Euronav NV: Euronav announces final results 2016

EURONAV ANNOUNCES FINAL RESULTS 2016

HIGHLIGHTS

• Year of two contrasting halves: robust fundamentals drove strong market until June but increased vessel supply aggravated seasonal trading patterns until Q4
• Euronav balance sheet bolstered by sale & leaseback and new financing facility
• Award for FSO for five-year contract starting Q3 2017
• Further growth via addition of 2 VLCC resales delivered to fleet in January 2017  
• Long term time charter (7 years) signed for two new 1C ice-class Suezmax vessels to be built
• 2017 outlook will see challenges from the peak of new vessel supply and production cuts but medium term prospects remain encouraging

ANTWERP, Belgium, 16 March 2017 - Euronav NV (NYSE: EURN & Euronext: EURN ) ("Euronav" or the "Company") today reported its audited financial results for the full year to 31 December 2016.

Paddy Rodgers, CEO of Euronav said: "2016 represented a very active year for Euronav during which we delivered a number of accomplishments. Firstly, the award for our FSO project for a further five years starting the third quarter of 2017, subject to successful negotiations and the signing of the final service contracts. Secondly, we took the opportunity to further focus our activities by consolidating our last tanker joint venture arrangements related to one VLCC and four Suezmaxes (of which we now fully own one VLCC and two Suezmax vessels). Thirdly, we continued to grow the Company by acquiring two VLCC resales, financed internally through our balance sheet which in turn was strengthened via a sale & leaseback transaction and the signing of a new finance facility.

Lastly, we secured a long-term charter with Valero Energy Inc. for two Suezmax vessels starting in 2018 which will be served by two Ice-class new buildings ordered during the year.

Freight rates were impacted negatively from June onwards by increased vessel supply, weak tanker owners sentiment and specific factors such as oil supply disruptions affecting the Suezmax segment.

Medium- and longer-term prospects for the tanker market remain constructive, underpinned by a solid recurring demand for crude, structural change in financing likely to constrain future vessel supply growth and a likely acceleration in the retirement of older ships from 2017 onward encouraged by environmental legislation on ballast water treatment and sulfur emissions.

However, 2017 will, in our view, present a number of challenges: OPEC production cuts, concentrated delivery schedule of the order book and anemic owner confidence, which when combined, are all likely to produce a difficult rate environment for the next few quarters. 

Euronav retains access to substantial liquidity and maintains a robust balance sheet in order to remain strategically opportunistic and to navigate potential short-term headwinds during periods of increased vessel supply whilst at the same time remaining exposed to any potential upside from an improved rate environment." 

Procedures of the independent auditor:

The statutory auditor, KPMG Bedrijfsrevisoren - Réviseurs d'Entreprises, represented by Götwin Jackers, has issued an unqualified opinion on the consolidated financial statements and has confirmed that the accounting information included in this annual announcement does not include any material inconsistencies with the consolidated financial statements.

2016 Dividend

A full year gross dividend of USD 0.77 per share has been recommended by management and proposed by the Board of Directors for approval at the AGM on 11 May 2017. This is in line with the Company policy of distributing 80% of net income (excluding exceptional items such as capital gains) as dividend over the course of a full financial year. Taking into account the interim dividend paid as of 30 September 2016, and subject to shareholders' approval, a final dividend of USD 0.22 per share will be paid after the Annual General Meeting of Shareholders.

Highlights 2016

January

On 15 January 2016 Euronav sold the VLCC Famenne (2001 - 298,412 dwt), one of its two oldest VLCC vessels, for USD 38.4 million. The capital gain on that sale of USD 13.8 million was recorded at delivery on 9 March 2016.

On 26 January 2016 Euronav took delivery of the second vessel of the four VLCCs which were acquired as resales of existing newbuilding contracts as announced on 16 June 2015: VLCC Alice (2016 - 299,320 dwt).

As reported on 26 January 2016, Euronav bought back 500,000 of its own shares in several transactions from 15 January until 25 January 2016 at an average price of EUR 9.5256 per share.

March

On 24 March 2016 Euronav took delivery of the third vessel of the four VLCCs which were acquired as resales of existing newbuilding contracts as announced on 16 June 2015: VLCC Alex (2016 - 299,445 dwt). May

On 12 May 2016 the Annual General Meeting of Shareholders approved an additional dividend of USD 0.82 bringing the full gross dividend to USD 1.69 per share as proposed by the Board of Directors.

On 13 May 2016 Euronav took delivery of the fourth and last vessel of the four VLCCs which were acquired as resales of existing newbuilding contracts as announced on 16 June 2015: the VLCC Anne (2016 - 299,533 dwt).

On 20 May 2016 Euronav announced that it had agreed with Bretta Tanker Holdings, Inc. ('Bretta') to terminate its Suezmax joint venture. The joint venture covered four Suezmax vessels: the Captain Michael (2012 - 157,648 dwt), the Maria (2012 - 157,523 dwt), the Eugenie (2010 - 157,672 dwt) and the Devon (2011 - 157,642 dwt). Euronav has assumed full ownership of the two youngest vessels, the Captain Michael and the Maria , and Bretta has assumed full ownership of the Eugenie and the Devon .

June

On 2 June 2016 Euronav announced the formation of a commercial joint venture with Diamond S Management LLC and Frontline Ltd under the name Suezmax Chartering. The aim of the joint venture is to create a single point of contact for cargo owners to access a large fleet of more than 40 modern Suezmax vessels, including newbuildings, operated on the spot market. 

As reported on 1 July 2016, Euronav bought back 192,415 of its own shares in transactions on 24 and 27 June 2016 at an average price of EUR 7.9423 per share.

August

On 16 August 2016 Euronav entered into a binding agreement for the acquisition through resale of two VLCCs which are completing construction at Hyundai Heavy Industries for an aggregate purchase price of USD 169 million or USD 84.5 million per unit.

October

On 3 October 2016 Euronav signed two long-term time charter contracts of seven years each starting in 2018 with Valero Energy Inc. for Suezmax vessels with specialized Ice Class 1C capability. In order to fulfil these contracts, Euronav has ordered two high specification Ice Class Suezmax vessels from Hyundai Heavy Industries shipyard in South Korea. Delivery of these vessels is expected in early 2018 in good time for commencement of the charters.

On 13 October 2016 Euronav agreed with Hyundai Heavy Industries shipyard in South Korea to defer the delivery of the two VLCC ex-yard resale vessels it purchased on 16 August 2016 to the first quarter of 2017. These vessels, previously expected to be delivered between October and November 2016, were delivered in January 2017.

On 27 October 2016 the VLCC KHK Vision (2007 - 305,749 dwt), which was time chartered in, was redelivered to its owner.

November

On 1 November 2016 Euronav agreed to purchase the VLCC V.K. Eddie (2005 - 305,261 dwt) from its 50% joint venture Seven Seas Shipping Ltd at a price of USD 39 million. Euronav received full control of the Daewoo-built vessel on 23 November 2016.

December

On 16 December 2016 Euronav signed a new USD 410 million senior secured amortizing revolving credit facility for the purpose of refinancing 11 vessels as well as Euronav's general corporate purposes. The credit facility was used to refinance the USD 500 million senior secured credit facility dated 25 March 2014 and will mature on 31 January 2023 carrying a rate of LIBOR plus a margin of 2.25%.

On 22 December 2016 together with joint venture partner International Seaways, Inc. ("INSW"), Euronav was awarded a five-year contract for the service of its two FSO units. The existing contracts will remain in force until expiry in the third quarter of 2017. If negotiations and documentation are successfully concluded, the new contracts are expected to generate revenues for the joint venture in excess of USD 360 million over their full duration, excluding reimbursement for agreed operating expenses. The signing of final services contracts remains subject to an agreement on substantive business terms and no assurance can be given that such agreement will be reached.

On 22 December 2016 Euronav also entered into a five-year sale and leaseback agreement for four VLCC vessels with investment vehicles advised by Wafra Capital Partners Inc., a private equity partnership. The four VLCCs are the Nautilus (2006 - 307,284 dwt), Navarin (2007 - 307,284 dwt), Neptun (2007 - 307,284 dwt) and Nucleus (2007 - 307,284 dwt). The terms of the transaction include an aggregate sales price of USD 186 million, resulting in a capital gain of USD 36.5 million. The leaseback transaction is accounted for as an operating lease under IFRS and includes certain contingent elements linked to the fair market value of the vessels during and at the expiry of the charter period. As per our return to shareholders' policy, this capital gain will not be eligible for dividend distribution. After repayment of the existing debt, the transaction generated in excess of USD 100 million free cash. Euronav has leased back the four vessels, which were built by Dalian Shipbuilding Industry Co., Ltd, under a five-year bareboat contract at an average rate of USD 22,000 per day per vessel and at the expiry of each contract the vessels will be redelivered to their new owners.

Events occurred after the end of the financial year ending 31 December 2016

On 10 January 2017 the naming ceremony for the two VLCC resales, the Ardeche (2017 - 298,642 dwt) and the Aquitaine (2017 - 298,767 dwt) took place at the Hyundai Samho yard in Mokpo, South Korea. Euronav took delivery of these on 12 January and on 20 January 2017 respectively.

On 30 January 2017 the Group signed a loan agreement with DnB Bank for an amount of USD 110.0 million facility with the purpose of financing the two VLCCs, as mentioned above, as a resale of contract.

Financial calendar 2017

Tuesday 4 April 2017 (or before) Annual report 2016 available on website

Wednesday 26 April 2017 Announcement of first quarter results 2017

Thursday 11 May 2017 Annual General Meeting of Shareholders 2017

Thursday 10 August 2017 Announcement of final half year results 2017

Thursday 17 August 2017 Half year report 2017 available on website

Tuesday 31 October 2017 Announcement of third quarter results 2017

Thursday 25 January 2018 Announcement of fourth quarter results 2017

The Board of Directors, represented by Carl Steen, its Chairman, and the Executive Committee, represented by Paddy Rodgers, Chief Executive Officer, and Hugo De Stoop, Chief Financial Officer, hereby confirm, in the name and for account of Euronav that, to the best of their knowledge the financial statements as of 31 December 2016 presented herein were established in accordance with applicable accounting standards (IFRS as adopted by the EU) and give a true and fair view, as defined by these standards, of the assets, liabilities, financial position and results of Euronav NV.

On behalf of the Board of Directors:

Paddy Rodgers                                                 Carl Steen Chief Executive Officer                                      Chairman of the Board of Director

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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. The Company 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", "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, 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, other important factors that, in our view, could cause actual results to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements include the failure of counterparties to fully perform their contracts with us, the strength of world economies and currencies, general market conditions, including fluctuations in charter rates and vessel values, changes in demand for tanker vessel capacity, changes in our operating expenses, including bunker prices, dry-docking and insurance costs, the market for our vessels, availability of financing and refinancing, charter counterparty performance, ability to obtain financing and comply with covenants in such financing arrangements, 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, vessels breakdowns and instances of off-hires and other factors. Please see our filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission for a more complete discussion of these and other risks and uncertainties.

Contact: Mr. Brian Gallagher - Euronav Investor Relations Tel: +44 20 7870 0436 Email: IR@euronav.com

Annual report available on the website on or before Tuesday 4 April 2017

About Euronav Euronav is an independent tanker company engaged in the ocean transportation and storage of crude oil. The Company is headquartered in Antwerp, Belgium, and has offices throughout Europe and Asia. Euronav is listed on Euronext Brussels and on the NYSE under the symbol EURN. Euronav employs its fleet both on the spot and period market. VLCCs on the spot market are traded in the Tankers International pool of which Euronav is one of the major partners. Euronav's owned and operated fleet consists of 55 double hulled vessels being 1 V-Plus vessel, 31 VLCCs, 19 Suezmaxes, two Suezmaxes under construction and two FSO vessels (both owned in 50%-50% joint venture). The Company's vessels mainly fly Belgian, Greek, French and Marshall Island flags.

Please visit our new website on www.euronav.com .

Regulated information within the meaning of the Royal Decree of 14 November 2007.

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