d831659_6-k.htm

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 6-K

REPORT OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER PURSUANT TO RULE 13A-16 OR 15D-16
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the month of:  November 2007

Commission File Number:  001-16601

Knightsbridge Tankers Limited
(Translation of registrant’s name into English)
 
Par-la-Ville Place, 14 Par-la-Ville Road, Hamilton, HM 08, Bermuda
(Address of principal executive office)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F.

Form 20-F [X]       Form 40-F [  ]

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(1): ___

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)7: ___

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant by furnishing the information contained in this Form is also thereby furnishing the information to the Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.  Yes [_]   No [X]

If “Yes” is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the registrant in connection with Rule 12g3-2(b):
82-______________.
 
 
 

 
 
INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS FORM 6-K REPORT

Attached as Exhibit 1 is a copy of the press release of Knightsbridge Tankers Limited (the “Company”) dated November 9, 2007, announcing the Company’s financial results for the third quarter of 2007.




Exhibit 1
 
 
 
 
Knightsbridge Tankers Limited
 
 
Interim Report September 2007
 

THIRD QUARTER AND NINE MONTHS RESULTS
 
Knightsbridge Tankers Limited (the “Company”) reports net income of $7.6 million and earnings per share of $0.44 for the third quarter of 2007.  The average daily time charter equivalents (“TCEs”) earned by the Company’s five VLCCs was $39,200 compared with $36,800 in the preceding quarter. In the third quarter four vessels operated in the time charter market and one vessel in the spot market. Net interest expense for the quarter was $1.3 million (2006 comparable quarter: $1.5 million) and at September 30, 2007, all of the Company’s debt is floating rate debt.

The Company generated cash from operating activities of $10.1 million, used $2.8 million to repay the Company’s loan and credit facilities, invested $0.5 million in its newbuilding project and distributed $10.3 million in dividend payments.  The net decrease in cash and cash equivalents in the quarter was $3.5 million.  In November 2007, the Company has an average cash breakeven rate for its vessels of $19,500 per vessel per day compared to $19,000 in November 2006.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2007 the Company reports net income of $24.5 million and earnings per share of $1.43.  The average daily TCEs for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 was $39,900.  Net interest expense for the period was $4.1 million (2006 comparable nine months: $4.1 million).

On November 8, 2007, the Board declared a dividend of $0.50 per share.  The record date for the dividend is November 23, 2007, ex dividend date is November 21, 2007 and the dividend will be paid on or around December 7, 2007.

THE MARKET

The average market rate for VLCCs from MEG to Japan in the third quarter was approximately WS 56 ($22,500 per day) compared to approximately WS 71 ($41,200 per day) in the second quarter of 2007.

Crude oil prices fell the first half of the quarter and thereafter increased during the second half of the quarter.  Bunkers at Fujairah averaged approximately $385/mt in the third quarter with a low of approximately $359/mt and a high of approximately $413/mt.

The International Energy Agency (IEA) reported in October an average OPEC oil production, including Iraq, of 30.54 million barrels per day during the third quarter of the year, a 0.36 million barrels per day or 1.2 percent increase from the second quarter.

IEA estimates that world oil demand averaged 85.5 million barrels per day in the third quarter, a 1.0 percent increase from the second quarter of 2007.  IEA further predicts that the average demand for 2008 in total will be 88.0 million barrels per day, or a 2.4 percent growth from 2007, hence showing a firm belief in continued demand growth.
 
According to Fearnleys, the VLCC fleet totalled 491 vessels at the end of the third quarter with six deliveries during the quarter.  There are seven additional deliveries expected in 2007 and 39 in 2008.  The total orderbook amounted to 161 vessels at the end of the third quarter, up from 157 vessels after the second quarter of 2007.  The current orderbook represents 32.8 percent of the VLCC fleet with one VLCC being ordered during the quarter.  The single hull fleet amounted to 147 vessels at the end of the third quarter.

We estimate that about 30 VLCCs will be converted for non-oil trading purposes. There are a further 20 vessels currently circulated as conversion candidates.
 

 
OUTLOOK

The Company has four out of its five VLCCs fixed on timecharters expiring between 2009 and 2012 and thus its exposure to short term market fluctuations is limited.  Two of these time charters also include a profit sharing arrangement.  This contract coverage provides good long term stability and limits financial risk.

On June 4, 2007 the Company purchased two newbuilding contracts, each for a capsize bulkcarrier of approximately 170.000 deadweight tons.  These vessels are scheduled for delivery in 2009.  One of the new vessels under constructions has been fixed on a five year time charter from delivery in 2009 at a net rate of $38,000 per day.  The market for bulk carriers is currently strong and the Board is evaluating options for the second vessel. The total investment for the newbuilding contracts is approximately $162 million of which the Company has paid $32.4 million to date.
 
FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS
 
Matters discussed in this press release 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.

Knightsbridge 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. The words “believe,” “except,” “anticipate,” “intends,” “estimate,” “forecast,” “project,” “plan,” “potential,” “will,” “may,” “should,” “expect” “pending and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements.

The forward-looking statements in this document are based upon various assumptions, many of which are based, in turn, upon further assumptions, including without limitation, our 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, 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 and currencies, general market conditions, including fluctuations in charterhire rates and vessel values, changes in demand in the tanker market, as a result of changes in OPEC’s petroleum production levels and world wide oil consumption and storage, changes in Knightsbridge’s operating expenses, including bunker prices, drydocking and insurance costs, the market for Knightsbridge’s vessels, availability of financing and refinancing, 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 or political events, and other important factors described from time to time in the reports filed by Knightsbridge with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
 
November 9, 2007
The Board of Directors
Knightsbridge Tankers Limited
Hamilton, Bermuda
 
Questions should be directed to:

Contact:            Ola Lorentzon : Chairman, Knightsbridge Tankers Limited
+ 46 703 998886
 
                         Bjørn Sjaastad: Chief Executive Officer, Knightsbridge Tankers Limited
                         +47 23 11 40 99
 
                         Inger M. Klemp: Chief Financial Officer, Knightsbridge Tankers Limited
                         +47 23 11 40 76
 


KNIGHTSBRIDGE TANKERS LIMITED THIRD QUARTER REPORT (UNAUDITED)
 
2006
Jul-Sept
   
2007
Jul-Sept
 
INCOME STATEMENT
(in thousands of $)
 
 
2007
Jan-Sept
   
2006
Jan-Sept
   
2006
Jan-Dec
(audited)
 
                             
 
30,379
     
20,166
 
Operating revenues
   
63,959
     
81,268
     
105,728
 
             
Operating expense
                       
 
6,180
     
2,770
 
Voyage expenses
   
10,183
     
14,293
     
20,015
 
 
3,589
     
3,712
 
Ship operating expenses
   
11,146
     
12,312
     
15,835
 
 
308
     
377
 
Administrative expenses
   
1,130
     
1,142
     
1,492
 
 
4,316
     
4,316
 
Depreciation
   
12,806
     
12,806
     
17,121
 
 
14,393
     
11,175
 
Total operating expenses
   
35,265
     
40,553
     
54,463
 
 
15,986
     
8,991
 
Net operating income
   
28,694
     
40,715
     
51,265
 
             
Other income/(expenses)
                       
 
343
     
260
 
Interest income
   
764
     
1,025
     
1,383
 
  (1,836 )     (1,602 )
Interest expense
    (4,883 )     (5,129 )     (6,881 )
 
6
      (45 )
Other financial items
    (92 )     (47 )     (50 )
  (1,487 )     (1,387 )
Total other expenses
    (4,211 )     (4,151 )     (5,548 )
 
14,499
     
7,604
 
Net income
   
24,483
     
36,564
     
45,717
 
                                       
 
17,100
     
17,100
 
Average number of ordinary shares outstanding (000’s)
   
17,100
     
17,100
     
17,100
 
$
0.85
    $
0.44
 
Earnings per share ($)
  $
1.43
    $
2.14
    $
2.67
 



BALANCE SHEET
(in thousands of $)
 
 
2007
Sept 30
   
2006
Sept 30
   
2006
Dec 31
(audited)
 
                   
ASSETS
                 
Short term
                 
Cash and cash equivalents
   
4,856
     
10,973
     
8,538
 
Restricted cash
   
10,000
     
10,000
     
10,000
 
Other current assets
   
8,793
     
15,269
     
14,723
 
Long term
                       
Vessels, net
   
255,144
     
272,264
     
267,949
 
Newbuildings
   
32,953
     
-
     
-
 
Deferred charges and other long-term assets
   
349
     
306
     
289
 
Total assets
   
312,095
     
308,812
     
301,499
 
                         
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
                       
Short term
                       
Short term debt and current portion of long-term debt
   
11,200
     
11,200
     
11,211
 
Other current liabilities
   
8,223
     
9,675
     
13,098
 
Long term
                       
Long term interest bearing debt
   
123,200
     
100,800
     
98,000
 
Stockholders’ equity
   
169,472
     
187,137
     
179,190
 
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
   
312,095
     
308,812
     
301,499
 




2006
Jul-Sept
   
2007
Jul-Sept
 
STATEMENT OF CASHFLOWS
(in thousands of $)
 
 
2007
Jan-Sept
   
2006
Jan-Sept
   
2006
Jan-Dec
(audited)
 
         
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
                 
 
14,499
     
7,604
 
Net income
   
24,483
     
36,564
     
45,717
 
             
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities
                       
 
4,333
     
4,350
 
Depreciation and amortisation
   
12,874
     
12,857
     
17,191
 
  (2,456 )     (1,840 )
Change in operating assets and liabilities
   
1,054
     
1,778
     
5,745
 
 
16,376
     
10,114
 
Net cash provided by operating activities
   
38,411
     
51,199
     
68,653
 
                                       
             
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
                       
 
-
      (530 )
Additions to newbuildings
    (32,953 )    
-
     
-
 
 
-
      (530 )
Net cash used in investing activities
    (32,953 )    
-
     
-
 
                                       
             
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
                       
 
-
     
-
 
Proceeds from long-term debt and credit facilities
   
33,600
     
76
     
87
 
  (2,816 )     (2,800 )
Repayments of long-term debt and credit facilities
    (8,411 )     (8,476 )     (11,276 )
  (13,680 )     (10,260 )
Dividends paid
    (34,200 )     (44,460 )     (61,560 )
 
-
      (26 )
Debt finance costs
    (129 )    
-
     
-
 
  (16,496 )     (13,086 )
Net cash used in financing activities
    (9,140 )     (52,860 )     (72,749 )
                                       
  (120 )     (3,502 )
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents
    (3,682 )     (1,661 )     (4,096 )
 
11,093
     
8,358
 
Cash and cash equivalents at start of period
   
8,538
     
12,634
     
12,634
 
 
10,973
     
4,856
 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
   
4,856
     
11,093
     
8,538
 



SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

   FRONTLINE LTD.   
   (registrant)  
       
       
Dated: November 21, 2007
By:
/s/  Inger M. Klemp
 
   
Inger M. Klemp
 
   
Principal Financial Officer
 






SK 02089 0009 831659