Document
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 6-K
REPORT OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER
PURSUANT TO RULE 13A-16 OR 15D-16 UNDER
THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the month of November 2020
Commission File Number: 001-32199
SFL Corporation Ltd.
(Translation of registrant’s name into English)
Par-la-Ville Place
14 Par-la-Ville Road
Hamilton, HM 08, Bermuda
(Address of principal executive office)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F.
Form 20-F x Form 40-F ¨
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(1): .
Note: Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(1) only permits the submission in paper of a Form 6-K if submitted solely to provide an attached annual report to security holders.
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(7): .
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.
INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS FORM 6-K REPORT
Attached hereto are the unaudited condensed interim financial statements and related Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations of SFL Corporation Ltd. ("SFL" or "the Company”) for the nine months ended September 30, 2020.
This report on Form 6-K is hereby incorporated by reference into the Company’s Registration Statement on Form F-3ASR (Registration No. 333-237971) and the Company’s Registration Statement on Form F-3D (Registration No. 333-237970) each filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on May 1, 2020.
SFL CORPORATION LTD.
REPORT ON FORM 6-K FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2020
INDEX
| | | | | |
Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and September 30, 2019 | |
Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and September 30, 2019 | |
Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019 | |
Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and September 30, 2019 | |
Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and September 30, 2019 | |
Notes to the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements | |
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations | |
Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statement | |
Signatures | |
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and September 30, 2019
(in thousands of $, except per share amounts)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Nine months ended | | |
| September 30, | | |
| 2020 | | 2019 | | |
Operating revenues | | | | | |
Interest income related parties – direct financing leases | 1,349 | | | 2,873 | | | |
Interest income other – sales-type, direct financing leases and leaseback assets | 50,597 | | | 40,316 | | | |
Service revenue related parties – direct financing leases | 5,247 | | | 7,371 | | | |
Profit sharing revenues - related parties | 15,214 | | | 1,738 | | | |
Profit sharing income - other | 2,015 | | | — | | | |
Time charter revenues - related parties | 39,321 | | | 37,871 | | | |
Time charter revenues - other | 199,304 | | | 214,686 | | | |
| | | | | |
Bareboat charter revenues - other | 7,164 | | | 18,111 | | | |
Voyage charter revenues - other | 32,291 | | | 13,794 | | | |
Other operating income | 3,633 | | | 2,212 | | | |
Total operating revenues | 356,135 | | | 338,972 | | | |
Gain on sale of assets and termination of charters, net | 2,250 | | | — | | | |
| | | | | |
Operating expenses | | | | | |
Vessel operating expenses - related parties | 22,785 | | | 24,746 | | | |
Vessel operating expenses - other | 95,072 | | | 74,703 | | | |
Depreciation | 83,159 | | | 88,084 | | | |
Vessel impairment charge | 80,511 | | | 25,913 | | | |
Administrative expenses - related parties | 859 | | | 1,140 | | | |
Administrative expenses - other | 7,861 | | | 6,825 | | | |
Total operating expenses | 290,247 | | | 221,411 | | | |
Net operating income | 68,138 | | | 117,561 | | | |
Non-operating income/(expense) | | | | | |
Interest income - related parties, long term loans to associated companies | 10,596 | | | 10,596 | | | |
Interest income - related parties, other | 389 | | | 1,481 | | | |
Interest income - other | 850 | | | 2,928 | | | |
| | | | | |
Interest expense - other | (101,625) | | | (108,291) | | | |
Gain on repurchase of bonds | 1,081 | | | 1,802 | | | |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
Gain on settlement of related party loan notes | 4,446 | | | — | | | |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
(Loss)/gain on investments in debt and equity securities | (20,866) | | | 39,842 | | | |
Dividend income - related parties | 4,617 | | | 2,250 | | | |
| | | | | |
Other financial items, net | (29,954) | | | (15,770) | | | |
Net (loss)/income before equity in earnings of associated companies | (62,328) | | | 52,399 | | | |
Equity in earnings of associated companies | 3,128 | | | 13,136 | | | |
Net (loss)/income | (59,200) | | | 65,535 | | | |
Per share information: | | | | | |
Basic (loss)/earnings per share | $ | (0.55) | | | $ | 0.61 | | | |
Diluted (loss)/earnings per share | $ | (0.55) | | | $ | 0.61 | | | |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and September 30, 2019
(in thousands of $)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Nine months ended | | |
| September 30, | | |
| 2020 | | 2019 | | |
Net (loss)/income | (59,200) | | | 65,535 | | | |
| | | | | |
Fair value adjustments to hedging financial instruments | (17,965) | | | (15,701) | | | |
Earnings reclassification of previously deferred fair value adjustments to hedging financial instruments | 6,369 | | | — | | | |
Fair value adjustments to investment securities classified as available-for-sale | 1,177 | | | (1,342) | | | |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
Other comprehensive (loss)/income | (45) | | | (35) | | | |
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax | (10,464) | | | (17,078) | | | |
| | | | | |
Comprehensive (loss)/income | (69,664) | | | 48,457 | | | |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
as at September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019
(in thousands of $, except share data)
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| September 30, 2020 | | December 31, 2019 |
ASSETS | | | |
Current assets | | | |
Cash and cash equivalents | 205,814 | | | 199,521 | |
Restricted cash | 8,628 | | | 3,495 | |
| | | |
Investments in debt and equity securities | 32,968 | | | 74,079 | |
Due from related parties | 15,728 | | | 22,399 | |
Trade accounts receivable | 7,435 | | | 4,583 | |
Other receivables | 21,994 | | | 20,132 | |
Inventories | 8,694 | | | 7,934 | |
Prepaid expenses and accrued income | 3,443 | | | 1,635 | |
Investment in sales-type leases, direct financing leases and leaseback assets, current portion | 64,329 | | | 56,189 | |
| | | |
| | | |
Financial instruments at fair value, current portion | — | | | 520 | |
Total current assets | 369,033 | | | 390,487 | |
| | | |
| | | |
Vessels and equipment, net | 1,250,769 | | | 1,404,705 | |
| | | |
Vessels under finance lease, net | 707,384 | | | 714,476 | |
Investment in sales-type leases, direct financing leases and leaseback assets, long-term portion | 869,418 | | | 938,198 | |
Investments in associated companies | 36,777 | | | 42,161 | |
Loans and long term receivables from related parties including associates | 308,399 | | | 327,616 | |
| | | |
| | | |
Financial instruments at fair value, long-term portion | — | | | 3,479 | |
Other long-term assets | 35,057 | | | 64,248 | |
Total assets | 3,576,837 | | | 3,885,370 | |
| | | |
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY | | | |
Current liabilities | | | |
Short-term debt and current portion of long-term debt | 299,723 | | | 253,059 | |
Finance lease liability, current portion | 72,140 | | | 68,874 | |
Due to related parties | 896 | | | 3,980 | |
Trade accounts payable | 1,068 | | | 3,445 | |
Financial instruments at fair value, current portion | 2,421 | | | 6,067 | |
Accrued expenses | 16,501 | | | 17,132 | |
Other current liabilities | 13,905 | | | 13,279 | |
Total current liabilities | 406,654 | | | 365,836 | |
Long-term liabilities | | | |
Long-term debt | 1,183,203 | | | 1,355,029 | |
Finance lease liability, long-term portion | 984,719 | | | 1,037,553 | |
Financial instruments at fair value, long-term portion | 56,144 | | | 20,579 | |
Deficit in associated companies | 18,513 | | | — | |
Other long-term liabilities | 4 | | | 4 | |
Total liabilities | 2,649,237 | | | 2,779,001 | |
| | | |
Commitments and contingent liabilities | | | |
Stockholders’ equity | | | |
Share capital ($0.01 par value; 300,000,000 shares authorized; 120,906,872 shares issued and outstanding at September 30, 2020). ($0.01 par value; 200,000,000 shares authorized; 119,391,310 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2019).
| 1,209 | | | 1,194 | |
Additional paid-in capital | 485,114 | | | 469,426 | |
Contributed surplus | 556,594 | | | 648,764 | |
Accumulated other comprehensive loss | (23,479) | | | (13,015) | |
| | | |
Accumulated deficit | (91,838) | | | — | |
Total stockholders’ equity | 927,600 | | | 1,106,369 | |
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity | 3,576,837 | | | 3,885,370 | |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and September 30, 2019
(in thousands of $)
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| Nine months ended |
| September 30, |
| 2020 | | 2019 |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
Net cash provided by operating activities | 194,402 | | | 191,311 | |
| | | |
Investing activities | | | |
| | | |
| | | |
Additions to direct financing leases and leaseback assets | (65,030) | | | (91,065) | |
| | | |
Purchase of vessels, capital improvements and other additions | (49,247) | | | (29,039) | |
| | | |
Proceeds from sales of vessels and termination of charters | 152,510 | | | — | |
| | | |
| | | |
Net amounts received from associated companies | 12,781 | | | 19,509 | |
| | | |
| | | |
Proceeds from sale of shares | 21,055 | | | — | |
Other investments and long term assets, net | 1,951 | | | (20,002) | |
Net cash provided by/(used in) investing activities | 74,020 | | | (120,597) | |
| | | |
Financing activities | | | |
| | | |
Shares issued, net of issuance costs | 15,127 | | | — | |
| | | |
Principal settlements of cross currency swaps, net | (11,706) | | | (41,769) | |
Payment for early settlements of interest rate swaps, net | (4,539) | | | — | |
Repurchase of bonds | (64,795) | | | (80,749) | |
Proceeds from issuance of short-term and long-term debt | 347,231 | | | 276,301 | |
Repayments of short-term and long-term debt | (392,331) | | | (136,770) | |
Discounts received on debt repurchased | — | | | 1,654 | |
Debt fees paid | (4,246) | | | (3,841) | |
Repayment of lease obligation liability | (49,567) | | | (46,612) | |
Cash dividends paid | (92,170) | | | (112,990) | |
Net cash used in financing activities | (256,996) | | | (144,776) | |
| | | |
Net change in restricted cash and cash and cash equivalents | 11,426 | | | (74,062) | |
Cash, restricted cash and cash equivalents at start of the period | 203,016 | | | 212,394 | |
Cash, restricted cash and cash equivalents at end of the period | 214,442 | | | 138,332 | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated condensed financial statements.
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and September 30, 2019
(in thousands of $, except number of shares)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Nine months ended | | |
| September 30, | | |
| 2020 | | 2019 | | |
Number of shares outstanding | | | | | |
At beginning of period | 119,391,310 | | | 119,373,064 | | | |
Shares issued | 1,515,562 | | | 2,461 | | | |
At end of period | 120,906,872 | | | 119,375,525 | | | |
Share capital | | | | | |
At beginning of period | 1,194 | | | 1,194 | | | |
Shares issued | 15 | | | — | | | |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
At end of period | 1,209 | | | 1,194 | | | |
Additional paid-in capital | | | | | |
At beginning of period | 469,426 | | | 468,844 | | | |
Amortization of stock-based compensation | 733 | | | 577 | | | |
Stock-based compensation forfeitures | (30) | | | — | | | |
| | | | | |
Shares issued | 15,111 | | | — | | | |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
Adjustment to equity component of convertible notes due 2021 and 2023 arising from reacquisition of bonds | (126) | | | (231) | | | |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
At end of period | 485,114 | | | 469,190 | | | |
Contributed surplus | | | | | |
At beginning of period | 648,764 | | | 680,703 | | | |
Dividends declared | (92,170) | | | (17,912) | | | |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
At end of period | 556,594 | | | 662,791 | | | |
Accumulated other comprehensive loss | | | | | |
At beginning of period | (13,015) | | | (220) | | | |
Earnings reclassification of previously deferred fair value adjustments to hedging financial instruments | 6,369 | | | — | | | |
Fair value adjustments to hedging financial instruments | (17,965) | | | (15,701) | | | |
| | | | | |
Reclassification of ineffective portion of designated hedging instruments upon adoption of ASU 2017-12 | — | | | (32) | | | |
Fair value adjustments to available-for-sale securities | 1,177 | | | (1,342) | | | |
| | | | | |
Other comprehensive (loss)/income | (45) | | | (35) | | | |
At end of period | (23,479) | | | (17,330) | | | |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
(Accumulated deficit)/retained earnings | | | | | |
At beginning of period | — | | | 29,511 | | | |
Impact of adoption of ASU 2016-13 | (32,638) | | | — | | | |
Reclassification of ineffective portion of designated hedging instruments upon adoption of ASU 2017-12 | — | | | 32 | | | |
Net (loss)/income | (59,200) | | | 65,535 | | | |
Dividends declared | — | | | (95,078) | | | |
At end of period | (91,838) | | | — | | | |
Total stockholders’ equity | 927,600 | | | 1,115,845 | | | |
| | | | | |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.
SFL CORPORATION LTD.
Notes to the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
1.INTERIM FINANCIAL DATA
The unaudited condensed interim financial statements of SFL Corporation Ltd. (“SFL” or the “Company”) have been prepared on the same basis as the Company’s audited financial statements and, in the opinion of management, include all material adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments considered necessary in order to make the interim financial statements not misleading, in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“US GAAP”). The accompanying unaudited condensed interim financial statements do not include all of the disclosures required in annual and interim consolidated financial statements and should be read in conjunction with the annual financial statements and notes included in the Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2019, which was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 27, 2020. The results of operations for the interim period ended September 30, 2020 are not necessarily indicative of the results for the entire year ending December 31, 2020.
Basis of accounting
The condensed consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with US GAAP. The condensed consolidated financial statements include the assets and liabilities and results of operations of the Company and its subsidiaries including variable interest entities in which SFL is deemed to be the primary beneficiary. All inter-company balances and transactions have been eliminated on consolidation.
The condensed consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with the accounting policies described in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2019.
Recently Issued Accounting Standards
On April 10, 2020, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (or FASB) issued a question-and-answer document regarding accounting for lease concessions and other effects of the coronavirus (“COVID-19”) pandemic. The document clarifies that entities may elect to not evaluate whether lease-related relief that lessors provide to mitigate the economic effects of COVID-19 on lessees is a lease modification under Leases ASC 842. The Company will evaluate this additional guidance based on the facts and circumstances of any future lease concessions.
Recently Adopted Accounting Standards
In June 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses: Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments (or ASU 2016-13). ASU 2016-13 introduces a new credit loss methodology, which requires earlier recognition of potential credit losses, while also providing additional transparency about credit risk. This new credit loss methodology utilizes a lifetime “expected credit loss” measurement objective for the recognition of credit losses for loans, held-to-maturity debt securities and other receivables at the time the financial asset is originated or acquired. The expected credit losses are subsequently adjusted each period for changes in expected lifetime credit losses. This methodology replaces multiple impairment methods under previous GAAP for these type of assets, which generally required that a loss be incurred before it was recognized.
The Company and its 100% owned subsidiaries accounted as "Investments and Deficit in Associated Companies" adopted this update on January 1, 2020 using the modified-retrospective approach, whereby a cumulative effect adjustment was made to reduce retained earnings on January 1, 2020 without any retroactive application to prior periods. On adoption, the Company recognized a cumulative adjustment of $32.6 million to its retained earnings with corresponding decreases in the carrying value of equity-accounted investments of $27.0 million (see Note 9: Investment and deficit in Associated Companies), and decreases the carrying value of Trade receivables, Other receivables, Related party receivables, Other long term assets and Investments in sales-type leases, direct financing leases and leaseback assets totaling $5.6 million (see Note 17: Allowance for expected credit losses).
Significant Accounting Policies - Update
Our significant accounting policies are described in "Note 2: Accounting Policies" of our Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2019. Our updated significant accounting policies described below reflect the impact of adopting ASU 2016-13.
Allowances for losses on certain financial assets
The Company and its 100% wholly owned subsidiaries accounted for as associates established allowances for credit losses on financing receivables, namely trade accounts receivable, other receivables, related party receivables, investments in sales-type leases, direct financing leases and vessel leaseback assets and other long term assets in an amount equal to the current expected credit losses. The estimation of these allowances is assessed quarterly and is based on an analysis of factors including, but not limited to, historical loss experience, age of the receivable, customer credit ratings, management's assessment of current conditions and expectation of future conditions and collateral exposures. The Company assesses collectability by pooling receivables where similar characteristics exist and evaluates receivables individually when specific customer balances no longer share those risk characteristics. We assign internal credit ratings for customers and determine the creditworthiness of each customer based upon publicly available information where available.
Collateral exposure for investments in sales-type leases, direct financing leases and leaseback assets is the excess of the carrying value of the receivable over the fair value of the related collateral. A receivable with an estimated fair value in excess of the carrying value is considered to have no collateral exposure. The value of the collateral is closely tied to the international seaborne transportation industry, offshore drilling sector and overall market conditions and may be subject to reduced valuation with market decline. Declines in collateral values could result in an increase in the allowance for expected credit losses.
The expense associated with the allowance for expected credit losses is recognized in 'other financial items' and included in 'equity in earnings of associated companies' in the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with US GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. We believe that the accounting estimates and assumptions made by management are appropriate given the increased uncertainties surrounding the severity and duration of the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, however actual results could differ materially from those estimates.
2.GAIN/(LOSS) ON SALE OF ASSETS AND TERMINATION OF CHARTERS
A summary of vessels sold and charters terminated during the nine months ended September 30, 2020 is as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
(in thousands of $) | Vessel Type | Net Proceeds | Termination Payment | Gain/(Loss) on Sale of Asset | |
Front Hakata | VLCC | 33,465 | | (3,186) | | 1,373 | | |
Sea Cheetah | Offshore Support | 1,450 | | — | | 275 | | |
Sea Jaguar | Offshore Support | 1,452 | | — | | 277 | | |
Sea Halibut | Offshore Support | 700 | | — | | 175 | | |
Sea Pike | Offshore Support | 700 | | — | | 175 | | |
Sea Leopard | Offshore Support | 126 | | — | | (25) | | |
Hunter Alta | VLCC | 58,795 | | — | | — | | |
Hunter Saga | VLCC | 59,008 | | — | | — | | |
Total | | 155,696 | | (3,186) | | 2,250 | | |
All of the vessels sold in the nine months ended September 30, 2020 were sold to unrelated third parties; the Front Hakata and Sea Leopard were previously accounted for as investments in direct financing leases and Hunter Alta and Hunter Saga as leaseback assets. Sea Cheetah, Sea Jaguar, Sea Halibut and Sea Pike were previously accounted for as operating lease assets.
No vessels were sold or charters terminated during the nine months ended September 30, 2019.
3.(LOSS)/EARNINGS PER SHARE
The computation of basic earnings per share (“EPS”) is based on the weighted average number of shares outstanding during the period and the consolidated net income or loss of the Company. Diluted EPS includes the effect of the assumed conversion of potentially dilutive instruments.
The components of the numerator for the calculation of basic and diluted EPS are as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Nine months ended | | |
(in thousands of $) | September 30, 2020 | | September 30, 2019 | | |
Basic earnings per share: | | | | | |
Net (loss)/income available to stockholders | (59,200) | | | 65,535 | | | |
Diluted earnings per share: | | | | | |
Net (loss)/income available to stockholders | (59,200) | | | 65,535 | | | |
Interest and other expenses attributable to dilutive convertible notes | — | | | (304) | | | |
Net (loss)/income assuming dilution | (59,200) | | | 65,231 | | | |
The components of the denominator for the calculation of basic and diluted EPS are as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Nine months ended | | |
(in thousands) | September 30, 2020 | | September 30, 2019 | | |
Basic earnings per share: | | | | | |
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding* | 108,223 | | | 107,610 | | | |
Diluted earnings per share: | | | | | |
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding* | 108,223 | | | 107,610 | | | |
Effect of dilutive share options | — | | | 58 | | | |
Effect of dilutive convertible notes | — | | | 1 | | | |
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding assuming dilution | 108,223 | | | 107,669 | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Nine months ended | | |
| September 30, 2020 | | September 30, 2019 | | |
Basic (loss)/earnings per share: | $ | (0.55) | | | $ | 0.61 | | | |
Diluted (loss)/ earnings per share: | $ | (0.55) | | | $ | 0.61 | | | |
*The weighted average number of common shares outstanding excludes 8,000,000 shares issued as part of a share lending arrangement relating to the Company's issuance of 5.75% senior unsecured convertible notes in October 2016. It also excludes 3,765,842 shares issued as of September 30, 2020 from up to 7,000,000 shares issuable under a share lending arrangement relating to the Company's issuance of 4.875% senior unsecured convertible notes in April and May 2018. These lent shares are owned by the Company and will be returned on or before maturity of the bonds in 2021 and 2023, respectively.
As of September 30, 2020, the outstanding balance on the 4.875% senior unsecured convertible notes issued in April and May 2018, the 5.75% senior unsecured convertible notes issued in October 2016 and the share options were antidilutive.
4.OTHER FINANCIAL ITEMS
Other financial items, net comprise the following items:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Nine months ended | | |
(in thousands of $) | September 30, 2020 | | September 30, 2019 | | |
Net cash movement on non-designated derivatives and swap settlements | (7,470) | | | 1,039 | | | |
Net (decrease)/increase in fair value of non-designated derivatives | (23,826) | | | (7,201) | | | |
Allowance for expected credit losses | 1,073 | | | — | | | |
Impairment of loan notes | — | | | (8,431) | | | |
Other items | 269 | | | (1,177) | | | |
Total other financial items, net | (29,954) | | | (15,770) | | | |
The net movement in the fair values of non-designated derivatives and net cash payments thereon relate to non-designated, terminated or de-designated interest rate swaps and cross currency interest rate swaps. Changes in the fair values of the effective portion of interest rate swaps that are designated as cash flow hedges are reported under "Other comprehensive income". Following the adoption of ASU 2017-12 from January 1, 2019, the Company now recognizes all changes in the fair value of swaps designated as accounting hedges in other comprehensive income. The adoption of the standard resulted in an opening balance adjustments of $32,000 to retained earnings and other comprehensive income on January 1, 2019.
Net cash movement on non-designated derivatives and swap settlements for the nine months ended September 30, 2020, includes $4.5 million related to the settlement of interest rate swaps following the refinancing of debt (nine months ended September 30, 2019: $0.0 million).
Following the adoption of ASU 2016-13 "Financial Instruments - Credit Losses" from January 2020, the Company now recognizes, among other things, a measurement of expected credit losses for financial assets held at the reporting date which are within the scope of the ASU, based on historical experience, current conditions and reasonable supportable forecasts. See Note 1: Interim Financial Data and Note 17: Allowance for Expected Credit Losses.
During the nine months ended September 30, 2019, the Company recorded an impairment loss of $8.4 million on the Sea Bear loan note after it concluded that the loan note may no longer be recoverable.
Other items in the nine months ended September 30, 2020 include a net gain of $1.2 million arising from foreign currency translations (in the nine months ended September 30, 2019: loss of $0.8 million). Other items included in other financial items include bank charges and fees relating to loan facilities.
5.INVESTMENTS IN DEBT AND EQUITY SECURITIES
Investment securities held by the Company consist of the following investments in corporate bonds and equity securities:
| | | | | | | | | | | |
(in thousands of $) | September 30, 2020 | | December 31, 2019 |
Corporate Bonds | 15,216 | | | 12,753 | |
Shares | 17,752 | | | 61,326 | |
| | | |
Total Investment in Debt and Equity Securities | 32,968 | | | 74,079 | |
| | | |
Corporate Bonds
The corporate bonds are classified as available-for-sale securities and are recorded at fair value, with unrealized gains and losses recorded as a separate component of "Other comprehensive income".
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Nine months ended September 30, 2020 | | Year ended December 31, 2019 |
(in thousands of $) | Amortized Cost | | Unrealized gains/(losses) | | Fair value | | Amortized Cost | | Unrealized gains/(losses) | | Fair value |
Corporate bonds: | | | | | | | | | | | |
NorAm Drilling Bond | 4,132 | | | 535 | | | 4,667 | | | 4,132 | | | 558 | | | 4,690 | |
Oro Negro 7.5% | 566 | | | 827 | | | 1,393 | | | 5,705 | | | — | | | 5,705 | |
Oro Negro 12% | — | | | — | | | — | | | 2,281 | | | 77 | | | 2,358 | |
NT Rig Holdco 12% | 3,567 | | | 404 | | | 3,971 | | | — | | | — | | | — | |
NT Rig Holdco 7.5% | 5,139 | | | 46 | | | 5,185 | | | — | | | — | | | — | |
Total corporate bonds | 13,404 | | | 1,812 | | | 15,216 | | | 12,118 | | | 635 | | | 12,753 | |
In 2020, the existing Oro Negro 12% Bonds and Oro Negro 7.5% Bonds completed a conversion that resulted in the recognition of NT Rig Holdco Liquidity 12% Bonds and NT Rig Holdco 7.5% Bonds, and redemption of all the Oro Negro 12% Bonds and a substantial proportion of the Oro Negro 7.5% Bonds. The Company recorded no gain or loss on redemption of the bonds. The Company also acquired an additional $1.3 million of the NT Rig Holdco 12% bonds in the nine months ended September 30, 2020.
Shares
Changes in the fair value of equity investments are recognized in net income.
| | | | | | | | | | | |
(in thousands of $) | September 30, 2020 | | December 31, 2019 |
Frontline | 9,412 | | | 43,775 |
NorAm Drilling | 2,003 | | | 4,326 |
ADS Crude Carriers | 6,337 | | | 13,225 |
Total shares | 17,752 | | | 61,326 |
| | | |
Equity Securities pledged to creditors | 9,412 | | | 43,775 | |
| | | |
Equity Securities Pledged to Creditors
As at September 30, 2020 the Company held approximately 1.4 million shares (December 31, 2019: 3.4 million shares) of Frontline Ltd ("Frontline") (see Note 16: Related Party Transactions).
In December 2019, the Company entered into a forward contract to repurchase 3.4 million shares of Frontline in June 2020 for $36.8 million.
During the six months ended June 30, 2020, the Company repurchased and simultaneously sold approximately 2.0 million shares in Frontline for total proceeds of $21.1 million and recorded gains of $2.3 million in the statement of operations in respect of the sales. In June 2020, the Company rolled forward the forward contract related to the remaining approximately 1.4 million shares until September of 2020.
In September 2020, the Company rolled forward the forward contract related to 1.4 million shares until January of 2021 at a repurchase price of $16.2 million including accrued interest. The transaction has been accounted for as secured borrowing, with the shares retained in 'Marketable Securities pledged to creditors' and a liability recorded at September 30, 2020 within debt for $15.6 million (See also Note 11: Short-Term and Long-Term Debt).
6.VESSELS AND EQUIPMENT, NET
Movements in the nine months ended September 30, 2020 summarized as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | |
(in thousands of $) | Cost | Accumulated Depreciation | Vessels and Equipment, net |
Balance at December 31, 2019 | 1,867,873 | | (463,168) | | 1,404,705 | |
Depreciation | — | | (53,568) | | (53,568) | |
| | | |
Capital improvements | 50,513 | | — | | 50,513 | |
Transfers to Investments in Sales-Type Leases | (87,570) | | 20,368 | | (67,202) | |
Vessel disposals | (7,362) | | 3,963 | | (3,399) | |
| | | |
Impairment loss | (137,946) | | 57,666 | | (80,280) | |
| | | |
Balance at September 30, 2020 | 1,685,508 | | (434,739) | | 1,250,769 | |
The capital improvements of $50.5 million relate to exhaust gas cleaning systems ("EGCS" or "scrubbers") and ballast water treatment systems ("BWTS") installed on thirteen vessels during the nine months ended September 30, 2020.
During the nine months ended September 30, 2020, seven 4,100 TEU container vessels, previously recorded as operating lease assets, were reclassified as sales-type leases. The reclassification occurred as a result of amendments including extensions to the existing charter contracts. The cost and accumulated depreciation of the vessels reclassified from vessels and equipment to investment in sales-type leases were $87.6 million and $20.4 million, respectively. (Refer to Note 8: Investment in sales-type leases, direct financing leases and leaseback assets.)
During the nine months ended September 30, 2020, the Company disposed of four offshore support vessels (Sea Cheetah, Sea Jaguar, Sea Halibut and Sea Pike). A net gain of $0.9 million was recorded in connection with the disposal of these vessels. Refer to Note 2: Gain on sale of assets and termination of charters.
An impairment charge of $80.3 million was recorded in the nine months ended September 30, 2020 against the carrying value of seven Handysize bulk carriers (nine months ended September 30, 2019: $25.0 million against the carrying value of two feeder container vessels). The impairment charge arose in the nine months ended September 30, 2020, as a result of revised future cashflow estimates following uncertainty over future demand combined with negative implications for global trade of dry bulk commodities as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak.
7.VESSELS UNDER FINANCE LEASE, NET
Movements in the nine months ended September 30, 2020 summarized as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | |
(in thousands of $) | Cost | Accumulated Depreciation | Vessels under Finance Lease, net |
Balance at December 31, 2019 | 755,058 | | (40,582) | | 714,476 | |
Depreciation | — | | (29,591) | | (29,591) | |
| | | |
Capital improvements | 22,499 | | — | | 22,499 | |
| | | |
| | | |
Balance at September 30, 2020 | 777,557 | | (70,173) | | 707,384 | |
As at September 30, 2020 seven vessels were accounted for as vessels under finance lease, which consist of of four 13,800 TEU container vessels and three 10,600 TEU container vessels.
The capital improvements of $22.5 million relate to the installation of scrubbers and BWTS in respect of three container vessels.
8. INVESTMENTS IN SALES-TYPE LEASES, DIRECT FINANCING LEASES AND LEASEBACK ASSETS
As at September 30, 2020 the Company had a total of thirty-one vessel charters accounted for as sales-type and direct financing leases (December 31, 2019: twenty-six vessels) and five vessel charters classified as leaseback assets (December 31, 2019: six vessels).
Investments in sales-type and direct financing leases
The VLCC Front Hakata was sold to an unrelated third party in February 2020. A gain on sale of $1.4 million was recognized in the Consolidated Statement of Operations (refer to Note 2: Gain on sale of assets and termination of charters and Note 16: Related party transactions).
In February 2020, the Company entered into a Memorandum of Agreement to sell the offshore support vessel Sea Leopard for recycling to Green Yard AS, an unrelated third party. The vessel was delivered in May 2020. The Company recorded an impairment loss of $0.2 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2020 prior to disposal and a loss on sale of $0.03 million was recognized in the Consolidated Statement of Operations (refer to Note 2: Gain on sale of assets and termination of charters and Note 16: Related party transaction).
During the nine months ended September 30, 2020, seven 4,100 TEU container vessels, with a total net book value of $67.2 million, were reclassified from Vessels and Equipment net, to Investment in Sales-Type Leases. The reclassification occurred as a result of amendments to the existing charter contracts. Pursuant to each amended contract, the charterer has a fixed price purchase obligation at the expiry of the additional five year charter period. (Refer to Note 6: Vessels and equipment, net).
Investments in leaseback assets
When a sale and leaseback transaction does not qualify for sale accounting, the Company does not recognize the transferred vessels and instead accounts for the purchase as a leaseback asset.
In May 2020, SFL acquired a newbuild very large crude carrier ("VLCC") from Landbridge Universal Limited ("Landbridge") where control was not deemed to have passed to the Company due to the existence of repurchase options in the lease on acquisition and therefore was classified as a leaseback asset. Upon delivery, the vessel immediately commenced a seven year bareboat charter back to Landbridge. The charterer has purchase options throughout the term of the charters and there is a purchase obligation at the end of the seven year period.
In 2019, SFL acquired six vessels which were classified as 'leaseback assets'. These were comprised of three second-hand feeder size container vessels, which were acquired in a purchase and leaseback transaction with subsidiaries of Mediterranean Shipping Company S.A. ("MSC"). The vessels were chartered back for approximately six years on a bareboat basis. The charterer has purchase options throughout the term of the charters and the Company has a put option at the end of the six year period. The three other vessels were newbuilding VLCCs, which were acquired from an affiliate of Hunter Group ASA ("Hunter Group") and leased back to the Hunter Group on five year bareboat charters.
In June 2020, SFL were notified by the Hunter Group that they would exercise purchase options on two VLCCs which were subsequently delivered in August 2020. Net proceeds of $117.8 million were received and debt of $95.0 million repaid. (Refer to Note 2: Gain on sale of assets.)
The following lists the components of investments in sales-type leases, direct financing leases and leaseback assets as at September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019:
| | | | | | | | | | | |
(in thousands of $) | September 30, 2020 |
| Sales-Type Leases and Direct Financing Leases | Leaseback Assets | Total |
Total minimum lease payments to be received | 1,006,958 | | 112,783 | | 1,119,741 | |
Less: amounts representing estimated executory costs including profit thereon, included in total minimum lease payments | (42,354) | | — | | (42,354) | |
Net minimum lease payments receivable | 964,604 | | 112,783 | | 1,077,387 | |
Estimated residual values of leased property (un-guaranteed) | 209,621 | | 78,000 | | 287,621 | |
Less: unearned income | (383,698) | | (44,044) | | (427,742) | |
Total investment in sales-type lease, direct financing lease and leaseback assets | 790,527 | | 146,739 | | 937,266 | |
| | | |
| | | |
Allowance for expected credit losses* | (3,163) | | (356) | | (3,519) | |
Total investment in sales-type lease, direct financing lease and leaseback assets | 787,364 | | 146,383 | | 933,747 | |
Current portion | 51,995 | | 12,334 | | 64,329 | |
Long-term portion | 735,369 | | 134,049 | | 869,418 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
(in thousands of $) | December 31, 2019 |
| Sales-Type Leases and Direct Financing Leases | Leaseback Assets | Total |
Total minimum lease payments to be received | 1,085,642 | | 134,073 | | 1,219,715 | |
Less: amounts representing estimated executory costs including profit thereon, included in total minimum lease payments | (64,222) | | — | | (64,222) | |
Net minimum lease payments receivable | 1,021,420 | | 134,073 | | 1,155,493 | |
Estimated residual values of leased property (un-guaranteed) | 192,429 | | 139,500 | | 331,929 | |
Less: unearned income | (427,251) | | (65,784) | | (493,035) | |
Total investment in sales-type lease, direct financing lease and leaseback assets | 786,598 | | 207,789 | | 994,387 | |
| | | |
| | | |
Allowance for expected credit losses* | — | | — | | — | |
Total investment in sales-type lease, direct financing lease and leaseback assets | 786,598 | | 207,789 | | 994,387 | |
Current portion | 45,361 | | 10,828 | | 56,189 | |
Long-term portion | 741,237 | | 196,961 | | 938,198 | |
*See Note 1: Interim financial data and Note 17: Allowance for expected credit losses.
9. INVESTMENTS AND DEFICIT IN ASSOCIATED COMPANIES
The Company has certain wholly-owned subsidiaries which are accounted for using the equity method, as it has been determined under ASC 810 that they are variable interest entities in which SFL is not the primary beneficiary.
At September 30, 2020, September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2019 the Company had the following participation in investments that were recorded using the equity method:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| September 30, 2020 | | September 30, 2019 | | December 31, 2019 |
SFL Deepwater Ltd (“SFL Deepwater”) | 100 | % | | 100 | % | | 100 | % |
SFL Hercules Ltd (“SFL Hercules”) | 100 | % | | 100 | % | | 100 | % |
SFL Linus Ltd (“SFL Linus”) | 100 | % | | 100 | % | | 100 | % |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
Summarized balance sheet information of the Company’s wholly-owned equity method investees is as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| As of September 30, 2020 |
(in thousands of $) | TOTAL | | | SFL Deepwater | | SFL Hercules | | SFL Linus |
Current assets | 73,295 | | | | 35,102 | | | 20,300 | | | 17,893 | |
Non-current assets | 849,261 | | | | 242,200 | | | 259,652 | | | 347,409 | |
Total assets | 922,556 | | | | 277,302 | | | 279,952 | | | 365,302 | |
Current liabilities | 391,994 | | | | 182,815 | | | 190,703 | | | 18,476 | |
Non-current liabilities | 512,298 | | | | 113,000 | | | 78,334 | | | 320,964 | |
Total liabilities | 904,292 | | | | 295,815 | | | 269,037 | | | 339,440 | |
Total stockholders’ equity/(deficit) | 18,264 | | | | (18,513) | | | 10,915 | | | 25,862 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| As of December 31, 2019 |
(in thousands of $) | TOTAL | | | SFL Deepwater | | SFL Hercules | | SFL Linus |
Current assets | 75,079 | | | | 29,047 | | | 22,645 | | | 23,387 | |
Non-current assets | 920,801 | | | | 286,222 | | | 273,621 | | | 360,958 | |
Total assets | 995,880 | | | | 315,269 | | | 296,266 | | | 384,345 | |
Current liabilities | 65,832 | | | | 19,168 | | | 20,761 | | | 25,903 | |
Non-current liabilities | 887,887 | | | | 285,147 | | | 265,769 | | | 336,971 | |
Total liabilities | 953,719 | | | | 304,315 | | | 286,530 | | | 362,874 | |
Total stockholders’ equity | 42,161 | | | | 10,954 | | | 9,736 | | | 21,471 | |
Summarized statement of operations information of the Company’s wholly-owned equity method investees is as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Nine months ended September 30, 2020 |
(in thousands of $) | TOTAL | | | SFL Deepwater | | SFL Hercules | | SFL Linus |
Operating revenues | 40,560 | | | | 11,834 | | | 11,650 | | | 17,076 | |
Net operating revenues | 40,560 | | | | 11,834 | | | 11,650 | | | 17,076 | |
Net income/(loss) | 3,128 | | | | (5,974) | | | 2,995 | | | 6,107 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Nine months ended September 30, 2019 |
(in thousands of $) | TOTAL | | | SFL Deepwater | | SFL Hercules | | SFL Linus |
Operating revenues | 49,013 | | | | 14,488 | | | 14,044 | | | 20,481 | |
Net operating revenues | 49,013 | | | | 14,488 | | | 14,044 | | | 20,481 | |
Net income | 13,136 | | | | 3,274 | | | 2,955 | | | 6,907 | |
SFL Deepwater, SFL Hercules and SFL Linus each own drilling units which have been leased to subsidiaries of Seadrill Limited (“Seadrill”), a related party. Because the main assets of SFL Deepwater, SFL Hercules and SFL Linus are the subject of leases which each include both fixed price call options and a fixed price purchase obligation or put option, it has been determined that these subsidiaries of SFL are variable interest entities in which SFL is not the primary beneficiary.
As required by ASU 2016-13 'Financial Instruments - Credit Losses' from January 2020, SFL Deepwater, SFL Hercules and SFL Linus recognized an allowance for expected credit losses in respect of their principal financial assets: 'Investment in direct financing leases' and 'Related party receivable balances', held at the reporting date, which are within the scope of the ASU. Movements in the nine months ended September 30, 2020 in the allowance for expected credit losses can be summarized as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
(in thousands of $) | TOTAL | SFL Deepwater | | SFL Hercules | | SFL Linus |
Balance at December 31, 2019 | — | | — | | | — | | | — | |
Adjustment for adoption of the ASU 2016-13 (Note 1) | 27,024 | | 23,493 | | | 1,816 | | | 1,715 | |
Allowance recorded in net income | 10,710 | | 9,471 | | | 566 | | | 673 | |
Balance at September 30, 2020 | 37,734 | | 32,964 | | | 2,382 | | | 2,388 | |
As indicated in Note 1: 'Interim Financial Data', the allowance for expected credit losses is based on an analysis of factors including the credit rating assigned to the lessee, Seadrill, management's assessment of current and expected conditions in the offshore drilling market and calculated collateral exposure. SFL Deepwater has a significantly higher allowance for expected credit losses due to calculated collateral exposure.
Each subsidiary has entered into a term loan and revolving credit facility as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Nine months ended September 30, 2020 |
(in thousands of $) | TOTAL | | | SFL Deepwater | | SFL Hercules | | SFL Linus |
Loan balance outstanding | 585,893 | | | | 176,090 | | | 189,808 | | | 219,995 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Amount guaranteed by SFL | 285,529 | | | | 84,697 | | | 83,059 | | | 117,773 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Year ended December 31, 2019 |
(in thousands of $) | TOTAL | | | SFL Deepwater | | SFL Hercules | | SFL Linus |
Loan balance outstanding | 621,907 | | | | 187,916 | | | 201,923 | | | 232,068 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Amount guaranteed by SFL | 266,114 | | | | 84,697 | | | 78,947 | | | 102,470 | |
In the nine months ended September 30, 2020, the nine months ended September 30, 2019 and the year ended December 31, 2019, SFL Deepwater, SFL Hercules and SFL Linus did not pay any dividends.
SFL Deepwater, SFL Hercules and SFL Linus have loan facilities for which SFL provides limited guarantees, as indicated above. These loan facilities contain financial covenants with which both SFL and Seadrill's Rig Holding Company Limited (“RigCo”) must comply. RigCo, acts as guarantor for the obligations under the leases for the three drilling units, on a subordinated basis to the senior secured lenders in Seadrill and new secured notes. Seadrill was technically in default on its leases with the Company at September 30, 2020 as well as on certain credit facilities with other lenders. Therefore, due to the applicable cross default provisions, SFL Deepwater, SFL Hercules and SFL Linus were in default on their loan agreements. However revisions have been made for the loans in respect of SFL Deepwater and SFL Linus subsequent to quarter end, which revisions have remedied the defaults on the loans in respect of these two entities. (See Note 19: Subsequent Events.) Due to the technical default on the loan agreements, the balance of the long term loans in SFL Deepwater and SFL Hercules have been reclassified to short-term in the summarized balance sheet information presented above.
Seadrill has publicly disclosed that they have appointed financial and legal advisors to evaluate comprehensive restructuring alternatives to reduce debt service costs and overall indebtedness. Seadrill has also disclosed that it is currently engaged in discussions with its financial stakeholders with regards to a comprehensive restructuring of its balance sheet, and that such a restructuring may involve the use of a court-supervised process. (See Note 19: Subsequent Events.) Any agreed changes to the provisions of their leases with SFL Deepwater, SFL Hercules and SFL Linus could lead to a change in the determination that SFL is not the primary beneficiary, which could result in the Company consolidating these entities. Changes to lease terms may also result in changes to accounting treatment of an asset. A reclassification to ‘Vessels and Equipment’ from ‘Direct Financing Leases’ may result in changes to accounting treatment, including but not limited to, presentation and recognition of revenues, credit loss provisions as required under ASU 2016-13, depreciation and impairment charges in accordance with ASC Topic 360 Property Plant and Equipment.
10.OTHER LONG TERM ASSETS
Other long term assets comprise of the following items:
| | | | | | | | |
(in thousands of $) | September 30, 2020 | December 31, 2019 |
Collateral deposits on swap agreements | 14,108 | | 17,520 | |
Capital improvements in progress | 6,876 | | 30,642 | |
Value of acquired charter-out contracts, net | 11,233 | | 13,407 | |
Long term receivables | 1,880 | | 1,880 | |
Other | 974 | | 799 | |
Allowance for expected credit losses* | (14) | | — | |
Total Other Long Term Assets | 35,057 | | 64,248 | |
*See Note 1: Interim financial data and Note 17: Allowance for expected credit losses.
Collateral deposits exist on our interest rate, cross currency interest rate and currency swaps. Further amounts may be called upon during the term of the swaps, if interest rates or currency rates move adversely.
Capital improvements in progress comprise of advances paid and costs incurred in respect of vessel upgrades in relation to EGCS and BWTS on 14 vessels (2019: nine vessels). This is recorded in other long term assets until such time as the equipment is installed on a vessel, at which point it is transferred to "Vessels and equipment, net" or "Investment in sales-type leases and direct financing leases'. In the nine months ended September 30, 2020, the Company transferred costs of $50.5 million in respect of 13 vessels to "Vessels and equipment, net" and $22.5 million in respect of three vessels recorded as "Vessels under finance lease, net."
During 2018, the Company purchased four container vessels, Thalassa Mana, Thalassa Tyhi, Thalassa Doxa and Thalassa Axia
with each vessel subject to pre-existing time charters. A value of $18.0 million was assigned to these charters on acquisition. During the nine months ended September 30, 2020 the amortization charged to time charter revenue was $2.2 million (Nine months ended September 30, 2019: $2.2 million).
11.SHORT-TERM AND LONG-TERM DEBT
| | | | | | | | | | | |
(in thousands of $) | September 30, 2020 | | December 31, 2019 |
Long-term debt: | | | |
5.75% senior unsecured convertible notes due 2021 | 212,230 | | | 212,230 | |
NOK500 million senior unsecured floating rate bonds due 2020 | — | | | 56,910 | |
4.875% senior unsecured convertible notes due 2023 | 141,900 | | | 148,300 | |
NOK700 million senior unsecured floating rate bonds due 2023 | 74,788 | | | 79,674 | |
NOK700 million senior unsecured floating rate bonds due 2024 | 74,254 | | | 79,674 | |
NOK600 million senior unsecured floating rate bonds due 2025 | 57,694 | | | — | |
Borrowings secured by Frontline shares | 15,639 | | | 36,763 | |
Total Fixed Rate and Foreign Debt | 576,505 | | | 613,551 | |
U.S. dollar denominated floating rate debt (LIBOR plus margin) due through 2025 | 922,416 | | | 1,013,626 | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
Total debt principal | 1,498,921 | | | 1,627,177 | |
Less: Unamortized debt issuance costs | (15,995) | | | (19,089) | |
Less: Current portion of long-term debt | (299,723) | | | (253,059) | |
Total long-term debt | 1,183,203 | | | 1,355,029 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
(in thousands of $) | | | | | | |
| | | Fixed Rate and Foreign Debt | | U.S. Dollar Floating Rate Debt | | Total debt principal |
Balance at | December 31, 2019 | | 613,551 | | | 1,013,626 | | | 1,627,177 | |
Drawdowns | | 67,231 | | | 280,000 | | | 347,231 | |
Repayments and redemptions | | (87,278) | | | (371,210) | | | (458,488) | |
Effects of foreign exchange | | (16,999) | | | — | | | (16,999) | |
Balance at | September 30, 2020 | | 576,505 | | | 922,416 | | | 1,498,921 | |
Interest rate information
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| September 30, 2020 | | December 31, 2019 |
Weighted average interest rate | 2.72 | % | | 4.27 | % |
US Dollar London Interbank Offered Rate ("LIBOR") | 0.23 | % | | 1.91 | % |
Norwegian Interbank Offered Rate (" NIBOR") | 0.28 | % | | 1.84 | % |
The weighted average interest rate is for floating rate debt denominated in U.S. dollars and Norwegian kroner (“NOK”) which takes into consideration the effect of related interest rate swaps.
New Facilities, Renewals and Redemptions
Fixed Rate and Foreign Debt
Redemptions between January 1, 2020 and September 30, 2020
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Bond | In Millions of NOK | | In Millions of USD |
NOK500 million senior unsecured floating rate bonds due 2020 | 500.0 | | |
NOK700 million senior unsecured floating rate bonds due 2024 | 5.0 | | |
NOK600 million senior unsecured floating rate bonds due 2025 | 60.0 | | |
4.875% senior unsecured convertible notes due 2023 | | | 6.4 |
During the nine months ended September 30, 2020 the Company recorded a gain of $1.1 million on the repurchase of fixed rate and foreign debt recorded in 'Gain on repurchase of bonds and extinguishment of debt'. During the nine months ended September 30, 2019 a gain of $1.8 million was recorded in respect of the repurchases of $3.4 million of its 4.875% senior unsecured convertible notes due 2023 and $11.0 million of the $101.4 million secured term loan facility for $9.4 million.
New Facilities
NOK600 million senior unsecured bonds due 2025
In January 2020, the Company issued a senior unsecured bond totaling NOK600 million (equivalent to $67.2 million) in the Nordic credit market. The bonds bear quarterly interest at NIBOR plus a margin and are redeemable in full on January 21, 2025. Since issue, the Company repurchased NOK60 million, the net amount outstanding at September 30, 2020 was NOK540 million, equivalent to $57.7 million.
U.S. Dollar Floating Rate Debt
New facilities entered into between January 1, 2020 and September 30, 2020
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Name of facility | Month drawn down | Number of wholly owned subsidiaries entering into the facility | Term | Balance outstanding at period end ($ millions) |
$40 million secured term loan facility | March | two | 2 years | 38.0 |
$15 million secured term loan facility | March | three | 5 years | 13.5 |
$175 million secured term loan facility | April | four | 5 years | 170.3 |
$50 million secured term loan facility | May | one | 5 years | 49.3 |
Except for the $50 million facility, the Company has provided corporate guarantees either limited or full, for the above facilities, which bear interest at LIBOR plus a margin.
Facilities redeemed between January 1, 2020 and September 30, 2020
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Name of facility | Original drawn down | Number of wholly owned subsidiaries that had entered into the facility | Original Term | Balance redeemed ($ millions) |
$128 million secured term loan facility | Sept 2014 | two | 7 years | 81.8 |
$128 million secured term loan facility | Nov 2014 | two | 7 years | 83.9 |
$42.6 million secured term loan facility | March 2015 | one | 5 years | 14.9 |
$42.6 million secured term loan facility | March 2015 | one | 5 years | 14.9 |
$142.5 million secured term loan facility | Sept 2019 | three | 5 years | 95.0 |
Agreements related to long-term debt provide limitations on the amount of total borrowings and secured debt, and acceleration of payment under certain circumstances, including failure to satisfy certain financial covenants. As of September 30, 2020 the Company was in compliance with all of the covenants under its long-term debt facilities.
Borrowings secured on Frontline shares
As at December 31, 2019, the Company had a forward contract to repurchase 3.4 million shares of Frontline which expired in June 2020 for $36.8 million. The transaction was accounted for as a secured borrowing, with the shares transferred to 'Marketable securities pledged to creditors' and a liability of $36.8 million recorded within debt at December 31, 2019. During the nine months ended September 30, 2020 the Company repurchased 2.0 million shares subject to the forward contact and repaid $21.1 million of the secured borrowing.
As at September 30, 2020, the Company had a forward contract which expires in January of 2021, to repurchase 1.4 million shares of Frontline at a repurchase price of $16.1 million including accrued interest. The transaction has been accounted for as a secured borrowing, with the shares transferred to 'Marketable securities pledged to creditors' and a liability of $15.6 million recorded within debt at September 30, 2020. The Company is required to post collateral of 20% of the total repurchase price plus any negative mark to market movement from the repurchase price for the duration of the agreement. As at September 30, 2020 $8.6 million (December 31, 2019: $3.5 million) was held as collateral and recorded as restricted cash.
12.FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
The following table presents the fair values of the Company’s derivative instruments that were designated as cash flow hedges and qualified as part of a hedging relationship, and those that were not designated:
| | | | | | | | | | | |
(in thousands of $) | September 30, 2020 | | December 31, 2019 |
Designated derivative instruments - short-term assets: | | | |
Interest rate swaps | — | | | 520 | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
Total derivative instruments - short-term assets | — | | | 520 | |
| | | |
Designated derivative instruments - long-term assets: | | | |
Interest rate swaps | — | | | 377 | |
Cross currency interest rate swaps | — | | | 189 | |
Non-designated derivative instruments - long-term assets: | | | |
Interest rate swaps | — | | | 2,913 | |
| | | |
Total derivative instruments - long-term assets | — | | | 3,479 | |
| | | |
(in thousands of $) | September 30, 2020 | | December 31, 2019 |
Designated derivative instruments - short-term liabilities: | | | |
Interest rate swaps | 1,208 | | | 6,067 | |
| | | |
Non-designated derivative instruments - short-term liabilities: | | | |
Interest rate swaps | 1,213 | | | — | |
| | | |
Total derivative instruments - short-term liabilities | 2,421 | | | 6,067 | |
| | | |
Designated derivative instruments - long-term liabilities: | | | |
Interest rate swaps | 8,799 | | | 5,477 | |
Cross currency interest rate swaps | 10,558 | | | 2,105 | |
Cross currency swaps | 20,263 | | | 11,049 | |
Non-designated derivative instruments - long-term liabilities: | | | |
Interest rate swaps | 16,473 | | | 1,948 | |
| | | |
Cross currency swaps | 51 | | | — | |
Total derivative instruments - long-term liabilities | 56,144 | | | 20,579 | |
Interest rate risk management
The Company manages its debt portfolio with interest rate swap agreements denominated in U.S. dollars and Norwegian kroner to achieve an overall desired position of fixed and floating interest rates.
The following new interest rate swaps were entered into during the nine months ended September 30, 2020.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Notional Principal (in thousands of $) | Inception date | Maturity date | Fixed interest rate | |
$67,500 (remaining at $67,500) | January 2020 | January 2025 | 1.40 | % | |
$166,941 (reducing to $163,359) | April 2020 | October 2024 - January 2025 | 0.46% - 0.47% | |
$49,305 (remaining at $49,305) | May 2020 | May 2022 | 0.28 | % | |
During the nine months ended September 30, 2020, the Company settled interest rate swaps with a total notional principal amount of $124.3 million following the refinancing of two debt facilities. (See Note 4: Other Financial Items.)
At September 30, 2020, the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries had entered into interest rate swap transactions, involving the payment of fixed and floating rates in exchange for LIBOR or NIBOR. The total net notional principal amount subject to interest rate swap agreements as at September 30, 2020, was $1.2 billion (December 31, 2019: $1.0 billion).
Foreign currency risk management
The Company is party to currency swap transactions, involving the payment of U.S. dollars in exchange for Norwegian kroner, which are designated as hedges against the NOK700 million, NOK700 million and NOK600million senior unsecured bonds due 2023, 2024 and 2025 respectively.
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Principal Receivable | Principal Payable | Inception date | Maturity date |
| | | |
| | | |
NOK600 million | US$76.8 million | September 2018 | September 2023 |
NOK100 million | US$11.3 million | August 2019 | September 2023 |
NOK700 million | US$80.5 million | June 2019 | June 2024 |
NOK600 million | US$67.5 million | January 2020 | January 2025 |
Apart from NOK700 million, NOK700 million and NOK600 million senior unsecured bonds due 2023, 2024 and 2025, respectively, the majority of the Company’s transactions, assets and liabilities are denominated in U.S. dollars, the functional currency of the Company. Other than the corresponding currency swap transactions summarized above, the Company has not entered into forward contracts for either transaction or translation risk. Accordingly, there is a risk that currency fluctuations could have an adverse effect on the Company’s cash flows, financial condition and results of operations.
Fair Values
The carrying value and estimated fair value of the Company’s financial assets and liabilities at September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019 are as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| September 30, 2020 | | September 30, 2020 | | December 31, 2019 | | December 31, 2019 |
(in thousands of $) | Carrying value | | Fair value | | Carrying value | | Fair value |
Non-derivatives: | | | | | | | |
Available-for-sale debt securities | 15,216 | | | 15,216 | | | 12,753 | | | 12,753 | |
Equity securities | 8,340 | | | 8,340 | | | 17,551 | | | 17,551 | |
Equity securities pledged to creditors | 9,412 | | | 9,412 | | | 43,775 | | | 43,775 | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
Floating rate NOK bonds due 2020 | — | | | — | | | (56,910) | | | (58,191) | |
Floating rate NOK bonds due 2023 | (74,788) | | | (73,105) | | | (79,674) | | | (81,567) | |
Floating rate NOK bonds due 2024 | (74,254) | | | (69,984) | | | (79,674) | | | (79,674) | |
Floating rate NOK bonds due 2025 | (57,694) | | | (53,655) | | | — | | | — | |
| | | | | | | |
5.75% unsecured convertible notes due 2021 | (212,230) | | | (210,002) | | | (212,230) | | | (227,025) | |
4.875% unsecured convertible notes due 2023 | (141,900) | | | (129,661) | | | (148,300) | | | (165,503) | |
| | | | | | | |
Derivatives: | | | | | | | |
Interest rate/currency swap contracts - short-term receivables | — | | | — | | | 520 | | | 520 | |
Interest rate/currency swap contracts - long-term receivables | — | | | — | | | 3,479 | | | 3,479 | |
Interest rate/currency swap contracts - short-term payables | (2,421) | | | (2,421) | | | (6,067) | | | (6,067) | |
Interest rate/currency swap contracts - long-term payables | (56,144) | | | (56,144) | | | (20,579) | | | (20,579) | |
In accordance with the accounting policy relating to interest rate and currency swaps described in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2019, and following the adoption of ASU 2017-12, where the Company has designated the swaps as a hedges, changes in the fair values of the rate swaps are recognized in other comprehensive income. Changes in the fair value of other swaps not designated as hedges are recognized in the Consolidated Statement of Operations.
The fair values of financial assets and liabilities as at September 30, 2020, were measured as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | Fair value measurements using, |
(in thousands of $) | September 30, 2020 | | Quoted Prices in Active Markets for identical Assets/Liabilities (Level 1) | | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) | | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) |
Assets: | | | | | | | |
Available-for-sale debt securities | 15,216 | | | 15,216 | | | | | |
Equity securities | 8,340 | | | 8,340 | | | | | |
Equity securities pledged to creditors | 9,412 | | | 9,412 | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
Total assets | 32,968 | | | 32,968 | | | — | | | — | |
Liabilities: | | | | | | | |
Floating rate NOK bonds due 2023 | (73,105) | | | (73,105) | | | | | |
Floating rate NOK bonds due 2024 | (69,984) | | | (69,984) | | | | | |
Floating rate NOK bonds due 2025 | (53,655) | | | (53,655) | | | | | |
5.75% unsecured convertible notes due 2021 | (210,002) | | | (210,002) | | | | | |
4.875% unsecured convertible notes due 2023 | (129,661) | | | (129,661) | | | | | |
Interest rate/currency swap contracts - short-term payables | (2,421) | | | | | (2,421) | | | |
Interest rate/currency swap contracts - long-term payables | (56,144) | | | | | (56,144) | | | |
Total liabilities | (594,972) | | | (536,407) | | | (58,565) | | | — | |
ASC Topic 820 "Fair Value Measurement and Disclosures" ("ASC 820") emphasizes that fair value is a market-based measurement, not an entity-specific measurement, and should be determined based on the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. As a basis for considering market participant assumptions in fair value measurements, ASC 820 establishes a fair value hierarchy that distinguishes between market participant assumptions based on market data obtained from sources independent of the reporting entity (observable inputs that are classified within levels one and two of the hierarchy) and the reporting entity's own assumptions about market participant assumptions (unobservable inputs classified within level three of the hierarchy).
Level 1 inputs utilize unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the Company has the ability to access. Level 2 inputs are inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. Level 2 inputs may include quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, as well as inputs that are observable for the asset or liability, other than quoted prices, such as interest rates, foreign exchange rates and yield curves that are observable at commonly quoted intervals. Level 3 inputs are unobservable inputs for the assets or liabilities, which typically are based on an entity's own assumptions, as there is little, if any, related market activity. In instances where the determination of the fair value measurement is based on inputs from different levels of the fair value hierarchy, the level in the fair value hierarchy within which the entire fair value measurement falls is based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety. The Company's assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement in its entirety requires judgment, and considers factors specific to the asset or liability.
Investments in equity securities consist of (i) Listed Frontline shares (ii) NorAm Drilling shares traded in the Norwegian OTC market and (iii) ADS Crude Carriers shares traded on the Merkur Market, whilst the investments in available-for-sale debt securities consist of listed and unlisted corporate bonds. The estimated fair value of the debt and equity securities consists of their aggregate market value as at the balance sheet date.
The estimated fair values of the floating rate NOK denominated bonds due 2023, 2024 and 2025, the 5.75% and 4.875% unsecured convertible notes due 2021 and 2023 are all based on their quoted market prices as at the balance sheet date.
The estimated fair value of interest rate and currency swap contracts is calculated using a well-established independent valuation technique applied to contracted cash flows and LIBOR or NIBOR interest rates as at September 30, 2020.
Concentrations of risk
There is a concentration of credit risk with respect to cash and cash equivalents to the extent that most of the amounts are carried with DNB Bank, Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken, ABN AMRO Bank, Nordea Bank, Danske Bank, BNP Paribas, Credit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank and Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation. However, the Company believes this risk is remote.
There is also a concentration of revenue risk with the below customers to whom the Company has chartered multiple vessels.
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Charterer | Number of Vessels chartered at September 30, 2020 | % of consolidated operating revenues (Nine months ended September 30, 2020) | % of consolidated operating revenues (Nine months ended September 30, 2019) | |
| | | | |
Golden Ocean Group Limited (“Golden Ocean”)* | 8 | 11 | % | 11 | % | |
MSC | 39 | 13 | % | 14 | % | |
Maersk Line A/S (“Maersk”) | 12 | 29 | % | 31 | % | |
Evergreen | 4 | 15 | % | 14 | % | |
* Additionally see Note 16: Related party transactions.
In addition, a significant portion of our net (loss)/income is generated from our associated companies that lease rigs to subsidiaries of Seadrill. In the nine months ended September 30, 2020, income from our associated companies accounted for approximately 23% of our consolidated net loss (nine months ended September 30, 2019: 36% of our consolidated net income). (See also Note 9: Investments and Deficit in Associated Companies). Seadrill has publicly disclosed that they have appointed financial and legal advisors to evaluate comprehensive restructuring alternatives to reduce debt service costs and overall indebtedness. Seadrill has also disclosed that it is currently engaged in discussions with its financial stakeholders with regards to a comprehensive restructuring of its balance sheet, and that such a restructuring may involve the use of a court-supervised process. In the second quarter of 2020, Seadrill contacted the Company to commence discussions with regards to the leases on the three drilling units.
SFL is currently in negotiations with Seadrill for entrance into a forbearance agreement in respect of the leasing arrangements of the Company's three drilling rigs. These rigs are owned by SFL Deepwater, SFL Hercules and SFL Linus, which are wholly-owned subsidiaries of the Company that are accounted for using the equity method. These discussions are ongoing and no agreements to any changes have been made. Please see Note 19: Subsequent Events for additional discussion of the leases and certain amendments to the financing agreements relating to these drilling rigs.
As discussed in Note 18: Commitments and contingent liabilities, the Company guaranteed a total of $285.5 million at September 30, 2020 (December 31, 2019: $266.1 million) of the bank debt in these companies and had an outstanding receivable balance on loans granted by the Company to these associated companies totaling $313.3 million at September 30, 2020 (December 31, 2019: $326.1 million).
13.SHARE CAPITAL, ADDITIONAL PAID-IN CAPITAL AND CONTRIBUTED SURPLUS
Authorized share capital is as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | |
(in thousands of $, except share data) | September 30, 2020 | | December 31, 2019 |
300,000,000 common shares of $0.01 par value each (December 31, 2019: 200,000,000 shares of $0.01 par value each) | 3,000 | | | 2,000 | |
Issued and fully paid share capital is as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | |
(in thousands of $, except share data) | September 30, 2020 | | December 31, 2019 |
120,906,872 common shares of $0.01 par value each (December 31, 2019: 119,391,310 shares of $0.01 par value each) | 1,209 | | | 1,194 | |
The Company’s common shares are listed on the New York Stock Exchange.
On May 1, 2020, SFL filed a registration statement to register the sale of up to 10,000,000 Common Shares pursuant to the dividend reinvestment plan, or DRIP to facilitate investments by individual and institutional shareholders who wish to invest dividend payments received on shares owned or other cash amounts, in the Company's Common Shares on a regular basis, one time basis or otherwise. If certain waiver provisions in the DRIP are requested and granted pursuant to the terms of the plan, SFL may grant additional share sales to investors from time to time up to the amount registered under the plan. On May 20, 2020, the Company declared a dividend of $0.25 per share, with an ex-dividend date of June 17, 2020. On August 18, 2020, the Company declared a dividend of $0.25 per share, with an ex-dividend date of September 16, 2020.
In May 2020, the Company entered into an equity distribution agreement with BTIG LLC ("BTIG") under which SFL may, from time to time, offer and sell new ordinary shares having aggregate sales proceeds of up to $100.0 million through an At-the-Market Sales Agreement offering ('ATM').
During the nine months ended September 30, 2020, the Company issued and sold 1.5 million shares under these arrangements, total proceeds of $15.2 million net of costs were received, resulting in a premium on issue of $15.1 million.
At the Annual General Meeting of the Company held in August 2020, a resolution was passed to approve an increase of the Company’s authorized share capital from $2,000,000 equivalent to 200,000,000 common shares of $0.01 par value each to $3,000,000 equivalent to $300,000,000 common shares of $0.01 par value each by the authorization of an additional 100,000,000 common shares of $0.01 par value each.
During the nine months ended September 30, 2020, the Company issued a total of 6,869 new shares following the exercise of share options (2019: 18,246 new shares were issued). The weighted average exercise price was $8.63 per share.
During the nine months ended September 30, 2020, the Company repurchased its 4.875% senior unsecured convertible notes due 2023 with principal amounts totaling $6.4 million (2019: $3.4 million). The equity component of these extinguished notes was valued at $0.1 million (2019: $0.2 million) and has been deducted from "Additional paid-in capital".
During the nine months ended September 30, 2020, $92.2 million of the dividend declared was paid from contributed surplus (2019: $31.9 million).
14.SHARE OPTION PLAN
In November 2006, the Board of Directors approved the Company's Share Option Scheme (the "Option Scheme"). The Option Scheme will expire in November 2026, following the renewal in November 2016. The terms and conditions remain unchanged from those originally adopted in November 2006 and permit the Board of Directors, at its discretion, to grant options to employees, officers and directors of the Company or its subsidiaries. The fair value cost of options granted is recognized in the statement of operations, and the corresponding amount is credited to additional paid-in capital. In the nine months ended September 30, 2020, additional paid-in capital was credited with $0.7 million relating to the fair value of options granted in April 2018, January 2019 and March 2019 and March 2020.
In the nine months ended September 30, 2020, 17,500 options were exercised into 6,869 shares under the Option Scheme.
In February 2020, the Company awarded a total of 350,000 options to officers, employees and directors, pursuant to the Company's Share Option Scheme. The options have a five year term and a three year vesting period and the first options will be exercisable from March 2021 onwards. The initial strike price was $13.45 per share.
Total unrecognized compensation cost relating to the outstanding options under the Company's Option Scheme was $0.9 million as at September 30, 2020 (December 31, 2019: $0.8 million).
15.FINANCE LEASE LIABILITY
As of September 30, 2020 the Company chartered-in four container vessels which are on long-term charter from a Chinese Leasing Institution (December 31, 2019: four) and seven container vessels under sale and leaseback transactions with an Asia based financial institution (December 31, 2019: seven). The four container vessels are accounted for as investments in direct financing leases (refer to Note 8: Investments in sale-type leases, direct financing leases and leaseback assets), and the seven vessels are accounted for as vessels under finance lease (refer to Note 7: Vessels under finance lease, net).
| | | | | | | | | | | |
(in thousands of $) | September 30, 2020 | | December 31, 2019 |
Finance lease liability, current portion | 72,140 | | | 68,874 | |
Finance lease liability, long-term portion | 984,719 | | | 1,037,553 | |
| 1,056,859 | | | 1,106,427 | |
Interest incurred on the finance lease liability in the nine months ended September 30, 2020 was $44.9 million (nine months ended September 30, 2019: $47.3 million).
16.RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
The Company has transactions with the following related parties, being companies in which our principal shareholder Hemen Holding Ltd. ("Hemen") and companies associated with Hemen have, or had, a significant direct or indirect interest:
– Frontline
– Frontline Shipping Limited ("Frontline Shipping")
– Seadrill
– Golden Ocean
– Seatankers Management Co. Ltd ("Seatankers")
– NorAm Drilling
– ADS Crude Carriers
–Golden Close Corporation. Ltd. ("Golden Close")
The Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets include the following amounts due from and to related parties and associated companies, excluding investment in direct financing lease balances (refer to Note 8: Investments in sales-type leases, direct financing leases and leaseback assets).
| | | | | | | | | | | |
(in thousands of $) | September 30, 2020 | | December 31, 2019 |
Amounts due from: | | | |
Frontline Shipping | 4,230 | | | 2,948 | |
Frontline | 6,610 | | | 6,708 | |
Seadrill | 58 | | | 51 | |
SFL Linus | — | | | 7,392 | |
SFL Deepwater | 4,883 | | | 1,246 | |
SFL Hercules | — | | | 3,423 | |
Golden Ocean | 20 | | | 627 | |
Other related parties | 1 | | | 4 | |
Allowance for expected credit losses* | (74) | | | — | |
Total amount due from related parties | 15,728 | | | 22,399 | |
| | | |
Loans to related parties - associated companies, long-term | | | |
SFL Deepwater | 113,000 | | | 113,000 | |
SFL Hercules | 78,333 | | | 80,000 | |
SFL Linus | 117,066 | | | 121,000 | |
Long-term receivables from related parties | | | |
Frontline | — | | | 9,171 | |
Frontline Shipping | — | | | 4,445 | |
Loans and long term receivables to related parties including associates | 308,399 | | | 327,616 | |
| | | |
Amounts due to: | | | |
Frontline Shipping | 443 | | | 3,884 | |
Frontline | 49 | | | 47 | |
Golden Ocean | — | | | — | |
Seatankers | 156 | | | — | |
Other related parties | 248 | | | 49 | |
Total amount due to related parties | 896 | | | 3,980 | |
* See Note 1: Interim financial data and Note 17: Allowance for expected credit losses.
SFL Deepwater, SFL Hercules and SFL Linus are wholly-owned subsidiaries which are not fully consolidated but are accounted for under the equity method within the financial statements (refer to Note 9: Investments and deficit in associated companies). As described below in “Related party loans”, at September 30, 2020 the long-term loans from the Company to SFL Deepwater, SFL Hercules and SFL Linus are presented net of their respective current accounts to the extent that it is an amount due to the associates. (Refer also to Concentration of Risk in Note 12.)
Related party leasing and service contracts
A summary of leasing revenues and repayments from Frontline Shipping and Golden Ocean is as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Nine months ended | | | |
(in thousands of $) | September 30, 2020 | | September 30, 2019 | | | |
Golden Ocean: | | | | | | |
Operating lease income | 39,321 | | | 37,871 | | | | |
Profit share | 37 | | | 191 | | | | |
Frontline Shipping: | | | | | | |
Direct financing lease interest income | 1,349 | | | 2,873 | | | | |
Direct financing lease service revenue | 5,247 | | | 7,371 | | | | |
Direct financing lease repayments | 4,944 | | | 5,956 | | | | |
Profit share | 15,177 | | | 1,547 | | | | |
In 2019, SFL entered into an agreement with Golden Ocean, where the Company agreed to finance installation of scrubbers on seven of the eight Capesize bulk carriers with an amount of up to $2.5 million per vessel, in return for increased charter hire from January 1, 2020 to June 30, 2025.
In addition to leasing revenues and repayments, the Company incurred the following fees with related parties:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Nine months ended | | |
(in thousands of $) | September 30, 2020 | | September 30, 2019 | | |
Frontline: | | | | | |
Vessel Management Fees | 6,745 | | | 8,789 | | | |
| | | | | |
Commissions and Brokerage | 298 | | | 215 | | | |
Administration Services Fees | 46 | | | 148 | | | |
Golden Ocean: | | | | | |
Vessel Management Fees | 15,344 | | | 15,288 | | | |
Operating Management Fees | 696 | | | 669 | | | |
Administration Services Fees | 50 | | | — | | | |
Seatankers: | | | | | |
Administration Services Fees | 363 | | | 598 | | | |
Office Facilities: | | | | | |
Seatankers Management Norway AS | 70 | | | 79 | | | |
Frontline Management AS | 145 | | | 160 | | | |
Frontline Corporate Services Ltd. | 185 | | | 155 | | | |
Related party loans – associated companies
A summary of loans entered into with SFL Deepwater, SFL Hercules and SFL Linus are as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | |
(in millions of $) | SFL Deepwater | SFL Hercules | SFL Linus |
Loans granted | 145 | | 145 | | 125 | |
Loans outstanding at September 30, 2020 | 113 | | 78 | | 117 | |
These loans are repayable in full by October 1, 2023 (SFL Deepwater), October 1, 2023 (SFL Hercules) and June 30, 2029 (SFL Linus) or earlier if the companies, inter alia, sell their drilling units.
Interest income received on these loans is as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Nine months ended | | |
(in millions of $) | September 30, 2020 | | September 30, 2019 | | |
SFL Deepwater | 3.8 | | | 3.8 | | |
SFL Hercules | 2.7 | | | 2.7 | | | |
SFL Linus | 4.1 | | | 4.1 | | | |
Long-term receivables from related parties
In February 2020, Frontline redeemed in full the loan notes received by the Company on the sale of four VLCCs Front Page, Front Stratus, Front Serenade and Front Ariake in 2018. The aggregate amount received on redemption was $11.0 million. At the time of the redemption, the loan notes had a carrying value of $11.0 million, resulting in a gain of $0.0 million on disposal.
In February 2020, Frontline Shipping redeemed in full the loan note received by the Company on the sale of one VLCC Front Circassia in 2018. The aggregate amount received on redemption was $8.9 million. At the time of the redemption, the loan note had a carrying value of $4.45 million, resulting in a gain of $4.45 million on settlement.
The Company received the following interest income on the loan notes:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Nine months ended | | |
(in thousands of $) | September 30, 2020 | | September 30, 2019 | | |
Frontline Shipping | 82 | | | 563 | | | |
Frontline | 97 | | | 682 | | | |
Other related party transactions
In February 2020, the Company delivered the 2002-built VLCC Front Hakata to an unrelated third party for sale proceeds of $33.5 million. Furthermore, the Company agreed with Frontline Shipping to terminate the long-term charter for the vessel upon the sale and delivery, and paid $3.2 million compensation for early termination of the charter. A gain of $1.4 million was recognized on the sale.
Dividends and interest income received from shares held in and secured notes issued by related parties:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Nine months ended | | |
(in thousands of $) | September 30, 2020 | | September 30, 2019 | | |
Dividends received | | | | | |
ADS Crude Carriers | 2,241 | | | 261 | | | |
Frontline | 2,376 | | | — | | | |
Golden Close | — | | | 1,989 | | | |
Interest income received | | | | | |
NorAm Drilling | 210 | | | 236 | | | |
For additional information on the shares and corporate bonds held, refer to Note 5: Investments in debt and equity securities.
17.ALLOWANCE FOR EXPECTED CREDIT LOSSES
On January 1, 2020 the Company was required to adopt ASU 2016-13 which introduces a new credit loss methodology, requiring earlier recognition of potential credit losses. ASU 2016-13, was adopted using the modified retrospective method (see Note 1: Interim Financial Data). The provision is based on an assessment of the impact of current and expected future conditions, and at September 30, 2020 and is inclusive of the Company's estimate of the potential effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on credit losses. The duration and severity of COVID-19 and continued market volatility is highly uncertain and, as such, the impact on expected credit losses is subject to significant judgment and may cause variability in the Company’s allowance for credit losses in future periods. Changes in the allowance for expected credit losses may result in gains as well as losses recorded in income as changes occur in the balances of our financial assets and the risk profiles of our counterparties.
The following table presents the impact of the allowance for expected credit losses on the Company's balance sheet line items for the nine months ended September 30, 2020.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
(in thousands of $) | Trade receivables | Other receivables | Related Party receivables | Investment in sales-type, direct financing leases and leaseback assets | Other long-term assets | Total |
Balance at December 31, 2019 | — | | — | | — | | — | | — | | — | |
Impact of the adoption of ASU 2016-13 on retained earnings (Note 1) | 19 | | 580 | | 206 | | 4,799 | | 10 | | 5,614 | |
Change in allowance recorded in 'other financial items' | 98 | | 237 | | (132) | | (1,280) | | 4 | | (1,073) | |
Balance at September 30, 2020 | 117 | | 817 | | 74 | | 3,519 | | 14 | | 4,541 | |
The impact of the allowance for expected credit losses on the 100% owned subsidiaries accounted for as associates is disclosed in Note 9: Investments and deficit in associated companies.
18.COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENT LIABILITIES
Assets Pledged
| | | | | | | | | | | |
(in millions of $) | September 30, 2020 | | December 31, 2019 |
Vessels and equipment, net | 1,204 | | | 1,352 | |
Investments in sales-type, direct financing leases and leaseback assets | 385 | | | 401 | |
Book value of consolidated assets pledged under ship mortgages | 1,589 | | | 1,753 | |
Assets with finance lease liabilities
| | | | | | | | |
(in millions of $) | September 30, 2020 | December 31, 2019 |
Vessels under finance lease, net | 707 | | 714 | |
Investments in direct financing leases | 546 | | 563 | |
Total book value | 1,254 | | 1,278 | |
The Company and its equity-accounted subsidiaries have funded their acquisition of vessels, jack-up rig and ultra-deepwater drilling units through a combination of equity, short-term debt and long-term debt. Providers of long-term loan facilities usually require that the loans be secured by mortgages against the assets being acquired. As at September 30, 2020, the Company ($1,498.9 million) and its 100% equity-accounted subsidiaries ($585.9 million) had a combined outstanding principal indebtedness of $2,084.8 million (December 31, 2019: $2,249.1 million) under various credit facilities.
Other Contractual Commitments and Contingencies
The Company has arranged insurance for the legal liability risks for its shipping activities with Gard P.& I. (Bermuda) Ltd., Assuranceforeningen Skuld (Gjensidig), The Steamship Mutual Underwriting Association Limited, The West of England Ship Owners Mutual Insurance Association (Luxembourg), North of England P&I Association Limited, The Standard Club Europe Ltd, The United Kingdom Mutual Steam Ship Assurance Association (Europe) Limited and The Britannia Steam Ship Insurance Association Limited, all of which are mutual protection and indemnity associations. The Company is subject to calls payable to the associations based on the Company’s claims record in addition to the claims records of all other members of the associations. A contingent liability exists to the extent that the claims records of the members of the associations in the aggregate show significant deterioration, which may result in additional calls on the members.
Contractual commitments and contingencies in respect of SFL Deepwater, SFL Hercules and SFL Linus - wholly-owned subsidiaries of the Company - are contained in Note 9: Investments and deficit in associated companies.
Capital commitments
As at September 30, 2020 the Company has committed $8.0 million towards the procurement of scrubbers on nine vessels owned by the Company (December 31, 2019: $33.4 million), with installations expected to take place up to the end of 2020.
As at September 30, 2020 the Company has also committed to paying $5.8 million towards the installation of BWTS on 17 vessels from its fleet (December 31, 2019: $9.2 million), with installations expected to take place up to the end of 2022.
There were no other material contractual commitments as at September 30, 2020.
The Company is routinely party both as plaintiff and defendant to lawsuits in various jurisdictions under charter hire obligations arising from the operation of its vessels in the ordinary course of business. The Company believes that the resolution of such claims will not have a material adverse effect on its results of operations or financial position. The Company has not recognized any contingent gains or losses arising from the pending results of any such lawsuits.
19.SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
On November 12, 2020, the Board of Directors of the Company declared a dividend of $0.15 per share, which will be paid in cash on or around December 30, 2020.
On November 11, 2020, the Company redelivered one VLCC to Hunter Group after declaration of a purchase option. Net proceeds of $58.4 million were received and debt of $47.5 million was repaid.
On October 20, 2020, Solstad Offshore ASA ("Solstad") held an extraordinary general meeting (“EGM”) to approve its proposed debt restructuring to partly compensate stakeholders for prior losses incurred in connection with their failure to meet obligations on certain loans and lease agreements. SFL received 4.4 million shares of Solstad and cash compensation of NOK10 million (approx. $1.1 million). Subsequent to the EGM, SFL sold approximately 4 million of these shares and recorded total proceeds of approximately NOK 20 million (approx. $2.2 million). The remaining investment represents less than 1% of the share capital of Solstad. The Company had previously disposed of its vessels that were leased to Solstad and had made a full provision against its loan note receivable from Solstad. As such, the fair value of the compensation received will be recorded in income in the fourth quarter.
Seadrill has publicly disclosed that they have appointed financial and legal advisors to evaluate comprehensive restructuring alternatives to reduce debt service costs and overall indebtedness. Seadrill has also disclosed that it is currently engaged in discussions with its financial stakeholders with regards to a comprehensive restructuring of its balance sheet, and that such a restructuring may involve the use of a court-supervised process.
SFL is finalizing negotiations with Seadrill to enter into a forbearance agreement in respect of the leasing arrangements of its three drilling rigs. The forbearance agreement is subject to, among other things, Seadrill's entrance into a forbearance agreement with certain of its other creditors, in respect of Seadrill’s senior secured credit facility agreements, senior secured notes, and guarantee facility agreement. These discussions are ongoing and no agreement to any changes have been made as of the date of this report.
The purpose of the forbearance agreement is to allow Seadrill more time to negotiate on the terms of a comprehensive restructuring of its balance sheet, including Seadrill's leasing arrangements with us.
While Seadrill has paid full charter hire in the third quarter of 2020, no charter hire has been received so far in the fourth quarter of 2020. The non-payment of charter hire by Seadrill constitutes an event of default under the leases and under certain of the corresponding financing agreements. Unless cured or waived this could result in enforcement of the rights under such default provisions by our financing banks towards us, or by us towards Seadrill, or both. All the revenues from the sub-charters of the two drilling rigs, West Linus and West Hercules, are paid into accounts pledged to the SFL rig owning entities and its financing banks. As a result of the current default situation, Seadrill will need prior approval to access these funds.
Also, the non-payment of interest by Seadrill in the third quarter in relation to certain of their secured credit agreements constitute an event of default under the leases with SFL and certain of the corresponding financing agreements due to cross default provisions in the leasing arrangements and our corresponding financing agreements. Unless cured or waived, this could result in enforcement of the rights under such default provisions under the leasing arrangements and in our corresponding financing agreements.
While no assurances can be provided with regards to the terms of any forbearance agreement or the outcome of the Seadrill restructuring, the Company expects to continue to have constructive dialogue with Seadrill in their efforts to restructure their balance sheet.
SFL has agreed with its financing banks to repurchase the bank loan on the idle drilling rig West Taurus, at a discount where the consideration was approximately 62% of the outstanding balance, which as of the end of the third quarter was approximately $176.1 million. Thus, the loan is redeemed in full and the rig is debt free. SFL has also negotiated amended terms for the financing agreement relating to the harsh environment jack-up rig West Linus, pursuant to which SFL will provide a corporate guarantee for the entire $220.0 million loan amount, in exchange for more flexible financing terms. The rig is employed on a sub-charter by Seadrill to an oil major throughout 2028. The terms of the loan relating to West Hercules remain unchanged, with a loan balance of $189.8 million at the end of the third quarter. SFL guarantees $83.1 million, or 44% of this loan.
SFL CORPORATION LTD
As used herein, “we,” “us,” “our” and “the Company” all refer to SFL Corporation Ltd. and its subsidiaries. This management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations should be read together with the discussion included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
for the nine months ended September 30, 2020
General
We are SFL Corporation Ltd. (formerly Ship Finance International Limited), a Bermuda-based company incorporated in Bermuda on October 10, 2003, as a Bermuda exempted company under the Bermuda Companies Law of 1981 (Company No. EC-34296). We are engaged primarily in the ownership and operation of vessels and offshore related assets, and also involved in the charter, purchase and sale of assets. Our registered and principal executive offices are located at Par-la-Ville Place, 14 Par-la-Ville Road, Hamilton, HM 08, Bermuda, and our telephone number is +1 (441) 295-9500.
We operate through subsidiaries located in Bermuda, Cyprus, Malta, Liberia, Norway, the United Kingdom and the Marshall Islands.
We are an international ship owning and chartering company with a large and diverse asset base across the maritime and offshore industries. As at November 16, 2020, our assets consist of five crude oil tankers, 22 dry bulk carriers, 48 container vessels (including 11 chartered-in containerships), two car carriers, one jack-up drilling rig, two ultra-deepwater drilling units, two chemical tankers and two oil product tankers.
Since establishment, we have increased our customer base significantly and as at November 16, 2020, some of our long term customers included Frontline Shipping Limited (“Frontline Shipping”), Seadrill Limited (“Seadrill”), Golden Ocean Group Limited (“Golden Ocean”), Sinochem Shipping Co., Ltd. (“Sinochem”), Hyundai Glovis Co. Ltd (“Hyundai Glovis”), Sinotrans Shipping Limited (“Sinotrans”), Maersk Line A/S (“Maersk”), MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company S.A. and its affiliate Conglomerate Shipping Ltd. (“MSC”), Phillips 66 Company (“Phillips 66”), Landbridge Group Co. Ltd and its subsidiaries (“Landbridge”) and Evergreen Marine Corporation (Taiwan) Ltd. and its affiliate Evergreen Marine (Singapore) Pte Ltd. (“Evergreen”).
Our primary objective is to continue to grow our business through accretive acquisitions across a diverse range of marine and offshore asset classes. In doing so, our strategy is to generate stable and increasing cash flows by chartering our assets primarily
under medium to long-term bareboat or time charters.
Risk Factors
You should carefully consider the risks and the discussion of risks in this report and other important factors described under the heading “Risk Factors” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2019, as well as those described from time to time in the reports filed by the Company with the Commission.
The failure of the charterers of our drilling rigs to meet their obligations to us under our lease agreements, or material change to the terms of such agreements, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows, ability to pay dividends to our shareholders and compliance with covenants in our credit facilities.
A significant portion of our net income and operating cash flows are generated from our leases with subsidiaries of Seadrill, which has publicly disclosed that it appointed financial and legal advisors to evaluate comprehensive restructuring alternatives to reduce debt service costs and overall indebtedness.
Seadrill has publicly disclosed that they have appointed financial and legal advisors to evaluate comprehensive restructuring alternatives to reduce debt service costs and overall indebtedness. Seadrill has disclosed that it is currently engaged in discussions with its financial stakeholders with regards to a comprehensive restructuring of its balance sheet, and that such a restructuring may involve the use of a court-supervised process. In the second quarter of 2020, Seadrill contacted the Company to commence discussions with regards to the leases on the three drilling units in our 100% owned subsidiaries accounted for as
associates, SFL Deepwater, SFL Hercules and SFL Linus, which represented approximately $800 million of estimated fixed charter backlog as of September 30, 2020.
SFL is finalizing negotiations with Seadrill to enter into a forbearance agreement in respect of the leasing arrangements of its three drilling rigs. The forbearance agreement is subject to, among other things, Seadrill's entrance into a forbearance agreement with certain of its other creditors, in respect of Seadrill’s senior secured credit facility agreements, senior secured notes, and guarantee facility agreement. These discussions are ongoing and no agreement to any changes have been made as of the date of this report.
The purpose of the forbearance agreement is to allow Seadrill more time to negotiate on the terms of a comprehensive restructuring of its balance sheet, including Seadrill's leasing arrangements with us.
While Seadrill has paid full charter hire in the third quarter of 2020, no charter hire has been received so far in the fourth quarter of 2020. The non-payment of charter hire by Seadrill constitutes an event of default under the leases and under certain of the corresponding financing agreements. Unless cured or waived this could result in enforcement of the rights under such default provisions by our financing banks towards us, or by us towards Seadrill, or both. All the revenues from the sub-charters of the two drilling rigs, West Linus and West Hercules, are paid into accounts pledged to the SFL rig owning entities and its financing banks. As a result of the current default situation, Seadrill will need prior approval to access these funds.
SFL has agreed with its financing banks to repurchase the bank loan on the idle drilling rig West Taurus, at a discount where the consideration was approximately 62% of the outstanding balance, which as of the end of the third quarter was approximately $176.1 million. Thus, the loan is redeemed in full and the rig is debt free. SFL has also negotiated amended terms for the financing agreement relating to the harsh environment jack-up rig West Linus, pursuant to which SFL will provide a corporate guarantee for the entire $220.0 million loan amount, in exchange for more flexible financing terms. The rig is employed on a sub-charter by Seadrill to an oil major throughout 2028. The terms of the loan relating to West Hercules remain unchanged, with a loan balance of $189.8 million at the end of the third quarter. SFL guarantees $83.1 million, or 44% of this loan.
Also, the non-payment of interest by Seadrill in the third quarter in relation to certain of their secured credit agreements constitute an event of default under the leases with SFL and certain of the corresponding financing agreements due to cross default provisions in the leasing arrangements and our corresponding financing agreements. Unless cured or waived, this could result in enforcement of the rights under such default provisions under the leasing arrangements and in our corresponding financing agreements.
While no assurances can be provided with regards to the terms of any forbearance agreement or the outcome of the Seadrill restructuring, the Company expects to continue to have constructive dialogue with Seadrill in their efforts to restructure their balance sheet.
If an agreement with Seadrill relating to our leases is not reached for all or some of our drilling rigs, we may not receive the full or any contracted revenues from the leases and may be required to accept the redelivery of all or some of our three drilling rigs under the leasing arrangements. We may also be required to make payments under certain guarantees of the loan facilities relating to our drilling rigs.
We refer you to Note 9 of our unaudited condensed interim financial statements for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 for a discussion of our guarantees. Please refer to the section entitled “Recent and Other Developments—Other Developments—Seadrill Charters and Associate Debt” for additional discussion of certain amendments to financing agreements relating to SFL’s drilling rigs. In accordance with ASC 810, we determined that our rig entities are variable interest entities accounted for using the equity method, as we are not deemed to be the primary beneficiary of these entities. This accounting treatment may be subject to change if certain terms under the leases are amended, and the entities may be consolidated. The failure of the charterers of our drilling rigs to meet their respective obligations to us under our existing lease agreements, including a rejection of such leases which could lead to a redelivery of all or some the rigs, in the event Seadrill files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection (which could occur at any time) or any material changes to the commercial terms of such agreements, including reductions in the charter rates payable to us, or any material payments that we are required to make under our guarantees or any acceleration of our debt as a result of an event of default thereunder would likely have material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows, ability to pay dividends to our shareholders and compliance with covenants in our credit facilities.
Recent and Other Developments
Acquisitions and Disposals
Acquisitions
• In May 2020, we acquired and took delivery of a 2020-built 308,000 dwt VLCC - Landbridge Wisdom. Upon delivery, the vessel immediately commenced a seven year bareboat charter to Landbridge.
Disposals
• In February 2020, we delivered the 2002-built VLCC Front Hakata to an unrelated third party for sale proceeds of $33.5 million. Furthermore, we agreed with Frontline Shipping, to terminate the long-term charter for the vessel upon the sale and delivery and paid $3.2 million compensation to Frontline Shipping for early termination of the charter. In addition, we received $19.9 million in settlement of the loan notes due from Frontline Ltd ("Frontline") and Frontline Shipping which were received following the sale of Front Circassia, Front Page, Front Stratus, Front Serenade and Front Ariake in 2018. We recognized a gain of $4.4 million related to these transactions, in the first quarter of 2020.
• In February 2020, SFL agreed with Solstad to terminate the charter agreements for three of our offshore support vessels. Consequently, the Sea Cheetah and Sea Jaguar were delivered to an unrelated third party for gross sale proceeds of $3.0 million. The Sea Leopard has been sold for recycling to Green Yard AS and was delivered in May 2020. The recycling of the vessel will be carried out in accordance with the European Ship Recycling Regulation.
• In March 2020, SFL terminated the charters of, and delivered Sea Halibut and Sea Pike to an unrelated third party for gross sales proceeds of $1.5 million. Following these sales, the Company no longer owns any offshore support vessels.
•On August 18, 2020, the Company redelivered two VLCCs to Hunter Group ASA (“Hunter Group”) after declaration of purchase options. Net proceeds of $117.8 million were received and debt of $95.0 million was repaid.
•On November 11, 2020, the Company redelivered the last VLCC to Hunter Group after declaration of a purchase option. Net proceeds of $58.4 million were received and debt of $47.5 million was repaid.
Other Developments
Corporate Debt
In January 2020, the Company raised NOK 600 million, equivalent to approximately $67 million, through a new five year senior unsecured bond loan. The bond bears a coupon of NIBOR plus a margin.
During the first quarter of 2020, SFL bought back approximately $32.4 million of its own debt securities at a discount.
During April and May 2020, the Company generated cash proceeds of more than $21.1 million from the sale of forward contracts for shares in Frontline of approximately 2.0 million and repaid $21.1 million of short term debt during the second quarter of 2020.
At September 30, 2020, SFL held 1.4 million shares of Frontline which were subject to a forward contract due to expire in January of 2021. The transaction is accounted for as shares recorded in 'Investment in debt and Equity securities' pledged to creditors and a liability recorded in short-term debt of $15.6 million related to this contract at September 30, 2020. The Company is required to post collateral which was held as restricted cash as of September 30, 2020.
On June 22, 2020, the Company redeemed and repaid the remaining balance on its NOK 500 million bonds.
Share Options
In January 2020, stock options were exercised pursuant to the Company's Share Option Scheme. As a result, 6,869 new common shares were issued.
Charter Extensions and Changes
In March 2020, we agreed to extend the charters on the three 9,300 to 9,500 TEU container vessels on time charter to Maersk Line. The initial five-year charters were extended by an additional 43-49 month period at a revised charter rate. As part of the charter agreement we agreed to finance the scrubbers to be installed on these vessels and we will receive a share of the cost savings achieved by the charterer on fuel costs from using the scrubbers.
In March 2020, we agreed to extend the charters on the seven 2002 built 4,100 TEU container vessels on charters to MSC. The initial charters were extended until 2025 at a revised charter hire and the effective date of the revised contracts was July 1, 2020.
Seadrill Charters and Associate Debt
Subsequent to quarter end, SFL has amended two of the corresponding financing agreements relating to its drilling rigs with its lenders. For the idle rig West Taurus, SFL has agreed with its lenders to purchase the entire related bank facility at approximately 62% of the nominal outstanding loan amount. Thus, the loan is redeemed in full and the rig is debt free. For the West Linus, SFL has agreed to provide a corporate guarantee for the whole related bank loan in exchange for significantly more flexible financing terms. The terms of the bank loan relating to West Hercules remain unchanged. Please refer to the Risk Factor above - “The failure of the charterers of our drilling rigs to meet their obligations to us under our lease agreements, or material change to the terms of such agreements, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows, ability to pay dividends to our shareholders and compliance with covenants in our credit facilities” for further discussion.
Dividend Reinvestment Plan ("DRIP") and At-the-Market Sales Agreement ("ATM")
In April, 2020, the Board of Directors authorized a renewal of our dividend reinvestment plan, or DRIP, to facilitate investments by individual and institutional shareholders who wish to invest dividend payments received on shares owned, or other cash amounts, in SFL’s Common Shares on a regular or one time basis, or otherwise. On May 1, 2020, the Company filed a registration statement on Form F-3D (Registration No. 333-237970) to register the sale of up to 10,000,000 Common Shares pursuant to the DRIP. If certain waiver provisions in the DRIP are requested and granted pursuant to the terms of the plan, we may grant additional share sales to investors, from time to time, up to the amount registered under the plan.
In May 2020, we entered into an ATM with BTIG under which we may, from time to time, offer and sell new ordinary shares having aggregate sales proceeds of up to $100.0 million through the ATM. As of the date of this report we have issued a total of approximately 1.5 million shares under these plans.
Authorised Share Capital
At the Annual General Meeting of the Company held in August 2020, a resolution was passed to approve an increase of the Company’s authorized share capital from $2,000,000 divided into 200,000,000 common shares of $0.01 par value each to $3,000,000 divided into 300,000,000 common shares of $0.01 par value each by the authorization of an additional 100,000,000 common shares of $0.01 par value each.
Dividend
On May 20, 2020, the Board of Directors of the Company declared a dividend of $0.25 per share, which was paid in cash on or around June 30, 2020.
On August 18, 2020, the Board of Directors of the Company declared a dividend of $0.25 per share, which was paid in cash on or around September 30, 2020.
On November 12, 2020, the Board of Directors of the Company declared a dividend of $0.15 per share, which will be paid in cash on or around December 30, 2020.
Other Income
On October 20, 2020, Solstad Offshore ASA ("Solstad") held an extraordinary general meeting (“EGM”) to approve its proposed debt restructuring to partly compensate stakeholders for prior losses incurred in connection with their failure to meet obligations on certain loans and lease agreements. SFL received 4.4 million shares in Solstad and cash compensation of NOK10 million (approx. $1.1 million). Subsequent to the EGM, SFL sold approximately 4 million of these shares and recorded total proceeds of approximately NOK 20 million (approx. $2.2 million). The remaining investment represents less than 1% of the share capital of Solstad. The Company had previously disposed of its vessels that were leased to Solstad and had made a full provision against its loan note receivable from Solstad. As such, the fair value of the compensation received will be recorded in income in the fourth quarter.
COVID-19 Pandemic
On January 30, 2020, the International Health Regulations Emergency Committee of the World Health Organization declared the outbreak a “public health emergency of international concern.” following the outbreak of a new strain of coronavirus,("COVID-19"), that was first identified in Wuhan, China in December 2019. The COVID-19 pandemic has reported to have spread to over 100 countries and efforts to stop the spread has caused restrictions on the movement of people and is affecting business operations worldwide including, but not limited to, supply chains, trade, employees (including the risk of sickness and crew change restrictions), travel including port restrictions and border closures, financial markets and commodity prices. The Company’s business could be materially and adversely affected by this pandemic and the Company is unable to reasonably predict the estimated length or severity of the COVID-19 pandemic on future operating results.
In response to the pandemic, many countries, ports and organizations, including those where the Company conducts a large part of its operations, have implemented measures to combat the pandemic, such as quarantines and travel restrictions. Such measures have caused and will likely continue to cause severe trade disruptions. The extent to which COVID-19 will impact the Company's results of operations and financial condition, including possible vessel impairments, will depend on future developments including new information which may emerge concerning the severity of the virus, any resurgence of the virus, and the actions to contain or treat its impact, among others. Accordingly, an estimate of the impact cannot be made at this time.
Operating Results
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| Nine months ended | | Nine months ended |
(in thousands of $) | September 30, 2020 | | September 30, 2019 |
Total operating revenues | 356,135 | | | 338,972 | |
Gain on sale of assets and termination of charters, net | 2,250 | | | — | |
| | | |
Total operating expenses | (290,247) | | | (221,411) | |
Net operating (loss)/ income | 68,138 | | | 117,561 | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
Interest income | 11,835 | | | 15,005 | |
| | | |
| | | |
Interest expense | (101,625) | | | (108,291) | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
Other non-operating items, net | (40,676) | | | 28,124 | |
Equity in earnings of associated companies | 3,128 | | | 13,136 | |
Net (loss)/ income | (59,200) | | | 65,535 | |
Net operating income for the nine months ended September 30, 2020, was $68.1 million, compared with net operating income of $117.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2019. The decrease was principally due to the impairment recorded of $80.5 million on seven Handysize bulkers and one offshore supply vessel in the first quarter of 2020. This was slightly offset by a gain of $2.3 million which was recorded on the sale of one VLCC on charter to Frontline Shipping and five offshore support vessels on charter to a subsidiary of Solstad Offshore. The overall net income/(loss) for the period decreased by $124.7 million compared with the same period in 2019 due to the impairment losses described earlier and losses recorded in other non-operating items, net, of $40.7 million recorded in the nine months ended September 30, 2020 principally related to net losses on marketable securities totaling $20.9 million and $23.8 million mark to market loss on derivatives.
Two ultra-deepwater drilling units and one harsh environment jack-up drilling rig were accounted for under the equity method during the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and the nine months ended September 30, 2019. The net income of the wholly-owned subsidiaries owning these assets are included under “equity in earnings/deficit of associated companies”, where they are reported net of operating and non-operating expenses.
Total operating revenues
Total operating revenues increased by 5% in the nine months ended September 30, 2020, compared with the same period in the previous year.
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| Nine months ended | | Nine months ended |
(in thousands of $) | September 30, 2020 | | September 30, 2019 |
| | | |
| | | |
Sales-type, direct financing lease and leaseback asset interest income | 51,946 | | | 43,189 | |
| | | |
| | | |
Finance lease service revenues | 5,247 | | | 7,371 | |
| | | |
| | | |
Profit sharing revenue and income | 17,229 | | | 1,738 | |
| | | |
| | | |
Time charter revenues | 238,625 | | | 252,557 | |
| | | |
| | | |
Bareboat charter revenues | 7,164 | | | 18,111 | |
Voyage charter revenues | 32,291 | | | 13,794 | |
Other operating income | 3,633 | | | 2,212 | |
Total operating revenues | 356,135 | | | 338,972 | |
Sales-type, direct financing leases and leaseback asset interest income
Sales-type, direct financing lease interest income arose on our three crude oil tankers on charter to Frontline Shipping, one of which was sold in the nine months ended September 30, 2020, and 29 container vessels on long term charters to MSC. In addition, the Company has leaseback interest income from three feeder container vessels chartered to MSC and four VLCCs which are reported as leaseback assets, two of which were sold in the nine months ended September 30, 2020.
In general, sales-type leases, direct financing leases and leaseback assets interest income reduces over the terms of our leases; progressively, a lesser or capital proportion of the lease or loan rental payment is allocated to interest income and a greater proportion is treated as repayment of investment in the lease or loan. The 20% increase in sales-type/direct financing lease and vessel loan interest income in the nine months ended September 30, 2020 compared with the same period in 2019 was mainly a result of the acquisition of three feeder container vessels and three VLCCs in the second half of 2019, and one VLCC in the second quarter of 2020 which are reported as leaseback assets. In addition, the leases on seven 2002 built 4,100 TEU container vessels which had previously been treated as operating leases were extended in the third quarter of 2020 and these are now reported as sales type leases. This was partially offset by the sale of one VLCC in February 2020 which was on charter to Frontline Shipping, the sale of two VLCC leaseback assets after exercise of purchase options and the termination of the lease of one offshore support vessel previously on charter to a subsidiary of Solstad Offshore.
Direct financing lease service revenues
The vessels chartered on direct financing leases to Frontline Shipping are leased on time charter terms, whereby we are responsible for the management and operation of such vessels. This has been effected by entering into fixed price agreements with Frontline Management (Bermuda) Ltd. (“Frontline Management”), a subsidiary of Frontline, whereby we pay them management fees of $9,000 per day for each vessel chartered to Frontline Shipping. Accordingly, $9,000 per day is allocated from each time charter payment received from Frontline Shipping to cover lease executory costs, and this is classified as "direct financing lease service revenue". If any vessel chartered on direct financing leases to Frontline Shipping is sub-chartered on a bareboat basis, then the charter payments for that vessel are reduced by $9,000 per day for the duration of the bareboat sub-charter. The 29% decrease in direct financing lease service revenues in the nine months ended September 30, 2020 compared to the prior nine months ended September 30, 2019 is due to the sale of one VLCC in February 2020 which was on charter to Frontline Shipping.
Profit share revenue and income
We recorded $15.2 million of profit share revenue in the nine months ended September 30, 2020 from the profit sharing arrangement with Frontline Shipping (nine months ended September 30, 2019: $1.5 million) as the Company is entitled to a 50% profit share above the base charter rates, calculated and paid on a quarterly basis.
We also have a profit share arrangement related to the eight Capesize dry bulk vessels on charter to a subsidiary of Golden Ocean, whereby the Company is entitled to a 33% profit share above certain threshold levels, calculated and paid on a quarterly basis. $0.04 million profit share revenue was earned by these vessels in the nine months ended September 30, 2020 ($0.2 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2019).
We recorded $2.0 million from a fuel saving arrangement relating to five container vessels on charter to Maersk, following the installation of scrubbers. The Company is entitled to a share of the fuel savings dependent on the price difference between IMO compliant fuel and IMO non-compliant fuel. No fuel saving revenue was earned in the nine months ended September 30, 2019.
Time charter revenues
During the nine months ended September 30, 2020, time charter revenues were earned by 16 container vessels, two car carriers, 22 dry bulk carriers and two product tankers. The 6% decrease in time charter revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 2020, compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2019, was mainly due to one Suezmax tanker which was on time charter during 2019, that was on a voyage charter in 2020, and reduced charterhire on ten container vessels which were off hire when they drydocked for scrubber installations which led to reduced charterhire in the nine months ended September 30, 2020. This decrease in time charter revenues was partly offset by an increase in charterhire arising from the additional leap year day in 2020 as well as two 1,700 TEU container vessels which had previously been on bareboat charters up until December 2019, commencing time charters in the nine months ended September 30, 2020.
Bareboat charter revenues
Bareboat charter revenues are earned by our vessels and rigs which are leased under operating leases on a bareboat basis. In the nine month periods ended September 30, 2020, these consisted of two chemical tankers and seven 4,100 TEU container vessels. The 60% decrease in bareboat charter revenues compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2019 is due to termination of charters and sale of the four offshore support vessels in the first quarter of 2020 and the termination of charters of two 1,700 TEU container vessels in December 2019, which are now on time charter. In addition, two 5,800 TEU container vessels have been recorded as direct financing leases from February 2019 and seven 4,100 TEU container vessels have been recorded as sales-type leases from July 1, 2020.
Voyage charter revenues
The 134% increase in voyage charter revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2019 was mainly attributable to the trading patterns of the two Suezmax tankers, Everbright and Glorycrown, trading in a pool together with two similar tankers owned by Frontline. During the nine months ended September 30, 2020, there was an increase in voyage charter revenue from Everbright, which returned to voyage chartering during the nine months ended September 30, 2020, an increase in voyage charter income from Glorycrown resulting from an improved market and the increase resulting from the trading patterns of certain Handysize dry bulk carriers which are sometimes chartered on a voyage-by-voyage basis.
Cash flows arising from sales-type leases, direct financing leases and leaseback assets
The following table analyzes our cash flows from the sales-type leases, direct financing leases and leaseback assets with Frontline Shipping, the Solstad Offshore charterer, MSC, Landbridge and the Hunter Group, and shows how they are accounted for:
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| Nine months ended | | Nine months ended |
(in thousands of $) | September 30, 2020 | | September 30, 2019 |
Charter hire payments accounted for as: | | | |
| | | |
| | | |
Sales-type lease, direct financing lease and leaseback assets interest income | 51,946 | | | 43,189 | |
| | | |
| | | |
Service revenue from direct financing leases | 5,247 | | | 7,371 | |
Repayments from sales-type leases, direct financing leases and leaseback assets | 42,382 | | | 32,103 | |
Total sales-type, direct financing leases and leaseback asset payments received | 99,575 | | | 82,663 | |
Gain on sale of assets and termination of charters
In the nine months ended September 30, 2020, a net gain of $2.3 million was recorded, arising from the disposal of one crude oil tanker Front Hakata, five offshore support vessels Sea Cheetah, Sea Jaguar, Sea Halibut, Sea Pike and Sea Leopard in the first nine months of 2020 (see Note 2: Gain on sale of assets and termination of charters). The two VLCC's Hunter Atla and Hunter Saga sale proceeds equaled their carrying value at date of sale and therefore no gain or loss was recorded on the sale of these vessels.
No vessels were sold or charters were terminated in the nine months ended September 30, 2019.
Operating expenses
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| Nine months ended | | Nine months ended |
(in thousands of $) | September 30, 2020 | | September 30, 2019 |
| | | |
| | | |
Vessel operating expenses | 117,857 | | | 99,449 | |
Depreciation | 83,159 | | | 88,084 | |
| | | |
| | | |
Administrative expenses | 8,720 | | | 7,965 | |
Vessel impairment charge | 80,511 | | | 25,913 | |
Total operating expenses | 290,247 | | | 221,411 | |
Vessel operating expenses consist of payments to Frontline Management of $9,000 per day for each vessel chartered to Frontline Shipping and also payments to Golden Ocean Group Management (Bermuda) Ltd. (“Golden Ocean Management”) of $7,000 per day for each vessel chartered to a subsidiary of Golden Ocean, in accordance with the vessel management agreements. Vessel operating expenses also consist of the day to day running costs as well as occasional voyage expenses for the container vessels, dry bulk carriers, car carriers and product tankers operated on a time charter basis and managed by related and unrelated parties, and also voyage expenses from two Suezmax tankers trading in a pool together with two similar tankers owned by Frontline and certain Handysize dry bulk carriers operating in the spot market during the nine months ended September 30, 2020.
Vessel operating expenses increased by $18.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2020, compared with the same period in 2019. The increase is mainly due to an increase in drydocking costs as 11 vessels were drydocked in the nine months ended September 30, 2020 compared to five in same period in 2019. In addition, two 1,700 TEU container vessels were on time charters in the nine months ended September 30, 2020, which were on bareboat charters in the comparable period. The increases in vessel operating expenses is partly offset by the decrease in vessel management expenses for vessels chartered to Frontline from the sale of Front Hakata in 2020.
Depreciation expenses relate to the vessels on charters accounted for as operating leases and on voyage charters. The decrease in depreciation of $4.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2020, compared to the same period in 2019, was mainly due to impairment booked on the two feeder size container vessels recorded in 2019, impairments booked on seven Handysize container vessels in the first quarter of 2020, the sale of the four offshore support vessels in the first quarter of 2020. In addition, depreciation expense decreased as a result of two 5,800 TEU container vessels being recorded as direct financing leases from February 2019 and seven 4,100 TEU container vessels being recorded as sales-type leases from July 1, 2020. The decrease was partially offset by an extra day's depreciation on the fleet for the 2020 leap year and increase in depreciation on seven owned vessels and three vessels under capital lease after BWTS and Scrubbers were fitted in 2020.
Following a review of the carrying value of our long-lived assets, and as a result of changes in expected future cash flows following the COVID 19 outbreak, impairment charges of $80.5 million were recorded against the carrying value of seven Handysize dry bulk vessels reported as owned vessels and one offshore support vessel reported as an 'asset held for sale' in the nine months ended September 30, 2020. In the nine months ended September 30, 2019, $25.9 million impairment charges were recorded on two feeder size container vessels and one offshore support vessel recorded in the third quarter of 2019.
Interest income
Total interest income decreased by $3.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2020, compared to the same period in 2019, mainly due to reduced interest income on loan notes from Frontline and Frontline Shipping, which were settled in February 2020 and lower interest received on bank and short term deposits due to lower cash balances held as well as reduced interest rates compared to comparative period.
Interest expense
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| Nine months ended | | Nine months ended |
(in thousands of $) | September 30, 2020 | | September 30, 2019 |
Interest on US$ floating rate loans | 22,647 | | | 31,363 | |
| | | |
Interest on NOK900 million senior unsecured floating rate bonds due 2019 | — | | | 906 | |
Interest on NOK500 million senior unsecured floating rate bonds due 2020 | 1,007 | | | 2,653 | |
Interest on NOK700 million senior unsecured floating rate bonds due 2023 | 3,375 | | | 3,276 | |
Interest on NOK700 million senior unsecured floating rate bonds due 2024 | 3,208 | | | 1,559 | |
Interest on NOK600 million senior unsecured floating rate bonds due 2025 | 2,152 | | | — | |
| | | |
Interest on 5.75% senior unsecured convertible notes due 2021 | 9,152 | | | 9,152 | |
Interest on 4.875% senior unsecured convertible notes due 2023 | 5,250 | | | 5,423 | |
| | | |
Swap interest | 2,350 | | | 510 | |
Interest on finance lease obligations | 44,943 | | | 47,288 | |
Other interest | 612 | | | — | |
Amortization of deferred charges | 6,929 | | | 6,161 | |
Total interest expense | 101,625 | | | 108,291 | |
At September 30, 2020, the Company, including its consolidated subsidiaries, had total debt principal outstanding of $1.5 billion (September 30, 2019: $1.5 billion), $0.0 million (NOK0 million) outstanding principal amount of NOK floating rate bonds due 2020 (September 30, 2019: $55.0 million, NOK500 million), $74.8 million (NOK700 million) outstanding principal amount of NOK floating rate bonds due 2023 (September 30, 2019: $77.0 million, NOK700 million), $74.3 million (NOK695 million) outstanding principal amount of NOK floating rate bonds due 2024 (September 30, 2019: $77.0 million, NOK700 million), $57.7 million (NOK540 million) outstanding principal amount of NOK floating rate bonds due 2025 (September 30, 2019: $nil NOKnil), $212.2 million outstanding principal amount of 5.75% convertible notes due 2021 (September 30, 2019: $212.2 million), $141.9 million outstanding principal amount of 4.875% convertible notes due 2023 (September 30, 2019: $148.3 million) and $0.9 billion under floating rate secured long-term credit facilities (September 30, 2019: $0.9 billion).
NOK floating rate bonds due 2019 were fully repaid as at September 30, 2019 and NOK floating rate bonds due 2020 were fully repaid as at September 30, 2020.
The average three-month LIBOR was 0.79% in the nine months ended September 30, 2020 compared to an average of 2.46% in the nine months ended September 30, 2019. The decrease in interest expense associated with our floating rate debt for the nine months ended September 30, 2020, compared to the same period in 2019, is mainly due to loans on vessels that were refinanced at lower margins and decreased LIBOR rate in the period.
The decrease in interest expense on the NOK900 million and NOK 500 million floating rate bonds due 2019 and 2020 respectively is due to their redemption in March 2019 and June 2020 respectively. The increase in interest expense on the NOK700 million floating rate bonds due 2023 is due to the tap issue of NOK100 million in July 2019. The increase in interest expense on the NOK700 million floating rate bonds due 2024, NOK 600 million floating rate bonds due 2025 is due to their issuance in June 2019 and January 2020 respectfully. The decrease in interest expense on the 4.875% convertible notes is due to the buyback of $6.4 million in the first quarter of 2020.
At September 30, 2020, the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries were party to interest rate swap contracts, which effectively fix our interest rates on $1.2 billion of floating rate debt at a weighted average rate excluding margin of 1.76% per annum (September 30, 2019: $1.1 billion of floating rate debt fixed at a weighted average rate excluding margin of 2.63% per annum). The increase in swap interest expense is due to changes in swaps and also due to fluctuations in average LIBOR and NIBOR rates.
Other interest expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 of $0.6 million (nine months ended September 30, 2019: $nil) arose from the sale and subsequent forward contract to repurchase shares which is accounted for as a secured borrowing. (See Note 11: Short-Term and Long-Term Debt.)
The above finance lease interest expense represents the interest portion of our finance lease obligations on four vessels on long-term time charter to MSC (September 30, 2019: four vessels) and seven vessels under a sale and leaseback transaction with an Asia based financial institution (September 30, 2019 : seven vessels) The decrease in interest in finance lease obligations for the nine months ended September 30, 2020, when compared to the same period in 2019 arose due to decreased finance lease obligations.
Other non-operating items
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| Nine months ended | | Nine months ended |
(in thousands of $) | September 30, 2020 | | September 30, 2019 |
Gain/(loss) on repurchase of bonds and extinguishment of debt | 1,081 | | | 1,802 | |
Gain on settlement of related party loan note | 4,446 | | | — | |
Dividends received from related parties | 4,617 | | | 2,250 | |
(Loss)/gain on investments in debt and equity securities | (20,866) | | | 39,842 | |
Other financial items, net | (29,954) | | | (15,770) | |
Total other non-operating items | (40,676) | | | 28,124 | |
The loan notes for the Front Circassia, Front Page, Front Stratus, Front Serenade and Front Ariake sold in 2018 were settled in February 2020 with the Company receiving $19.9 million as settlement and recognizing a gain of $4.4 million on the settlement of notes.
Dividends received in 2020 were $2.4 million from Frontline and $2.2 million from ADS Crude Carriers. Dividends received in 2019 included a $2.0 million liquidation dividend from Golden Close on which the investment had previously been written down to zero, and $0.3 million from ADS Carriers.
The loss on investments and debt and equity securities is $23.1 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2020, which principally relates to a mark to market loss of $15.6 million on the forward contracts on Frontline shares, which was partly offset by realized gain of $2.3 million on the sale of 2.0 million of the Frontline shares in the second quarter of 2020. The gain on investment in debt and equity securities in the nine months ended September 30, 2019 principally relates to the unrealized gain of $39.3 million on the 11 million Frontline shares held at September 30, 2019.
In the nine months ended September 30, 2020, other financial items, net principally related to a loss of $23.8 million from negative mark-to-market adjustments on non-designated derivatives (nine months ended September 30, 2019, a loss of $7.2 million), a $7.5 million increase (nine months ended September 30, 2019, $1.0 million decrease) in net cash payments on non-designated derivatives including settlement of interest rate swaps of $4.5 million following the refinancing of the related debt facilities and an increase in the credit loss provision of $1.1 million (nine months ended September 30, 2019 : nil). In addition in the nine months ended September 30, 2019, the Company recorded an impairment loss of $8.4 million on the Sea Bear loan note after it concluded that the loan note may no longer be recoverable.
As reported above, certain assets were accounted for under the equity method in 2020 and 2019. Their non-operating expenses, including net interest expenses, are not included above, but are reflected in “equity in earnings of associated companies” - see below.
Equity in earnings of associated companies
In the nine month periods ended September 30, 2019, and September 30, 2020, the Company had three wholly-owned subsidiaries which were accounted for under the equity method, as discussed in the Consolidated Financial Statements included herein (Note 9: Investments and deficit in associated companies). The total equity in earnings of associated companies in the nine months ended September 30, 2020 was $10.0 million lower than in the comparative period in 2019 mainly due to recording of the allowance for expected credit losses of $10.7 million, principally in respect of SFL Deepwater which owns the West Taurus.
Seasonality
A large part of our vessels are chartered at fixed rates on a long-term basis and seasonal factors do not have a significant direct effect on our business. Our tankers on charter to Frontline Shipping and our dry bulk carriers on charter to the Golden Ocean Charterer are subject to profit sharing agreements and to the extent that seasonal factors affect the profits of the charterers of these vessels we will also be affected. We also have ten dry bulk carriers, two Suezmax tankers, two car carriers, two chemical tankers and two containerships trading in the spot or short term time charter market, and the effects of seasonality may affect the earnings of these vessels. Following existing and planned scrubber installations on seven container vessels on charter to Maersk, there are profit sharing arrangements on fuel cost savings with Maersk. The fuel savings will depend on the price difference between IMO compliant fuel and IMO non-compliant fuel.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
At September 30, 2020 we had total cash and cash equivalents of $205.8 million, excluding cash held in wholly owned non-consolidated subsidiaries, restricted cash of $8.6 million and investments in equity securities and corporate bonds of $33.0 million.
In the nine months ended September 30, 2020 we generated cash of $194.4 million net from operations, generated $74.0 million net in investing activities and used $257.0 million net in financing activities.
Cash flows provided by operating activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 increased to $194.4 million, from $191.3 million for the same period in 2019, due mainly to increased profit share of $15.5 million compared with the same period in 2019. Excluding this, the increase is due mainly to the timing of charter hire and trade and other receivables.
Investing activities provided cash of $74.0 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2020, compared to $120.6 million used in the same period in 2019. The increase in cash from investing activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 compared to cash used in 2019 is mainly due to inflow of cash of $152.5 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2020 from the sale of Hunter Alta, Hunter Saga, Front Hakata, Sea Cheetah, Sea Jaguar, Sea Halibut, Sea Leopard and Sea Pike compared to $nil in the comparable period, an inflow of cash of $21.1 million on sale of the forward contracts on Frontline shares compared to $nil in the comparable period, a decrease in the outflow of cash from 'Additions to direct financing leases and leaseback assets from $65.0 million compared to $91.1 million in 2019 and cash inflow of $2.0 million in 'Other investments and long term assets' in the nine months ended September 30, 2020, compared to a cash outflow of $20.0 million in the comparable period principally related to funding for collateral deposits on swap agreements. This is offset by an increase in the outflow of cash from $29.0 million in 2019 to $49.2 million used to fund capital improvements.
Net cash utilized from financing activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 was $257.0 million, compared to $144.8 million in the same period in 2019. Proceeds from debt drawn down in the nine months ended September 30, 2020 were $70.9 million higher than the comparable period in 2019. Payments in connection with the settlement of a cross currency swap following the repurchase and settlement of debt were $30.1 million lower than comparable period in 2019 and the cash dividend paid was $20.8 million lower than the comparable period in 2019. In addition, there were proceeds from sale of forward contracts on shares of $15.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2020. This was offset by an increase of $255.6 million in the cash utilized to prepay and repay long-term debt due to debt being refinanced and the sale of assets which were previously mortgaged.
Subsequent to quarter end, SFL has amended two of the corresponding financing agreements relating to its drilling rigs held by wholly owned non-consolidated subsidiaries with its lenders (see Note 19: Subsequent Events).
In addition to bank financing, the Company continually monitors equity and debt capital market conditions and may raise additional capital through the issuance of equity, debt or hybrid securities from time to time.
The following table presents an overall summary of our borrowings as at September 30, 2020.
| | | | | | |
| As at September 30, 2020 |
(in millions of $) | Outstanding balance | |
Unsecured borrowings: | | |
5.75% senior unsecured convertible notes due 2021 | 212.2 | | |
| | |
4.875% senior unsecured convertible notes due 2023 | 141.9 | | |
NOK700 million senior unsecured floating rate bonds due 2023 | 74.8 | | |
NOK700 million senior unsecured floating rate bonds due 2024 | 74.3 | | |
NOK600 million senior unsecured floating rate bonds due 2025 | 57.7 | | |
Total bonds | 560.9 | | |
Borrowings secured on Frontline shares | 15.6 | | |
U.S. dollar denominated floating rate debt due through 2025 | 922.4 | | |
Total borrowings of Company and consolidated subsidiaries | 1,498.9 | | |
Equity accounted subsidiaries: loan facilities secured with mortgages on rigs | 585.9 | | |
Total borrowings | 2,084.8 | | |
Finance lease liabilities | 1,056.9 | | |
Total borrowings and lease liabilities | 3,141.7 | | |
The loan facilities of the equity accounted subsidiaries originally contained financial covenants, with which both SFL and Seadrill must comply. As part of the restructuring of Seadrill in 2018, the financial covenants on Seadrill were replaced by financial covenants on a subsidiary of Seadrill, Seadrill Rig Holding Company Limited, who also acts as guarantor for the obligations under the leases for the three drilling units, on a subordinated basis to the senior secured lenders in Seadrill and new secured notes. (Please see Note 19: Subsequent Events and refer to Risk Factor above - “The failure of the charterers of our drilling rigs to meet their obligations to us under our lease agreements, or material change to the terms of such agreements, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows, ability to pay dividends to our shareholders and compliance with covenants in our credit facilities” for further discussion.)
Security and Collateral
The main security provided under the secured credit facilities include (i) guarantees from subsidiaries, as well as instances where the Company guarantees all or part of the loans, (ii) a first priority pledge over all shares of the relevant asset owning subsidiaries and (iii) a first priority mortgage over the relevant collateral assets which includes substantially all of the vessels and the drilling units that are currently owned by the Company as at November 16, 2020, excluding three container vessels and two chemical tankers. In addition, one of the three rigs in our equity accounted subsidiaries is unencumbered at November 16, 2020.
CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Matters discussed herein 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, but are not limited to, statements concerning plans, objectives, goals, strategies, future events or performance, 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 pursuant to this safe harbor legislation. This report and any other written or oral statements made by the Company or on its behalf may include forward-looking statements, which reflect the Company’s current views with respect to future events and financial performance. The words “believe,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “estimate,” “forecast,” “project,” “plan,” “potential,” “may,” “should,” “expect,” “pending” and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements.
The forward-looking statements herein are based upon various assumptions, many of which are based, in turn, upon further assumptions, including, without limitation, management’s examination of historical operating trends, data contained in the Company’s records and other data available from third parties. Although the Company believes 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 its control, the Company cannot assure you that it will achieve or accomplish these expectations, beliefs or projections.
Such statements reflect the Company’s current views with respect to future events and are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described herein as anticipated, believed, estimated, expected or intended. The Company is making investors aware that such forward-looking statements, because they relate to future events, are by their very nature subject to many important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated. In addition to these important factors and matters discussed elsewhere herein, important factors that, in the Company’s view, could cause actual results to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to:
▪the strength of world economies;
▪the Company’s ability to generate cash to service its indebtedness;
▪the Company’s ability to continue to satisfy its financial and other covenants, or obtain waivers relating to such covenants from its lenders under its credit facilities;
▪the availability of financing and refinancing, as well as the Company’s ability to obtain such financing or refinancing in
the future to fund capital expenditures, acquisitions and other general corporate activities and the Company's ability to
comply with the restrictions and other covenants in its financing arrangements;
▪the Company’s counterparties’ ability or willingness to honor their obligations under agreements with it;
▪fluctuations in currencies and interest rates;
▪general market conditions including fluctuations in charter hire rates and vessel values;
▪availability of skilled workers and the related labor costs;
▪the Company’s dependence on key personnel, adequacy of insurance coverage, and its ability to obtain indemnities from
customers, changes in laws, treaties or regulations;
▪changes in supply and generally the number, size and form of providers of goods and services in the markets in which the Company operates;
▪changes in demand in the markets in which the Company operates;
▪changes in demand resulting from changes in the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries’ petroleum production levels and worldwide oil consumption and storage;
▪developments regarding the technologies relating to oil exploration and the effects of new products and new technology in the Company’s industry;
▪changes in market demand in countries which import commodities and finished goods and changes in the amount and location of the production of those commodities and finished goods;
▪increased inspection procedures and more restrictive import and export controls;
▪the imposition of sanctions by the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the Department of the U.S. Treasury or pursuant to other applicable laws or regulations against the Company or any of its subsidiaries;
▪compliance with governmental, tax, environmental and safety regulation, any non-compliance with the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977 (FCPA) or other applicable regulations relating to bribery;
▪changes in the Company’s operating expenses, including bunker prices, drydocking and insurance costs;
▪the impact of the discontinuance of LIBOR after 2021 on any of the Company’s debt that references LIBOR in the interest rate;
▪the volatility of the price of the Company’s common shares;
▪the Company’s incorporation under the laws of Bermuda and the different rights to relief that may be available compared
to other countries, including the United States;
▪performance of the Company’s charterers and other counterparties with whom the Company deals;
▪the impact of any restructuring of the counterparties with whom the Company deals, including any potential restructuring, including filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, by Seadrill;
▪timely delivery of vessels under construction within the contracted price;
▪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, including any changes to energy and environmental policies and changes attendant to trade conflicts;
▪the length and severity of the ongoing coronavirus outbreak (COVID-19) and its impact on the demand for commercial
seaborne transportation and the condition of the financial markets;
▪potential disruption of shipping routes due to accidents; and
▪piracy or political events; and
▪other important factors described under the heading “Risk Factors” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2019, as well as those described from time to time in the reports filed by the Company with the Commission.
This report may contain assumptions, expectations, projections, intentions and beliefs about future events. These statements are intended as forward-looking statements. The Company may also from time to time make forward-looking statements in other documents and reports that are filed with or submitted to the Commission, in other information sent to the Company’s security holders, and in other written materials. The Company also cautions that assumptions, expectations, projections, intentions and beliefs about future events may and often do vary from actual results and the differences can be material. The information set forth herein speaks only as of the date hereof and the Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement contained in this report, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
Date: November 16, 2020
| | | | | | | | |
| By: | /s/ Aksel C. Olesen |
| Name: Aksel C. Olesen |
| Principal Financial Officer |
| |