Changjiang Securities·2025-03-16 14:45Investment Rating - The report maintains a "Buy" rating for the company [10]. Core Insights - The company, COSCO Shipping Energy Transportation Co., Ltd., specializes in energy transportation with a fleet capacity of 20.5 million DWT, ranking first globally. Its main business segments include domestic oil transportation, LNG transportation, and foreign oil transportation, each characterized by licensing, project-based, and cyclical features. The domestic and LNG businesses provide stability, while the foreign oil transportation segment offers significant profit elasticity. The easing of the Russia-Ukraine conflict and tightening sanctions on Iran are expected to boost oil transportation demand, creating a closed-loop cycle of market demand [2][5][8]. Summary by Sections Introduction: Geopolitical Restructuring of Oil Transportation - The past two years have seen high average oil transportation rates, but seasonal demand has been weak. Factors include insufficient actual demand and the impact of "shadow fleets" on oil transportation needs. The end of the Russia-Ukraine conflict and increasing sanctions on Iran are anticipated to reshape the crude oil trade landscape, leading to a closed-loop cycle in oil transportation demand [5][16]. COSCO Shipping Energy: A Leader in Energy Logistics - COSCO Shipping Energy is a subsidiary of China COSCO Shipping Group, focusing on the transportation of oil and LNG. By January 2025, the company will have a fleet capacity of 20.5 million DWT, holding a 3.1% share of the global market. The company operates in three main business areas: foreign oil transportation, domestic oil transportation, and LNG transportation, balancing stability and elasticity in profitability [5][24][36]. Domestic Oil Transportation - The domestic oil transportation segment is strictly regulated by the Ministry of Transport, resulting in a balanced supply-demand dynamic and minimal price fluctuations. The company holds over 55% market share in domestic crude oil transportation, with a high COA cargo source ratio of over 95%, ensuring stable revenue. In the first three quarters of 2024, the segment recorded a gross profit of 1.13 billion, with a gross margin of 26% [6][42]. LNG Transportation - LNG transportation is characterized by long-term contracts, providing stable rental income. The company recorded a gross profit of 810 million in the first three quarters of 2024, with a gross margin of 50%. The LNG business is expected to continue growing due to fleet expansion [6][44]. Foreign Oil Transportation - The foreign oil transportation segment is cyclical, with demand driven by the end of the Russia-Ukraine conflict and tightening sanctions on Iran. The report highlights that if the conflict ends, oil trade may revert to pre-conflict patterns, benefiting VLCCs. The presence of "shadow fleets" has created a separate market for Russian oil exports, impacting the compliance market. The report anticipates that the supply side will see a reduction in older vessels, alleviating supply concerns [7][54]. Investment Recommendations - The company is expected to solidify its performance base through LNG and domestic oil transportation, while foreign oil transportation offers significant profit elasticity. The fleet expansion will further enhance performance stability, with projected profit growth of 55% over the next four years. The report estimates the company's net profit for 2024-2026 to be 3.96 billion, 5.66 billion, and 6.53 billion, respectively, with corresponding PE ratios of 13.6x, 9.5x, and 8.3x [8][35].