UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 6-K
Report of Foreign Issuer
Pursuant to Rule 13a-16 or 15d-16 of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
For the month of May 2006
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Frontline Ltd.
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(Translation of registrant's name into English)
Par-la-Ville Place, 14 Par-la-Ville Road, Hamilton, HM 08, Bermuda
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(Address of principal executive offices)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports
under cover Form 20-F or Form 40-F
Form 20-F [X] Form 40-F [ ]
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant by furnishing the information
contained in this Form is also thereby furnishing the information to the
Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
Yes [ ] No [X]
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If "Yes" is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the registrant in
connection with Rule 12g3-2(b):
Item 1. INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS FORM 6-K REPORT
Attached as Exhibit 1 is a copy of the press release of Frontline Ltd. (the
"Company") dated May 26, 2006, reporting the Company's results for the first
quarter of 2006.
Exhibit 1
FRONTLINE LTD.
FIRST QUARTER 2006 RESULTS
Highlights
o Frontline reports net income of $219.1 million and earnings per share
of $2.93 for the first quarter of 2006.
o Frontline announces a cash dividend of $1.50 per share.
First Quarter Results
The Board of Frontline Ltd. (the "Company" or "Frontline") announces net income
of $219.1 million for the first quarter of 2006, equivalent to earnings per
share of $2.93. Operating income for the quarter was $275.6 million compared to
$236.9 million in the fourth quarter of 2005. This reflects the strengthening of
the market during the quarter. The average daily time charter equivalents
("TCEs") earned in the spot and period market by the Company's VLCCs, Suezmax
tankers and Suezmax OBO carriers were $73,000, $49,700 and $31,700 respectively
compared with $65,800, $44,100 and $32,900 respectively in the fourth quarter of
2005.
In the first quarter of 2006, the Company reported a gain from sale of assets of
$12.1 million. The gain arises from the sale of Golden Stream in the amount of
$11.0 million and as a result of a release of $1.1 million of the $1.8 million
loss on impairment that was accrued in the fourth quarter of 2005 on the sale of
Navix Astral, which was delivered to its new owner in January 2006.
Interest income was $10.7 million in the quarter, of which, $6.0 million relates
to restricted deposits held by subsidiaries reported in Independent Tankers
Corporation ("ITC"). The Company recorded interest expense of $52.6 million in
the quarter of which $15.4 million relates to ITC.
Other financial items in the first quarter was a gain of $15.0 million compared
to a gain of $6.8 million in the fourth quarter of 2005. A continued increase in
the forward curve for LIBOR rates in the quarter has resulted in valuation gains
of $5.2 million compared to valuation gains of $3.1 million in the fourth
quarter of 2005. As at March 31, 2006, the Company had interest rate swaps with
a total notional principal of $535.7 million all of which relates to Ship
Finance International Limited ("Ship Finance"). Ship Finance also entered into a
number of swaps which subsequently were terminated during the quarter at a total
gain of $3.6 million. The valuation of freight future agreements to market value
has resulted in a gain of $0.3 million compared to a gain of $0.6 million in the
fourth quarter. Dividends received from marketable securities totalled $7.7
million in the first quarter with no corresponding balance in the fourth
quarter.
As at March 31, 2006, the Company had total cash and cash equivalents of $792.1
million which includes $604.0 million of restricted cash. Restricted cash
includes $315.0 million relating to deposits in ITC and $274.5 million in
Frontline Shipping Limited and Frontline Shipping II Limited. As of May 2006,
the Company has cash breakeven rates on a TCE basis for VLCCs and Suezmaxes of
$28,508 and $21,295 respectively.
The results for the first quarter of 2005 have been restated to reflect the sale
of a vessel later in 2005 that was accounted for as discontinued operations.
The Company continues to consolidate Ship Finance International Limited this
quarter in accordance with FIN 46.
Corporate and Other Matters
In January 2006, the VLCC Navix Astral was delivered to its existing bareboat
charterer pursuant to a charterer's purchase option that was exercised in
November 2005. In January 2006 the Company sold the Front Tobago to Ship Finance
to replace and fulfil the remainder of the Navix Astral time charter with
Frontline.
In February 2006 Ship Finance entered into a total return bond swap line with
Fortis Bank. The total return swap is for a term of twelve months and will
facilitate the buyback of its 8.5% senior notes in the amount of $50 million. As
of today the bank has acquired bonds under this facility for $48.6 million with
par value $51.5 million.
In the first quarter of 2006 Ship Finance bought back and cancelled 400,000 of
its shares.
Early March 2006, Tom Jebsen delivered his resignation notice from his position
as CFO in Frontline. Mr. Jebsen has been a key individual in the build up of
Frontline and the Board is very thankful for his great contribution to the
Company's success. We are pleased to announce that Inger M. Klemp has accepted
our offer to take over as CFO in Frontline as from June 1, 2006. Mrs. Klemp has
been working with Frontline since 2001.
In March 2006, Frontline announced the acquisition of the vessel "Gerrita"
(built 1990, 112,046 dwt) for the new business unit Frontline FPSO. The vessel
has been renamed Front Puffin.
On March 8, 2006 Frontline announced the sale of its VLCC Golden Stream (built
1995, 275,616 dwt). The sale yielded a net cash flow of $41.0 million and a
profit of $11.0 million.
With effect from April 1, Frontline Ltd's subsidiary CalPetro Tankers (Bahamas
III) Limited took redelivery of Virgo Voyager (renamed Front Voyager) from
Chevron. As part of returning the vessel, Chevron paid a termination fee of
$5,050,000.
So far in 2006 the Company has ordered four VLCCs at the Jiangnan shipyard for
delivery in 2009 and 2010. The ships have been ordered at attractive prices.
Frontline might bring in a partner on part of these investments, thereby
reducing the exposure.
On May 26, 2006, the Board declared a dividend of $1.50 per share. The record
date for the dividend is June 12, 2006, the ex dividend date is June 8, 2006 and
the dividend will be paid on or about June 26, 2006.
At March 31, 2006, 74,825,169 ordinary shares were outstanding and the weighted
average number of shares outstanding for the quarter was also 74,825,169.
The Market
The downward pressure which started mid November 2005 for the VLCCs, and early
December 2005 for the Suezmaxes, continued until mid January 2006. The markets
saw, at the time, a low for VLCCs of about World Scale ("WS") 80, for the
benchmark route MEG to Japan, and about WS 124 from WAF to USAC for Suezmaxes.
From that time it took the market approximately two weeks to hit the high for
VLCCs of about WS 180 for the given route. This equated to a daily time charter
equivalent ("TCE") of approximately $137,000 per day. The equivalent number for
the Suezmaxes was a peak of about WS 210 at the start of February which equates
to a TCE of approximately $72,000 per day. Following the peak, the VLCC market
softened seeing a relatively steady decline until end quarter when fixtures
where conducted at WS 60. The Suezmaxes managed to stay firm at the peak for two
weeks and afterwards witnessed the same trend as the VLCCs did, steadily
declining towards quarter end at about WS 115. The average rate from the MEG to
Japan in the first quarter of 2006 was about WS 110 ($71,307 per day), compared
to about WS 108 ($68,027 per day) in the first quarter of 2005. The average rate
from WAF to USAC in the first quarter of 2006 was about WS 159 ($50,957 per
day), compared to about WS 164 ($50,705 per day) in the first quarter of 2005.
Bunkers are becoming an even more substantial part of operating costs and bunker
prices increased 14 percent during the first quarter. Fujairah's highest bunker
quote for the quarter was $339 per mt, with an average of $318 per mt.
The International Energy Agency (IEA) reported in May an average OPEC Oil
production, including Iraq, of 29.78 million barrels per day during the first
quarter of the year, a 0.24 million barrels per day or 0.8 percent decrease from
the fourth quarter. OPEC decided at its meeting held in Vienna in March to
maintain current production levels.
IEA estimates that world oil demand averaged 84.9 million barrels per day in the
first quarter, a 0.9 percent increase from the fourth quarter of 2005. IEA
further predicts that the average demand for 2006 in total will be 84.8 million
barrels per day, or a 1.5 percent growth from 2005, hence showing a firm belief
in continued demand growth.
The VLCC fleet totalled 468 vessels at the end of the first quarter of 2006, an
increase of 0.6 percent over the quarter. No VLCCs were scrapped in the period
whilst four were delivered. The total order book now stands at 122 vessels at
the end of the first quarter, up from 90 vessels after the fourth quarter of
2005. For the remainder of 2006 there are 13 deliveries expected and for 2007 we
count 35. The current orderbook represent 26 percent of the current VLCC fleet.
A total of 31 VLCCs were ordered during the quarter. The high ordering inflow in
the quarter is partly a result of new rules introduced April 1, 2006 which made
construction of VLCCs more expensive.
The Suezmax fleet totalled 342 vessels at the end of the quarter, up from 337
vessels after the fourth quarter of 2005, a 1.5 percent fleet growth over the
quarter. No Suezmaxes were scrapped during the quarter whilst five were
delivered. The total order book at the end of the quarter is 62, down by one
from the end of the fourth quarter. For the remainder of 2006 there are 19
deliveries expected and 2007 counts 28. The current orderbook represents 18
percent of the Suezmax fleet. Four Suezmaxes were ordered during the period.
At the beginning of May it was possible to sell freight futures for the
remainder of 2006 at a level that equated to TCEs for VLCCs at approximately
$51,500 per day and $35,000 per day for Suezmaxes.
Strategy
Frontline currently has six VLCC newbuilding orders, all ordered at a favourable
cost compared to current newbuilding prices.
The use of single hull tonnage trading as tankers after 2010 is uncertain and
will depend on national acceptances as well as charterers practise. In order to
extend the trading life of such assets Frontline will seek to find alternative
use for such vessels including conversion to FPSO, heavylift or other types of
conversion. This market is developing rapidly.
In the last few years we have seen a deconsolidation of the market with new
players coming into the market. We will continue to strive for a consolidation
of the tanker market.
Frontline has chartered a number of its single hull tankers out on time charter
and has recently chartered out six of its double hull VLCCs on time charter to
Shell under a flexible charteragreement. We will monitor the time charter and
spot markets and strive towards a satisfactory mix in order to maximise long
term earnings.
The high oil prices and high activity in the drilling sector indicate that there
will be a significant growth in the FPSO activity. We believe that this market
will be attractive for our single hull tankers and have focused on building up
this activity within Frontline with the prospect of spinning off this activity
at a later stage.
Outlook
World economic growth appears firm, with a forecasted GDP growth of 3.4 percent
in US and 9.5 percent in China for 2006 along with an optimistic forecast for
2007.
The global oil production rose to an all time high in April at 85.09 million
barrels per day, and the IEA is estimating a higher growth in oil demand for
2006 compared to 2005. The Chinese crude oil import rose 25 percent year on year
in the first quarter of 2006 according to the IEA. Crude oil transport from the
Atlantic basin to Asia implies increasing tonne miles demand. The fleet growth
in 2006 will be lower than in 2005.
To date, the market has in line with our expectation in the fourth quarter
report been stronger than the consensus forecast at the beginning of the year.
We are reasonably optimistic that this underestimating of the strength in the
tanker market is still continuing and that the development for the rest of the
year will be better than consensus estimates. The high oil demand forecast for
the fourth quarter of 2006, combined with a tight global storage situation and
occurrences of logistical inefficiencies due to hurricanes etc. might push
tanker rates in the fourth quarter to very profitable levels.
Low cash breakeven rates and a good financial position makes it likely that the
high dividend payout can continue.
Forward Looking Statements
This press release contains forward looking statements. These statements are
based upon various assumptions, many of which are based, in turn, upon further
assumptions, including Frontline management's examination of historical
operating trends. Although Frontline believes that these assumptions were
reasonable when made, because assumptions are inherently subject to significant
uncertainties and contingencies which are difficult or impossible to predict and
are beyond its control, Frontline cannot give assurance that it will achieve or
accomplish these expectations, beliefs or intentions.
Important factors that, in the Company's view, could cause actual results to
differ materially from those discussed in this press release include the
strength of world economies and currencies, general market conditions including
fluctuations in charter hire rates and vessel values, changes in demand in the
tanker market as a result of changes in OPEC's petroleum production levels and
world wide oil consumption and storage, changes in the Company's operating
expenses including bunker prices, dry-docking and insurance costs, 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, and other important factors described from
time to time in the reports filed by the Company with the United States
Securities and Exchange Commission.
May 26, 2006
The Board of Directors
Frontline Ltd.
Hamilton, Bermuda
Questions should be directed to:
Contact: Tor Olav Tr0im: Director, Frontline Ltd
+44 7734 976 575
Oscar Spieler: Chief Executive Officer, Frontline Management AS
+47 23 11 40 79
Inger M. Klemp: Chief Financial Officer, Frontline Management AS
+47 23 11 40 76
FRONTLINE GROUP FIRST QUARTER REPORT (UNAUDITED)
INCOME STATEMENT 2006 2005 2005
(in thousands of $) Jan-Mar Jan-Mar Jan-Dec
(restated)
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Total operating revenues 486,867 460,085 1,513,833
Gain from sale of assets 12,087 28,528 76,081
Voyage expenses 117,789 84,464 337,221
Ship operating expenses 42,481 40,733 148,702
Charterhire expenses 6,174 1,118 11,711
Administrative expenses 4,731 5,155 21,181
Depreciation 52,206 48,211 198,359
Total operating expenses 223,381 179,681 717,174
Operating income 275,573 308,932 872,740
Interest income 10,685 8,690 41,040
Interest expense (52,629) (61,037) (215,994)
Share of results from associated companies (665) 1,930 3,691
Other financial items 15,025 20,401 47,189
Foreign currency exchange gain (loss) (317) 6,499 18,830
Income before discontinued operations, taxes and 247,672 285,415 767,496
minority interest
Minority interest (28,578) (18,399) (169,459)
Taxes - - 17
Discontinued operations - 6,533 8,785
Net income 219,094 273,549 606,839
Earnings per Share ($)
EPS from continuing operations 2.93 3.57 7.99
EPS 2.93 3.66 8.11
Income on time charter basis ($ per day per ship)*
VLCC 73,000 77,500 57,400
Suezmax 49,700 55,200 40,300
Suezmax OBO 31,700 35,800 34,900
* Basis = Calendar days minus off-hire. Figures after deduction of broker commission
2006 2005 2005
BALANCE SHEET Mar 31 Mar 31 Dec 31
(in thousands of $)
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ASSETS
Short term
Cash and cash equivalents 188,083 193,979 100,533
Restricted cash 604,012 589,578 636,790
Other current assets 397,006 357,321 398,148
Long term
Newbuildings and vessel purchase options 66,993 24,231 15,927
Vessels and equipment, net 2,500,335 2,397,147 2,584,847
Vessels under capital lease, net 661,112 707,346 672,608
Investment in finance leases 83,386 107,727 96,057
Investment in associated companies 9,528 22,414 10,169
Deferred charges and other long-term assets 57,076 53,894 52,760
Total assets 4,567,531 4,453,637 4,567,839
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Short term
Short term interest bearing debt 261,652 167,903 240,191
Current portion of obligations under
capital leases 26,030 22,906 25,142
Other current liabilities 139,604 147,437 187,645
Long term
Long term interest bearing debt 2,149,012 2,112,439 2,199,538
Obligations under capital leases 699,920 725,720 706,279
Other long term liabilities 21,174 24,770 23,128
Minority interest 483,923 545,381 470,750
Stockholders' equity 786,217 707,081 715,166
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity 4,567,531 4,453,637 4,567,839
2006 2005 2005
STATEMENT OF CASHFLOWS
(in thousands of $) Jan-Mar Jan-Mar Jan-Dec
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OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net income (loss) 219,094 279,669 606,839
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash
provided by operating activities
Depreciation and amortisation 52,206 60,762 215,836
Unrealised foreign currency exchange (gain) loss (1,435) (4,827) (2,222)
Gain or loss on sale of assets (including marketable (12,087) (53,074) (109,657)
securities)
Results from associated companies 665 (1,930) (3,692)
Adjustment of financial derivatives to market value (4,682) (10,615) (12,335)
Other, net 28,827 17,862 166,173
Change in operating assets and liabilities 2,373 49,787 139,743
Net cash provided by operating activities 284,961 337,634 1,000,685
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Maturity (placement) of restricted cash 32,778 3,029 (44,183)
Acquisition of minority interest (7,212) - (33,083)
Additions to newbuildings, vessels and equipment (66,921) (218,915) (558,163)
Advances to associated companies, net - 2,984 (2,612)
Receipts from investments in finance leases and - 1,085 20,540
loans receivable
Purchase of other assets (71,067) (12,576) (15,286)
Proceeds from sale of assets 92,260 135,518 250,339
Loan advances to related parties - - 16,800
(20,162) (88,875) (365,648)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Proceeds from long-term debt, net of fees paid 35,455 1,102,855 1,653,098
Repayments of long-term debt (64,521) (968,559) (1,361,500)
Repayment of capital leases (5,471) (5,024) (22,230)
Dividends paid (142,712) (289,754) (909,574)
Issue of shares, net - - -
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities (177,249) (160,482) (640,206)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents 87,550 88,277 (5,169)
Cash and cash equivalents at start of period 100,533 105,702 105,702
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period 188,083 193,979 100,533
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.
Frontline Ltd.
(Registrant)
Date May 30, 2006 By /s/ Tom E. Jebsen
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Tom E. Jebsen
Principal Financial Officer
SK 02089 0009 674031