6-K 1 d8837729_6-k.htm
 
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 OF
THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the month of April 2021
Commission File Number: 001-13944
 
 
NORDIC AMERICAN TANKERS LIMITED
(Translation of registrant’s name into English)
 
 
LOM Building, 27 Reid Street, Hamilton, HM 11, 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             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 as Exhibit 1 is a press release of Nordic American Tankers Limited (the "Company") dated February 26, 2021, announcing the Company’s dividend and earnings report for the fourth quarter of 2020.

The information contained in this Report on Form 6-K is hereby incorporated by reference into the Company’s Registration Statement on Form F-3 (File No. 333-228603), filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission with an effective date of February 20, 2019.


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.

 
NORDIC AMERICAN TANKERS LIMITED
 
(registrant)
   
Dated: April 9, 2021
By:
/S/ HERBJØRN HANSSON
   
Herbjørn Hansson
   
Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer
     
     
     



Exhibit 1






Nordic American Tankers Limited (NYSE: NAT) –The Full Year 2020 & the 4th quarter – 2020 was a good year. NAT is a dividend company. Good market prospects

February 26, 2021

highlights: 

the following main elements in our business stand out at this time:

-
during 2020 we distributed $67.2 million in cash dividends and repaid our existing loans with a gross amount of $75.5 million.
-
the first half of 2020 was a strong period for NAT
-
the third quarter of 2020 came out positively with a timecharter equivalent of about $25,000 per day per ship
-
the fourth quarter of 2020 was weak
-
we undertook planned technical maintenance of our ships during softer market periods of 2020 
-
at the time of this report the market has improved and we believe that we are close to a significant positive turnaround


1
the full year 2020 produced a net income of $50 million or an earning per share (EPS) of $0.34. this is an improvement of about $60 million in 2020 compared to 2019, which produced an EPS of -$0.07.


2
we see strong oil demand, in particular from Asia for 2021. this is good for us. oil will be required to improve standard of living for millions of people worldwide.


3
in the final quarter of 2020 we concluded the financing of the two newbuilding suezmaxes, which we ordered in September 2020. this financing offers us pre-delivery funding for the last two pre-delivery instalments of the newbuildings, if required.


4
in december 2020, we expanded our senior secured loan with our existing lender in texas with $30 million, as a liquidity reserve. accordingly, our long term liabilities as per December 31, 2020 stood at $335.5 million.


5
during 2020, 11 of our vessels were taken through scheduled drydockings . the majority of these dockings were conducted during the second half of the year. for 2021, we have 4 vessels due for scheduled drydockings and our fleet is as such ready for a recovery.


6
our top quality fleet as evidenced by “vettings” undertaken by the oil companies performed technically well last year.




7
the reduced oil production from OPEC+ during the fourth quarter of 2020 affected our earnings. the average time charter equivalent (TCE) for our trading fleet during the fourth quarter of 2020 was $8,700 per day per ship. 


8
we see that the market is finely balanced and there are clear signs we are going into a stronger market.


9
cash dividends are a priority for NAT. In 2020 we paid $67.2 million or 45 cents per share in cash dividends.


10
we announce our 94th consecutive quarterly dividend. the dividend for 4Q2020 is 2 cents ($0.02) per share, payable on March 31, 2021, to shareholders of record March 12, 2021. With improved earnings, higher dividends can be expected.


11
as communicated earlier, the covid-19 situation has not impacted us to a significant extent.


12
detailed financial information for the full year 2020, the third and fourth quarter of 2020 and for other periods is included later in this report.

Sincerely,

Herbjorn Hansson
Founder, Chairman & CEO

Nordic American Tankers Ltd 

Our Fleet
Our fleet now consists of 25 (incl. 2 newbuildings) well maintained Suezmax tankers with a cargo lifting capacity of 1 million barrels of crude oil each. We focus solely on the Suezmax market. We believe Suezmax vessels are more versatile and the one-million-barrel market offers more options in trading than the Very Large Crude Carriers (VLCC) with their two-million-barrel lifting capacity.
We take extra care to maintain our vessels to the highest standards for the safety of crew, cargo and the environment. The outcome of the inspections of our ships by oil companies (“vetting”) reflects the good quality and maintenance of our fleet.
The operations of our Suezmax fleet have not been materially affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. Main challenges have been related to crew changes and we are following guidance issued by health authorities and international shipping trade associations to safeguard our seafarers.
NAT has one of the largest fleets of Suezmax tankers in the world. In a capital intensive industry like ours, careful maintenance of our existing fleet and the timing & financing of expansion are key elements to ensure both our financial stability and our commitment to paying cash dividends.
All our vessels are running on IMO compliant fuel.




Results for the fourth quarter and full year ending December 31, 2020
For the full year 2020, the net income was positive with $50.0 million or $0.34 per share. This compares with a 2019 net loss of -$10.4 million and an EPS of -$0.07 per share. EBITDA (non-GAAP measure) came in at $149.3 million for the full year ending December 31, 2020, compared to EBITDA for the previous year of $91.7 million.
During 2020 we have distributed $67.2 million in cash dividends to our shareholders and we have repaid our existing loans with a gross amount of $75.5 million.
For the 4th quarter of 2020, the net loss was $28.7 million or -$0.19 per share, compared to a net result in the previous quarter of -$10.0 million or -$0.07 per share. EBITDA (non-GAAP measure) came in at -$5.1 million for the three months ending December 31, 2020, against an EBITDA for the previous quarter of $15.6 million.
For detailed information about our statement of operations (P&L), balance sheet, cash flow and reconciliation of certain Non-GAAP financial measures, we refer to the tables on page 5 and 6 of this press release.
Financing
Our Long Term Debt and other non-current liabilities stood at $335.5 million as per December 31, 2020.
Our fleet is financed through two financing arrangements;

1)
The $306 million 5-year senior secured credit facility entered into on February 12, 2019 with CLMG Corp., funded by Beal Bank of Dallas, Texas.
We have expanded our Senior Secured loan with CLMG/Beal Bank of Texas with a $30 million incremental facility that was drawn on December 16, 2020. The incremental facility matures at the same date as the original loan and have a 20-year repayment profile.
The total outstanding balance to CLMG/Beal Bank (including current portion of the debt and the latest $30 million expansion), is $253.9 million as of December 31, 2020.

2)
The $129.5 million Ocean Yield Vessel Financing was entered into in December 2017 and drawn upon during 2018, to finance our three 2018-built vessels. The remaining long term portion under this financing is $104.3 million as of December 31, 2020. The total outstanding balance (including current portion) is $112.2 million.
Current portion of long term debt includes $14.4 million related to the $306 million 5-year senior secured credit facility (including the $30 million incremental facility) and $7.7 million is related to the $129.5 million Vessel Financing.
During 4Q 2020 we also concluded the financing with Ocean Yield for the two newbuildings ordered in September 2020 for delivery in 2022. The agreed payment profile under the shipbuilding contracts is 10/10/10/10/60 and we have paid instalment no. 1 for both vessels of $11.0 million in total in 4Q 2020. The financing agreement for up to 80% contains pre-delivery funding for the last two pre-delivery instalments for the newbuildings, if required.



During 4Q 2020 the Company issued 984,767 shares, with gross proceeds of $3.1 million under the $40 million ATM. The $40 million ATM established March 29, 2019 has now been fully utilized. As per December 31, 2020, the Company had a total of 151,446,112 common shares outstanding. On October 16, 2020, we established a new $60m At-the-market facility (“ATM”). No shares were issued under the $60m ATM as of December 31, 2020.

For the fourth quarter of 2020 a cash dividend of 2 cents $0.02 per share has been declared. This is the 94th consecutive quarterly dividend payment.

Payment of the dividend will be on or about March 31, 2021, to shareholders of record on March 12, 2021.  

Our dividend will always be a reflection of our cash earnings.

*Net Debt is Net Current Assets, less Restricted Cash, less Long-Term Debt. Net Debt is based upon 23 vessels.


World Economy and the Tanker Market

What is good for the world economy and world trade is positive for the crude oil tanker business.

Our long term positive view on the tanker market remains the same, but the global pandemic has, in our point of view, delayed it by months and not years. The lock-downs around the world has led to pent-up demand for many goods and services that will flourish once the vaccination program gains momentum this year. The demand will, unlike wars and financial crisis, be met by an unharmed physical and financial infrastructure that is ready to deliver on all cylinders. With oil being an essential fuel and raw material in delivering welfare and improved standard of living to millions of people around the world, this is good news for the tanker market. In this respect we see very encouraging signals of improved Asian economies, boding well for the world economy and the tanker markets going forward.

The ordering activity for new ships is muted and the orderbook in percent of the existing tanker fleet is still in the historic low range. In addition, we see other segments of shipping filling up shipyard capacity, reducing available berths for additional tanker orders. This is supportive for improved tanker markets going forward and one of the reason for our long term optimism.

The world’s Suezmax fleet (excl. shuttle, product & Jones Act tankers) counted 533 vessels at the end of 2020. 19 conventional Suezmax vessels was added to the world fleet during the year, with 3 of these delivered during the fourth quarter.  We currently see 16 conventional Suezmax tankers for delivery this year, 27 for delivery in 2022 and 1 for delivery from the shipyards in 2023.
 
The supply of tanker tonnage is inelastic in the short-term. When there are too many ships in an area, rates tend to go down. When there is scarcity of ships, rates tend to go up. Short-term spot tanker rates may be expected to be volatile.


Corporate Governance/Conflict of Interests

It is vital to ensure that there is no conflict of interests among shareholders, management, affiliates and related parties. Interests must be aligned. From time to time in the shipping industry, we see that questionable transactions take place which are not in harmony with sound corporate governance principles, both as to transparency and related party aspects. We have zero tolerance for corruption.





Strategy Going Forward

The NAT strategy is built on expanding and maintaining a homogenous and top quality fleet, leveraging on our industry network and close customer relationships with major oil companies. Employment of our ships with major oil companies is a priority.

A strong balance sheet, combined with a homogenous fleet and economies of scale is giving a low cash break-even level, enabling NAT to distribute free cashflow to our shareholders. 

This strategy will be positive in a strong tanker market. In an improved market, higher dividends can be expected.

Our dividend policy should continue to enable us to achieve a competitive cash yield.

Our fleet of 25 (including newbuildings) more or less identical vessels is a special feature of NAT that is particularly valuable to our customers.

NAT is firmly committed to protecting its underlying earnings and dividend potential. We shall safeguard and further strengthen this position in a deliberate, predictable and transparent way.


                                                                * * * * *


NORDIC AMERICAN TANKERS LIMITED
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF OPERATION
(UNAUDITED)
 
 
 
Three Months Ended
 
 
 
Twelve Months Ended
 
Dec. 31, 2020
 
Sep. 30, 2020
 
Dec. 31, 2019
 
Dec. 31, 2020
 
Dec. 31, 2019
Amounts in USD '000
 
 
 
 
                     
Net Voyage Revenue
 
16,293
 
37,287
 
58,821
 
233,530
 
175,450
                     
Vessel Operating Expenses
(16,684)
 
(17,501)
 
(17,933)
 
(66,883)
 
(66,033)
General and Administrative Expenses
(4,888)
 
(4,079)
 
(2,980)
 
(17,586)
 
(13,481)
Depreciation Expenses
 
(17,042)
 
(17,440)
 
(16,452)
 
(67,834)
 
(63,965)
Operating Expenses
 
(38,614)
 
(39,020)
 
(37,365)
 
(152,303)
 
(143,479)
Net Operating Income (Loss)
(22,321)
 
(1,733)
 
21,456
 
81,227
 
31,971
                     
Interest Income
 
0
 
0
 
78
 
96
 
298
Interest Expense
 
(6,526)
 
(8,218)
 
(8,641)
 
(31,481)
 
(38,390)
Other Financial Income (Expenses)
184
 
(70)
 
(163)
 
191
 
(4,231)
Total Other Expenses
 
(6,342)
 
(8,288)
 
(8,726)
 
(31,194)
 
(42,323)
Net Income (Loss)
 
(28,663)
 
(10,021)
 
12,730
 
50,033
 
(10,352)
Basic Earnings (Loss) per Share
                (0.19)
 
               (0.07)
 
                   0.09
 
0.34
 
(0.07)
Basic Weighted Average Number of Common Shares Outstanding
 
151,121,043
 
149,797,475
 
143,980,740
 
149,292,586
 
142,571,361
Common Shares Outstanding
151,446,112
 
150,461,345
 
147,230,634
 
151,446,112
 
147,230,634
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     
CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED BALANCE SHEET (UNAUDITED)
 
 
Dec. 31, 2020
 
Dec. 31, 2019
Amounts in USD '000
 
 
 
 
 
                     
Cash and Cash Equivalents
           
57,847
 
48,847
Restricted Cash *
             
4,223
 
12,791
Accounts Receivable, Net
           
6,349
 
24,583
Prepaid Expenses
             
5,477
 
3,383
Inventory
             
19,408
 
22,475
Voyages in Progress
             
4,644
 
13,124
Other Current Assets
             
1,574
 
4,169
Total current assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
99,522
 
129,372
Vessels, Net
             
861,342
 
899,997
Vessels under Construction
           
11,000
 
0
Other Non-Current Assets
           
2,483
 
1,534
Total Non-Current Assets
 
 
 
 
 
874,825
 
901,531
Total Assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
974,347
 
1,030,903
                     
Accounts Payable
             
4,099
 
8,405
Accrued Voyage Expenses
           
5,254
 
11,524
Other Current Liabilities
             
8,232
 
15,562
Current Portion of Long Term Debt
         
22,094
 
23,537
Total Current liabilities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
39,679
 
59,028
Long-Term Debt
             
334,615
 
375,364
Other Non-Current Liabilities
         
927
 
1,087
Total Non-current Liabilities
 
 
 
 
 
335,542
 
376,451
Shareholders' Equity
             
599,126
 
595,424
Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity
 
 
 
974,347
 
1,030,903
                     
* Restricted cash is related to deposits made for future Drydockings of our vessels.
   




NORDIC AMERICAN TANKERS LIMITED
       
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOW
(UNAUDITED)
 
 
Twelve Months Ended
   
             
Dec. 31, 2020
 
Dec. 31, 2019
Amounts in USD '000
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities
 
 
 
 
110,944
 
52,858
                   
Investment in Vessels
           
(6,845)
 
(2,531)
Investment in Other Fixed Assets
           
(233)
 
0
Payment for Vessels under Construction
         
(11,000)
 
0
Proceeds from Sale of Investment Securities
       
602
 
212
Net Cash Used in Investing Activities
 
 
 
 
 
(17,476)
 
(2,319)
                   
Proceeds from Issuance of Common Stock
       
20,713
 
17,922
Proceeds from Borrowing Activities
           
29,300
 
300,000
Repayments on Credit Facility
           
0
 
(313,400)
Repayments of Vessel Financing
           
(7,630)
 
(7,273)
Repayment of Borrowing Facility
           
(67,896)
 
(14,324)
Transaction Costs Borrowing Facility
           
(320)
 
(6,921)
Dividends Distributed
           
(67,242)
 
(14,255)
Net Cash Used in Financing Activities
 
 
 
 
 
(93,075)
 
(38,251)
                   
Net Increase in Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash
     
393
 
12,288
Effect of exchange rate changes on Cash
         
39
 
23
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash at Beginning of Period
   
61,638
 
49,327
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash at End of Period
 
 
62,070
 
61,638
Cash and Cash Equivalents
 
 
 
 
 
 
57,847
 
48,847
Restricted Cash *
 
 
 
 
 
 
4,223
 
12,791
* Restricted cash is related to deposits made for future Drydockings of our vessels, in accordance with our Senior Secured Credit Facility.
 



 
NORDIC AMERICAN TANKERS LIMITED
       
 
 
                     
 
RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES (UNAUDITED)
Three Months Ended
 
Twelve Months Ended
 
 
Amounts in USD '000
Dec. 31, 2020
 
Sep. 30, 2020
 
Dec. 31, 2019
 
Dec. 31, 2020
 
Dec. 31, 2019
   
 
Voyage Revenue
43,841
 
56,044
 
95,392
 
354,619
 
317,220
   
 
Voyage Expense
(27,548)
 
(18,758)
 
(36,571)
 
(121,089)
 
(141,770)
   
 
Net Voyage Revenue (1)
16,293
 
37,286
 
58,821
 
233,530
 
175,450
   
               
 
       
 
 
Three Months Ended
 
Twelve Months Ended
 
 
Amounts in USD '000
Dec. 31, 2020
 
Sep. 30, 2020
 
Dec. 31, 2019
 
Dec. 31, 2020
 
Dec. 31, 2019
   
 
Net Income (Loss)
(28,663)
 
(10,021)
 
12,730
 
50,033
 
(10,352)
   
 
Interest Expense
6,526
 
8,218
 
8,641
 
31,481
 
38,390
   
 
Interest Income
0
 
0
 
(78)
 
(96)
 
(298)
   
 
Depreciation Expense
17,042
 
17,440
 
16,452
 
67,834
 
63,965
   
 
EBITDA (2)
(5,095)
 
15,637
 
37,745
 
149,252
 
91,705
   
                         
 (1)
Net voyage revenues represents voyage revenues less voyage expenses such as bunker fuel, port fees, canal tolls and brokerage commissions. Net voyage revenues is included because certain investors use this data to measure a shipping company's financial performance. Net voyage revenues is not required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States and should not be considered as an alternative to net income or any other indicator of the Company's performance required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States.
   
                       
(2)
EBITDA is included because certain investors use this data to measure a shipping company's financial performance. EBITDA is not required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States and should not be considered as an alternative to net income or any other indicator of the Company's performance required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States.
   






CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Matters discussed in this press release 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 statements concerning plans, objectives, goals, strategies, future events or performance, and 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 in connection with this safe harbor legislation. The words "believe," "anticipate," "intend," "estimate," "forecast," "project," "plan," "potential," "will," "may," "should," "expect," "pending" and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements.

The forward-looking statements in this press release are based upon various assumptions, many of which are based, in turn, upon further assumptions, including without limitation, our management's examination of historical operating trends, data contained in our records and other data available from third parties.  Although we believe 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 our control, we cannot assure you that we will achieve or accomplish these expectations, beliefs or projections.  We undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Important factors that, in our view, could cause actual results to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements include the strength of world economies and currencies, general market conditions, including fluctuations in charter rates and vessel values, changes in demand in the tanker market, as a result of changes in OPEC's petroleum production levels and worldwide oil consumption and storage, changes in our operating expenses, including bunker prices, drydocking and insurance costs, the market for our vessels, availability of financing and refinancing, 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, potential disruption of shipping routes due to accidents or political events, vessels breakdowns and instances of off-hires and other important factors described from time to time in the reports filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the prospectus and related prospectus supplement, our Annual Report on Form 20-F, and our reports on Form 6-K.

NAT is a Bermuda based Company.

Contacts:
 
 
Gary J. Wolfe
Seward & Kissel LLP
New York, USA
Tel: +1 212 574 1223
 
 
Bjørn Giæver, CFO
Nordic American Tankers Limited
Tel: +1 888 755 8391 or +47 91 35 00 91
 
 
Herbjørn Hansson, Chairman & CEO
Nordic American Tankers Limited
Tel: +1 866 805 9504 or +47 90 14 62 91
 
     
Web-site: www.nat.bm