Cool Company Ltd. Q4 2023 Business Update

February 28, 2024

HAMILTON, Bermuda–(BUSINESS WIRE)–This release includes business and financial updates for the three (“Q4”, “Q4 2023” or the “Quarter”) and twelve months (“FY 2023”) ended December 31, 2023 of Cool Company Ltd. (“CoolCo” or the “Company”) (NYSE:CLCO / CLCO.OL).

Q4 Highlights and Subsequent Events

Generated total operating revenues of $97.1 million in Q4, compared to $92.9 million for the third quarter of 2023 (“Q3” or “Q3 2023”);
Net income of $22.4¹ million in Q4, compared to $39.2¹ million for Q3, with the decrease primarily related to unrealized mark-to-market losses on our interest rate swaps;
Achieved average Time Charter Equivalent Earnings (“TCE”)² of $87,300 per day for Q4, compared to $82,400 per day for Q3;
Generated Adjusted EBITDA² of $69.4 million for Q4, compared to $62.8 million for Q3;
During the Quarter, the Company announced that it had entered into sale and leaseback financing arrangements (the “Sale and Leasebacks”) with Huaxia Financial Leasing Co. Ltd for the two state-of-the-art MEGA LNG carriers under order at Hyundai-Samho (the “Newbuilds”);
Subsequent to the Quarter, the Company received commitments from certain banks to upsize (on a delayed draw-down basis) the existing $520 million term loan facility maturing in May 2029 in anticipation of the maturity of the two sale & leaseback facilities during the first quarter of 2025;
Announced a twelve-month charter, which is scheduled to commence during the first quarter of 2024.
Declared a dividend for Q4 of $0.41 per share, to be paid to shareholders of record on March 11, 2024.

Richard Tyrrell, CEO, commented:

“In the fourth quarter, we benefited from strong operational performance, a seasonal uplift on our variable rate contract, and the continuing impact of our fleet’s fixed-rate charter coverage. Additionally, we took measured exposure to the charter market in the form of one vessel that we chose to deploy directly in the spot market while waiting for the right term opportunity. The net result was a sequentially higher TCE level at $87,300 per day, CoolCo’s highest ever quarterly TCE.

This winter saw rates return to more normalized levels after an extraordinary period following the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Despite the normalization of the overall market, CoolCo benefited from having a number of medium and long-term charters at previously contracted higher levels and continued to show its ability to secure high value business with the announcement of a 12-month charter for its spot market vessel, to commence during the first quarter of 2024. 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 powered by expected longer voyage distances as greater volumes of LNG head east this year.

Due to the relatively warm northern hemisphere winter, gas prices have fallen and reduced the option value to charterers of maintaining excess LNG carrier capacity to facilitate opportunistic trades. This, combined with some delays to certain liquefaction projects, has resulted in sublets weighing on time charter rates. Nonetheless, CoolCo’s Newbuilds continue to attract interest and remain the only such vessels in the market available from independent owners in 2024, and thus the only such vessels likely to be available for term contracts. With the imposition of increasingly tight emissions regulations in the coming years, the relative advantage of these state-of-the-art vessels only increases over time. Conversely, older steam turbine vessels, which presently make up 31% of the global fleet (by number of vessels) face growing pressure from those same regulations and their utilization is falling to the point that, heavy scrapping in the coming years is anticipated.

CoolCo has a backlog of $1.4 billion of contracted revenue at the end of the Quarter and continues to expect near-term earnings growth from its fully financed Newbuilds, when delivered, to offset current market weakness should it persist.”

Financial Highlights

The table below sets forth certain key financial information for Q4 2023, Q3 2023, Q4 2022, FY 2023 and December 31, 2022 (“FY 2022”), split between Successor and Predecessor periods, as defined below.

				Twelve Months ended December 31,
	Q4 2023	Q3 2023	Q4 2022	2023	2022
(in thousands of $, except TCE)	Successor	Successor	Successor	Successor	Successor	Predecessor	Total
Time and voyage charter revenues	89,319	84,523	79,032	347,081	183,567	37,289	220,856
Total operating revenues	97,144	92,901	90,255	379,010	212,978	43,456	256,434
Operating income	55,051	48,336	48,881	200,893	110,936	27,728	138,664
Net income ¹	22,415	39,170	33,069	176,363	87,500	23,244	110,744
Adjusted EBITDA²	69,432	62,754	58,621	259,894	134,585	33,473	168,058
Average daily TCE² (to the closest $100)	87,300	82,400	83,600	83,600	73,000	57,100	69,800

Note: As disclosed previously, the commencement of operations and funding of CoolCo and the acquisition of its initial tri-fuel diesel electric (“TFDE”) LNG carriers, The Cool Pool Limited and the shipping and FSRU management organization from Golar LNG Limited (“Golar”) were completed in a phased process. It commenced with the funding of CoolCo on January 27, 2022 and concluded with the acquisition of the LNG carrier and FSRU management organization on June 30, 2022, with vessel acquisitions taking place on different dates over that period. Results for the twelve months that commenced January 1, 2022 and ended December 31, 2022 have therefore been split between the period prior to the funding of CoolCo and various phased acquisitions of vessel and management entities (the “Predecessor” period) and the period subsequent to the various phased acquisitions (the “Successor” period). The combined results are not in accordance with U.S. GAAP and consist of the aggregate of selected financial data of the Successor and Predecessor periods. No other adjustments have been made to the combined presentation. We cannot adequately benchmark the operating results for the year ended December 31, 2023 against the previous year reported in our comparative unaudited financial information without combining the applicable Successor and Predecessor periods and do not believe that reviewing the results of the periods in isolation would be useful in identifying trends in or reaching conclusions regarding our overall operating performance.

LNG Market Review

The average Japan/Korea Marker gas price (“JKM”) for the Quarter was $13.35/MMBtu compared to $11.81/MMBtu for Q3 2023; with average JKM for Q1 2024 at $13.84/MMBtu as of February 23, 2024. The Quarter commenced with Dutch Title Transfer Facility gas price (“TTF”) at $12.54/MMBtu and quoted TFDE headline spot rates of $188,750 per day. The Quarter concluded with TTF at $10.31/MMBtu and quoted TFDE headline spot rates of $78,750 per day. The TFDE headline spot rate has subsequently fallen to as low as $40,000 per day, but with a very low volume of transactions taking place at those levels.

Because trading opportunities that rely on LNG carriers for floating storage were limited and periods of West-East arbitrage did not materialize, the pre-winter seasonal spike that began in late September quickly normalized, as has been seen in prior years when similar trading conditions prevailed. LNG was generally traded within its basin of origin, which reduced the number of long-distance inter-basin voyages. While those inter-basin voyages that did take place during the Quarter were extended by limitations on Panama Canal traffic and the more recent threat of attacks in the Red Sea causing vessels to route around the Cape of Good Hope, the limited number of such voyages during the winter 2023/24 has meant that their effect on prevailing rates has not been material.

The high level of LNG prices in the first half of the year and expectation that these would persist resulted in coal being stockpiled for the current winter. Today’s lower actual prices and the environmental benefits of transitioning from coal-to-gas are likely to make LNG an increasingly attractive alternative going forward, particularly in markets such as China, India, and South-East Asia which have typically been more price-sensitive and involve relatively greater shipping distances.

Operational Review

CoolCo’s fleet continued to perform well with a Q4 fleet utilization of 97% (Q3: 97%) with the remaining 3% covered by a ballast bonus, compared to 100% for the first half of 2023. While there were no drydocks in 2023, four drydocks are expected during 2024, starting with one in the second quarter and the remaining three during the third quarter. The budgeted cost of these dry-docks is approximately $6.5 million each plus up to 30 days off-hire. One of the drydocks in the third quarter will involve the upgrade of a vessel to LNGe specification through the addition of a subcooler with high liquefaction capacity and other performance enhancements at a budgeted cost of an additional $15.0 million and an additional 20 days off-hire.

Subsequent to the Quarter, a ship management services customer has decided to transfer an additional two vessels for which CoolCo currently provides technical management to managers that solely provide ship management services. This is not expected to materially impact CoolCo’s earnings and we expect to incur some immaterial restructuring costs to adjust our operations in light of this change.

Business Development

Subsequent to the end of the Quarter, the Company announced that it has entered into a new time charter agreement for one of its TFDE vessels. The 12-month time charter is with Santos Singapore Shipping Pte. Ltd. and is scheduled to commence in the first quarter of 2024. The vessel is scheduled to be upgraded to LNGe specification in the third quarter of 2024 and the charter includes an innovative commercial mechanism to reward both the charterer and CoolCo for realizing performance and environmental gains as a result of the upgrades.

CoolCo continues to be in discussions with multiple potential charterers seeking employment for the two Newbuilds it has on order for delivery towards the end of second half of 2024. While headline LNG carrier rates and recent negative sentiment in the sector have served as a headwind to securing long-term employment at attractive rates, several charterers are known to have specific and as-yet-unmet transportation requirements and are expected to come to market in advance of the 2024 winter season and delivery of the Newbuilds.

Financing and Liquidity

In October 2023, the Company announced that it had entered into Sale and Leasebacks for the Newbuilds with Huaxia Financial Leasing Co. Ltd. The Sale and Leasebacks are on a fixed rate per day basis for 10 years, with extension options, an implied fixed interest rate just under 6% and a minimum loan-to-value of 80%, with potential for additional capacity contingent upon the terms of the charter employment that the Company anticipates securing in advance of the Newbuilds’ deliveries. The Sale and Leaseback financing also offers pre-delivery financing of the Newbuilds.

Subsequent to the Quarter, the Company received commitments from certain banks to upsize the existing $520 million term loan facility maturing in May 2029 in anticipation of the need to refinance the maturity of the two existing sale & leaseback facilities during the first quarter of 2025. The upsize will be on a delayed drawdown basis (at our option) to benefit from the current low interest rate in these existing facilities.

As of December 31, 2023, CoolCo had cash and cash equivalents of $133.5 million and total short and long-term debt, net of deferred finance charges, amounted to $1,061.1 million. Total Contractual Debt² stood at $1,163.9 million, which comprised of $485.3 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, and $216.7 million of sale and leaseback facilities which comprised of $176.7 million in respect of the two maturing in the first quarter of 2025 (Kool Ice and Kool Kelvin) and $40 million in respect of the Newbuilds financing (Kool Tiger & Kool Panther).

Overall, the Company’s interest rate on its debt is fixed or hedged for approximately 85% of the notional amount of debt, adjusting for existing cash on hand.

Corporate and Other Matters

As of December 31, 2023, 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 publicly owned.

In line with the Company’s variable dividend policy, the Board has declared a Q4 dividend of $0.41 per common share. The record date is March 11, 2024 and the dividend will be distributed to DTC-registered shareholders on or around March 18, 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 March 21, 2024.

Outlook

In the coming years, the global supply of LNG is set to increase by more than 50% based on projects that have already reached Final Investment Decision (“FID”). At least 40 million tonnes per annum (mtpa) of capacity have reached FID stage in 2023 alone, equivalent to approximately 10% of total LNG production in 2022. To understand the current 51% orderbook-to-fleet ratio (by volume), it is critical to recognize that the orderbook has overwhelmingly been built based on long-term contracts to service new liquefaction facilities. The timing and quantity of these vessels deliveries are intended to match the commencement of new production. Furthermore, to the extent that project development delays result in vessels delivering to their charterers before their intended startup time, we would expect to see a dynamic similar to that which has recently prevailed. In such a scenario, the market is sharply divided between charterers seeking to fill interim periods in the spot market and owners such as CoolCo, who are in a position to offer multi-year time charters. Numerous liquefaction projects are still under development in North America, the Middle East, and various other geographies. This supply is expected to meet gas demand arising from the continued strong and widespread desire to decarbonize both through complementing renewables with gas, and gas substituting for the vast amounts of coal still being consumed.

Among LNG carriers currently on the water, the older, less efficient vessels in the charter market are expected to face growing competitive pressure over time, particularly among the steam turbine vessels that continue to make up over 30% of the global fleet by volume. The imposition of the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) carbon intensity indicator (CII) rules from the beginning of last year, as well as this year’s implementation of carbon pricing on voyages into Europe, are projected to increase the relative advantage of modern, efficient TFDE and 2-stroke tonnage, such as those in the CoolCo fleet.

The limited supply of modern vessels available for time charter employment through the medium-term is concentrated among a small number of owners, including CoolCo. Given the improved bargaining position afforded by a combination of scarcity and concentration, such owners have remained focused primarily on longer-term charters that would bridge the period from now until the next wave of LNG supply is expected to arrive in 2026-2027. A newbuild vessel ordered today would have a lead time of approximately four years, a purchase price exceeding $260 million and relatively expensive financing, limiting the likelihood of unforeseen newbuild tonnage during that period while providing support for the rate benchmark against which the overall fleet is priced.

¹ Net income includes mark-to market loss on interest rate swaps amounting to $13.1 million for Q4 2023, compared to gains of $9.7 million for Q3 2023 and $7.3 million for year ended December 31, 2023.

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 expectations on chartering and chartering strategy, outlook, expected results and performance, expected drydockings including the timing and duration, and impact of performance enhancements on our vessels, timeline for delivery of newbuilds, dividends and dividend policy, expected growth in LNG supply and the attractiveness of LNG (including as an alternative to coal), expected industry and business trends including expected trends in LNG demand and market trends, expected trends in LNG shipping capacity including expected scrapping and expected costs and timing for newbuilds, expected impacts to our restructuring costs due to our adjustments in operations, LNG vessel supply and demand (including expected seasonal upswings), factors impacting supply and demand of vessels such as CII and European carbon pricing backlog, rates and expected trends in charter and spot rates, backlog, contracting, utilization, LNG vessel newbuild order-book, expected winter demand and volatility statements under “LNG Market Review” and “Outlook” and other non-historical matters. Our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements are preliminary and subject to independent audit which may impact the condensed consolidated financial information included in this release.

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:

changes in demand in the LNG shipping industry, including the market for modern TFDE vessels;
general LNG market conditions, including fluctuations in charter hire rates and vessel values;
our ability to successfully employ our vessels and at attractive rates;
changes in the supply of LNG vessels;
our ability to access to financing and refinancing;
our continued borrowing availability under our credit facilities and compliance with the financial covenants therein;
potential conflicts of interest involving our significant shareholders;
our ability to pay dividends;
general economic, political and business conditions, including sanctions and other measures;
changes in our operating expenses due to inflationary pressure and volatility of supply and maintenance including fuel or cooling down prices and lay-up costs when vessels are not on charter, drydocking and insurance costs;
fluctuations in foreign currency exchange and interest rates;
vessel breakdowns and instances of loss of hire;
vessel underperformance and related warranty claims;
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;
compliance with, and our liabilities under, governmental, tax, environmental and safety laws and regulations;
information system failures, cyber incidents or breaches in security;
adjustments in our ship management business and related costs;
changes in governmental regulation, tax and trade matters and actions taken by regulatory authorities; and
other risks indicated in the risk factors included in CoolCo’s Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2022 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 unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2023, 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 year ended December 31, 2023, includes a fair review of important events that have occurred during the period and their impact on the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements, the principal risks and uncertainties, and major related party transactions.


February 28, 2024 Cool Company Ltd. Hamilton, Bermuda

Questions should be directed to: c/o Cool Company Ltd – +44 207 659 1111

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 STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

	*For the three months ended*						*For the twelve months ended*
	Oct-Dec 2023		Jul-Sep 2023		Oct-Dec 2022		2023		2022
(in thousands of $)	Successor (Consolidated)		Successor (Consolidated)		Successor (Consolidated)¹		Successor (Consolidated)		Successor (Consolidated)¹		Predecessor (Combined Carve-out)²
Time and voyage charter revenues	89,319		84,523		79,032		347,081		183,567		37,289
Vessel and other management fee revenues	3,308		3,860		3,441		14,301		7,125		6,167
Amortization of intangible assets and liabilities – charter agreements, net	4,517		4,518		7,782		17,628		22,286		—
Total operating revenues	97,144		92,901		90,255		379,010		212,978		43,456

Vessel operating expenses	(16,804	)	(18,556	)	(15,752	)	(72,783	)	(40,459	)	(7,706	)
Voyage, charter hire and commission expenses, net	(1,019	)	(1,137	)	(432	)	(4,532	)	(1,644	)	(1,229	)
Administrative expenses	(5,372	)	(5,936	)	(7,668	)	(24,173	)	(14,004	)	(5,422	)
Depreciation and amortization	(18,898	)	(18,936	)	(17,522	)	(76,629	)	(45,935	)	(5,745	)
Total operating expenses	(42,093	)	(44,565	)	(41,374	)	(178,117	)	(102,042	)	(20,102	)

Other operating income	—		—		—		—		—		4,374
Operating income	55,051		48,336		48,881		200,893		110,936		27,728

Other non-operating income	—		—		—		42,549		—		—

Financial income/(expense):
Interest income	1,743		2,176		883		8,227		1,273		4
Interest expense	(20,463	)	(20,379	)	(15,491	)	(80,190	)	(30,664	)	(4,725	)
(Losses)/Gains on derivative instruments	(13,115	)	9,689		(935	)	7,278		8,592		—
Other financial items, net	(426	)	(605	)	(299	)	(1,838	)	(2,526	)	622
Financial income/(expense), net	(32,261	)	(9,119	)	(15,842	)	(66,523	)	(23,325	)	(4,099	)

Income before income taxes and non-controlling interests	22,790		39,217		33,039		176,919		87,611		23,629
Income taxes, net	(375	)	(47	)	30		(556	)	(111	)	(385	)
Net income	22,415		39,170		33,069		176,363		87,500		23,244
Net (income)/loss attributable to non-controlling interests	(351	)	(340	)	144		(1,634	)	(1,758	)	(8,206	)
Net income attributable to the Owners of Cool Company Ltd	22,064		38,830		33,213		174,729		85,742		15,038

Net income/(loss) attributable to:
Owners of Cool Company Ltd	22,064		38,830		33,213		174,729		85,742		15,038
Non-controlling interests	351		340		(144	)	1,634		1,758		8,206
Net income	22,415		39,170		33,069		176,363		87,500		23,244