Euroseas Ltd. Announces 1-year Charter Contract for its Feeder Containership, M/V Jonathan P

Rhea-AI Summary

Euroseas (NASDAQ: ESEA), a container carrier vessel owner and operator, has announced a new time charter contract for its 1,732 teu feeder containership, M/V Jonathan P. The contract is for a minimum of 11 months and a maximum of 13 months, at the charterer's option, with a gross daily rate of $20,000. The charter will begin after the ship's scheduled intermediate survey, expected around mid-to-end of October 2024.

CEO Aristides Pittas highlighted that this charter demonstrates the ongoing demand for feeder ships despite declining container freight rates. The contract is expected to contribute about $4.0 million of EBITDA for the minimum contracted period. It also increases Euroseas' 2024 charter coverage to about 96% and 2025 charter coverage to about 52%.

Positive

• New charter contract secured for M/V Jonathan P at $20,000 per day
• Expected EBITDA contribution of $4.0 million for the minimum contracted period
• Increased charter coverage: 96% for 2024 and 52% for 2025
• Demonstrates ongoing demand for feeder ships despite market conditions

Negative

• None.

Insights

Financial Analyst

The new charter contract for M/V Jonathan P is a positive development for Euroseas (ESEA). At $20,000 per day for 11-13 months, this deal will generate approximately $4 million in EBITDA, enhancing the company's financial stability. The contract increases ESEA's charter coverage to 96% for 2024 and 52% for 2025, providing improved revenue visibility.

This deal demonstrates the ongoing demand for feeder ships despite declining container freight rates, validating ESEA's strategy of acquiring vessels with minimal residual value risk. The ability to secure profitable rates for an 18-year-old vessel highlights the company's operational efficiency and market positioning.

For investors, this news signals ESEA's resilience in a challenging market and its ability to generate steady cash flows. The increased charter coverage reduces exposure to short-term market volatility, potentially leading to more stable financial performance in the coming years.

Shipping Industry Expert

The charter contract for M/V Jonathan P reflects the current dynamics in the container shipping market. Despite overall declining freight rates, the feeder segment remains robust due to its important role in port-to-port connections and last-mile delivery.

The $20,000 daily rate for an 18-year-old vessel is noteworthy, indicating that older, well-maintained ships can still command respectable rates. This trend supports Euroseas' strategy of operating a diverse fleet age profile.

The 11-13 month duration suggests charterers are seeking medium-term capacity security, possibly anticipating potential market improvements or preparing for seasonal demand fluctuations. For Euroseas, this contract provides a balance between securing stable income and maintaining flexibility to capitalize on potential market upswings in the near future.

Investors should view this as a positive indicator of Euroseas' ability to navigate market challenges and maintain profitability in various segments of the container shipping industry.

ATHENS, Greece, Oct. 07, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Euroseas Ltd. (NASDAQ: ESEA, the “Company” or “Euroseas”), an owner and operator of container carrier vessels and provider of seaborne transportation for containerized cargoes, announced today a time charter contract for its 1,732 teu feeder containership, M/V Jonathan P, for a minimum period of 11 to a maximum period of 13 months at the option of the charterer, at a gross daily rate of $20,000. The new charter will commence after the completion of her scheduled intermediate survey, expected around mid-to-end of October 2024.

Aristides Pittas, Chairman and CEO of Euroseas commented: ”We are pleased to announce that our 18-year-old M/V Jonathan P has been chartered with a top-class charterer for 11-13 months, at a profitable rate of $20,000/day. This fixture is a testament to the constant need for feeder ships, despite declining container freight rates. It also validates the component of our investment strategy of acquiring vessels with minimal or no residual value risk at the expiration of their initial charter, as was the case with M/V Jonathan P. The present charter is expected to contribute about 4.0 million of EBITDA for the minimum contracted period and increase our remaining 2024 charter coverage to about 96%; it also increases our charter coverage for 2025 to about 52%.”

Fleet Profile:

The Euroseas Ltd. fleet profile is as follows:

Name	Type	Dwt	TEU	Year Built	Employment	TCE Rate ($/day)
Container Carriers
MARCOS V(*)	Intermediate	72,968	6,350	2005	TC until Dec-24	$42,200
					TC until Aug-25	$15,000
SYNERGY BUSAN(+)(*)	Intermediate	50,726	4,253	2009	TC until Dec-24 Then until Dec-27	$25,000 $35,500(***)
SYNERGY ANTWERP(*)	Intermediate	50,726	4,253	2008	TC until Mar-25	$26,500(**)
SYNERGY OAKLAND(*)	Intermediate	50,787	4,253	2009	TC until May-26	$42,000
SYNERGY KEELUNG(*)	Intermediate	50,969	4,253	2009	TC until Apr-25	$23,000
EMMANUEL P(*)	Intermediate	50,796	4,250	2005	TC until Apr-25	$21,000
RENA P(*)	Intermediate	50,796	4,250	2007	TC until Apr-25	$21,000
EM KEA(*)	Feeder	42,165	3,100	2007	TC until May-26	$19,000
GREGOS(*)	Feeder	37,237	2,800	2023	TC until Apr-26	$48,000
TERATAKI(*)	Feeder	37,237	2,800	2023	TC until Jul-26	$48,000
TENDER SOUL(+)	Feeder	37,237	2,800	2024	TC until Dec-24	$17,000
LEONIDAS Z (*)	Feeder	37,237	2,800	2024	TC until Mar-26	$20,000
EVRIDIKI G(*)	Feeder	34,677	2,556	2001	TC until Feb-25	$40,000
EM CORFU(*)	Feeder	34,654	2,556	2001	TC until Feb-25	$40,000
DIAMANTIS P(*)	Feeder	30,360	2,008	1998	TC until Oct-24	$27,000
MONICA(*)	Feeder	22,262	1,800	2024	TC until May-25	$16,000
STEPHANIA K(*)	Feeder	22,262	1,800	2024	TC until May-26	$22,000(**)
PEPI STAR(*)	Feeder	22,262	1,800	2024	TC until Jun-26	$24,250(**)
EM SPETSES(*)	Feeder	23,224	1,740	2007	TC until Apr-26	$18,100
JONATHAN P(*)	Feeder	23,357	1,740	2006	TC until Oct-24 Then until Sep-25	$27,000(***) $20,000
EM HYDRA(*)	Feeder	23,351	1,740	2005	TC until Feb-25	$13,000
JOANNA(*)	Feeder	22,301	1,732	1999	In drydock Then from Oct-24 to Aug-26	$16,500(****)
AEGEAN EXPRESS(+)	Feeder	18,581	1,439	1997	TC until Dec-24	$8,000
Total Container Carriers on the Water	23	846,172	67,073
Vessels under construction	Type	Dwt	TEU	To be delivered	Employment	TCE Rate ($/day)
DEAR PANEL	Feeder	37,237	2,800	Jan-2025
SYMEON P	Feeder	37,237	2,800	Jan-2025
Total under construction	2	74,474	5,600

Notes:
(*)	TC denotes time charter. All dates listed are the earliest redelivery dates under each time charter unless the contract rate is lower than the current market rate in which cases the latest redelivery date is assumed; vessels with the latest redelivery date shown are marked by (+).
(**)	Rate is gross of commissions of 2.5% (commissions are, typically, 5-6.25%)
(***)	Rate is gross of commissions of 1.25% (commissions are, typically, 5-6.25%)
(****)	Rate is $19,000 for the first 17 months, $9,500 for the next six months and $16,500 for redelivery range.

About Euroseas Ltd.
Euroseas Ltd. was formed on May 5, 2005 under the laws of the Republic of the Marshall Islands to consolidate the ship owning interests of the Pittas family of Athens, Greece, which has been in the shipping business over the past 150 years. Euroseas trades on the NASDAQ Capital Market under the ticker ESEA. 

Euroseas operates in the container shipping market. Euroseas' operations are managed by Eurobulk Ltd., an ISO 9001:2008 and ISO 14001:2004 certified affiliated ship management company, which is responsible for the day-to-day commercial and technical management and operations of the vessels. Euroseas employs its vessels on spot and period charters and through pool arrangements. 

The Company has a fleet of 23 vessels, including 16 Feeder containerships and 7 Intermediate containerships with a cargo capacity of 67,073 teu. After the delivery of its two remaining feeder containership newbuildings in 2025, Euroseas’ fleet will consist of 25 vessels with a total carrying capacity of 72,673 teu.

Forward Looking Statement
This press release contains forward-looking statements (as defined in Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) concerning future events and the Company's growth strategy and measures to implement such strategy; including expected vessel acquisitions and entering into further time charters. Words such as "expects," "intends," "plans," "believes," "anticipates," "hopes," "estimates," and variations of such words and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, no assurance can be given that such expectations will prove to have been correct. These statements involve known and unknown risks and are based upon a number of assumptions and estimates that are inherently subject to significant uncertainties and contingencies, many of which are beyond the control of the Company. Actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include, but are not limited to changes in the demand for containerships, competitive factors in the market in which the Company operates; risks associated with operations outside the United States; and other factors listed from time to time in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company expressly disclaims any obligations or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect any change in the Company's expectations with respect thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any statement is based. 

Visit our website www.euroseas.gr

Company Contact	Investor Relations / Financial Media
Tasos Aslidis Chief Financial Officer Euroseas Ltd. 11 Canterbury Lane, Watchung, NJ 07069 Tel. (908) 301-9091 E-mail: aha@euroseas.gr	Nicolas Bornozis Markella Kara Capital Link, Inc. 230 Park Avenue, Suite 1540 New York, NY 10169 Tel. (212) 661-7566 E-mail: euroseas@capitallink.com

FAQ

What is the new charter rate for Euroseas 's M/V Jonathan P (ESEA)?

Euroseas (NASDAQ: ESEA) has secured a new charter for M/V Jonathan P at a gross daily rate of $20,000.

How long is the new charter contract for Euroseas 's M/V Jonathan P (ESEA)?

The new charter contract for M/V Jonathan P is for a minimum of 11 months and a maximum of 13 months, at the charterer's option.

When will the new charter for Euroseas 's M/V Jonathan P (ESEA) commence?

The new charter for M/V Jonathan P is expected to commence around mid-to-end of October 2024, after the completion of its scheduled intermediate survey.

What is the expected EBITDA contribution from the new charter of M/V Jonathan P for Euroseas (ESEA)?

The new charter for M/V Jonathan P is expected to contribute about $4.0 million of EBITDA for the minimum contracted period.

How does the new charter affect Euroseas 's (ESEA) charter coverage for 2024 and 2025?

The new charter increases Euroseas 's charter coverage to about 96% for 2024 and 52% for 2025.