Total Gross Profit increased 66.8%YOY to US$5.0 million for 1Q2024 as compared to US$3 million in 1Q2023, while total revenues were 16.3% YOY higher at US$18.4 million compared to 1Q2023. Higher charter rates resulted in a widening of gross margins from the Owned Vessel Division.

Owned Vessel Division

In 1Q2024, Owned Vessel gross profit experienced an increase to US$3.9 million (+129.4% YOY) as compared to 1Q2023, generated from revenues of US$14 million (+44.6% YOY). This was achieved despite only a modest rise in fleet utilization from 67% in 1Q2023 to 69% in 1Q2024, because of rising charter rates and additional revenue from vessels acquired in 2022 and 2023 coming onstream.

If compared to the previous quarter, revenue from Owned vessels fell by 8% for 1Q2024 compared to 4Q2023, as some vessels came off spot contracts, reflecting the short term nature of the projects in operation at the present moment. However, gross profit was maintained at US$3.9million (-1%QOQ) compared to US$4million in 4Q2023, as the effect of wider margins arising from better charter rates for Spot contracts offset the lower utilization.

Owned Vessel Direct expenses increased by 26.4% YOY to US$10.1 million for 1Q2024, primarily driven by a higher number of operational vessels as compared to 1Q2023. The biggest increases were in maintenance expenses which rose +104.2% YOY to US$2.4 million, and crewing expenses of US$2.5 million (+17.9% YOY). Apart from a higher number of vessels, maintenance costs were higher due to the preparation of several vessels for overseas operations. Crewing costs have risen in line with the increased number crew and vessels operating internationally, necessitating a higher crew cost to meet charter requirements. Additionally, depreciation expenses climbed to US$3.5 million, up 17.2% YOY, reflecting the growth in fleet size.

Chartering Division and Other Services

Chartering Division saw a 25.3% YOY decline in revenue to US$ 3.0 million for 1Q2024 compared to 1Q2023, as two vessels which were previously chartered were purchased last year and are now reflected in Owned Vessel Division. Gross profits in the Chartering Division also decreased by 49.4%YOY to US$ 0.2 million. Revenue from Other Services decreased by 33.0% YTD, while gross profits in this division remained relatively stable, showing a slight increase of 1.2% YTD to US$ 0.9 million.

Indirect Expenses and Operating Profit

Indirect Expenses increased by 61.4% YOY to US$ 2.3 million. A significant factor was the one-time reversal in employee benefit expenses in 2023 due to the Company's adoption of the changes in the Omnibus Law, which did not recur in 1Q2024. Salary expenses also rose to US$ 1.7 million, up 41.4%YOY from 1Q2023, primarily due to increase in permanent employees following business expansion.

Operating Profit for 1Q2024 was US$2.7 million, which increased 71.7% YOY.

Other Income, Expenses and Net Attributable Profit

Interest expenses decreased by 5.9% YOY to US$0.2 million for 1Q2024 with ongoing reduction in debt as the Company's net gearing ratio has now fallen to only 0.9% as of 31 March 2024.

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