d1048423_6-k.htm

Note: Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(7) only permits the submission in paper of a Form 6-K if submitted to furnish a report or other document that the registrant foreign private issuer must furnish and make public under the laws of the jurisdiction in which the registrant is incorporated, domiciled or legally organized (the registrant's "home country"), or under the rules of the home country exchange on which the registrant's securities are traded, as long as the report or other document is not a press release, is not required to be and has not been distributed to the registrant's security holders, and, if discussing a material event, has already been the subject of a Form 6-K submission or other Commission filing on EDGAR.

Knightsbridge Tankers Limited (the "Company") reports net income of $3.1 million and earnings per share of $0.18 for the third quarter of 2009. The average daily time charter equivalents ("TCEs") earned by the Company's four VLCCs and one Capesize vessel was $32,900 and $39,200 respectively compared with $33,100 for the VLCCs in the preceding quarter. Revenues increased due to the MV Battersea, which commenced a five year time charter during the quarter offset by lower rates earned by the MT Camden in a weaker spot market.

Cash and cash equivalents decreased in the quarter by $35.1 million. The Company generated cash from operating activities of $5.3 million, drewdown a new long term loan of $28.6 million (net of fees paid), made loan repayments of $19.0 million and invested $50.0 million in newbuildings. In November 2009, the Company has an average cash breakeven rate for its vessels of $18,000 per vessel per day compared to $19,300 in November 2008.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2009 the Company reports net income of $12.7 million and earnings per share of $0.74. The average daily TCEs for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 was $35,700 for the VLCCs and $39,200 for the Capesize vessels.

According to industry sources the average earnings for a modern double hulled VLCC were approximately $23,500/day for the quarter. The earnings varied from a high of approximately $42,000/day at the beginning of the quarter to a low of approximately $15,500/day near the end of July. At the end of the quarter the rate was close to $27,000/day. Present indications are approximately at $23,000/day.

Bunkers at Fujairah averaged approximately $426/mt in the third quarter compared to $345/mt in the second quarter of 2009, an increase of some $80/mt. Bunker prices varied between a low of $378/mt in the middle of July and a high of $459/mt at the end of August. We have seen increased bunker prices over the last two weeks and current indications are approximately $465/mt according to Platt's.

The International Energy Agency ("IEA") reported in October 2009 an average OPEC oil production, including Iraq, of 28.83 million barrels per day during the third quarter of the year – an increase of 350,000 bpd compared to the second quarter of 2009. At the last OPEC conference on September 10, it was agreed to keep the current production levels unchanged. The next and 155th OPEC meeting is scheduled to take place on December 22, 2009.

IEA estimates that world oil demand averaged 84.62 million barrels per day in the third quarter of 2009, an increase of approximately 0.5 million barrels per day compared to the second quarter of the year. IEA predicts that the average demand for 2009 in total will be 84.63 million barrels per day, a 1.9 percent decline from 2008. Additionally, the IEA estimates that the demand will increase by 1.7 percent in 2010 to 86.05 million barrels per day.

According to industry sources the VLCC fleet totalled 524 vessels at the end of the third quarter with nine deliveries during the quarter. Throughout 2009 it is estimated that 61 deliveries will take place including 48 made so far. The orderbook counted 188 vessels at the end of the third quarter, down from 197 vessels after the second quarter of 2009. A new order for 12 VLCCs was reported during the quarter; however this is not yet confirmed. The current orderbook represents approximately 35 percent of the VLCC fleet. During the quarter there were two deletions from the trading fleet whilst five vessels were sold for demolition and six for conversion projects. According to Fearnleys the single hull fleet now stands at 89 vessels.

According to industry sources the average earnings for a modern Capesize was approximately $41,900/day for the quarter. The earnings varied from a high of approximately $64,000/day at the very beginning of the quarter to a low of approximately $21,000/day in the last week of September. The rates have improved significantly from the beginning of October and current levels are approximately $67,000/day.

The total contract price for the two newbuildings is $162 million of which the Company has paid $145.8 million at the end of the third quarter. $16.8 million of these installments have been financed through a short term bank facility and $30 million through a new long term bank facility of $60 million. The short term bank facility was repaid in October when the MV Belgravia was delivered. At the same time the second tranche of $30 million was drawn under the new long term bank facility of $60 million.

The last two quarters' halt in dividend distribution is mainly caused by the large amount of equity paid on the Capesize vessels. Despite this fact, the Company is now building its cash reserves supported by the recently commenced time charter contracts. Although the weak tanker market has a negative impact on the spot trading vessel and the vessels with profit share the Board of Directors expects to resume dividend payments in 2010.

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.

Knightsbridge 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," "except," "anticipate," "intends," "estimate," "forecast," "project," "plan," "potential," "will," "may," "should," "expect" "pending" and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements.

The forward-looking statements in this document 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, important factors that, in our view, could cause actual results to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements include the strength of world economies and currencies, general market conditions, including fluctuations in charterhire rates and vessel values, changes in demand in the tanker market, as a result of changes in OPEC's petroleum production levels and world wide oil consumption and storage, changes in Knightsbridge's operating expenses, including bunker prices, drydocking and insurance costs, the market for Knightsbridge's vessels, availability of financing and refinancing, 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, and other important factors described from time to time in the reports filed by Knightsbridge with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

2008 Jul-Sept			2009 Jul-Sept			INCOME STATEMENT (in thousands of $)	2009 Jan-Sept			2008 Jan-Sept			2008 Jan-Dec
													(audited)

	19,813			14,213		Operating revenues		43,921			66,805			82,914
						Operating expense
	654			2,174		Voyage expenses		5,577			3,773			4,012
	3,908			4,847		Ship operating expenses		13,298			10,692			14,535
	406			458		Administrative expenses		1,235			1,146			1,538
	3,428			3,266		Depreciation		10,047			10,284			13,711
	8,396			10,745		Total operating expenses		30,157			25,895			33,796

	11,417			3,468		Net operating income		13,764			40,910			49,118

						Other income (expenses)
	591			57		Interest income		119			1,921			2,336
	(663	)		(319	)	Interest expense		(1,021	)		(2,408	)		(3,216	)
	(47	)		(102	)	Other financial items		(168	)		(133	)		(184	)
	(119	)		(364	)	Total other expenses		(1,070	)		(620	)		(1,064	)

	11,298			3,104		Net income		12,694			40,290			48,054

	$0.66			$0.18		Earnings per share ($)		$0.74			$2.36			$2.81
	$52,800			$33,600		Income on timecharter basis ($ per day per vessel)*		$35,800			$55,600			$52,600

BALANCE SHEET (in thousands of $)	2009 Sept 30		2008 Sept 30		2008 Dec 31
					(audited)

ASSETS

Short term
Cash and cash equivalents		1,607		74,660		77,998
Restricted cash		10,000		10,000		10,000
Other current assets		6,441		8,783		4,888
Long Term
Vessels, net		266,185		190,788		187,360
Newbuildings		66,884		50,725		51,305
Deferred charges		1,322		177		134

Total assets		352,439		335,133		331,685

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

Short term
Short-term debt and current portion of long-term debt		28,260		8,960		42,560
Other current liabilities		12,195		6,762		6,340
Long term
Long-term debt		81,260		96,320		60,480
Stockholders' equity		230,724		223,091		222,305

Total liabilities and stockholders' equity		352,439		335,133		331,685

2008 Jul-Sept			2009 Jul-Sept			STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS (in thousands of $)	2009 Jan-Sept			2008 Jan-Sept			2008 Jan-Dec
													(audited)

						OPERATING ACTIVITIES
	11,298			3,104		Net income		12,694			40,290			48,054
						Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities
	3,462			3,310		Depreciation and amortization		10,145			10,390			13,860
	3,968			(1,151	)	Change in operating assets and liabilities		(257	)		4,299			7,773

	18,728			5,263		Net cash provided by operating activities		22,582			54,979			69,687

						INVESTING ACTIVITIES
	(16,501	)		(50,021	)	Additions to newbuildings		(99,892	)		(17,267	)		(17,847	)
	(16,501	)		(50,021	)	Net cash used in investing activities		(99,892	)		(17,267	)		(17,847	)

						FINANCING ACTIVITIES
	(2,240	)		(19,040	)	Repayment of long-term debt		(23,520	)		(6,720	)		(8,960	)
	-			30,000		Proceeds from long-term debt		30,000			-			-
	-			(1,286	)	Debt fees paid		(1,286	)		-			-
	(12,825	)		-		Dividends paid		(4,275	)		(38,475	)		(47,025	)

	(15,065	)		9,674		Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities		919			(45,195	)		(55,985	)

	(12,838	)		(35,084	)	Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents		(76,391	)		(7,483	)		(4,145	)
	87,498			36,691		Cash and cash equivalents at start of period		77,998			82,143			82,143
	74,660			1,607		Cash and cash equivalents at end of period		1,607			74,660			77,998


	KNIGHTSBRIDGE TANKERS LIMITED
	(registrant)



Dated: November 17, 2009	By:	/s/ Ola Lorentzon
		Ola Lorentzon
		Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

The Board of Directors
Knightsbridge Tankers Limited
Hamilton, Bermuda
November 11, 2009

Contact:	Ola Lorentzon: Chairman, Knightsbridge Tankers Limited
	+ 46 703 998886

	Inger M. Klemp: Chief Financial Officer, Knightsbridge Tankers Limited
	+47 23 11 40 76