d'Amico International Shipping Sees Geopolitical Tensions As Next Volatility Drivers For Tankers

Core Insights - d'Amico International Shipping S.A. is focusing on capital allocation, fleet renewal, and earnings visibility amidst strengthening product tanker markets and geopolitical disruptions [1] Financial Foundation - The company operates a fleet of 29 product tankers, primarily MR2s, with an average vessel age of 9.6 years; 27 of these vessels are owned [2] - As of September 2025, the net financial position to fleet market value ratio was approximately 7% [2] - d'Amico reported net profits of $63 million for the first nine months of 2025, with average daily spot earnings rising from $21,150 in Q1 to $25,500 in Q3 [2] Fleet Renewal Strategy - The fleet renewal program includes orders for four LR1s in 2024, two MR1s in late 2025, and two MR2s in early 2026, totaling an investment of nearly $419 million, with $374 million still payable [3] - New MR2s are expected to achieve about 17% fuel savings compared to existing vessels, while new MR1s are projected to save around 20% [3] - Eco vessels command a daily premium of $1,500-$2,000 over conventional ships, with super Eco newbuilds attracting an additional $1,000 premium [3] Shareholder Returns - The company aims for a 40% payout ratio from 2024 results, expected to be confirmed for 2025 [4] Earnings Visibility - 42% of available days in 2026 are covered at an average rate of $23,300 per day, with 16% of 2027 covered at $22,200 per day; management anticipates increasing 2026 coverage to around 50% in the coming months [5] Geopolitical Impact - Recent sanctions on Russia have created obstacles for exports, leading to increased oil on water due to inefficient practices like ship-to-ship transfers [6] - A potential peace agreement between Ukraine and Russia may not lead to immediate sanction removals, and normalization of Russian trade flows could accelerate the scrapping of older vessels, aiding market rebalancing [7]