located. We may be unable to find space
at a suitable drydocking facility or we may be forced to move to a drydocking
facility that is not conveniently located to our vessels' positions. The loss of
earnings while our vessels are forced to wait for space or to relocate to
drydocking facilities that are farther away from the routes on which our vessels
trade would decrease our earnings.
An increase in costs could materially and adversely affect our financial
performance
Our vessel operating expenses depend on a variety of factors including crew
costs, provisions, deck and engine stores, lubricating oil, insurance,
maintenance and repairs, many of which are beyond our control and affect the
entire shipping industry. Some of these costs, primarily insurance and enhanced
security measures implemented after September 11, 2001, are increasing. The
terrorist attack of the VLCC Limburg in Yemen during October 2002 has resulted
in even more emphasis on security and pressure on insurance rates. If costs
continue to rise, our results of operations could be materially or adversely
affected.
Increased inspection procedures and tighter import and export controls could
increase costs and disrupt our business
International shipping is subject to various security and customs inspection and
related procedures in countries of origin and destination. Inspection procedures
can result in the seizure of contents of our vessels, delays in the loading,
offloading or delivery and the levying of customs duties, fines or other
penalties against us.
It is possible that changes to inspection procedures could impose additional
financial and legal obligations on us. Furthermore, changes to inspection
procedures could also impose additional costs and obligations on our customers
and may, in certain cases, render the shipment of certain types of cargo
uneconomical or impractical. Any such changes or developments may have a
material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of
operations and ability to pay dividends.
Our debt service obligations could affect our ability to incur additional
indebtedness or engage in certain transactions
Our existing financing agreements impose operational and financing restrictions
on us which may significantly limit or prohibit, among other things, our ability
to incur additional indebtedness, create liens, sell capital shares of
subsidiaries, make certain investments, engage in mergers and acquisitions,
purchase and sell vessels, enter into time or consecutive voyage charters or pay
dividends without the consent of our lenders. In addition, our lenders may
accelerate the maturity of indebtedness under our financing agreements and
foreclose on the collateral securing the indebtedness upon the occurrence of
certain events of default, including our failure to comply with any of the
covenants contained in our financing agreements, not rectified within the
permitted time. For instance, declining vessel values could lead to a breach of
covenants under our financing agreements. If we are unable to pledge additional
collateral or obtain waivers from our lenders, our lenders could accelerate our
debt and foreclose on our vessels.
An increase in interest rates could materially and adversely affect our
financial performance
At December 31, 2005 we had total interest bearing debt outstanding of $2,439.7
million, of which $1,450.6 million is floating rate debt. We use interest rate
swaps to manage interest rate risk. As at December 31, 2005, our interest rate
swap arrangements effectively fix the Company's interest rate exposure on $618.3
million of floating rate debt. Our maximum exposure to interest rate
fluctuations is $832.3 million at December 31, 2005. If interest rates rise
significantly, our results of operations could be adversely affected.
Fluctuations in the Yen could affect our earnings
The majority of our transactions, assets and liabilities are denominated in U.S.
dollars, our functional currency. As at December 31, 2005 one of our
subsidiaries (2004: two of our subsidiaries) had charter contracts denominated
in Yen. At December 31, 2005 we had (Y)35.7 million (2004: (Y)2.9 billion)
receivable in relation to long term Yen denominated charter contracts. These
charter contracts ended in January 2006. At December 31, 2005 we had forward
foreign exchange contracts in the amount of (Y)8.8 million (2004: (Y)15.9
million both loans and forward foreign exchange contracts). A movement of one
Yen in the JPY/USD exchange rate would increase or decrease net income by $0.6
million as at December 31, 2005.
We may be unable to attract and retain key management personnel in the tanker
industry, which may negatively impact the effectiveness of our management and
our results of operation
Our success depends to a significant extent upon the abilities and efforts of
our senior executives, and particularly John Fredriksen, our Chairman and Chief
Executive Officer, and Tor Olav Troim, our Vice-President, for the management of
our activities and strategic guidance. While we believe that we have an
experienced management team, the loss or unavailability of one or more of our
senior executives, and particularly Mr. Fredriksen or Mr. Troim, for any
extended period of time could have an adverse effect on our business and results
of operations.
Risks involved with operating ocean-going vessels could affect our business and
reputation, which would adversely affect our revenues
The operation of an ocean-going vessel carries inherent risks. These risks
include the possibility of:
o marine disaster;
o piracy;
o environmental accidents;
o cargo and property losses or damage; and
o business interruptions caused by mechanical failure, human error, war,
terrorism, piracy, political action in various countries, labour
strikes, or adverse weather conditions.
Any of these circumstances or events could increase our costs or lower our
revenues. The involvement of our vessels in an oil spill or other environmental
disaster may harm our reputation as a safe and reliable tanker operator.
We may not have adequate insurance to compensate us if our vessels are damaged
or lost
We procure insurance for our fleet against those risks that we believe the
shipping industry commonly insures against. These insurances include hull and
machinery insurance, protection and indemnity insurance, which include
environmental damage and pollution insurance coverage, and war risk insurance.
We can give no assurance that we are adequately insured against all risks. We
may not be able to obtain adequate insurance coverage at reasonable rates for
our fleet in the future. Additionally, our insurers may not pay particular
claims. Our insurance policies contain deductibles for which we will be
responsible, limitations and exclusions which, although we believe are standard
in the shipping industry, may nevertheless increase our costs or lower our
revenue.
Maritime claimants could arrest our tankers, which could interrupt our cash flow
Crew members, suppliers of goods and services to a vessel, shippers of cargo and
other parties may be entitled to a maritime lien against that vessel for
unsatisfied debts, claims or damages. In many jurisdictions a maritime
lienholder may enforce its lien by arresting a vessel through foreclosure
proceedings. The arrest or attachment of one or more of our vessels could
interrupt our cash flow and require us to pay a significant amount of money to
have the arrest lifted.
In addition, in some jurisdictions, such as South Africa, under the "sister
ship" theory of liability, a claimant may arrest both the vessel which is
subject to the claimant's maritime lien and any "associated" vessel, which is
any vessel owned or controlled by the same owner. Claimants could try to assert
"sister ship" liability against one vessel in our fleet for claims relating to
another of our ships.
Governments could requisition our vessels during a period of war or emergency,
resulting in loss of earnings
A government could requisition for title or seize our vessels. Requisition for
title occurs when a government takes control of a vessel and becomes her owner.
Also, a government could requisition our vessels for hire. Requisition for hire
occurs when a government takes control of a vessel and effectively becomes her
charterer at dictated charter rates. Generally, requisitions occur during a
period of war or emergency. Government requisition of one or more of our vessels
would negatively impact our revenues.
Our operations outside the United States expose us to global risks that may
interfere with the operation of our vessels
We are an international company and primarily conduct our operations outside of
the United States. Changing economic, regulatory, political and governmental
conditions in the countries where we are engaged in business or where our
vessels are registered affect us. Hostilities or other political instability in
regions where our vessels trade could affect our trade patterns and adversely
affect our operations and performance. The terrorist attacks against targets in
the United States on September 11, 2001 and the military response by the United
States has increased the likelihood of acts of terrorism worldwide. Acts of
terrorism, regional hostilities or other political instability, as shown by the
attack on the Limburg in Yemen in October 2002, attacks on oil pipelines during
and subsequent to the Iraq war in 2003 and attacks on expatriate workers in the
Middle East could adversely affect the oil trade and reduce our revenue or
increase our expenses.
Terrorist attacks, such as the attacks on the United States on September 11,
2001, and other acts of violence or war may affect the financial markets and our
business, results of operations and financial condition
As a result of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks and subsequent events,
there has been considerable uncertainty in the world financial markets. The full
effect of these events, as well as concerns about future terrorist attacks, on
the financial markets is not yet known, but could include, among other things,
increased volatility in the price of securities. These uncertainties could also
adversely affect our ability to obtain additional financing on terms acceptable
to us or at all. Future terrorist attacks may also negatively affect our
operations and financial condition and directly impact our vessels or our
customers. Future terrorist attacks could result in increased volatility of the
financial markets in the United States and globally and could result in an
economic recession in the United States or the world. Any of these occurrences
could have a material adverse impact on our operating results, revenue, and
costs.
Because we are a foreign corporation, you may not have the same rights that a
shareholder in a U.S. corporation may have
We are a Bermuda corporation. Our memorandum of association and bye-laws and the
Bermuda Companies Act 1981, as amended, govern our affairs. Investors may have
more difficulty in protecting their interests in the face of actions by
management, directors or controlling shareholders than would shareholders of a
corporation incorporated in a United States jurisdiction. Under Bermuda law a
director generally owes a fiduciary duty only to the company; not to the
company's shareholder. Our shareholders may not have a direct course of action
against our directors. In addition, Bermuda law does not provide a mechanism for
our shareholders to bring a class action lawsuit under Bermuda law. Further, our
Bye-laws provide for the indemnification of our directors or officers against
any liability arising out of any act or omission except for an act or omission
constituting fraud, dishonesty or illegality.
Because our offices and most of our assets are outside the United Sates, you may
not be able to bring suit against us, or enforce a judgement obtained against us
in the United States
Our executive offices, administrative activities and assets are located outside
the United States. As a result, it may be more difficult for investors to effect
service of process within the United States upon us, or to enforce both in the
United States and outside the United States judgments against us in any action,
including actions predicated upon the civil liability provisions of the federal
securities laws of the United States.
We may not be exempt from U.S. taxation on our U.S. source shipping income,
which would reduce our net income and cash flow by the amount of the applicable
tax
Under the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, or the Code, 50% of the
gross shipping income of a vessel owning or chartering corporation, such as
ourselves and our subsidiaries, that is attributable to transportation that
begins or ends, but that does not both begin and end, in the United States, is
characterised as United States source shipping income and such income is subject
to a 4% United States federal income tax without allowance for deduction, unless
that corporation qualifies for exemption under Section 883 of the Code.
We expect that we and each of our subsidiaries will qualify for this statutory
tax exemption and we will take this position for United States federal income
tax return reporting purposes. However, there are factual circumstances beyond
our control that could cause us to lose the benefit of this tax exemption and
thereby become subject to United States federal income tax on our United States
source income. Therefore, we can give no assurances on our tax--exempt status or
that of any of our subsidiaries.
If we or our subsidiaries are not entitled to this statutory tax exemption under
Section 883 for any taxable year, we or our subsidiaries would be subject for
those years to a 4% United States federal income tax on United States sources
shipping income. The imposition of this taxation could have an adverse effect on
our business.
Investor confidence and the market price of our common stock may be adversely
impacted if we are unable to comply with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act
of 2002
We will become subject to Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, which
will require us to include in our annual report on Form 20-F our management's
report on, and assessment of the effectiveness of, our internal controls over
financial reporting. In addition, our independent registered public accounting
firm will be required to attest to and report on management's assessment of the
effectiveness of our internal controls over financial reporting. These
requirements will first apply to our annual report for the fiscal year ending
December 31, 2006. If we fail to achieve and maintain the adequacy of our
internal controls over financial reporting, we will not be in compliance with
all of the requirements imposed by Section 404. Any failure to comply with
Section 404 could result in an adverse reaction in the financial marketplace due
to a loss of investor confidence in the reliability of our financial statements,
which ultimately could harm our business and could negatively impact the market
price of our common stock. We believe the total cost of our initial compliance
and the future ongoing costs of complying with these requirements may be
substantial.
ITEM 4. INFORMATION ON THE COMPANY
A. HISTORY AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE COMPANY
The Company
We are Frontline Ltd., a Bermuda based shipping company and we were incorporated
in Bermuda on June 12, 1992 (Company No. EC-17460). Our registered and principal
executive offices are located at Par-la-Ville Place, 14 Par-la-Ville Road,
Hamilton, HM 08, Bermuda, and our telephone number is +1 (441) 295-6935.
We are engaged primarily in the ownership and operation of oil tankers,
including oil/bulk/ore, or OBO carriers. We operate tankers of two sizes: VLCCs,
which are between 200,000 and 320,000 dwt, and Suezmaxes, which are vessels
between 120,000 and 170,000 dwt. In addition, we own two 1,700 twenty-foot
equivalent units, or TEU, containerships. We operate through subsidiaries and
partnerships located in the Bahamas, Bermuda, the Cayman Islands, the Isle of
Man, Liberia, Norway, Marshall Islands, Cyprus and Singapore. We are also
involved in the charter, purchase and sale of vessels. Since 1996, we have
emerged as a leading tanker company within the VLCC and Suezmax size sectors of
the market.
We have our origin in Frontline AB, which was founded in 1985, and which was
listed on the Stockholm Stock Exchange from 1989 to 1997. In May 1997, Frontline
AB was redomiciled from Sweden to Bermuda and its shares were listed on the Oslo
Stock Exchange. The change of domicile was executed through a share for share
exchange offer from the then newly formed Bermuda company, Frontline Ltd ("Old
Frontline"). In September 1997, Old Frontline initiated an amalgamation with
London & Overseas Freighters Limited ("LOF"), also a Bermuda company. This
process was completed in May 1998. As a result of this transaction, Frontline
became listed on the London Stock Exchange and on the NASDAQ National Market (in
the form of American Depositary Shares, or ADSs, represented by American
Depositary Receipts, or ADRs) in addition to its listing on the Oslo Stock
Exchange.
The ADR program was terminated on October 5, 2001 and the ADSs were delisted
from the NASDAQ National Market on August 3, 2001. The Company's Ordinary Shares
began trading on the NYSE on August 6, 2001.
Acquisitions and Disposals
In 2003, we acquired two Suezmax tankers for $6.7 million which were previously
40% and 35% owned. These vessels were subsequently sold in 2003 for proceeds of
$8.1 million realising gains of $1.2 million. A further two Suezmax tankers were
sold in 2003 for proceeds of $100.3 million realising gains of $7.1 million.
We also took delivery of a newbuilding double-hull VLCC for delivered cost of
$79.2 million in 2003 which was subsequently sold for $76.0 million realising a
loss of $2.7 million and acquired the remaining 50% of a double-hull VLCC which
was already 50% owned for $9.5 million.
Through a reorganisation of interests in joint ventures, we disposed of 50%
interests in two VLCCs and increased interests in a further four double-hull
VLCCs from 33.3% to 50.1% through a combination of sale, acquisition and
exchange of interest transactions. Our net cash investment in these transactions
was $3.3 million and we recorded impairment losses of $5.2 million.
As discussed below, the consolidation as of December 31, 2003 of Independent
Tankers Corporation, which we refer to as ITC, and Golden Fountain Corporation,
resulted in the addition of seven VLCCs and four Suezmax tankers to our fleet.
In February 2004 through a further reorganisation of joint ventures, we
exchanged our 50.1% interests in three double-hull VLCCs for the remaining 49.9%
interests in three double-hull VLCCs of which we already owned 50.1%. We
accounted for these exchanges as non-cash exchanges of assets at book value. We
received a net cash settlement of $2.3 million as a result of equalisation of
the values of the assets exchanged and recorded a gain of $0.2 million on the
transactions.
We also acquired five single-hull Suezmax tankers in 2004 for a total cost of
$125.1 million. The vessel Golden Fountain was sold for gross proceeds of $61.0
million, realising a gain of $19.7 million. The spin-off of Golden Ocean Group
Limited, which we refer to as Golden Ocean, discussed below resulted in the
disposal of two dry bulk carriers in 2004.
We entered into a number of acquisitions and disposals in 2005 as discussed
below:
o In January 2005 we acquired the VLCCs Front Century and Front Champion
which were previously chartered in by us under operating leases for a
total purchase price of $141.9 million pursuant to the exercise of
purchase options. In March 2005, we acquired the VLCC Golden Victory
for $76.9 million pursuant to the exercise of its purchase option.
o In January 2005 we, through Ship Finance, exercised our option to
acquire the VLCC Oscilla and the vessel was delivered to us in April,
2005 and renamed Front Scilla. The purchase price paid to acquire the
vessel was approximately $21.6 million which was equal to the
outstanding mortgage debt under four loan agreements between lenders
and the vessel's owning company.
o In January 2005 we sold the Suezmax Front Fighter for $68.25 million
and the vessel was delivered to its new owners in March 2005.
o In May 2005 we sold the three Suezmaxes, Front Lillo, Front Emperor
and Front Spirit, for a total consideration of $92.0 million. These
vessels were delivered to their new owners in June 2005.
o In May 2005 we entered into an agreement with parties affiliated with
Hemen Holding Ltd., which we refer to as Hemen, to acquire two vessel
owning companies, each owning one 2005 built containership for a total
consideration of $98.6 million. The Sea Alfa was delivered in May
2005, and the Sea Beta was delivered in September 2005. Hemen is a
Cyprus holding company indirectly controlled by Mr. John Fredriksen,
who is our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.
o In June 2005 we entered into an agreement with parties affiliated with
Hemen to acquire two vessel owning companies, each owning one 2004
built VLCC, for a total consideration of $184.0 million. These vessels
were delivered in June, 2005 and named Front Energy and Front Force,
respectively.
o In August 2005, we sold the drybulk vessel Cos Hero for proceeds of
$20.7 million.
o In August 2005, we sold the Suezmax Front Hunter for $71.0 million.
o In December 2005 we acquired the interests held by the joint venture
partners in the vessel Front Tobago at a purchase price of $35.6
million.
We have also entered into a number of acquisitions and disposals to date in 2006
as discussed below:
o In January 2006, we sold the vessel Navix Astral to the charterer of
the vessel for (Y) 4.7 billion (approximately $40.5 million) in
accordance with the latter's option to buy the vessel.
o In February 2006, we ordered two 297,000 dwt VLCCs for delivery in
2009 with an option for another two VLCCs for delivery in 2009 and
2010, respectively.
o In February 2006, we sold the VLCC Golden Stream for $53.1 million.
o In March 2006, we announced the acquisition of the Aframax vessel
"Gerrita" (built 1990) at a cost of $35.9 million. The vessel was
renamed Front Puffin.
o In June 2006, we sold the options for two VLCC's for delivery in 2009
and 2010, repectively.
o In June 2006, we ordered an additional two VLCCs for delivery in 2010
with an option for another two VLCCs for delivery between 2010 and
2011
Spin-Off of Ship Finance
In October 2003, we formed Ship Finance as our wholly-owned subsidiary for the
purpose of acquiring certain of our shipping assets. In December 2003, Ship
Finance issued $580 million of 8.5% Senior Notes due 2013. In the first quarter
of 2004, Ship Finance used the proceeds of the Notes issue, together with a
refinancing of existing debt, to fund the acquisition from us of a fleet of 46
crude oil tankers and an option to purchase one additional tanker from a third
party. We have chartered each of the vessels back from Ship Finance for most of
their remaining lives through our wholly owned subsidiary Frontline Shipping
Limited which we refer to as Frontline Shipping. We also entered into fixed rate
management and administrative services agreements with Ship Finance to provide
for the operation and maintenance of the Company's vessels and administrative
support services. The charters and the management agreements were each given
economic effect as of January 1, 2004.
The sales price for the assets transferred to Ship Finance was determined as the
book value of each asset as at December 31, 2003 and the transfers were also
recorded at book value. Ship Finance paid an aggregate purchase price of $950
million, excluding working capital and other intercompany balances retained by
us, for the 46 vessels and purchase option that it acquired from us. Ship
Finance also assumed senior secured indebtedness with respect to its fleet in
the amount of approximately $1.158 billion. The purchase price for the 46
vessels and the option and the refinancing of the existing senior secured
indebtedness on those vessels, which was completed in January of 2004, were
financed through a combination of the net proceeds from Ship Finance's issuance
of $580 million of 8.5% Senior Notes, due 2013, funds from a $1.058 billion
senior secured credit facility and a deemed equity contribution from us to Ship
Finance.
During 2005, there have been a number of new leasing transactions entered into
between Frontline and Ship Finance and in some cases existing lease arrangements
have been cancelled due to the sale of vessels as described below. All of these
transactions eliminate on consolidation.
o In January 2005, Frontline sold two vessels, the VLCCs Front Century
and Front Champion, to Ship Finance and chartered them back under long
term charters to its wholly owned subsidiary Frontline Shipping II
Limited which we refer to as Frontline Shipping II. We refer to
Frontline Shipping and Frontline Shipping II as the Charterers. The
vessels were sold to Ship Finance for a total of $196.0 million, and
chartered back on 199 and 204 month charters, respectively, following
the structure in place for other vessels chartered from Ship Finance.
o In January 2005, the charter of the Front Fighter to Frontline
Shipping was cancelled as a result of the sale of the vessel.
o In April 2005, Ship Finance chartered the VLCC Front Scilla to
Frontline on a fixed rate time charter following the structure in
place for other vessels chartered from Ship Finance.
o In March 2005, Frontline sold the VLCC Golden Victory to Ship Finance
for $98.0 million, and chartered it back on a 204 month charter,
following the structure in place for other vessels chartered from Ship
Finance.
o In May 2005, the charters of the three Suezmaxes, Front Lillo, Front
Emperor and Front Spirit to Frontline Shipping were cancelled as a
result of the sale of the vessels. In May 2005, Frontline sold three
vessels, the Suezmaxes, Front Traveller, Front Transporter, and Front
Target, for an aggregate amount of $92.0 million, to Ship Finance and
chartered them back under long term charters on similar terms as the
three cancelled charters.
o In April 2005, Ship Finance chartered the VLCCs Front Energy and Front
Force to Frontline on fixed rate time charters following the structure
in place for other vessels chartered from Ship Finance.
o In August 2005, the charter of the Front Hunter to Frontline Shipping
was cancelled as a result of the sale of the vessel and Frontline
received compensation of $3.8 million for terminating the charter.
The long term time charters to us extend for various periods depending on the
age of the vessels, ranging from approximately seven to 23 years. Five of the
vessels that Ship Finance acquired are on current long term time charters and
one vessel was on current long term bareboat at December 31, 2005. The latter
vessel, Navix Astral, has since been sold. With certain exceptions, the daily
base charter rates, which are payable by Frontline Shipping monthly in advance
for a maximum of 360 days per year (361 days per leap year), are as follows:
Year VLCC Suezmax
---- ---- -------
2003 to 2006..........................................$25,575 $21,100
2007 to 2010..........................................$25,175 $20,700
2011 and beyond.......................................$24,175 $19,700
The daily base charter rates for vessels that reach their 18th delivery date
anniversary, in the case of non-double hull vessels, or their 20th delivery date
anniversary, in the case of double hull vessels, will decline to $18,262 per day
for VLCCs and $15,348 for Suezmax tankers after such dates, respectively.
For the VLCC Front Tobago and the three Suezmaxes, Front Target, Front
Transporter and Front Traveller, the terms are similar to those listed above as
these vessels represent replacement leases for vessels included in the original
fleet which have since been sold.
In addition, the base charter rate for Ship Finance's non-double hull vessels
will decline to $7,500 per day on each vessels anniversary date in 2010. At
which time we will have the option to terminate the charters for those vessels.
The daily base charterhire for our vessels that are chartered to Frontline
Shipping II, which is also payable monthly in advance for a maximum of 360 days
per year (361 days per leap year), is as follows:
Vessel 2005 to 2006 2007 to 2010 2011 to 2018 2019
and beyond
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Front Champion..... $31,340 $31,140 $30,640 $28,464
Front Century...... $31,501 $31,301 $30,801 $28,625
Golden Victory..... $33,793 $33,793 $33,793 $33,793
Front Energy $30,014 $30,014 $30,014 $30,014
Front Force $29,853 $29,853 $29,853 $29,853
Under the charters, Ship Finance is required to keep the vessels seaworthy, and
to crew and maintain them. We perform those duties for Ship Finance under the
management agreements. If a structural change or new equipment is required due
to changes in classification society or regulatory requirements, we may make
them, at our expense, without Ship Finance's consent, but those changes or
improvements will become Ship Finance's property. We are not obligated to pay
Ship Finance charterhire for off hire days in excess of five off hire days per
year per vessel calculated on a fleet-wide basis, which include days a vessel is
unable to be in service due to, among other things, repairs or drydockings.
However, under the management agreements, we will reimburse Ship Finance for any
loss of charter revenue in excess of five off hire days per vessel, calculated
on a fleet-wide basis.
The terms of the charters do not provide us with an option to terminate the
charter before the end of its term, other than with respect to non-double hull
vessels on each vessels anniversary date in 2010. Ship Finance may terminate any
or all of the charters in the event of an event of default under a charter
ancillary agreement. The charters may also terminate in the event of (1) a
requisition for title of a vessel or (2) the total loss or constructive total
loss of a vessel. In addition, each charter provides that Ship Finance may not
sell the related vessel without our consent.
Under the terms of charter ancillary agreements, beginning with the 11-month
period from February 1, 2004 and for each calendar year after that, we have
agreed to pay Ship Finance a profit sharing payment equal to 20% of the charter
revenues for the applicable period, calculated on a time charter equivalent
basis, realised by us from use of its fleet in excess of the daily base
charterhire. The profit sharing payment is due two months after the end of each
calendar year. The non-double hulled vessels are not to be included in the
calculation of profit sharing after they have reached their anniversary date in
2010.
On May 28, 2004, we announced the distribution of 25% of Ship Finance's common
shares to our common shareholders in a partial spin off. On June 16, 2004, each
Frontline shareholder of record on June 7, 2004, received one share in Ship
Finance for every four Frontline shares held. On June 17, 2004, the Ship Finance
common shares commenced trading on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker
symbol "SFL". Two further dividends of shares in Ship Finance were distributed
in 2004: On September 24, 2004 every Frontline shareholder received one share of
Ship Finance for every 10 shares of ours that they held and on December 15, 2004
every Frontline shareholder received two shares of Ship Finance for every 15
shares of ours that they held. At December 31, 2004, the Company's remaining
shareholding in Ship Finance was approximately 50.8%.
On January 28, 2005 and February 23, 2005 our Board approved further spin-offs
of the shares in Ship Finance. On February 18, 2005, each shareholder of
Frontline received one share of Ship Finance for every four shares of ours held
and on March 24, 2005 each shareholder of Frontline received one share of Ship
Finance for every ten shares of ours held. Following these transactions our
shareholding in Ship Finance was approximately 16.2% at December 31, 2005. Ship
Finance remains consolidated under the provisions of FASB interpretation 46
Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities.
On February 17, 2006, our Board approved a further spin-off of the shares in
Ship Finance. On March 20, 2006, each shareholder of Frontline received one
share of Ship Finance for every ten shares of ours held. Following these
transactions our shareholding in Ship Finance was approximately 11.1% at June
19, 2006.
A detailed discussion of the contracts relating to the spin off of Ship Finance
is provided in Item 10. Additional Information.
Spin-Off of Golden Ocean Group Limited
In November 2004, we established Golden Ocean Group Limited, which we refer to
as Golden Ocean, as a wholly owned subsidiary in Bermuda for the purpose of
transferring, by way of contribution, certain of our dry bulk shipping
interests. Three of our subsidiaries and cash equal to the difference between
$22.45 million and the historical net book value of those subsidiaries was
transferred to Golden Ocean on December 1, 2004. On the same date, our Board
resolved to distribute all of our shares of Golden Ocean to our shareholders in
proportion to their ownership in Frontline. On December 13, 2004 we distributed
76.0% of the shares of Golden Ocean to our shareholders in a three for one stock
dividend. Certain of our U.S. shareholders were excluded from the distribution
and received a cash payment in lieu of shares equal to $0.60 per Golden Ocean
share, which represents the average price per share of the Golden Ocean shares
during their first five days of trading on the Oslo Stock Exchange. Golden Ocean
was listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange on December 15, 2004. The Company sold 30
million Golden Ocean shares, equivalent to 13.3%, to provide funds for the cash
payment and the Company retained a 10.7% interest in Golden Ocean which was
subsequently sold in February 2005. The Company will not have any significant
continuing involvement in these dry bulk operations.
At the time of the spin off Golden Ocean, we granted Golden Ocean options to
acquire newbuilding contracts for two Panamax vessels. In 2005 Golden Ocean
exercised these options to acquire from us the shares in two single purpose
companies each owning a newbuilding contract for a Panamax vessel. These options
were at a price equal to our costs, including instalments paid to date, plus our
funding expenses. These options were exercised at a total price of $16.8
million.
Acquisition of Independent Tankers Corporation
In May 1998, we acquired ITC from a third party in an arms length transaction
for a price of $9.5 million. Our investment in ITC was subsequently sold to
Hemen, a related party, for $9.5 million with effect from July 1, 1998. On July
1, 2003, we purchased a call option for $10.0 million to acquire all of the
shares of ITC from Hemen for a total consideration of $4.0 million plus 4%
interest per year. Hemen is indirectly controlled by our Chairman, John
Fredriksen. In December 2003 the Company implemented the provisions of FASB
Interpretation 46, Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities ("FIN 46") and
consequently was required to consolidate ITC. On May 27, 2004 we exercised this
purchase option and acquired all of the shares of ITC. ITC operates a total of
six VLCCs and four Suezmax tankers, which are on long-term charters to
subsidiaries of BP Plc and Chevron Corporation, which we refer to as Chevron.
The initial fixed terms of the charters range from 8 to 10 years. After the
initial fixed term the charterers have options to extend the charters of the
vessels for further periods of between eight to twelve years. ITC is financed by
Term and Serial Notes. These Notes mature between 2006 and 2021 and are secured
on ITC's vessels and long-term charters. Interest is payable on the Notes at
fixed rates which range between 6.48% and 8.52%.
B. BUSINESS OVERVIEW
Our tanker fleet, which we believe is one of the largest in the world, consists
of 30 VLCCs and 28 Suezmax tankers, of which eight are Suezmax OBOs, and one
Aframax tanker. In addition we have two 1,700 TEU containerships. We also
charter in ten modern VLCCs and three modern Suezmax tankers from third parties.
We have six VLCC newbuildings on order, and five 2,800 TEU containerships
newbuildings on order. In addition, we have commercial management of a further
five VLCCs, three Suezmaxes and six Aframax tankers.
As of June 2006, the fleet that we operate has a total tonnage of approximately
20.3 million dwt, including the 2.5 million dwt under commercial management. Our
tanker vessels have an average age of 9.0 years compared with an estimated
industry average of over 9.0 years. We believe that our vessels comply with the
most stringent of generally applicable environmental regulations for tankers.
We own various vessel owning and operating subsidiaries. Our operations take
place substantially outside of the United States. Our subsidiaries, therefore,
own and operate vessels which may be affected by changes in foreign governments
and other economic and political conditions. We are engaged primarily in
transporting crude oil and, in addition, raw materials like coal and iron ore.
Our VLCCs are specifically designed for the transportation of crude oil and, due
to their size, are primarily used to transport crude oil from the Middle East
Gulf to the Far East, Northern Europe, the Caribbean and the Louisiana Offshore
Oil Port, or LOOP. Our Suezmax tankers are similarly designed for worldwide
trading, but the trade for these vessels is mainly in the Atlantic Basin and
Middle East to South East Asia. Historically, the tanker industry has been
highly cyclical, with attendant volatility in profitability and asset values
resulting from changes in the supply of and demand for tanker capacity. Our OBO
carriers are specifically designed to carry oil or dry cargo and may be used to
transport either oil or dry cargo on any voyage. When freight rates in both the
oil and dry cargo markets are equivalent OBO carriers are operated most
profitably transporting oil on one leg of the voyage and dry cargo on the other
leg of a voyage. The supply of tanker and OBO capacity is influenced by the
number of new vessels built, the number of older vessels scrapped, converted,
laid up and lost, the efficiency of the world tanker or OBO fleet and government
and industry regulation of maritime transportation practices. The demand for
tanker and OBO capacity is influenced by global and regional economic
conditions, increases and decreases in industrial production and demand for
crude oil and petroleum products, the proportion of world oil output supplied by
Middle Eastern and other producers, political changes and armed conflicts
(including wars in the Middle East) and changes in seaborne and other
transportation patterns. The demand for OBO capacity is, in addition, influenced
by increases and decreases in the production and demand for raw materials such
as iron ore and coal. In particular, demand for our tankers and our services in
transporting crude oil and petroleum products and dry cargoes has been dependent
upon world and regional markets. Any decrease in shipments of crude oil or raw
materials in world markets could have a material adverse effect on our earnings.
Historically, these markets have been volatile as a result of, among other
things, general economic conditions, prices, environmental concerns, weather and
competition from alternative energy sources. Because many factors influencing
the supply of and demand for tankers and OBO carriers are unpredictable, the
nature, timing and degree of changes in industry conditions are also
unpredictable.
We are committed to providing quality transportation services to all of our
customers and to developing and maintaining long term relationships with the
major charterers of tankers. Increasing global environmental concerns have
created a demand in the petroleum products/crude oil seaborne transportation
industry for vessels that are able to conform to the stringent environmental
standards currently being imposed throughout the world. Our fleet of modern
single hull VLCCs may discharge crude oil at LOOP until the year 2015, and our
modern single hull Suezmax tankers may call at U.S. ports until the year 2010
under the phase-in schedule for double hull tankers presently prescribed under
OPA.
The tanker industry is highly cyclical, experiencing volatility in
profitability, vessel values and freight rates. Freight rates are strongly
influenced by the supply of tanker vessels and the demand for oil
transportation. Refer to Item 5 "Operating and Financial Review and Prospects"
for a discussion of the tanker market in 2005.
Similar to structures commonly used by other shipping companies, our vessels are
all owned by, or chartered to, separate subsidiaries or associated companies.
Frontline Management AS, and Frontline Management (Bermuda) Limited which we
refer to as Frontline Management, both wholly-owned subsidiaries, support us in
the implementation of our decisions. Frontline Management is responsible for the
commercial management of our shipowning subsidiaries, including chartering and
insurance. Each of our vessels is registered under the Bahamas, French,
Liberian, Cyprus, Singaporean, Norwegian, Isle of Man, Marshall Islands or
Maltese flag.
Frontline has a strategy of extensive outsourcing. Ship management, crewing and
accounting services are provided by a number of independent and competing
suppliers. Our vessels are managed by independent ship management companies.
Pursuant to management agreements, each of the independent ship management
companies provides operations, ship maintenance, crewing, technical support,
shipyard supervision and related services to Frontline. A central part of our
strategy is to benchmark operational performance and cost level amongst our ship
managers. Independent ship managers provide crewing for our vessels. Currently,
our vessels are crewed with Russian, Ukrainian, Croatian, Romanian, Indian and
Filipino officers and crews, or combinations of these nationalities. Accounting
services for each of our shipowning subsidiaries are also provided by the ship
managers.
Strategy
Following the spin off of Ship Finance and Golden Ocean discussed above, our
operations are comprised of the following main components:
o Our charter and management agreements with Ship Finance including a
$274 million cash deposit we are required to reserve to secure the
charters by Frontline Shipping and Frontline Shipping II.
o Our charter and management agreements with nine German KGs.
o The ownership of ITC.
o The ownership of our remaining directly owned vessels.
Our strategy is to be a world leading operator and charterer of modern, high
quality oil tankers with flexibility to adjust our exposure to the tanker market
depending on existing factors such as charter rates, newbuilding costs, vessel
resale and scrapping values and vessel operating expenses resulting from, among
other things, changes in the supply of and demand for tanker capacity. In
addition, we will, when the financing arrangements permit, consider divesting
our vessels that Ship Finance has not purchased. This may be done through sale
and leaseback or straight sales of the vessels.
At the end of 2005, we established a new business unit to develop Floating
Production Storage and Offloading, or FPSO, units. We plan to become a leading
FPSO contractor by utilising our large fleet of vessels suitable for conversion
into FPSOs. The single hull tankers in our existing fleet are considered as the
main candidates for these conversions. In March 2006 we entered into an
agreement with AED Oil Limited for the supply of a FPSO for the Puffin field
development in Australia. The Aframax vessel Front Puffin is being converted
into a FPSO for this project and is planned to be in operation from May 2007.
Our business strategy is primarily based upon the following principles:
o emphasising operational safety and quality maintenance for all of our
vessels;
o complying with all current and proposed environmental regulations;
o outsourcing technical operations and crewing;
o controlling operational costs of vessels;
o operating a modern and homogeneous fleets of tankers;
o achieving high utilisation of our vessels;
o achieving competitive financing arrangements;
o achieving a satisfactory mix of term charters, contracts of
affreightment and spot voyages; and
o developing and maintaining relationships with major oil companies and
industrial charterers.
After having delivered their cargo, spot market vessels typically operate in
ballast until being rechartered. It is the time element associated with these
ballast legs that we seek to minimise by efficiently chartering OBO carriers and
tankers that we operate. Our strategies to minimise time spent on ballast legs
include allocating cargoes among our vessels so as to achieve the minimum total
time spent on ballast legs across our fleet.
We believe that fleet size in the industrial shipping sector is important in
negotiating terms with major clients and charterers. We believe that a large,
high-quality VLCC and Suezmax fleet will enhance our ability to obtain
competitive terms from suppliers and shipbuilders and to produce cost savings in
chartering and operations.
Although there has been a trend to consolidation over the past 15 years, the
tanker market remains highly fragmented. We estimate, based on available
industry data that we currently own or operate approximately 10.2% of the world
VLCC fleet and 10.4% of the world Suezmax tanker fleet. It is our intention to
use the strong financial position that we believe our strategy and governing
principles will create, to continue the consolidation of the tanker market. We
plan to make acquisitions with the proceeds of equity and debt issuances and
bank debt and by issuing shares as consideration for vessel purchases, and
believe that such acquisitions will help us to consolidate the tanker market.
Our role in the consolidation of the tanker market may include the acquisition
of new vessels and secondhand vessels and we may also engage in business
acquisitions and strategic transactions such as marketing joint ventures. In the
ordinary course of our business, we engage in the evaluation of potential
candidates for acquisitions and strategic transactions. While we are constantly
evaluating opportunities for acquisitions and growth, at this time we do not
have any planned acquisitions.
Following the spin-off of Ship Finance, we are more financially exposed to the
chartering market. This is likely to increase our activity in the chartering
market with respect to both short and long-term charters of vessels in and out.
Our purpose will be to manage risk through a portfolio of charters. During 2005
and 2006 we have substantially increased the percentage of vessels chartered
out. Currently 27 vessels in our fleet are chartered out under time or bareboat
charters. Consolidation of the tanker market will remain an important objective
for us.
Seasonality
Historically, oil trade and therefore charter rates increased in the winter
months and eased in the summer months as demand for oil in the Northern
Hemisphere rose in colder weather and fell in warmer weather. The tanker
industry in general is less dependent on the seasonal transport of heating oil
than a decade ago as new uses for oil and oil products have developed, spreading
consumption more evenly over the year. Most apparent is a higher seasonal demand
during the summer months due to energy requirements for air conditioning and
motor vehicles.
Customers
Our customers include major oil companies, petroleum products traders,
government agencies and various other entities. During the year ended December
31, 2005, one customers accounted for more than 10% of our consolidated
operating revenues. During the year ended December 31, 2004, two customers each
accounted for more than 10% of our consolidated operating income.
Competition
The market for international seaborne crude oil transportation services is
highly fragmented and competitive. Seaborne crude oil transportation services
generally are provided by two main types of operators: major oil company captive
fleets (both private and state-owned) and independent shipowner fleets. In
addition, several owners and operators pool their vessels together on an ongoing
basis, and such pools are available to customers to the same extent as
independently owned and operated fleets. Many major oil companies and other oil
trading companies, the primary charterers of the vessels owned or controlled by
us, also operate their own vessels and use such vessels not only to transport
their own crude oil but also to transport crude oil for third party charterers
in direct competition with independent owners and operators in the tanker
charter market. Competition for charters is intense and is based upon price,
location, size, age, condition and acceptability of the vessel and its manager.
Competition is also affected by the availability of other size vessels to
compete in the trades in which the Company engages.
Risk of Loss and Insurance
Our business is affected by a number of risks, including mechanical failure of
the vessels, collisions, property loss to the vessels, cargo loss or damage and
business interruption due to political circumstances in foreign countries,
hostilities and labour strikes. In addition, the operation of any ocean-going
vessel is subject to the inherent possibility of catastrophic marine disaster,
including oil spills and other environmental mishaps, and the liabilities
arising from owning and operating vessels in international trade.
Frontline Management is responsible for arranging the insurance of our vessels
in line with standard industry practice. In accordance with that practice, we
maintain marine hull and machinery and war risks insurance, which include the
risk of actual or constructive total loss, and protection and indemnity
insurance with mutual assurance associations. From time to time we carry
insurance covering the loss of hire resulting from marine casualties in respect
of some of our vessels. Currently, the amount of coverage for liability for
pollution, spillage and leakage available to us on commercially reasonable terms
through protection and indemnity associations and providers of excess coverage
is $1 billion per vessel per occurrence. Protection and indemnity associations
are mutual marine indemnity associations formed by shipowners to provide
protection from large financial loss to one member by contribution towards that
loss by all members.
We believe that our current insurance coverage is adequate to protect us against
the accident-related risks involved in the conduct of our business and that we
maintain appropriate levels of environmental damage and pollution insurance
coverage, consistent with standard industry practice. However, there is no
assurance that all risks are adequately insured against, that any particular
claims will be paid or that we will be able to procure adequate insurance
coverage at commercially reasonable rates in the future.
Inspection by a Classification Society
Every commercial vessel's hull and machinery is "classed" by a classification
society authorised by its country of registry. The classification society
certifies that the vessel has been built and maintained in accordance with the
rules of such classification society and complies with applicable rules and
regulations of the country of registry of the vessel and the international
conventions to which that country is a member.
Our vessels have all been certified as "in class."
Each vessel is inspected by a surveyor of the classification society every year,
every two and a half years and every four to five years. Should any defects be
found, the classification surveyor will issue a "recommendation" for appropriate
repairs which have to be made by the shipowner within the time limit prescribed.
Environmental and Other Regulations
Government regulation significantly affects the ownership and operation of our
vessels. The various types of governmental regulation that affect our vessels
include international conventions and national, state and local laws and
regulations of the jurisdictions where our tankers operate or are registered
significantly affect the ownership and operation of our tankers. We believe we
are currently in substantial compliance with applicable environmental and
regulatory laws regarding the ownership and operation of our tankers. However,
because existing laws may change or new laws may be implemented, we cannot
predict the ultimate cost of complying with all applicable requirements or the
impact they will have on the resale value or useful lives of our tankers.
Future, non-compliance could require us to incur substantial costs or to
temporarily suspend operation of our tankers.
We believe that the heightened environmental and quality concerns of insurance
underwriters, regulators and charterers are leading to greater inspection and
safety requirements on all vessels and creating an increasing demand for modern
vessels that are able to conform to the stricter environmental standards. We
maintain high operating standards for our vessels that emphasises operational
safety, quality maintenance, continuous training of our crews and officers and
compliance with United States and international and other national regulations.
Our vessels are subject to both scheduled and unscheduled inspections by a
variety of governmental and private entities, each of which may have unique
requirements. These entities include the local port authorities such as the U.S.
Coast Guard, harbor master or equivalent, classification societies, flag state
administration or country of registry, and charterers, particularly terminal
operators and major oil companies which conduct frequent vessel inspections.
Each of these entities may have unique requirements that we must comply with.
International Maritime Organisation
The International Maritime Organisation, or the IMO (the United Nations agency
for maritime safety and the prevention of marine pollution by ships), has
adopted the International Convention for the Prevention of Marine Pollution from
Ships, 1973, as modified by the Protocol of 1978 relating thereto, which has
been updated through various amendments, or the "MARPOL Convention. The MARPOL
Convention relates to environmental standards including oil leakage or spilling,
garbage management, as well as the handling and disposal of noxious liquids,
harmful substances in packaged forms, sewage and air emissions. In March 1992,
the IMO adopted regulations that set forth pollution prevention requirements
applicable to tankers, which became effective in July 1993. These regulations,
which have been adopted by more than 150 nations, including many of the
jurisdictions in which our tankers operate, provide, in part, that:
o tankers between 25 and 30 years old must be of double-hull
construction or of a mid-deck design with double-sided construction,
unless:
(1) they have wing tanks or double-bottom spaces not used for the
carriage of oil which cover at least 30% of the length of the
cargo tank section of the hull or bottom; or
(2) they are capable of hydrostatically balanced loading (loading
cargo into a tanker in such a way that in the event of a breach
of the hull, water flows into the tanker, displacing oil upwards
instead of into the sea);
o tankers 30 years old or older must be of double-hull construction or
mid-deck design with double-sided construction; and
o all tankers are subject to enhanced inspections.
Also, under IMO regulations, a tanker must be of double-hull construction or a
mid-deck design with double-sided construction, or be of another approved design
ensuring the same level of protection against oil pollution, if the tanker:
o is the subject of a contract for a major conversion or original
construction on or after July 6, 1993;
o commences a major conversion or has its keel laid on or after January
6, 1994; or
o completes a major conversion or is a newbuilding delivered on or after
July 6, 1996.
These regulations were amended in 2001 and provided a timetable for the phase
out of single hull tankers. This timetable was amended again in December 2003 in
response to European Union ("EU") proposals, further accelerating the final
phase-out dates for single hull tankers.
The baseline phase out dates applies to tankers according to their certified
arrangement (protectively located segregated ballast tanks or PL/SBT) and the
type of oil carried as cargo. These regulations identify 3 categories of single
hull tankers, including double side and double bottom tankers:
a) Category 1 (Pre- PL/SBT) oil tankers - any tanker of 20,000 dwt or above
carrying crude oil, fuel oil, heavy diesel oil or lubricating oil as cargo
or of 30,000 dwt or above carrying other types of oil.
b) Category 2 (PL/SBT) oil tankers - any tanker of 20,000 dwt or above carrying
crude oil, fuel oil, heavy diesel oil or lubricating oil as cargo or of
30,000 dwt or above carrying other types of oil.
c) Category 3 oil tankers - any tanker of between 5,000 dwt and 20,000 dwt
carrying crude oil, fuel oil, heavy diesel oil or lubricating oil as cargo
or of less than 30,000 dwt carrying other types of oil.
All of the single-hull tankers we operate are Category 2 oil tankers. The table
below provides the specific phase out dates according to each category of oil
tanker. Oil tankers that meet MARPOL Regulation 13F or have double bottoms and
double sides with dimensions in compliance with MARPOL Regulation 13G1(c)
continue to be exempt from the accelerated phase out.
Baseline Phase Out Scheme
Phase Out Date Year of Delivery
Category 1 Category 2 Category 3
April 5, 2005 before April 5, 1982 before April 5, 1977
+ 2005 after April 5, 1982 After April 5, 1977 but before
January 1, 1978
+ 2006 1978* and 1979*
+ 2007 1980* and 1981*
+ 2008 1982*
+ 2009 1983*
+ 2010 1984* or later
+ by Anniversary of Delivery Date In Year
* subject to CAS
For Category 2 and 3 tankers, a successful completion of the Condition
Assessment Scheme (CAS) is required by 15 years of age or by the first
intermediate or renewal survey due after April 5 2005, which ever occurs later.
The new phase-out regime became effective on April 5, 2005. For Category 1
tankers (pre-MARPOL tankers without segregated ballast tanks, generally built
before 1982), the final phase-out date has been brought forward to 2005 from
2007. For Category 2 tankers (MARPOL tankers, generally built after 1982) the
final phase out date has brought forward to 2010 from 2015.
To soften the significant impact that would occur if the approximately 700
tankers (approximately 67 million tons dwt) were to be phased out globally in
2010 as per above, two exceptions to the baseline phase out dates were adopted
which allow Category 2 and 3 oil tankers that have passed the CAS to operate
beyond the 2010 cut-off date as summarised below:
Exception One - a flag state may permit oil tankers to operate to 25 years of
age provided that, not later than 1 July 2001, the entire cargo tank length is
protected with one of the following arrangements which cannot be used for the
carriage of oil:
o Double bottoms having a height at centerline which does not meet that
required by the MARPOL Regulation 13E; or
o Wing tanks having a width which does not meet that required by the
International Bulk Chemical Code for type 2 cargo tank location.
Exception Two - a flag state may permit oil tankers that do not have double
bottoms nor double sides to operate to 25 years of age or the anniversary date
of the tanker's delivery in 2015, whichever occurs earlier.
Although flag states are permitted to grant extensions in both of the above
cases provided CAS is satisfactorily completed and IMO has been so informed of
the extension, coast States have the right to deny oil tankers that have been
granted such extensions into their ports and offshore terminals.
Oil tankers granted life extension under Exception One may be denied entry after
2015 for vessels which are 25 years of age and older. Oil tankers with neither
double bottoms nor double sides which have been granted an extension under
Exception Two may be denied entry after the relevant phase out date.
Based on the present oil consumption, expected future oil consumption, the
present tanker fleet, the order book for tankers forward and the yard capacities
we believe that in order to meet the world demand for transport of oil, the
industry will need to use single hulls after 2010 and hence we believe
exemptions will be granted for trading well maintained single hull tankers after
2010.
The following table summarises the impact of such regulations on the Company's
single hull (SH) and double sided (DS) tankers:
Vessel Year IMO phase out OPA 90
Vessel Name Vessel type Category(s) Built No exemption Flag state
exemption
Front Birch Suezmax DS 1991 2010 2015
Front Comor Suezmax SH 1993 2010 2015
Front Granite Suezmax SH 1991 2010 2015
Front Horizon Suezmax SH 1988 2010 2013
Front Maple Suezmax DS 1991 2010 2015
Front Sunda Suezmax SH 1992 2010 2015
Front Target Suezmax SH 1990 2010 2015
Front Transporter Suezmax SH 1989 2010 2014
Front Traveller Suezmax SH 1990 2010 2015
Marble Suezmax SH 1992 2010 2015
Front Voyager Suezmax SH 1992 2010 2015
Front Puffin Aframax SH 1990 2010 2015
Edinburgh VLCC DS 1993 2010 2015
Front Ace VLCC SH 1993 2010 2015
Front Duchess VLCC SH 1993 2010 2015
Front Duke VLCC SH 1992 2010 2015
Front Highness VLCC SH 1991 2010 2015
Front Lady VLCC SH 1991 2010 2015
Front Lord VLCC SH 1991 2010 2015
Front Sabang VLCC SH 1990 2010 2015
Front Tobago VLCC SH 1993 2010 2015
Front Vanadis VLCC SH 1990 2010 2015
In December 2003, the IMO adopted MARPOL Regulation 13H on the prevention of oil
pollution from oil tankers when carrying heavy grade oil, or HGO. The new
regulation bans the carriage of HGO in single hull oil tankers of 5,000 dwt and
above after April 5, 2005, and in single hull oil tankers of 600 dwt and above
but less than 5,000 dwt, no later than the anniversary of their delivery in
2008.
Under MARPOL Regulation 13H, HGO means any of the following:
o crude oils having a density at 15(0)C higher than 900 kg/m3;
o fuel oils having either a density at 15(0)C higher than 900 kg/ m3 or
a kinematic viscosity at 50(0)C higher than 180 mm2/s;
o bitumen, tar and their emulsions.
Under MARPOL Regulation 13H, the flag state may allow continued operation of oil
tankers of 5,000 dwt and above, carrying crude oil with a density at 15(0)C
higher than 900 kg/m3 but lower than 945 kg/m3, that conform to certain
technical specifications and, in the opinion of the such state, the ship is fit
to continue such operation, having regard to the size, age, operational area and
structural conditions of the ship and provided that the continued operation
shall not go beyond the date on which the ship reaches 25 years after the date
of its delivery. The flag state may also allow continued operation of a single
hull oil tanker of 600 dwt and above but less than 5,000 dwt, carrying HGO as
cargo, if, in the opinion of the such state, the ship is fit to continue such
operation, having regard to the size, age, operational area and structural
conditions of the ship, provided that the operation shall not go beyond the date
on which the ship reaches 25 years after the date of its delivery.
The IMO has also negotiated international conventions that impose liability for
oil pollution in international waters and a signatory's territorial waters. In
September 1997, the IMO adopted Annex VI to the International Convention for the
Prevention of Pollution from Ships to address air pollution from ships. Annex VI
was ratified in May 2004, and became effective in May 2005. Annex VI sets limits
on sulfur oxide and nitrogen oxide emissions from ship exhausts and prohibits
deliberate emissions of ozone depleting substances, such as halons,
chlorofluorocarbons, emissions of volatile compounds from cargo tanks and
prohibition of shipboard incineration of specific substances. Annex VI also
includes a global cap on the sulfur content of fuel oil and allows for special
areas to be established with more stringent controls on sulfur emissions. We
believe that we are in substantial compliance with the Annex VI regulations.
Compliance with these regulations could require the installation of expensive
emission control systems and could have an adverse financial impact on the
operation of our vessels. Additional or new conventions, laws and regulations
may be adopted that could adversely affect our ability to manage our vessels.
The operation of our vessels is also affected by the requirements set forth in
the IMO's Management Code for the Safe Operation of Ships and Pollution
Prevention, or the ISM Code. The ISM Code requires ship owners and bareboat
charterers to maintain an extensive "Safety Management System" that includes the
adoption of a safety and environmental protection policy setting forth
instructions and procedures for safe operation and describing procedures for
emergencies. The failure of a ship owner or a bareboat charterer to comply with
the ISM Code may subject such party to increased liability, may decrease
available insurance coverage for the affected vessels and may result in a denial
of access to, or detention in certain ports. We rely on the safety management
system that we and our third party technical managers have developed.
The ISM Code requires that vessel operators obtain a safety management
certificate for each vessel they operate. This certificate evidences compliance
by a vessel's management with the ISM Code requirements for a safety management
system. No vessel can obtain a certificate unless its manager has been awarded a
Document of Compliance, issued by each flag state, under the ISM Code. All of
our vessels and their operators have received ISM certification. We are required
to renew these documents of compliance and safety management certificates
annually.
Non-compliance with the ISM Code and other IMO regulations may subject the
vessel owner or a bareboat charterer to increased liability, may lead to
decreases in available insurance coverage for affected vessels and may result in
a tanker's denial of access to, or detention in, some ports. Both the United
States Coast Guard and EU authorities have indicated that vessels not in
compliance with the ISM Code will be prohibited from trading in U.S. and EU
ports, as the case may be.
The IMO continues to review and introduce new regulations. It is impossible to
predict what additional regulations, if any, may be passed by the IMO and what
effect, if any, such regulations might have on the operation of oil tankers.
United States Oil Pollution Act of 1990 and Comprehensive Environmental
Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980
The United States regulates the tanker industry with an extensive regulatory and
liability regime for environmental protection and cleanup of oil spills,
consisting primarily of the United States Oil Pollution Act of 1990, or OPA, and
the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act of
1980, or CERCLA. OPA affects all owners and operators whose vessels trade with
the United States or its territories or possessions, or whose vessels operate in
the waters of the United States, which include the United States territorial sea
and the 200 nautical mile exclusive economic zone around the United States.
CERCLA applies to the discharge of hazardous substances (other than oil) whether
on land or at sea. Both OPA and CERCLA impact our operations.
Under OPA, vessel owners, operators and bareboat charterers are "responsible
parties" who are jointly, severally and strictly liable (unless the spill
results solely from the act or omission of a third party, an act of God or an
act of war) for all containment and clean-up costs and other damages arising
from oil spills from their vessels. These other damages are defined broadly to
include:
o natural resources damages and related assessment costs;
o real and personal property damages;
o net loss of taxes, rents, royalties, rents, fees and other lost
revenues;
o net cost of public services necessitated by a spill response such as
protection from fire, safety or health hazards; and
o loss of subsistence use of natural resources.
OPA limits the liability of responsible parties to the greater of $1,200 per
gross ton or $10.0 million per tanker that is over 3,000 gross tons (subject to
possible adjustment for inflation). Under a recently proposed legislation, OPA
liability limits will be increased, when such legislation is enacted, to the
greater of $1,900 per gross ton or $16.0 million per tanker that is over 3,000
gross tons per (subject to possible adjustment for inflation). The act
specifically permits individual states to impose their own liability regimes
with regard to oil pollution incidents occurring within their boundaries, and
some states have enacted legislation providing for unlimited liability for
discharge of pollutants within their waters. In some cases, states that have
enacted this type of legislation have not yet issued implementing regulations
defining tanker owners' responsibilities under these laws.
CERCLA, which applies to owners and operators of tankers, contains a similar
liability regime and provides for cleanup and removal of hazardous substances
and for natural resource damages. Liability under CERCLA is limited to the
greater of $300 per gross ton or $5.0 million. These limits of liability do not
apply, however, where the incident is caused by violation of applicable United
States federal safety, construction or operating regulations, or by the
responsible party's gross negligence or wilful misconduct. These limits do not
apply if the responsible party fails or refuses to report the incident or to
co-operate and assist in connection with the substance removal activities. OPA
and CERCLA each preserve the right to recover damages under existing law,
including maritime tort law.
OPA also requires owners and operators of vessels to establish and maintain with
the United States Coast Guard evidence of financial responsibility sufficient to
meet the limit of their potential strict liability under the act. The United
States Coast Guard has enacted regulations requiring evidence of financial
responsibility in the amount of $1,500 per gross ton for tankers, coupling the
OPA limitation on liability of $1,200 per gross ton with the CERCLA liability
limit of $300 per gross ton. We expect that if the recently proposed legislation
increasing liability limitations under OPA is enacted, the United States Coast
Guard will accordingly increase the amounts of the financial responsibility.
Under these regulations, an owner or operator of more than one tanker is
required to obtain a certificate of financial responsibility for the entire
fleet in an amount equal only to the financial responsibility requirement of the
tanker having the greatest maximum strict liability under OPA and CERCLA. We
have provided requisite guarantees and received certificates of financial
responsibility from the United States Coast Guard for each of our tankers that
calls in United States waters.
Frontline Management insures each of our tankers with pollution liability
insurance in the maximum commercially available amount of $1.0 billion per
incident per vessel. A catastrophic spill could exceed the insurance coverage
available, in which event there could be a material adverse effect on our
business.
Under OPA, oil tankers without double hulls will not be permitted to come to
United States ports or trade in the United States waters by 2015. Based on the
current phase-out requirement, our 18 single hull tankers will not be eligible
to carry oil as cargo within the 200-mile United States exclusive economic zone
starting in 2010, except that these tankers and our three double sided tankers
may trade in United States waters until 2015 if their operations are limited to
discharging their cargoes at the Louisiana Offshore Oil Port ("LOOP") or
unloading with the aid of another vessel, a process referred to as "lightering,"
within authorised lightering zones more than 60 miles off-shore.
OPA also amended the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to require owners or
operators of tankers operating in the waters of the United States to file vessel
response plans with the United States Coast Guard, and their tankers are
required to operate in compliance with their United States Coast Guard approved
plans. These response plans must, among other things:
o address a "worst case" scenario and identify and ensure, through
contract or other approved means, the availability of necessary
private response resources to respond to a "worst case discharge";
o describe crew training and drills; and
o identify a qualified individual with full authority to implement
removal actions.
Vessel response plans for our tankers operating in the waters of the United
States have been approved by the United States Coast Guard. In addition, the
United States Coast Guard has announced it intends to propose similar
regulations requiring certain vessels to prepare response plans for the release
of hazardous substances. We are responsible for ensuring our vessels comply with
any additional regulations.
OPA does not prevent individual states from imposing their own liability regimes
with respect to oil pollution incidents occurring within their boundaries. In
fact, most U.S. states that border a navigable waterway have enacted
environmental pollution laws that impose strict liability on a person for
removal costs and damages resulting from a discharge of oil or a release of a
hazardous substance. These laws may be more stringent than United States federal
law.
Other U.S. Environmental Requirements
The U.S. Clean Air Act of 1970, as amended by the Clean Air Act
Amendments of 1977 and 1990, or the CAA, requires the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency, or EPA, to promulgate standards applicable to emissions of
volatile organic compounds and other air contaminants. Our vessels are subject
to vapor control and recovery requirements for certain cargoes when loading,
unloading, ballasting, cleaning and conducting other operations in regulated
port areas. Our vessels that operate in such port areas are equipped with vapor
control systems that satisfy these requirements. The CAA also requires states to
draft State Implementation Plans, or SIPs, designed to attain national
health-based air quality standards in primarily major metropolitan and/or
industrial areas. Several SIPs regulate emissions resulting from vessel loading
and unloading operations by requiring the installation of vapor control
equipment. As indicated above, our vessels operating in covered port areas are
already equipped with vapor control systems that satisfy these requirements.
Although a risk exists that new regulations could require significant capital
expenditures and otherwise increase our costs, we believe, based on the
regulations that have been proposed to date, that no material capital
expenditures beyond those currently contemplated and no material increase in
costs are likely to be required.
The Clean Water Act, or the CWA, prohibits the discharge of oil or
hazardous substances into navigable waters and imposes strict liability in the
form of penalties for any unauthorized discharges. The CWA also imposes
substantial liability for the costs of removal, remediation and damages. State
laws for the control of water pollution also provide varying civil, criminal and
administrative penalties in the case of a discharge of petroleum or hazardous
materials into state waters. The CWA complements the remedies available under
the more recent OPA and CERCLA, discussed above. Under current regulations of
the EPA, vessels are not required to obtain CWA permits for the discharge of
ballast water in U.S. ports. However, as a result of a recent U.S. federal court
decision, vessel owners and operators may be required to obtain CWA permits for
the discharge of ballast water, or they will face penalties for failing to do
so. Although the EPA is likely to appeal this decision, we do not know how this
matter is likely to be resolved and we cannot assure you that any costs
associated with compliance with the CWA's permitting requirements will not be
material to our results of operations.
The National Invasive Species Act, or NISA, was enacted in 1996 in
response to growing reports of harmful organisms being released into U.S. ports
through ballast water taken on by ships in foreign ports. NISA established a
ballast water management program for ships entering U.S. waters. Under NISA,
mid-ocean ballast water exchange is voluntary, except for ships heading to the
Great Lakes, Hudson Bay, or vessels engaged in the foreign export of Alaskan
North Slope crude oil. However, NISA's exporting and record-keeping requirements
are mandatory for vessels bound for any port in the United States. Although
ballast water exchange is the primary means of compliance with the act's
guidelines, compliance can also be achieved through the retention of ballast
water onboard the ship, or the use of environmentally sound alternative ballast
water management methods approved by the U.S. Coast Guard. If the mid-ocean
ballast exchange is made mandatory throughout the United States, or if water
treatment requirements or options are instituted, the costs of compliance could
increase for ocean carriers.
Our operations occasionally generate and require the transportation,
treatment and disposal of both hazardous and non-hazardous wastes that are
subject to the requirements of the U.S. Resource Conservation and Recovery Act,
or RCRA, or comparable state, local or foreign requirements. In addition, from
time to time we arrange for the disposal of hazardous waste or hazardous
substances at offsite disposal facilities. If such materials are improperly
disposed of by third parties, we might still be liable for clean up costs under
applicable laws.
Several of our vessels currently carry cargoes to U.S. waters regularly
and we believe that all of our vessels are suitable to meet OPA and other U.S.
environmental requirements and that they would also qualify for trade if
chartered to serve U.S. ports.
European Union Tanker Restrictions
In July 2003, the EU adopted legislation, which was amended in October 2003,
that prohibits all single hull tankers from entering into its ports or offshore
terminals by 2010 or earlier, depending on their age. The EU has also already
banned all single hull tankers carrying heavy grades of oil from entering or
leaving its ports or offshore terminals or anchoring in areas under its
jurisdiction. Commencing in 2005, certain single hull tankers above 15 years of
age are also restricted from entering or leaving EU ports or offshore terminals
and anchoring in areas under EU jurisdiction. The EU also adopted legislation
that: (1) ban manifestly sub-standard vessels (defined as those more than 15
years old that have been detained by port authorities at least twice in a six
month period) from European waters and create an obligation of port states to
inspect vessels posing a high risk to maritime safety or the marine environment;
and (2) provide the European Union with greater authority and control over
classification societies, including the ability to seek to suspend or revoke the
authority of negligent societies. The sinking of the m.t. Prestige and resulting
oil spill in November 2002 has led to the adoption of other environmental
regulations by certain EU nations, which could adversely affect the remaining
useful lives of all of our tankers and our ability to generate income from them.
It is impossible to predict what legislation or additional regulations, if any,
may be promulgated by the EU or any other country or authority.
International Conventions on Civil Liability for Oil Pollution Damage
Although the United States is not a party to these Conventions, many countries
ratified and followed the liability system adopted by the IMO and originally set
out in the International Convention on Civil Liability for Oil Pollution Damage
of 1969 and the Convention for the Establishment of an International Fund for
Oil Pollution of 1971. This international oil pollution regime was modified in
1992 by two Protocols. The amended Conventions are known as the 1992 Civil
Liability Convention and the 1992 Fund Convention. The 1992 Conventions entered
into force on May 30, 1996. Due to a number of denunciations of the 1971
Convention this Convention ceased to be in force on May 24, 2004. A large number
of States have also denounced the 1969 Civil Liability Convention and as more
States do so its importance is increasingly diminishing. Under the 1992 Civil
Liability Convention, a vessel's registered owner is strictly liable for oil
pollution damage caused in the territory, territorial seas or exclusive economic
zone of a contracting state by discharge of persistent oil from a tanker,
subject to certain complete defences. The 1992 Fund established by the 1992 Fund
Convention pays compensation to those suffering oil pollution damage in a State
party to the 1992 Fund Convention who did not obtain full compensation under the
1992 Civil Liability Convention. This would normally apply where the shipowner
has a defence under the 1992 Civil Liability Convention or the damage exceeds
the shipowner's liability under that Convention. Under an amendment that became
effective on November 1, 2003, liability limits under the 1992 Civil Liability
Convention were increased by over 50%. For vessels of 5,000 to 140,000 gross
tons (a unit of measurement for the total enclosed spaces within a vessel)
liability will be limited to SDR 4,510,000 (approximately $6.7 million) plus SDR
631 (approximately $932) for each additional gross ton over 5,000. For vessels
of over 140,000 gross tons, liability will be limited to SDR 89,770,000
(approximately $132,7 million). Also with effect from the same date the maximum
amount payable by the 1992 Fund increased from SDR 135 million (approximately
$199.5 million) to SDR 203million (approximately $300 million). The right to
limit liability is forfeited under the 1992 Civil Liability Convention if it is
proved that the pollution damage resulted from the shipowner's personal act or
omission, committed with the intent to cause such damage, or recklessly and with
knowledge that such damage would probably result. Vessels trading to States that
are parties to the 1992 Civil Liability Convention must provide evidence of
insurance covering the liability of the owner. On March 2005 a third tier of
compensation was established by means of a Supplementary Fund. This Fund
provides additional compensation to that available under the 1992 Fund
Convention for pollution damage in States that are members of the Supplementary
Fund. The amount available is SDR 750 million (approximately $1,083 million)
including the costs payable under the 1992 Civil Liability Convention and the
1992 Fund Convention, SDR 203 million (approximately $300 million). In
jurisdictions where the 1992 Civil Liability Convention has not been adopted,
various legislative schemes govern or common law applies, and liability is
imposed either on the basis of fault or in a manner similar to the 1992
Convention. We believe that our P&I insurance covers liabilities either under
the international oil pollution schemes or under local regimes like for example
the US Oil Pollution Act 1990.
The unit of account in the 1992 Conventions is the Special Drawing Right (SDR)
as defined by the International Monetary Fund. In this document the SDR has been
converted into US dollars at the rate of exchange applicable on May 2, 2006 of
SDR 1 = USD 1.477760.
Vessel Security Regulations
Since the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, there have been a variety of
initiatives intended to enhance vessel security. On November 25, 2002, the
Maritime Transportation Security Act of 2002, MTSA, came into effect. To
implement certain portions of the MTSA, in July 2003, the United States Coast
Guard issued regulations requiring the implementation of certain security
requirements aboard vessels operating in waters subject to the jurisdiction of
the United States. Similarly, in December 2002, amendments to the International
Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, or SOLAS, created a new chapter of the
convention dealing specifically with maritime security. The new chapter came
into effect in July 2004 and imposes various detailed security obligations on
vessels and port authorities, most of which are contained in the newly created
International Ship and Port Facilities Security Code, or ISPS. Among the various
requirements are:
o on-board installation of automatic information systems, or AIS, to
enhance vessel-to-vessel and vessel-to-shore communications;
o on-board installation of ship security alert systems;
o the development of vessel security plans; and
o compliance with flag state security certification requirements.
The United States Coast Guard regulations, intended to align with international
maritime security standards, exempt non-U.S. vessels from MTSA vessel security
measures provided such vessels have on board a valid International Ship Security
Certificate that attests to the vessel's compliance with SOLAS security
requirements and the ISPS Code. All of our vessels comply with the various
security measures addressed by the MTSA, SOLAS and the ISPS Code.
C. ORGANISATIONAL STRUCTURE
See Exhibit 8.1 for a list of our significant subsidiaries and equity interests.
D. PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
The Company's Vessels
We operate a modern fleet of tankers and the following table sets forth the
fleet that we operate as of May 31, 2006 (including contracted newbuildings not
yet delivered):
Approximate Type of
Vessel Built Dwt. Construction Flag Employment
------ ----- ---- ------------ ---- ----------
Tonnage Owned Directly
----------------------
VLCCs
-----
Antares Voyager 1998 310,000 Double-hull BA Bareboat
charter
Phoenix Voyager 1999 308,500 Double-hull BA Bareboat
charter
Hull NE037 (Newbuilding) 2006 298,500 Double-hull n/a n/a
Hull NE041 (Newbuilding) 2006 298,500 Double-hull n/a n/a
Hull 2396 (Newbuilding) 2009 297,000 Double-hull n/a n/a
Hull 2397 (Newbuilding) 2009 297,000 Double-hull n/a n/a
Hull 2398 (Newbuilding) 2010 297,000 Double-hull n/a n/a
Hull 2399 (Newbuilding) 2010 297,000 Double-hull n/a n/a
Suezmax Tankers
---------------
Front Horizon 1988 151,000 Single-hull MI Spot market
Marble 1992 150,000 Single-hull BA Time charter
Front Voyager 1992 155,000 Single-hull BA Bareboat
charter
Cygnus Voyager 1993 157,000 Double-hull BA Bareboat
charter
Altair Voyager 1993 136,000 Double-hull BA Bareboat
charter
Sirius Voyager 1994 156,000 Double-hull BA Bareboat
charter
Aframax Tankers
---------------
Front Puffin 1990 112,000 Single-hull Malta Spot market
Tonnage Owned Through Ship Finance
----------------------------------
VLCCs
-----
Front Sabang 1990 286,000 Single-hull SG Time charter
Front Vanadis 1990 286,000 Single-hull SG Spot market
Front Highness 1991 284,000 Single-hull SG Time charter
Front Lady 1991 284,000 Single-hull SG Time charter
Front Lord 1991 284,000 Single-hull SG Time charter
Front Duke 1992 284,000 Single-hull SG Time charter
Front Duchess 1993 284,000 Single-hull SG Time charter
Front Tobago 1993 261,000 Single-hull LIB Spot market
Front Edinburgh 1993 302,000 Double-side LIB Spot market
Front Ace 1993 276,000 Single-hull LIB Time charter
Front Vanguard 1998 300,000 Double-hull MI Spot market
Front Century 1998 311,000 Double-hull MI Spot market
Front Champion 1998 311,000 Double-hull BA Spot market
Front Vista 1998 300,000 Double-hull MI Spot market
Front Comanche 1999 300,000 Double-hull FRA Time charter
Golden Victory 1999 305,000 Double-hull MI Time charter
Front Circassia 1999 306,000 Double-hull MI Spot market
Front Opalia 1999 302,000 Double-hull IoM Spot market
Ocana 1999 300,000 Double-hull IoM Bareboat
charter
Front Scilla 2000 303,000 Double-hull MI Spot market
Ariake tbn Olivia 2001 299,000 Double-hull BA Bareboat
charter
Front Serenade 2002 299,000 Double-hull LIB Bareboat
charter
Otina 2002 298,000 Double-hull IoM Bareboat
charter
Front Stratus tbn Ondina 2002 299,000 Double-hull LIB Bareboat
charter
Front Falcon 2002 309,000 Double-hull BA Spot market
Front Page 2002 299,000 Double-hull LIB Bareboat
charter
Front Energy 2004 305,000 Double-hull CYP Spot market
Front Force 2004 305,000 Double-hull CYP Spot market
Suezmax OBO Carriers
--------------------
Front Breaker 1991 169,000 Double-hull MI Time charter
Front Climber 1991 169,000 Double-hull SG Time charter
Front Driver 1991 169,000 Double-hull MI Time charter
Front Guider 1991 169,000 Double-hull SG Time charter
Front Leader 1991 169,000 Double-hull SG Time charter
Front Rider 1992 170,000 Double-hull SG Time charter
Front Striver 1992 169,000 Double-hull SG Time charter
Front Viewer 1992 169,000 Double-hull SG Time charter
Suezmax Tankers
---------------
Front Transporter 1989 150,000 Single-hull MI Spot market
Front Target 1990 150,000 Single-hull MI Spot market
Front Traveller 1990 150,000 Single-hull MI Spot market
Front Birch 1991 150,000 Double-side MI Spot market
Front Maple 1991 150,000 Double-side MI Spot market
Front Granite 1991 150,000 Single-hull MI Spot market
Front Sunda 1992 150,000 Single-hull MI Spot market
Front Comor 1993 150,000 Single-hull MI Time charter
Front Pride 1993 150,000 Double-hull NIS Spot market
Front Glory 1995 150,000 Double-hull NIS Time charter
Front Splendour 1995 150,000 Double-hull NIS Spot market
Front Ardenne 1997 153,000 Double-hull NIS Spot market
Front Brabant 1998 153,000 Double-hull NIS Spot market
Mindanao 1998 159,000 Double-hull SG Spot market
Containerships
--------------
Sea Alfa 2005 1,700 TEU(1) n/a CYP Time charter
Sea Beta 2005 1,700 TEU n/a CYP Bareboat
charter
Tonnage Chartered In from Third Parties
---------------------------------------
VLCCs
-----
Front Chief 1999 311,000 Double-hull BA Spot market
Front Commander 1999 311,000 Double-hull BA Spot market
Front Crown 1999 311,000 Double-hull BA Spot market
British Pioneer 1999 307,000 Double-hull IoM Bareboat
charter
British Pride 2000 307,000 Double-hull IoM Bareboat
charter
British Progress 2000 307,000 Double-hull IoM Bareboat
charter
British Purpose 2000 307,000 Double-hull IoM Bareboat
charter
Front Tina 2000 299,000 Double-hull LIB Spot market
Front Commodore 2000 299,000 Double-hull LIB Time charter
Front Eagle 2002 309,000 Double-hull BA Spot market
Suezmax Tankers
---------------
Front Warrior 1998 153,000 Double-hull BA Spot market
Front Melody 2001 150,500 Double-hull LIB Spot market
Front Symphony 2001 150,500 Double-hull LIB Spot market
Our chartered in fleet is contracted to us under leasing arrangements with fixed
terms of between eight and twenty four years. Lessors have options to require us
to extend nine of these leases by up to an additional five years from expiry of
the fixed term. We have fixed price purchase options to buy nine of these
vessels at certain future dates and the lessors have fixed price options to put
nine of these vessels to us at the end of the lease period. The remaining four
lease agreements are not cancellable by us without agreement of the end-user of
the vessel.
Key to Flags:
BA - Bahamas, IoM - Isle of Man, LIB - Liberia, NIS - Norwegian International
Ship Register, SG - Singapore, FRA - France, MI - Marshall Islands, CYP -
Cyprus.
(1) Measured in "twenty-foot equivalent units" (TEU)
Other than our interests in the vessels described above, we do not own any
material physical properties. We lease office space in Hamilton, Bermuda from an
unaffiliated third party. Frontline Management leases office space, at market
rates, in Oslo, Norway from Sea Shipping AS, a company indirectly affiliated
with Hemen, our principal shareholder.
ITEM 4A. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
None.
ITEM 5. OPERATING AND FINANCIAL REVIEW AND PROSPECTS
Overview
The following discussion should be read in conjunction with Item 3 "Selected
Financial Data", Item 4 "Information on the Company" and our audited
Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes thereto included herein.
Our principal focus and expertise is the transportation of crude oil and oil
product cargoes for major integrated oil companies and other customers. As at
December 31, 2005, our tanker fleet consisted of 30 VLCCs, six VLCC newbuilding
contracts and 28 Suezmax tankers, of which eight are Suezmax OBOs and one
Aframax tanker. We also charter in ten modern VLCCs and three modern Suezmax
tankers from third parties. A full fleet list is provided in Item 4 "Information
on the Company" showing the vessels that we currently own and charter in.
Fleet Changes
Refer to Item 4 for discussion on acquisitions and disposals of vessels. A
summary of our fleet changes for the years ended December 31, 2005, 2004 and
2003 is as follows:
005 2004 2003
VLCCs
At start of period 38 36 28
Acquisitions 4 3 2
Disposals - 1 1
Consolidated from December 31, 2003
due to adoption of FIN 46 - - 7
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
At end of period 42 38 36
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
VLCCs owned by equity investees
At start of period 1 7 11
Acquisitions - - -
Disposals 1 6 3
Consolidated from December 31, 2003
due to adoption of FIN 46 - - 1
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
At end of period - 1 7
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Suezmax
At start of period 28 23 21
Acquisitions - 5 -
Disposals 5 - 2
Consolidated from December 31, 2003
due to adoption of FIN 46 - - 4
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
At end of period 23 28 23
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Suezmax OBOs
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
At start and end of period 8 8 8
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Drybulk
At start of period 1 3 3
Disposals 1 2 -
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
At end of period - 1 3
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total fleet
At start of period 76 77 71
Acquisitions 4 8 2
Disposals 7 9 6
Consolidated from December 31, 2003
due to adoption of FIN 46 - - 10
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
At end of period 73 76 77
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Summary of Fleet Employment
As discussed below, our vessels are operated under time charters, bareboat
charters, voyage charters, pool arrangements and COAs.
As at December 31,
2005 2004 2003
No. % No. % No. %
VLCCs
Spot or pool 28 67% 25 66% 23 64%
Time charter 9 21% 2 5% 3 8%
Bareboat 5 12% 11 29% 10 28%
charter
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total 42 100% 38 100% 36 100%
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
VLCCs owned by
equity
investees
Spot or pool - 100% 1 100% 7 100%
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total - 100% 1 100% 7 100%
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Suezmax
Spot or pool 22 96% 24 86% 18 78%
Time charter 1 4% - - 1 4%
Bareboat - - 4 14% 4 18%
charter
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total 23 100% 28 100% 23 100%
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Suezmax OBOs
Spot or pool - - - - - -
Time charter 8 100% 8 100% 8 100%
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total 8 100% 8 100% 8 100%
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Drybulk
Time charter - - - - 2 67%
Bareboat - - 1 100% 1 33%
charter
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total - - 1 100% 3 100%
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total fleet
Spot or pool 50 68% 50 66% 48 62%
Time charter 18 25% 10 13% 14 18%
Bareboat 5 7% 16 21% 15 20%
charter
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total 73 100% 76 100% 77 100%
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Market Overview
For the third year in a row the tanker market was very profitable, even if 2005
could not compete with 2004. The extreme volatility witnessed in rates over 2004
was to a smaller extent the case for 2005, though still were testing at times.
The TCE for a modern VLCC differed between lows of $24,000 per day and highs of
$130,000 per day in 2005 and Suezmaxes ranged between lows of $23,000 per day
and highs of $107,000 per day in 2005 according to industry sources.
The International Energy Agency (IEA) reported in their May issue, world oil
demand in 2005 of 83.59 million barrels per day (mbd), an increase of 1.05 mbd
from 2004. The Middle East, China and North America contributed with 55% of this
increase which indicate their strong economic growth.
Lack of spare oil production capacity drove crude oil prices to about $70 per
barrel towards the end of the year and dampened the extremely strong growth in
oil consumption of close to 4.0% in 2004 to 1.3% in 2005 according to the IEA.
China continued its rapid economic growth with full force in 2005 with GDP
increasing 9.9% however their growth in oil demand was down from 15.4% in 2004
to 2.4% in 2005. The hurricanes Katrina and Rita which hit the US Gulf Coast in
August and September were each among the top five most powerful storms of all
time and lead to damages to production platforms which caused additional
ton-miles for the last quarter of 2005. It is estimated that hurricanes cut down
approximately 0.4 mbd in US production as an average over the year. Geopolitical
tension in Nigeria, Venezuela, Iraq, Iran and other parts of the Middle East,
which was given a lot of press attention, seems to have had limited effect on
their production as the OPEC members in total increased production by 3.2% in
2005 compared to total world supply which increased 1.3%.
The world VLCC fleet increased 4.7% in 2005 from 444 vessels to 465 vessels.
Only one VLCC was scrapped during the year while eight were converted. A total
of 30 were delivered during the year. The total order book for VLCCs was at 92
vessels at the end of 2005, of which 35 were ordered during the year. The size
of the world Suezmax fleet increased by 7% in 2005 from 315 vessels to 337. Two
Suezmaxes were scrapped while 24 were delivered. The total orderbook for
Suezmaxes was at 63 at the end of the year, of which seven were ordered during
the year. The total orderbooks for VLCCs and Suezmaxes equates to 19.8% and
18.7%, respectively, of the existing fleet.
Even though spot market rates have declined during the first four months of
2006, the company believes the outlook for the remainder of 2006 is positive.
The continued growth in oil consumption combined with relatively few deliveries,
combined with an increasing amount of conversions for other purposes, should
lead to a positive demand environment for tankers.
Accounting Changes
In December 2003 we implemented the provisions of FIN 46. The effect of our
implementation of FIN 46 was to require consolidation of certain entities in
which we held interests but which had not previously been consolidated. This
resulted in us recording an increase in total assets of $918.3 million, an
increase in total liabilities of $952.1 million and the cumulative effect of a
change in accounting principle of $33.7 million effective December 31, 2003 as
discussed below.
o During 2004, we owned 50% of the issued shares of and had made loans
to Golden Fountain Corporation, owner of a VLCC. Prior to the adoption
of FIN 46, we accounted for our interest in Golden Fountain
Corporation using the equity method. We determined that Golden
Fountain Corporation was a variable interest entity and that we were
the primary beneficiary. Accordingly we consolidated the assets and
liabilities of Golden Fountain Corporation effective December 31,
2003. The effect of consolidation of Golden Fountain Corporation as of
December 31, 2003 was to increase total assets by $7.8 million,
increase total liabilities by $16.4 million and to record the
cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle of $8.5 million.
Golden Fountain Corporation sold its vessel in December 17, 2004.
o On July 1, 2003, we purchased a call option for $10.0 million to
acquire all of the shares of ITC from Hemen, a related party, for a
total consideration of $4.0 million plus 4% interest per year. Prior
to the adoption of FIN 46 we did not consolidate ITC. We determined
that ITC was a variable interest entity and that we were the primary
beneficiary. Accordingly we consolidated the assets and liabilities of
ITC effective December 31, 2003. The effect of consolidation of ITC as
of December 31, 2003 was to increase total assets by $910.5 million,
increase total liabilities by $935.7 million and to record the
cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle of $25.2
million.
o Nine of the vessels we leased as at December 31, 2005 are leased from
special purpose lessor entities which were established and are owned
by independent third parties who provide financing through debt and
equity participation. Each entity owns one vessel, which is leased to
us, and has no other activities. Prior to the adoption of FIN 46R, we
did not consolidate these special purpose lessor entities. At December
31, 2005, one of these leases is accounted for as an operating lease
and eight of these leases are accounted for as capital leases. We
determined that due to the existence of certain put and call options
over the leased vessels, these entities are variable interest
entities. The determination of the primary beneficiary of a variable
interest entity requires knowledge of the participations in the equity
of that entity by individual and related equity holders. Our lease
agreements with the leasing entities do not give us any right to
obtain this information and we have been unable to obtain this
information by other means. Accordingly we are unable to determine the
primary beneficiary of these leasing entities. At December 31, 2005,
the original cost to the lessor of the assets under such arrangements
was $618.5 million. At December 31, 2005, our residual value
guarantees associated with these leases, which represent the maximum
exposure to loss, are $84.5 million.
o We had both an obligation and an option to purchase the VLCC Oscilla
on expiry of a five-year time charter, which commenced in March 2000.
Oscilla was owned and operated by an unrelated special purpose entity.
Prior to the adoption of FIN 46R, we did not consolidate this special
purpose entity. We determined that the entity that owns Oscilla is a
variable interest entity and that we were the primary beneficiary. At
December 31, 2004 through to January 2005, when we exercised our
option to acquire the vessel, we were unable to obtain the accounting
information necessary to be able to consolidate the entity that owns
Oscilla. If we had exercised our option at December 31, 2004, the cost
to us of the Oscilla would have been approximately $28.5 million and
the maximum exposure to loss was $15.4 million. On January 17, 2005,
we exercised our option to acquire the Oscilla and the vessel was
delivered to us on April 4, 2005
With effect from December 2003, the International Maritime Organisation
implemented new regulations that result in the accelerated phase-out of single
hull vessels. As a result of this, we have re-evaluated the estimated useful
life of our single hull vessels and determined this to be either 25 years or the
vessel's anniversary date in 2015 whichever comes first. As a result, the
estimated useful lives of fourteen of our wholly owned vessels and two vessels
owned by associated companies were reduced in the fourth quarter of 2003. A
change in accounting estimate was recognised to reflect this decision, resulting
in an increase in depreciation expense and consequently decreasing net income by
$1.3 million and basic and diluted earnings per share by $0.02, for 2003.
Discontinued Operations
In November 2004, we established Golden Ocean as a wholly owned subsidiary in
Bermuda for the purpose of transferring, by way of contribution, certain dry
bulk shipping interests. We will not have any significant continuing involvement
in these dry bulk operations and as a result, the financial results from our dry
bulk operations transferred to Golden Ocean have been reported under
"discontinued operations" for 2004, 2003 and 2002. We have accounted for the
spin off of Golden Ocean at fair value and have recorded a gain of $99.5 million
in the year ended December 31, 2004.
In 2005, we disposed of our last remaining dry bulk carrier which has been
accounted for as discontinued operations as we do not plan on having any
continued involvement in dry bulk operations. Discontinued operations also
includes a portion of the gain on sale of shares of Golden Ocean in February
2005 representing the difference between the cost of the shares sold and the
fair value of the shares at the date of the spin off of Golden Ocean.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
The preparation of our financial statements in accordance with accounting
principles generally accepted in the United States requires that management make
estimates and assumptions affecting the reported amounts of assets and
liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of
the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses
during the reporting period.
Management believes that the following accounting policies are the most critical
to aid in fully understanding and evaluating our reported financial results as
they require a higher degree of judgement in their application resulting from
the need to make estimates about the effect of matters that are inherently
uncertain. See Note 2 to our audited Consolidated Financial Statements included
herein for details of all of our material accounting policies.
Revenue Recognition
Revenues are generated from freight billings, time charter and bareboat charter
hires. Time charter and bareboat charter revenues are recorded over the term of
the charter as service is provided. Under a voyage charter the revenues and
associated voyage costs are recognised rateably over the estimated duration of
the voyage. The operating results of voyages in progress at a reporting date are
estimated and recognised pro-rata on a per day basis. Probable losses on voyages
are provided for in full at the time such losses can be estimated. Amounts
receivable or payable arising from profit sharing arrangements are accrued based
on the estimated results of the voyage recorded as at the reporting date.
Revenues and voyage expenses of the vessels operating in pool arrangements, are
pooled and the resulting net pool revenues, calculated on a time charter
equivalent basis, are allocated to the pool participants according to an agreed
formula. Formulae used to allocate net pool revenues vary among different pools
but generally allocate revenues to pool participants on the basis of the number
of days a vessel operates in the pool with weighting adjustments made to reflect
vessels' differing capacities and performance capabilities. The same revenue and
expenses principles stated above are applied in determining the pool's net pool
revenues. Certain pools are responsible for paying voyage expenses and
distribute net pool revenues to the participants. We account for the net pool
revenues allocated by these pools as "pool revenues" which are included in
voyage revenues in our statements of operations. Certain pools require the
participants to pay and account for voyage expenses, and distribute gross pool
revenues to the participants such that the participants' resulting net pool
revenues are equal to net pool revenues calculated according to the agreed
formula. We account for gross pool revenues allocated by these pools as "pool
revenues" which are included in voyage revenues in our statements of operations.
Vessels and Depreciation
The cost of the vessels less estimated residual value is depreciated on a
straight-line basis over the vessels' estimated remaining economic useful lives.
The estimated economic useful life of the Company's double hull vessels is 25
years and for single hull vessels is either 25 years or the vessel's anniversary
date in 2015, whichever comes first. Other equipment is depreciated over its
estimated remaining useful life, which approximates five years.
With effect from December 2003, the International Maritime Organisation
implemented new regulations that resulted in the accelerated phase-out of single
hull vessels. As a result of this, the Company re-evaluated the estimated useful
life of its single hull vessels and determined this to be either 25 years or the
vessel's anniversary date in 2015 whichever comes first. As a result, the
estimated useful lives of fourteen of the Company's wholly owned vessels and two
vessels owned by associated companies were reduced in the fourth quarter of
2003.
o If the estimated economic useful life is incorrect, or circumstances
change such that the estimated economic useful life has to be revised,
an impairment loss could result in future periods. We will continue to
monitor the situation and revise the estimated useful lives of our
non-double hull vessels as appropriate when new regulations are
implemented.
The vessels held and used by us are reviewed for impairment whenever events or
changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not
be recoverable. In assessing the recoverability of the vessels' carrying
amounts, we must make assumptions regarding estimated future cash flows. These
assumptions include assumptions about the spot market rates for vessels, the
operating costs of our vessels and the estimated economic useful life of our
vessels. In making these assumptions we refer to historical trends and
performance as well as any known future factors. Factors we consider important
which could affect recoverability and trigger impairment include significant
underperformance relative to expected operating results, new regulations that
change the estimated useful economic lives of our vessels and significant
negative industry or economic trends.
Variable Interest Entities
A variable interest entity is a legal entity that lacks either (a) equity
interest holders as a group that lack the characteristics of a controlling
financial interest, including: decision making ability and an interest in the
entity's residual risks and rewards or (b) the equity holders have not provided
sufficient equity investment to permit the entity to finance its activities
without additional subordinated financial support. FIN 46 requires a variable
interest entity to be consolidated if any of its interest holders are entitled
to a majority of the entity's residual return or are exposed to a majority of
its expected losses.
In applying the provisions of Interpretation 46, we must make assumptions in
respect of, but not limited to, the sufficiency of the equity investment in the
underlying entity. These assumptions include assumptions about the future
revenues, operating costs and estimated economic useful lives of assets of the
underlying entity.
We initially applied the provisions of Interpretation 46 to all special purpose
entities and other entities created after January 31, 2003 on December 31, 2003.
We initially applied its provisions to entities that are not considered to be
special purpose entities that were created before January 31, 2003 as of March
31, 2004. The impact on the results of operations and financial position of the
Company is explained above in "Accounting Changes".
o Leases
o Leases are classified as either capital leases or operating leases
based on an assessment of the terms of the lease. Classification of
leases involves the use of estimates or assumptions about fair values
of leased vessels, expected future values of vessels and, if lessor's
rates of return are not known, lessee's cost of capital. We generally
base our estimates of fair value on the average of three independent
broker valuations of a vessel. Our estimates of expected future values
of vessels are based on current fair values amortised in accordance
with our standard depreciation policy for owned vessels. Lessee's cost
of capital is estimated using an average which includes estimated
return on equity and estimated incremental borrowing cost. The
classification of leases in our accounts as either capital leases or
operating leases is sensitive to changes in these underlying estimates
and assumptions.
Factors Affecting Our Results
The principal factors affected our results of operations and financial position
include:
o the earnings of our vessels in the charter market;
o vessel operating expenses;
o administrative expenses;
o depreciation;
o interest expense;
o minority interest
We have derived our earnings from bareboat charters, time charters, voyage
charters, pool arrangements and contracts of affreightment.
As at December 31, 2005, 2004 and 2003, 50, 50 and 48 respectively, of our
vessels operated in the voyage charter market. The tanker industry has
historically been highly cyclical, experiencing volatility in profitability,
vessel values and freight rates. In particular, freight and charter rates are
strongly influenced by the supply of tanker vessels and the demand for oil
transportation services.
Operating costs are the direct costs associated with running a vessel and
include crew costs, vessel supplies, repairs and maintenance, drydockings,
lubricating oils and insurance.
Administrative expenses are composed of general corporate overhead expenses,
including personnel costs, property costs, legal and professional fees and other
general administrative expenses. Personnel costs include, among other things,
salaries, pension costs, fringe benefits, travel costs and health insurance.
Depreciation, or the periodic cost charged to our income for the reduction in
usefulness and long-term value of our vessels, is also related to the number of
vessels we own. We depreciate the cost of our vessels, less their estimated
residual value, over their estimated useful life on a straight-line basis. No
charge is made for depreciation of vessels under construction until they are
delivered.
Interest expense relates to vessel specific debt facilities and corporate debt.
Interest expense depends on our overall borrowing levels and may significantly
increase when we acquire vessels or on the delivery of newbuildings. Interest
incurred during the construction of a newbuilding is capitalised in the cost of
the newbuilding. Interest expense may also change with prevailing interest
rates, although the effect of these changes may be reduced by interest rate
swaps or other derivative instruments.
All of our charter and management arrangements with Ship Finance are eliminated
on consolidation. However, due to the spin-off of our holdings of Ship Finance
shares, we record as an expense the share of total consolidated income
attributable to the minority interest.
Inflation
Although inflation has had a moderate impact on our vessel operating expenses
and corporate overheads management does not consider inflation to be a
significant risk to direct costs in the current and foreseeable economic
environment. In addition, in a shipping downturn, costs subject to inflation can
usually be controlled because shipping companies typically monitor costs to
preserve liquidity and encourage suppliers and service providers to lower rates
and prices in the event of a downturn.
Results of Operations
Year ended December 31, 2005 compared with the year ended December 31, 2004
Total operating revenues and voyage expenses and commission
Year ended December 31, Change
(in thousands of $) 2005 2004 $ %
Voyage charter revenues 1,152,240 1,554,519 (402,279) (26)
Time charter revenues 205,837 108,246 97,591 90
Bareboat charter revenues 142,562 176,381 (33,819) (19)
Finance lease interest income 9,584 10,794 (1,210) (11)
Other income 3,610 3,630 (20) (1)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Operating Revenues 1,513,833 1,853,570 (339,737) (18)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total operating revenues decreased by 18% in 2005 compared with 2004 which
primarily reflects weaker earnings in the spot market. The decrease in voyage
charter revenues primarily reflects the strategic change in the employment of
five VLCCs from the spot market to time charters along with a general downward
trend in the market compared to the unusually high market in 2004 as discussed
above. Voyage charter revenues include pool revenues. Certain pools are
responsible for paying voyage expenses and distribute net pool revenues to the
participants while other pools require the participants to pay and account for
voyage expenses, and distribute gross pool revenues to the participants such
that the participants' resulting net pool revenues are equal to net pool
revenues calculated according to the agreed formula. An analysis of our pool
revenues included in voyage revenues is as follows:
(in thousands of $) 2005 2004
Pool earnings allocated on gross basis 118,236 78,429
Pool earnings allocated on net basis 35,505 117,179
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total pool earnings 153,741 195,608
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
The increase in time charter revenues mainly reflects the change in employment
of five of our VLCCs to time charters during 2005. These time charters provide
us with a guaranteed minimum charter rate along with a 50:50 profit sharing of
average earnings above agreed thresholds.
Bareboat charter revenues in 2004 include $17.0 million in relation to two VLCCs
which were employed in the spot market part way through 2004. In 2004, we placed
four wholly owned VLCCs on bareboat charters which provide for a flat bareboat
rate along with a profit share based on market rates. Total earnings for these
vessels were $79.0 million in 2005 compared to $96.1 million in 2004 with the
decrease reflecting a decrease in market rates compared to 2004.
Our vessels are operated under time charters, bareboat charters, voyage
charters, pool arrangements and contracts of affreightment ("COAs"). Under a
time charter, the charterer pays substantially all of the vessel voyage costs.
Under a bareboat charter the charterer pays substantially all of the vessel
voyage and operating costs. Under a voyage charter, the vessel owner pays such
costs. Vessel voyage costs are primarily fuel and port charges. Accordingly,
charter income from a voyage charter would be greater than that from an equally
profitable time charter to take account of the owner's payment of vessel voyage
costs. In order to compare vessels trading under different types of charters, it
is standard industry practice to measure the revenue performance of a vessel in
terms of average daily time charter equivalent earnings, or TCEs. For voyage
charters, this is calculated by dividing net voyage revenues by the number of
days on charter. Days spent off-hire are excluded from this calculation. For
comparability, TCEs for bareboat charters include an allowance for estimated
operating costs that would be paid by us under an equivalently profitable time
charter. In 2005 we include an allowance of $6,500 per day for estimated
operating costs (2004 - $6,500 per day).
A summary of average time charter equivalent earnings per day for our fleet is
as follows:
(in $ per day) 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001
VLCC 57,400 78,000 42,300 22,500 40,800
Suezmax 40,300 57,900 33,900 18,400 30,700
Suezmax OBO 34,900 27,900 31,900 17,700 28,900
Containerships 26,100 - - - -
Net voyage revenues, a non-GAAP measure, provides more meaningful information to
us than voyage revenues, the most directly comparable GAAP measure. Net voyage
revenues are also widely used by investors and analysts in the tanker shipping
industry for comparing financial performance between companies and to industry
averages. The following table reconciles our net voyage revenues to voyage
revenues.
2005 2004 2003 2002 2001
Voyage revenues 1,152,240 1,554,519 1,089,583 489,286 639,807
Voyage expenses and (337,221) (361,609) (323,378) (134,930) (88,283)
commission
---------- ---------- ----------- ----------- ----------
Net voyage revenues 815,019 1,192,910 766,205 354,356 551,524
========== ========== =========== =========== ==========
Ship operating expenses
Year ended December 31, Change
(in thousands of $) 2005 2004 $ %
Suezmax OBO 17,658 15,350 2,308 15
Suezmax 53,935 43,523 10,412 24
VLCC 75,931 71,512 4,419 6
Containerships 1,178 - 1,178 100
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
148,702 130,385 18,317 14
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ship operating expenses have increased primarily as a result of fleet changes
and drydockings in the year. Major movements are as follows:
o An increase in drydockings during the year from seven vessels in 2004 to ten
in 2005 o Inclusion of a full year's operating costs for five Suezmaxes
purchased during 2004 resulting in increase in costs totalling $10.9 million
o Increase of $4.7 million due to acquisition of four VLCCs during 2005 o
Increase of $1.2 million due to acquisition of two containerships during 2005 o
Reduction of costs totalling $2.1 million due to sale of the vessel Golden
Fountain late in 2004 o Reduction of costs of $4.7 million due to the sale of
five Suezmaxes during the year
Charterhire expenses
Year ended December 31, Change
(in thousands of $) 2005 2004 $ %
Charterhire expenses 11,711 39,302 (27,591) (70)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Number of vessels chartered in and 2005 2004
accounted for as operating leases:
VLCC - 3
Suezmax 1 1
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 4
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Charterhire expenses have decreased primarily as a result of our purchase in the
first quarter of the year of three VLCCs which were previously chartered in and
accounted for as operating leases.
Administrative expenses
Year ended December 31, Change
(in thousands of $) 2005 2004 $ %
Administrative expenses 21,181 25,739 (4,558) (18)
The decrease in administrative expenses in 2005 is mainly attributable to 2004
including charges relating to employee stock options of $5.5 million which have
not been incurred in 2005 as our employee stock option plans terminated in June
2004.
Depreciation
Year ended December 31, Change
(in thousands of $) 2005 2004 $ %
Depreciation 198,359 180,497 17,862 10
The increase in depreciation is primarily attributable to:
o Reduction of $5.9 million due to sale of five vessels in the year
o Additional depreciation of $15.6 million due to purchase of nine
vessels in the year
o Increase of $8.9 million due to full year's depreciation for vessels
purchased during 2004
In 2004, Golden Fountain was fully consolidated under FIN 46 and $3.3 million in
depreciation was included in the charge for that year. As discussed in Note 15
of the financial statements included herein, the vessel Golden Fountain was sold
late 2004 and as such, we have not recorded any depreciation in 2005.
Interest income
Year ended December 31, Change
(in thousands of $) 2005 2004 $ %
Interest income 41,040 31,595 9,445 30
Interest income has increased primarily as a result of an increase in interest
earned on bank deposits due to a combination of increased interest rates and an
increase in average cash balances held.
Interest expense
Year ended December 31, Change
(in thousands of $) 2005 2004 $ %
Interest expense 215,995 205,458 10,537 5
Interest expense has increased primarily due to:
o Increase in loan interest of $25.2 million due to combination of
increase in LIBOR and a larger debt balance
o Decrease in swap interest of $10.7 million due to the increase in
LIBOR
o Decrease in interest on Ship Finance 8.5% Senior Notes of $5.6 million
as a result of the repurchase of $73.2 million of the Notes
o Increase in amortisation of deferred charges of $6.6 million primarily
due to write offs as a result of repayment of debt on vessels sold
during the year and the repurchase of Ship Finance 8.5% Senior Notes
Share of results of associated companies
Year ended December 31, Change
(in thousands of $) 2005 2004 $ %
Share of results of
associated companies 3,691 10,553 (6,862) (65)
As of December 31, 2005, we account for three investees under the equity method
as discussed in Note 15 of the financial statements included herein. One of
those investees, Golden Fountain Corporation, sold its vessel in December 2004
and was effectively dormant in 2005. Our share of results of associated
companies has decreased primarily due to a reduction in the remaining two
investees' earnings for the year.
Foreign currency exchange gains and losses
Year ended December 31, Change
(in thousands of $) 2005 2004 $ %
Foreign currency exchange
gains (losses) 18,829 (4,932) 23,761 482
Our foreign currency exchange gains are principally due to forward currency
exchange contracts which are denominated in Yen. As of December 31, 2005 and
2004, we were party to five Yen denominated forward currency exchange contracts
with a notional principal of (Y) 8.7 billion and (Y) 14.6 billion respectively.
In the year ended December 31, 2005, we recorded realized gains of $16.7 million
in relation to these forward currency exchange contracts compared to realised
losses of $8.4 million in 2004. The gains recorded can be attributed to the
weakening of the Yen against the US Dollar from 103.1 at December 31, 2004 to
117.9 at December 31, 2005.
Other financial items, net
Year ended December 31, Change
(in thousands of $) 2005 2004 $ %
Mark to market adjustments for financial 16,068 9,000 7,068 79
derivatives
Gains and losses from freight forward (1,569) (14,844) 13,275 89
agreements
Other 31,585 9,410 22,175 236
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
46,084 3,566 42,518 1,192
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The movement in net other financial items is primarily attributable to:
o Increase in mark to market adjustments for interest rate swaps due to
the increase in the forward rate curve
o Lower losses on primarily speculative freight forward agreements based
on the Baltic Capesize Index
o Realised gain on sales of marketable securities of $16.3 million
compared to $7.1 million in 2004
o Compensation for failed acquisition totalling $6.5 million recorded in
2005
o Gains totalling $3.2 million recorded in Ship Finance arising from the
repurchase of senior notes
As of December 31, 2005, we were party to interest rate swaps with a total
notional principal of $618.3 million compared to a total notional principal of
$631.4 million in 2004.
Minority interest
Minority interest represents minority investors' interests in the net income of
Ship Finance. As of December 31, 2005, minority investors owned 83.83% of the
shares of Ship Finance.
Year ended December 31, 2004 compared with the year ended December 31, 2003
Total operating revenues and Voyage expenses and commission
Year ended December 31, Change
(in thousands of $) 2004 2003 $ %
Voyage charter revenues 1,554,519 1,089,583 464,936 43
Time charter revenues 108,246 40,759 67,487 166
Bareboat charter revenues 176,381 25,986 150,395 579
Finance lease interest income 10,794 - 10,794 100
Other income 3,630 3,111 519 17
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Operating Revenues 1,853,570 1,159,439 694,131 60
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
The increase in voyage charter revenues primarily reflects the strength in the
freight market in 2004 as discussed above. Voyage charter revenues include pool
revenues. An analysis of the Company's pool revenues included in voyage revenues
is as follows:
(in thousands of $) 2004 2003
Pool earnings allocated on gross basis 78,429 45,749
Pool earnings allocated on net basis 117,179 65,799
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total pool earnings 195,608 111,548
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The increase in time charter revenues mainly reflects the change in employment
of our eight Suezmax OBOs from the spot market to employment on time charters in
the third and fourth quarters of 2003 along with the employment of an additional
VLCC on time charter late in 2003.
In March and April of 2004, we placed four wholly owned VLCCs on bareboat
charters which provide for a flat rate bareboat rate along with a profit share
based on market rates. Total bareboat earnings for these vessels reported in
2004 were $96.1 million. The consolidation of ITC effective December 31, 2003
has resulted in an increase in bareboat revenues of $56.2 million as a result of
the inclusion of six vessels which are on bareboat charters.
ITC also has four Suezmax tankers that are on long-term bareboat charters which
are accounted for as direct finance leases and as such, finance lease interest
income of $10.7 million is reported in 2004.
Ship operating expenses
Year ended December 31, Change
(in thousands of $) 2004 2003 $ %
Suezmax OBO 15,350 15,962 (612) 4
Suezmax 43,523 41,242 2,281 6
VLCC 71,512 58,119 13,393 23
---------------------------------------------------------------------
130,385 115,323 15,062 13
---------------------------------------------------------------------
The addition of five Suezmax vessels in the third and fourth quarter of 2004 has
resulted in increased Suezmax operating expenses of $5.8 million. This increase
is largely offset by a decrease in operating expenses as a result of the sale of
four Suezmax vessels in the first and second quarters of 2003.
VLCC operating costs have increased by $13.4 million in 2004 primarily due to
changes in our fleet and the cost of routine drydockings. The acquisition of
three VLCCs which were previously accounted for under the equity method and the
consolidation of Golden Fountain Corporation has resulted in additional costs of
$7.9 million in 2004. The change in employment of two VLCCs from bareboat
charters to the spot market in the third quarter of 2004 has resulted in
increased operating costs of $2.6 million. Vessels drydocked in the year
resulted in an increase of approximately $4.6 million while general repairs and
purchases of spares resulted in an increase of approximately $2.4 million.
Offsetting these increases are a reduction in costs of $2.9 million as a result
of placing two VLCCs on bareboat charters in April 2004.
Charterhire expenses
Year ended December 31, Change
(in thousands of $) 2004 2003 $ %
Charterhire expenses 39,302 80,539 (41,237) (51)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Number of vessels chartered in and 2004 2003
accounted for as operating leases:
VLCC 3 7
Suezmax 1 1
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4 8
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Charterhire expenses have decreased by $41.2 million in the year primarily as a
result of a decrease in the number of vessels that are chartered in and
accounted for as operating leases. During the third and fourth quarters of 2004,
the Company chartered in an additional Suezmax on a short term charter which
increased charterhire expense by $6.1 million. The expiration of charters
relating to four VLCCs in the fourth quarter of 2003 and the first quarter of
2004 has resulted in a reduction of charterhire expense of $45.4 million.
Administrative expenses
Year ended December 31, Change
(in thousands of $) 2004 2003 $ %
Administrative expenses 25,739 20,998 4,741 23
The increase in administrative expenses in 2004 is mainly attributable to audit
fees, legal fees, staff costs and professional fees. Audit and legal fees have
increased by $2.5 million from 2003 primarily as a result of increased work
related to the spin-off of Ship Finance and Golden Ocean during the year. The
restructuring of the group with regard to Ship Finance and Golden Ocean has also
resulted in an increase in listing, registrar and other professional fees of
$0.6 million in 2004. Staff costs also increased in 2004 by $1.1 million. In
2004 and 2003, administrative expenses include charges related to employee stock
options of $5.5 million and $5.6 million, respectively.
Depreciation
Year ended December 31, Change
(in thousands of $) 2004 2003 $ %
Depreciation 180,497 143,560 36,937 26
The increase in depreciation charge is primarily as a result of the addition of
eight vessels into the fleet and the consolidation of ITC and Golden Fountain
Corporation.
ITC and Golden Fountain combined reported approximately $22.8 million in
depreciation in 2004. The acquisition of an additional five Suezmaxes in the
third and fourth quarter of 2004 along with the acquisition of three VLCCs in
the first quarter of 2004 which were previously jointly owned has increased
depreciation by $9.4 million. The effect of revising the estimated useful lives
of our single hull vessels in the fourth quarter of 2003 has resulted in an
increase in depreciation of $3.2 million. On June 30, 2003, we purchased the
remaining 50% of a vessel which was previously jointly owned. This has increased
our depreciation charge by approximately $1.4 million in 2004.
Interest income
Year ended December 31, Change
(in thousands of $) 2004 2003 $ %
Interest income 31,595 9,185 22,410 244
Interest income has increased by $22.4 million primarily as a result of the
consolidation of ITC offset by a restructuring of our investment in associated
companies.
ITC generated $23.4 million in interest income in 2004: the group maintains
large average cash restricted cash deposits which are restricted for the lease
payments on four VLCCs. Interest income from associated companies has decreased
by $5.2 million as a result of a restructuring of our investment as discussed in
Note 15 of the financial statements included herein. Offsetting this decrease is
an increase in bank interest income which reflects both an increase in interest
rates and an increase in average cash balances held.
Interest expense
Year ended December 31, Change
(in thousands of $) 2004 2003 $ %
Interest expense 205,458 74,184 131,274 177
The increase in interest expense is primarily attributable to the consolidation
of ITC with effect from December 31, 2003 and the inclusion of a full year's
interest on Senior Notes issued by Ship Finance in December 2003.
Interest expense incurred by ITC is approximately $65.8 million and interest of
Ship Finance 8.5% Senior Notes has increased by $45.1 million. Swap interest
expense has increased by $10.1 million in 2004 as a result of us having entered
into eleven new interest rate swap agreements in the first quarter of 2004.
Capital lease interest has increased by $6.6 million in 2004 as a result of a
full year's capital lease interest on leases entered into part way through 2003.
In February 2004, Ship Finance entered into a senior secured credit facility
with a syndicate of banks as discussed below. In connection with this
refinancing we wrote off of previously recorded deferred charges resulting in an
increase in interest expense of $7.3 million.
Share of results of associated companies
Year ended December 31, Change
(in thousands of $) 2004 2003 $ %
Share of results of associated companies 10,553 33,533 (22,980) (69)
Our share of results of associated companies has decreased primarily due to the
termination of six joint ventures with OSG and the consolidation of another
joint venture under FIN 46 effective December 31, 2003. As of December 31, 2004,
we account for two investees under the equity method as discussed in Note 15 of
the financial statements included herein.
Foreign currency exchange gains and losses
Year ended December 31, Change
(in thousands of $) 2004 2003 $ %
Foreign currency exchange losses 4,932 10,583 (5,651) (53)
Our foreign currency exchange losses are principally due to Yen debt in
subsidiaries and certain forward currency exchange contracts which are also
denominated in Yen. As at December 31, 2004, we had total Yen debt of Yen 1.3
billion (equivalent of $13.1 million) compared with (Y) 16.8 billion (equivalent
of $156.9 million) as at December 31, 2003. The Yen strengthened against the US
Dollar from 107.1 at December 31, 2003 to 103.1 at December 31, 2004.
At December 31, 2004, we were party to five Yen denominated forward currency
exchange contracts with a notional principal of (Y)14.6 billion. In 2004, we
incurred losses of $5.3 million in relation to forward currency exchange
contracts.
Other financial items, net
Year ended December 31, Change
(in thousands of $) 2004 2003 $ %
Mark to market adjustments for financial
derivatives 9,000 28,180 (19,180) (68)
Gains and losses from freight forward
agreements (14,844) (32,964) 18,120 55
Other 9,410 5,084 4,326 85
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3,566 300 3,266 1,088
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The decrease in mark to market adjustments for financial derivatives of $19.2
million in 2004 is primarily a result of a gain recorded in 2003. In September
2001, we established a facility for a Stock Indexed Total Return Swap Programme
or Equity Swap Line with the Bank of Nova Scotia, or BNS, whereby the latter
acquired shares in Frontline, and we carried the risk of fluctuations in the
share price. We terminated this Equity Swap Line on June 17, 2003 resulting in
3,070,000 shares being repurchased at an average cost of $8.98 per share at a
time when the market share price was $16.31 As a result we recorded income of
$22.0 million in 2003. In addition, in 2003, we recorded income of $6.1 million
relating to the market value adjustment on our interest rate swaps. In 2004 we
recorded income of $9.0 million relating to the market value adjustment on our
interest rate swaps.
We incurred losses on freight future contracts amounting to $14.8 million in
2004 ($33.0 million in 2003). This decrease substantially relates to speculative
freight forward agreements based on the Baltic Capesize Index which increased
substantially in 2004 as a result of the freight market.
Other financial items in 2004 include a realised gain on the sale of marketable
securities of $7.1 million - an increase of $6.6 million in the year. This
increase is partially off-set by a decrease of $3.4 million in dividends
received as a result of the Bank of Nova Scotia Equity Swap Line.
Minority interest
Minority interest represents minority investors' interests in the net income of
Ship Finance and the 50% of Golden Fountain Corporation owned by our joint
venture partner. As at December 31, 2004, minority investors owned 49.25% of the
shares of Ship Finance. Since December 31, 2004, we have distributed an
additional 34.95% of Ship Finance.
Discontinued operations
As discussed in Item 4A above, the financial results of certain dry bulk
interests transferred to Golden Ocean have been reported under discontinued
operations for 2004, 2003 and 2002. Of the $116.9 million reported as
discontinued operations in 2004, $99.5 million relates to a gain on disposal due
to accounting for the non pro-rata distribution of Golden Ocean shares at fair
value. This gain comprises of $84.6 million from the distribution of shares and
$14.9 million from the sale of shares on behalf of our US shareholders who were
excluded from the distribution. The fair value of the spin off was determined by
reference to the average quoted share price of NOK 3.71 (US$ 0.60) which
represents the average share price of Golden Ocean on the Oslo stock exchange in
the first five days of trading.
The $84.6 million gain on the distribution of shares and cash has been
calculated as the difference between the fair value of the shares distributed of
$102.3 million and their book value of $17.7 million. The $14.9 million gain on
the sale of shares is calculated as the difference between the sale proceeds of
$18.0 million and the book value of the shares of $3.1 million.
As at December 31, 2004, the Company held 23,918,832 Golden Ocean shares
representing 10.7% of the shares outstanding which have been classified as
marketable securities. These shares were subsequently sold in February 2005.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Liquidity
We operate in a capital intensive industry and have historically financed our
purchase of tankers and other capital expenditures through a combination of cash
generated from operations, equity capital and borrowings from commercial banks.
Our ability to generate adequate cash flows on a short and medium term basis
depends substantially on the trading performance of our vessels in the market.
Market rates for charters of our vessels have been volatile historically.
Periodic adjustments to the supply of and demand for oil tankers causes the
industry to be cyclical in nature. We expect continued volatility in market
rates for our vessels in the foreseeable future with a consequent effect on our
short and medium term liquidity.
Our funding and treasury activities are conducted within corporate policies to
maximise investment returns while maintaining appropriate liquidity for our
requirements. Cash and cash equivalents are held primarily in U.S. dollars with
some balances held in Japanese Yen, British Pound and Norwegian Kroner.
Our short-term liquidity requirements relate to servicing our debt, payment of
operating costs, lease payments for our chartered in fleet, funding working
capital requirements and maintaining cash reserves against fluctuations in
operating cash flows. Sources of short-term liquidity include cash balances,
restricted cash balances, short-term investments and receipts from our
customers. Revenues from time charters and bareboat charters are generally
received monthly or fortnightly in advance while revenues from voyage charters
are received upon completion of the voyage.
At December 31, 2005 we estimated cash breakeven average daily TCE rates of
$22,036 for our Suezmax tankers and $27,604 for our VLCCs. These are the daily
rates our vessels must earn to cover payment of budgeted operating costs
(including corporate overheads), estimated interest and scheduled loan principal
repayments. These rates do not take into account loan bullet repayments at
maturity, which we expect to refinance with new loans.
Our long-term liquidity requirements include funding the equity portion of
investments in new or replacement vessels, repayment of long-term debt balances
including our $457.1 million 8.5% Senior Notes due 2013 and funding any payments
we may be required to make due to lessor put options on certain vessels we
charter in. During 2005 we bought back and cancelled 8.5% Senior Notes with a
principal amount of $73.2 million. Sources of funding our long-term liquidity
requirements include new loans or equity issues, vessel sales and sale and
leaseback arrangements.
As of December 31, 2005, 2004 and 2003, we had cash and cash equivalents of
$100.5 million, $105.7million and $124.2 million, respectively. As of December
31, 2005, 2004 and 2003, we had restricted cash balances of $636.8 million,
$592.6 million and $891.9 million, respectively. Our restricted cash balances
contribute to our total short and medium term liquidity as they are used to fund
payment of certain loans and lease payments which would otherwise be paid out of
our cash balances. The large decrease in restricted cash balances as at December
31, 2004 is due to two factors. In 2003, a cash deposit of $565.5 million,
representing net proceeds from our offering of $580.0 million 8.5% Senior Notes
due 2013, was retained by the trustee of the Notes pending our satisfaction of
certain covenants. We satisfied those covenants during the first quarter of 2004
and the cash deposit was released to us. To offset this release of restricted
funds, there was a new restricted deposit of $250.0 million established in 2004.
These amounts serve to support our obligations to make charterhire payments to
Ship Finance, and are subject to adjustment based on the number of charters that
we are a party to. We are entitled to use these funds only (1) to make
charterhire payments (including profit sharing payments) to Ship Finance and (2)
for reasonable working capital purposes to meet short term voyage expenses.
We consolidated the assets and liabilities of ITC with effect from December 31,
2003 and acquired ITC in May 2004. At December 31, 2005 ITC's assets include
$328.9 million (2004: $325.9 million) of restricted cash deposits which is held
for the benefit of the holders of the Notes issued on behalf of ITC
subsidiaries. This restricted cash also includes deposits which can only be used
to meet liabilities under the lease agreements.
During the year ended December 31, 2005 we paid total cash dividends of $909.6
million. In the first quarter of 2006, we declared a cash dividend of $1.50 per
share representing a total cash payment of $112.2 million.
Borrowing activities
In February 2004, we, through Ship Finance, entered into a senior secured credit
facility with a syndicate of banks with a principal amount of $1,058.0 million
and a six year term. The proceeds were used in part to fund the acquisition of
our vessels and to refinance existing debt on all of its vessels. This facility
bore interest at Libor plus 1.25% and was repayable between 2004 and 2010 with a
final bullet of $499.7 million payable on maturity. In February 2005, we
refinanced this existing $1,058 million secured credit facility with a new
$1,131.4 million secured credit facility. The new facility bears interest at
LIBOR plus a margin of 0.7%, is repayable over a term of six years and has
similar security terms to the repaid facility. At December 31, 2005, the
outstanding amount on this facility was $997.9 million. This facility contains a
minimum value covenant, which requires that the aggregate value of our vessels
exceed 140% of the outstanding amount of the facility. The new facility also
contains covenants that require us to maintain certain minimum levels of free
cash, working capital and equity ratios.
In January 2005, we drew $20.0 million under a new five year secured loan
facility. The proceeds were used to finance the acquisition of a 1988 built
Suezmax tanker.
In June 2005, we entered into a combined $350 million senior and junior secured
term loan facility with a syndicate of banks. At December 31, 2005, the
outstanding amount on this facility was $338.7 million. The proceeds of the
facility were used to fund the acquisition of five new VLCCs. The facility bears
interest at LIBOR plus a margin of 0.65% for the senior loan and LIBOR plus a
margin of 1.00% for the junior loan, is repayable over a term of seven years and
has similar security terms as the $1,131.4 million facility. This new facility
contains a minimum value covenant, which requires that the aggregate value of
our vessels exceed 140% of the outstanding amount of the senior loan and, for as
long as any amount is outstanding under the Junior loan, 125% of the outstanding
loan. The facility also contains covenants that require us to maintain certain
minimum levels of free cash, working capital and equity ratios.
In 2005 we bought back and cancelled Ship Finance 8.5% Senior Notes with a total
principal amount of $73.2 million. In April 2006 we entered into a Bond Swap
Line with a bank in which the bank buys Ship Finance 8.5% Senior Notes, and we
compensate the bank for their funding cost plus a margin, we keep the upside and
guarantee for the downside in the transaction. During April and May 2006 the
bank acquired 8.5% Senior Notes with a total principal amount of $51.5 million.
We were in compliance with all loan covenants at December 31, 2005.
Acquisitions and Disposals
Ship Finance
In 2004, we distributed 49.2% of the common shares of Ship Finance to our
ordinary shareholders. On January 28, 2005 and February 22, 2005 our Board
approved further spin-offs of the shares in Ship Finance. On February 18, 2005,
each of our shareholders of received one share of Ship Finance for every four
shares of ours held and on March 24, 2005 each of our shareholders received one
share of Ship Finance for every ten shares of ours held. Following these
transactions our shareholding in Ship Finance was approximately 16.2% at
December 31, 2005.
On February 17, 2006, our Board approved a further spin-off of the shares in
Ship Finance. On March 20, 2006, each of our shareholders received one share of
Ship Finance for every ten shares of ours held. Following these transactions our
shareholding in Ship Finance was approximately 11.1% at June 23 2006. All of
these share distributions have had no effect on our liquidity.
Golden Ocean
In the fourth quarter of 2004, we completed the non pro-rata spin off of its
subsidiary Golden Ocean. In connection with the spin off, total cash of $32.1
million was paid to non qualifying U.S. shareholders who received a cash
equivalent of $1.80 ($0.60 per Golden Ocean share) per Frontline share held. The
spin off resulted in the recognition of a gain of $99.5 million. We retained
10.7% of the shares of Golden Ocean as at December 31, 2004. These shares were
subsequently sold in February 2005 for proceeds of NOK 100.5 million, equivalent
to approximately $16.5 million.
In 2005 Golden Ocean exercised its options to acquire from us the shares in two
single purpose companies each owning a newbuilding contract for a Panamax
vessel. These options were at a price equal to our costs, including instalments
paid to date, plus our funding expenses. These options were exercised at a total
price of $16.8 million.
Independent Tankers Corporation
On July 1, 2003, we purchased a call option for $10.0 million to acquire all of
the shares of ITC from Hemen for a total consideration of $4.0 million plus 4%
interest per year. On May 27, 2004 we exercised this purchase option and paid
$14.1 million.
Chevron redelivered the Suezmax vessel Virgo Voyager to us in April 2006 and
pursuant to the terms of the charter paid us a termination fee in the amount of
$5.05 million.
Vessel Acquisitions and Disposals
In the year ended December 31, 2005 we acquired and sold vessels and vessel
owning entities as discussed below: :
o On January 17, 2005 we, through Ship Finance, exercised our option to
acquire the VLCC Oscilla and the vessel was delivered to us on April
4, 2005. The purchase price paid to acquire the vessel was
approximately $21.6 million which is equal to the outstanding mortgage
debt under four loan agreements between lenders and the vessel's
owning company.
o In January 2005, we acquired the VLCCs Front Century and Front
Champion which were previously chartered in by us under operating
leases for a total purchase price of $141.9 million pursuant to the
exercise of purchase options. In March 2005, we acquired the VLCC
Golden Victory for $76.9 million pursuant to the exercise of its
purchase option. The vessel was previously chartered in by us under an
operating lease
o In January 2005, we sold the Suezmax Front Fighter for $68.25 million
and the vessel was delivered to its new owners in March 2005.
o In May 2005, we sold the three Suezmaxes, Front Lillo, Front Emperor
and Front Spirit, for a total consideration of $92.0 million. These
vessels were delivered to their new owners in June 2005.
o In May 2005, we entered into an agreement with parties affiliated with
Hemen to acquire two vessel owning companies, each owning one 2005
built containership for a total consideration of $98.6 million.
o In June 2005, we entered into an agreement with parties affiliated to
Hemen to acquire two vessel owning companies, each owning one 2004
built VLCC, for a total consideration of $184 million.
o In August 2005, we sold the Suezmax Front Hunter for $71.0 million.
o In November 2005, the bareboat charterer of the VLCC Navix Astral
exercised an option to purchase the vessel for approximately $40.6
million. The vessel was delivered to its new owner in January 2006.
o In December 2005, we acquired the interests held by the joint venture
partners in the vessel Front Tobago at a purchase price of $35.6
million.
o In 2005, we paid $nil in newbuilding instalments
We have also entered into a number of sale and purchase transactions to date in
2006:
o In March 2006, we acquired the Aframax vessel "Gerrita" for a
consideration of $35.9 million
o In March 2006, we sold the VLCC Golden Stream. The sale yielded a net
cash flow of $41.0 million and a profit of $11.0 million.
o In February 2006, the Company ordered two 297,000 dwt VLCCs for
delivery in 2009 with an option for another two VLCCs for delivery in
2009 and 2010, respectively.
o In April 2006, we, through Ship Finance, entered into an agreement
with Horizon Lines Inc. in which we will acquire five 2,824 TEU
containerships being built at Hyundai Mipo yard in Korea for
consideration of approximately $280 million. The vessels will be
delivered over a course of five months commencing early 2007, and will
be chartered back to Horizon under 12 year bareboat charters with a
three year renewal option on the part of Horizon Lines. The latter
will also have options to buy the vessels after 5, 8, 12 and 15 years
o In June 2006, the Company sold the options for two VLCC's for delivery
in 2009 and 2010, repectively.
o In June 2006, the Company ordered an additional two VLCCs for delivery
in 2010 with an option for another two VLCCs for delivery between
2010 and 2011
Other
As at January 1, 2005 we held a total of 1,584,700 shares in Genmar. During 2005
we acquired a total of 5,209,000 Genmar shares and sold 2,933,700 Genmar shares
and as at December 31, 2005 held 3,860,000 Genmar shares which was equivalent to
9.98% of their total shares outstanding.
Equity
In the first quarter of 2004, a Special General Meeting of our shareholders
approved the compulsory repurchase of all registered shareholdings of 49 or less
of our ordinary shares. Consequently, on April 6, 2004, we compulsorily
repurchased and cancelled 20,197 ordinary shares at the closing market price of
the ordinary shares on April 5, 2004 which was $31.22 per ordinary share. Total
cash used to repurchase these shares was $0.6 million.
In 2004, we issued a total of 900,000 ordinary shares in two private placements
to institutional investors. In July 2004, we issued 600,000 ordinary shares at a
purchase price of NOK 246 per share, which was the equivalent of $35.84 per
share at the time of the sale. In October 2004, we issued 300,000 ordinary
shares at a purchase price of NOK 352 per share, which was the equivalent of
$55.33 per share at the time of sale. Total proceeds from these issues were
$37.2 million.
In July 2004, Ship Finance issued 1,600,000 common shares to an institutional
investor at $15.75 per share. Total proceeds from this issue were $25.2 million.
In November and December 2004, Ship Finance repurchased and cancelled a total of
625,000 shares at an average cost of $23.61 per share. Total cash used to
repurchase these shares was $14.8 million.
During 2005 Ship Finance repurchased and cancelled a further 1,757,100 common
shares. The shares were repurchased at an average price of $18.81 for a total
amount of $33.1 million.
During the first five months of 2006, Ship Finance has repurchased and cancelled
a further 400,000 common shares. The shares were repurchased at an average price
of $18.03 for a total amount of $7.2 million, which resulted in an increase in
Frontline's shareholding from 16.2% to 16.3%.
Derivative Activities
We use financial instruments to reduce the risk associated with fluctuations in
interest rates. We have a portfolio of interest rate swaps that swap floating
rate interest to fixed rate, which from a financial perspective hedge interest
rate exposure. We do not hold or issue instruments for speculative or trading
purposes. As at December 31, 2005 our interest rate swap arrangements
effectively fix our interest rate exposure on $618.3 million of floating rate
debt. These interest rate swap agreements expire between January 2006 and
February 2009.
We enter into forward freight agreements for trading purposes in order to manage
our exposure to the risk of movements in the spot market for certain trade
routes and, to some extent, for speculative purposes. Market risk exists to the
extent that spot market fluctuations may have a negative effect on our cash
flows and consolidated statements of operations. See Item 11. "Quantitative and
Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk".
We enter into Yen denominated forward currency contracts. Transaction risk
exists to the extent that currency fluctuations will have an effect on the value
of our cash flows.
Tabular disclosure of contractual obligations
At December 31 2005, we had the following contractual obligations and
commitments:
Payment due by period
Less than 1
year 1 - 3 years 3 - 5 years After 5 years Total
------------ ------------ ------------ ------------- ----------
(In thousands of $)
Senior notes (8,5%) - - - 457,080 457,080
Serial note (7.62%) 2,530 - - 2,530
Serial note (6.48% to 6.855%) 22,300 24,500 6,300 53,100
Term note (7.84% to 8.04%) - 7,105 18,715 340,380 366,200
Term note (8.52%) 9,526 21,884 21,884 54,709 108,003
Other long-term debt 205,835 268,961 254,038 723,983 1,452,816
Operating lease obligations 6,712 13,733 11,974 8,649 41,068
Capital lease obligations 80,876 165,014 384,915 429,074 1,059,879
Newbuilding commitments 142,650 142,650
------------ ------------ ------------ ------------- ----------
Total contractual cash 470,429 501,197 697,826 2,013,874 3,683,326
obligations ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------- ----------
At December 31 2005, we leased nine vessels that were sold by us at various
times during the period from November 1998 to December 2003, and leased back on
charters that range for periods of eight to twelve and a half years with
lessors' options to extend the charters for periods that range up to five years.
One of these vessels is accounted for as operating leases and eight as capital
leases. We have fixed price purchase options at certain specified dates and the
lessors have options to put these twelve vessels to us at the end of each lease
term.
Additionally, our subsidiary ITC leases four VLCCs on 24 year charters which
began on delivery of the vessels in 1999 and 2000. These leases are classified
as capital leases.
Off balance sheet financing
Charter hire payments to third parties for certain contracted-in vessels are
accounted for as operating leases. We are also committed to make rental payments
under operating leases for office premises. The future minimum rental payments
under our non-cancellable operating leases are disclosed above in "Tabular
disclosure of contractual obligations".
Safe harbor
Forward-looking information discussed in this Item 5 includes assumptions,
expectations, projections, intentions and beliefs about future events. These
statements are intended as "forward-looking statements." We caution that
assumptions, expectations, projections, intentions and beliefs about future
events may and often do vary from actual results and the differences can be
material. Please see "Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements"
in this Report
ITEM 6. DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND EMPLOYEES
A. DIRECTORS AND SENIOR MANAGEMENT
Certain biographical information about each of our directors and executive
officers is set forth below.
Name Age Position
John Fredriksen 61 Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, President and
Director
Tor Olav Troim 43 Vice-President and Director
Kate Blankenship 41 Director and Audit Committee Chairman
Frixos Savvides 54 Director and Audit committee member
Inger M. Klemp 43 Chief Financial Officer of Frontline Management
Oscar Spieler 45 Chief Executive Officer of Frontline Management
John Fredriksen has been the Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer,
President and a director of the Company since November 3, 1997. He was
previously the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Old Frontline. Mr.
Fredriksen has served for over nine years as a director of Seatankers Management
Co. Ltd, or Seatankers, a ship operating company and an affiliate of the
Company's principal shareholder. Mr. Fredriksen indirectly controls Hemen. Mr.
Fredriksen is a director of and indirectly controls Golar LNG Limited, a Bermuda
company listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange and the NASDAQ National Market and has
been a director of Golden Ocean, a Bermuda company on the Oslo Stock Exchange,
since November 2004. Mr. Fredriksen has served as a director and the chairman of
SeaDrill Limited, a Bermuda company listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange, since May
2005.
Tor Olav Troim has been Vice-President and a director of the Company since
November 3, 1997. He previously served as Deputy Chairman of Frontline from July
4, 1997, and was a director of Old Frontline from July 1, 1996. Until April,
2000 Mr. Troim was the Chief Executive Officer of Frontline Management AS, a
company which supports the Company in the implementation of decisions made by
the Board of Directors. Mr. Troim also serves as a consultant to Seatankers and
since May 2000, has been a director and Vice-Chairman of Knightsbridge Tankers
Ltd, a Bermuda company listed on the NASDAQ National Market. He is a director of
Aktiv Kapital ASA a Norwegian Oslo Stock Exchange listed company and Golden
Ocean Group Limited, a Bermuda company listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange. Mr.
Troim has been President and Chief Executive Officer of Ship Finance since
October 15, 2003. Mr. Troim has served as a director of Golar LNG Limited since
May 2001, and has served as a director of SeaDrill Limited since May 2005. Prior
to his service with Frontline, from January 1992, Mr Troim served as Managing
Director and a member of the Board of Directors of DNO AS, a Norwegian oil
company.
Kate Blankenship has been a director since August, 2003. Mrs. Blankenship joined
the Company in 1994 and served as the Company's Chief Accounting Officer and
Company Secretary until October 2005. Mrs. Blankenship joined the Company in
1994. She is a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and
Wales. Mrs. Blankenship has been Chief Financial Officer of Knightsbridge
Tankers Ltd since April 2000 and Secretary of Knightsbridge since December 2000.
Mrs. Blankenship has been a Director of Ship Finance since October 15, 2003.
Mrs. Blankenship has served as a director of Golar LNG Limited since July, 2003
and Golden Ocean since November 2004. Mrs. Blankenship has served as a director
of SeaDrill Limited since May 2005.
Frixos Savvides a Chartered Accountant, is a Fellow of the Institute of
Chartered Accountants of England and Wales. He was the founder of the audit firm
PKF Savvides and Partners in Cyprus and held the position of Managing Partner
until 1999 when he became Minister of Health of the Republic of Cyprus. He held
this office until 2003. Mr. Savvides is currently a senior independent business
consultant, and holds several Board positions including his recent appointment
as Vice Chairman of Cyprus Airways. Frixos Savvides was appointed to the Board
of Directors of Frontline 31 July, 2005.
Inger M. Klemp has served as Chief Financial Officer of Frontline Management
since June 1, 2006. Mrs. Klemp has served as Vice President Finance from August
2001 until May 31, 2006. From 1992 to 2001 Mrs. Klemp served in various
positions in Color Group ASA, a Norwegian cruise ferry operator. From 1989 to
1992 Mrs. Klemp served as Assistant Vice President in Nordea Bank Norge ASA
(previously Christiania Bank).
Oscar Spieler has served as Chief Executive Officer of Frontline Management
since October 2003, and prior to that time as Technical Director of Frontline
Management since November 1999. From 1995 until 1999, Mr. Spieler served as
Fleet Manager for Bergesen, a major Norwegian gas tanker and VLCC owner. From
1986 to 1995, Mr. Spieler worked with the Norwegian classification society DNV,
working both with shipping and offshore assets.
B. COMPENSATION
During the year ended December 31, 2005, we paid to our directors and executive
officers (five persons) aggregate cash compensation of $1,216,837 and an
aggregate amount of $95,498 for pension and retirement benefits.
We did not grant any options to acquire Ordinary Shares of Frontline to the
Directors and officers during 2005.
C. BOARD PRACTICES
In accordance with our Bye-laws the number of Directors shall be such number not
less than two as our shareholders by Ordinary Resolution may from time to time
determine and each Director shall hold office until the next annual general
meeting following his election or until his successor is elected. We currently
have four Directors.
We currently only have an audit committee, which is responsible for overseeing
the quality and integrity of our financial statements and its accounting,
auditing and financial reporting practices, our compliance with legal and
regulatory requirements, the independent auditor's qualifications, independence
and performance and our internal audit function. Our audit committee consists of
two members.
In lieu of a compensation committee comprised of independent directors, our
Board of Directors is responsible for establishing the executive officers'
compensation and benefits. In lieu of a nomination committee comprised of
independent directors, our Board of Directors is responsible for identifying and
recommending potential candidates to become board members and recommending
directors for appointment to board committees.
Our officers are elected by the Board of Directors as soon as possible following
each Annual General Meeting and shall hold office for such period and on such
terms as the Board may determine.
There are no service contracts between us and any of our Directors providing for
benefits upon termination of their employment or service.
D. EMPLOYEES
As of December 31, 2005, Frontline and its subsidiaries employed approximately
42 people in their respective offices in Bermuda and Oslo. We contract with
independent ship managers to manage and operate our vessels.
E. SHARE OWNERSHIP
The beneficial interests of our Directors and officers in the Ordinary Shares of
Frontline as of June 19, 2006, were as follows:
% of
Ordinary Shares of Ordinary Shares
Director or Officer $2.50 each Outstanding
------------------- --------------- -------------
John Fredriksen* 26,079,053 34.85%
Tor Olav Troim 194,994 **
Kate Blankenship 2,000 **
Frixos Savvides - **
Inger M. Klemp 16,000 **
Oscar Spieler 10,000 **
*Includes Ordinary Shares held by Hemen Holding Ltd. and other companies
indirectly controlled by Mr. John Fredriksen. ** Less than one per cent
As of June 1, 2006, none of our Directors and officers holds any options to
acquire Frontline's Ordinary Shares and there are no authorised and unissued
Ordinary Shares reserved for issue pursuant to subscription under options
granted under share option plans. We maintained a Bermuda Employee Share Option
Plan and a United Kingdom Employee Share Option Plan. These plans expired in
2004 and have not been replaced.
ITEM 7. MAJOR SHAREHOLDERS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
A. MAJOR SHAREHOLDERS
Frontline is indirectly controlled by another corporation (see below). The
following table presents certain information regarding the current ownership of
our Ordinary Shares with respect to (i) each person who we know to own more than
five percent of our outstanding Ordinary Shares; and (ii) all directors and
officers as a group as of June 1, 2006.
Ordinary Shares
Owner Amount %
Hemen Holding Ltd. and associated companies (1) 26,079,053 34.85%
All Directors and Officers as a group (five persons)(2) 26,302,047 35.15%
(1) Hemen is a Cyprus holding company indirectly controlled by Mr. John
Fredriksen, who is our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.
(2) Includes Ordinary Shares held by Hemen and associated companies indirectly
controlled by Mr. John Fredriksen.
In June 2005 and June 2004, Hemen and associated companies held 34.85% and
47.45% of the Company's Ordinary Shares, respectively.
As at May 31, 2006, 31,365,473 of our Ordinary Shares were held by 152 holders
of record in the United States.
Our major shareholders have the same voting rights as our other shareholders. No
corporation or foreign government owns more than 50% of our outstanding Ordinary
Shares. We are not aware of any arrangements, the operation of which may at a
subsequent date result in a change in control of Frontline.
B. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
In the years ended December 31, 2005, 2004 and 2003, we provided services to
Seatankers. These services comprise management support and administrative
services.
In the years ended December 31, 2005, 2004 and 2003, we provided services to
Golar LNG Limited, or Golar. The services provided include management support,
corporate and administrative services.
In the years ended December 31, 2005 and December 31, 2004, we provided certain
administrative services under the terms of an administrative management contract
with Golden Ocean.
In the year ended December 31, 2005, we provided certain administrative and
accounting services to Aktiv Kapital First Investment Ltd and Bryggegata AS.
We lease office premises in Oslo from Bryggegata AS. Rental expense in the years
ended December 31, 2005, 2004, and 2003 were $0.7 million.
In the year ended December 31, 2005, SeaDrill provided certain administrative
services under the terms of an administrative management contract with us.
Administration expenses in the year ended December 31, 2005 were $0.02 million.
In the years ended December 31, 2005 and December 31, 2004, we provided certain
administrative services under the terms of an administrative management contract
with Golden Ocean. In the year ended December 31, 2005, Golden Ocean provided
vessel management services under the terms of a management contract with us.
Vessel management expense in the year ended December 31, 2005 was $0.1 million.
In 2005 Golden Ocean exercised its options to acquire from us the shares in two
single purpose companies each owning a newbuilding contract for a Panamax
vessel. These options were at a price equal to our costs, including instalments
paid to date, plus our funding expenses. These options were exercised at a total
price of $16.8 million.
Golar, Aktiv Kapital, SeaDrill, Bryggegata AS and Seatankers are each indirectly
controlled by John Fredriksen.
A summary of amounts earned and balances with related parties is as follows:
Net amounts earned from related parties Year ended December 31,
(in thousands of $) 2005 2004 2003
Seatankers 265 49 108
Golar 255 495 261
Golden Ocean 362 8 -
Aktiv Kapital 10 - -
Bryggegata AS 8 - -
SeaDrill (24) - -
Balances with related parties (receivable/(payable)) As of December 31,
(in thousands of $) 2005 2004
Seatankers 1,397 907
Golar 644 (186)
Golden Ocean (2,182) (1,854)
SeaDrill 55 -
C. INTERESTS OF EXPERTS AND COUNSEL
Not Applicable
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
A. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS AND OTHER FINANCIAL INFORMATION
See Item 18.
Legal Proceedings
We are a party, as plaintiff or defendant, to several lawsuits in various
jurisdictions for demurrage, damages, off-hire and other claims and commercial
disputes arising from the operation of its vessels, in the ordinary course of
business or in connection with its acquisition activities. We believe that the
resolution of such claims will not have a material adverse effect on the
Company's operations or financial condition.
Dividend Policy
Prior to May 2003, we had not paid regular quarterly or annual dividends
pursuant to a specific policy since 1997. In May 2003, we announced the adoption
of a policy to provide a more predictable minimum dividend stream whereby we
seek to have a minimum quarterly dividend of $0.25 per share, equivalent to
$1.00 per share per annum. In February 2005, we increased the targeted minimum
quarterly dividend to $0.625 per share, equivalent to $2.50 per share per annum.
We have paid the following cash dividends in 2003, 2004 and 2005.
Payment Date Amount per Share
2003
March 24, 2003 $0.15
June 6, 2003 $1.00
July 7, 2003 $1.00
September 2, 2003 $1.10
December 12, 2003 $1.30
2004
March 29, 2004 $4.50
June 16, 2004 $5.00
September 13, 2004 $1.60
December 17, 2004 $2.50
2005
March 18, 2005 $3.50
June 24, 2005 $3.10
September 20, 2005 $2.00
December 13, 2005 $1.50
On February 17, 2006 the Board declared a dividend of $1.50 per share to be paid
on or about March 6, 2006. On May 26, 2006, the Board declared a dividend of
$1.50 per share to be paid on or about June 26, 2006.
The timing and amount of dividends, if any, is at the discretion of our Board of
Directors and will depend upon our results of operations, financial condition,
cash requirements, restrictions in financing arrangements and other relevant
factors.
B. SIGNIFICANT CHANGES
During 2004, we distributed approximately 48.3% of our shares in Ship Finance to
our shareholders and at December 31, 2004 held 50.8% of Ship Finance. See Item
4. "Information on the Company--History and Development of the Company--Spin-Off
of Ship Finance." In February and March 2005, we have spun off a further 35% of
our shares in Ship Finance to our shareholders and at December 31 2005 held
16.2% of Ship Finance. In February 2006, a further 5% interest in Ship Finance
was spun off and we hold approximately 11.1% of the shares in Ship Finance as at
June 21, 2006.
ITEM 9. THE OFFER AND LISTING
Not applicable except for Item 9.A. 4. and Item 9.C.
The Company's Ordinary Shares are traded on the New York Stock Exchange
("NYSE"), the Oslo Stock Exchange ("OSE") and on the London Stock Exchange
("LSE") under the symbol "FRO".
The New York Stock Exchange is the Company's "primary listing". As an overseas
company with a secondary listing on the LSE, the Company is not required to
comply with certain listing rules applicable to companies with a primary listing
on the LSE. The listing on the OSE is also a secondary listing. The Company's
Ordinary Shares have been thinly traded on the London Stock Exchange since 1999.
The following table sets forth, for the five most recent fiscal years, the high
and low prices for the Ordinary Shares on the NYSE and OSE and the high and low
prices for the ADSs as reported by the NASDAQ National Market.
NYSE OSE NASDAQ
High Low High Low High Low
Fiscal year ended
December 31
2005 $57.97 $35.89 NOK355.00 NOK230.00
2004 $62.33 $24.36 NOK367.81 NOK158.06 - -
2003 $27.69 $8.93 NOK185.00 NOK61.00 - -
2002 $13.05 $3.19 NOK108.50 NOK25.90 - -
2001 $15.45 $6.55 NOK215.50 NOK59.50 $24.50 $11.563
The following table sets forth, for each full financial quarter for the two most
recent fiscal years, the high and low prices of the Ordinary Shares on the NYSE
and the OSE.
NYSE OSE
High Low High Low
Fiscal year ended
December 31, 2005
First quarter $57.97 $40.65 NOK355.00 NOK254.00
Second quarter $51.25 $36.10 NOK326.50 NOK232.50
Third quarter $47.10 $40.63 NOK305.50 NOK261.50
Fourth quarter $44.70 $35.89 NOK300.00 NOK230.00
NYSE OSE
High Low High Low
Fiscal year ended
December 31, 2004
First quarter $35.89 $25.10 NOK249.50 NOK165.50
Second quarter $40.13 $24.36 NOK235.71 NOK158.06
Third quarter $47.47 $34.04 NOK307.14 NOK221.82
Fourth quarter $62.33 $42.61 NOK367.81 NOK267.00
The following table sets forth, for the most recent six months, the high and low
prices for the Ordinary Shares on the NYSE and OSE.
NYSE OSE
High Low High Low
May 2006 $33.58 $30.10 NOK207.00 NOK178.50
April 2006 $35.05 $28.80 NOK229.00 NOK189.00
March 2006 $39.23 $32.70 NOK265.50 NOK214.00
February 2006 $40.03 $37.05 NOK269.50 NOK246.00
January 2006 $41.29 $37.00 NOK275.00 NOK245.00
December 2005 $43.37 $37.48 NOK289.50 NOK254.50
ITEM 10. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
A. SHARE CAPITAL
Not Applicable
B. MEMORANDUM AND ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION
The Memorandum of Association of the Company has previously been filed as
Exhibit 3.1 to the Company's Registration Statement on Form F-1, (Registration
No. 33-70158) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 13,
1993, and is hereby incorporated by reference into this Annual Report.
The Amended and Restated Bye-Laws of the Company as adopted on April 5, 2004,
have previously been filed as Exhibit 1.4 to the Company's Annual Report on Form
20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31 2003, filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission on June 30, 2004, and are hereby incorporated by reference
into this Annual Report.
The purposes and powers of the Company are set forth in Items 6(1) and 7(a)
through (h) of our Memorandum of Association and in the Second Schedule of the
Bermuda Companies Act of 1981 which is attached as an exhibit to our Memorandum
of Association. These purposes include exploring, drilling, moving, transporting
and refining petroleum and hydro-carbon products, including oil and oil
products; the acquisition, ownership, chartering, selling, management and
operation of ships and aircraft; the entering into of any guarantee, contract,
indemnity or suretyship and to assure, support, secure, with or without the
consideration or benefit, the performance of any obligations of any person or
persons; and the borrowing and raising of money in any currency or currencies to
secure or discharge any debt or obligation in any manner.
The Company's Bye-laws provide that its board of directors shall convene and the
Company shall hold annual general meetings in accordance with the requirements
of the Bermuda Companies Act of 1981 at such times and places (other than
Norway) as the Board shall decide. The board of directors may call special
meetings at its discretion or as required by the Bermuda Companies Act of 1981.
Bermuda law permits the Bye-laws of a Bermuda company to contain a provision
eliminating personal liability of a director or officer to the company for any
loss arising or liability attaching to him by virtue of any rule of law in
respect of any negligence default, breach of duty or breach of trust of which
the officer or person may be guilty. Bermuda law also grants companies the power
generally to indemnify directors and officers of the company if any such person
was or is a party or threatened to be made a party to a threatened, pending or
completed action, suit or proceeding by reason of the fact that he or she is or
was a director and officer of the company or was serving in a similar capacity
for another entity at the company's request.
Special rights attaching to any class of our shares may be altered or abrogated
with the consent in writing of not less than 75% of the issued and shares of
that class or with the sanction of a resolution passed at a separate general
meeting of the holders of such shares voting in person or by proxy.
The Company's Bye-laws do not prohibit a director from being a party to, or
otherwise having an interest in, any transaction or arrangement with the Company
or in which the Company is otherwise interested. The Company's Bye-laws provide
that a director who has an interest in any transaction or arrangement with the
Company and who has complied with the provisions of the Companies Acts and with
its Bye-Laws with regard to disclosure of such interest shall be taken into
account in ascertaining whether a quorum is present, and will be entitled to
vote in respect of any transaction or arrangement in which he is so interested.
The Company's Bye-laws provide its board of directors the authority to exercise
all of the powers of the Company to borrow money and to mortgage or charge all
or any part of our property and assets as collateral security for any debt,
liability or obligation. The Company's directors are not required to retire
because of their age, and the directors are not required to be holders of the
Company's ordinary shares. Directors serve for one year terms, and shall serve
until re-elected or until their successors are appointed at the next annual
general meeting.
The Company's Bye-laws provide that no director, alternate director, officer,
person or member of a committee, if any, resident representative, or his heirs,
executors or administrators, which we refer to collectively as an indemnitee, is
liable for the acts, receipts, neglects, or defaults of any other such person or
any person involved in our formation, or for any loss or expense incurred by us
through the insufficiency or deficiency of title to any property acquired by us,
or for the insufficiency of deficiency of any security in or upon which any of
our monies shall be invested, or for any loss or damage arising from the
bankruptcy, insolvency, or tortuous act of any person with whom any monies,
securities, or effects shall be deposited, or for any loss occasioned by any
error of judgment, omission, default, or oversight on his part, or for any other
loss, damage or misfortune whatever which shall happen in relation to the
execution of his duties, or supposed duties, to us or otherwise in relation
thereto. Each indemnitee will be indemnified and held harmless out of our funds
to the fullest extent permitted by Bermuda law against all liabilities, loss,
damage or expense (including but not limited to liabilities under contract, tort
and statute or any applicable foreign law or regulation and all reasonable legal
and other costs and expenses properly payable) incurred or suffered by him as
such director, alternate director, officer, person or committee member or
resident representative (or in his reasonable belief that he is acting as any of
the above). In addition, each indemnitee shall be indemnified against all
liabilities incurred in defending any proceedings, whether civil or criminal, in
which judgment is given in such indemnitee's favor, or in which he is acquitted.
The Company is authorised to purchase insurance to cover any liability it may
incur under the indemnification provisions of its Bye-laws.
There are no pre-emptive, redemption, conversion or sinking fund rights attached
to our ordinary shares. Holders of ordinary shares are entitled to one vote per
share on all matters submitted to a vote of holders of ordinary shares. Unless a
different majority is required by law or by our bye-laws, resolutions to be
approved by holders of ordinary shares require approval by a simple majority of
votes cast at a meeting at which a quorum is present.
In the event of our liquidation, dissolution or winding up, the holders of
ordinary shares are entitled to share in our assets, if any, remaining after the
payment of all of our debts and liabilities, subject to any liquidation
preference on any outstanding preference shares.
The Company's Bye-laws provide that its board of directors may, from time to
time, declare and pay dividends out of contributed surplus. Each ordinary share
is entitled to dividends if and when dividends are declared by the board of
directors, subject to any preferred dividend right of the holders of any
preference shares.
There are no limitations on the right of non-Bermudians or non-residents of
Bermuda to hold or vote our ordinary shares.
The Company's Bye-laws provide that any person, other than its registrar, who
acquires or disposes of an interest in shares which triggers a notice
requirement of the Oslo Stock Exchange must notify the Company's registrar
immediately of such acquisition or disposal and the resulting interest of that
person in shares.
The Company's Bye-laws laws require the Company to provide notice to the Oslo
Stock Exchange if a person resident for tax purposes in Norway (or such other
jurisdiction as the Board may nominate from time to time) is found to hold 50%
or more of the Company's aggregate issued share capital, or holds shares with
50% or more of the outstanding voting power, other than the Company's registrar.
The Company's Bye-laws also require it to comply with requirements that the Oslo
Stock Exchange may impose from time to time relating to notification of the Oslo
Stock Exchange in the event of specified changes in the ownership of the
Company's ordinary shares.
The Company has in place a Shareholders Rights Plan that would have the effect
of delaying, deferring, preventing a change in control of the Company. The
Shareholders Rights Plan has been filed as part of the Form 8-A filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission on December 9, 1996, and is hereby
incorporated by reference into this Annual Report.
C. MATERIAL CONTRACTS
Spin Off of Ship Finance
Fleet Purchase Agreement
In October 2003, we formed Ship Finance, as our wholly-owned subsidiary to
acquire and operate some of our crude oil tankers. On December 11, 2003 we
entered into a fleet purchase agreement with Ship Finance pursuant to which Ship
Finance purchased from us a fleet of 46 crude oil tankers and an option to
purchase one additional tanker from a third party. Ship Finance paid an
aggregate purchase price of $950 million, excluding working capital and other
intercompany balances retained by us, for the 46 vessels and purchase option
that it acquired from us. Ship Finance also assumed senior secured indebtedness
with respect to its fleet in the amount of approximately $1.158 billion. The
purchase price for the 46 vessels and the option and the refinancing of the
existing senior secured indebtedness on those vessels, which was completed in
January of 2004, were financed through a combination of the net proceeds from
Ship Finance's issuance of $580 million of 8.5% Senior Notes, due 2013, funds
from a $1.058 billion senior secured credit facility and a deemed equity
contribution from us to Ship Finance.
Ship Finance has chartered its fleet of vessels under long term, fixed rate time
charters to Frontline Shipping Limited and Frontline Shipping II Limited,
wholly-owned subsidiaries of ours, which we refer to as Frontline Shipping and
Frontline Shipping II, respectively. Ship Finance has entered into fixed rate
management and administrative services agreements with Frontline Management
(Bermuda) Ltd. Frontline Management Bermuda provides the technical management of
Ship Finance's vessels and also provides administrative support services. The
charters and the management agreements were each given economic effect as of
January 1, 2004.
Charter Ancillary Agreement
We have entered into charter ancillary agreements with Ship Finance, its vessel
owning subsidiaries that own the vessels and the Charterers, which remain in
effect until the last long term charter with Ship Finance terminates in
accordance with its terms. We have guaranteed the Charterers' obligations under
the charter ancillary agreements, except for the Charterers' obligations to pay
charterhire.
Charter Service Reserve. We made initial capital contributions to Frontline
Shipping and Frontline Shipping II in the amount of $250 million and $21 million
in cash respectively. Due to sales and acquisitions, the current capitalisation
in the Charterers is $218.2 million and $56.2 million respectively. These
amounts serve to support our obligations to make charterhire payments to Ship
Finance, and are subject to adjustment based on the number of charters that we
are a party to. The Charterers are entitled to use the charter service reserve
only (1) to make charter payments to Ship Finance and (2) for reasonable working
capital to meet short term voyage expenses. The Charterers are required to
provide Ship Finance with monthly certifications of the balances of and activity
in the charter service reserve.
Material Covenants. Pursuant to the terms of the charter ancillary agreement,
the Charterers have agreed not to pay dividends or other distributions to its
shareholders or loan, repay or make any other payment in respect their
indebtedness or of any of their affiliates (other than Ship Finance or its
wholly owned subsidiaries), unless (1) the Charterers are then in compliance
with its obligations under the charter ancillary agreements, (2) after giving
effect to the dividend or other distribution, (A) they remain in compliance with
such obligations, (B) the balance of the charter service reserves equal at least
$218.2 million in the case of Frontline Shipping and $56.2 million in the case
of Frontline Shipping II (which threshold will be reduced by $5.3 million and
$7.0 million in the case of Frontline Shipping and Frontline Shipping II,
respectively, upon the termination of other than by reason of a default by
Frontline Shipping or Frontline Shipping II which we refer to as the "Minimum
Reserve", and (C) they certify to Ship Finance that they reasonably believe that
the charter service reserves will be equal to or greater than the Minimum
Reserve level for at least 30 days after the date of that dividend or
distribution, taking into consideration their reasonably expected payment
obligations during such 30-day period, (3) any charter payments deferred
pursuant to the deferral provisions described below have been fully paid to Ship
Finance and (4) any profit sharing payments deferred pursuant to the profit
sharing payments provisions described below have been fully paid. In addition,
the Charterers have agreed to certain other restrictive covenants, including
restrictions on their ability to, without the consent of Ship Finance:
o amend its organisational documents in a manner that would adversely
affect Ship Finance;
o violate its organisational documents;
o engage in businesses other than the operation and chartering of Ship
Finance vessels; (not applicable for Frontline Shipping II)
o incur debt, other than in the ordinary course of business;
o sell all or substantially all of its assets or the assets of any of
its subsidiaries or enter into any merger, consolidation or business
combination transaction;
o enter into transactions with affiliates, other than on an arm's-length
basis;
o permit the incurrence of any liens on any of its assets, other than
liens incurred in the ordinary course of business;
o issue any capital stock to any person or entity other than Frontline;
and
o make any investments in, provide loans or advances to, or grant
guarantees for the benefit of any person or entity other than in the
ordinary course of business.
In addition, we have agreed that we will cause the Charterers at all times to
remain our wholly owned subsidiaries.
Deferral of Charter Payments. For any period during which the cash and cash
equivalents held by Frontline Shipping is less than $75 million, Frontline
Shipping is entitled to defer from the payments payable to Ship Finance under
each charter up to $4,600 per day for each of our vessels that is a VLCC and up
to $3,400 per day for each of our vessels that is a Suezmax, in each case
without interest. However, no such deferral with respect to a particular charter
may be outstanding for more than one year at any given time. Frontline Shipping
will be required to immediately use all revenues that it receives that are in
excess of the daily charter rates payable to Ship Finance to pay any deferred
amounts at such time as the cash and cash equivalents held by Frontline Shipping
are greater than $75 million, unless Frontline Shipping reasonably believes that
the cash and cash equivalents held by it will not exceed $75 million for at
least 30 days after the date of the payment. In addition, Frontline Shipping
will not be required to make any payment of deferred charter amounts until the
payment would be at least $2 million. In case of Frontline Shipping II, the
terms are similar to the ones listed under Frontline Shipping above with respect
to the vessels that represent replacement leases for vessels in the original
fleet purchase which have been sold.
Profit Sharing Payments. Under the terms of the charter ancillary agreement,
beginning with the final 11-month period in 2004 and for each calendar year
after that, the Charterers have agreed to pay Ship Finance a profit sharing
payment equal to 20% of the charter revenues for the applicable period,
calculated annually on a TCE basis, realized by them for the Ship Finance fleet
in excess of the daily base charterhire. After 2010, all of Ship Finance's
non-double hull vessels will be excluded from the annual profit sharing payment
calculation. For purposes of calculating bareboat revenues on a TCE basis,
expenses are assumed to equal $6,500 per day. Each Charterer has agreed to use
its commercial best efforts to charter the Ship Finance vessels on market terms
and not to give preferential treatment to the marketing of any other vessels
owned or managed by us or our affiliates.
Frontline Shipping and Frontline Shipping II are entitled to defer, without
interest, any profit sharing payment to the extent that, after giving effect to
the payment, the charter service reserve would be less than the Minimum Reserve.
Frontline Shipping and Frontline Shipping II are required to immediately use all
revenues that it receives that are in excess of the daily charter rates payable
to Ship Finance to pay any deferred profit sharing amounts at such time as the
charter service reserve exceeds the minimum reserve, unless Frontline Shipping
and Frontline Shipping II reasonably believe that the charter service reserve
will not exceed the minimum reserve level for at least 30 days after the date of
the payment. In addition, Frontline Shipping and Frontline Shipping II will not
be required to make any payment of deferred profit sharing amounts until the
payment would be at least $2 million.
Collateral Arrangements. The charter ancillary agreements provides that the
obligations of the Charterers to Ship Finance under the charters and the charter
ancillary agreements are secured by a lien over all of the assets of the
Charterers and a pledge of the equity interests in the Charterers.
Default. An event of default shall be deemed to occur under the charter
ancillary agreement if:
o the relevant Charterer materially breaches any of its obligations
under any of the charters, including the failure to make charterhire
payments when due, subject to Frontline Shipping's deferral rights
explained above,
o the relevant Charterer or Frontline materially breaches any of its
obligations under the charter ancillary agreement or the Frontline
performance guarantee,
o Frontline Management materially breaches any of its obligations under
any of the management agreements or
o Frontline Shipping and Frontline Shipping II fails at any time to hold
at least $55 million or $12.4 million in cash and cash equivalents,
respectively.
The occurrence of any event of default under the charter ancillary agreements
that continues for 30 days after notice, Ship Finance may elect to:
o terminate any or all of the charters with the relevant Charterer,
o foreclose on any or all of our security interests described above with
respect to the relevant charterer and/or
o pursue any other available rights or remedies.
Vessel Management Agreements
Ship Finance's vessel owning subsidiaries entered into fixed rate management
agreements with Frontline Management. Under the management agreements, Frontline
Management is responsible for all technical management of the vessels, including
crewing, maintenance, repair, certain capital expenditures, drydocking, vessel
taxes and other vessel operating expenses. In addition, if a structural change
or new equipment is required due to changes in classification society or
regulatory requirements, Frontline Management will be responsible for making
them, unless the Charterer does so under the charters. Frontline Management
outsources many of these services to third party providers.
Frontline Management is also obligated under the management agreements to
maintain insurance for each of Ship Finance's vessels, including marine hull and
machinery insurance, protection and indemnity insurance (including pollution
risks and crew insurances) and war risk insurance. Frontline Management will
also reimburse Ship Finance for all lost charter revenue caused by our vessels
being off hire for more than five days per year on a fleet-wide basis or failing
to achieve the performance standards set forth in the charters. Under the
management agreements, Ship Finance pays Frontline Management a fixed fee of
$6,500 per day per vessel for all of the above services, for as long as the
relevant charter is in place. If Frontline Shipping exercises its right under a
charter to bareboat charter the related vessel to a third party, the related
management agreement provides that Ship Finance's obligation to pay the $6,500
fixed fee to Frontline Management will be suspended for so long as the vessel is
bareboat chartered. Both Ship Finance and Frontline Management have the right to
terminate any of the management agreements if the relevant charter has been
terminated and in addition Ship Finance has the right to terminate any of the
management agreements upon 90 days prior written notice to Frontline Management.
Frontline has guaranteed to Ship Finance Frontline Management's performance
under these management agreements.
Administrative Services Agreement
Ship Finance and its vessel owning subsidiaries have entered into an
administrative services agreement with Frontline Management under which
Frontline Management provides administrative support services such as the
maintenance of our corporate books and records, payroll services, the
preparation of tax returns and financial statements, assistance with corporate
and regulatory compliance matters not related to our vessels, legal and
accounting services, assistance in complying with United States and other
relevant securities laws, obtaining non-vessel related insurance, if any, cash
management and bookkeeping services, development and monitoring of internal
audit controls, disclosure controls and information technology, furnishing any
reports or financial information that might be requested by us and other
non-vessel related administrative services. Under this agreement Frontline
Management also provides Ship Finance with office space in Bermuda. Ship Finance
and its vessel owning subsidiaries pay Frontline Management a fixed fee of
$20,000 each per year for its services under the agreement, and reimburse
Frontline Management for reasonable third party costs, including directors fees
and expenses, shareholder communications and public relations, registrars,
audit, legal fees and listing costs, if Frontline Management advances them on
their behalf.
Frontline guarantees to Ship Finance Frontline Management's performance under
this administrative services agreement.
Spin Off of Golden Ocean Group Limited
Contribution Agreement
Golden Ocean was incorporated as our wholly owned subsidiary on November 8,
2004. On November 29, 2004, we entered into a Contribution Agreement with Golden
Ocean pursuant to which we agreed to contribute assets and cash with a net book
value of $22,450,000 to Golden Ocean on December 1, 2004. The assets contributed
consisted of:
(i) All of the shares in Golden Hilton Corporation, owner of the Capesize
bulk carrier Channel Navigator.
(ii) All of the shares in Golden President Corporation, owner of the
Capesize bulk carrier Channel Alliance.
(iii) All of the shares in Front Carriers Inc., charterer of the Capesize
bulk carrier Irfon.
(iv) Cash equal to the difference between $22,450,000 and the accounted
value in our books of the assets referred to in (i) to (iii) as of
November 30, 2004 with some minor items being excluded.
On December 13, 2004, we distributed 76.0% of the shares of Golden Ocean to our
shareholders in a three for one stock dividend. Certain of our U.S. shareholders
were excluded from the distribution and received a cash payment in lieu of 13.3%
of the shares equal to $0.60 per Golden Ocean share, which represents the
average price per share of the Golden Ocean shares during their first five days
of trading on the Oslo Stock Exchange.
Agency Agreement
We have entered into an agency agreement with Golden Ocean pursuant to which
Golden Ocean will provide various management services to us relevant to the
operation of our OBO carrier fleet from time to time. The arrangement commenced
on January 1, 2005.
Golden Ocean shall receive a fixed fee of $1,000 per month per vessel in
relation to the eight OBO carriers which at present is part of the agreement and
any subsequent OBO carriers which becomes part of our OBO carrier fleet, until
the month in which such OBO is first fixed on a dry charter by Golden Ocean.
With effect from such month, Golden Ocean shall, for such OBO carrier, receive a
fixing commission of 0.625% of the gross freight earned by such OBO carrier
under such and all subsequent dry charters as long as the agreement is in
effect. The fixed fee terminates when the fixing commission enters into effect.
The fees and the commission are subject to annual review and may, on this basis,
be adjusted upwards only. Each party may terminate the agreement with six
months' prior notice.
D. EXCHANGE CONTROLS
The Company is classified by the Bermuda Monetary Authority as a non-resident of
Bermuda for exchange control purposes.
The transfer of Ordinary Shares between persons regarded as resident outside
Bermuda for exchange control purposes may be effected without specific consent
under the Exchange Control Act of 1972 and regulations there under and the
issuance of Ordinary Shares to persons regarded as resident outside Bermuda for
exchange control purposes may be effected without specific consent under the
Exchange Control Act of 1972 and regulations there under. Issues and transfers
of Ordinary Shares involving any person regarded as resident in Bermuda for
exchange control purposes require specific prior approval under the Exchange
Control Act of 1972.
The owners of Ordinary Shares who are ordinarily resident outside Bermuda are
not subject to any restrictions on their rights to hold or vote their shares.
Because the Company has been designated as a non-resident for Bermuda exchange
control purposes, there are no restrictions on its ability to transfer funds in
and out of Bermuda or to pay dividends to U.S. residents who are holders of
Ordinary Shares, other than in respect of local Bermuda currency.
E. TAXATION
Bermuda currently imposes no tax (including a tax in the nature of an income,
estate duty, inheritance, capital transfer or withholding tax) on profits,
income, capital gains or appreciations derived by, or dividends or other
distributions paid to U.S. Shareholders of Ordinary Shares. Bermuda has
undertaken not to impose any such Bermuda taxes on U.S. Shareholders of Ordinary
Shares prior to the year 2016 except in so far as such tax applies to persons
ordinarily resident in Bermuda.
United States Taxation
The following discussion is based upon the provisions of the U.S. Internal
Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), existing and proposed U.S.
Treasury Department regulations, administrative rulings, pronouncements and
judicial decisions, all as of the date of this Annual Report. Unless otherwise
noted, references to the "Company" include the Company's Subsidiaries. This
discussion assumes that we do not have an office or other fixed place of
business in the United States.
Taxation of the Company's Shipping Income: In General
The Company anticipates that it will derive substantially all of its gross
income from the use and operation of vessels in international commerce and that
this income will principally consist of freights from the transportation of
cargoes, hire or lease from time or voyage charters and the performance of
services directly related thereto, which the Company refers to as "shipping
income."
Shipping income that is attributable to transportation that begins or ends, but
that does not both begin and end, in the United States will be considered to be
50% derived from sources within the United States. Shipping income attributable
to transportation that both begins and ends in the United States will be
considered to be 100% derived from sources within the United States. The Company
does not engage in transportation that gives rise to 100% U.S. source income.
Shipping income attributable to transportation exclusively between non-U.S.
ports will be considered to be 100% derived from sources outside the United
States. Shipping income derived from sources outside the United States will not
be subject to U.S. federal income tax.
Based upon the Company's anticipated shipping operations, the Company's vessels
will operate in various parts of the world, including to or from U.S. ports.
Unless exempt from U.S. taxation under Section 883 of the Code, the Company will
be subject to U.S. federal income taxation, in the manner discussed below, to
the extent its shipping income is considered derived from sources within the
United States.
Application of Code Section 883
Under the relevant provisions of Section 883 of the Code ("Section 883"), the
Company will be exempt from U.S. taxation on its U.S. source shipping income if:
(i) It is organised in a qualified foreign country which is one that
grants an equivalent exemption from tax to corporations organised in
the United States in respect of the shipping income for which
exemption is being claimed under Section 883 (a "qualified foreign
country") and which the Company refers to as the "country of
organisation requirement"; and
(ii) It can satisfy any one of the following two (2) stock ownership
requirements for more than half the days during the taxable year:
o the Company's stock is "primarily and regularly" traded on an
established securities market located in the United States or a
qualified foreign country, which the Company refers to as the
"Publicly-Traded Test"; or
o more than 50% of the Company's stock, in terms of value, is
beneficially owned by any combination of one or more individuals
who are residents of a qualified foreign country or foreign
corporations that satisfy the country of organisation requirement
and the Publicly-Traded Test, which the Company refers to as the
"50% Ownership Test."
The U.S. Treasury Department has recognised Bermuda, the country of
incorporation of the Company and certain of its subsidiaries, as a qualified
foreign country. In addition, the U.S. Treasury Department has recognised
Liberia, the Bahamas, Malta and the Isle of Man, the countries of incorporation
of certain of the Company's subsidiaries, as qualified foreign countries.
Accordingly, the Company and its vessel owning subsidiaries satisfy the country
of organisation requirement.
Therefore, the Company's eligibility to qualify for exemption under Section 883
is wholly dependent upon being able to satisfy one of the stock ownership
requirements.
For the 2005 tax year, the Company satisfied the Publicly-Traded Test since, on
more than half the days of the taxable year, the Company's stock was primarily
and regularly traded on the New York Stock Exchange.
Final regulations interpreting Section 883 were promulgated by the U.S. Treasury
Department in August 2003, which the Company refers to as the "final
regulations." The final regulations became effective for calendar year taxpayers
such as the Company and its subsidiaries beginning with the calendar year 2005.
Taxation in Absence of Internal Revenue Code Section 883 Exemption
To the extent the benefits of Section 883 are unavailable with respect to any
item of U.S. source income, the Company's U.S. source shipping income, would be
subject to a 4% tax imposed by Section 887 of the Code on a gross basis, without
the benefit of deductions. Since under the sourcing rules described above, no
more than 50% of the Company's shipping income would be treated as being derived
from U.S. sources, the maximum effective rate of U.S. federal income tax on the
Company's shipping income would never exceed 2% under the 4% gross basis tax
regime.
Gain on Sale of Vessels.
Regardless of whether we qualify for exemption under Section 883, we will not be
subject to United States federal income taxation with respect to gain realised
on a sale of a vessel, provided the sale is considered to occur outside of the
United States under United States federal income tax principles. In general, a
sale of a vessel will be considered to occur outside of the United States for
this purpose if title to the vessel, and risk of loss with respect to the
vessel, pass to the buyer outside of the United States. It is expected that any
sale of a vessel by us will be considered to occur outside of the United States.
Taxation of U.S. Holders
The following is a discussion of the material United States federal income tax
considerations relevant to an investment decision by a U.S. Holder, as defined
below, with respect to the common stock. This discussion does not purport to
deal with the tax consequences of owning common stock to all categories of
investors, some of which may be subject to special rules. You are encouraged to
consult your own tax advisors concerning the overall tax consequences arising in
your own particular situation under United States federal, state, local or
foreign law of the ownership of common stock.
As used herein, the term "U.S. Holder" means a beneficial owner of our common
stock that (i) is a U.S. citizen or resident, a U.S. corporation or other U.S.
entity taxable as a corporation, an estate, the income of which is subject to
U.S. federal income taxation regardless of its source, or a trust if a court
within the United States is able to exercise primary jurisdiction over the
administration of the trust and one or more U.S. persons have the authority to
control all substantial decisions of the trust and (ii) owns the our common
stock as a capital asset, generally, for investment purposes.
If a partnership holds our common stock, the tax treatment of a partner will
generally depend upon the status of the partner and upon the activities of the
partnership. If you are a partner in a partnership holding our common stock, you
are encouraged consult your own tax advisor on this issue.
Distributions
Subject to the discussion of passive foreign investment companies below, any
distributions made by us with respect to our common stock to a U.S. Holder will
generally constitute dividends, which may be taxable as ordinary income or
"qualified dividend income" as described in more detail below, to the extent of
our current or accumulated earnings and profits, as determined under United
States federal income tax principles. Distributions in excess of our earnings
and profits will be treated first as a nontaxable return of capital to the
extent of the U.S. Holder's tax basis in his common stock on a dollar-for-dollar
basis and thereafter as capital gain. Because we are not a United States
corporation, U.S. Holders that are corporations will not be entitled to claim a
dividends received deduction with respect to any distributions they receive from
us.
Dividends paid on our common stock to a U.S. Holder who is an individual, trust
or estate (a "U.S. Individual Holder") will generally be treated as "qualified
dividend income" that is taxable to such U.S. Individual Holders at preferential
tax rates (through 2010) provided that (1) the common stock is readily tradable
on an established securities market in the United States (such as the New York
Stock Exchange); (2) we are not a passive foreign investment company for the
taxable year during which the dividend is paid or the immediately preceding
taxable year (which we do not believe we are, have been or will be); and (3) the
U.S. Individual Holder has owned the common stock for more than 60 days in the
121-day period beginning 60 days before the date on which the common stock
becomes ex-dividend.
There is no assurance that any dividends paid on our common stock will be
eligible for these preferential rates in the hands of a U.S. Individual Holder.
Any dividends paid by the Company which are not eligible for these preferential
rates will be taxed as ordinary income to a U.S. Individual Holder.
Sale, Exchange or other Disposition of Common Stock
Assuming we do not constitute a passive foreign investment company for any
taxable year, a U.S. Holder generally will recognise taxable gain or loss upon a
sale, exchange or other disposition of our common stock in an amount equal to
the difference between the amount realised by the U.S. Holder from such sale,
exchange or other disposition and the U.S. Holder's tax basis in such stock.
Such gain or loss will be treated as long-term capital gain or loss if the U.S.
Holder's holding period is greater than one year at the time of the sale,
exchange or other disposition. A U.S. Holder's ability to deduct capital losses
is subject to certain limitations.
Passive Foreign Investment Company Status and Significant Tax Consequences
Special United States federal income tax rules apply to a U.S. Holder that holds
stock in a foreign corporation classified as a passive foreign investment
company, or a PFIC, for United States federal income tax purposes. In general,
we will be treated as a PFIC with respect to a U.S. Holder if, for any taxable
year in which such holder held our common stock, either
o at least 75% of our gross income for such taxable year consists of
passive income (e.g., dividends, interest, capital gains and rents
derived other than in the active conduct of a rental business), or
o at least 50% of the average value of the assets held by the
corporation during such taxable year produce, or are held for the
production of, passive income.
For purposes of determining whether we are a PFIC, we will be treated as earning
and owning our proportionate share of the income and assets, respectively, of
any of our subsidiary corporations in which we own at least 25% of the value of
the subsidiary's stock. Income earned, or deemed earned, by us in connection
with the performance of services would not constitute passive income. By
contrast, rental income would generally constitute "passive income" unless we
were treated under specific rules as deriving our rental income in the active
conduct of a trade or business.
Based on our current operations and future projections, we do not believe that
we are, nor do we expect to become, a PFIC with respect to any taxable year.
Although there is no legal authority directly on point, our belief is based
principally on the position that, for purposes of determining whether we are a
PFIC, the gross income we derive or are deemed to derive from the time
chartering and voyage chartering activities of our wholly-owned subsidiaries
should constitute services income, rather than rental income. Correspondingly,
we believe that such income does not constitute passive income, and the assets
that we or our wholly-owned subsidiaries own and operate in connection with the
production of such income, in particular, the vessels, do not constitute passive
assets for purposes of determining whether we are a PFIC. We believe there is
substantial legal authority supporting our position consisting of case law and
Internal Revenue Service pronouncements concerning the characterisation of
income derived from time charters and voyage charters as services income for
other tax purposes. However, in the absence of any legal authority specifically
relating to the statutory provisions governing passive foreign investment
companies, the Internal Revenue Service or a court could disagree with our
position. In addition, although we intend to conduct our affairs in a manner to
avoid being classified as a PFIC with respect to any taxable year, we cannot
assure you that the nature of our operations will not change in the future.
As discussed more fully below, if we were to be treated as a PFIC for any
taxable year, a U.S. Holder would be subject to different taxation rules
depending on whether the U.S. Holder makes an election to treat us as a
"Qualified Electing Fund," which election we refer to as a "QEF election." As an
alternative to making a QEF election, a U.S. Holder should be able to make a
"mark-to-market" election with respect to our common stock, as discussed below.
Taxation of U.S. Holders Making a Timely QEF Election
If a U.S. Holder makes a timely QEF election, which U.S. Holder we refer to as
an "Electing Holder," the Electing Holder must report each year for United
States federal income tax purposes his pro rata share of our ordinary earnings
and our net capital gain, if any, for our taxable year that ends with or within
the taxable year of the Electing Holder, regardless of whether or not
distributions were received from us by the Electing Holder. The Electing
Holder's adjusted tax basis in the common stock will be increased to reflect
taxed but undistributed earnings and profits. Distributions of earnings and
profits that had been previously taxed will result in a corresponding reduction
in the adjusted tax basis in the common stock and will not be taxed again once
distributed. An Electing Holder would generally recognise capital gain or loss
on the sale, exchange or other disposition of our common stock.
Taxation of U.S. Holders Making a "Mark-to-Market" Election
Alternatively, if we were to be treated as a PFIC for any taxable year and, as
we anticipate, our stock is treated as "marketable stock," a U.S. Holder would
be allowed to make a "mark-to-market" election with respect to our common stock.
If that election is made, the U.S. Holder generally would include as ordinary
income in each taxable year the excess, if any, of the fair market value of the
common stock at the end of the taxable year over such holder's adjusted tax
basis in the common stock. The U.S. Holder would also be permitted an ordinary
loss in respect of the excess, if any, of the U.S. Holder's adjusted tax basis
in the common stock over its fair market value at the end of the taxable year,
but only to the extent of the net amount previously included in income as a
result of the mark-to-market election. A U.S. Holder's tax basis in his common
stock would be adjusted to reflect any such income or loss amount. Gain realised
on the sale, exchange or other disposition of our common stock would be treated
as ordinary income, and any loss realised on the sale, exchange or other
disposition of the common stock would be treated as ordinary loss to the extent
that such loss does not exceed the net mark-to-market gains previously included
by the U.S. Holder.
Taxation of U.S. Holders Not Making a Timely QEF or Mark-to-Market Election
Finally, if we were to be treated as a PFIC for any taxable year, a U.S. Holder
who does not make either a QEF election or a "mark-to-market" election for that
year, whom we refer to as a "Non-Electing Holder," would be subject to special
rules with respect to (1) any excess distribution (i.e., the portion of any
distributions received by the Non-Electing Holder on our common stock in a
taxable year in excess of 125% of the average annual distributions received by
the Non-Electing Holder in the three preceding taxable years, or, if shorter,
the Non-Electing Holder's holding period for the common stock), and (2) any gain
realised on the sale, exchange or other disposition of our common stock. Under
these special rules:
o the excess distribution or gain would be allocated ratably over the
Non-Electing Holders' aggregate holding period for the common stock;
o the amount allocated to the current taxable year and any taxable years
before the Company became a PFIC would be taxed as ordinary income;
and
o the amount allocated to each of the other taxable years would be
subject to tax at the highest rate of tax in effect for the applicable
class of taxpayer for that year, and an interest charge for the deemed
deferral benefit would be imposed with respect to the resulting tax
attributable to each such other taxable year.
These penalties would not apply to a pension or profit sharing trust or other
tax-exempt organisation that did not borrow funds or otherwise utilise leverage
in connection with its acquisition of our common stock. If a Non-Electing Holder
who is an individual dies while owning our common stock, such holder's successor
generally would not receive a step-up in tax basis with respect to such stock.
Backup Withholding and Information Reporting
In general, dividend payments, or other taxable distributions, made within the
United States to you will be subject to information reporting requirements. Such
payments will also be subject to "backup withholding" if you are a non-corporate
U.S. Holder and you:
o fail to provide an accurate taxpayer identification number;
o are notified by the Internal Revenue Service that you have failed to
report all interest or dividends required to be shown on your federal
income tax returns; or
o in certain circumstances, fail to comply with applicable certification
requirements.
If you sell your common shares to or through a U.S. office or broker, the
payment of the proceeds is subject to both U.S. backup withholding and
information reporting unless you establish an exemption. If you sell your common
shares through a non-U.S. office of a non-U.S. broker and the sales proceeds are
paid to you outside the United States then information reporting and backup
withholding generally will not apply to that payment. However, U.S. information
reporting requirements, but not backup withholding, will apply to a payment of
sales proceeds, including a payment made to you outside the United States, if
you sell your common stock through a non-U.S. office of a broker that is a U.S.
person or has some other contacts with the United States.
Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Rather, you generally may obtain a
refund of any amounts withheld under backup withholding rules that exceed your
income tax liability by filing a refund claim with the U.S. Internal Revenue
Service.
Bermuda Taxation
Bermuda currently imposes no tax (including a tax in the nature of an income,
estate duty, inheritance, capital transfer or withholding tax) on profits,
income, capital gains or appreciations derived by, or dividends or other
distributions paid to U.S. Shareholders of Common Shares. Bermuda has undertaken
not to impose any such Bermuda taxes on U.S. Shareholders of Common Shares prior
to the year 2016 except in so far as such tax applies to persons ordinarily
resident in Bermuda.
Liberian Taxation
The Republic of Liberia enacted a new income tax act effective as of January 1,
2001 (the "New Act"). In contrast to the income tax law previously in effect
since 1977 (the "Prior Law"), which the New Act repealed in its entirety, the
New Act does not distinguish between the taxation of a non-resident Liberian
corporation, such as our Liberian subsidiaries, which conduct no business in
Liberia and were wholly exempted from tax under the Prior Law, and the taxation
of ordinary resident Liberian corporations.
In 2004, the Liberian Ministry of Finance issued regulations pursuant to which a
non-resident domestic corporation engaged in international shipping, such as our
Liberian subsidiaries, will not be subject to tax under the New Act retroactive
to January 1, 2001 (the "New Regulations"). In addition, the Liberian Ministry
of Justice issued an opinion that the New Regulations were a valid exercise of
the regulatory authority of the Ministry of Finance. Therefore, assuming that
the New Regulations are valid, our Liberian subsidiaries will be wholly exempt
from Liberian income tax as under the Prior Law.
If our Liberian subsidiaries were subject to Liberian income tax under the New
Act, our Liberian subsidiaries would be subject to tax at a rate of 35% on their
worldwide income. As a result, their, and subsequently our, net income and cash
flow would be materially reduced by the amount of the applicable tax. In
addition, we, as shareholder of the Liberian subsidiaries, would be subject to
Liberian withholding tax on dividends paid by the Liberian subsidiaries at rates
ranging from 15% to 20%.
F. DIVIDENDS AND PAYING AGENTS
Not Applicable
G. STATEMENT BY EXPERTS
Not Applicable
H. DOCUMENTS ON DISPLAY
We are subject to the informational requirements of the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934, as amended. In accordance with these requirements, we file reports and
other information with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These materials,
including this annual report and the accompanying exhibits, may be inspected and
copied at the public reference facilities maintained by the Commission 100 F
Street, N.E., Room 1580 Washington, D.C. 20549. You may obtain information on
the operation of the public reference room by calling 1 (800) SEC-0330, and you
may obtain copies at prescribed rates from the public reference facilities
maintained by the Commission at its principal office in Washington, D.C. 20549.
The SEC maintains a website (http://www.sec.gov.) that contains reports, proxy
and information statements and other information regarding registrants that file
electronically with the SEC. In addition, documents referred to in this annual
report may be inspected at our principal executive offices at Par-la-Ville
Place, 14 Par-la-Ville Road, Hamilton, Bermuda HM 08.
I. SUBSIDIARY INFORMATION
Not Applicable
ITEM 11. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
We are exposed to various market risks, including interest rates, spot market
rates for vessels and foreign currency fluctuations. We use interest rate swaps
to manage interest rate risk. We have entered into forward freight agreements
and futures for trading purposes in order to manage its exposure to the risk of
movements in the spot market for certain trade routes and, to some extent, for
speculative purposes. We enter into other derivative instruments from time to
time for speculative purposes.
Our exposure to interest rate risk relates primarily to our debt and related
interest rate swaps. The majority of this exposure derives from our floating
rate debt, which totalled $1,450.6 million at December 31, 2005 (2004: $1,039.8
million). We have entered into interest rate swap agreements to manage its
exposure to interest rate changes by swapping floating interest rates with fixed
interest rates. At December 31, 2005, we had 15 swaps with a total notional
principal of $618.3 million (2004 - fourteen swaps with notional principal of
$631.4 million). The swap agreements mature between January 2006 and February
2009, and we estimate that we would receive $18.3 million to terminate these
agreements as of December 31, 2005 (2004 - pay $2.3 million). Our net exposure
to interest rate fluctuations is $832.3 million at December 31, 2005 (2004:
$408.5million). Our net exposure is based on our total floating rate debt less
the notional principal of our floating to fixed interest rate swaps. A one per
cent change in interest rates would increase or decrease interest expense by
$8.3 million per year as of December 31, 2005 (2004: $4.1 million).
The fair market value of our fixed rate debt was $997.8 million as of December
31, 2005 (2004: $1,161.3 million). If interest rates were to increase or
decrease by one per cent with all other variables remaining constant, we
estimate that the market value of our fixed rate debt would decrease or increase
by approximately $56.8 and $62.5 million respectively (2004: decrease by $63.9
and increase by $70.2 million).
We are exposed to market risk in relation to our forward freight agreements and
futures contracts. Fluctuations in underlying freight market indices upon which
our forward agreements are based have a consequent effect on our cash flows and
consolidated statements of operations. As at December 31, 2005, the nominal
principal amount of our forward freight contracts, futures contracts and options
contracts was $12.0 million (December 31, 2004: $48.2 million). We use a Value
at Risk approach to estimate the risk in the freight derivatives position. Given
a 95% confidence level and one day holding period, the VaR on the open position
as per December 31, 2005 was $1.1 million (December 31, 2004: $2.0 million).
The majority of our transactions, assets and liabilities are denominated in U.S.
dollars, our functional currency. Certain of our subsidiaries report in
Sterling, Swedish kronor or Norwegian kroner and risks of two kinds arise as a
result: a transaction risk, that is, the risk that currency fluctuations will
have an effect on the value of our cash flows; and a translation risk, which is
the impact of currency fluctuations in the translation of foreign operations and
foreign assets and liabilities into U.S. dollars in the our consolidated
financial statements. Certain of our subsidiaries and associated companies in
which we have investments have charter contracts denominated in Yen. There is a
risk that currency fluctuations will have a negative effect on the value of our
cashflows. At December 31, 2005, we had no Yen denominated debt (2004 - (Y)1.3
billion). At December 31, 2005 we had (Y)35.7 million receivable in relation to
long term Yen denominated charter contracts (2004 - (Y)2.3 billion).
At December 31, 2005 we had five Yen denominated forward currency contracts
which were entered into for speculative purposes. The fair values of these
forward currency contracts are recognised as assets or liabilities with changes
in fair value recognised in the consolidated statements of operations. These
contracts have a notional principal of (Y)8.8 billion (equivalent to
approximately $74.2 million). The contracts mature in January and February 2006,
and we estimate that we would pay $0.2 million to terminate these contracts at
December 31, 2005. A one Yen movement in the JPY/USD exchange rate would
increase or decrease net income by $0.6 million in total, in relation to the
aforementioned, foreign currency contracts and future charter hire receivable.
ITEM 12. DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES OTHER THAN EQUITY SECURITIES
Not Applicable
PART II
ITEM 13. DEFAULTS, DIVIDEND ARREARAGES AND DELINQUENCIES
None
ITEM 14. MATERIAL MODIFICATIONS TO THE RIGHTS OF SECURITY HOLDERS AND USE OF
PROCEEDS
None
ITEM 15. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
As of December 31, 2005, we carried out an evaluation of the effectiveness of
the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to
Exchange Act Rule 13a-14. Based upon that evaluation, the principal executive
officer and principal financial officer concluded that our disclosure controls
and procedures are effective in alerting them timely to material information
relating to us required to be included in our periodic SEC filings.
There have been no changes in internal controls over financial reporting
(identified in connection with management's evaluation of such internal controls
over financial reporting) that occurred during the year covered by this annual
report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially
affect, our internal controls over financial reporting.
ITEM 16 A. AUDIT COMMITTEE FINANCIAL EXPERT
Our Board of Directors has determined that the Company's Audit Committee has one
Audit Committee Financial Expert. Mr. Frixos Savvides is an independent Director
and is the Audit Committee Financial Expert.
ITEM 16 B. CODE OF ETHICS.
We have adopted a Code of Ethics that applies to all entities controlled by us
and all employees, directors, officers and agents of the Company. The Code of
Ethics has previously been filed as Exhibit 14.1 to the Company's Annual Report
on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31 2003, filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission on June 30, 2004, and is hereby incorporated
by reference
We have posted a copy of our Code of Ethics on its website at www.frontline.bm.
We will provide any person, free of charge, a copy of its Code of Ethics upon
written request to our registered office.
ITEM 16 C. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES
Our principal accountant for 2005 and 2004 was PricewaterhouseCoopers AS. The
following table sets forth for the two most recent fiscal years the fees paid or
accrued for audit and services provided by PricewaterhouseCoopers AS.
(in thousands of $)
2005 2004
Audit Fees (a) 2,315 2,833
Audit-Related Fees (b) -
Tax Fees (c) 4 23
All Other Fees (d) -
Total 2,319 2,856
(a) Audit Fees
Audit fees represent professional services rendered for the audit of our annual
financial statements and services provided by the principal accountant in
connection with statutory and regulatory filings or engagements.
(b) Audit -Related Fees
Audit-related fees consisted of assurance and related services rendered by the
principal accountant related to the performance of the audit or review of our
financial statements which have not been reported under Audit Fees above.
(c) Tax Fees
Tax fees represent fees for professional services rendered by the principal
accountant for tax compliance, tax advice and tax planning.
(d) All Other Fees
All other fees include services other than audit fees, audit-related fees and
tax fees set forth above.
Our Board of Directors has adopted pre-approval policies and procedures in
compliance with paragraph (c) (7)(i) of Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X that require
the Board to approve the appointment of the independent auditor of the Company
before such auditor is engaged and approve each of the audit and non-audit
related services to be provided by such auditor under such engagement by the
Company. All services provided by the principal auditor in 2004 were approved by
the Board pursuant to the pre-approval policy.
ITEM 16D. EXEMPTIONS FROM THE LISTING STANDARDS FOR AUDIT COMMITTEES
Not applicable
ITEM 16E. PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES BY THE ISSUER AND AFFILIATED
PURCHASERS
Not applicable
PART III
ITEM 17. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Not applicable
ITEM 18. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The following financial statements listed below and set forth on pages F-1
through F-54 are filed as part of this annual report:
Consolidated Financial Statements of Frontline Ltd
Index to Consolidated Financial Statements of Frontline Ltd F-1
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm F-2
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm F-3
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended F-4
December 31, 2005, 2004 and 2003
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2005 and 2004 F-5
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended F-6
December 31, 2005, 2004 and 2003
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders' Equity F-7
for the years ended December 31, 2005, 2004 and 2003
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements F-8
ITEM 19. EXHIBITS
Number Description of Exhibit
1.1* Memorandum of Association of the Company, incorporated
by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of the Company's
Registration Statement on Form F-1, Registration No.
33-70158 filed on October 12, 1993 (the "Original
Registration Statement").
1.4* Amended and Restated Bye-Laws of the Company,
incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1.4 of the
Company's Annual Report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year
ended December 31, 2003.
2.1* Form of Ordinary Share Certificate, incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 4.1 of the Original Registration
Statement.
2.2* Form of Deposit Agreement dated as of November 24, 1993,
among Frontline Ltd. (F/K/A London & Overseas Freighters
Limited), The Bank of New York as Depositary, and all
Holders from time to time of American Depositary
Receipts issued there under, including form of ADR,
incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 of the Original
Registration Statement.
2.3* Form of Deposit Agreement dated as of November 24, 1993,
as amended and restated as of May 29, 2001, among
Frontline Ltd. (F/K/A London & Overseas Freighters
Limited), The Bank of New York as Depositary, and all
Holders from time to time of American Depositary
Receipts issued there under, including form of ADR,
incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2 of the Company's
Annual Report on Form 20-F, filed on June 13, 2001 for
the fiscal year ended December 31, 2000.
2.4* Rights Agreement (the "Rights Agreement") between the
Company and the Bank of New York incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 1.3 of the Company's Registration
Statement on Form 8-A, File No.0-22704 filed on December
9, 1996.
2.5* Amendment No. 1 to the Rights Agreement incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 4.3 of the Amalgamation
Registration Statement.
2.6* The Subregistrar Agreement related to the registration
of certain securities issued by Frontline Ltd. in the
Norwegian Registry of Securities between Frontline Ltd.
and Christiania Bank og Kreditkasse ASA together with
the Form of Warrant Certificate and Conditions attaching
thereto, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1.1 of the
Company's Annual Report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year
ended December 31, 1998.
4.1* Form of United Kingdom Share Option Plan, incorporated
by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Original
Registration Statement.
4.2* Form of Bermuda Share Option Plan, incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 10.2 of the Original Registration
Statement.
4.3* The Subordinated Convertible Loan Facility Agreement USD
89,000,000 dated July 13, 1999, between Frontline Ltd.
as Borrower and Metrogas Holdings Inc. as Lender,
incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 of the
Company's Annual Report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year
ended December 31, 1998.
4.4* Master Agreement, dated September 22, 1999, among
Frontline AB and Frontline Ltd (collectively "FL"), Acol
Tankers Ltd. ("Tankers"), ICB Shipping AB ("ICB"), and
Ola Lorentzon (the "Agent"), incorporated by reference
to Exhibit 3.1 of the Company's Annual Report on Form
20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1999.
8.1 Subsidiaries of the Company.
10.1* Fleet Purchase Agreement between Frontline Ltd and Ship
Finance International Limited dated December 11, 2003
incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the
Company's Annual Report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year
ended December 31, 2004.
10.2* Charter Ancillary Agreement between Frontline Ltd and
Ship Finance International Limited dated January 1, 2004
incorporated by refrence to Exhibit 10.2 of the
Company's Annual Report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year
ended December 31, 2004.
10.3* Addendum to Charter Ancillary Agreement between
Frontline Ltd and Ship Finance International Limited
dated June 15, 2004 incorporated by reference to Exhibit
10.3 of the Company's Annual Report on From 20-F for the
fiscal year ended December 31, 2004.
10.4* Form of Performance Guarantee issued by the Company
incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 of the
Company's Annual Report on From 20-F for the fiscal year
ended December 31, 2004.
10.5* Form of Time Charter incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 10.5 of the Company's Annual Report on From 20-F
for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004.
10.6* Form of Vessel Management Agreements incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 10.6 of the Company's Annual Report
on From 20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004.
10.7* Administrative Services Agreement incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 10.7 of the Company's Annual Report
on From 20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004.
10.8* Contribution Agreement between Frontline Ltd and Golden
Ocean Group Limited dated November 29, 2004 incorporated
by reference to Exhibit 10.8 of the Company's Annual
Report on From 20-F for the fiscal year ended December
31, 2004.
14.1* Code of Ethics, incorporated by reference to Exhibit
14.1 of the Company's Annual Report on Form 20-F for the
fiscal year ended December 31, 2003.
31.1 Certification of the Principal Executive Officer
31.2 Certification of the Principal Executive Officer
31.3 Certification of the Principal Financial Officer
32.1 Certifications under Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley
act of 2002 of the Principal Executive Officer
32.2 Certifications under Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley act of
2002 of the Principal Executive Officer
32.3 Certifications under Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley act
of 2002 of the Principal Financial Officer
* Incorporated herein by reference.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, the registrant certifies that it meets all of the requirements for filing
on Form 20-F and has duly caused this annual report to be signed on its behalf
by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorised.
Frontline Ltd.
----------------------
(Registrant)
Date June 30, 2006 By /s/ Inger M. Klemp
-----------------------
Inger M. Klemp
Chief Financial Officer
Index to Consolidated Financial Statements of Frontline Ltd
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm F-2
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm F-3
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended F-4
December 31, 2005, 2004 and 2003
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2005 and 2004 F-5
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended F-6
December 31, 2005, 2004 and 2003
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders' Equity for F-7
the years ended December 31, 2005, 2004 and 2003
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements F-8
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
-------------------------------------------------------
To the Board of Directors
and Stockholders of Frontline Ltd
In our opinion, based on our audits and the report of other auditors, the
accompanying consolidated balance sheets and the related consolidated statements
of operations, of cash flows and of the changes in stockholders' equity present
fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Frontline Ltd and
its subsidiaries at December 31, 2005 and 2004, and the results of their
operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended
December 31, 2005 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in
the United States of America. These financial statements are the responsibility
of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on
these financial statements based on our audits. We did not audit the financial
statements of Independent Tankers Corporation ("ITC"), a wholly-owned
subsidiary, which statements reflect total assets of $860.0 and $892.0 million
as of December 31, 2005 and 2004, respectively, and total revenues of $56.2 and
$56.2 million for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2005.
Those statements were audited by other auditors whose report thereon has been
furnished to us, and our opinion expressed herein, insofar as it relates to the
amounts included for ITC, is based solely on the report of the other auditors.
We conducted our audits of these statements in accordance with the standards of
the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards
require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about
whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit
includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and
disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles
used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall
financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a
reasonable basis for our opinion.
As discussed in Note 3 to the financial statements the Company adopted FASB
Interpretation no. 46 Revised on December 31, 2003.
PricewaterhouseCoopers AS
Oslo, Norway
June 30, 2006
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
-------------------------------------------------------
To the Board of Directors
Independent Tankers Corporation
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Independent
Tankers Corporation as of December 31, 2005 and 2004 and the related
consolidated statements of operations and retained earnings, and cash flows for
the years then ended. These consolidated financial statements are the
responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an
opinion on these financial statements based on our audit.
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company
Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan
and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial
statements are free of material misstatement. The Company is not required to
have, nor were we engaged to perform an audit of its internal control over
financial reporting. Our audit included consideration of internal control over
financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are
appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an
opinion on the effectiveness of the Company's internal control over financial
reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes
examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in
the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and
significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall
financial statement presentation. We believe that our audit provides a
reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present
fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Independent Tankers
Corporation at December 31, 2005 and 2004, and the results of its operations and
cash flows for the years then ended in conformity with accounting principles
generally accepted in the United States of America.
New York, New York
June 22, 2006
Frontline Ltd.
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended December 31, 2005,
2004 and 2003 (in thousands of $, except per share data)
2005 2004 2003
Operating revenues
Time charter revenues 205,837 108,246 40,759
Bareboat charter revenues 142,562 176,381 25,986
Voyage charter revenues 1,152,240 1,554,519 1,089,583
Finance lease interest income 9,584 10,794 -
Other income 3,610 3,630 3,111
---- ------------------------------------------------- ------------- ------------ -------------
Total operating revenues 1,513,833 1,853,570 1,159,439
------------------------------------------------------ ------------- ------------ -------------
Gain (loss) on sale of assets 76,081 19,574 5,626
Operating expenses
Voyage expenses and commission 337,221 361,609 323,378
Ship operating expenses 148,702 130,385 115,323
Charterhire expenses 11,711 39,302 80,539
Administrative expenses 21,181 25,739 20,998
Depreciation and amortisation 198,359 180,497 143,560
---- ------------------------------------------------- ------------- ------------ -------------
Total operating expenses 717,174 737,532 683,798
------------------------------------------------------ ------------- ------------ -------------
Net operating income 872,740 1,135,612 481,267
------------------------------------------------------ ------------- ------------ -------------
Other income (expenses)
Interest income 41,040 31,595 9,185
Interest expense (215,995) (205,458) (74,184)
Share in results from associated companies 3,691 10,553 33,533
Foreign currency exchange gain (loss) 18,829 (4,932) (10,583)
Other financial items, net 46,084 3,566 300
---- ------------------------------------------------- ------------- ------------ -------------
Net other expenses (106,351) (164,676) (41,749)
------------------------------------------------------ ------------- ------------ -------------
Net income from continuing operations before income 766,389 970,936 439,518
taxes, minority interest and cumulative effect of
change in accounting principle
Minority interest (169,459) (64,995) -
Income taxes 19 (178) (3)
Gain on issuance of shares by associate 1,105 - -
------------------------------------------------------ ------------- ------------ -------------
Net income from continuing operations before 598,054 905,763 439,515
cumulative effect of change in accounting principle
Discontinued operations 8,785 117,619 3,612
Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle - - (33,767)
------------------------------------------------------ ------------- ------------ -------------
Net income 606,839 1,023,382 409,360
====================================================== ============= ============ =============
Earnings per share:
Basic earnings per share from continuing operations $7.99 $12.21 $5.87
before cumulative effect of change in accounting
principle
Diluted earnings per share from continuing $7.99 $12.21 $5.86
operations before cumulative effect of change in
accounting principle
Basic earnings per share before cumulative effect of $8.11 $13.79 $5.92
change in accounting principle
Diluted earnings per share before cumulative effect $8.11 $13.79 $5.90
of change in accounting principle
Basic earnings per share $8.11 $13.79 $5.47
Diluted earnings per share $8.11 $13.79 $5.45
==================================================== ============= ============ ==============
See accompanying Notes that are an integral part of these Consolidated Financial
Statements
Frontline Ltd.
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2005 and 2004
(in thousands of $)
2005 2004
ASSETS
Current Assets
Cash and cash equivalents 100,533 105,702
Restricted cash 636,790 592,607
Marketable securities 144,156 78,327
Trade accounts receivable 72,719 141,301
Other receivables 20,053 13,787
Inventories 44,984 32,017
Voyages in progress 94,479 148,900
Prepaid expenses and accrued income 9,328 11,872
Net investment in finance lease, current portion 11,861 13,488
Derivative instruments receivable amounts 24,695 14,490
Other current assets 568 16,903
----------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------
Total current assets 1,160,166 1,169,394
Newbuildings and vessel purchase options 15,927 24,231
Vessels and equipment, net 2,584,847 2,254,361
Vessels and equipment under capital lease, net 672,608 718,842
Investment in associated companies 10,169 22,955
Net investment in finance lease, long term portion 96,057 107,664
Deferred charges 18,664 28,219
Other long-term assets 9,401 13,094
----------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------
Total assets 4,567,839 4,338,760
==== ================================================================== =============
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities
Short-term debt and current portion of long-term debt 240,191 151,614
Current portion of obligations under capital leases 25,142 21,498
Trade accounts payable 9,382 8,268
Accrued expenses 87,336 80,694
Deferred charter revenue 7,071 4,382
Derivative instruments liabilities 3,521 6,431
Other current liabilities 83,856 72,976
----------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------
Total current liabilities 456,499 345,863
Long-term liabilities
Long-term debt 2,199,538 1,990,131
Obligations under capital leases 706,279 732,153
Deferred gains on sales of vessels 18,102 20,028
Other long-term liabilities 1,505 3,887
----------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------
Total liabilities 3,381,923 3,092,062
Commitments and contingencies - -
Minority interest 470,750 328,730
Stockholders' equity
Share capital 187,063 187,063
Contributed surplus 534,787 568,127
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (6,684) 5,414
Retained earnings - 157,364
----------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------
Total stockholders' equity 715,166 917,968
----------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity 4,567,839 4,338,760
======================================================================= =============
See accompanying Notes that are an integral part of these Consolidated Financial
Statements
Frontline Ltd.
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2005,
2004 and 2003
(in thousands of $) 2005 2004 2003
Net income 606,839 1,023,382 409,360
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided
by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortisation 198,875 183,711 146,907
Amortisation of deferred charges 16,961 10,372 2,862
(Gain) loss from sale of assets (including (109,657) (126,230) (5,626)
marketable securities)
Share in results from associated companies (3,692) (10,552) (33,533)
Unrealised foreign exchange loss (2,222) 390 17,955
Change in accounting principle - - 33,767
Adjustment of derivatives to market value (12,335) (15,675) (28,180)
Minority interest 169,459 64,995 -
Other, net (3,286) (3,337) 1,311
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effect
of acquisitions:
Trade accounts receivable 64,981 (93,497) (7,495)
Other receivables (6,493) 1,193 (8,647)
Inventories (12,967) (5,966) 3,489
Voyages in progress 54,421 (88,619) (9,853)
Prepaid expenses and accrued income 2,474 (3,584) (2,837)
Trade accounts payable 1,114 1,353 (417)
Accrued expenses 6,832 11,986 (3,281)
Deferred charter revenue 2,689 (927) 2,727
Other, net 5,781 (43,008) 4,771
----------------------------------------------------------- ----------- ------------ ----------
Net cash provided by operating activities 979,774 905,987 523,280
----------------------------------------------------------- ----------- ------------ ----------
Investing activities
Maturity (placement) of restricted cash (44,183) 299,280 (559,430)
Additions to newbuildings, vessels and equipment (558,163) (126,947) (66,589)
Purchase of option - - (10,042)
Proceeds from sale of vessels and equipment 250,339 59,787 427,305
Acquisition of subsidiaries and businesses, net of - (18,858) (2,363)
cash
Investments in associated companies (2,612) (37,424) (91,611)
Dividends received from associated companies 20,911 3,800 11,581
Purchase of minority interest (33,083) (14,713) -
Proceeds from sale of investments in associated - 11,181 7,343
companies
Receipts from investments in finance leases and 20,540 17,482 -
loans receivable
Purchases and sales of other assets, net (15,286) (15,098) 14,748
Proceeds from sale of newbuilding contracts 16,800 - -
----------------------------------------------------------- ----------- ------------ ----------
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities (344,737) 178,490 (269,058)
----------------------------------------------------------- ----------- ------------ ----------
Financing activities
Proceeds from long-term debt 1,660,503 1,724,014 627,300
Repayments of long-term debt (1,361,500) (1,814,269) (465,313)
Payment of obligations under capital leases (22,230) (20,310) (13,134)
Debt fees paid (7,405) (16,359) (18,492)
Cash dividends paid (909,574) (1,038,315) (338,033)
Repurchase of shares and warrants - (631) (28,562)
Proceeds from issuance of equity - 62,906 2,931
----------------------------------------------------------- ----------- ------------ ----------
Net cash used in financing activities (640,206) (1,102,964) (233,303)
----------------------------------------------------------- ----------- ------------ ----------
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents (5,169) (18,487) 20,919
before change in accounting principle
Cash effect of change in accounting principle - - 11,192
----------------------------------------------------------- ----------- ------------ ----------
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents (5,169) (18,487) 32,111
after change in accounting principle
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year 105,702 124,189 92,078
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year 100,533 105,702 124,189
=========================================================== =========== ============ ==========
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
Interest paid 235,020 188,517 73,206
Income taxes paid 46 114 3
=========================================================== =========== ============ ==========
See accompanying Notes that are an integral part of these Consolidated Financial
Statements
Frontline Ltd.
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders' Equity for the years ended
December 31, 2005, 2004 and 2003
(in thousands of $, except number of shares)
2005 2004 2003
NUMBER OF SHARES OUTSTANDING
Balance at beginning of year 74,825,169 73,647,930 76,466,566
Shares issued - 1,197,436 251,364
Shares bought back - (20,197) (3.070.000)
----------------------------------------------------------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Balance at end of year 74,825,169 74,825,169 73,647,930
----------------------------------------------------------- ----------- ----------- -----------
SHARE CAPITAL
Balance at beginning of year 187,063 184,120 191,166
Shares issued - 2,994 629
Shares bought back and cancelled - (51) (7,675)
----------------------------------------------------------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Balance at end of year 187,063 187,063 184,120
----------------------------------------------------------- ----------- ----------- -----------
CONTRIBUTED SURPLUS
Balance at beginning of year 568,127 513,859 552,241
Shares issued - 42,802 3,774
Shares bought back and warrants exercised or expired - (581) (42,156)
Excess of cash proceeds over book value on issue of - 9,050 -
shares by subsidiary
Contribution from related party 85,364 - -
Distribution from contributed surplus (203,642) - -
Minority share of contributed surplus - - -
Minority interest in deemed equity contributions and
deemed dividends 84,938 2,997 -
----------------------------------------------------------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Balance at end of year 534,787 568,127 513,859
----------------------------------------------------------- ----------- ----------- -----------
ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
Balance at beginning of year 5,414 (6,953) (9,498)
Other comprehensive income (12,098) 12,367 2,545
----------------------------------------------------------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Balance at end of year (6,684) 5,414 (6,953)
----------------------------------------------------------- ----------- ----------- -----------
RETAINED EARNINGS
Balance at beginning of year 157,364 564,391 493,064
Net income 606,839 1,023,382 409,360
Cash dividends (552,322) (1,040,093) (338,033)
Stock dividends (211,881) (390,316) -
----------------------------------------------------------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Balance at end of year - 157,364 564,391
----------------------------------------------------------- ----------- ----------- -----------
------------------------------------------------------------ ----------- ----------- -----------
TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY 715,166 917,968 1,255,417
============================================================ =========== =========== ===========
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
Net income (loss) 606,839 1,023,382 409,360
Unrealised gains (loss) from marketable securities (11,877) 10,441 4
Unrealised gains from cash flow hedging derivative - 2,471 1,591
instruments
Foreign currency translation and other (221) (545) 950
----------------------------------------------------------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Other comprehensive income (12,098) 12,367 2,545
------------------------------------------------------------ ----------- ----------- -----------
Comprehensive income 594,741 1,035,749 411,905
============================================================ =========== =========== ===========
See accompanying Notes that are an integral part of these Consolidated Financial
Statements 1.
1. GENERAL
Frontline Ltd. (the "Company" or "Frontline") is a Bermuda based shipping
company engaged primarily in the ownership and operation of oil tankers,
including oil/bulk/ore ("OBO") carriers. The Company operates tankers of
two sizes: very large crude carriers ("VLCCs") which are between 200,000
and 320,000 deadweight tons ("dwt"), and Suezmaxes, which are vessels
between 120,000 and 170,000 dwt. In addition, The Company owns and operates
two containerships which are approximately 1,800 twenty-foot equivalent
units ("TEU"). The Company operates primarily through subsidiaries and
partnerships located in Bermuda, Isle of Man, Liberia, Norway, Panama,
Singapore, Cayman Islands, the Bahamas and Cyprus. The Company is also
involved in the charter, purchase and sale of vessels.
The Company's ordinary shares are listed on the New York Stock Exchange,
the Oslo Stock Exchange and the London Stock Exchange.
In October 2003, the Company established Ship Finance International Limited
("Ship Finance") in Bermuda. Through transactions executed in January 2004,
the Company transferred to Ship Finance ownership of 46 vessel-owning
entities each owning one vessel and its corresponding financing, and one
entity owning an option to acquire a VLCC. The Company then leased the
vessels back on long-term charters. The assets and liabilities were
transferred to, and recorded by Ship Finance, at the historical net book
value of each asset at December 31, 2003. In May 2004 the Board of
Frontline declared a share dividend of 25% of the issued share capital of
Ship Finance to Frontline's shareholders. Frontline's shareholders received
one share in Ship Finance for every four Frontline shares held. Further
share dividends have been declared as follows:
% of
Frontline
holding
Declaration Date Distribution Date distributed
August 2004 September 2004 10.0
November 2004 December 2004 13.2
January 2005 February 2005 25.0
February 2005 March 2005 10.0
As of December 31, 2005, the Company's remaining shareholding in Ship
Finance was 16.2%. The Company has accounted for the spin off of Ship
Finance at historical cost. Ship Finance shares are traded on the New York
Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol SFL. Under the provisions of FASB
Interpretation No. 46 (revised December 2003) Consolidation of Variable
Interest Entities, an Interpretation of ARB No. 51 ("FIN 46") Ship Finance
remains consolidated as a wholly owned subsidiary (See Note 26).
In November 2004, the Company established Golden Ocean Group Limited
("Golden Ocean") as a wholly owned subsidiary in Bermuda for the purpose of
transferring, by way of contribution, certain dry bulk shipping interests.
Three Frontline subsidiaries and cash equal to the difference between $22.45
million and the historical net book value of those subsidiaries was
transferred to Golden Ocean on December 1, 2004. On the same date, the Board
of Frontline resolved to distribute its shares in Golden Ocean to its
shareholders in proportion to their ownership in Frontline. Frontline's
shareholders received three shares in Golden Ocean for every Frontline share
held. Certain of the Company's U.S. shareholders were excluded from the
distribution and received a cash payment in lieu of shares equal to $0.60
per Golden Ocean share, which represents the average price per share of the
Golden Ocean shares during their first five days of trading on the Oslo
Stock Exchange where Golden Ocean was listed on December 15, 2004. The
Company does not have any significant continuing involvement in these dry
bulk operations and as a result, the financial results from the Company's
dry bulk operations transferred to Golden Ocean have been reported under
"discontinued operations" for 2004 and 2003. The Company has accounted for
the spin off of Golden Ocean at fair value and has recorded a gain of $99.5
million in the year ended December 31, 2004 which is included in the result
from discontinued operations in the statement of operations (See Note 29).
2. ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Basis of accounting
The consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with
accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. The
consolidated financial statements include the assets and liabilities of the
Company and its subsidiaries and certain variable interest entities in which
the Company is deemed to be subject to a majority of the risk of loss from
the variable interest entity's activities or entitled to receive a majority
of the entity's residual returns or both. All intercompany balances and
transactions have been eliminated on consolidation.
Investments in companies over which the Company exercises significant
influence, but does not consolidate, are accounted for using the equity
method. The Company records its investments in equity-method investees on
the consolidated balance sheets as "Investments in associated companies" and
its share of the investees' earnings or losses in the consolidated
statements of operations as "Share in results from associated companies".
The excess, if any, of purchase price over book value of the Company's
investments in equity method investees is included in the accompanying
consolidated balance sheets in "Investment in associated companies".
Investments in which the Company has a majority shareholding but which it
does not control, due to the participating rights of minority shareholders,
are accounted for using the equity method. The preparation of financial
statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles
requires that management make estimates and assumptions affecting the
reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent
assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the
reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period.
Actual results could differ from those estimates.
A variable interest entity is a legal entity that lacks either (a) equity
interest holders as a group that lack the characteristics of a controlling
financial interest, including: decision making ability and an interest in
the entity's residual risks and rewards or (b) the equity holders have not
provided sufficient equity investment to permit the entity to finance its
activities without additional subordinated financial support, or where (c)
the voting rights of some investors are not proportional to their
obligations to absorb the expected losses of the entity, their rights to
receive the expected residual returns of the entity, or both and
substantially all of the entity's activities either involve or are conducted
on behalf of an investor that has disproportionately few voting rights. FASB
Interpretation 46 ("FIN 46") requires a variable interest entity to be
consolidated if any of its interest holders are entitled to a majority of
the entity's residual return or are exposed to a majority of its expected
losses.
Cash and cash equivalents
For the purposes of the consolidated statements of cash flows, all demand
and time deposits and highly liquid, low risk investments with original
maturities of three months or less are considered equivalent to cash.
Restricted cash
Restricted cash consists of bank deposits which may only be used to settle
certain pre-arranged loan or lease payments or minimum deposits which must
be maintained in accordance with contractual arrangements.
Marketable Securities
Marketable equity securities held by the Company are considered to be
available-for-sale securities and as such are carried at fair value with
resulting unrealised gains and losses, net of deferred taxes if any,
recorded as a separate component of other comprehensive income in
stockholders' equity.
Inventories
Inventories comprise principally of fuel and lubricating oils and are stated
at the lower of cost and market value. Cost is determined on a first-in,
first-out basis.
Investment in finance leases
Certain vessels are chartered under agreements that are classified as direct
financing leases. The minimum payments under the charter agreements are
recorded as the gross investment in the finance lease. The difference
between the gross investment in the finance lease and the cost of the vessel
is recorded as unearned income. Throughout the term of the charter
agreement, the Company records as revenue interest income and unearned
income. This unearned income is amortised to income over the life of the
charter agreement to produce a constant periodic rate of return on the net
investment in the finance lease.
Vessels and equipment
The cost of the vessels less estimated residual value is depreciated on a
straight-line basis over the vessels' estimated remaining economic useful
lives. The estimated economic useful life of the Company's double hull
vessels is 25 years and for single hull vessels is either 25 years or the
vessel's anniversary date in 2015, whichever comes first. Other equipment is
depreciated over its estimated remaining useful life, which approximates
five years.
With effect from December 2003, the International Maritime Organisation
implemented new regulations that resulted in the accelerated phase-out of
single hull vessels. As a result of this, the Company re-evaluated the
estimated useful life of its single hull vessels and determined this to be
either 25 years or the vessel's anniversary date in 2015 whichever comes
first. As a result, the estimated useful lives of fourteen of the Company's
wholly owned vessels and two vessels owned by associated companies were
reduced in the fourth quarter of 2003. A change in accounting estimate was
recognised to reflect this decision, resulting in an increase in
depreciation expense and consequently decreasing net income by $1.3 million
and basic and diluted earnings per share by $0.02, for 2003.
Vessels and equipment under capital lease
The Company charters in certain vessels under agreements that are classified
as capital leases. Depreciation of vessels under capital lease is included
within depreciation and amortisation expense in the Statement of Operations.
Vessels under capital lease are depreciated on a straight-line basis over
the vessels' remaining economic useful lives or on a straight-line basis
over the term of the lease. The method applied is determined by the criteria
by which the lease has been assessed to be a capital lease.
Newbuildings and vessel purchase options
The carrying value of the vessels under construction ("Newbuildings")
represents the accumulated costs to the balance sheet date which the Company
has had to pay by way of purchase instalments and other capital expenditures
together with capitalised loan interest and associated finance costs. No
charge for depreciation is made until the vessel is put into operation.
Vessel purchase options are capitalised at the time option contracts are
acquired or entered into. The Company reviews expected future cash flows,
which would result from exercise of each option contract on a contract by
contract basis to determine whether the carrying value of the option is
recoverable. If the expected future cash flows are less than the carrying
value of the option plus further costs to delivery, provision is made to
write down the carrying value of the option to the recoverable amount. The
carrying value of each option payment is written off as and when the Company
adopts a formal plan not to exercise the option. Purchase price payments are
capitalised and the total of the option payment, if any, and purchase price
payment is transferred to cost of vessels, upon exercise of the option and
delivery of the vessel to the Company.
Impairment of long-lived assets
The carrying value of long-lived assets that are held and used by the
Company are reviewed whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate
that the carrying amount of an asset may no longer be appropriate. The
Company assess recoverability of the carrying value of the asset by
estimating the future net cash flows expected to result from the asset,
including eventual disposition. If the future net cash flows are less than
the carrying value of the asset, an impairment loss is recorded equal to the
difference between the asset's carrying value and fair value. In addition,
long-lived assets to be disposed of are reported at the lower of carrying
amount and fair value less estimated costs to sell.
Deferred charges
Loan costs, including debt arrangement fees, are capitalised and amortised
on a straight-line basis over the term of the relevant loan. The straight
line basis of amortisation approximates the effective interest method in the
Company's statement of operations. Amortisation of loan costs is included in
interest expense. If a loan is repaid early, any unamortised portion of the
related deferred charges is charged against income in the period in which
the loan is repaid.
Discount on loans
Discount on issue of certain of the Company's long-term debt, is being
amortised over the respective periods to maturity of the debt.
Revenue and expense recognition
Revenues and expenses are recognised on the accruals basis. Revenues are
generated from freight billings, time charter and bareboat charter hires.
The operating results of voyages in progress are estimated and recorded
pro-rata on a per day basis in the consolidated statements of operations.
Probable losses on voyages are provided for in full at the time such losses
can be estimated. Time charter and bareboat charter revenues are recorded
over the term of the charter as service is provided. Amounts receivable or
payable arising from profit sharing arrangements are accrued based on the
estimates of amounts earned as at the reporting date.
Revenues and voyage expenses of the vessels operating in pool arrangements
are pooled and the resulting net pool revenues, calculated on a time charter
equivalent basis, are allocated to the pool participants according to an
agreed formula. Formulae used to allocate net pool revenues vary among
different pools but generally allocate revenues to pool participants on the
basis of the number of days a vessel operates in the pool with weighting
adjustments made to reflect vessels' differing capacities and performance
capabilities. The same revenue and expense principles stated above are
applied in determining the pool's net pool revenues. Certain pools are
responsible for paying voyage expenses and distribute net pool revenues to
the participants. Certain pools require the participants to pay and account
for voyage expenses, and distribute gross pool revenues to the participants
such that the participants' resulting net pool revenues are equal to net
pool revenues calculated according to the agreed formula. The Company
accounts for gross pool revenues allocated by these pools as "pool revenues"
which are included in voyage revenues in its statements of operations. Refer
to Note 30 for further analysis of pool revenues.
Drydocking
Normal vessel repair and maintenance costs are expensed when incurred. The
Company recognises the cost of a drydocking at the time the drydocking takes
place, that is, it applies the "expense as incurred" method. The expense as
incurred method is considered by management to be an appropriate method of
recognising dry-docking costs as it eliminates the uncertainty associated
with estimating the cost and timing of future dry dockings.
Derivatives
The Company enters into interest rate swap transactions to hedge a portion
of its exposure to floating interest rates. These transactions involve the
conversion of floating rates into fixed rates over the life of the
transactions without an exchange of underlying principal. The fair values of
the interest rate swap contracts are recognised as assets or liabilities
with changes in fair values recognised in the consolidated statements of
operations.
The Company enters into forward freight contracts and options in order to
hedge exposure to the spot market for certain trade routes and in some
cases, for speculative purposes. These transactions involve entering into a
contract to swap theoretical market index based voyage revenues for a fixed
daily rate. The fair values of the forward freight contracts are recognised
as assets or liabilities with changes in fair values recognised in the
consolidated statements of operations.
In 2001, the Company established a facility for a Stock Indexed Total Return
Swap Programme, or Equity Swap, whereby the counterparty acquired shares in
the Company, and the Company carried the risk of fluctuations in the share
price of those acquired shares. The fair value of the Equity Swap was
recognised as an asset or liability with the change in fair values
recognised in the consolidated statements of operations. This facility was
terminated in 2003. The Company recorded a gain of $22.1 million in its
consolidated statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2003 in
respect of the change in fair value of the Equity Swap.
In 2004, the Company entered into Yen denominated forward currency contracts
for speculative purposes. The fair values of forward currency contracts are
recognised as assets or liabilities with changes in fair value recognised in
the consolidated statements of operations.
Other than the forward freight and Yen contracts discussed above, the
Company has not entered into any derivative contracts for speculative or
trading purposes.
Financial Instruments
In determining the fair value of its financial instruments, the Company uses
a variety of methods and assumptions that are based on market conditions and
risks existing at each balance sheet date. For the majority of financial
instruments, including most derivatives and long-term debt, standard market
conventions and techniques such as options pricing models are used to
determine fair value. All methods of assessing fair value result in a
general approximation of value, and such value may never actually be
realised.
Foreign currencies
The Company's functional currency is the U.S. dollar as the majority of
revenues are received in U.S. dollars and a majority of the Company's
expenditures are made in U.S. dollars. The Company's reporting currency is
U.S. dollars. Most of the Company's subsidiaries report in U.S. dollars.
For subsidiaries that maintain their accounts in currencies other than U.S.
dollars, the Company uses the current method of translation whereby the
statements of operations are translated using the average exchange rate and
the assets and liabilities are translated using the year end exchange rate.
Foreign currency translation gains or losses are recorded as a separate
component of other comprehensive income in stockholders' equity.
Transactions in foreign currencies during the year are translated into U.S.
dollars at the rates of exchange in effect at the date of the transaction.
Foreign currency monetary assets and liabilities are translated using rates
of exchange at the balance sheet date. Foreign currency non-monetary assets
and liabilities are translated using historical rates of exchange. Foreign
currency transaction gains or losses are included in the consolidated
statements of operations.
Stock-based compensation
In accordance with Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25 Accounting for
Stock Issued to Employees ("APB 25") the compensation cost for stock options
is recognised as an expense over the service period based on the excess, if
any, of the quoted market price of the stock at the grant date of the award
or other measurement date, over the exercise price to be paid to acquire the
stock.
In 2005, 2004 and 2003, the Company has recorded compensation expense of
$nil, $4.2 million and $5.6 million, respectively in connection with
employee share options. The Company's share option scheme terminated in 2004
as discussed in Note 23.
Had the compensation costs for these plans been determined consistent with
the fair value method recommended in SFAS 123 Accounting for Stock-Based
Compensation, the Company's net income and earnings per share would have
been reduced to the following pro forma amounts in 2005, 2004 and 2003:
(in thousands, except per share data) 2005 2004 2003
Net income (loss)
As reported 606,839 1,023,382 409,360
Add: Compensation expenses as reported - 4,231 5,574
Compensation expense determined under fair value - (2,756) (1,011)
based method for all awards
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Adjusted net income (loss), fair value based method 606,839 1,024,857 413,923
for all awards
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Basic earnings (loss) per share
As reported 7.99 $13.79 $5.47
SFAS 123 adjusted 7.99 $13.81 $5.53
Diluted earnings (loss) per share
As reported 8.11 $13.79 $5.45
SFAS 123 adjusted 8.11 $13.81 $5.51
Earnings per share
Basic earnings per share ("EPS") is computed based on the income (loss)
available to common stockholders and the weighted average number of shares
outstanding for basic EPS. Diluted EPS includes the effect of the assumed
conversion of potentially dilutive instruments (see Note 7).
Issuance of shares by a subsidiary/ associate The Company recognises a
profit when its subsidiary or associate issues its stock to third parties
at a price per share in excess of its carrying amount if such profit is
realisable. If such profit is not realisable, it is recorded as an increase
to paid in capital.
3. CHANGE IN ACCOUNTING PRINCIPLE
In December 2003, FIN 46 was adopted by the Company. Prior to the adoption
of FIN 46 Frontline accounted for its interest in Golden Fountain
Corporation using the equity method. The Company determined that Golden
Fountain Corporation was a variable interest entity and that Frontline was
the primary beneficiary. Accordingly the Company consolidated the assets
and liabilities of Golden Fountain Corporation effective December 31, 2003.
The effect of consolidation of Golden Fountain Corporation as of December
31, 2003 was to increase total assets by $7.8 million, increase total
liabilities by $16.4 million and to record the cumulative effect of a
change in accounting principle of $8.5 million. Golden Fountain Corporation
sold its vessel on December 17, 2004 which resulted in an accounting gain
of $19.7 million. The sale of the vessel and subsequent extinguishment of
debt was considered a triggering event and the Company assessed that it was
no longer the primary beneficiary and has resumed accounting for its
investment in Golden Fountain Corporation using the equity method.
On July 1, 2003, the Company purchased a call option for $10.0 million to
acquire all of the shares of Independent Tankers Corporation ("ITC") from
Hemen Holding Ltd ("Hemen"), a related party, for a total consideration of
$4.0 million plus 4% interest per year. ITC operates a total of six VLCCs
and four Suezmax tankers, which are on long-term charters to subsidiaries
of BP Plc and Chevron Corporation. Prior to the adoption of FIN 46
Frontline did not consolidate ITC. The Company determined that ITC was a
variable interest entity and that Frontline was the primary beneficiary.
Accordingly the Company consolidated the assets and liabilities of ITC
effective December 31, 2003. The effect of consolidation of ITC as of
December 31, 2003 was to increase total assets by $910.5 million, increase
total liabilities by $935.7 million and to record the cumulative effect of
a change in accounting principle of $25.2 million. On May 27, 2004 the
Company exercised its option to acquire all of the shares of ITC - refer to
Note 25.
4. RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING STANDARDS
In December 2004, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting
Standards No. 123 - Revised, Share-Based Payment ("SFAS 123R"). SFAS 123R
revises SFAS 123 Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation ("SFAS 123") and
supersedes Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25 Accounting for Stock
issued to Employees ("APB 25") and requires companies to expense the fair
value of employee stock options and other forms of stock-based
compensation. SFAS 123R adopts a similar approach to SFAS 123 and sets
forth criteria that must be met in order for an award to fall under the
scope of the Standard. SFAS 123R requires companies to fair value stock
based compensation awards and cease using the intrinsic value method off
accounting allowed under APB 25. In March 2005, the SEC issued Staff
Accounting Bulletin SAB 107 ("SAB 107"), which explains the staffs view on
the application of SFAS 123R. SFAS 123R is effective for public companies
for annual reporting periods beginning on or after June 15, 2005. As
discussed in more detail in Note 23, and all option plans expired in 2004
and as such, the Company does believe that adoption of SFAS 123(R) will not
have a material impact on its financial statements.
In December 2004, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting
Standards 153 Exchanges of Nonmonetary Assets, an amendment of APB Opinion
No. 29 ("SFAS 153"). APB Opinion No. 29 Accounting for Nonmonetary
Transactions ("APB 29") provides that accounting for nonmonetary
transactions should be measured based on the fair value of the assets
exchanged but allows certain exceptions to this principle. SFAS 153 amends
APB 29 to eliminate the exception for nonmonetary exchanges of similar
productive assets and replaces it with a general exception for exchanges of
nonmonetary assets that don't have commercial substance. A nonmonetary
exchange has commercial substance if the future cash flows of the entity
are expected to change significantly as a result of the exchange. SFAS 153
is effective for nonmonetary asset exchanges occurring in fiscal periods
beginning after June 15, 2005 and shall be applied prospectively. The
Company does not believe that adoption of SFAS 153 will have a material
impact on its financial statements.
In May 2005, the FAS issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards 154
Accounting Changes and Error Corrections, a replacement of APB Opinion No.
20 and FAS 3 ("SFAS 154"). SFAS 154 replaces APB Opinion No. 20 Accounting
Changes and FAS 3 Reporting Accounting Changes in Interim Financial
Statements. Previously, most changes in accounting principle were
recognised by including the cumulative effect of changing to the new
accounting principle in net income for the period of the change. SFAS 154
requires retrospective application of a change in accounting principle to
prior periods unless it is impracticable to determine either the
period-specific effects or the cumulative effect of the change to any
period. When it is impracticable to determine the period-specific effects
of an accounting change, SFAS 154 requires that the new accounting
principle be applied to the balances of assets and liabilities as of the
beginning of the earliest period for which retrospective application is
practicable and that a corresponding adjustment be made to the opening
balance of retained earnings ( or other appropriate components of equity or
net assets) for that period rather than being reported in an income
statement. SFAS 154 is applicable for all accounting changes and
corrections of errors occurring in fiscal years beginning after December
15, 2005. The Company does not expect adoption of SFAS 154 on January 1,
2006 to have a significant impact on its financial statements.
5. SEGMENT INFORMATION
The Company has three reportable segments: tankers, oil bulk ore carriers
("OBOs"), and dry bulk carriers.
Segment results are evaluated based on income from vessel operations before
general and administrative expenses, which is the net of total operating
revenues and voyage expenses. The accounting policies used in the
reportable segments are the same as those followed in the preparation of
the Company's consolidated financial statements.
The Company's management does not evaluate performance by geographical
region as this information is not meaningful.
Information about the Company's reportable segments as of and for each of
the years ended December 31, 2005, 2004 and 2003 is as follows:
(in thousands of $) Tankers OBOs Dry Bulk Total
2005
Total operating revenues 1,395,826 105,167 - 1,500,993
Voyage expenses 332,395 4,568 - 336,963
Ship operating expenses 129,865 17,658 - 147,523
Depreciation and amortisation 175,491 20,688 - 196,179
Interest income 24,663 32 - 24,695
Interest expense 202,285 12,738 - 215,023
Share in results from associated companies 3,200 - - 3,200
Net income 654,773 49,544 7,153 711,470
Discontinued operations - - 8,785 8,785
Vessels and equipment, net 2,243,221 241,265 - 2,484,486
Vessels under capital lease 672,608 - - 672,608
Investment in associated companies 2,182 - - 2,182
Total assets 3,642,703 246,167 16 3,888,886
Expenditure for vessels 558,163 - - 558,163
(in thousands of $) Tankers OBOs Dry Bulk Total
2004
Total operating revenues 1,765,525 84,114 - 1,849,639
Voyage expenses 358,863 2,746 - 361,609
Ship operating expenses 114,984 15,350 51 130,385
Depreciation and amortisation 159,478 20,745 - 180,223
Interest income 22,142 16 - 22,158
Interest expense 190,303 13,275 - 203,578
Share in results from associated companies 9,063 - - 9,063
Net income 942,329 31,883 117,570 1,091,782
Discontinued operations - - 117,619 117,619
Vessels and equipment, net 1,975,447 261,953 15,698 2,253,098
Vessels under capital lease 718,842 - - 718,842
Investment in associated companies 15,288 - - 15,288
Total assets 3,575,626 265,949 33,067 3,874,642
Expenditure for vessels 126,947 - - 126,947
(in thousands of $) Tankers OBOs Dry Bulk Total
2003
Total operating revenues 1,039,569 116,213 - 1,155,782
Voyage expenses 299,953 23,424 - 323,377
Ship operating expenses 99,384 15,962 (23) 115,323
Depreciation and amortisation 122,607 20,688 (17) 143,278
Interest income 215 12 - 227
Interest expense 65,057 3,638 - 68,695
Share in results from associated companies 33,533 - - 33,533
Net income 384,335 52,728 (329) 436,734
Discontinued operations - - 3,610 3,610
Vessels and equipment, net 1,813,907 282,698 67,735 2,164,340
Vessels under capital lease 765,126 - - 765,126
Investment in associated companies 173,329 - - 173,329
Total assets 3,406,472 292,017 72,551 3,771,040
Expenditure for vessels 66,589 - 66,589
Reconciliations of reportable segments information to the Company's
consolidated totals follows:
(in thousands of $) 2005 2004 2003
Total operating revenues
Total operating revenues for reportable segments 1,500,993 1,849,639 1,155,782
Other operating revenues 12,840 3,931 3,657
Total consolidated operating revenues 1,513,833 1,853,570 1,159,439
Interest income
Total interest income for reportable segments 24,695 22,158 227
Interest income attributable to corporate holding and 16,345 9,437 8,958
management companies
------------------------------------------------------- ----------- ---------- -----------
Total consolidated interest income 41,040 31,595 9,185
------------------------------------------------------- ----------- ---------- -----------
Interest expense
Total interest expense for reportable segments 215,023 203,578 68,695
Interest expense attributable to corporate holding 972 1,880 5,489
and management companies
------------------------------------------------------- ----------- ---------- -----------
Total consolidated interest expense 215,995 205,458 74,184
------------------------------------------------------- ----------- ---------- -----------
Depreciation
Total depreciation for reportable segments 196,179 180,223 143,278
Depreciation not attributed to segments 2,180 274 282
------------------------------------------------------- ----------- ---------- -----------
Total consolidated depreciation 198,359 180,497 143,560
------------------------------------------------------- ----------- ---------- -----------
Net income
Net income for reportable segments 711,470 1,091,782 436,734
Minority interest (169,459) (57,602) -
Net income attributable to corporate holding and 64,828 (10,798) (27,374)
management companies
------------------------------------------------------- ----------- ---------- -----------
Total net income 606,839 1,023,382 409,360
------------------------------------------------------- ----------- ---------- -----------
Vessels and equipment, net
Vessels and equipment, net for reportable segments 2,484,486 2,253,098 2,164,340
Vessels and equipment not attributed to segments 100,361 1,263 899
------------------------------------------------------- ----------- ---------- -----------
Total consolidated vessels and equipment, net 2,584,847 2,254,361 2,165,239
------------------------------------------------------- ----------- ---------- -----------
Assets
Total assets for reportable segments 3,888,886 3,874,642 3,771,040
Cash and cash equivalents attributable to holding 378,674 333,507 630,633
company
Marketable securities held by corporate holding 144,156 78,327 44
company
Other assets attributable to corporate holding and 156,123 52,284 61,818
management companies
------------------------------------------------------- ----------- ---------- -----------
Total consolidated assets 4,567,839 4,338,760 4,463,535
------------------------------------------------------- ----------- ---------- -----------
During the year ended December 31, 2005, the Company reported total income
from one customer which represent over 10% of consolidated operating
revenues. These revenues are reported under the tanker segment. During the
year ended December 31, 2004 the company reported total income from two
customers which represented over 10% of consolidated operating revenues.
During the year ended 31 December 2003, no single customer accounted for 10%
or more of consolidated operating revenues.
6. TAXATION
Bermuda
Under current Bermuda law, the Company is not required to pay taxes in
Bermuda on either income or capital gains. The Company has received written
assurance from the Minister of Finance in Bermuda that, in the event of any
such taxes being imposed, the Company will be exempted from taxation until
the year 2016.
United States
The Company does not accrue U.S. income taxes as, in the opinion of U.S.
counsel, the Company is not engaged in a U.S. trade or business and is
exempted from a gross basis tax under Section 883 of the U.S. Internal
Revenue Code.
A reconciliation between the income tax expense resulting from applying the
U.S. Federal statutory income tax rate and the reported income tax expense
has not been presented herein as it would not provide additional useful
information to users of the financial statements as the Company's net
income is subject to neither Bermuda nor U.S. tax.
Other Jurisdictions
Certain of the Company's subsidiaries in other jurisdictions including
Norway, Singapore, Sweden and the United Kingdom are subject to taxation in
their respective jurisdictions.
The tax charge for the year comprises:
(in thousands of $) 2005 2004 2003
Current tax 19 (178) (3)
Deferred tax - - -
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
19 (178) (3)
=========================================================================
Temporary differences and carry forwards which give rise to deferred tax
assets, liabilities and related valuation allowances are as follows:
(in thousands of $) 2005 2004
Deferred tax liability - non current (249) (175)
Tax loss carry forwards 15,326 18,426
Valuation allowance (15,077) (18,251)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Net deferred tax asset (liability) - -
=================================================================
As of December 31, 2005, 2004 and 2003, the Company had $54,734,808,
$65,806,000 and $60,129,000 of net operating loss carry forwards,
respectively. Tax loss carry forwards can be utilised only against future
taxable income of the respective subsidiary. Our subsidiary Frontline AB
accounts for a total of $48,128,654 gross (net $13,476,023) as at December
31, 2005 and our subsidiary FRTLInvest AB accounts for a total of
$6,606,154 gross (net $1,859,723) as of December 31, 2005. These net
operating losses do not have an expiration date. Carried forward losses
accounted for by subsidiaries that have been placed in liquidation during
the year have been excluded. The Company's deferred tax assets are reduced
by a valuation allowance when, in the opinion of management, it is more
likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will
not be realised in the future. Since 2002, the Company's Swedish
subsidiaries have remained dormant, and as a consequence not generated
taxable profits against which the historical tax losses could be utilised.
At this time, the Company does not intend to engage in any business
activities that would generate taxable income within those Swedish entities
that would enable the Company to utilise the tax carry forwards.
Accordingly the Company recorded a full valuation allowance at December 31,
2005 and 2004.
7. EARNINGS PER SHARE
The computation of basic EPS is based on the weighted average number of
shares outstanding during the year. The computation of diluted EPS assumes
the foregoing and the exercise of stock options using the treasury stock
method (see Note 23).
The components of the numerator for the calculation of basic EPS and
diluted EPS for net income from continuing operations and net income are as
follows:
(in thousands of $) 2005 2004 2003
Net income from continuing operations after tax 598,054 905,763 439,515
before cumulative effect of change in accounting
principle
Discontinued operations 8,785 117,619 3,612
Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle - - (33,767)
------------------------------------------------------- ----------- ---------- -----------
Net income (loss) available to stockholders 606,839 1,023,382 409,360
======================================================= =========== ========== ===========
The components of the denominator for the calculation of basic EPS and
diluted EPS are as follows:
(in thousands of $) 2005 2004 2003
Basic earnings per share:
Weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding 74,825 74,192 74,902
======================================================= =========== ========== ===========
Diluted earnings per share:
Weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding 74,825 74,192 74,902
Warrants and stock options - - 158
------------------------------------------------------- ----------- ---------- -----------
74,825 74,192 75,060
======================================================= =========== ========== ===========
Basic EPS and diluted EPS for discontinued operations and basic EPS for the
cumulative effect of change in accounting principle are as follows:
2005 2004 2003
Basic and diluted earnings per share for $0.12 $1.59 $0.05
discontinued operations
Basic earnings per share for cumulative $0.00 $0.00 $(0.45)
effect of change in accounting principle
In the years ended December 31, 2005, 2004 and 2003, no options were
anti-dilutive.
8. LEASES
At December 31, 2005 the Company leased in thirteen vessels on long-term
time charters and bareboat charters from third parties. One of those leases
is classified as operating leases and twelve as capital leases. The
Company's long-term leases of vessels generally contain optional renewal
periods and purchase and put options.
Rental expense
Charter hire payments to third parties for certain contracted-in vessels
are accounted for as operating leases. The Company is also committed to
make rental payments under operating leases for office premises. The future
minimum rental payments under the Company's non-cancellable operating
leases are as follows:
(in thousands of $)
Year ending December 31,
2006 6,712
2007 6,845
2008 6,888
2009 6,845
2010 5,129
2011 and later 8,649
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total minimum lease payments 41,068
=========================================================================
Total rental expense for operating leases was $11,711,000, $46,854,000 and
$81,835,000 for the years ended December 31, 2005, 2004 and 2003,
respectively.
The following table discloses information about the terms of the Company's
leases of vessels contracted in which are accounted for as operating
leases:
Extended
Extended Lease Lessor's
Expiry of Lease Periods Companys Put
Mandatory Periods at Purchase Option
Lease at Lessor's Company's Option Exercise
Vessel Type Period Option Option Periods Date
Front Warrior (Suezmax) 2007 2008-2011 2010-2011 2007- 2011 2011
In February and March 2005 the Company exercised its purchase options on
Front Champion, Front Century and Golden Victory. The leases of these
vessels were cancelled concurrently with the exercise of each purchase
option.
A liability for put options on vessels leased under leases classified as
operating leases is recorded at such time that market conditions make it
likely that a put option will be exercised on the exercise date. A liability
is recognised based on the amount, if any, by which the put option price
exceeds the fair market value of the related vessel. At December 31, 2005 no
such liability had arisen.
Nine of the thirteen vessels leased by the company are leased from special
purpose lessor entities which were established and are owned by independent
third parties who provide financing through debt and equity participation.
Each entity owns one vessel, which is leased to the Company, and has no
other activities. Prior to the adoption of FIN 46R, these special purpose
entities were not consolidated by Frontline. One of these leases is
accounted for as operating leases and eight of these leases are accounted
for as capital leases. The Company have determined that due to the existence
of certain put and call options over the leased vessels, these entities are
variable interest entities. The determination of the primary beneficiary of
a variable interest entity requires knowledge of the participations in the
equity of that entity by individual and related equity holders. Our lease
agreements with the leasing entities do not give us any right to obtain this
information and the Company has been unable to obtain this information by
other means. Accordingly the Company is unable to determine the primary
beneficiary of these leasing entities. At December 31, 2005, the original
cost to the lessor of the assets under such arrangements was $856.5 million.
At December 31, 2005 and 2004, the company's residual value guarantees
associated with these leases, which represent the maximum exposure to loss,
are $132.3 million.
The following table discloses information about our activity with these
non-consolidated lessor entities in the three year period ended December 31,
2005:
Year ended December 31,
2005 2004 2003
Incurrence of obligations under capital leases - - 218,844
Repayments of principal obligations under 22,205 19,686 13,135
capital leases
Interest expense for capital leases 36,850 38,436 29,431
Charterhire expense for operating leases 5,211 31,839 32,195
At December 31, 2005 the Company leased out twenty four of its vessels to
third parties on time and bareboat charters with initial periods ranging
between two and ten years. All of those leases are classified as operating
leases.
Rental income
The minimum future revenues to be received on time and bareboat charters
which are accounted for as operating leases and other contractually
committed income as of December 31, 2005 are as follows:
(in thousands of yen and $) Yen revenues Dollar Total
revenues
(in yen) ($ equivalent)
2006 35,700 303 269,562 269,865
2007 - - 192,184 192,184
2008 - - 141,151 141,151
2009 - - 92,020 92,020
2010 - - 37,386 37,386
2011 and later - - 4,879 4,879
---------------------------------- ------------- -------------- -------------- -----------
Total minimum lease revenues 35,700 303 737,182 737,485
================================== ============= ============== ============== ===========
The cost and accumulated depreciation of the vessels leased to a third party
at December 31, 2005 were approximately $2,012.8 million and $729.0 million,
respectively, and at December 31, 2004 were $1,844.2 million and $568.2
million, respectively.
Minimum future revenues disclosed above include three leases which were
contracted prior to December 31, 2005 and commenced subsequent to December
31, 2005.
9. MARKETABLE SECURITIES
Marketable securities held by the Company are equity securities considered
to be available-for-sale securities.
(in thousands of $) 2005 2004
Cost 145,606 67,901
Gross unrealised gain (loss) (1,450) 10,426
------------------------------------------------------------- -----------
Fair value 144,156 78,327
============================================================= ===========
The net unrealised gain on marketable securities, including a component of
foreign currency translation, included in comprehensive income decreased by
$11.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2005 while the Company had
recorded an unrealised gain of $10.4 million for the year ended December 31,
2004.
(in thousands of $) 2005 2004 2003
Proceeds from sale of available-for-sale
securities 152,814 57,450 12,689
Realised gain (including amounts
classified in discontinued operations) 28,035 7,151 402
The cost of sale of available-for-sale marketable securities is calculated
on an average costs basis.
10. TRADE ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE
Trade accounts receivable are presented net of allowances for doubtful
accounts amounting to $7,465,000 and $2,972,000 for each of the years ended
December 31, 2005 and 2004 respectively.
11. OTHER RECEIVABLES
(in thousands of $) 2005 2004
Agent receivables 4,998 4,086
Due from related parties 2,549 953
Claims receivables 4,657 4,550
Other receivables 7,849 4,198
------------------------------------------------------------------ --------
20,053 13,787
================================================================== ========
Other receivables are presented net of allowances for doubtful accounts
amounting to $nil for each of the years ended December 31, 2005 and 2004.
12. NEWBUILDINGS AND VESSEL PURCHASE OPTIONS
(in thousands of $) 2005 2004
Newbuildings 15,927 15,861
Vessel purchase options - 8,370
------------------------------------------------------------------ --------
15,927 24,231
================================================================== ========
The carrying value of newbuildings represents the accumulated costs to the
balance sheet date which the Company has paid by way of purchase
instalments, and other capital expenditures together with capitalised loan
interest. There were no newbuilding deliveries during 2005 or 2004. See
Note 27 for contractual commitments regarding newbuildings.
In January 2005, the Company exercised its option to purchase the VLCC
Oscilla and the vessel was delivered to the Company in April 2005 for a
purchase price of $21.6 million and the vessel was renamed to Front Scilla.
The purchase price paid was equal to the outstanding mortgage debt under
four loan agreements between the lenders and the vessel's owning company.
The fair value assigned to this option and obligation when it was acquired
in 2000 was $8.4 million. The value of the option was calculated at the
time of purchase as the difference between the fair value of the vessel and
the mortgage debt outstanding.
Oscilla was owned and operated by an unrelated special purpose entity until
the Company exercised its option and took delivery of the vessel on April
4, 2005. This entity that owned the Oscilla, which was leased to a third
party, had no other activities. Prior to the adoption of FIN 46R, this
special purpose entity was not consolidated by Frontline. The Company has
determined that the entity that owned Oscilla is a variable interest entity
and that Frontline was the primary beneficiary in prior years. The Company
have been unable to obtain the accounting information necessary to be able
to consolidate the entity that owned Oscilla. If the Company had exercised
its option at December 31, 2004, the cost to the Company of the Oscilla
would have been approximately $28.5 million and the maximum exposure to
loss was $15.4 million.
The following table discloses information about the Company's activity with
this non-consolidated entity in the three year period ended December 31,
2004:
(in thousands of $) Year ended December 31,
2004 2003 2002
Loan advances made - - 1,489
Loan repayments received 1,972 2,262 181
Interest income 989 1,247 1,147
13. VESSELS AND EQUIPMENT, NET
(in thousands of $) 2005 2004
Cost 3,620,847 3,232,498
Accumulated depreciation (1,036,000) (978,137)
--------------------------------------------------- ------------ ---------
Net book value at end of year 2,584,847 2,254,361
=================================================== ============ =========
Included in the above amounts as at December 31, 2005 and 2004 is equipment
with a net book value of $2.6 million and $1.3 million, respectively.
Depreciation expense for vessels and equipment was $198.8 million, $137.0
million and $122.8 million for the years ended December 31, 2005, 2004 and
2003, respectively, including amounts recorded in discontinued operations.
In November 2005, the bareboat charterer of the Navix Astral declared their
intent to exercise a purchase option with the vessel being delivered to her
new owner in January 2006. An impairment loss of $1.9 million has been
included in the statement of operations for the year ended December 31,
2005 in respect of this vessel.
14. VESSELS UNDER CAPITAL LEASE, NET
(in thousands of $) 2005 2004
Cost 835,746 835,746
Accumulated depreciation (163,138) (116,904)
------------------------------------------------------------- -----------
Net book value at end of year 672,608 718,842
============================================================= ===========
Depreciation expense for vessels under capital lease was $46.2 million,
$46.3 million and $24.0million for the years ended December 31, 2005, 2004
and 2003, respectively.
The outstanding obligations under capital leases are payable as follows:
(in thousands of $)
Year ending December 31,
2006 80,876
2007 82,038
2008 82,976
2009 157,569
2010 227,346
2011 and later 429,074
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Minimum lease payments 1,059,879
Less: imputed interest (328,458)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Present value of obligations under capital leases 731,421
======================================================================
At December 31 2005, the Company held twelve vessels under capital leases
(2004 - twelve). These leases are for terms that range from eight to twenty
four years. Four of these vessels were sold by the Company in 2003 and
leased back for a period of nine years with lessor's options to extend the
charters for a further two years followed by a further two years. The
Company has purchase options over eight of these vessels at certain
specified dates and the lessor has options to put these vessels to the
Company at the end of the lease term. Gains arising from the sale and
leaseback transactions have been deferred and are being amortised over the
lease terms.
The following table discloses information about the terms of the Company's
leases of vessels contracted in which are accounted for as capital leases:
Extended Extended
Expiry of Lease Lease Company's Lessor's
Mandatory Periods at Periods at Purchase Put Option
Lease Lessor's Company's Option Exercise
Vessel Type Period Option Option Periods Date
Front Crown (VLCC) 2009 2010-2014 2013-2014 2009 to 2014
2014
Front Chief (VLCC) 2009 2010-2014 2013-2014 2009 to 2014
2014
Front Commander (VLCC) 2009 2010-2014 2013-2014 2009 to 2014
2014
Front Eagle (VLCC) 2010 2011-2015 2014-2015 2010 to 2015
2015
Front Melody (Suezmax) 2011 2012-2015 2014-2015 2011 to 2015
2015
Front Symphony (Suezmax) 2011 2012-2015 2014-2015 2011 to 2015
2015
Front Tina (VLCC) 2011 2012-2015 2014-2015 2011 to 2015
2015
Front Commodore (VLCC) 2011 2012-2015 2014-2015 2011 to 2015
2015
British Pioneer (VLCC) 2024 none Note (2) Note (1) none
British Progress (VLCC) 2025 none Note (2) Note (1) none
British Purpose (VLCC) 2025 none Note (2) Note (1) none
British Pride (VLCC) 2025 none Note (2) Note (1) none
Put options on vessels leased under leases classified as capital leases are
recorded as part of the lease's minimum lease payments. Lease liabilities
are amortised so that the remaining balance at the date the put option
becomes exercisable is equal to the put option amount. An additional
liability is recognised based on the amount, if any, by which the put option
price exceeds the fair market value of the related vessel. At December 31,
2005 no such additional liability had arisen.
Note (1.) The Company does not have options to purchase the vessel but it
has first refusal if the vessel's owner offers the vessel for sale. Note
(2.) The Company has the right to terminate the lease at any time but only
with permission of the charterer.
15. INVESTMENT IN ASSOCIATED COMPANIES
At December 31, 2005, the Company has the following participation in
investments that are recorded using the equity method:
2005 2004
International Maritime Exchange ASA 24.49% 26.56%
Front Tobago Shipping Corporation 40.00% 40.00%
Golden Fountain Corporation 50.00% -
Summarised balance sheet information of the Company's equity method
investees is as follows:
(in thousands of $) 2005 2004
Current Assets 23,875 32,741
Non Current Assets 8,848 29,004
Current Liabilities 2,405 1,978
Non Current Liabilities - (62)
Summarised statement of operations information of the Company's equity
method investees is as follows:
(in thousands of $) 2005 2004 2003
Net operating revenues 17,793 41,693 108,489
Net operating income 18,348 33,923 91,732
Net income 20,000 31,116 54,768
In December 2003, Frontline agreed with its partner, Overseas Shipholding,
Group, Inc ("OSG"), to swap interests in six joint venture companies, which
each own a VLCC. These agreements resulted in Frontline exchanging its
interest in three vessels in exchange for OSG's interest in three other
vessels, thereby increasing its interest in those vessels to 100% each. The
exchanges of interests were completed on February 24, 2004. These
transactions have been accounted for as a non-monetary exchange of
productive assets. The Company received a net cash settlement of $2.3
million in the exchange transaction to reflect the difference in values of
the assets exchanged and recognised a gain of $0.2 million.
At December 31, 2003 the Company determined that it was the primary
beneficiary of Golden Fountain Corporation under FIN 46 and therefore
consolidated the entity at that date. As discussed in Note 3 above, the
Company has resumed equity accounting for its investment in Golden Fountain
in 2005.
In 2004, the Company's investment in International Maritime Exchange ASA
("IMAREX") increased to 26.56%. Accordingly, the Company has changed its
accounting treatment of the investment from a cost basis to the equity
method. The Company is recording its share of income from IMAREX one quarter
in arrears. The closing share price for IMAREX as of December 31, 2005 on
the Oslo Stock Exchange was NOK 68.50 resulting in an aggregate value of the
Company's investment based on the quoted market price of approximately $17.3
million.
In December 2004, the vessel and all related balances in relation to the
operation of Front Tobago was transferred from Front Tobago Inc to a new
company Front Tobago Shipping Corporation. The Company's 40% investment in
Front Tobago Inc was replaced with a 40% investment in Front Tobago Shipping
Corporation.
In December 2005, Front Tobago Shipping Corporation sold the vessel Front
Tobago to the Company for approximately $35.6 million and subsequently
realised a gain on sale of $9.6 million. The Company's share of income from
associates excludes its share of this gain on sale as it has been applied
against the cost of the Front Tobago.
16. INVESTMENT IN FINANCE LEASES
Four Suezmax vessels are on long term charters to Chevron Transport
Corporation ("Chevron"). Each charter has a term expiring on April 1, 2015
subject to Chevron's right to terminate on certain specified dates. On April
1, 2005, Chevron gave the Company irrevocable notice of its intention to
terminate the bareboat charter of the vessel Virgo Voyager on April 1, 2006.
Chevron will pay the Owner a termination fee of $5,050,000. Chevron has the
right to terminate each remaining charter on any of four termination dates
which, for each vessel, occur at two-year intervals. Chevron is required to
provide non-binding notice of its intent to exercise an option at least
twelve months prior to the termination date. Irrevocable notice that the
initial termination option will be exercised must be received nine months
prior to the date and for each option subsequent to the initial termination
option, irrevocable notice must be received seven months prior to the
termination date. Chevron is required to pay the following termination
payments on or prior to the remaining termination dates as follows:
Approximate termination payments (in thousands of $)
Optional Termination Date Sirius Altair Cygnus
Voyager Voyager Voyager
April 1, 2006 11,110
April 1, 2007 11,120 9,910
April 1, 2008 10,030
April 1, 2009 9,970 8,890
April 1, 2010 8,940
April 1, 2011 7,880
Chevron holds options to purchase each vessel for $1 on April 1, 2015
provided no earlier optional termination of the bareboat charter has
occurred.
The following schedule lists the components of the net investment in finance
lease:
(in thousands of $) 2005 2004
Total minimum lease payments to be received 153,693 177,046
Less : Unearned income (45,775) (55,894)
--------------------------------------------------------------- -----------
Net investment in finance leases 107,918 121,152
=============================================================== ===========
Lease payments under the charter agreement for each of the five succeeding
years are as follows: $19.3 million in 2006, $16.6 million in 2007, $15.8
million in 2008, $14.9 million in 2009 and $14.2 million on 2010.
17. DEFERRED CHARGES
Deferred charges represent debt arrangement fees that are capitalised and
amortised on a straight-line basis to interest expense over the life of the
debt instrument. The deferred charges are comprised of the following
amounts:
(in thousands of $) 2005 2004
Debt arrangement fees 35,625 55,424
Accumulated amortisation (16,961) (27,205)
---------------------------------------------------------------- -----------
18,664 28,219
================================================================ ===========
18. OTHER LONG-TERM ASSETS
(in thousands of $) 2005 2004
Long-term debt receivable - 7,051
Other 9,401 6,043
---------------------------------------------------------------- -----------
9,401 13,094
================================================================ ===========
19. ACCRUED EXPENSES
(in thousands of $) 2005 2004
Voyage expenses 25,404 18,182
Ship operating expenses 14,528 16,745
Administrative expenses 3,550 4,592
Interest expense 41,081 40,455
Taxes 200 304
Other 2,573 416
---------------------------------------------------------------- -----------
87,336 80,694
================================================================ ===========
20. OTHER CURRENT LIABILITIES
(in thousands of $) 2005 2004
Dividends payable - 32,157
Forward contract payable 70,851 36,321
Accrued charterhire 674 895
Related party payables 2,587 2,040
Other 9,744 1,563
---------------------------------------------------------------- -----------
83,856 72,976
================================================================ ===========
Other current liabilities of $9,744 and $1,563 in 2005 and 2004 respectively
consists of miscellaneous current liabilities.
21. DEBT
(in thousands of $) 2005 2004
US Dollar denominated floating rate debt (LIBOR + 1,450,574 1,026,771
0.70%
to 1.25%) due through 2011
Yen denominated floating rate debt (LIBOR + 1.25%) - 13,060
due through 2007
Fixed rate debt 0% due through 2005 - 2,000
8.5% Senior Notes 457,080 530,270
Serial Note (7.6% to 7.62%) due through 2006 2,530 10,270
Serial Notes (6.47% to 6.855%) due through 2010 53,100 75,900
Term Note (8.52%) due through 2015 108,003 114,545
Term Notes (7.84% to 8.04%) due through 2019 366,200 366,200
2,437,487 2,139,016
Credit facilities 2,242 2,729
Total debt 2,439,729 2,141,745
Less: short-term and current portion of (240,191) (151,614)
long-term debt 2,199,538 1,990,131
The outstanding debt as of December 31, 2005 is repayable as follows:
(in thousands of $)
Year ending December 31,
2006 242,722
2007 169,191
2008 166,214
2009 156,591
2010 145,691
2011 and later 1,559,320
----------------------------------------------------------------------
2,439,729
======================================================================
The weighted average interest rate for the floating rate debt denominated
in US dollars was 4.31 per cent as of December 31, 2005 (2004 - 3.91 per
cent). The weighted average interest rate for the floating rate debt
denominated in Yen was 1.34 per cent as of December 31, 2005 (2004 - 1.38
per cent). These rates take into consideration related interest rate swaps.
8.5% Senior Notes due 2013
On December 15, 2003, Ship Finance issued $580 million of senior notes.
Interest on the notes accrues at the rate of 8.50% per annum and is payable
in cash semi-annually in arrears on June 15 and December 15, commencing on
June 15, 2004. As at December 31, 2005 the outstanding amount of Notes was
$457.1 million (December 31, 2004 - $530.3 million).
$1,058.0 million syndicated senior secured credit facility In February
2005, the Company refinanced its existing $1,058.0 million syndicated
senior secured credit facility with a new $1,131.4 million secured credit
facility discussed in more detail below.
$1,131 million term loan facility
In February 2005, the Company entered into a $1,131.4 million term loan
facility with a syndicate of banks. The proceeds from the facility were
used to repay the $1,058.0 million syndicated senior secured credit
facility and for general corporate purposes. Obligations under the facility
are secured by the Company's assets and equity interests of vessel owning
subsidiaries. In addition, each of the vessel owning subsidiaries has
guaranteed its performance under the facility. The facility bears interest
at LIBOR plus a margin of 0.7%. The facility is repayable over a term of
six years.
The loan facility subjects the Company to a number of restrictions on our
business and financial maintenance covenants, including restrictions on
creating liens on the vessels, limitations on its ability to amend its
charters, management, and administrative agreements, minimum liquidity and
working capital requirements, and collateral maintenance limitations.
Further, the loan facility restricts the Company's ability to make
distributions unless the (i) charter service reserve and Free Cash as
defined exceed $100 million and (ii) the Company satisfies financial
covenants contained in the loan facility at the distribution date.
$350.0 million syndicated combined senior and junior secured credit
facility In June 2005, the Company entered into a combined $350 million
senior and junior secured term loan facility with a syndicate of banks. The
proceeds from the facility were used to fund the acquisition of five new
VLCCs. Obligations under the facility are secured by the Company's assets
and equity interests of the five new vessel owning subsidiaries. In
addition, each of the new vessel owning subsidiaries has guaranteed its
performance under the facility. The facility bears interest at LIBOR plus a
margin of 0.65% for the senior loan and LIBOR plus a margin of 1.00% for
the junior loan and may be prepaid on a pro-rata basis without penalty. The
facility is repayable over a term of seven years.
The loan facility subjects the Company to a number of restrictions on our
business and financial maintenance covenants, including restrictions on
creating liens on the vessels, limitations on its ability to amend its
charters, management, and administrative agreements, minimum liquidity and
working capital requirements, and collateral maintenance limitations.
Further, the loan facility restricts the Company's ability to make
distributions unless the (i) charter service reserve and our Free Cash as
defined exceed $35 million and (ii) the Company satisfy financial covenants
contained in the loan facility on the distribution date.
$65 million term loan facility
In August 2004, the Company entered into a $65 million secured term loan
facility with a syndicate of banks. The facility bears interest at LIBOR
plus a margin of 1.00%. The facility must be repaid by October 31, 2009.
The facility contains a minimum value covenant and covenants that require
us to maintain a minimum level of free cash and positive working capital.
The facility was repaid in March 2006.
$20 million term loan facility
In October 2004, the Company entered into a $20 million secured term loan
facility. The facility bears interest at LIBOR plus a margin of 0.75%. The
facility must be repaid by November 1, 2009.
The facility contains a minimum value covenant and covenants that require
us to maintain a minimum level of free cash and positive working capital.
$20 million term loan facility
In January 2005, the Company entered into a $20 million secured term loan
facility. The facility bears interest at LIBOR plus a margin of 0.80%. The
facility must be repaid by January 31, 2010.
The facility contains a minimum value covenant and covenants that require
us to maintain a minimum level of free cash and positive working capital.
$69 million loan facility
In December 2005, the Company entered into a $69.0 million loan facility
with DnB NOR Bank ASA. The facility bears interest at LIBOR plus 120 basis
points secured by certain marketable securities and cash deposits. The
current facility must be repaid by January 26, 2006.
Term and Serial Notes
ITC is the holding company for three separate structures involved in
financing and leasing transactions. Two of these structures have Term Notes
and Serial Notes maturing between 2006 and 2019. The Notes are
collateralised by first preferred mortgages on the vessels owned by the ITC
subsidiaries. As of December 31, 2005 the effective interest rate for the
Term and Serial Notes was 7.90%
The 7.84% First Preferred Mortgage Term Notes due 2010 and the 8.04% First
Preferred Mortgage Term Notes due 2019 are each subject to redemption
through the operation of mandatory sinking funds according to the schedule
of sinking fund redemption payments set forth below. The sinking fund
redemption price is 100% of the principal amount of Term Notes being
redeemed, together with accrued and unpaid interest to the date fixed for
redemption.
(in thousands of $)
Year ending December 31,
2006 -
2007 1,340
2008 5,765
2009 7,600
2010 11,115
2011 and later 340,380
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Total future lease payments 366,200
======================================================================
Term and Serial Loans
Principal is repayable on the 8.52% Term loans due 2015 in accordance with
a twelve-year sinking fund schedule. The tables below provide the revised
scheduled sinking fund redemption amounts and final principal payment
following termination of the related charters on each of the optional
termination dates.
Charter Charter Charter Charter Charter Charter Charter
not terminated terminated terminated terminated terminated terminated
Scheduled terminated 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011
payment date $'000 $'000 $'000 $'000 $'000 $'000 $'000
2006 9,526 3,187 6,339 3,187 6,339 3,187 2,984
2007 10,942 2,270 6,339 4,603 6,339 4,603 2,984
2008 10,942 2,460 3,390 4,603 6,339 4,603 2,984
2009 10,942 2,670 3,680 2,180 6,339 4,603 2,984
2010 10,942 2,900 3,990 2,360 3,240 4,603 2,984
2011, and
later 54,709 31,122 39,656 27,676 34,798 23,010 14,922
--------------- -------- ----------- ----------- ------------ ---------- ----------- -----------
108,003 44,609 63,394 44,609 63,394 44,609 29,842
=============== ======== =========== =========== ============ ========== =========== ===========
22. SHARE CAPITAL
Authorised share capital:
(in thousands of $) 2005 2004
125,000,000 ordinary shares of $2.50 each 312,500 312,500
Issued and fully paid share capital:
(in thousands of $, except share numbers) 2005 2004
74,825,169 ordinary shares of $2.50 each
(2004: 74,825,169) 187,063 187,063
The Company's ordinary shares are listed on the New York Stock Exchange, the
Oslo Stock Exchange and the London Stock Exchange.
As at December 31, 2005, none of the unissued share capital of the Company
is under option or is conditionally or unconditionally to be put under
option.
The number of shares issued in connection with the exercise of employee
share options are as follows:
2005 2004 2003
Shares issued under share option schemes - 297,436 251,364
================================================== ========== ===========
In 2004, the Company issued a total of 900,000 ordinary shares in two
private placements to institutional investors as follows:
o in July 2004, 600,000 ordinary shares were issued at a purchase price
of NOK 246 per share, which was the equivalent of $35.84 per share at
the time of the sale.
o in October 2004, the Company issued 300,000 ordinary shares at a
purchase price of NOK 352 per share, which was the equivalent of
$52.33 per share at the time of the sale.
On April 5, 2004, a Special General Meeting of the Company's shareholders
approved the compulsory repurchase of all registered shareholdings of 49 or
less of the Company's ordinary shares. Consequently, on April 6, 2004, the
Company compulsorily repurchased and cancelled 20,197 ordinary shares at
the closing market price of the ordinary shares on April 5, 2004 which was
$31.22 per ordinary share.
In July 2004, Ship Finance issued 1,600,000 common shares to an
institutional investor at $15.75 per share. The Company recorded an amount
of $9.1 million in additional paid in capital as a result of this share
issue.
A number of the Company's bank loans contain a clause that permit dividend
payments subject to the Company meeting certain equity ratio and cash
covenants immediately after such dividends being paid.
On December 6, 1996, the Company's Board of Directors adopted a Shareholder
Rights Plan (the "Plan"). The Company adopted the Plan to protect
shareholders against unsolicited attempts to acquire control of the Company
that do not offer an adequate price to all shareholders or are otherwise
not in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders. Under the
Plan, each shareholder of record on December 20, 1996 received one right
for each Ordinary Share held, and each registered holder of outstanding
warrants received one right for each Ordinary Share for which they are
entitled to subscribe. Each right entitles the holder to purchase from the
Company one-quarter of an Ordinary Share at an initial purchase price of
$1.50. The rights will become exercisable and will detach from the Ordinary
Shares a specified period of time after any person has become the
beneficial owner of 20 per cent or more of the Company's Ordinary Shares.
If any person becomes the beneficial owner of 20 per cent or more of the
Company's Ordinary Shares, each right will entitle the holder, other than
the acquiring person, to purchase for the purchase price, that number of
Ordinary Shares having a market value of eight times the purchase price.
If, following an acquisition of 20 per cent or more of the Company's
Ordinary Shares, the Company is involved in certain amalgamations or other
business combinations or sells or transfers more than 50% of its assets or
earning power, each right will entitle the holder to purchase for the
purchase price ordinary shares of the other party to the transaction having
a market value of up to eight times the purchase price.
The Company may redeem the rights at a price of $0.001 per right at any
time prior to a specified period of time after a person has become the
beneficial owner of 20 per cent or more of its Ordinary Shares. The rights
will expire on December 31, 2006, unless earlier exchanged or redeemed.
In connection with the Company's one-for-ten reverse stock split, the
rights were adjusted pursuant to the Plan, so that there are currently ten
rights attached to each outstanding Ordinary Share.
23. SHARE OPTION PLANS
The Company had in place a Bermuda Share Option Plan (the "Bermuda Plan")
and a United Kingdom Share Option Plan (the "U.K. Plan"), both of which
expired in 2004. Both share option plans have been accounted for as
variable plans. Under the terms of the plans, the exercise price set on the
grant of share options could not be less than the average of the fair
market value of the underlying shares for the three dealing days before the
date of grant. The number of shares granted under the plans could not in
any ten year period exceed 7% of the issued share capital of the Company.
No consideration was payable for the grant of an option. In 2004, the
Bermuda Plan was amended to provide that all outstanding options that had
not vested became immediately exercisable.
The following summarises the share options transactions relating to the
Bermuda Plan:
(in thousands except per share data) Shares Weighted
average
exercise
price
Options outstanding at December 31, 2002 547 $11.24
Granted - -
Exercised (250) $6.86
Cancelled - -
-------------------------------------------------------- -----------
Options outstanding at December 31, 2003 297 $8.49
Granted - -
Exercised (297) $5.91
Cancelled - -
-------------------------------------------------------- -----------
Options outstanding at December 31, 2004 - -
Granted - -
Exercised - -
Cancelled - -
-------------------------------------------------------- -----------
Options outstanding at December 31, 2005 - -
-------------------------------------------------------- -----------
Options exercisable at:
December 31, 2003 94 $9.14
December 31, 2004 - -
December 31, 2005 - -
At December 31, 2005, 2004 and 2003 there were no options remaining
outstanding under the U.K. Plan.
There were no options granted in the years ended December 31, 2005 and
2004.
24. FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
Interest rate risk management
In certain situations, the Company may enter into financial instruments to
reduce the risk associated with fluctuations in interest rates. The Company
has a portfolio of swaps that swap floating rate interest to fixed rate,
which from a financial perspective hedge interest rate exposure. The
Company does not hold or issue instruments for speculative or trading
purposes. The counterparties to such contracts are J.P. Morgan Chase,
Credit Agricole Indosuez, Deutsche Schiffsbank, Den norske Bank,
Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken AB, Fortis Bank, Scotia Bank, Nordea Bank
Norge ASA, Citibank, and HSH Nordbank. Credit risk exists to the extent
that the counterparties are unable to perform under the contracts.
The Company manages its debt portfolio with interest rate swap agreements
in U.S. dollars to achieve an overall desired position of fixed and
floating interest rates. The Company has entered into the following
interest rate swap transactions involving the payment of fixed rates in
exchange for LIBOR:
Principal
(in thousands of $) Inception Date Maturity Date Fixed Interest Rate
$50,000 January 2001 January 2006 5.64%
$50,000 February 2004 February 2009 3.49%
$100,000 February 2004 February 2009 3.49%
$50,000 February 2004 February 2009 3.49%
$50,000 February 2004 February 2009 3.35%
$50,000 February 2004 February 2009 3.35%
$50,000 February 2004 February 2009 3.35%
$50,000 February 2004 February 2009 3.37%
$25,000 February 2004 February 2009 3.32%
$25,000 February 2004 February 2009 3.32%
$25,000 February 2004 February 2009 3.33%
$25,000 February 2004 February 2009 3.32%
$30,958 March 1998 March 2006 6.04%
$37,299 September 1998 September 2008 6.24%
As at December 31, 2005 and 2004, the notional principal amounts subject to
such swap agreements were $618.3 million and $631.4 million, respectively.
Foreign currency risk
The majority of the Company's transactions, assets and liabilities are
denominated in U.S. dollars, the functional currency of the Company. Certain
of the Company's subsidiaries report in Sterling, Swedish kronor or
Norwegian kroner and risks of two kinds arise as a result: a transaction
risk, that is, the risk that currency fluctuations will have a negative
effect on the value of the Company's cash flows; and a translation risk, the
impact of adverse currency fluctuations in the translation of foreign
operations and foreign assets and liabilities into U.S. dollars for the
Company's consolidated financial statements. The Company has not entered
into derivative contracts for either transaction or translation risk.
As at December 31, 2005, one of the Company's subsidiaries has a charter
contract denominated in Yen with contracted payments as set forth in Note 8.
There is a risk that currency fluctuations will have a negative effect on
the value of the Company's cashflows.
From time to time the Company may enter into forward currency contracts for
speculative purposes. At December 31, 2005 the Company had five forward
currency contracts outstanding with a notional principal of (Y)8.8 billion
expiring January and February 2006 with exchange rates ranging from 117.42
to 119.35.
Accordingly, such risk may have an adverse effect on the Company's financial
condition and results of operations.
Forward freight contracts
The Company may enter into forward freight contracts, futures and option
contracts in order to manage its exposure to the risk of movements in the
spot market for certain trade routes for speculative purposes. Market risk
exists to the extent that spot market fluctuations have a negative effect on
the Company's cash flows and consolidated statements of operations. As at
December 31, 2005 and 2004, the notional principal amounts subject to such
forward freight contracts, futures and option contracts were $12.0 million
and $48.2 million, respectively.
Fair Values
The carrying value and estimated fair value of the Company's financial
instruments at December 31, 2005 and 2004 are as follows:
2005 2004
Carrying Fair Carrying
(in thousands of $) Fair Value Value Value Value
Non-Derivatives:
Cash and cash equivalents 100,533 100,533 105,702 105,702
Restricted cash 636,790 636,790 592,607 592,607
Marketable securities 144,156 144,156 78,327 78,327
Floating rate debt and credit 1,452,816 1,452,816 1,042,560 1,042,560
facilities
Fixed rate debt 0% due through 2005 - - 1,843 2,000
8.5% Senior notes 457,080 425,999 546,178 530,270
Serial Note (7.62%) due 2006 2,530 2,530 10,448 10,270
Serial Notes (6.48% to 6.855%) 54,639 53,100 78,350 75,900
due through 2010
8.52% Term Note, due through 2015 120,963 108,003 131,297 114,545
Term Notes (7.84% to 8.04%) 393,705 366,200 393,187 366,200
due through 2019
Derivatives:
Interest rate swap transactions 19,563 19,563 7,737 7,737
receivable
Interest rate swap transactions (1,241) (1,241) (5,482) (5,482)
payable
Forward freight contracts 3,021 3,021 6,753 6,753
Forward currency contracts (169) (169) (949) (949)
The carrying value of cash and cash equivalents, which are highly liquid, is
a reasonable estimate of fair value.
The estimated fair value of marketable securities is based on the quoted
market price of these or similar instruments when available.
The estimated fair value for floating rate long-term debt is considered to
be equal to the carrying value since it bears variable interest rates, which
are reset on a quarterly basis. The estimated fair value for fixed rate
long-term senior notes is based on the quoted market price. The estimated
fair value for the remaining fixed rate long-term loans and notes is based
on the quoted market price of these or similar instruments when available.
The fair value of interest rate swaps is estimated by taking into account
the cost of entering into interest rate swaps to offset the Company's
outstanding swaps.
The fair value of forward freight contracts is the estimated amount that the
Company would receive or pay to terminate the agreements at the reporting
date.
Concentrations of risk
There is a concentration of credit risk with respect to cash and cash
equivalents to the extent that substantially all of the amounts are carried
with Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken, BNP Paribas, Den norske Bank and Nordea
Bank Norge. There is a concentration of credit risk with respect to
restricted cash to the extent that substantially all of the amounts are
carried with Pacific Life, The Bank of New York, HSBC Midland, CIBC World
Markets and JP Morgan Chase. However, the Company believes this risk is
remote as these banks are high credit quality financial institutions.
The majority of the vessels' gross earnings are receivable in U.S. dollars.
During the year ended December 31, 2005, one customer accounted for more
than 10% of our consolidated operating revenues. In 2004 two customers each
accounted for more than 10% of the Company's consolidated operating revenues
while in 2003, no customer accounted for 10 % or more of operating revenues.
25. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
In July 2003, the Company purchased a call option to acquire all of the
shares of ITC from Hemen for a total consideration of $4.0 million plus 4%
interest per year. Hemen is indirectly controlled by John Fredriksen who is
the Company's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. On May 27, 2004 the
Company exercised this option. The total purchase price paid to Hemen for
ITC was $14.1 million which comprised a payment of $10.0 million for the
purchase option and a payment of $4.1 million to exercise the option. This
purchase price represents the initial arms length price paid by the Company
in May 1998 plus an interest component calculated from that date. The
Company initially recorded the $10.0 million paid in 2003 on the Company's
balance sheet as an asset at cost. In December 2003 the Company implemented
the provisions of FIN 46 and consequently was required to consolidate ITC.
The consolidation of ITC resulted in the Company recording a $25.2 million
expense as the cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle in
accordance with the guidance of FIN 46. The Company accounted for the
exercise payment in 2004 as an addition to the total purchase price for ITC
and specifically as an addition to the recorded cost of the underlying
long-term assets, being the vessels owned by ITC. The results of ITC have
been reflected in the consolidated results of the Company.
In June 2004, the Company drew down $49.5 million under a short-term loan
facility from a related party and used the proceeds to repay Yen denominated
debt of (Y)5.5 billion (equivalent to $49.4 million). This short-term loan
facility was repaid in August 2004.
In June 2004, the Company participated in a bidding process to acquire from
the Indonesian state oil enterprise's shipping division, PT Pertamina
(Persero) two VLCCs that were under construction by Hyundai Heavy Industries
Co. Ltd. The Company was successful in this process and nominated two single
purpose companies, Windstar Marine Inc. ("Windstar") and Speed Shipping
Corp. ("Speed"), to acquire the vessels for total consideration of $184
million. Windstar and Speed are controlled by Hemen. Hemen took delivery of
these vessels in July and September, 2004. In June 2005, Ship Finance
purchased the vessels from Hemen for a total consideration of $184.6
million. This transaction has been recorded at fair value of $270 million
and an equity contribution from Hemen of $85.4 million has been recorded
within contributed surplus.
In November 2004, the Company formed Golden Ocean as a wholly owned
subsidiary for the purpose of transferring, by way of contribution, certain
dry bulk shipping interests held by the Company. These assets were
transferred to Golden Ocean on December 1, 2004 and a summary of the assets
and liabilities contributed is as follows:
(in thousands of $)
Vessels and equipment, net 48,918
Long-term debt 48,950
Cash and other assets and liabilities, net 22,418
The assets and liabilities contributed by Frontline are recorded at their
historical net book values as recorded in Frontline's consolidated financial
statements. Golden Ocean was spun-off on December 15, 2004 to Frontline's
shareholders. See Note 29.
In 2005 Golden Ocean exercised its options to acquire from the Company the
shares in two single purpose companies each owning a newbuilding contract
for a Panamax vessel. These options were at a price equal to the Company's
costs, including instalments paid to date, plus the Company's funding
expenses. These options were exercised during 2005 at a total price of $16.8
million.
In the years ended December 31, 2005, 2004 and 2003, Frontline provided
services to Seatankers Ltd ("Seatankers"). These services comprise
management support and administrative.
In the years ended December 31, 2005, 2004 and 2003, Frontline provided
services to Golar LNG Limited ("Golar"). The Company provided similar
services to Northern Offshore Ltd ("Northern Offshore") in the years ended
December 31, 2004 and 2003. The services provided include management
support, corporate and administrative services. The Company has also rented
office space to Northern Oil ASA ("Northern Oil") in the years ended
December 31, 2003 and 2004.
In the years ended December 31, 2005 and December 31, 2004, Frontline
provided certain administrative services under the terms of an
administrative management contract with Golden Ocean.
In the year ended December 31, 2005, Frontline provided certain
administrative and accounting services to Aktiv Kapital First Investment Ltd
and Bryggegata AS.
The Company leases office premises in Oslo from Bryggegata AS. Rental
expense in the years ended December 31, 2005, 2004, and 2003 were $0.7
million.
In the year ended December 31, 2005, SeaDrill provided certain
administrative services under the terms of an administrative management
contract with Frontline. Administration expense in the year ended December
31, 2005 was $0.02 million.
In the years ended December 31, 2005 and December 31, 2004, Frontline
provided certain administrative services under the terms of an
administrative management contract with Golden Ocean. In the year ended
December 31, 2005, Golden Ocean provided vessel management services under
the terms of a management contract with Frontline. Vessel management expense
in the year ended December 31, 2005 was $0.1 million.
Golar, Northern Offshore, Northern Oil, Osprey, Aktiv Kapital, SeaDrill,
Bryggegata AS, Golden Ocean and Seatankers are each indirectly controlled by
John Fredriksen.
A summary of amounts earned and balances with related parties is as follows:
Net amounts earned from related parties Year ended December 31,
(in thousands of $) 2005 2004 2003
Seatankers 265 49 108
Osprey - - 52
Golar 255 495 261
Northern Offshore - 25 134
Northern Oil 6 92 98
Golden Ocean 362 8 -
Aktiv Kapital 10 - -
Bryggegata AS 8 - -
Sea Drill (24) - -
Balances with related parties (receivable/(payable)) As of December 31,
(in thousands of $) 2005 2004
Seatankers 1,397 907
Golar 644 (186)
Northern Offshore 48 46
Golden Ocean (2,182) (1,854)
Sea Drill 55 -
26. MINORITY INTEREST AND NON-CASH DIVIDENDS
The Company accounts for pro-rata distributions to owners in a spin-off at
the book value of shares distributed and accounts for non pro-rata
distributions to owners in a spin-off at the fair value of shares
distributed.
A summary of pro-rata partial spin offs of Ship Finance by the Company are
as follows:
Distribution Ratio
% Frontline (Ship Finance/ Value of
Distribution holding Frontline shares dividend
Date Distributed held) $ millions
June 16, 2004 25.0% 1/4 $142.5
September 24, 2004 9.9% 1/10 $59.8
December 15, 2004 13.3% 2/15 $85.7
February 18, 2005 25.0% 1/4 $154.9
March 24, 2005 10.0% 1/10 $57.0
The value of the non-cash dividend is valued based on the book value of Ship
Finance at the date of distribution.
On December 13, 2004 the Company completed the non pro-rata spin off of its
subsidiary Golden Ocean and distributed 76.0% of Golden Ocean's common
shares to the Company's shareholders with each qualifying shareholder
receiving three shares in Golden Ocean for every one share held in the
Company. Non qualifying shareholders received a cash equivalent of $1.80 per
Frontline share held. The value of the non-cash dividend has been
established as $102.3 million, representing 76.0% of the fair value of
Golden Ocean on the date of distribution. Fair value was established by
using the average price of Golden Ocean's shares over the first five trading
days after the shares were listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange.
As of December 31, 2005 the Company still consolidates Ship Finance in
accordance with the provisions of FIN 46R.
27. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
Assets Pledged
2005 2004
Ship mortgages 2,393,984 2,253,098
Restricted bank deposits 636,790 592,607
--------------------------------------------------------------- -----------
3,030,774 2,845,705
=============================================================== ===========
Other Contractual Commitments
The Company insures the legal liability risks for its shipping activities
with Assuranceforeningen SKULD, Assuranceforeningen Gard Gjensidig and
Britannia Steam Ship Insurance Association Limited, all mutual protection
and indemnity associations. As a member of these mutual associations, the
Company is subject to calls payable to the associations based on the
Company's claims record in addition to the claims records of all other
members of the associations. A contingent liability exists to the extent
that the claims records of the members of the associations in the aggregate
show significant deterioration, which result in additional calls on the
members.
At December 31, 2005, the Company had nine vessels that were sold by the
Company at various times during the period from November 1998 to December
31, 2003, and leased back on charters that range for periods of eight to
twelve and a half years with options on the lessors' side to extend the
charters for periods that range up to five years. Eight of these charters
are accounted for as capital leases and one is accounted for as an operating
lease. The Company has purchase options at certain specified dates and the
lessor has options to put the vessels on the Company at the end of the lease
terms for all of these nine vessels. The total amount that the Company would
be required to pay under these put options with respect to the operating
lease is $9.0 million.
At December 31, 2005 Chevron Transport Corporation charters four vessels on
long-term bareboat charters recorded as investments in finance leases.
Chevron holds options to purchase each vessel for $1 on April 1, 2015
provided no earlier optional termination of the bareboat charter has
occurred. Notice has been received on the termination of one of these
charters. Details of Chevron's optional termination dates for the charters
are contained in Note 15.
At December 31, 2005 the Company had two contracts for the construction of
two VLCC newbuildings, scheduled for delivery in 2006. At December 31, 2005,
the Company is committed to make further instalments of $142.7 million.
28. SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
Non-cash investing and financing activities included the following:
(in thousands of $) 2005 2004 2003
Sales of vessels:
Proceeds received in the form of shares - - 14,160
Sale and leaseback of vessels:
Additions to vessels under capital leases, - - 218,844
net
Incurrence of obligations under capital - - (218,844)
leases
Exchange of interests in associated
companies:
Additions to investments in associated - 96,072 9,902
companies
Disposals of investments in associated - (96,072) (9,902)
companies
Acquisition of subsidiaries and businesses:
Assets acquired - - 75,949
Liabilities assumed and incurred - - 53,470
Exercise of employee share options:
Non-cash proceeds recorded for issuance of - 7,585 2,685
shares
Stock dividends:
Spin-off of Golden Ocean - 102,335 -
Spin-off of Ship Finance 211,881 287,995 -
Purchase of marketable securities:
Forward contract 70,850 25,084 -
Purchase of vessels
Additions to vessels purchased from related 85,363
party
Equity contribution from related party (85,363)
29. DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS
During the years ended December 31, 2005 and 2004, the Company disposed of
portions of its dry bulk operations. In 2005, the Company's last remaining
dry bulk vessel was sold and in 2004, dry bulks were disposed of in
connection with the spin off of Golden Ocean. The portions disposed of have
been recorded as discontinued operations in accordance with the requirements
of FAS 144 as the operations and cash flows of the operations have been
eliminated from the ongoing operations of the Company as a result of the
disposal. The Company will not have any significant continuing involvement
in these dry bulk operations in the future. As a result, the statement of
operations for the years ended December 31, 2004 and 2003 have been restated
to report the results of the dry bulk interests disposed of under the
caption "discontinued operations". These activities have previously been
reported in the dry bulk carriers segment (See Note 5).
The following table presents the information required by FAS 144 in respect
of discontinued operations:
(in thousands of $) 2005 2004 2003
Carrying amount of assets disposed of 12,875 72,592 -
Carrying amount of debt or lease retired 11,246 48,950 -
Amounts recorded in discontinued operations:
Operating revenues 1,324 32,594 17,454
Net income before cumulative effect of change in 8,785 117,619 3,612
accounting principle
Gain on disposal 5,533 99,505 -
The gain on disposal of $99.5 million in 2004 comprises of $84.6 million
from the distribution of 170,558,775 shares of Golden Ocean (equivalent of
76.0% of outstanding shares) and $14.9 million from the sale of 30 million
shares (equivalent of 13.4% of outstanding shares) which were sold on behalf
of certain of the Company's U.S. shareholders who were excluded from the
distribution of shares as discussed in Note 1.
The fair value of the spin off of Golden Ocean was determined to be $0.60
per Golden Ocean share (equivalent to NOK 3.71) by reference to the quoted
share price of Golden Ocean on the Oslo Stock Exchange. In each of the first
five days of trading on the Oslo Stock Exchange, the Company sold six
million Golden Ocean shares in order to fund the cash portion of the
distribution.
The Company has used NOK 3.71 (US$0.60) as the per share fair value in
calculating the gain on the distribution of shares and cash. The $84.6
million gain on the distribution of shares and cash has been calculated as
the difference between the fair value of the shares distributed of $102.3
million and their book value of $17.7 million. The $14.9 million gain on the
sale of shares is calculated as the difference between the sale proceeds of
$18.0 million and the book value of the shares of $3.1 million.
As at December 31, 2004, the Company held 23,918,832 Golden Ocean shares
representing 10.6% of the shares outstanding. These were reported under
Marketable Securities (see Note 9) and in February 2005, the Company sold
these shares for a net gain of $12.8 million, of which $11.8 million has
been classified as discontinued operations representing the difference
between the cost of the shares sold and the fair value of the shares at the
date of the spin off of Golden Ocean.
In 2005 the Company also recognised an expense in discontinued operations of
$10.2 million in connection with its guarantee of profit sharing payments
for the vessel Channel Alliance.
30. POOL REVENUES
Voyage charter revenues include pool revenues. Certain pools are responsible
for paying voyage expenses and distribute net pool revenues to the
participants while other pools require the participants to pay and account
for voyage expenses, and distribute gross pool revenues to the participants
such that the participants' resulting net pool revenues are equal to net
pool revenues calculated according to the agreed formula. An analysis of the
Company's pool revenues included within voyage revenues is as follows:
2005 2004 2003
Pool earnings allocated on gross basis 118,236 78,430 45,749
Pool earnings allocated on net basis 35,505 117,179 65,799
---------------------------------------------------- ---------- -----------
Total pool earnings 153,741 195,609 111,548
==================================================== ========== ===========
31. GAIN ON ISSUANCE OF SHARES BY ASSOCIATE
As discussed in Note 15, the Company has a 24.49% investment in IMAREX.
IMAREX is an authorised marketplace for the trading of freight derivatives
in the global oil and dry cargo shipping markets and was established in
early 2000.
On March 31, 2005, IMAREX announced that it had successfully concluded a
share issue prior to its listing on the Oslo Stock Exchange. A total of
432,098 shares were sold for a price of NOK 81 per share (par value NOK 1)
raising a total of NOK 35 million. The Company did not participate in this
share issue and as a result, its holding changed from 26.56% to 24.84%. On
July 14, 2005, IMAREX issued 98,750 shares pursuant to their employee share
option scheme and as a result, the Company's holding changed to 24.49%. A
gain of $1.1 million has been recorded in the statement of operations as a
result of these share issues by IMAREX.
32. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
In January 2006, the Company sold the vessel Navix Astral to its bareboat
charterer pursuant to a charterer's purchase option that was exercised in
November 2005.
On February 17, 2006, the Company's Board of Directors declared a cash
dividend of $1.50 per share which was paid on March 20, 2006.
On February 17, 2006, the Company's Board of Directors declared the
distribution of approximately 5% of its holding of Ship Finance shares with
the distribution being made on March 20, 2006.
In February 2006, the Company ordered two 297,000 dwt VLCCs for delivery in
2009 with an option for another two VLCCs for delivery in 2009 and 2010. In
June the Company declared and sold these two newbuilding options.
In February 2006, the Company entered into a total return bond swap line
with Fortis Bank for a term of twelve months. This swap will facilitate the
buyback of Ship Finance's 8.5% senior notes in the amount of $50 million.
In March 2006, the Company sold the vessel Golden Stream to an unrelated
third party.
In March 2006, the Company acquired the vessel Gerrita which has been
renamed Front Puffin.
In April 2006, the Company entered into an agreement with Horizon Lines Inc.
(NYSE:HRZ) in which the Company will acquire five newbuilding
containerships, each with a carrying capacity of 2,824 TEUs being built at
Hyundai Mipo Yard in Korea
On April 1, 2006, the Suezmax Virgo Voyager was redelivered by its existing
long term bareboat charterer pursuant to a termination option that was
exercised in April 2005 and a termination fee of $5.05 million was received
by the Company.
On May 26, 2006, the Company's Board of Directors declared a dividend of
$1.50 per share to be paid on or about June 26, 2006.
In June 2006 the Company ordered an additional two VLCCs for delivery in
2010 with an option for another two VLCCs for delivery between 2010 and
2011.
SK 02089 0009 682923