Mumbai, February 13, 2014: Essar Shipping Limited (ESL) announced its financial results for the third quarter ended December 31, 2013. The results were taken on record at the meeting of the Board of Directors of the company held on February 13, 2014.
Financial performance review
During Q3FY14, the company registered consolidated revenue of Rs 452.77 crore, EBITDA of Rs 145.54 crore and net loss of Rs 86.24 crore. For the corresponding quarter of last year, the company registered consolidated revenue of Rs 792.66 crore, EBITDA of Rs 221.68 crore and net profit of Rs 17.85 crore.
The consolidated revenue for the nine-month period ended December 31, 2013 stood at Rs 1,492.03 crore, EBITDA at Rs 587.59 crore and net loss at Rs 78.03 crore and for the corresponding period of last year, revenue was Rs 2,515.79 crore, EBITDA of Rs 691.91 crore and net profit of Rs 35.75 crore.
The reduction in revenue was due to scale down of logistics services by Essar Logistics Limited (ELL) and due to the currently depressed spot freight markets. The sea transportation business in the current quarter registered revenue of Rs 217.84 crore, EBITDA of Rs 9.87 crore and net loss of Rs 76.78 crore as against revenue of Rs 372.21 crore, EBITDA of Rs 87.20 crore and net loss of Rs 14.59 crore in the corresponding quarter of the previous year.
Commenting on the results of the sea transportation business, Capt. Anoop Sharma, Director and Chief Executive Officer – Sea Transportation Business said, “While the freight rates in the shipping industry showed some signs of revival in the third quarter, we have witnessed sharp corrections especially in the dry bulk markets in the beginning of the new year. We expect the markets to start improving in the second half of the calendar year, when one can expect to see reduced gap between tonnage and cargo availability.”
The oilfields services business in the current quarter registered revenue of Rs 179.63 crore, EBITDA of Rs 110.49 crore and net loss of Rs 2.81 crore as against revenue of Rs 176.33 crore, EBITDA of Rs 114.72 crore and net profit of Rs 26.99 crore in the corresponding quarter of the previous year. Commenting on the results of the oilfields services business, Mr Ankur Gupta, Chief Executive Officer of oilfields services business said, “Irrespective of the consistent high efficiency of Essar Wildcat, the gross earnings from land rig operations have dropped in this quarter. However, the expected commencement of operations of land rigs LR#3, LR#4, and MR#1 gives a positive outlook for the company in the near term. We are actively pursuing various other opportunities in India as well as in international geographies to maximise our asset utilisation rate.”
About Essar Shipping
Essar Shipping Limited operates a diversified fleet of 24 vessels including two very large crude carriers (VLCCs), three capesize bulk carriers, two supramax bulk carriers, six minicape bulk carriers, two handysize vessels and five mini bulk carriers and four tugs.
Essar Oilfields Services provides contract drilling and related services to oil and gas companies worldwide, operating both offshore and onshore. It owns a fleet of 16 rigs, which includes one semi-submersible rig and 15 onshore rigs.
For Media & Investor Queries Contact:Manish Kedia, Senior VP Corporate Affairs, Essar
Phone: +91 98197 30092 , Email: manish.kedia@essar.com
Vikram Gupta, CFO, Essar Shipping Limited
Phone: +91 98197 31424, Email : Vikram.Gupta@essar.com
