Himalaya Shipping Ltd. (HSHP) Earnings Call Transcript & Summary

Welcome to Himalaya Shipping's Q3 2026 Financial Results Presentation. Today's call is being recorded. If you have any objections, please disconnect at this time. [Operator Instructions]. I will now turn it over to CEO, Lars-Christian Svensen. Please begin.

Thank you, operator. Welcome to the Q3 2026 Conference Call for Himalaya Shipping. My name is Lars-Christian Svensen, and I will be joined here today by our CFO, Vidar Hasund. Before we start the presentation, I would like to remind you that we will be discussing matters that are forward-looking. These assumptions reflect the company's current views regarding future events and are subject to risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from those anticipated. I will now continue with the highlights of the quarter. We reported a net profit of $33.3 million and an EBITDA of $52.7 million. The time charter record earnings for the quarter was approximately $58,400 per day. One new index-linked charter was concluded for the Mount Aconcagua for a period of 16 to 18 months at significant premium to the Baltic Capesize index. We also converted 4 of our vessels from index fixed rate in the quarter. Two vessels from August 1 until December 31, 2026, at $51,200 per day, and 2 vessels from first September 2026 until March 31, 2027 at $53,000 per day. Cash distributions for the quarter totaled $0.75. In subsequent events, we achieved a time charter equivalent earnings for October 2026 of about $50,900 per day, and we declared a dividend of $0.20 for the month. We also entered into new time charter agreements for another 2 vessels for a minimum period of October 1, 2027, with 3 year evergreen structure thereafter at an index-linked rate these ones as well, reflecting a significant premium to the Baltic Capesize Index. And with that, I will now pass the word to Vidar.

Thank you, Lars-Christian. Himalaya Shipping reported a net profit of $33.3 million or $0.71 per share for Q3 2026 compared to $9.5 million or $0.21 per share for Q3 2025. Operating profit was $45.4 million and EBITDA was $52.7 million compared with $2 million and $29.3 million, respectively, in the same quarter last year. Operating revenues increased to $62.6 million from $37.9 million in Q3 2025. This was driven by higher daily time charter equivalent earnings, which rose from 35,600 to 58,400. Vessel operating expenses were $7.5 million, up $0.5 million from Q3 2025. The increase reflect the greater operational requirements for stores, spares and consumables as well as other cost increases. Average daily OpEx per vessel was $6,800. G&A expenses for the third quarter were $1.5 million compared with $1.1 million in Q3 2025. The increase reflected the consolidation of peak Maritime management IS formerly named 2020 Bulkers management IS. Interest expense was $12.3 million in Q3 2026, down $0.5 million from the same period in 2025. The decrease reflected a lower average outstanding loan principal following loan repayments. Cash and cash equivalents were $39.7 million at quarter end. The minimum cash requirement under a sale-leaseback financing is $12.3 million. The outstanding balance under this financing was approximately $681 million at the end of Q3, down from approximately $688 million at the end of Q2, reflecting scheduled repayments. Cash flow from operations was $43.8 million for Q3 compared with $18.3 million for the same period in 2025. Himalaya Shipping has declared total cash distributions to shareholders of $0.75 per share for July, August and September 2026. That concludes the financial section. Back to you, Lars-Christian.

Thank you, Vidar. Before I will guide you through our market section, here are company updates. Our fleet to 12 modern new car leases with dual fuel LNG is in the top 1% emission rating for large bulk carriers. The attractive financing combined with a very clear capital allocation structure has led to [ 34th ] consecutive cash distributions and dividends. In Q3 2026, this amounts to $0.75. Our fleet is fixed out on long-term index-linked contracts with conversion options. And the all-in cash breakeven equivalent to the Baltic Capesize Index is about $17,000 per day. i.e., every time you see the Baltic Capesize Index above $17,000, Himalaya Shipping is making money. Our preferred commercial strategy is still to charter our vessels out on index-linked charters. That allows us to capture the upside at each given market rise and also gives us good flexibility to convert to fixed rates with our solid [indiscernible] where we see value on the forward FFA curve. Currently, 8 of our 12 ships are exposed to the spot market to capture what we believe will be a continued strong market for the Newcastlemax segment going forward. To illustrate our fleet and commercial performance, we have the last 3 years traded at an average 47% premium to the Baltic Capesize Index and a 25% premium to [indiscernible]. This is achieved by the extra cargo intake on our vessels and top-tier speed and consumption design on our fleet. The current structure, we are able to navigate this volatile market and able to turn our position quickly from long to short or vice versa should we see a clear trend. Here, you can see our dividend capacity based on various rate scenarios for standard Capesize vessel, when the bulk Capsize index trades around $40,000 per day, the company will yield 18%. When we see moves to around $60,000 per day range, we will produce a yield of around 34%. And when we see $100,000 per day on the Baltic Capesize Index, Himalaya yield close to 65% on the current share price. Now let's move to the market section. We are currently experiencing historical heights in the Capesize in New Castle Max market. So far to date, the Baltic Capesize Index has averaged about $33,500 per day. Iron [ ore ports ] to China are at an all-time high for the season and the continued flows from Guinea bauxite and now also iron ore has been key drivers to maintain momentum. The structural tonne mile change in the Capesize and Newcastlemax trades over the last few years has proven capable of lifting the market floor to a new level. Ton Mile in Q3 for Capesize and New Castle Max increased 1.6% year-over-year. The bauxite volumes from Guinea contributed at 26.6% upswing year-over-year and continues to be an integral part of the ton mile structural increase for the large bulk segment. Looking at pure export data year-over-year, Q3 iron ore exports from Brazil was down 6% and the Australian iron ore exports had an increase of 2% in the same period. The Brazilian export reduction has been neutralized by the rapid increase of Guinea and iron ore exports, which we will discuss in more detail later in the presentation. The global iron ore exports are continuing to increase. Put this in perspective, the Chinese seaborne iron ore imports hit record heights for the quarter, as you can see on the top right graph. This again emphasizes the Chinese hunger for high-grade iron ore, which can only be fed outside the country's borders. In addition, the Chinese imported iron ore inventories are down from the peak and now below the 12-month average in the same period. As we have discussed in previous reports, the domestic Chinese iron ore content is reported to be around 15%, but the imported volumes from Brazil and Guinea contents and iron ore contents are mid- to high 60s. This has led to a slowdown in domestic Chinese production and how grade iron ore from overseas still remain a preference. For those of us that love rocks, bauxite will surely be the favorite. After a record bauxite output from Guinea in 2025, new export records have been registered so far in 2026, which you can see from the left graph. In conjunction with the increasing volumes a parting the country, you can also see that the bauxite is taking over more market share from the other commodities and is now responsible for 17% of the total cargo transported on Capes and Newcastlemax. This plays directly into the [indiscernible] tonne-mile story that we see unfolding and that we believe will be a driver for years to come. The Simandou mine, which we have discussed extensively in many quarterly reports, has stepped the pace rapidly after the summer. The mine is scheduled to export 25 million tonnes by the end of the year. 60 million metric tonnes expected in 2027, 90 million in '28 and target exports remained at 120 million tonnes of high-grade iron ore per annum to the market within 2030. In conclusion, another front hall leg has been established from the Atlantic for the Capes and New Castle Max train, contributing to longer distances for an already stretched and aging fleet. We have seen from other segments that order books can increase quickly. However, in Capesize and Newcastlemax, this has been a slower moving operation. We currently observe an 18% order book of the total existing Capesize fleet. The active shipyards are still preferring to build tankers, LNG carriers, container and car carriers to maximize profit margins, and the availability for Castle Max new buildings at a reputable shipyard is now achievable in 2029 at the earliest. As a comparison to other shipping segments, you can see from the right graph that the Capesize order book to fleet ratio is still the most compelling in the large shipping space. We also continue to see a significant increase in dry docks due to mandatory special base required on merchant vessels every 5 year years. 12% of the entire Capesize fleet was delivered in 2011 and will have to undergo a 15-year special survey in 2027. There will be 5- and 10-year special surveys as well meaning around 20% of the total Capesize in Newcastlemax fleet will be competing for dry dock space in 2027. In addition to the low order book and the dry dock scenario looming, the current Capesize and Newcastlemax fleet is aging fast. Around 46% of the total fleet was built between 2009 and 2015. That means that 25% of the fleet will be over 20 years of age in 2030. As of now, we have visibility on the supply for the next 3 years, making it difficult to add any meaningful large dry bulk capacity in time to deal with the rapidly aging fleet and the additional strong vessel demand from the market. Thank you very much. And I will now pass the word back to the operator and welcome any questions you might have.

[Operator Instructions] The first question is from the line of [ Clemen Olive ] from [indiscernible] Investors.

We've seen iron ore prices declined in recent months. As Simandou continues to ramp up, available volumes are likely to increase further. You talked about Chinese domestic aero production coming under pressure given it's lower grade. Do you expect this trend to continue going forward? Or are we approaching a level where the government may be incentivized to maintain production due to strategic considerations?

Thank you for your question. We believe this is a structural change with the Simandou mine. The Chinese government, along with the consortium has spent significant amount of time and money developing this project. And I would say over 90% of the current volumes are going to China. So we look at this as a long-term project and naturally if something has to give at the current climate, even with iron ore prices around $90 per tonne, it still makes good sense for China to import the volumes from Simandou. And also remember we are at a point now where we have fairly high fuel prices. If you just look at the freight part example from Brazil to China, CFR, the freight amounts to between 35% and 40% compared to last year, where it was closer to 20%. So we think also with the -- if we see any piece or in the Middle East, or a bit more normal markets to trade in with lower fuel prices. This will also boost the appetite for more seaborne iron ore volumes into China.

Makes sense. That's helpful color. And this is maybe a longer-term question, but I want to ask about your financing. When you secure those sale and leasebacks, pricing was simply excellent. But as you look at the LTV based on current valuations, is there maybe any appetite to refine your existing indebtedness over the coming year or 2 years?

I think we are at a current LTV of -- based on broker values, [ 57% ]. And we are paying a fixed bareboat rate under those financing which implies a fixed rate of below 7%. I think we've seen interest rates increasing a bit in the last couple of months, it's probably come down a bit now again. I think we see margins going a bit lower. But I think the profile we have under those sale-leaseback arrangements is very good. I think if you would refinance, you wouldn't get typically as good profile. It would be age adjusted. So I think we're current -- we are evaluating that on a running basis, but I think the financing we have today is very good, and we are happy with that.