Cool Company Ltd. Q1 2024 Business Update

LONDON–(BUSINESS WIRE)–This release includes business updates and unaudited financial results for the three months ended March 31, 2024 (“Q1”, “Q1 2024” or the “Quarter”) of Cool Company Ltd. (“CoolCo” or the “Company”) (NYSE:CLCO / CLCO.OL).

Q1 Highlights and Subsequent Events

• Generated total operating revenues of $88.1 million in Q1, compared to $97.1 million for the fourth quarter of 2023 (“Q4” or “Q4 2023”) primarily related to brief off-hire on the Kool Husky as it transitioned to a new charter and a lower floating rate on another vessel;
• Net income of $36.8¹ million in Q1, compared to $22.4¹ million for Q4 with the increase primarily related to unrealized mark-to-market gains on our interest rate swaps;
• Achieved average Time Charter Equivalent Earnings (“TCE”)² of $77,200 per day for Q1, compared to $87,300 per day for Q4;
• Adjusted EBITDA² of $58.5 million for Q1, compared to $69.4 million for Q4;
• Upsized the $520 million term loan facility by $200 million, pushing out the first debt maturity to February 2027;
• Secured a 14-year charter with GAIL (India) Limited during Q2 2024 for one of the two state-of-the-art MEGA LNG carriers currently under order at Hyundai-Samho (the “Newbuilds”), expected to be delivered towards the end of 2024;
• Commenced drydock cycle with one vessel during Q2 2024, with a further three vessels scheduled to follow in Q3 2024;
• Declared a quarterly dividend of $0.41 per share, payable to shareholders of record on May 31, 2024.

Richard Tyrrell, CEO, commented:

“The first quarter was a transitional quarter for both the market and CoolCo after the winter season in northern hemisphere ended early and two of CoolCo’s vessels delivered into new charters. While one of the vessels delivered into a higher rate charter, the other was off-hire for a handful of days before delivery and this, combined with lower rates on our single variable rate contract reduced our overall fleet TCE to $77,200 per day.

Energy security concerns continue to support the price of LNG at above $9/MMBTU, which is supportive of shipping as average cargo values now exceed $30 million. Our next available vessels are well spaced and do not come open before the second half of 2024, when the market is anticipated to be in a seasonal upswing. Additionally, following two atypically warm winters in the northern hemisphere, during which China and India relied heavily upon significant coal inventories, we expect to see longer voyage distances in the second half of 2024 as greater volumes of LNG head east.

Subsequent to the first quarter, CoolCo was pleased to announce a long-term charter for one of its two state-of-the-art Newbuilds and looks forward to securing employment for its second Newbuild. The 14-year long-term charter takes CoolCo’s firm revenue backlog to more than $1.2 billion and total revenue backlog including extensions to almost $1.9 billion as of March 31, 2024, and underscores the significant gap between the prevailing spot market and the long-term employment prospects for the high-quality, fuel-efficient LNG carriers.”

Financial Highlights

The table below sets forth certain key financial information for Q1 2024, Q4 2023 and Q1 2023.

(in thousands of $, except average daily TCE)	Q1 2024	Q4 2023	Q1 2023
Time and voyage charter revenues	78,710	89,319	91,168
Total operating revenues	88,125	97,144	98,649
Operating income	44,097	55,051	52,022
Net income1	36,812	22,415	70,132
Adjusted EBITDA2	58,541	69,432	67,814
Average daily TCE2 (to the closest $100)	77,200	87,300	83,700

LNG Market Review

The average Japan/Korea Marker gas price (“JKM”) for the Quarter was $9.43/MMBtu compared to $15.82/MMBtu for Q4 2023; with average JKM for Q2 2024 at $9.96/MMBtu as of May 14, 2024. The Quarter commenced with Dutch Title Transfer Facility gas price (“TTF”) at $10.31/MMBtu and quoted TFDE headline spot rates of $78,750 per day. The Quarter concluded with TTF at $8.76/MMBtu and quoted TFDE headline spot rates of $39,500 per day. The TFDE headline spot rate has subsequently stabilized at around this level and is quoted at $39,000 per day as of May 14, 2024.

Most LNG has continued to trade within its basin of origin, reducing the number of long-distance inter-basin voyages and limiting the effect of the Panama and Suez Canal closures. While demand for gas in Europe has dropped, the price of LNG is supported by concerns over energy security and the potential for a further decrease in gas from Russia whether in gas or liquid form. The high value of the cargos delivered into Europe is supportive of LNG shipping even though the distances involved are shorter.

The volatility of LNG markets is expected to increase as the winter heating season approaches. Onshore storage in Europe could fill up, resulting in more cargoes heading east and a return to using LNG carriers for storage – both of which would be positive for CoolCo’s vessels.

Operational Review

CoolCo’s fleet continued to perform well with a Q1 fleet utilization of 95% compared to 97% for Q4 2023, with the difference primarily reflecting 51 off-hire days due to time lost between charterhire as Kool Husky transitioned to its new charter in early March. While there were no drydocks during Q1 2024, one drydock has commenced in the second quarter, with a further three vessels scheduled to start their drydocks during the third quarter of 2024. The average cost of these drydocks is estimated to be at approximately $6.5 million per vessel, plus up to 30 days off-hire. One of the drydocks scheduled for the third quarter will also include the upgrade of a vessel to LNGe specification through the retrofit of a sub-cooler with high liquefaction capacity and other performance enhancements at an estimated cost of an additional $15.0 million and an additional 20 days off-hire.

Business Development

The chartering of one of CoolCo’s two Newbuilds sets a strong precedent for the second Newbuild and CoolCo continues to be in discussions with potential charterers regarding its employment. CoolCo is also developing leads for its other two vessels redelivering in the second half of 2024, both of which are earmarked for an upgrade to LNGe specification during their scheduled drydocks during the first half of 2025.

Financing and Liquidity

During the Quarter, the Company closed on the upsize of the existing $520 million term loan facility maturing in May 2029 in anticipation of the maturity of the two existing sale & leaseback facilities (Kool Ice and Kool Kelvin) during the first quarter of 2025. As previously disclosed, the $200 million upsize will be available on a delayed drawdown basis, at our option.

As of March 31, 2024, CoolCo had cash and cash equivalents of $105.8 million and total short and long-term debt, net of deferred finance charges, amounting to $1,042.6 million. In addition, CoolCo has approximately $49 million remaining undrawn capacity under its Newbuild Vessel pre-delivery facility. Total Contractual Debt² stood at $1,145.9 million, which is comprised of $475.8 million in respect of the $570 million bank facility maturing in March 2027, $461.9 million in respect of the $520 million term loan facility maturing in May 2029, $168.2 million of sale and leaseback financing in respect of the two vessels maturing in the first quarter of 2025 (Kool Ice and Kool Kelvin) and $40.0 million in respect of the Newbuilds’ financing (Kool Tiger and Kool Panther).

In February 2024, lender approval was obtained for an amendment of financial covenants under the $570 million bank facility including a relaxation of the minimum cash covenant and a reduction in the minimum value clause. The new financial ratios include minimum net worth, maximum net debt to total assets and a minimum free cash restriction.

In March 2024, the Company and a group of lenders under the $520 million term loan facility maturing in May 2029, signed an amendment for a $200 million upsize of this facility (on a delayed drawdown basis) in anticipation of the maturity of the two existing sale and leaseback facilities during the first quarter of 2025. The amendment also includes a reduction in minimum free cash restriction.

Overall, the Company’s interest rate on its debt is currently fixed or hedged for approximately 80% of the notional amount of net debt, adjusting for existing cash on hand.

Corporate and Other Matters

As of March 31, 2024, CoolCo had 53,702,846 shares issued and outstanding. Of these, 31,254,390 shares (58.2%) were owned by EPS Ventures Ltd (“EPS”) and 22,448,456 (41.8%) were owned by other public investors.

In line with the Company’s variable dividend policy, the Board has declared a Q1 dividend of $0.41 per common share. The record date is May 31, 2024 and the dividend will be distributed to DTC-registered shareholders on or around June 10, 2024, while due to the implementation of the Central Securities Depositories Regulation in Norway, the dividend will be distributed to Euronext VPS-registered shareholders on or around June 13, 2024.

Outlook

In the near term, the spot LNG carrier market is likely to remain substantially detached from prospects for either multi-year secondhand employment or very long-term charters for newbuilds. Charterer comfort levels have been buoyed by two consecutive mild winters in the northern hemisphere and delays to commissioning and startup of very late-stage liquefaction facilities, resulting in both an enlarged pool of vessels available for short-term employment and an increased willingness of charterers to rely upon the availability of such temporary tonnage. As evidenced by the dislocation between the spot market and longer-term charter markets, current prevailing spot rates are more indicative of a market in a holding pattern than a longer-term call on overall market direction.

As anticipated, the imposition of a carbon pricing scheme and increasingly stringent environmental regulations are increasingly disadvantaging older steam turbine vessels in mainstream LNG trades. As such, that portion of the fleet, representing approximately 30% of the global LNG carriers, is experiencing both increased idleness and reduced charter rates relative to more modern, fuel-efficient vessels. Additionally, as has been seen in other shipping sectors in recent years, an increasing number of older steam turbine vessels have begun transitioning out of mainstream trades via sales to owners based primarily in Asia. This phenomenon has served as a dampener on anticipated scrapping levels for those older, less efficient ships, but nevertheless removes them from direct competition for primary business in a way that is likely to be sticky.

Moving beyond the short-term, liquefaction projects that have already reached FID (“Final Investment Decision”) remain set to increase the total volume of LNG on the water by more than 50% in the years ahead, with a particularly heavy concentration for commissioning in 2025, for which charterers will need to secure tonnage. Even against the backdrop of a sizable orderbook and relatively limited scrapping of older steam turbine vessels, the charter market is positioned to tighten considerably as these new volumes come online. Furthermore, even a typical winter season has the potential to absorb significant incremental tonnage. In that scenario, the prospect of being short transportation capacity is likely to reorient charterers away from their recent complacency in the spot market and back towards the risk-averse, energy security focus they have historically been willing to pay a premium for in the multi-year charter market.

1 Net income for Q1 2024 includes a mark-to market gain on interest rate swaps amounting to $11.3 million, of which $8.1 million was unrealized gain.

2 Refer to ‘Appendix A’ – Non-GAAP financial measures and definitions, for definitions of these measures and a reconciliation to the nearest GAAP measure.

Forward Looking Statements

This press release and any other written or oral statements made by us in connection with this press release include forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, that address activities and events that will, should, could, are expected to or may occur in the future are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are made under the “safe harbor” provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. You can identify these forward-looking statements by words or phrases such as “believe,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “estimate,” “forecast,” “project,” “plan,” “potential,” “will,” “may,” “should,” “expect,” “could,” “would,” “predict,” “propose,” “continue,” or the negative of these terms and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements include statements relating to our outlook, industry trends and expected impact, expected results and performance, expectations on chartering and charter rates, expected drydockings including the timing and duration, and impact of performance enhancements on our vessels, timeline for delivery of newbuilds, dividends, expected growth in LNG supply and the attractiveness of LNG, expected industry and business trends including expected trends in LNG demand and market trends and potential future drivers of demand and market volatility, expected trends in LNG shipping capacity including timing for newbuilds, LNG vessel supply and demand (including expected seasonal upswings), factors impacting supply and demand of vessels, regulatory updates such as IMO CII rules, rates and expected trends in charter and spot rates, backlog, contracting, utilization, LNG vessel newbuild order-book and underlying market fundamentals and expectation that fundamentals may support vessel orders and the continuity of a healthy charter rate environment, seasonality and volatility statements, under “LNG Market Review” and “Outlook” and other non-historical matters.

The forward-looking statements in this document are based upon management’s current expectations, estimates and projections. These statements involve significant risks, uncertainties, contingencies and factors that are difficult or impossible to predict and are beyond our control, and that may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Numerous factors could cause our actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements to differ materially from the results, level of activity, performance or achievements expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements including:

• general economic, political and business conditions, including sanctions and other measures;
• general LNG market conditions, including fluctuations in charter hire rates and vessel values;
• changes in demand in the LNG shipping industry, including the market for our vessels;
• changes in the supply of LNG vessels;
• our ability to successfully employ our vessels;
• changes in our operating expenses, including fuel or cooling down prices and lay-up costs when vessels are not on charter, drydocking and insurance costs;
• compliance with, and our liabilities under, governmental, tax, environmental and safety laws and regulations;
• changes in governmental regulation, tax and trade matters and actions taken by regulatory authorities;
• potential disruption of shipping routes and demand due to accidents, piracy or political events and/or instability, including the ongoing conflicts in the Middle East;
• vessel breakdowns and instances of loss of hire;
• vessel underperformance and related warranty claims;
• our expectations regarding the availability of vessel acquisitions;
• our ability to procure or have access to financing and refinancing;
• continued borrowing availability under our credit facilities and compliance with the financial covenants therein;
• fluctuations in foreign currency exchange and interest rates;
• potential conflicts of interest involving our significant shareholders;
• our ability to pay dividends;
• information system failures, cyber incidents or breaches in security;
• adjustments in our ship management business and related costs; and
• other risks indicated in the risk factors included in CoolCo’s Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2023 and other filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

The foregoing factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those contemplated in any forward-looking statement included in this report should not be construed as exhaustive. Moreover, we operate in a very competitive and rapidly changing environment. New risks and uncertainties emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for us to predict all risks and uncertainties that could have an impact on the forward-looking statements contained in this press release. The results, events and circumstances reflected in the forward-looking statements may not be achieved or occur, and actual results, events or circumstances could differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements.

As a result, you are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements which speak only as of the date of this press release. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise unless required by law.

Responsibility Statement

We confirm that, to the best of our knowledge, the interim unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements for the three months ended March 31, 2024, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (US GAAP) give a true and fair view of the Company’s consolidated assets, liabilities, financial position and results of operations. To the best of our knowledge, the financial report for the three months ended March 31, 2024 includes a fair review of important events that have occurred during the period and their impact on the interim unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements, the principal risks and uncertainties, and major related party transactions.

May 22, 2024

Cool Company Ltd.

London, UK

Questions should be directed to:

c/o Cool Company Ltd – +1(441) 295 2244

Richard Tyrrell (Chief Executive Officer & Director)	Cyril Ducau (Chairman of the Board)
John Boots (Chief Financial Officer)	Antoine Bonnier (Director)
	Joanna Huipei Zhou (Director)
	Sami Iskander (Director)
	Neil Glass (Director)
	Peter Anker (Director)

Cool Company Ltd

Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations

(in thousands of $)	Jan-March 2024			Oct-Dec 2023			Jan-March 2023
Time and voyage charter revenues	78,710			89,319			91,168
Vessel and other management fee revenues	4,923			3,308			3,376
Amortization of intangible assets and liabilities – charter agreements, net	4,492			4,517			4,105
Total operating revenues	88,125			97,144			98,649
Vessel operating expenses	(17,594	)		(16,804	)		(18,588	)
Voyage, charter hire and commission expenses, net	(1,439	)		(1,019	)		(1,499	)
Administrative expenses	(6,059	)		(5,372	)		(6,643	)
Depreciation and amortization	(18,936	)		(18,898	)		(19,897	)
Total operating expenses	(44,028	)		(42,093	)		(46,627	)
Operating income	44,097			55,051			52,022
Other non-operating income	—			—			42,528
Financial income/(expense):
Interest income	1,705			1,743			1,517
Interest expense	(19,678	)		(20,463	)		(19,485	)
Gains /(losses) on derivative instruments	11,301			(13,115	)		(6,001	)
Other financial items, net	(480	)		(426	)		(393	)
Financial expenses, net	(7,152	)		(32,261	)		(24,362	)
Income before income taxes and non-controlling interests	36,945			22,790			70,188
Income taxes, net	(133	)		(375	)		(56	)
Net income	36,812			22,415			70,132
Net income attributable to non-controlling interests	(238	)		(351	)		(1,287	)
Net income attributable to the Owners of Cool Company Ltd	36,574			22,064			68,845
Net income attributable to:
Owners of Cool Company Ltd	36,574			22,064			68,845
Non-controlling interests	238			351			1,287
Net income	36,812			22,415			70,132

Cool Company Ltd

Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet

	At March 31,	At December 31,
(in thousands of $, except number of shares)	2024	2023
		(Audited)
ASSETS
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents	105,818	133,496
Restricted cash and short-term deposits	3,242	3,350
Intangible assets, net	413	825
Trade receivable and other current assets	15,323	12,923
Inventories	309	3,659
Total current assets	125,105	154,253
Non-current assets
Restricted cash	463	492
Intangible assets, net	9,066	9,438
Newbuildings	205,223	181,904
Vessels and equipment, net	1,687,656	1,700,063
Other non-current assets	18,438	10,793
Total assets	2,045,951	2,056,943
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Current liabilities
Current portion of long-term debt and short-term debt	185,013	194,413
Trade payable and other current liabilities	95,272	98,917
Total current liabilities	280,285	293,330
Non-current liabilities
Long-term debt	857,597	866,671
Other non-current liabilities	86,055	90,362
Total liabilities	1,223,937	1,250,363
Equity
Owners’ equity includes 53,702,846 (2023: 53,702,846) common shares of $1.00 each, issued and outstanding	751,186	735,990
Non-controlling interests	70,828	70,590
Total equity	822,014	806,580
Total liabilities and equity	2,045,951	2,056,943

Cool Company Ltd

Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows

(in thousands of $)	Jan-March 2024			Jan-March 2023
Operating activities
Net income	36,812			70,132
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization expenses	18,936			19,897
Amortization of intangible assets and liabilities arising from charter agreements, net	(4,492	)		(4,105	)
Amortization of deferred charges and fair value adjustments	881			1,539
Gain on sale of vessel	—			(42,528	)
Drydocking expenditure	(1,494	)		(884	)
Compensation cost related to share-based payment	640			589
Change in fair value of derivative instruments	(8,145	)		(7,557	)
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Trade accounts receivable	699			(378	)
Inventories	3,350			172
Other current and other non-current assets	(3,533	)		2,692
Amounts (due to)/ from related parties	(216	)		(1,626	)
Trade accounts payable	3,057			12,334
Accrued expenses	(3,154	)		1,766
Other current and non-current liabilities	(4,780	)		4,908
Net cash provided by operating activities	38,561			56,951
Investing activities
Additions to vessels and equipment	(2,571	)		(798	)
Additions to newbuildings	(22,300	)		—
Additions to intangible assets	(132	)		—
Proceeds from sale of vessel	—			184,300
Net cash provided by investing activities	(25,003	)		183,502
Financing activities
Repayments of short-term and long-term debt	(19,355	)		(107,490	)
Cash dividends paid	(22,018	)		(21,475	)
Net cash used in financing activities	(41,373	)		(128,965	)
Net (decrease)/ increase in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	(27,815	)		111,488
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period	137,338			133,077
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period	109,523			244,565

Cool Company Ltd

Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity

		For the three months ended March 31, 2024
(in thousands of $, except number of shares)		Number of common shares		Owners’ Share Capital	Additional Paid-in Capital(1)	Retained Earnings		Owners’ Equity		Non- controlling Interests	Total Equity
Consolidated balance at December 31, 2023		53,702,846		53,703	509,327	172,960		735,990		70,590	806,580
Net income for the period		—		—	—	36,574		36,574		238	36,812
Share based payments contribution		—		—	640	—		640		—	640
Dividends		—		—	—	(22,018	)	(22,018	)	—	(22,018	)
Consolidated balance at March 31, 2024		53,702,846		53,703	509,967	187,516		751,186		70,828	822,014
(1) Additional paid-in capital refers to the amount of capital contributed or paid-in over and above the par value of the Company’s issued share capital.

Contacts

c/o Cool Company Ltd – +44 207 659 1111 / IR@coolcoltd.com

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