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Safe Bulkers, Inc. Reports Third Quarter and First Nine Months 2015 Results


/EINPresswire.com/ -- MONACO -- (Marketwired) -- 11/09/15 -- Safe Bulkers, Inc. (the "Company") (NYSE: SB), an international provider of marine drybulk transportation services, announced today its unaudited financial results for the three and nine month period ended September 30, 2015.

Summary of Third Quarter 2015 Results

  • Net revenue for the third quarter of 2015 decreased by 8% to $33.5 million from $36.5 million during the same period in 2014.
  • Net loss for the third quarter of 2015 was $7.5 million from net income of $1.5 million, during the same period in 2014. Adjusted net loss(1) for the third quarter of 2015 was $6.3 million from Adjusted net income(1) of $1.0 million, during the same period in 2014.
  • EBITDA(2) for the third quarter of 2015 decreased by 38% to $9.0 million from $14.4 million during the same period in 2014. Adjusted EBITDA(3) for the third quarter of 2015 decreased by 26% to $10.3 million from $13.9 million during the same period in 2014.
  • Loss per share(4) and Adjusted loss per share(4) for the third quarter of 2015 was $0.13 and $0.12 respectively, calculated on a weighted average number of 83,480,875 shares, compared to Loss per share of $0.02 and Adjusted Loss per share of $0.03 in the third quarter of 2014, calculated on a weighted average number of 83,448,120 shares.

Summary of Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015 Results

  • Net revenue for the nine months of 2015 decreased by 15% to $97.4 million from $115.0 million during the same period in 2014.
  • Net loss for the nine months of 2015 was $18.0 million from net income of $14.8 million during the same period in 2014. Adjusted net loss for the nine months of 2015 was $14.7 million from Adjusted net income of $12.8 million during the same period in 2014.
  • EBITDA for the nine months of 2015 decreased by 50% to $26.6 million from $53.3 million during the same period in 2014. Adjusted EBITDA for the nine months of 2015 decreased by 42% to $30.0 million from $51.3 million during the same period in 2014.
  • Loss per share and Adjusted Loss per share for the nine months of 2015 of $0.34 and $0.30 respectively, calculated on a weighted average number of shares of 83,471,336, compared to Earnings per share(4) ("EPS") of $0.11 and Adjusted EPS(4) of $0.08 in the nine months of 2014, calculated on a weighted average number of 83,444,566 shares.

Fleet and Employment Profile

In July 2015, the Company took delivery of Pedhoulas Cherry (Hull No. 1148), a 82,000 dwt, Chinese eco-design newbuild Kamsarmax class vessel. Upon her delivery, the vessel was employed on a short period time charter.

In September 2015, the Company entered into a sale and leaseback agreement with a bank, regarding four existing Kamsarmax class vessels. Under this agreement, the aggregate net proceeds for the four vessels were $92.1 million. Each vessel was leased back for a period of 10 years, on a net daily bareboat charter rate of $6,500, with a purchase obligation at the end of the 10th year for a total price of $50.5 million for all four vessels and purchase options in favor of the Company after the second year of the bare boat charter, at annual intervals and predetermined purchase prices. This transaction, following settlement of debt with past lenders, provided additional liquidity of approximately $46.5 million. The sale and lease back transaction is recorded as a financing transaction, resulting in the increase of our debt and interest expense.

In October 2015, Daiichi Chu Kishen Kaisha ("DCKK"), terminated a ten year time charter contract for the vessel Kypros Sky at an average daily charter rate of $15,400, following a filing in the Japanese courts for civil rehabilitation. The vessel was redelivered to the Company and employed in the spot charter market. The Company does not employ any other vessels with DCKK. The Company will follow customary procedures for claiming the loss of hire for the remaining charter period.

As of November 5, 2015 the Company's operational fleet comprised of 36 drybulk vessels with an average age of 6.0 years and an aggregate carrying capacity of 3.3 million dwt. The fleet consists of 14 Panamax class vessels, 8 Kamsarmax class vessels, 11 Post-Panamax class vessels and 3 Capesize class vessels, all built from 2003 onwards.

As of November 5, 2015, the Company had contracted to acquire eight eco-design newbuild vessels, comprising of two Japanese Panamax class vessels, three Japanese Post-Panamax class vessels, two Japanese Kamsarmax class vessels and one Chinese Kamsarmax class vessel. Upon delivery of all of our newbuilds, assuming we do not acquire any additional vessels or dispose of any of our vessels, our fleet will comprise of 44 vessels, 15 of which will be eco-design vessels, having an aggregate carrying capacity of 3.9 million dwt.

Set out below is a table showing the contracted employment of the Company's vessels as of November 5, 2015:


----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                               Year    Country of  Charter Rate    Charter
    Vessel Name       DWT    Built(1) construction  (2)USD/day   Duration(3)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Panamax
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                Aug 2015 -
Maria                76,000    2003       Japan        8,250    Jun 2016
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                Sep 2015 -
Koulitsa             76,900    2003       Japan        7,650    Jan 2016
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                Jul 2015 -
Paraskevi            74,300    2003       Japan        7,400    May 2016
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                Aug 2015 -
Vassos               76,000    2004       Japan        8,850    Jan 2016
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                Apr 2015 -
Katerina             76,000    2004       Japan     BPI(4) + 6% Jul 2016
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                May 2015-
Maritsa              76,000    2005       Japan        6,200    Dec 2015
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                May 2015 -
Efrossini            75,000    2012       Japan        6,825    Nov 2015
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                Oct 2015 -
Zoe                  75,000    2013       Japan        6,750    Dec 2015
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                Oct 2015-
Kypros Land          77,100    2014       Japan        8,000    Mar 2016
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                Oct 2015 -
Kypros Sea           77,100    2014       Japan        7,150    Nov 2015
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                Aug 2015 -
Kypros Unity         78,000    2014       Japan        9,300    Jan 2016
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                Aug 2015 -
Kypros Bravery       78,000    2015       Japan        9,300    Dec 2015
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                Oct 2015 -
Kypros Sky           77,100    2015       Japan        7,000    Nov 2015
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                Sep 2015 -
Kypros Loyalty       78,000    2015       Japan        8,850    Dec 2015
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Kamsarmax
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                Aug 2015 -
Pedhoulas Merchant   82,300    2006       Japan        9,500    Nov 2015
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                Oct 2015 -
Pedhoulas Trader     82,300    2006       Japan        7,150    Nov 2015
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                Jun 2015-
Pedhoulas Leader     82,300    2007       Japan        8,150    Nov 2015
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pedhoulas                                                       Oct 2015 -
Commander            83,700    2008       Japan       12,750    Dec 2015
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pedhoulas Builder                                               Aug 2015 -
(7)                  81,600    2012       China        8,500    Mar 2016
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pedhoulas Fighter                                               May 2015-
(7)                  81,600    2012       China        7,000    Jan 2016
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pedhoulas Farmer                                                Aug 2015 -
(7)                  81,600    2012       China        9,100    Jan 2016
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pedhoulas Cherry                                                Jul 2015 -
(7)                  82,000    2015       China        7,875    Jan 2016
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Post-Panamax
----------------------------------------------------------------------------

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                Oct 2015 -
Stalo                87,000    2006       Japan        9,000    Nov 2015
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                Nov 2015 -
Marina               87,000    2006       Japan        9,850    Dec 2015
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                Oct 2015 -
Xenia                87,000    2006       Japan        8,000    Dec 2015
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                Oct 2015 -
Sophia               87,000    2007       Japan        6,600    Nov 2015
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                Aug 2015 -
Eleni                87,000    2008       Japan        8,200    Jan 2016
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                Apr 2015 -
Martine              87,000    2009       Japan    BPI(4) + 10% Mar 2016
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                Sep 2015 -
Andreas K            92,000    2009    South Korea     6,550    Nov 2015
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Panayiota K          92,000    2010    South Korea
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                Jun 2015 -
Venus Heritage       95,800    2010       Japan    P1A(5) + 10% Nov 2015
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                Oct 2015 -
Venus History        95,800    2011       Japan        7,500    Dec 2015
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Venus Horizon        95,800    2012       Japan
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Capesize
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                Sep 2011 -
Kanaris             178,100    2010       China       25,928    Jun 2031
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                Feb 2012 -
Pelopidas           176,000    2011       China       38,000    Dec 2021
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                Jan 2014 -
Lake Despina        181,400    2014       Japan     24,376 (6)  Jan 2024
============================================================================
Total dwt of
existing fleet     3,256,800
----------------------------------------------------------------------------

1)  The year represents the year built.
2)  Charter rate represents recognized gross daily charter rate. For charter
    parties with variable rates among periods or consecutive charter parties
    with the same charterer, the recognized gross daily charter rates
    represents the weighted average gross charter rate over the duration of
    the applicable charter period or series of charter periods, as
    applicable. Charter agreements may provide for additional payments,
    namely ballast bonus, to compensate for vessel repositioning.
3)  The start dates listed reflect either actual start dates or, in the case
    of contracted charters that had not commenced as of November 5, 2015,
    scheduled start dates. Actual start dates and redelivery dates may
    differ from the scheduled start and redelivery dates depending on the
    terms of the charter and market conditions.
4)  A period time charter at a gross daily charter rate linked to the Baltic
    Panamax Index ("BPI") plus a premium.
5)  A period time charter at a gross daily charter rate linked to the Baltic
    Panamax Index for transatlantic round voyage ("P1A") plus a premium.
6)  A period time charter of ten years at a gross daily charter rate of
    $23,100 for the first two and a half years and of $24,810 for the
    remaining period. The charter agreement grants the charterer an option
    to purchase the vessel at any time beginning at the end of the seventh
    year of the charter, at a price of $39 million less 1.00% commission,
    decreasing thereafter on a pro-rated basis by $1.5 million per year. The
    Company holds a right of first refusal to buy back the vessel in the
    event that the charterer exercises its option to purchase the vessel and
    subsequently offers to sell such vessel to a third party. The charter
    agreement also grants the charterer the option to extend the period time
    charter for an additional twelve months at a time, at a gross daily
    charter rate of $26,330, less 1.25% total commissions, which option may
    be exercised by the charterer a maximum of two times.
7)  Vessel sold and leased back on a net daily bareboat charter rate of
    $6,500, for a period of 10 years, with a purchase obligation at the end
    of the 10th year and purchase options in favor of the Company after the
    second year of the bareboat charter, at annual intervals and
    predetermined purchase prices.

The contracted employment of fleet ownership days as of November 5, 2015 was:

                  2015 (remaining)               73%
                  2015 (full year)               96%
                  2016                           16%
                  2017                            7%

Capital expenditure requirements and liquidity

As of September 30, 2015, the Company had agreed to acquire eight newbuild vessels, with three to be delivered in 2016, three to be delivered in 2017, one to be delivered in 2018 and one to be delivered in 2019. The remaining capital expenditure requirements to shipyards or sellers for the delivery of these eight newbuilds, before minor adjustments for shipyards' costs related to such delayed deliveries, amounted to $197.1 million, of which $17.7 million was scheduled to be paid in remaining 2015, $63.3 million in 2016, $70.7 million in 2017, $23.7 million in 2018 and $21.7 million in 2019.

As of September 30, 2015, the Company had liquidity of $346.6 million consisting of $140.7 million in cash, $25.3 million of bank time deposits, $12.2 million in restricted cash, $3.1 million available under existing revolving credit facilities and $165.3 million under committed loan facilities and financing transactions for eight newbuild vessels. The Company has the ability to borrow additional amounts secured by one existing debt-free vessel.

Dividend Policy

The Board of Directors of the Company has not declared a dividend for the third quarter of 2015. The Company has 83,486,194 shares of common stock issued and outstanding as of today's date.

The declaration and payment of dividends, if any, will always be subject to the discretion of the Board of Directors of the Company. The timing and amount of any dividends declared will depend on, among other things: (i) the Company's earnings, financial condition and cash requirements and available sources of liquidity, (ii) decisions in relation to the Company's growth strategies, (iii) provisions of Marshall Islands and Liberian law governing the payment of dividends, (iv) restrictive covenants in the Company's existing and future debt instruments and (v) global financial conditions.

Management Commentary

Dr. Loukas Barmparis, President of the Company, said: "Market conditions in the dry-bulk sector remain depressed. Our focus is to maintain liquidity through this low part of the shipping cycle. In this respect we have not declared dividend for the third quarter of 2015, we have concluded four sale and lease back transactions and we continue to pursue lean operations targeting to reduce our operating expenses and our break-even point."

Conference Call

On Tuesday, November 10, 2015 at 9:00 A.M. EST, the Company's management team will host a conference call to discuss the financial results.

Participants should dial into the call 10 minutes before the scheduled time using the following numbers: 1 (866) 819-7111 (US Toll Free Dial In), 0(800) 953-0329 (UK Toll Free Dial In) or +44 (0)1452-542-301 (Standard International Dial In). Please quote "Safe Bulkers" to the operator.

A telephonic replay of the conference call will be available until November 17, 2015 by dialing 1 (866) 247-4222 (US Toll Free Dial In), 0(800) 953-1533 (UK Toll Free Dial In) or +44 (0)1452 550-000 (Standard International Dial In). Access Code: 1859591#

Slides and Audio Webcast

There will also be a live, and then archived, webcast of the conference call, available through the Company's website (www.safebulkers.com). Participants in the live webcast should register on the website approximately 10 minutes prior to the start of the webcast.

Management Discussion of Third Quarter 2015 Results

Net loss for the third quarter of 2015 was $7.5 million from net income of $1.5 million, during the same period in 2014, mainly due to the following factors:

Net revenues: Net revenues decreased by 8% to $33.5 million for the third quarter of 2015, compared to $36.5 million for the same period in 2014, mainly due to a decrease in charter rates. The Company operated 35.98 vessels on average during the third quarter of 2015, earning a TCE(5) rate of $8,843, compared to 31.05 vessels and a TCE rate of $10,736 during the same period in 2014.

Vessel operating expenses: Vessel operating expenses increased by 16% to $15.1 million for the third quarter of 2015, compared to $13.0 million for the same period in 2014. The increase in operating expenses is mainly attributable to an increase in ownership days by 16% to 3,310 days for the third quarter of 2015 from 2,857 days for the same period in 2014.

Depreciation: Depreciation increased to $12.3 million for the third quarter of 2015, compared to $10.9 million for the same period in 2014, as a result of the increase in the average number of vessels operated by the Company during the third quarter of 2015.

Loss from inventory valuation: Loss from inventory valuation amounted to $0.3 million for the third quarter of 2015, compared to zero for the same period in 2014, resulting from the valuation of the bunkers remaining on board our vessels, which was affected by the decline of the bunker market prices during the third quarter of 2015 compared to the same period in 2014.

Gain/(loss) on derivatives: Loss on derivatives was $1.0 million in the third quarter of 2015, compared to a gain of $0.5 million for the same period in 2014, as a result of the mark-to-market valuation of the Company's interest rate swap transactions that we employ to manage the risk and interest rate exposure of our loan and credit facilities. These swaps economically hedge part of the interest rate exposure of the Company's aggregate loans outstanding. The average remaining period of our swap contracts was 1.9 years as of September 30, 2015. The valuation of these interest rate swap transactions at the end of each quarter is affected by the prevailing interest rates at that time.

Voyage expenses: Voyage expenses decreased by 16% to $5.0 million for the third quarter of 2015 compared to $6.0 million for the same period in 2014, mainly due to a decrease in the vessels repositioning expenses caused by the decline of the bunker market prices in the during the third quarter of 2015 compared to the same period in 2014.

Daily vessel operating expenses(6): Daily vessel operating expenses remained almost stable at $4,550 for the third quarter of 2015 compared to $4,542 for the same period in 2014, despite three dry dockings concluded during the third quarter of 2015 versus one during the same period in 2014.

Daily general and administrative expenses(6): Daily general and administrative expenses, which include daily fixed and variable management fees payable to our Managers(7) and daily costs incurred in relation to our operation as a public company, remained almost stable at $1,182 for the third quarter of 2015, compared to $1,179 for the same period in 2014.

Interest expenses: Interest expense increased by 40% to $2.8 million for the third quarter of 2015 compared to $2.0 million for the same period in 2014, as a result of the four-vessel sale and leaseback transactions, as well as the increase in the average outstanding amount of loans and credit facilities and in the weighted average interest rate of such loans and credit facilities.

Amortization and write-off of deferred finance charges: Amortization and write-off of deferred finance charges increased by 400% to $1.5 million for the third quarter of 2015 compared to $0.3 million for the same period in 2014, as a result of certain loan and credit facilities that were terminated during the third quarter of 2015.



           Unaudited Interim Financial Information and Other Data

                             SAFE BULKERS, INC.
        CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME/LOSS (UNAUDITED)
     (In thousands of U.S. Dollars except for share and per share data)

                               Three-Months Period     Nine-Months Period
                                      Ended                   Ended
                                  September 30,           September 30,
                             ----------------------  ----------------------
                                2014        2015        2014        2015
                             ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
REVENUES:
  Revenues                       37,890      34,868     119,307     101,177
  Commissions                    (1,374)     (1,391)     (4,270)     (3,804)
  Net revenues                   36,516      33,477     115,037      97,373
EXPENSES:
  Voyage expenses                (6,059)     (4,958)    (15,052)    (14,852)
  Vessel operating expenses     (12,976)    (15,059)    (38,192)    (41,984)
  Depreciation                  (10,899)    (12,257)    (31,932)    (34,958)
  General and administrative
   expenses                      (3,368)     (3,911)     (9,859)    (10,516)
  Early redelivery cost               -           -        (532)          -
  Gain on asset purchase
   cancellation                       -           -       3,633           -
  Loss from inventory
   valuation                          -        (330)          -      (1,286)
  Operating income/(loss)         3,214      (3,038)     23,103      (6,223)

OTHER (EXPENSE) / INCOME:
  Interest expense               (2,016)     (2,831)     (6,409)     (7,406)
  Other finance
   (costs)/income                  (211)        726        (629)        (37)
  Interest income                   272          17         758          54
  Gain/(loss) on derivatives        499      (1,010)     (1,045)     (2,368)
  Foreign currency
   gain/(loss)                       24          45         (73)        286
  Amortization and write-off
   of deferred finance
   charges                         (304)     (1,455)       (923)     (2,348)
  Net income /(loss)              1,478      (7,546)     14,782     (18,042)
  Less preferred dividend         3,550       3,550       5,840      10,650
Net (loss)/ income available
 to common shareholders          (2,072)    (11,096)      8,942     (28,692)
  (Loss)/ Earnings per share      (0.02)      (0.13)       0.11       (0.34)
Weighted average number of
 shares                      83,448,120  83,480,875  83,444,566  83,471,336



                             SAFE BULKERS, INC.
              CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (UNAUDITED)
                       (In thousands of U.S. Dollars)

                                                December 31,   September 30,
                                                    2014           2015
                                               -------------- --------------
ASSETS
  Cash, restricted cash and time deposits             118,250        172,220
  Other current assets                                 17,642         18,031
  Vessels, net                                        960,423      1,044,984
  Advances for vessel acquisition and vessels
   under construction                                  74,243         63,349
  Restricted cash non-current                           4,263          5,928
  Other non-current assets                              7,508          9,700
  Total assets                                      1,182,329      1,314,212

LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
  Current portion of long-term debt                    17,121         29,371
  Other current liabilities                            11,597         14,268
  Long-term debt, net of current portion              452,447        600,819
  Other non-current liabilities                         1,065          1,594
  Shareholders' equity                                700,099        668,160
  Total liabilities and equity                      1,182,329      1,314,212



                                  TABLE 1
       RECONCILIATION OF ADJUSTED NET INCOME/(LOSS), EBITDA, ADJUSTED
               EBITDA AND ADJUSTED (LOSS)/EARNINGS PER SHARE

                               Three-Months Period     Nine-Months Period
                                     Ended                   Ended
                                  September 30,           September 30,
                             ----------------------  ----------------------
(In thousands of U.S. Dollars
 except for share and per
 share data)                    2014        2015        2014        2015
                             ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
Net Income/(loss) - Adjusted
 Net Income/(loss)
Net Income/(loss)                 1,478      (7,546)     14,782     (18,042)
Less Gain on asset purchase
 cancellation                         -           -      (3,633)          -
Plus Early redelivery cost            -           -         532           -
Plus (Gain)/loss on
 derivatives                       (499)      1,010       1,045       2,368
Plus Loss from inventory
 valuation                            -         330           -       1,286
Plus Foreign currency(gain)/
 loss                               (24)        (45)         73        (286)
Adjusted Net Income/(loss)          955      (6,251)     12,799     (14,674)

EBITDA - Adjusted EBITDA
Net Income/(loss)                 1,478      (7,546)     14,782     (18,042)
Plus Net Interest expense         1,744       2,814       5,651       7,352
Plus Depreciation                10,899      12,257      31,932      34,958
Plus Amortization                   304       1,455         923       2,348
EBITDA                           14,425       8,980      53,288      26,616
Less Gain on asset purchase
 cancellation                         -           -      (3,633)          -
Plus Early redelivery cost            -           -         532           -
Plus (Gain)/loss on
 derivatives                       (499)      1,010       1,045       2,368
Plus Loss from inventory
 valuation                            -         330           -       1,286
Plus Foreign currency
 (gain)/loss                        (24)        (45)         73        (286)
ADJUSTED EBITDA                  13,902      10,275      51,305      29,984

(Loss)/Earnings per share
Net Income/(loss)                 1,478      (7,546)     14,782     (18,042)
Less preferred dividend           3,550       3,550       5,840      10,650
Net (loss)/income available
 to common shareholders          (2,072)    (11,096)      8,942     (28,692)
Weighted average number of
 shares                      83,448,120  83,480,875  83,444,566  83,471,336
(Loss)/Earnings per share         (0.02)      (0.13)       0.11       (0.34)

Adjusted (Loss)/Earnings per
 share
Adjusted Net Income/(loss)          955      (6,251)     12,799     (14,674)
Less preferred dividend           3,550       3,550       5,840      10,650
Adjusted Net (loss)/income
 available to common
 shareholders                    (2,595)     (9,801)      6,959     (25,324)
Weighted average number of
 shares                      83,448,120  83,480,875  83,444,566  83,471,336
Adjusted (Loss)/Earnings per
 share                            (0.03)      (0.12)       0.08       (0.30)

EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted Net Income/(loss), Adjusted Net (loss)/income available to common shareholders and Adjusted (loss)/earnings per share are not recognized measurements under US GAAP.

Adjusted Net Income/(loss) represents Net income/(loss) before gain on asset purchase cancellation, early redelivery cost, loss from inventory valuation, gain/(loss) on derivatives and gain/(loss) on foreign currency.

Adjusted Net Income/(loss) available to common shareholders represents Adjusted Net Income/(loss) less preferred dividend.

EBITDA represents Net income/(loss) before interest, income tax expense, depreciation and amortization. Adjusted EBITDA represents EBITDA before gain on asset purchase cancellation, early redelivery cost, loss from inventory valuation, gain/(loss) on derivatives and gain/(loss) on foreign currency. EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are not recognized measurements under US GAAP. EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA assist the Company's management and investors by increasing the comparability of the Company's fundamental performance from period to period and against the fundamental performance of other companies in the Company's industry that provide EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA information. The Company believes that EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are useful in evaluating the Company's operating performance compared to that of other companies in the Company's industry because the calculation of EBITDA generally eliminates the effects of financings, income taxes and the accounting effects of capital expenditures and acquisitions and the calculation of Adjusted EBITDA generally further eliminates the effects from gain on asset purchase cancellation, early redelivery cost, loss from inventory valuation, gain/( loss) on derivatives and gain/(loss) on foreign currency, items which may vary for different companies for reasons unrelated to overall operating performance.

EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted Net Income/(loss), Adjusted Net Income/(loss) available to common shareholders and Adjusted (Loss)/Earnings per share have limitations as analytical tools, and should not be considered in isolation, or as a substitute for analysis of the Company's results as reported under US GAAP. EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA should not be considered as substitutes for net income and other operations data prepared in accordance with US GAAP or as a measure of profitability. While EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are frequently used as measures of operating results and performance, they are not necessarily comparable to other similarly titled captions of other companies due to differences in methods of calculation.



TABLE 2: FLEET DATA AND AVERAGE DAILY INDICATORS


                                        Three-Months         Nine-Months
                                        Period Ended        Period Ended
                                        September 30,       September 30,
                                       2014      2015      2014      2015

FLEET DATA
Number of vessels at period end            32        36        32        36
Average age of fleet (in years)          5.60      5.92      5.60      5.92
Ownership days (1)                      2,857     3,310     8,365     9,362
Available days (2)                      2,837     3,225     8,289     9,217
Operating days (3)                      2,831     3,148     8,262     9,106
Fleet utilization (4)                    99.1%     95.1%     98.8%     97.3%
Average number of vessels in the
 period (5)                             31.05     35.98     30.64     34.29

AVERAGE DAILY RESULTS
Time charter equivalent rate (6)     $ 10,736  $  8,843  $ 12,062  $  8,953
Daily vessel operating expenses (7)  $  4,542  $  4,550  $  4,566  $  4,485
Daily general and administrative
 expenses (8)                        $  1,179  $  1,182  $  1,179  $  1,123

(1) Ownership days represent the aggregate number of days in a period during
    which each vessel in our fleet has been owned by us.
(2) Available days represent the total number of days in a period during
    which each vessel in our fleet was in our possession net of off-hire
    days associated with scheduled maintenance, which includes major
    repairs, drydockings, vessel upgrades or special or intermediate
    surveys.
(3) Operating days represent the number of our available days in a period
    less the aggregate number of days that our vessels are off-hire due to
    any reason, excluding scheduled maintenance.
(4) Fleet utilization is calculated by dividing the number of our operating
    days during a period by the number of our ownership days during that
    period.
(5) Average number of vessels in the period is calculated by dividing
    ownership days in the period by the number of days in that period.
(6) Time charter equivalent rates, or TCE rates, represent our charter
    revenues less commissions and voyage expenses during a period divided by
    the number of our available days during the period.
(7) Daily vessel operating expenses include the costs for crewing,
    insurance, lubricants, spare parts, provisions, stores, repairs,
    maintenance, statutory and classification expense, drydocking,
    intermediate and special surveys and other miscellaneous items. Daily
    vessel operating expenses are calculated by dividing vessel operating
    expenses by ownership days for the relevant period.
(8) Daily general and administrative expenses include daily fixed and
    variable management fees payable to our Manager and daily costs in
    relation to our operation as a public company. Daily general and
    administrative expenses are calculated by dividing general and
    administrative expenses by ownership days for the relevant period.

About Safe Bulkers, Inc.

The Company is an international provider of marine drybulk transportation services, transporting bulk cargoes, particularly coal, grain and iron ore, along worldwide shipping routes for some of the world's largest users of marine drybulk transportation services. The Company's common stock, series B preferred stock, series C preferred stock and series D preferred stock are listed on the NYSE, and trade under the symbols "SB", "SB.PR.B", "SB.PR.C", and "SB.PR.D" respectively. The Company operated 36 drybulk vessels, all built 2003 onwards, and the Company has agreed to acquire eight additional drybulk newbuild vessels to be delivered at various dates through 2019.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements (as defined in Section 27A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1933, as amended, and in Section 21E of the Securities Act of 1934, as amended) concerning future events, the Company's growth strategy and measures to implement such strategy, including expected vessel acquisitions and entering into further time charters. Words such as "expects," "intends," "plans," "believes," "anticipates," "hopes," "estimates" and variations of such words and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, no assurance can be given that such expectations will prove to have been correct. These statements involve known and unknown risks and are based upon a number of assumptions and estimates that are inherently subject to significant uncertainties and contingencies, many of which are beyond the control of the Company. Actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include, but are not limited to, changes in the demand for drybulk vessels, competitive factors in the market in which the Company operates, risks associated with operations outside the United States and other factors listed from time to time in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company expressly disclaims any obligations or undertaking to release any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect any change in the Company's expectations with respect thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any statement is based.

(1) Adjusted net income/(loss) is a non-GAAP measure. Adjusted net income/(loss) represents Net income/(loss) before gain on asset purchase cancellation, early redelivery cost, loss from inventory valuation, gain/(loss) on derivatives and gain/(loss) on foreign currency. See Table 1.
(2) EBITDA is a non-GAAP measure and represents Net income/(loss) plus net interest expense, tax, depreciation and amortization. See Table 1.
(3) Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP measure and represents EBITDA before gain on asset purchase cancellation, early redelivery cost, loss from inventory valuation, gain/( loss) on derivatives and gain/(loss) on foreign currency. See Table 1.
(4) (Loss)/Earnings per share and Adjusted (loss)/earnings per share represent Net income/(loss) and Adjusted Net income/(loss) less preferred dividend divided by the weighted average number of shares respectively. See Table 1.
(5) Time charter equivalent rates, or TCE rates, represent the Company's charter revenues less commissions and voyage expenses during a period divided by the number of our available days during the period.
(6) See Table 2.
(7) Safety Management Overseas S.A. and Safe Bulkers Management Limited, collectively referred to in this press release as "our Managers".

For further information please contact:

Company Contact:
Dr. Loukas Barmparis
President
Safe Bulkers, Inc.
Athens, Greece
Tel.: +30 2 111 888 400
Fax: +30 2 111 878 500
E-Mail: directors@safebulkers.com

Investor Relations / Media Contact:
Nicolas Bornozis, President
Capital Link, Inc.
230 Park Avenue, Suite 1536
New York, N.Y. 10169
Tel.: (212) 661-7566
Fax: (212) 661-7526
E-Mail: safebulkers@capitallink.com


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