Himalaya Shipping Q1 2025 Earnings Report

Himalaya Shipping EPS Results

• Actual EPS: -$0.14
• Consensus EPS: -$0.16
• Beat/Miss: Beat by +$0.02
• One Year Ago EPS: N/A

Himalaya Shipping Revenue Results

• Actual Revenue: $21.90 million
• Expected Revenue: $31.18 million
• Beat/Miss: Missed by -$9.28 million
• YoY Revenue Growth: N/A

Himalaya Shipping Announcement Details

• Quarter: Q1 2025
• Date: 5/22/2025
• Time: Before Market Opens
• Conference Call Date: Thursday, May 22, 2025
• Conference Call Time: 9:00AM ET

Himalaya Shipping (NYSE:HSHP) provides dry bulk shipping services worldwide. The company operates a fleet of vessels. It serves major commodity trading, commodity and energy transition, and multi-modal transport companies. Himalaya Shipping Ltd. was incorporated in 2021 and is based in Hamilton, Bermuda.

Himalaya Shipping Q1 2025 Earnings Call Transcript

Key Takeaways

• Net loss of $6.2M in Q1 2025 and adjusted EBITDA down to $13.8M from $16.8M a year earlier, driven by lower time charter equivalent rates and higher vessel operating costs.
• Entered a new time charter on the Mount Norifjell at Baltic index plus premium and converted two vessels to fixed rates of $32,000 and $31,500 per day through December 2025.
• April TCE reached approximately $25,800 per day gross, and the company declared an April dividend of $0.25 per share, underlining strong cash flow confidence.
• Raised gross proceeds of ≈$50M via private placement at NOK 60.5 per share and applied for uplisting to Euronext Oslo Børs to boost liquidity and institutional access.
• Market fundamentals are supportive with bauxite ton-miles up 43% year-over-year, a Capesize orderbook at just 7.9% of fleet, and 1.3–1.4% additional off-hire days from upcoming dry docks.

Presentation

[Operator]

Welcome to Himalaya Shipping Q1 2025 Results Presentation Conference Call. For the first part of this call, all participants are in a listen-only mode. Afterwards, there will be a question-and-answer session. To ask a question, please press 5* on your telephone keypad. This call is being recorded, and I will now turn the call over to CEO Lars-Christian Svensen. Please begin.

[Lars-Christian Svensen, CEO at Himalaya Shipping]

Thank you, Operator. Welcome to the Q1 2025 Conference Call for Himalaya Shipping. My name is Lars-Christian Svensen, and I will be joined here today by our CFO, Vidar Hasund. Before we start the presentation, I would like to remind you that we will be discussing matters that are forward-looking. These assumptions reflect the company's current views regarding future events and are subject to risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from those anticipated. I will now continue with the highlights of the quarter. We reported a net loss of $6.2 million and an adjusted EBITDA of $13.8 million. The gross time charter equivalent earnings for the quarter was approximately $21,100. We also entered into a new time charter agreement on the Mount Nourifjel for 14-38 months at a Baltic index rate higher than the average premium on our current charters.

[Lars-Christian Svensen, CEO at Himalaya Shipping]

The same vessel, Mount Nourifjel and the Mount Hua, was later in the quarter converted from index link time charters to fixed rates from April 1 until December 31, 2025 at $32,000 and $31,500 gross, respectively. The company also completed a private placement of approximately $15 million, issuing 2.65 million new shares at NOK 60.5 per share. Total cash distributions for the quarter totaled $0.05 per share for the months of January to March. In subsequent events, we achieved a time charter equivalent for April 2025 of approximately $25,800 per day gross. We also declared a dividend of $0.025 per share for the month of April. Last but not least, we have on the 20th of May applied for an uplisting from Euronext Expand to Euronext Oslo Børs, which is the main stock exchange in Oslo.

[Lars-Christian Svensen, CEO at Himalaya Shipping]

This should further increase the liquidity in our share, also with larger funds and investors. With that, I will pass the word to Vidar.

[Vidar Hasund, CFO at Himalaya Shipping]

Thank you, Lars-Christian. Himalaya Shipping reports a net loss of $6.4 million and a loss per share of $0.14 for the first quarter of 2025, compared to a net income of $2.5 million and earnings per share of $0.06 for the first quarter of 2024. Operating income was $6.5 million, and adjusted EBITDA was $13.8 million for Q1 2025, compared to operating income of $11.4 million and adjusted EBITDA of $16.8 million for Q1 2024. Operating revenues were $22 million for Q1 2025, compared to $23.6 million in Q1 2024. The reduction in revenues is due to lower time charter equivalent earnings achieved, which is down from $30,600 per day in Q1 2024 to $21,100 per day in Q1 2025. This is mainly offset by 282 more operational days in Q1 2025 as a result of the last vessel deliveries during 2024.

[Vidar Hasund, CFO at Himalaya Shipping]

Vessel operating expenses were $6.9 million in Q1 2025, compared to $4.9 million in Q1 2024. The increase is due to higher average operating expenses per ship per day of approximately $6,400 in Q1 2025, compared to $6,200 in Q1 2024, as well as a full fleet in operation during Q1 2025. G&A for the first quarter was $1.1 million, compared to $1.5 million in Q1 2024. The decrease is primarily due to reduced bonus accruals. Interest expense was $30 million in the first quarter, reflecting an annualized fixed interest rate of approximately 7% on the sale leaseback financing, which matures 7 years from each vessel delivery. The interest expense in Q1 2025 increased compared to Q1 2024 due to drawdowns on the sale leaseback financing in connection with vessel deliveries during 2024. Cash and cash equivalents were $27 million at the end of the quarter.

[Vidar Hasund, CFO at Himalaya Shipping]

Our minimum cash requirement under our sale leaseback financing is $12.3 million. Gross total debt was $721.3 million as of March 31, 2025, down from $727.9 million as of December 31, 2024, reflecting barebone payments on the sale leaseback financing. Shareholders' equity was $162.5 million at the end of the quarter. The company raised gross proceeds of approximately $15 million from the private placement completed in March 2025. Cash flow from operations was $0.3 million for the first quarter. The company has declared total cash distribution to shareholders of $0.05 per share for the months of January, February, and March 2025. That completes the financial section, and now back to you, Lars-Christian.

[Lars-Christian Svensen, CEO at Himalaya Shipping]

Thank you, Vidar. Before I will guide you through our market section, here are some company updates. We are pleased to have our first Q1 presentation with all our vessels firmly delivered and trading. All of our modern Newcastlemax vessels are dual-fuel LNG-fitted and have scrubbers installed. This flexibility has proven to be appreciated by our charterers, and the entire fleet is out on index link time charters with conversion options in our favor. As previously mentioned in the presentation, we have converted two vessels to fixed rates until the end of the year at $31,500 and $32,000 per day. The remaining 10 vessels are currently running at index link charters.

[Lars-Christian Svensen, CEO at Himalaya Shipping]

To illustrate the performance, or outperformance if you'd like, you can see on this slide that since inception, the Himalaya vessels have traded an average 48% premium to the Baltic Cape Size Index and a 25% premium to peers. This is achieved by the extra cargo intake on our vessels and top-tier speed and consumption design on the fleet. That makes Himalaya Shipping a top pick in the Cape Size sector, which is also illustrated by our dividend capacity on our next slide. This slide shows the theoretical dividend capacity based on various rate scenarios for a standard Cape Size vessel. When the Baltic Cape Size Index moved to $30,000 per day, the company will yield about 28%. When we see moves around the $40,000 per day range, we'll produce an enticing yield of around 50%.

[Lars-Christian Svensen, CEO at Himalaya Shipping]

Our fleet-wide cash break-even is about $17,000 per day on the Baltic Cape Size Index. As a reminder, the average Cape Size Index over the last four years has been significantly higher. Shareholders and management are fully aligned and in this together, where the board and sponsors own one-third of the equity. We do not have any reinvestment plans, and all the free cash flow after debt service is targeted to be paid out to our shareholders via monthly dividends. Now let's have a look at the market. After a challenging end to 2024 with decreasing ton miles and subsequent lower freight rates, Q1 2025 has managed well, settling at around $13,000 per day on the Baltic Cape Size Index. The largest contributor to this has been the solid bauxite moves. Bauxite ton miles grew 43% year over year, and around 85% of the commodity were destined for China.

[Lars-Christian Svensen, CEO at Himalaya Shipping]

Brazilian iron ore volumes and ton miles also experienced growth, despite Brazil going through a hefty wet season, achieving a 3% year-over-year growth. The Australian iron ore exporters were, however, disrupted by two large cyclones, thus had a year-over-year decline of 10% in the first quarter. Global coal ton miles also underperformed and had a 30% contraction year-over-year due to over 50% less exports from Colombia and less coal than usual transported on cape size. Please be reminded, though, that Q1 2024 was an exceptionally good period in terms of cargo volumes and ton miles, so looking at the first quarter of 2025 in historical terms, it has proven decent. Comparing Q4 2024 in ton miles with Q1 2025, we also see a solid improvement of 2.5% overall increase. We have discussed the bauxite trade extensively, and it's good to see the staggering volume growth.

[Lars-Christian Svensen, CEO at Himalaya Shipping]

As a central component in the aluminum industry, China used these imported tons, especially in the electric vehicle production. Imports are increasing, and Chinese bauxite stockpiles are declining, which indicates room for further growth, as illustrated in the top-left graph. To the left, you can also see that the Chinese imports are increasing steadily, and best of all, the majority of these Chinese import volumes are being shipped on cape size and Newcastlemax vessels. To the right, you can see the increased impact on the bauxite trade in ton miles, where bauxite has now surpassed coal by a good margin. Brazil experienced a wet Q1, but still increased their exports with 3% year-over-year for the first quarter. The pace has continued into Q2, where the country set a new export record for the month of April with 30.5 million tons of export.

[Lars-Christian Svensen, CEO at Himalaya Shipping]

We consider these volumes from Brazil encouraging, both in terms of million tons exported, but also from a ton mile perspective as we move into the iron ore high season. In addition, we also have more iron ore coming on stream in the Atlantic that will contribute in scale to the ton mile Newcastlemax story. The first volumes of iron ore from the Simandou mine in Guinea are expected to be exported in Q4 2025, according to the latest updates. Over a 24-month ramp-up phase, the mine is targeting 120 million tons of high-grade iron ore per annum to the market. With the additional Vale capacity increased by 2026, we expect a total of 170 million tons of high-grade iron ore from the Atlantic, most of which will be exported to China.

[Lars-Christian Svensen, CEO at Himalaya Shipping]

As you can see from the right graph, comparing these volumes to the record low order book, the supply story strengthens further. Let's have a deeper look into the order book. We are at a 25-year low, standing at 7.9% of the total existing Capesize fleet. Active shipyards are still 50% down from the peak of 2008, making it challenging to build any meaningful fleet capacity that could distort the favorable supply dynamics over the next few years. As a comparison to other shipping segments, you can see from the right graph that the Capesize order book to fleet ratio is by far the most favorable. In addition to the low order book, the current Capesize and Newcastlemax fleet is aging fast. Around 50% of the total fleet was built between 2009 and 2015.

[Lars-Christian Svensen, CEO at Himalaya Shipping]

That means that 60% of the fleet will be over 20 years of age in 2034. Keep in mind that many charterers today will not employ vessels older than 15 years. Ship owners have historically been good at ruining their own markets by placing new building orders. As it looks now, it will be nearly impossible to build this market to death at this stage in the cycle with a clear visibility of supply for the next three or four years. We continue to see a significant increase in dry docks due to mandatory special survey required on merchant vessels every fifth year. Vessels delivered in 2010 account for 10% of the total cape size fleet and will need to undergo the 15-year special survey in 2025.

[Lars-Christian Svensen, CEO at Himalaya Shipping]

Additionally, there will be five and 10-year special surveys, meaning around 23% of the total Capesize and Newcastlemax fleet will be competing for dry dock space this year, with similar numbers expected for 2026. We estimate a total of 1.3%-1.4% additional off-hire on the total fleet due to dry docks alone in 2025 and 2026, not factoring in potential congestion and waiting time. Thank you very much, and I will now pass the word back to the operator and welcome any questions that you might have.

[Vidar Hasund, CFO at Himalaya Shipping]

Thank you. If you do wish to ask a question, please press five-star on your telephone keypad. To withdraw your question, you may do so by pressing five-star again. We will have a brief pause while questions are being registered. The first question is from the line of Peter Haugen from ABG. Please go ahead. Your line will now be unmuted.

[Peter Haugen, Analyst at ABG]

Good afternoon, guys. Just a quick question regarding employment going forward. As it stands, it looks as if the conventional cape size market is, from the FFA perspective, going to produce somewhere just shy of $20,000 per day, a little bit less than that up until Q4, in which those levels will be achieved. Do you find it interesting to kick out or to swap more of the index link charterers at these levels?

[Lars-Christian Svensen, CEO at Himalaya Shipping]

I better. To answer your question, the short answer is no. We think the market still has more legs to go on here. At these levels, we're quite happy with continuing with our index link time charters. If we see a good jump, now we're going into the iron ore high season, and we also see that Australian iron ore is pushing a lot harder and the bauxite is continuing well. If we see the FFA market spiking and gives us a good cushion into Q3 and Q4, we will obviously consider taking some more cover into fixed rates. At the moment, we think this market has more legs.

[Peter Haugen, Analyst at ABG]

Understood. That was sort of, to some extent, going into my next question, which is very, very, I think, both simple and difficult and broad in the sense that how should we now, or which catalysts should we look for? I guess predominantly to the upside, obviously, but are there any risks as well? I would love to hear more about the more concrete catalysts expected through the summer and into the second half of the year.

[Lars-Christian Svensen, CEO at Himalaya Shipping]

Yeah. Going into the summer now, we see that the Brazilians have already picked up the pace rapidly. They set a new record now for the month of April with exports reaching 31.5 million. So far, the supply side on the vessels coming into the Atlantic as well to lift all these volumes, it's shortening down in the next couple of months. We see the increased ton mile volumes is just going up as we get further into the year. Now that we also get a lending hand from Australia, the cargo flow starts to start improve. That's the major catalyst. Let's not forget the bauxite volumes. We're coming out of the high season now, but at almost a 45% year-on-year increase to date.

[Lars-Christian Svensen, CEO at Himalaya Shipping]

Even if they go into the slow season, they're still going to produce a lot more than what they've done in previous years. The cargo flow is increasing, ton mile intensive. Let's not also forget that we have a utilization rate on the cape size fleet now getting close to 95%. We don't need many bottlenecks for this market to get a push, we believe.

[Peter Haugen, Analyst at ABG]

Okay. That's good color and good to hear. Thank you. That was all for me.

[Lars-Christian Svensen, CEO at Himalaya Shipping]

Thank you, Peter.

[Vidar Hasund, CFO at Himalaya Shipping]

Let me just remind you, if you wish to ask a question, please press five-star on your telephone keypad. It does not seem like we have any further questions, so I'll hand it back to Lars for any closing remarks.

[Lars-Christian Svensen, CEO at Himalaya Shipping]

Thank you very much for listening in, and we'll speak to you again next quarter. Bye.

Participants

Executives

• Lars-Christian Svensen, CEO
• Vidar Hasund, CFO

Analysts

• Peter Haugen, Analyst at ABG