Teekay Tankers Ltd. (NYSE:TNK) Q2 2024 Earnings Call Transcript

Teekay Tankers Ltd. (NYSE:TNK) Q2 2024 Earnings Call Transcript August 1, 2024

Operator: Welcome to Teekay Tankers Ltd. Second Quarter 2024 Earnings Conference Call. [Operator Instructions]. As a reminder, this call is being recorded. Now for opening remarks and introductions, I would like to turn the call over to the company. Please go ahead.

Unidentified Company Representative: Before we begin, I would like to direct all participants to our website at www.teekay.com, where you will find a copy of the second quarter 2024 earnings presentation. Kevin and Stewart will review this presentation during today’s conference call. Please allow me to remind you that our discussion today contains forward-looking statements. Actual results may differ materially from results projected by those forward-looking statements. Additional information concerning factors that could cause actual results to materially differ from those in the forward-looking statements is contained in the second quarter 2024 earnings release and earnings presentation available on our website. I will now turn the call over to Kevin Mackay, Teekay Tankers’ President and CEO, to begin.

Kevin Mackay: Thank you, Ed. Hello, everyone, and thank you very much for joining us today for Teekay Tankers’ Second Quarter 2024 Earnings Conference Call. Joining me on the call today are Stewart Andrade, Teekay Tankers’ CFO; and Christian Waldegrave, our Director of Research. Moving to our recent highlights on Slide 3 of the presentation. Teekay Tankers has another strong quarterly result, generating total adjusted EBITDA of $124 million, down from $151 million we generated last quarter. The company reported adjusted net income of $107 million or $3.11 per share, a decrease from $132 million or $3.96 per share in the first quarter of 2024. With our fleet of midsized tankers, trading almost entirely in the strong spot market, Teekay Tankers’ high operating leverage enabled us to continue generating significant earnings and free cash flow.

As a reminder, for every $5,000 increase in tanker rates above our free cash flow breakeven of $15,000 per day, we expect to generate approximately $2.36 of annual free cash flow per share. Stewart will provide further information on our ability to generate value for shareholders later in the presentation. In line with our capital allocation plan, we have declared a fixed quarterly cash dividend of $0.25 per share for the second quarter of 2024. Midsized tanker spot rates remained strong during the second quarter. Start-up and ongoing increase of exports from the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion has been an important source of additional Aframax demand and have helped support rates during the second quarter. I’ll give more detail on TMX later in the presentation.

Looking ahead, tanker supply and demand fundamentals continue to look positive and point towards multiyear strength in the tanker market. Since our last earnings call, the company sold two of our older ships for a combined fund price of nearly $65 million and redeployed that capital into the purchase of a 2021 built in modern eco-design Aframax for $70.5 million. And then finally, in the Pouncharter market, we extended an existing in-chartered Aframax for a further 12 months at a rate of $34,000 per day and secured an additional 1-year option period on that charter. While also out chartering in Aframax for 12 months at $49,750 per day. The spread between these 2 charter deals illustrates the value of an active time charter portfolio. Turning to Slide 4.

Q&A Session

We look at recent dynamics in the spot tanker market. As mentioned in the highlights, midsized crude tanker spot rates remained strong and stable during the second quarter. In fact, Q2 marked the third quarter in a row in which midsized tanker spot rates averaged above $40,000 per day, demonstrating both the elevated historical level and stability of Aframax and Suezmax rates over the last nine months. Spot tanker rates were supported by a combination of factors during the second quarter, including the start of crude oil exports on the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion and disruptions in the Red Sea region due to ongoing attacks on merchant shipping. In addition, a strong product tanker market has led to some LR2s that were previously trading crude oil to switch to clean product trading increasing tightness in an already firm tanker market — crude tanker market.

With global oil demand set to remain firm and the other factors underpinning tonne mile demand for midsized tanker remaining intact, we expect spot tanker rates to remain well supported through the second half of the year. Turning to Slide 5. We provide an update on our Suezmax and Aframax size spot rates in the third quarter to date. Based on approximately 40% and 41% of revenue days booked, Teekay Tankers’ third quarter to date Suezmax and Aframax size vessel bookings have averaged approximately $40,800 per day and $45,300 per day, respectively, well above our spot tanker rates secured in Q3 of last year. Importantly, I once again highlight the value being created by Teekay Tankers a vessel chartered in fleet, of which 7 are trading in the strong spot market.

With an average in-charter rate level of $26,800 per day, the chartered-in fleet has a current mark-to-market value of approximately $53 million. Turning to Slide 6. We look at supply and demand factors, which we believe point towards continued tanker market strength. Looking at the oil market, global oil demand is projected to grow by around $1.5 million per day in both 2024 and 2025, as per the average of forecast from the three major energy agencies. A substantial portion of this demand growth is expected to be met by increased oil supply from non-OPEC countries in the Atlantic Basin led by the United States, Brazil, Guyana and Canada, which will be positive for tanker demand. In addition, the OPEC+ Group announced their intention to unwind 2.2 million barrels per day of voluntary production cuts over the course of 12 months, starting in October this year.

Which could give further support to crude tanker demand from the fourth quarter onwards. Turning to seaborne oil trade, the Aframax market received a boost in the second quarter from the start-up of the TMX pipeline with the first vessel loading from Vancouver in mid-May. As all exports in this terminal are via Aframax tankers, the opening of TMX is a positive for Aframax specific demand. Exports from the pipeline totaled approximately 300,000 to 350,000 barrels per day in June and July or approximately 20 Aframax loadings per month. As shown in the middle graph on the slide, Aframax loading TMX cargoes, a discharge on the U.S. West Coast East in Asia and at specific area Lightering zone off California for ship-to-ship transfer to larger tankers.

Volumes are expected to increase towards the full capacity of 550,000 barrels per day in the coming months, or approximately one Aframax loading every day, further supporting Aframax demand in the Pacific region. Geopolitical events continue to impact seaborne trade flows, most prominently the ongoing attacks on shipping in the Red Sea, which are causing vessels to divert on longer haul voyages by the Cape of Good Hope. This has been particularly evident in the product tanker sector. We refined product movements by the Cap of Good Hope increasing from an average of 0.8 million barrels per day in 2023 to 2.7 million barrels per day in 2024 to date. Given the long-haul nature of these movements, the LR2 sector has been the primary beneficiary from these diversions with elevated spot rates in the first half of the year in that segment.

As a result, a number of LR2s, we switched from trading crude oil to clean products, with the clean trading LR2 fleet increasing by between 30 to 35 vessels since the start of the year, which has also had a knock-on effect on tightening fleet supply in the crude Aframax sector. Turning to tanker fleet supply. Just 3.5 million deadweight tons of new tankers delivered into the global tanker fleet during the first half of this year. And deliveries this year are on track to the lowest total since the late 1980s. As such, we expect minimal tanker fleet growth this year. Although the pace of new tanker ordering has increased in recent months. The order book as a percentage of the existing fleet is still relatively modest at around 11% versus the long-term average of 20%.

In addition, shipyard capacity is becoming increasingly scarce, as yards fill up with orders, particularly from the containership and LNG carrier sectors. We estimate that the main shipyards capable of building tankers back from exercise or larger are now full through 2026 and are almost 80% full through 2027. As such, the tanker order book now stretches out over the next 3.5 years with little scope to add meaningfully to tanker fleet until the second half of 2027, with some yards already taking orders for 2028 delivery. The combination of a modest tanker order book and aging tanker fleet and a lack of shipyard capacity until the second half of 2027 should ensure that tanker fleet growth remains at low levels over the next 2 years to 3 years.

Combined with positive demand growth, we believe that conditions remain in place for a continuation of firm spot tanker rates. It is worth noting that our customers also appear to share this view, as we are seeing an increase in time charter inquiries and activity from customers to secure vessels for periods of up to 3 years at firm rates. This increased activity indicates a growing belief that the tanker market should remain strong over the medium term. I’ll now turn the call over to Stewart to cover the next slide.

Stewart Andrade: Turning to Slide 7. We highlight how well Teekay Tankers is positioned to continue creating significant shareholder value in this period of firm spot tanker rates. With 96% of our 52-vessel fleet deployed in the spot market, we continue to generate a significant amount of free cash flow. It is worth taking a moment to put this into context. While our share price has approximately tripled over the last 2 years, at Teekay Tankers’ current share price, our free cash flow yield is expected to be approximately 20% if freight rates remain at the levels achieved in the last 12 months. With tanker market fundamentals pointing toward an extended period of strength, we are well placed to continue benefiting from the company’s high operating leverage that sees our free cash flow yield increased by approximately 3.6% for each $5,000 per day increase in spot rates above our free cash flow breakeven. I will now turn the call back to Kevin to conclude.

Kevin Mackay: Thanks, Stewart. In summary, the fundamentals which have driven midsized tanker outperformance in the past 2 years remains clear and intact. While we expect normal spot rate volatility and seasonality, we are optimistic about the prospects for continued strength in the tanker market. Meanwhile, Teekay Tankers remains in a great position to continue generating significant free cash flow and building value for our shareholders. With that, operator, we’re now available to take questions.

Operator: [Operator Instructions]. We’ll go first to Omar Nokta with Jefferies.

Omar Nokta : Thank you. Hi, Kevin and Stewart. I’ve got a couple of questions from my side. I guess, first, congrats by the way, on the first — on your first acquisition in some time. I think it’s been at least 6 years to 7 years, perhaps not longer, since the Teekay Tankers has acquired a ship. So just on that front, obviously, you’ve been very patient throughout the years in terms of deploying that capital. But when we think about going from here, how should we think about given where you are financially, how much cash you have on the balance sheet, the opportunity, as you just highlighted for the market outlook. Are you looking to be a bit more aggressive in terms of acquisitions or more perhaps methodical?

Kevin Mackay: Omar, yes, good question. I think I’ll tackle it from a couple of angles. First of all, I think it’s important to recognize that. It’s been a while since we’ve been in a position to be able to deploy capital and have a balanced capital allocation plan. So, we’re extremely happy with where our fleet is today and to have the ability to look at different options in how we deploy the capital. We’re in a business that’s cyclical, it’s industrial and over time, our fleet ages. So, we do recognize, and I think it’s important for our investors to recognize that we have to keep reinvesting in our fleet. Having said that, I think it’s important that we do the timing right. And while there is a need to deploy a significant amount of capital towards fleet renewal, given where asset prices are, we feel that at this point in time, it will be more prudent to be more selective in how we go about renewing our fleet.

So, what you’ve seen us do in the past few quarters and the last few years is to sell down some of our older assets and crystallize some of the value out of the elevated asset prices that we’re seeing in the market today. And then more recently, taking some of that capital and redeploying it into more modern efficient ships that give us longevity on our fleet and continue the exposure to the spot market that we believe, is going to remain strong, as I pointed out in the presentation. So yes, we will deploy capital towards fleet renewal, but I think it will be done, and I think it’s important for investors to understand in this environment, it will be done in a measured and prudent manner. It won’t be a wholesale fleet renewal on a mass scale at this point in time.

Omar Nokta: Understood, Kevin. And I guess does that mean clearly, as you sold those 205, it looks like those proceeds matched up a bit nicely in terms of acquiring the modern ship of the 21 built. Are you willing to shrink the fleet, I guess, perhaps moving forward, given you already have a critical master I guess, it sounds like you’re willing to shrink the fleet to modernize? Is that right?

Kevin Mackay : Yes. We’re not beholden to a specific fleet size, I think I mentioned on the call last quarter that scale is obviously important. It gives us the ability to deploy assets in different markets and capture the volatility that’s inherent in tanker trading. But at the same time, we’re not fixated on the number of ships we have. And when we’re in an environment where asset prices are elevated, it’s important that we keep our eye on value. And if we can sell off some of the older units, you have a limited lifespan left, we’ll look at doing that. But on the other hand, we’re also generating an awful lot of free cash flow from those older assets. So, it’s a question of doing the math and seeing which one provides us the best value. But we’re not scared to sell. And at this point, you’ve seen us also deploy some of that capital to renew.

Omar Nokta: Yes. Got it. Great. And then just a final one from me. The Aframax 1-year charter that you announced today, $49,750 pretty solid and basically what you captured last year on the spot market for the full year, which was a record year. And so, I don’t know if you’ve disclosed the vessel specifically that is earning that charter. But is this — was this for the acquisition of the ’21 built Aframax? And then is derisking the investments what drove the — this — the entry into this charter? Or was it just simply too good of a deal to pass up? Anything you’re willing to share on that?

Kevin Mackay : Yes. We look at our fleet as a portfolio. So, it doesn’t matter which specific ship gets put out or deployed. We look at the opportunity set that’s in front of us. And in this case, we felt that for locking in $50,000 a day basically for the next 12 months, it was a good hedge. So, we decided to deploy our ship to that business. But it’s still $50,000 a day that’s coming in, that’s guaranteed over the next 12 months. It doesn’t really appoint to any specific ship. It’s just — it’s more of how we look at the portfolio.

Omar Nokta: And just real quick, would say, we’ve all done, I guess, in terms of what you guys have been able to accomplish over the past several years, you’ve been very methodical, I guess. — and been very, very patient. You finally got the debt to where you wanted it to be, which has obviously gone. Introduced a dividend last year and now you’re acquiring ships. So, it’s a very, very nice development. I will turn it over, thank you.

Operator: We’ll go next to Ken Hexter with Bank of America.

Unidentified Analyst: This is Adam Rusckowski [ph] on for Ken Hexter. Thank you for taking my question. I just wanted to talk about the LR2 ships shifting to the clean trade. We heard one of your competitors, well, on the product side, peers, talk about seeing this as more of a temporary impact. So, the question is, how do you see the sustainability of this trend and some of the tightness that it’s creating on the Aframax side?

Kevin Mackay : Yes, it’s a good question. And I think I’d refer back to comments we’ve made in the past that our view is the LR2 vessel is a fungible asset. It can move between crude and clean, depending on earnings. And that’s certainly how we look at those ships, and that’s how we’ve been deploying them. We, in recent months, as the LR2 market has remained strong. We’ve deployed more than half of our LR2s into that trade rather than fixing crude oil. And I think other owners will look at the same. I think the interesting thing for the immediate term is that the — we’re sort of at the shoulder of the product tanker sector and going forward, that market should see some pickup, but some strength — whether that’s a temporary phenomenon of ships moving over in the immediate term. I don’t think so. But over a longer period of time, yes, they are fungible assets that come and go between the 2 trades.

Unidentified Analyst: Helpful. And then on the Trans Mountain pipeline, given what you’ve seen on the voyages of some of these early movements, has this at all shifted your outlook on the ton-mile impact more long-term or over the next year or so? And how are you thinking of that given what you’ve seen so far?

Christian Waldegrave : Yes. I think with the Transmantan pipeline last quarter when we reported, we said that it could create demand for up to 25 to 30 Aframaxes depending on where they’re going. I think what we’ve seen in the first couple of months is we’re not quite up to full capacity yet. We’re loading about 20 Aframaxes per month, whereas the full capacity is 30 to 35 Aframaxes or approximately 1 per day. And in terms of where they’re going, it’s moved around a little bit. I think the first four months in June, we saw most of the ships go down to the U.S. West Coast or to the Pacific area lightering zone. In July, we saw more ships going direct to Asia, and that’s obviously more of a ton mile driver if they go long haul to Asia.

In truth, I think it’s going to take several weeks and months for the sort of trade patterns to fully develop. So, we certainly think there’s more to come from TMX in terms of driving Aframax demand. But I think for the first couple of months here, it’s been a nice start, and it’s definitely added demand for Aframaxes in the Pacific.

Operator: This does conclude the question-and-answer session. I would like to turn the call back over to the company for any closing remarks.

Kevin Mackay : Thank you for joining us today, and we look forward to speaking to you next quarter. Thank you.

Operator: This does conclude today’s conference call. Thank you for your participation. You may now disconnect.