Hoegh LNG Partners LP Reports Preliminary Financial Results for the Quarter Ended June 30, 2018

Effective January 1, 2018, the Partnership adopted the new accounting standard, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, which did not change the timing or amount of revenue recognized for the Partnership.

The Partnership reported net income of $19.9 million for the three months ended June 30, 2018, an increase of $7.7 million from net income of $12.2 million for the three months ended June 30, 2017. The net income for both periods was significantly impacted by unrealized gains on derivative instruments mainly on the Partnership's share of equity in earnings of joint ventures.

Excluding all of the unrealized gains on derivative instruments, net income for the three months ended June 30, 2018 would have been $16.4 million, an increase of $3.6 million from $12.8 million for the three months ended June 30, 2017. Excluding the unrealized gains on derivative instruments, the increase for the three months ended June 30, 2018 was primarily due to lower total financial expense, net, the one-off receipt of insurance proceeds related to prior periods expenses and lower total operating expenses for the three months ended June 30, 2018 compared with the three months ended June 30, 2017. The reduction in interest expense was due to the quarterly repayments of principal on the loan facilities financing the vessels and the repayment of the sellers' credit note, issued in connection with the acquisition of Höegh Gallant, between periods. The positive impact on interest expense of the repayment of the seller's credit note was partially offset by the increased outstanding balance on the revolving credit facility.

Preferred unitholders' interest in net income was $3.0 million for the three months ended June 30, 2018 due the issuance of Series A preferred units on October 5, 2017 and subsequently as part of our at-the-market ("ATM") program. Limited partners' interest in net income, which includes the Partnership's 100% interest in Höegh LNG Colombia Holding Ltd., the owner of the entities that own and operate the Höegh Grace (the "Höegh Grace entities") for the three months ended June 30, 2018, was $16.9 million. Limited partners' interest in net income for the three months ended June 30, 2017, which included the Partnership's 51% interest in the Höegh Grace entities, was $9.4 million for the three months ended June 30, 2017. Non-controlling interest in net income was $2.8 million for the three months ended June 30, 2017 for the 49% interest in the Höegh Grace entities not owned by the Partnership. On December 1, 2017, the Partnership acquired the remaining 49% ownership interest in the Höegh Grace entities and, as of that date, there was no longer a non-controlling interest in the Höegh Grace entities.

The PGN FSRU Lampung, the Höegh Gallant and the Höegh Grace were on-hire for the entire second quarter of 2018. During the three months ended June 30, 2017, the Höegh Gallant incurred 8 days of off-hire for scheduled maintenance and several days of reduced hire.

Equity in earnings of joint ventures was $5.1 million for the three months ended June 30, 2018, an increase of $3.5 million from equity in earnings of joint ventures of $1.6 million for the three months ended June 30, 2017. The joint ventures own the Neptune and the GDF Suez Cape Ann. Unrealized gains on derivative instruments in the joint ventures significantly impacted the equity in earnings of joint ventures for the three months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017. The joint ventures do not apply hedge accounting for interest rate swaps and all changes in fair value are included in equity in earnings (losses) of joint ventures. Excluding the unrealized gains for the three months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017, the equity in earnings would have been $2.1 million for the three months ended June 30, 2018, a decrease of $0.2 million compared to equity in earnings of $2.3 million for the three months ended June 30, 2017. Excluding the unrealized gains, the decrease was mainly due to increased costs incurred in relation to a new project for the charterer related to the GDF Suez Cape Ann and higher maintenance expenses.

Operating income for the three months ended June 30, 2018 was $28.9 million, an increase of $5.8 million from $23.1 million for the three months ended June 30, 2017. Excluding the impact of the unrealized gain on derivative instruments for the three months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017 impacting the equity in earnings of joint ventures, operating income for the three months ended June 30, 2018 would have been $25.9 million, an increase of $2.0 million from $23.9 million for the three months ended June 30, 2017.

Segment EBITDA¹ was $36.9 million for the three months ended June 30, 2018, an increase of $7.3 million from $29.6 million for the three months ended June 30, 2017 mainly due to no longer having a non-controlling interest in Segment EBITDA because of the acquisition of the remaining 49% interest in the Höegh Grace entities, which closed on December 1, 2017, the one-off receipt of insurance proceeds of $1.1 million related to prior periods expenses and the impact of no off-hire for the Höegh Gallant in the second quarter of 2018.

Financing and Liquidity

As of June 30, 2018, the Partnership had cash and cash equivalents of $21.0 million and an undrawn portion of the $85 million revolving credit facility of $39.7 million. Current restricted cash for operating obligations of the PGN FSRU Lampung was $6.0 million, and long-term restricted cash required under the Lampung facility was $13.4 million as of June 30, 2018. During the second quarter of 2018, the Partnership made quarterly repayments of $4.8 million on the Lampung facility, $3.3 million on the Gallant facility and $3.3 million on the Grace facility.

The Partnership's book value and outstanding principal of total long-term debt was $503.2 million and $508.3 million, respectively, as of June 30, 2018, including long-term debt financing of the FSRUs and $45.3 million on the revolving credit facility due to owners and affiliates. As of June 30, 2018, the Partnership's total current liabilities exceeded total current assets by $13.7 million. This is partly a result of the current portion of long-term debt of $45.5 million being classified current while the restricted cash of $13.4 million associated with the Lampung facility is classified as long-term. The current portion of long-term debt reflects principal payments for the next twelve months which will be funded, for the most part, by future cash flows from operations. The Partnership does not intend to maintain a cash balance to fund the next twelve months' net liabilities.

The Partnership believes its current resources, including the undrawn balance under the revolving credit facility, are sufficient to meet the Partnership's working capital requirements for its current business for the next twelve months. In addition, liquidity can also be supplemented, from time to time, by net proceeds of the ATM program, depending on the market conditions. Further, the Partnership is working to refinance the Gallant/ Grace facility well in advance of its first maturity in November 2019.

As of June 30, 2018, the Partnership did not have material commitments for capital or other expenditures for its current business. For the joint ventures, the charterer plans to use the GDF Suez Cape Ann for a project expected to commence in second half of 2018. The vessel will be drydocked and fitted with certain modifications prior to the project start which will be compensated by the charterer. The joint ventures also have a probable liability for exceeding historical minimum performance standards for a boil-off claim under the time charters. The Partnership's 50% share of the accrual was approximately $11.9 million as of June 30, 2018. The joint ventures will continue to monitor this issue and adjust accruals, as might be required, based upon additional information and further developments. It is estimated that the Partnership's 50% share of the excess boil-off claim could range from zero or negligible amounts to approximately $29 million. To the extent that the excess boil-off claims result in a settlement, the Partnership would be indemnified by Höegh LNG for its share of the cash impact of any settlement. However, other concessions or capital improvements, if any, would not be expected to be indemnified. In addition, the joint ventures expect to incur costs for certain capital improvements and maintenance that will not be reimbursed by the charterer or Hoegh LNG for which the Partnership's 50% share is approximately $1.7 million and $1.2 million for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2019, respectively. Pending resolution of the boil-off claims, the joint ventures have suspended payment on their shareholder loans.

As of June 30, 2018, the Partnership had outstanding interest rate swap agreements for a total notional amount of $395.7 million to hedge against the interest rate risks of its long-term debt under the Lampung, Gallant and Grace facilities. The Partnership applies hedge accounting for derivative instruments related to those facilities. The Partnership receives interest based on three month US dollar LIBOR and pays a fixed rate of 2.8% for the Lampung facility. The Partnership receives interest based on three month US dollar LIBOR and pays a fixed rate of approximately 1.9% for the Gallant facility. The Partnership receives interest based on three month US dollar LIBOR and pays a fixed rate of approximately 2.3% for the Grace facility. The carrying values of the derivative instruments was a net asset of $1.9 million as of June 30, 2018. The effective portion of the changes in fair value of the interest rate swaps are recorded in other comprehensive income. Gain on derivative instruments for the three months ended June 30, 2018 was $0.5 million, an increase of $0.3 million from $0.2 million for the three months ended June 30, 2017. Gain on derivative instruments for the three months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017 related to the interest rate swaps for the Lampung, Gallant and Grace facilities. The increase is mainly due to a lower loss on the ineffective portion of the cash flow hedges for the three months ended June 30, 2018 compared with the three months ended June 30, 2017. 

On January 26, 2018, the Partnership entered into a sales agreement with B. Riley FBR Inc. (the "Agent"). Under the terms of the sales agreement, the Partnership may offer and sell up to $120 million aggregate offering amount of "at-the-market" common and Series A preferred units, from time to time, through the Agent. During the three months ended June 30, 2018, the Partnership had sold Series A preferred units and common units, and received total net proceeds, after sales commissions, of $12.4 million.

The Partnership's share of the joint ventures is accounted for using the equity method. As a result, the Partnership's share of the joint ventures' cash, restricted cash, outstanding debt, interest rate swaps and other balance sheet items are reflected net on the line "accumulated losses in joint ventures" on the consolidated balance sheet and are not included in the balance sheet figures disclosed above.

On May 15, 2018, the Partnership paid a quarterly cash distribution of $15.0 million, or $0.44 per common and subordinated unit, with respect to the first quarter of 2018.

On May 15, 2018, the Partnership paid a cash distribution of $2.8 million, or $0.546875 per Series A preferred unit, for the period commencing on February 15, 2018 to May 14, 2018.

On August 14, 2018, the Partnership paid a quarterly cash distribution of $15.0 million, or $0.44 per common and subordinated unit, with respect to the second quarter of 2018.

On August 15, 2018, the Partnership paid a cash distribution of $3.2 million, or $0.546875 per Series A preferred unit, for the period commencing on May 15, 2018 to August 14, 2018.

On August 21, 2018, the Partnership repaid $6.0 million on the revolving credit facility from the net proceeds of the ATM program.

Outlook

The Höegh Gallant operates under a long-term time charter which started in April 2015 with an expiration date in April 2020 with Hoegh LNG Egypt LLC ("EgyptCo"), a subsidiary of Höegh LNG Holdings Ltd. ("Höegh LNG"),. EgyptCo has a charter with the government-owned Egyptian Natural Gas Holding Company ("EGAS"). The charter between EgyptCo and EGAS allows for early termination only with the mutual consent of both parties. In the first quarter of 2018, EGAS initiated a meeting with EgyptCo to seek mutually agreed terms for an early termination of the charter. Such an agreement would require consent of EgyptCo. Pursuant to an option agreement, the Partnership has the right to cause Höegh LNG to charter the Höegh Gallant from the expiration or termination of the EgyptCo charter until July 2025, at a rate equal to 90% of the rate payable pursuant to the current charter with EgyptCo, plus any incremental taxes or operating expenses as a result of the new charter. Höegh LNG's ability to make payments to us with respect to an exercise of the option by us may be affected by events beyond our and its control, including opportunities to obtain new employment for the vessel, prevailing economic, financial and industry conditions. If market or other economic conditions deteriorate, Höegh LNG's ability to meet its obligations to us may be impaired. If Höegh LNG is unable to meet its obligations to us for the option, our financial condition, results of operations and ability to make cash distributions to our unitholders could be materially adversely affected.

Pursuant to the omnibus agreement that the Partnership entered into with Höegh LNG at the time of the initial public offering, Höegh LNG is obligated to offer to the Partnership any floating storage and regasification unit ("FSRU") or LNG carrier operating under a charter of five or more years.

Höegh LNG has two operating FSRUs, the Höegh Giant (HHI Hull No. 2552), which was delivered from the shipyard on April 27, 2017 and the Höegh Esperanza (HHI Hull No. 2865), which was delivered from the shipyard on April 5, 2018. The Höegh Giant is operating on a three-year contract that commenced on February 7, 2018 with Gas Natural SGD, SA ("Gas Natural Fenosa"). The Höegh Esperanza is operating on a three-year contract that commenced on June 7, 2018 with CNOOC Gas & Power Trading and Marketing Ltd. (CNNOC) which has an option for a one-year extension. Höegh LNG has two additional FSRUs on order.

Pursuant to the terms of the omnibus agreement, the Partnership will have the right to purchase the Höegh Giant, the Höegh Esperanza, HHI Hull No. 2909 and SHI Hull No.2220 (under a shipbuilding contract with Samsung Heavy Industries ("SHI")) following acceptance by the respective charterer of the related FSRU under a contract of five years or more, subject to reaching an agreement with Höegh LNG regarding the purchase price. Höegh LNG had an agreement, subject to environmental approval, for an FSRU with Penco LNG. As a result of further delays in environmental approvals, Höegh LNG announced that it had decided to let the contract lapse.

There can be no assurance that the Partnership will acquire any vessels from Höegh LNG or of the terms upon which any such acquisition may be made.

Presentation of Second Quarter 2018 Results

A presentation will be held today, Thursday, August 23, 2018, at 8:30 A.M. (EDT) to discuss financial results for the second quarter of 2018. The results and presentation material will be available for download at http://www.hoeghlngpartners.com.

The presentation will be immediately followed by a Q&A session. Participants will be able to join this presentation using the following details:

a. Webcast

https://www.webcaster4.com/Webcast/Page/942/27138

b. Teleconference

Participants should ask to be joined into the Höegh LNG Partners LP call.

There will be a Q&A session after the presentation. Information on how to ask questions will be given at the beginning of the Q&A session.

For those unable to participate in the conference call, a replay will be available from one hour after the end of the conference call until August 30, 2018.

The replay dial-in numbers are as follows:

Financial Results on Form 6-K

The Partnership has filed a Form 6-K with the SEC with detailed information on the Partnership's results of operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018, "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and unaudited condensed interim consolidated financial statements. The Form 6-K can be viewed on the SEC's website: http://www.sec.gov and at HMLP's website: http://www.hoeghlngpartners.com

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements concerning future events and the Partnership's operations, performance and financial condition. Forward-looking statements include, without limitation, any statement that may predict, forecast, indicate or imply future results, performance or achievements, and may contain the words "believe," "anticipate," "expect," "estimate," "project," "future," "will be," "will continue," "will likely result," "plan," "intend" or words or phrases of similar meanings. 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 Partnership's control. Actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include, but are not limited to:

• market trends for FSRUs and LNG carriers, including hire rates and factors affecting supply and demand;
• the Partnership's distribution policy and ability to make cash distributions on the Partnership's units or any increases in the quarterly distributions on the Partnership's common units;
• restrictions in the Partnership's debt agreements and pursuant to local laws on the Partnership's joint ventures' and subsidiaries' ability to make distributions;
• the Partnership's ability to settle or resolve the boil-off claim for the joint ventures, including the estimated amount thereof;
• the ability of Höegh LNG to satisfy its indemnification obligations to the Partnership, including in relation to the boil-off claim;
• the Partnership's ability to purchase additional vessels from Höegh LNG in the future;
• the Partnership's ability to integrate and realize the anticipated benefits from acquisitions;
• the Partnership's anticipated growth strategies; including the acquisition of vessels;
• the Partnership's anticipated receipt of dividends and repayment of indebtedness from subsidiaries and joint ventures;
• effects of volatility in global prices for crude oil and natural gas;
• the effect of the worldwide economic environment;
• turmoil in the global financial markets;
• fluctuations in currencies and interest rates;
• general market conditions, including fluctuations in hire rates and vessel values;
• changes in the Partnership's operating expenses, including drydocking and insurance costs;
• the Partnership's ability to comply with financing agreements and the expected effect of restrictions and covenants in such agreements;
• the financial condition liquidity and creditworthiness of the Partnership's existing or future customers and their ability to satisfy their obligations under the Partnership's contracts;
• the Partnership's ability to replace existing borrowings, including the Gallant/Grace facility, make additional borrowings and to access public equity and debt capital markets;
• planned capital expenditures and availability of capital resources to fund capital expenditures;
• the exercise of purchase options by the Partnership's customers;
• the Partnership's ability to perform under the Partnership's contracts and maintain long-term relationships with its customers;
• the Partnership's ability to leverage Höegh LNG's relationships and reputation in the shipping industry;
• the Partnership's continued ability to enter into long-term, fixed-rate charters and the hire rate thereof;
• the operating performance of the Partnership's vessels and any related claims by Total S.A. or other customers;
• the Partnership's ability to maximize the use of its vessels, including the redeployment or disposition of vessels no longer under long-term charters;
• the Partnership's ability to compete successfully for future chartering and newbuilding opportunities;
• timely acceptance of the Partnership's vessels by their charterers;
• termination dates and extensions of charters;
• the cost of, and the Partnership's ability to comply with, governmental regulations and maritime self-regulatory organization standards, as well as standard regulations imposed by its charterers applicable to its business;
• demand in the FSRU sector or the LNG shipping sector in general and the demand for the Partnership's vessels in particular;
• availability of skilled labor, vessel crews and management;
• the ability of Höegh LNG to meet its financial obligations to the Partnership, including its indemnity, guarantee and option obligations;
• the Partnership's incremental general and administrative expenses as a publicly traded limited partnership and the Partnership's fees and expenses payable under the Partnership's ship management agreements, the technical information and services agreement and the administrative services agreements;
• the anticipated taxation of the Partnership, its subsidiaries and affiliates and distributions to its unitholders;
• estimated future maintenance and replacement capital expenditures;
• the Partnership's ability to retain key employees;
• customers' increasing emphasis on environmental and safety concerns;
• potential liability from any pending or future litigation;
• potential disruption of shipping routes due to accidents, political events, piracy or acts by terrorists;
• future sales of the Partnership's common units and Series A preferred units in the public market;
• the Partnership's business strategy and other plans and objectives for future operations;
• the Partnership's ability to successfully remediate any material weaknesses in its internal control over financial reporting and its disclosure controls and procedures; and
• other factors listed from time to time in the reports and other documents that we file with the SEC, including the Partnership's Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2017 and subsequent quarterly reports on Form 6-K.

All forward-looking statements included in this press release are made only as of the date of this press release. New factors emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for the Partnership to predict all of these factors. Further, the Partnership cannot assess the impact of each such factor on its business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to be materially different from those contained in any forward-looking statement. The Partnership does not intend to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect any change in its expectations with respect thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based.

HÖEGH LNG PARTNERS LP UNAUDITED CONDENSED INTERIM CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (in thousands of U.S. dollars, except per unit amounts)
		Three months ended								Six months ended
		June 30,								June 30,
		2018				2017				2018				2017
REVENUES
Time charter revenues		$	35,510				35,024				70,395			$	70,101
Other revenue			1,100				—				1,100				—
Total revenues			36,610				35,024				71,495				70,101
OPERATING EXPENSES
Vessel operating expenses			(5,462)				(5,628) Werbung Mehr Nachrichten zur Höegh LNG Partners UTS Aktie kostenlos abonnieren E-Mail-Adresse Bitte überprüfe deine die E-Mail-Adresse. Benachrichtigungen von ARIVA.DE (Mit der Bestellung akzeptierst du die Datenschutzhinweise) -1 Vielen Dank, dass du dich für unseren Newsletter angemeldet hast. Du erhältst in Kürze eine E-Mail mit einem Aktivierungslink. Hinweis: ARIVA.DE veröffentlicht in dieser Rubrik Analysen, Kolumnen und Nachrichten aus verschiedenen Quellen. Die ARIVA.DE AG ist nicht verantwortlich für Inhalte, die erkennbar von Dritten in den „News“-Bereich dieser Webseite eingestellt worden sind, und macht sich diese nicht zu Eigen. Diese Inhalte sind insbesondere durch eine entsprechende „von“-Kennzeichnung unterhalb der Artikelüberschrift und/oder durch den Link „Um den vollständigen Artikel zu lesen, klicken Sie bitte hier.“ erkennbar; verantwortlich für diese Inhalte ist allein der genannte Dritte. Andere Nutzer interessierten sich auch für folgende News 25.04.24 - PR Newswire BH Macro Limited - Transaction in Own Shares 25.04.24 - PR Newswire Moonpig Group Plc - Holding(s) in Company 25.04.24 - PR Newswire BlackRock Latin American Investment Trust Plc - Portfolio Update SolarBank    Wie die Revolution der sauberen Energie eine solide Investitionsmöglichkeit bieten könnte weiterlesen» Anzeige wo-site-teaser-box-16755_site-teaser-box_2024-04-25_09%253A00%253A00_2024-04-26_09%253A00%253A59