Global Ship Lease Reports Results For The Third Quarter Of 2010

LONDON, Nov. 10, 2010 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Global Ship Lease, Inc. (NYSE:GSL), a containership charter owner, announced today its unaudited results for the three months ended September 30, 2010.

Third Quarter and Year To Date Highlights

• Reported revenue of $40.0 million for the third quarter of 2010, up 6% on $37.6 million for the third quarter 2009 due mainly to the addition of one further vessel in August 2009. Revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 was $118.8 million, up 9% on $108.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009
• Generated $26.8 million EBITDA for the third quarter 2010, compared to $25.6 million for the third quarter 2009. EBITDA for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 was $82.5 million compared to $71.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009
• Generated $15.5 million of adjusted cash from operations in the third quarter of 2010, essentially flat on $15.4 million on cash generated in third quarter 2009. Cash generated in the nine months ended September 30, 2010 was $48.9 million, up 8% on $45.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 mainly from the additional vessel
• Reported normalized net earnings of $6.2 million, or $0.11 per A and B Common Share, for the third quarter of 2010, excluding a $9.7 million non-cash interest rate derivative mark-to-market loss. Normalized net earnings for third quarter 2009 were $6.2 million, or $0.12 per A and B Common Share, excluding $8.1 million non-cash mark-to-market loss and $2.0 million accelerated write off of deferred financing fees. Normalized net earnings for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 was $21.8 million, or $0.40 per A and B Common Share, compared to $19.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009, or $0.36 per A and B Common Share
• Including the non-cash mark-to-market items, reported net loss was $3.5 million, or $0.06 loss per share, for the third quarter of 2010 compared to net loss of $3.9 million, or $0.07 loss per share, for the third quarter 2009. Reported net loss for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 was $5.2 million, or $0.10 loss per share, compared to net income of $30.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009, or $0.56 income per share
• Reached agreement with the sellers of two 4,250 TEU container vessels to convert the purchases, which were due in December 2010 at a total price of $77.4 million each, into options to purchase the vessels in one year for a final payment of $61.25 million each; Global Ship Lease has agreed to release the deposits already paid and pay an additional $6.6 million per vessel for the option

Ian Webber, Chief Executive Officer of Global Ship Lease, stated, "During the third quarter, our fleet once again operated at 100% utilization, enabling Global Ship Lease to achieve record revenue. Our 17 vessel fleet continues to perform as expected and remains secured on long-term fixed rate contracts with an average duration of 8.3 years. The Company's $1.4 billion of contracted revenue combined with the strengthening industry fundamentals positions Global Ship Lease well for the future."