Thank you for standing by, ladies and gentlemen, and welcome to the Seanergy Maritime conference call on the first quarter 2021 financial results. We have with us Mr. Stamatis Tsantanis, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, and Mr. Stavros Gyftakis, Chief Financial Officer of the company. Apologies, at this time all participants are in a listen-only mode. There will be a presentation followed by a question and answer session, at which time if you wish to ask a question, please press star one on your telephone keypad. I must advise you that this conference is being recorded today Forward-looking statement. Please be reminded that the company publicly released its financial results, which are available to download on the Seanergy website at seanergymaritime.com. If you do not have a copy of the press release, you may contact Capital Link at 212-661-7566, and they will be happy to send it to you. Before turning the call over to Mr. Tsantanis, we would like to remind you that this conference call contains forward-looking statements as defined in Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as amended, concerning future events and the company's growth, strategy, and measures to implement such strategy. Words such as expect, intend, plan, believe, anticipate, hope, estimate, and variations of such words and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These statements involve known and unknown risks and are based upon a number of assumptions and estimates, which are inherently subject to significant uncertainties and contingencies, many of which are beyond the control of the company. Actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include but are not limited to competitive factors in the market in which the company operates, risks associated with operations outside the United States, changing rules and regulations applicable to the shipping industry, and other risk factors included from time to time in the company's annual report on Form 20-F and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, the SEC. The company's filings can be obtained free of charge on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov. The company expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statement, and can hear them to reflect any change in the company's expectations with respect thereto or any change in events, conditions, or circumstances on which any statement is based. Now I will pass the floor to Mr. Tsantanis. Please go ahead, sir. Thank you, operator. Hello, everyone, and thank you for joining our call. Today, we will discuss our results for the first quarter 2021. We will provide you with a general update of the major corporate events that have taken place. After going through a transformational year in 2020, where Seanergy laid a solid foundation for the future through several important transactions, from the beginning of 2021, we have focused mainly on positioning the company optimally to take advantage of the strength of the dry bulk market. I would like to highlight the following important milestones for the company. Seanergy's fleet will reach 16 Capesize vessels after agreeing to acquire one more Capesize ship since our last update. This represents a 50% fleet increase compared to the end of Q3 2020. All vessels acquired are built at the highest quality shipyards in Japan, and two of them come with exhaust gas scrubbers installed. On a fully delivered basis, the market value of our fleet should be approximately $412 million against debt outstanding of about $207 million. A total investment of $134.3 million has been made in 2021 for these purchases, and total new debt of approximately $32.3 million will be added to our balance sheet at the end of Q2 2021. This represents a loan-to-value of approximately 33% on these new five vessels. The weighted average interest rate of the new debt is about 3.1%. As regards our commercial developments, we have entered four new period employment agreements. Three of these time charters are index-linked, benefiting directly from the strengthening of the market. One is at a fixed rate of $31,000 per day for 12- 18 months. We are currently on course to see the best year for Capesize market in many years. Our fleet achieved a first quarter 2021 daily Time Charter Equivalent of $16,219 per day, increased by 92% from the first quarter 2020. Adjusted EBITDA was equal to $7.9 million, slightly up from $1 million in the same quarter last year. At the moment, more than 95% of our fleet days for the second quarter are fixed at a level of approximately $22,400 per day. We consequently expect further sequential improvement in our financial performance. Cash and cash equivalents as of March 31st, 2021, stood at $54.4 million compared to $23.7 million as of December 31st, 2020. Debt outstanding at the end of the quarter was approximately $131.5 million. Shareholders' equity at the end of the first quarter of 2021 was $138.1 million, compared to $95.9 million at the end of the fourth quarter of 2020. Let's move on to discuss the most important developments since our last earnings call. On May 10th, 2021, we took delivery of a Cape vessel, Hellasship. The ship was built in 2012 in Japan. This was the very first delivery of the five Cape sizes agreed to be acquired during 2021. The ship was fixed with a major charterer on an 11- 15-month index-linked time charter. During the same week, the company also took delivery of the Flagship, which was built in 2013, also in Japan. The vessel has commenced a time charter agreement with Cargill. The vessel will earn an index-linked rate for a period of five years. As mentioned before, Cargill will fund the installation of energy-saving devices on the ship in order to improve its environmental performance. In June 2021, we also expect to take delivery of a Tradership and the Partnership, which were acquired in February and March 2021. These are our third and fourth new acquisitions for the year. As you remember, the vessels were built in 2006 and 2010 respectively at reputable Japanese yards. Our fifth and final acquisition for the year so far is a top-quality 2012-built Japanese Cape vessel, which also is fitted with an exhaust gas scrubber system. We expect to take delivery of our 16th vessel in August. As a reminder, the special survey and ballast water treatment system installation for our vessels was completed by their previous and current owners, and therefore, we do not anticipate incurring significant capital expenditure for at least the next two years. Moreover, two vessels come fitted with an exhaust gas scrubber system. Vessel values have been on a clear upward trajectory in the past months, and given the spot and time charter market conditions, I strongly believe that further improvements are well within reach. Moving on to a summary of our loan facilities. We have reached definitive agreements on three new financing transactions. Our CFO, Stavros, will go into more detail on this shortly, but the total amount committed is approximately $73.5 million, and the average interest rates will be approximately 3.1% margin over LIBOR. This represents a much lower cost of capital than the existing loan facilities that were prepaid in the past few months. Seanergy is today in an optimal financial position to capitalize on improving market conditions. Highlights from our financial statements before discussing some of the important financing transactions that have taken place. During the first quarter of the year, we experienced significant counter-seasonal market strength. Even as the first quarter is traditionally the weakest each year, the Baltic Capesize Index averaged approximately $17,000 per day, compared to only $4,500 in the first quarter of last year. Against this positive backdrop, Seanergy's daily Time Charter Equivalent improved from approximately $8,500 to approximately $16,200 during the quarter, which led to a 99% increase in net operating revenues from $7.5 million to approximately $16.3 million. Daily vessel operating expenses were stable compared to last year at approximately $5,500. On a sequential basis, it is worth noting that daily OpEx improved from $6,100 in the fourth quarter of 2020, and we are optimistic about achieving further improvement as the adverse effects of the COVID crisis have started dissipating. EBITDA for the quarter was equal to $6.7 million, as opposed to approximately $1 million in the first quarter of 2020. Adjusted EBITDA, which excludes non-recurring non-cash charges, was $7.9 million. The Capesize market has already registered a notable consecutive improvement from the already strong levels of the first quarter, and our daily TCE for the second quarter is expected to be approximately 23,000, as seen from the forward guidance in our press release. Our fleet's daily cash break-even rate per operating day for the rest of 2021 is expected to be equal to approximately $12,500, $13,000 per day, excluding CapEx, and we, therefore, expect our significant operating leverage to result in continued profitability improvements for the rest of the year. Moving on, I'm pleased to note the large decrease in interest and finance costs during the quarter. Total interest and finance expense was equal to $4.4 million compared to $5.7 million in the same period of 2020. The figure includes large non-cash expenses related to the accelerated amortization of deferred finance charges resulting from the early repayment of some of our loans in February 2021, as well as amortization expenses related to our convertible notes. Cash interest expenses were approximately $2.7 million, down 38% from $4.2 million in the first quarter of 2020. Daily cash interest expenses amounted to approximately $2,700 in the first quarter, compared to $4,600 in the same quarter of 2020. Daily cash interest costs to continue during 2021. For 2022, we expect that cash interest expense should be at or below $2,000 per day per vessel on the back of the increase in our fleet size. I'm particularly happy to report that the financial restructuring, the early retirement of expensive debt, and its replacement with low leverage, competitively priced loans is having an immediate and visible positive effect on our financials. Moving on to discuss our balance sheet highlights, Seanergy ended the first quarter with a cash balance of $58 million, up from $28.6 million at the end of 2020. Total debt outstanding was approximately $131.5 million, of which $127.5 million represents senior secured liabilities. The book value of our equity was equal to $188 million, almost doubling from $95 million as of December 31st, 2020. The significant improvement in the company's financial health during the first quarter came as a result of, firstly, the accretive equity offering that was completed in February, secondly, the early retirement of expensive and high-leverage loan facilities, and thirdly, the significantly improved market condition. While the first two are self-evident, I wanted to note that the rapid increase in vessel values over the first quarter has led to a sharp disconnection between our vessels' market value and book value. As a result, our shareholders' equity on a market value adjusted basis is even higher than the figure on the balance sheet. After considering the recent vessel acquisition and amortization schedule of our existing and prospective loan facilities, we expect that the pro forma debt position of the company at the end of the second quarter should be about $207 million. The fleet market value on a fully delivered basis should be approximately $412 million. Regarding the important financing transactions concluded in our last update, the company has secured approximately $73.5 million in vessel financings and is currently in advanced discussions for an additional $31 million facility that we expect to be able to announce in more details very soon. More specifically, on April 22, we entered into a $15.5 million credit facility with Aegean Baltic Bank, secured by the Tradership and the Goodship. The term of the facility is four and a half years, and the interest rate margin will be 4%. On May 11, we entered into a sale and leaseback transaction with Cargill to partially fund the acquisition cost of the Flagship. The financing amount is $20.5 million at an implied interest rate of approximately 2% all-in, fixed for five years. On May 20, we entered into a $37.5 million facility with Alpha Bank for the financing of the Leadership, the Squireship, and the Lordship. The purpose of the facility is to refinance the $25.5 million Leadership and Squireship facilities, while also providing additional financing of $12 million secured by the Lordship. The earliest maturity of the facility will be in December 2024. The interest rate will be equal to LIBOR plus 3.5%. I'm very pleased to note that through this transaction, the maturity of the Leadership and Squireship facilities was extended by two years from 2022 originally to 2024 now. Being able to address debt maturities proactively is an important indicator of the improved financial health of our company. The terms that Seanergy is able to obtain on financing transactions are quite competitive at the moment, and we expect this to be an important factor facilitating our success as a company in the following years. As an indication of these competitive terms, the all-in cash break-even rate of our fleet excluding CapEx is now expected to be close to $13,000 per day in 2022 and onwards. This is a significant improvement on what the company was experiencing in previous years and puts Seanergy on a more sustainable track. Lastly, concerning the debt levers that have been added through the second quarter to our balance sheet, pursuant to the update discussed previously, I wanted to note that we have taken a very conservative approach on leverage. Therefore, we are confident that the sustainable leverage levels seen in this report will not be distorted. To provide some more color, after concluding all the financings currently contemplated. The post-COVID recovery that is driven by fiscal spending and infrastructure construction in many parts of the world. As regards to the first quarter of 2021, the Baltic Capesize Index averaged about $17,000 per day and saw a significant improvement in sentiment after a relatively weaker Q4 2020, when the market was negatively affected by operational inefficiencies in Brazil. Capesize rates during the first quarter of 2021 ranged from a low of about $10,000 a day to a high of $26,500 a day. This performance was truly exceptional considering the weak seasonality. Global demand for steel and iron ore remains very strong as China continues record volumes of steel making. In addition, Brazil iron ore exports are clearly recovering from the low levels of 2019 and 2020, and Vale recently stated its target of achieving 400 million of iron ore production by the end of 2022. This compares very favorably with the 320 million tons in 2021, and given the long-distance voyages out of Brazil, would generate substantial incremental Capesize demand. In addition, coal seaborne volumes are staging a very strong recovery from the extreme COVID-induced weakness of 2020, and the tensions between China and Australia have helped coal ton-miles rise even more. Having in mind that Q1 is traditionally the weakest quarter for Cape vessels, we expect to see an even stronger market for the rest of the year. We're particularly happy to see this optimistic sentiment reflected in one-year time charter rates, as opposed to being limited to spot earnings. Indicative one-year time charter levels for a standard Capesize are currently around $28,000 per day, which is a big increase from $22,500 a day, which we reported in our last earnings call in March. Capesize asset values have risen by more than 45% since the end of 2020. Looking at vessel supply over the next two years, we are very optimistic as the upcoming environmental regulations will have a positive effect on the market. The immediate reduction of emissions that will be enforced in 2023 will lead to the speedy reduction of 10%-15% of the global fleet. This will result in an obvious supply squeeze that could lead to an impressive further rise of the market. The effect will be even greater when adjusted for the larger ships. In addition, the uncertainty surrounding the future prevailing market-moving technologies in order to comply with the 2030 global shipping emissions has led to the lowest new building order book in decades. Going back to my initial point, we have entered into a super cycle that is expected to be sustainable for years to come. Concluding, over the last years, we have carefully positioned Seanergy to take advantage of this super cycle. Our high-quality fleet with full market exposure is expected to greatly benefit from this market. We are fully committed to creating strong shareholder value. With that note, I would now like to turn the call over to the operator and answer any questions you may have. Thank you very much. Operator, please take the call. Thank you. As a reminder, to ask a question, you will need to press star one on your telephone. To withdraw your question, press star and two. Once again, star and one if you would like to ask a question. Your first question comes from the line of Tate Sullivan from Maxim Group. Please go ahead. Your line is open. Yes, thank you. Good day. Thank you for all the details on 2Q 2021 guidance with the debt at the end of the quarter, but can you talk a little about 3Q, 2Q, May 24? Just to recap, it's $207 million of debt by the end of the quarter with $412 million market value to acquire vessels. Is that what you said earlier, please? Hi, Tate. This is Stavros. Thanks for your question. Actually, this is the figure. It's the figures that you mentioned. We have one facility, one financing that is currently being negotiated, and we're close to completing that. Assuming that this proceeds, our pro forma debt will stand at $207 million, and following the delivery of all the vessels that we have recently announced, the market value of the fleet will be at around $412 million, $417 million. Yeah, that's the picture. No, thank you. That helps for the forecasting on pro forma for the ships. Just, can you give an update, and it was great you included the detail on the shares outstanding after the Jelco warrant exercises. Are there additional shares, Jelco warrants outstanding related to the December SPA, please? Hi, Tate. This is Stamatis. The answer is no, there are no additional warrants outstanding at this kind of level with Jelco, so we're done with that. Great. It sounds like, I can do the calculations after and maybe follow up, too. With about a 3% spread on your new debt, can you just give a comment, and you commented on the cash interest cost, I think it was about a $3,000, $2,000, a little less than $2,000 per day per ship. All in, what do you expect your interest expense to decrease to pro forma for all the acquisition of the ships, or is that better to follow up later? Everything all in including LIBOR, we expect to be around 5%, including LIBOR. Wow, okay, great. Okay. Thank you for those follow-up details. You're very welcome, Tate. Thank you. Your next question comes from the line of Poe Fratt, Noble Capital Markets. Please go ahead. Your line is open. Good morning, Stamatis. Good morning, Stavros. I was hoping if you could just clarify how you're going to handle the FFAs that you locked in for the second quarter, and whether you're going to report the TCE average of $22,400 or is it going to be higher and then you're going to back out below the line, the FFAs? Well, actually, it's been reported on a blended average. That's why we just provided the guidance that at the end of Q2, having known what we knew at the time, we decided to hedge very few of our ships at this kind of levels, which might seem very low today. However, as compared to the information we had on the FFAs at the time, and especially the way that the Q2 always works, it was a multiple of what the FFA for Q2 always works. We thought at the time it was a good hedge. Of course, we're proven not to be so correct about that. Still, the majority of the fleet operated at very decent levels of around $28,000. The blended overall average is about $22,000, $23,000. This is where we expect it to be for Q2. Maybe a bit more. Okay. Yeah. I'm just asking more about how you're going to report it. Stamatis, do you have any FFAs locked in for the third quarter at this point in time? We do, yes. Okay. We expect the third quarter to be substantially higher than that. First of all, we're going to have one ship fixed for 12- 18 months running at $31,000. The one fixed ship will run at substantially higher levels. Then we have an average of about $25,000 on four other ships locked in for Q3. We expect the Q3 figures to be, knowing what we know right now, we expect it to be substantially higher than Q2. Okay. That's helpful. You have, I think, a total of six Capes that are subject to where you can use FFAs to lock in. You've locked in on four of the six for the third quarter? For the third quarter, we're going to have one fixed, 12- 18 months, and five more converted, four at an average of $25,000 and one converted at $33,000. Like I said before, it's going to be substantially higher than that. Okay. Then is anything fixed into the fourth quarter beyond that one-year time charter at $31,000? No. We have not fixed anything for Q4. Okay, you're completely open. Great. Can you just, Stavros, maybe walk through? Could you highlight how much are you going to spend on acquisitions, whether it's advances or actually closing the acquisitions in the second quarter? In the second quarter, we're going to pay around $90 million, and we have drawn debt of $100 million, less $25 million, which we used for the acquisition. We have added debt of around $75 million. We have paid $90 million for new vessel acquisitions. Okay. What is more important for you all to know, is that currently, as we speak now, we have around $52 million, $53 million in cash. We have loan commitments of around $38 million, and we have around $50 million, $52 million of outstanding commitments for our vessel acquisitions. Pro forma, after all the new debt arrangements have been concluded and after we have taken delivery of all the ships, including the 16 ships that Stamatis discussed about previously, we're going to end up with a cash position of around $35 million-$40 million. Basically, the acquisitions are well-funded and there is significant cash buffer in the balance for the company. Stavros, just to be clear that you expect pro forma cash at the end of the third quarter to be $35 million? It's going to be around $35 million-$40 million end of Q3, Stamatis, again, plus one unlevered ship. The final ship will not have leverage for now. If we decide to have another 30%-40% leverage on that ship, then the cash balance is going to be around $15 million, $20 million more. Okay. Then the $207 million that you referenced for the pro forma debt, does that include the convertible, or is the convertible over and above that? It does not include the convertible. We are in the process of hopefully towards the end of the year with the strong [cash flows] of the company to aggressively reduce that as well. Okay. Just to clarify too, the comments on the number of shares outstanding. The 8 million warrants that were exercised by Jelco, those brought in $5.6 million. Was that in the first quarter or the second quarter? That was in the second quarter. Okay. Then they did convert the debt. It was— Sorry. Yeah. Poe, that was basically a legacy thing that was negotiated back in December, and it was signed in the beginning of January of this year without knowing what kind of performance. At the time when the stock was worth $0.50, obviously, providing convertibility at $0.70 or $1.20 appeared to be significantly higher. That's kind of a legacy situation that we're done with that now, and there's no more dilution to Jelco expected to happen. Yes. No, I just wanted to make sure that I was accounting for that and try to figure out the first quarter versus the second quarter. In April, Jelco converted $3 million of debt into essentially shares, that $4.3 million. My understanding there was also a warrants issued of a like amount. Yes. Of course. They are full units. Of course. Yes. Yeah. Jelco still has $4.3 million roughly in warrants that they can exercise at $0.70. These are all unregistered, and they cannot be registered prior to Q4. These are not covered by any registration statement, nor did we expect to file any registration statement whatsoever to register those shares. If they become available for sale, it's going to be not before another five, six months. Yes. I just wanted to make sure that, again, I had full clarity on what still potentially could be issued looking at the rest of the year. I thought you said that there weren't any warrants out.
Loading workspace