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FRONTLINE LTD. REPORTS RESULTS FOR THE THIRD QUARTER AND NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2016

Frontline Ltd. (the "Company" or "Frontline"), today reported unaudited results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016:

Highlights

·

Achieved net income attributable to the Company of $5.5 million, or $0.03 per share, for the third quarter of 2016 and $98.7 million, or $0.63 per share, for the nine months ended September 30, 2016.

·

Achieved net income attributable to the Company adjusted for certain non-cash charges of $16.6 million, or $0.11 per share, for the third quarter of 2016 and $154.7 million, or $0.99 per share, for the nine months ended September 30, 2016.

·

Announces a cash dividend of $0.10 per share for the third quarter of 2016.

·

Secured bank financing in a total amount of up to $870 million to partially finance all of the Company's newbuilding contracts.

·

Five of the six medium range tankers, which the Company agreed to sell in June 2016, were delivered to the buyer in the third quarter. The final vessel was delivered in November.

Robert Hvide Macleod, Chief Executive Officer of Frontline Management AS commented:

Inger M. Klemp, Chief Financial Officer of Frontline Management AS, added:

"We are pleased to have secured bank financing of up to $870 million to partially finance all of the Company's 16 newbuilding contracts and the four vessels which were delivered during the third quarter.  We consider the terms achieved highly attractive, enabling us to maintain our low cash breakeven levels."

The Fleet

As of September 30, 2016, the Company's fleet consisted of 73 vessels, including newbuildings, with an aggregate capacity of approximately 14 million dwt. The Company's fleet consists of:

 

 

As of September 30, 2016, the Company had entered into the following time charter-out contracts for 11 vessels:

 

In November 2016, the Company agreed with Ship Finance to terminate the long term charter for the 1998-built VLCC Front Century. Ship Finance simultaneously sold the vessel to an unrelated third party. The Company expects the vessel to cease operating as a conventional tanker and the charter with Ship Finance will terminate in the first quarter of 2017. The Company has agreed a compensation payment to Ship Finance of approximately $4 million for the termination of the charter. Following this termination, the number of vessels on charter from Ship Finance will be reduced to 12 vessels, including ten VLCCs and two Suezmax tankers.

 

Newbuilding Program

In August 2016, the Suezmax newbuilding, Front Challenger, was delivered to the Company.

In September 2016, the VLCC newbuilding, Front Duke, the Suezmax newbuilding, Front Crown, and the LR2 newbuilding, Front Altair, were delivered to the Company.

In October 2016, the Company entered into an agreement with STX Offshore & Shipbuilding Co. Ltd. ("STX") to terminate the contracts for four VLCC newbuildings due for delivery in 2017. The contracted price of these vessels was $364.3 million, of which the Company has paid installments of $45.5 million. Following the contract terminations, the Company has been released of any and all obligations relating to the contracts, and has received all installment payments made to STX, less a $0.5 million cancellation fee per vessel. The Company recorded a loss of $2.8 million relating to the contract terminations in the third quarter.

As of September 30, 2016, the Company's newbuilding program comprised three VLCCs (excluding the four cancelled STX vessels), six Suezmax tankers and seven LR2 tanker newbuildings. As of September 30, 2016, total instalments of $208.1 million had been paid in respect of these newbuildings and the remaining commitments amounted to $760.4 million with $76.3 million payable in 2016 and $684.1 million payable in 2017. All 16 vessels are expected to be delivered in 2017.

 

Financing Update

In November 2016, the Company secured a commitment for a senior secured term loan facility in an amount of up to $321.6 million. The facility will be provided by China Exim Bank and will be insured by China Export and Credit Insurance Corporation.

The facility matures in 2033, carries an interest rate of LIBOR plus a margin in line with Frontline's existing loan facilities and has an amortization profile of 15 years. This facility will be used to partially finance eight of our newbuildings and will be secured by four Suezmax tankers and four LR2 tankers. The facility is subject to final documentation.

Including this facility, Frontline has secured bank financing in a total amount of up to $870 million to partially finance all of the Company's 16 newbuilding contracts and four vessels that were delivered during the quarter.

 

Corporate Update

The record date for the dividend is December 15, 2016. The ex-dividend date is December 13, 2016 for shares listed on the New York Stock Exchange and December 14, 2016 for shares listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange, respectively and the dividend will be paid on or about December 22, 2016.

156,386,506 ordinary shares were outstanding as of September 30, 2016, and the weighted average number of shares outstanding for the quarter was 156,386,506.

Third Quarter and Nine Months 2016 Results

The Company generated net income attributable to the Company of $5.5 million, or $0.03 per share in the third quarter compared with net income attributable to the Company of $14.3 million, or $0.09 per share, in the previous quarter. Net income attributable to the Company adjusted for certain non-cash charges was $16.6 million, or $0.11 per share, for the third quarter of 2016. These non-cash charges consisted of a loss on the cancellation and sale of newbuildings and vessels of $2.7 million, a vessel impairment loss of $8.9 million relating to three vessels leased from Ship Finance, an impairment loss on shares of $0.3 million, a mark to market gain on derivatives of $0.9 million and a non-controlling interest expense of $0.1 million. Net income attributable to the Company in the second quarter included a vessel impairment loss of $25.5 million, an impairment loss on shares of $4.6 million, a mark to market loss on derivatives of $4.2 million and a non-controlling interest expense of $0.2 million.

Total ship operating expenses of $30.8 million in the third quarter were $1.7 million lower than the previous quarter primarily due to a $4.0 million decrease in dry docking costs (no vessels were dry docked in the third quarter compared with two vessels in the prior quarter), which was partially offset by an increase in running costs.

Contingent rental income in the third quarter relates to the charter party contracts with Ship Finance and is due to the fact that the actual profit share in the third quarter of $5.4 million was $8.8 million less than the amount accrued in the lease obligations payable when the leases were recorded at fair value at the time of the merger with Frontline 2012.

The Company generated net income attributable to the Company of $98.7 million, or $0.63 per share in the nine months ended September 30, 2016 compared with net income attributable to the Company of $96.1 million, or $0.82 per share, in the nine months ended September 30, 2015. Net income attributable to the Company adjusted for certain non-cash charges was $154.7 million, or $0.99 per share, for the nine months ended September 30, 2016. These non-cash charges were a loss on the cancellation and sale of newbuildings and vessels of $2.7 million, a vessel impairment loss of $34.4 million, an impairment loss on shares of $7.2 million, a mark to market loss on derivatives of $11.4 million and a non-controlling interest expense of $0.4 million. Net income attributable to the Company in the nine months ended September 30, 2016 reflects the combined results of Frontline and Frontline 2012 while net income attributable to the Company in the nine months ended September 30, 2015 relate to Frontline 2012 only.

As of November 2016, the Company estimates that the average daily cash breakeven rates for the remainder of 2016 will be approximately $21,200, $17,300 and $15,300 for its owned and leased VLCCs, Suezmax tankers and LR2 tankers, respectively. The Company believes these rates are highly competitive.

Strategy and Market Outlook

The Company has a positive long term outlook on the tanker market, although it expects periods of market weakness as further newbuildings are delivered. There has been very limited ordering in 2016, a trend supported by the expected contraction in global shipyard capacity and the limited availability of capital to finance new orders. The Company expects these factors to lead to slippage in the current orderbook and in delivery delays. 

The Company believes that any prolonged period of market weakness will lead to vessel scrapping as older vessels are increasingly difficult to operate and face more off hire and higher dry docking costs in order to pass special surveys. Additionally, oil price contango may lead to older vessels being chartered to store crude oil on a permanent basis and not return to the trading market. All factors considered the Company believes the tanker market will begin to balance as vessels are absorbed into the global fleet and older vessels retire from trading. In the meantime, the Company expects that periods of market weakness will inevitably create attractive opportunities to acquire assets at historically low prices.

The Company believes it is in a unique position to grow its operating fleet and continue to generate substantial returns to its shareholders in a strong tanker market and healthy returns in a more muted market. The Company has a long track record of doing so, and it seeks to carry on that tradition as it increases its leadership role in the market. The Company intends to continue to maintain a disciplined approach to its business which it believes will benefit its shareholders.

Conference Call and Webcast

On November 29, 2016 at 9:00 A.M. ET (3:00 P.M. CET), the Company's management will host a conference call to discuss the results.

Participants should dial into the call 10 minutes before the scheduled time using the following numbers:

Presentation materials and a webcast of the conference call may be accessed on the Company's website, www.frontline.bm, under the 'Webcast' link.

A replay of the conference call will be available for seven days following the live call. The following numbers may be used to access the telephonic replay:

Participant information required: Full name & company

Forward-Looking Statements

Matters discussed in this press release may constitute forward-looking statements. 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. Words, such as, but not limited to "believe," "anticipate," "intends," "estimate," "forecast," "project," "plan," "potential," "may," "should," "expect," "pending" and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements in this press release are based upon various assumptions, many of which are based, in turn, upon further assumptions. Although Frontline believes that these assumptions were reasonable when made, because these assumptions are inherently subject to significant uncertainties and contingencies which are difficult or impossible to predict and are beyond the control of Frontline, Frontline cannot assure you that they will achieve or accomplish these expectations, beliefs or projections. The information set forth herein speaks only as of the date hereof, and Frontline disclaims any intention or obligation to update any forward-looking statements as a result of developments occurring after the date of this communication.

The Board of Directors

Frontline Ltd.

Hamilton, Bermuda

November 28, 2016

Questions should be directed to:

Robert Hvide Macleod: Chief Executive Officer, Frontline Management AS

+47 23 11 40 84

Inger M. Klemp: Chief Financial Officer, Frontline Management AS

+47 23 11 40 76

FRONTLINE LTD.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

FRONTLINE LTD.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

FRONTLINE LTD.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

FRONTLINE LTD.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

FRONTLINE LTD.

Frontline Ltd. (the "Company" or "Frontline") is a Bermuda based shipping company engaged primarily in the ownership and operation of oil and product tankers. The Company's ordinary shares are listed on the New York Stock Exchange and the Oslo Stock Exchange.

Basis of accounting

The condensed consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. The condensed consolidated financial statements do not include all of the disclosures required in the annual consolidated financial statements, and should be read in conjunction with the Company's annual financial statements included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2015, which was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 21, 2016.

Significant accounting policies

The accounting policies adopted in the preparation of the condensed consolidated financial statements are consistent with those followed in the preparation of the Company's annual financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2015 except for the retrospective implementation of the changes relating to the presentation of deferred charges as outlined in Accounting Standards Update 2015-03.

The components of the numerator and the denominator in the calculation of basic earnings per share are as follows:

The weighted average numbers of shares outstanding have been adjusted for the reverse business acquisition of the Company by Frontline 2012 and the 1-for-5 reverse share split that was effected in February 2016.

In May 2016, the Company agreed with Ship Finance to terminate the long term charter for the 1998-built VLCC Front Vanguard. The charter was terminated in July 2016. The Company agreed to a compensation payment to Ship Finance of $0.4 million for the termination of the charter and recorded an impairment loss of $7.3 million in the three months ended June 30, 2016.

In June 2016, the Company entered into an agreement to sell its six MR tankers for an aggregate sale price of $172.5 million to an unaffiliated third party. Five of the vessels were delivered by the Company during August and September 2016 and the final vessel was delivered in November. The Company recorded an impairment loss in the three months ended June 30, 2016 of $18.2 million in respect of these vessels.

In the three months ended September 30, 2016, the Company recorded an impairment loss of $8.9 million in respect of three vessels leased in from Ship Finance.

An impairment loss of $2.4 million was recorded in the three months ended March 31, 2016, in respect of the mark to market loss on the Golden Ocean shares in the period that was determined to be other than temporary in view of the significant fall in rates in the Baltic Dry Index and the short to medium term prospects for the dry bulk sector.

An impairment loss of $4.6 million was recorded in the three months ended June 30, 2016 and an impairment loss of $0.3 million was recorded in the three months ended September 30, 2016 in respect of the mark to market losses on the Avance Gas shares that were determined to be other than temporary in view of the significant fall in rates and the short to medium term prospects for the LPG sector.

In the first quarter of 2016, the Company took delivery of four LR2 tanker newbuildings, Front Ocelot, Front Cheetah, Front Cougar and Front Lynx.

The Company took delivery of the LR2 tanker newbuildings, Front Leopard and Front Jaguar, in May and June 2016, respectively.

In June 2016, the Company acquired two VLCC newbuildings under construction at Hyundai Heavy Industries at a purchase price of $84.0 million each. The VLCC newbuilding, Front Duke, was delivered to the Company in September 2016 and the other vessel is expected to be delivered in January 2017.

In August 2016, the Suezmax newbuilding, Front Challenger, was delivered to the Company.

In September 2016, the VLCC newbuilding, Front Duke, the Suezmax newbuilding, Front Crown, and the LR2 newbuilding, Front Altair, were delivered to the Company.

The Company drew down $192.4 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2016 from its $466.5 million term loan facility in connection with six LR2 tanker newbuildings, which were delivered in that period.

In June 2016, the Company signed a senior unsecured loan facility of up to $275.0 million facility with an affiliate of Hemen Holding Ltd., the Company's largest shareholder. The loan will be used to partially finance the Company's current newbuilding program, partially finance potential acquisitions of newbuildings or vessels on the water and for general corporate purposes.

In August 2016, the Company signed a senior secured term loan facility in an amount of up to $328.4 million with China Exim Bank. The facility matures in 2029 and has an amortization profile of 18 years. It will be used to partially finance eight of our newbuildings and will be secured by four Suezmax tankers and four LR2 tankers.  The Company drew down $109.0 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2016 from this facility in connection with one LR2 tanker and two Suezmax tanker newbuildings, which were delivered in that period.

In July 2016, the Company entered into a senior secured term loan facility in an amount of up to $109.2 million with ING Bank. The facility matures on June 30, 2021 and has an amortization profile of 17 years. It will be used to partially finance the acquisition made in June 2016 of the two VLCC newbuildings and is available in two equal tranches. The Company drew down $54.6 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2016 from this facility in connection with the VLCC newbuilding that was delivered in that period.

In August 2016, Frontline secured a commitment for a senior secured term loan facility in an amount of up to $110.5 million with Credit Suisse. The facility matures in 2022 and has an amortization profile of 18 years. The facility will be used to partially finance two of our existing VLCC newbuilding contracts or the acquisition of two similar VLCCs. The financing is subject to final documentation.

The Company has recorded debt issuance costs (i.e. deferred charges) of $10.2 million at September 30, 2016 as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of the related debt rather than as an asset following its adoption of Accounting Standards Update 2015-30 and has applied this on a retrospective basis to all prior periods presented.

As at December 31, 2015, the authorized share capital of the Company was $1,000,000,000 divided into 1,000,000,000 shares of a par value of $1.00 each, of which 781,937,649 shares had been issued and fully paid. A resolution was approved at the Company's Special Meeting of Shareholders on January 29, 2016 to effect a capital reorganization, with effect from February 3, 2016, for a 1-for-5 reverse stock split of the Company's ordinary shares and to reduce the Company's authorized share capital to $500,000,000 divided into 500,000,000 shares of $1.00 par value each, of which 156,386,506 shares of $1.00 par value each are in issue and fully paid or credited as fully paid. Share capital amounts in the balance sheet as of December 31, 2015 have not been restated for the 1-for-5 reverse share split.

The Company had an issued share capital at September 30, 2016 of $156,386,506 divided into 156,386,506 ordinary shares (December 31, 2015: $156,386,506 divided into 156,386,506 ordinary shares taking into account the 1-for-5 reverse stock split that was effected in February 2016).

The Company's most significant related party transactions are with Ship Finance International Limited ("Ship Finance"), a company under the significant influence of the Company's principal shareholder. The Company leased thirteen of its vessels from Ship Finance at September 30, 2016 and pays Ship Finance profit share based on the earnings of these vessels. Profit share arising in the nine months ended September 30, 2016 was $44.1 million, which was $11.4 million less than the amount accrued in the lease obligations payable when the leases were recorded at fair value at the time of the merger with Frontline 2012.

In May 2016, the Company agreed with Ship Finance to terminate the long term charter for the 1998-built VLCC Front Vanguard. The charter with Ship Finance terminated in July 2016. Frontline agreed a compensation payment to Ship Finance of $0.4 million for the termination of the charter.

Amounts earned from other related parties comprise office rental income, technical and commercial management fees, newbuilding supervision fees, freights, corporate and administrative services income and interest income. Amounts paid to related parties comprise primarily rental for office space and guarantee fees.

As of September 30, 2016, the Company's newbuilding program comprised three VLCCs (excluding the four cancelled STX vessels), six Suezmax tankers and seven LR2 tanker newbuildings. As of September 30, 2016, total instalments of $208.1 million had been paid in respect of these newbuildings and the remaining commitments amounted to $760.4 million with $76.3 million payable in 2016 and $684.1 million payable in 2017. All 16 vessels are expected to be delivered in 2017.

In October 2016, the Company entered into an agreement with STX to terminate the contracts for four VLCC newbuildings due for delivery in 2017. The contracted price of these vessels was $364.3 million, of which the Company has paid installments of $45.5 million. Following the contract terminations, the Company has been released of any and all obligations relating to the contracts, and has received all installment payments made to STX, less a $0.5 million cancellation fee per vessel. The Company recorded a loss of $2.8 million related to the contract terminations in the third quarter.

In November 2016, the Company agreed with Ship Finance to terminate the long term charter for the 1998 built VLCC Front Century. Ship Finance simultaneously sold the vessel to an unrelated third party. The Company expects the vessel to cease operating as a conventional tanker and the charter with Ship Finance will terminate in the first quarter of 2017. The Company has agreed a compensation payment to Ship Finance of approximately $4 million for the termination of the current charter. Following this termination, the number of vessels on charter from Ship Finance will be reduced to 12 vessels, including 10 VLCCs and two Suezmax tankers.

In November 2016, the Company announced a cash dividend of $0.10 per share for the third quarter of 2016.

In November 2016, the Company secured a commitment for a senior secured term loan facility in an amount of up to $321.6 million. The facility will be provided by China Exim Bank and will be insured by China Export and Credit Insurance Corporation. The facility matures in 2033, carries an interest rate of LIBOR plus a margin in line with Frontline's existing loan facilities and has an amortization profile of 15 years. The facility will be used to partially finance eight of our newbuildings and will be secured by four Suezmax tankers and four LR2 tankers. The facility is subject to final documentation.