Euroseas Ltd. Announces 3-year Charter Contract for its Intermediate Containership, M/V Synergy Busan

Rhea-AI Summary

Euroseas (NASDAQ: ESEA) has announced a new time charter contract for its 4,250 teu intermediate containership, M/V Synergy Busan. The contract is for a minimum period of 36 months to a maximum of 38 months, at the charterer's option, with a gross daily rate of $35,500. The new charter will commence in early December 2024, directly following the current charter.

Aristides Pittas, Chairman and CEO of Euroseas, highlighted that this fixture demonstrates a strong increase compared to previous rates, indicating a pickup in market activity and firm charter market terms. The charter is expected to contribute over $29 million in EBITDA for the minimum contracted period. This agreement increases Euroseas' 2024 charter coverage to about 95% and 2025 charter coverage to about 50%.

Positive

• New charter contract at $35,500/day, a significant increase from previous rates
• Expected to contribute over $29 million in EBITDA for the minimum contracted period
• Increases 2024 charter coverage to about 95%
• Boosts 2025 charter coverage to about 50%
• Indicates market activity pickup and firm charter market terms

Negative

• None.

Insights

Financial Analyst

The new charter contract for M/V Synergy Busan represents a significant positive development for Euroseas The 36-38 month contract at $35,500 per day is a substantial increase from the previous rate, indicating improved market conditions in the container shipping sector. This contract alone is expected to contribute over $29 million in EBITDA, which is substantial given Euroseas' market cap of about $320 million.

The extended contract increases Euroseas' charter coverage to 95% for 2024 and 50% for 2025, providing strong revenue visibility and reducing market exposure risk. The company's decision to retrofit the vessel with energy-saving devices appears to be paying off, potentially improving its competitive position and attracting premium rates.

Investors should note the positive trend in charter rates and the company's proactive approach to fleet management. This contract, along with the overall fleet profile, suggests Euroseas is well-positioned to benefit from the current market dynamics in the container shipping industry.

Shipping Industry Expert

The new charter for M/V Synergy Busan is a strong indicator of recovering demand in the container shipping market. The rate of $35,500 per day represents a significant premium over recent market rates for similar vessels, suggesting tightening capacity and improved bargaining power for shipowners.

Euroseas' strategy of investing in energy-saving devices (ESDs) is proving effective, likely contributing to the attractive charter rate. This approach not only improves vessel efficiency but also aligns with increasing environmental regulations in the shipping industry, potentially giving Euroseas a competitive edge.

The extended duration of the charter (36-38 months) reflects charterers' expectations of sustained demand and potentially vessel supply in the intermediate container segment. This long-term commitment at a high rate could signal a broader market recovery, which investors should monitor across the container shipping sector.

ATHENS, Greece, Sept. 23, 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 4,250 teu intermediate containership, M/V Synergy Busan, for a minimum period of 36 to a maximum period of 38 months at the option of the charterer, at a gross daily rate of $35,500. The new charter will commence in early December 2024, in direct continuation of its existing charter.

Aristides Pittas, Chairman and CEO of Euroseas commented: “We are very pleased to announce that M/V Synergy Busan has extended its charter contract with a top-class charterer for 36-38 months, at a profitable rate of $35,500/day. This fixture, a strong increase compared to last-done, demonstrates that activity is starting to pick up again and charter market terms remain at very healthy and firm levels. It also seems to indicate that our investment decision to retrofit the vessel with energy saving devices (ESDs), installed during the ship’s drydock last year, is appreciated by the market and paying off. This charter is expected to contribute in excess of about 29.0 million of EBITDA for the minimum contracted period and increase our remaining 2024 charter coverage to about 95%; it also increases our charter coverage for 2025 to about 50%.”

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
PEPI STAR(*)	Feeder	22,262	1,800	2024	TC until Jun-26	$24,250(**)
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(**)
EM SPETSES(*)	Feeder	23,224	1,740	2007	TC until Apr-26	$18,100
JONATHAN P(*)	Feeder	23,357	1,740	2006	TC until Sep-24	$27,000(***)
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 Synergy Busan?

The new charter rate for M/V Synergy Busan is $35,500 per day.

How long is the new charter contract for ESEA's M/V Synergy Busan?

The new charter contract is for a minimum of 36 months and a maximum of 38 months, at the charterer's option.

When does the new charter for Euroseas 's M/V Synergy Busan start?

The new charter will commence in early December 2024, in direct continuation of its existing charter.

How much EBITDA is the new charter expected to contribute to ESEA?

The charter is expected to contribute in excess of about $29 million in EBITDA for the minimum contracted period.

What is Euroseas 's (ESEA) charter coverage for 2024 and 2025 after this new contract?

The new contract increases Euroseas 's 2024 charter coverage to about 95% and 2025 charter coverage to about 50%.