ZIM Reports Financial Results for the First Quarter of 2021

19 May 2021
Generates Record Quarterly Net Income of $590 Million and Adjusted EBITDA of $821 Million
Increases 2021 Guidance to Between $2.5 Billion and $2.8 Billion of Adjusted EBITDA and Between $1.85 Billion to $2.15 Billion of Adjusted EBIT
Announces Special Dividend of Approximately $238 Million, or $2.00 Per Share, on Top of 2021 Annual Dividend

HAIFA, Israel, May 19, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- ZIM Integrated Shipping Services Ltd. (NYSE: ZIM), a global container liner shipping company, announced today its consolidated results for the three months ended March 31, 2021.

Zim Integrated Shipping Services Ltd Logo

First Quarter 2021 Highlights

  • Net income for the first quarter was $589.6 million (compared to a loss of $11.9 million in the first quarter of 2020), or $5.35 per share1
  • Adjusted EBITDA2 for the first quarter was $820.5 million, a year-over-year increase of 744%
  • Operating income (EBIT) for the first quarter was $683.5 million, a year-over-year increase of 2,645%
  • Adjusted EBIT for the first quarter was $687.8 million, a year-over-year increase of 2,430%
  • Revenues for the first quarter were $1.74 billion, a year-over-year increase of 112%
  • ZIM carried 818 thousand TEUs in the first quarter of 2021, a year-over-year increase of 28%
  • The average freight rate per TEU in the first quarter of 2021 was $1,925, a year-over-year increase of 76%
  • Net leverage ratio3 of 0.5x at March 31, 2021, compared to 1.2x at December 31, 2020
  • Completed IPO, raising $204 million in net proceeds
  • Announced strategic long-term chartering agreement with Seaspan for ten "green" LNG-fueled vessels demonstrating ZIM's commitment to reducing its carbon footprint and leading environmentally friendly practices in the shipping industry
  • Subsequent to quarter end, announced full early redemption of $349 million principal amount of Series 1 and 2 Notes due 2023 payable in June 2021
  • Declared a special cash dividend of approximately $238 million, or $2.00 per ordinary share, to be paid on September 15, 2021, to holders of the ordinary shares as of August 25, 2021; reiterated plan to distribute annual dividend of 30-50% of 2021 net income in 2022

Eli Glickman, ZIM President & CEO, stated, "This is truly a momentous time in ZIM's 75-year history. Following our successful IPO to become the first global container liner to list in the U.S., we are proud of our demonstrated accomplishments based on seamless execution aligned with our stated objectives. Driven by ZIM's differentiated approach and proactive strategies, we generated our highest ever quarterly net profit, EBITDA, and cash flow, while continuing to deliver industry leading margins. We also significantly strengthened our balance sheet, with shareholder equity now in excess of $1 billion. In a short time since going public, we have also achieved important milestones for shareholders. Specifically, we significantly strengthened our position in the growing and strategic Pacific and Intra Asia trades, with our long-term chartering agreement for large LNG dual-fuel container vessels and the launch of new services to address unmet need in profitable routes to generate superior growth. We also drew on our strong cash flow to redeem ZIM's $349 million outstanding Series 1 and 2 Notes sooner than expected and earlier than the stated maturity by two years."

Mr. Glickman added, "Based on our success further strengthening our balance sheet, we are pleased to allocate capital to invest in new equipment to continue to best serve customers while returning capital to shareholders. With today's declaration of a special dividend, we will be distributing approximately $238 million, or $2.00 per share, in line with our commitment to unlock significant value. Importantly, this dividend is over and above our 2021 annual dividend guidance, supplementing the 30-50% of 2021 net income we expect to distribute in 2022."

Mr. Glickman concluded, "As a result of our outstanding execution and the full completion of freight contracts at higher rates, we have substantially raised our full year outlook, with 2021 Adjusted EBITDA now expected to be between $2.5 billion and $2.8 billion, more than 75% higher than the midpoint of our previous guidance range. Going forward, we remain poised to continue leveraging our agility to maximize profitability and advance ZIM's position as an innovative digital leader of seaborne transportation and logistics services with attractive growth engines."

Summary of Key Financial and Operational Results (Q1'21 vs. Q1'20 unless otherwise noted)






Q1'21


Q1'20

Carried volume (K-TEUs) ................................................................

818


638

Average freight rate ($/TEU) ...........................................................

1,925


1,091

Revenue ($ in millions) ....................................................................

1,744


823

Operating income (EBIT) ($ in millions) ...........................................

683


25

Profit (loss) before income taxes ($ in millions) ...................................

644


(9)

Net income (loss) ($ in millions) .......................................................

590


(12)

Adjusted EBITDA ($ in millions) .......................................................

821


97

Adjusted EBIT ($ in millions) ............................................................

688


27

Adjusted EBITDA margin (%) ...........................................................

47


12

Adjusted EBIT margin (%) ................................................................

39


3

Net cash generated from operating activities ($ in millions) .............

777


102

Earnings (loss) per share (fully diluted) ($) .......................................

5.13


(0.14)

Free cash flow ($ in millions) ............................................................

643


98

Net debt ($ in millions) (Q1'21 vs. Q4'20) .........................................

915


1,236

Financial and Operating Results for the First Quarter Ended March 31, 2021
Total revenues were $1.74 billion for the first quarter of 2021, compared to $823.2 million for the first quarter of 2020, primarily driven by an increase in revenues from containerized cargo, reflecting increases in both freight rates and carried volume.

Operating income (EBIT) for the first quarter of 2021 was $683.5 million, compared to $24.9 million for the first quarter of 2020.

Net income for the first quarter of 2021 was $589.6 million, compared to a net loss of $11.9 million for the first quarter of 2020.

Adjusted EBITDA was $820.5 million for the first quarter of 2021, compared to $97.2 million for the first quarter of 2020.  Adjusted EBIT was $687.8 million for the first quarter of 2021, compared to $27.2 million for the first quarter of 2020. Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBIT margins for the first quarter of 2021 were 47% and 39%, respectively. This compares to 12% and 3% for the first quarter of 2020, respectively.

Net cash generated from operating activities was $777.4 million for the first quarter of 2021, compared to $101.6 million for the first quarter of 2020.

ZIM carried 818 thousand TEUs for the first quarter of 2021, compared to 638 thousand TEUs in the first quarter of 2020. The average freight rate per TEU was $1,925 for the first quarter of 2021, compared to $1,091 for the first quarter of 2020.

Liquidity and Cash Flows
ZIM's cash and cash equivalents increased by $618 million from $570 million at December 31, 2020 to $1.19 billion at March 31, 2021. Capital expenditures totaled $133.0 million for the first quarter of 2021, compared to $3.6 million for the first quarter of 2020. Net debt decreased by $321 million from $1.24 billion as of December 31, 2020 to $915 million as of March 31, 2021. ZIM's net leverage ratio as of March 31, 2021 was 0.5x, compared to 1.2x as of December 31, 2020.

Early Redemption of Notes
In April 2021, the Company announced the early redemption of 100% of its Series 1 and 100% of its Series 2 unsecured notes due 2023 at an aggregate principal amount of $349 million, payable on June 21, 2021, in accordance with the terms of the indenture governing the notes.

Long-Term Chartering Agreement
In February 2021, the Company announced a strategic agreement for the long-term charter of ten 15,000 TEU liquefied natural gas (LNG) dual-fuel container vessels to serve ZIM's Asia - US East Coast trade.

Special Dividend
On May 19, 2021, the Company's Board of Directors declared a special cash dividend of approximately $238 million, or $2.00 per ordinary share. The special cash dividend will be paid on September 15, 2021, to all holders of record of ordinary shares as of August 25, 2021. The special dividend is supplemental to ZIM's previously communicated 2021 annual dividend guidance, whereby the Company expects to distribute 30-50% of 2021 net income in 2022, subject to Board approval.

Updated Full-Year 2021 Guidance
The Company increased its full-year guidance and expects to generate in 2021 Adjusted EBITDA of between $2.5 billion and $2.8 billion and Adjusted EBIT of between $1.85 billion to $2.15 billion.

Use of Non-IFRS Measures in the Company's 2021 Guidance
A reconciliation of the Company's non-IFRS financial measures included in its full-year 2021 guidance to corresponding IFRS measures is not available on a forward-looking basis. In particular, the Company has not reconciled its Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBIT because the various reconciling items between such non-IFRS financial measures and such corresponding IFRS measures cannot be determined without unreasonable effort due to the uncertainty regarding, and the potential variability of, the future costs and expenses for which the Company adjusts, the effect of which may be significant, and all of which are difficult to predict and are subject to frequent change.

Conference Call Details
Management will host a conference call and webcast (along with a slide presentation) to review the results and provide a corporate update today at 8:00 AM ET.

To access the live conference call by telephone, please dial the following numbers: United States +1-855-265-6958 or +1-718-705-8796; Israel +972-3-721-9662; or UK/international +44-121-281-8004. The call (and slide presentation) will be available via live webcast through ZIM's website, located at the following link. Following the conclusion of the call, a replay of the conference call will be available on the Company's website.

About ZIM
ZIM Integrated Shipping Services Ltd. (NYSE: ZIM) is a global, asset-light container liner shipping company with leadership positions in the markets where it operates. Founded in Israel in 1945, ZIM is one of the oldest shipping liners, with over 75 years of experience, providing customers with innovative seaborne transportation and logistics services with a reputation for industry leading transit times, schedule reliability and service excellence. For additional information, please visit www.zim.com.

Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains, or may be deemed to contain forward-looking statements (as defined in the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and the Israeli Securities Law, 1968). In some cases, you can identify these statements by forward-looking words such as "may," "might," "will," "should," "expect," "plan," "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "predict," "potential" or "continue," the negative of these terms and other comparable terminology. These forward-looking statements, which are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions about the Company, may include projections of the Company's future financial results, its anticipated growth strategies and anticipated trends in its business. These statements are only predictions based on the Company's current expectations and projections about future events or results. There are important factors that could cause the Company's actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements to differ materially from the results, level of activity, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause such differences include, but are not limited to: market changes in freight, bunker, charter and other rates or prices, new legislation or regulation affecting the Company's operations, new competition and changes in the competitive environment, the outcome of legal proceedings to which the Company is a party, and other risks and uncertainties detailed from time to time in the Company's filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including under the caption "Risk Factors" in its 2020 Annual Report. 

Although the Company believes the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements contained herein are reasonable, it cannot guarantee future results, level of activity, performance or achievements. Moreover, neither the Company nor any other person assumes responsibility for the accuracy and completeness of any of these forward-looking statements. The Company assumes no duty to update any of these forward-looking statements after the date hereof to conform its prior statements to actual results or revised expectations, except as otherwise required by law.

The Company prepares its financial statements in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB).

Use of Non-IFRS Financial Measures
The Company presents non-IFRS measures as additional performance measures as the Company believes that it enables the comparison of operating performance between periods on a consistent basis.  These measures should not be considered in isolation, or as a substitute for operating income, any other performance measures, or cash flow data, which were prepared in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles as measures of profitability or liquidity. Please note that Adjusted EBITDA does not take into account debt service requirements, or other commitments, including capital expenditures, and therefore, does not necessarily indicate the amounts that may be available for the Company's use. In addition, Non-IFRS financial measures, as those presented by the Company, may not be comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other companies, due to differences in the way these measures are calculated.

Adjusted EBITDA is a non-IFRS financial measure which we define as net income (loss) adjusted to exclude financial expenses (income), net, income taxes, depreciation and amortization in order to reach EBITDA, and further adjusted to exclude impairment of assets, non-cash charter hire expenses, capital gains (losses) beyond the ordinary course of business and expenses related to legal contingencies.

Adjusted EBIT is a non-IFRS financial measure which we define as net income (loss) adjusted to exclude financial expenses (income), net and income taxes, in order to reach our results from operating activities, or EBIT, and further adjusted to exclude non-cash charter hire expenses, impairment of assets, capital gains (losses) beyond the ordinary course of business and expenses related to legal contingencies.

Free cash flow is a non-IFRS measure which we define as net cash generated from operating activities plus the net cash generated (used) from investment activities.

See the reconciliation of net income to Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBIT and net cash generated from operating activities to free cash flow under "Reconciliation of Non-IFRS Measures" below.

Investor Relations:
Elana Holzman
ZIM Integrated Shipping Services Ltd.
+972-4-865-2300
[email protected]

Leon Berman
The IGB Group
212-477-8438
[email protected]

Media:
Avner Shats
ZIM Integrated Shipping Services Ltd.
+972-4-865-2520
[email protected] 

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET

(U.S. dollars in thousands)






Three Months ended
March 31,


Year ended
December 31,


2021


2020


2020







Assets






Vessels

1,299,718


737,047


948,004

Containers and handling equipment

665,636


437,639


520,887

Other tangible assets

64,466


67,877


67,133

Intangible assets

66,808


65,716


66,465

Investments in associates 

13,544


9,171


8,441

Other investments

3,147


2,717


4,888

Trade and other receivables

5,647


5,390


5,293

Deferred tax assets

1,619


1,018


1,502

Total non-current assets

2,120,585


1,326,575


1,622,613







Assets classified as held for sale



10,564



Inventories

86,256


56,699


52,237

Trade and other receivables

700,385


306,557


520,001

Other investments

63,015


59,510


58,976

Cash and cash equivalents

1,188,408


196,741


570,414

Total current assets

2,038,064


630,071


1,201,628

Total assets

4,158,649


1,956,646


2,824,241







Equity






Share capital and reserves

1,992,378


1,783,479


1,790,794

Accumulated deficit

(936,101)


(2,053,010)


(1,523,528)

Equity attributable to owners of the Company

1,056,277


(269,531)


267,266

Non-controlling interests

3,841


4,327


7,189

Total equity

1,060,118


(265,204)


274,455







Liabilities






Lease liabilities

1,055,126


659,649


811,840

Loans and other liabilities

440,196


550,265


519,471

Employee benefits

63,198


58,252


66,626

Deferred tax liabilities

34,159


347


339

Total non-current liabilities

1,592,679


1,268,513


1,398,276







Trade and other payables

538,717


431,223


398,876

Provisions

25,631


16,081


21,420

Contract liabilities

295,653


125,109


230,469

Lease liabilities

508,154


236,835


362,176

Loans and other liabilities

137,697


144,089


138,569

Total current liabilities

1,505,852


953,337


1,151,510

Total liabilities

3,098,531


2,221,850


2,549,786







Total equity and liabilities

4,158,649


1,956,646


2,824,241

 

CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENTS

(U.S. dollars in thousands, except per share data)






Three months ended
March 31,


Year ended
December 31,


2021


2020


2020







Income from voyages and related services

1,744,335


823,215


3,991,696







Cost of voyages and related services












Operating expenses and cost of services

(880,627)


(698,388)


(2,835,112)

Depreciation

(128,129)


(67,063)


(291,559)







Gross profit

735,579


57,764


865,025







Other operating income

2,313


2,016


12,621

Other operating expenses

(84)


(4)


4,272

General and administrative expenses

(55,898)


(35,377)


(163,210)

Share of profits of associates

1,545


497


3,341







Results from operating activities 

683,455


24,896


722,049







Net finance expenses

(39,445)


(33,727)


(181,260)







Profit (loss) before income taxes

644,010


(8,831)


540,789







Income taxes

(54,422)


(3,086)


(16,599)







Profit (loss) for the period

589,588


(11,917)


524,190







Attributable to:












Owners of the Company

587,599


(13,549)


517,961

Non-controlling interests

1,989


1,632


6,229







Profit (loss)  for the period

589,588


(11,917)


524,190













Earnings (loss) per share (US$)*






Basic earnings (losses) per 1 ordinary share

5.35


(0.14)


5.18

Diluted earnings (losses) per 1 ordinary share

5.13


(0.14)


4.96







Weighted average number of shares for
EPS calculation*:






Basic

109,777,778


100,000,000


100,000,000

Diluted

114,508,115


100,000,000


104,530,892







(*) Reflect a share split of 1:10 that became effective in 2021, in all presented periods.

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(U.S. dollars in thousands)






Three months ended
March 31,


Year ended
December 31,


2021


2020


2020







Cash flows from operating activities






Profit (loss) for the year

589,588


(11,917)


524,190







Adjustments for:






Depreciation and amortization

133,585


72,133


314,185

Impairment recovery in respect of tangible assets





(4,329)

Net finance expenses 

39,445


33,727


181,260

Share of profits and change in fair value of investees

(2,432)


(497)


(4,143)

Capital gains

(431)


(1,310)


(8,814)

Income taxes

54,422


3,086


16,599








814,177


95,222


1,018,948







Change in inventories

(34,019)


3,643


8,105

Change in trade receivables and other receivables

(174,298)


2,243


(204,469)

Change in trade and other payables including contract
liabilities

175,698


9,203


68,670

Change in provisions and employee benefits

(728)


(7,132)


(2,152)








(33,347)


7,957


(129,846)







Dividends received from associates

711


15


4,360

Interest received

769


876


2,317

Income taxes paid

(4,909)


(2,495)


(14,983)







Net cash generated from operating activities

777,401


101,575


880,796







Cash flows from investing activities






Proceeds from sale of tangible assets, intangible
assets, investments and affiliates

504


1,349


6,717

Acquisition of tangible assets, intangible assets and
  investments

(132,998)


(3,561)


(42,641)

Change in other investments and other receivables

(2,061)


(1,241)


763

Net cash used in investing activities

(134,555)


(3,453)


(35,161)







 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(U.S. dollars in thousands)






Three months ended
March 31,


Year ended
December 31,


2021


2020


2020







Cash flows from financing activities












Issuance of share capital, net of issuance costs

205,394











Sale and lease back transactions



8,400


9,052







Repayment of borrowings and lease liabilities

(190,403)


(63,557)


(336,225)







Change in short-term loans

(975)


3,571


6,071







Dividend paid to non-controlling interests

(2,808)




(3,344)







Interest and other financial expenses paid

(34,851)


(30,467)


(135,952)







Net cash used in financing activities

(23,643)


(82,053)


(460,398)







Net change in cash and cash equivalents

619,203


16,069


385,237







Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the period

570,414


182,786


182,786







Effect of exchange rate fluctuation on cash held

(1,209)


(2,114)


2,391







Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the
period

1,188,408


196,741


570,414







 

RECONCILIATION OF NET INCOME (LOSS) TO ADJUSTED EBIT

(U.S. dollars in millions)



Three months ended
March 31,


2021


2020





Net income (loss)

590


(12)

Financial expenses (income), net

39


34

Income taxes

54


3

Operating income (EBIT)

683


25

Non-cash charter hire expenses  

1


2

Expenses related to legal contingencies

4


0

Adjusted EBIT

688


27

Adjusted EBIT margin

39%


3%

 

RECONCILIATION OF NET INCOME (LOSS) TO ADJUSTED EBITDA

(U.S. dollars in millions)



Three months ended
March 31,


2021


2020





Net income (loss)

590


(12)

Financial expenses (income), net

39


34

Income taxes

54


3

Depreciation and amortization

134


72

EBITDA

817


97





Expenses related to legal contingencies

4


0

Adjusted EBITDA

821


97

Adjusted EBITDA margin

47%


12%

 

RECONCILIATION OF NET CASH GENERATED FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES TO FREE
CASH FLOW

(U.S. dollars in millions)



Three months ended
March 31,


2021


2020





Net cash generated from operating activities

777


102

Net cash used in investing activities

(134)


(4)

Free cash flow

643


98

 

 

1 Earnings per share calculation for all periods reflect a share split of 1:10 that became effective in 2021.
2 See disclosure regarding "Use of Non-IFRS Financial Measures" below.
3 Net leverage ratio is defined as face value of short- and long-term debt less cash, cash equivalents and short-term deposits divided by Adjusted EBITDA of the last twelve-month period.

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SOURCE Zim Integrated Shipping Services Ltd.