Danaos (NYSE:DAC) Q3 2025 Earnings Call November 18, 2025 09:00 AM ET Company ParticipantsEvangelos Chatzis - CFOJohn Coustas - CEOConference Call ParticipantsClement Mullins - AnalystOmar Nokta - AnalystOperatorGood day, and welcome to the Danaos Corporation conference call to discuss the financial results for the three months ended September 30, 2025. As a reminder, today's call is being recorded. Hosting the call today is Dr. John Coustas, Chief Executive Officer of Danaos Corporation, and Dr. Evangelos ...

Report Summary 1. Report Industry Investment Rating - Not provided in the report. 2. Core View of the Report - On Tuesday, the futures prices of the container shipping index (European line) declined collectively. The main contract EC2602 closed down 2.88%, and the far - month contracts fell between 1 - 2%. The latest SCFIS European line settlement freight rate index dropped 147.13 points from last week, a 9.8% decline, driving down the futures price. The recovery of terminal transportation demand is not solid. Shipowners are more active in price - holding and adjusting capacity through blank sailings, but the implementation needs to be observed. The Red Sea resumption of navigation is postponed due to the unstable Middle - East situation. The German economy's better - than - expected performance boosts market confidence in the eurozone. The current freight rate market is greatly affected by news, and the futures price is expected to fluctuate more. Investors are advised to be cautious, pay attention to the operation rhythm and risk control, and track geopolitical, capacity and cargo volume data [1]. 3. Summary by Relevant Catalogs 3.1 Futures盘面 - EC main contract closing price was 1678.100, down 49.8; EC sub - main contract closing price was 1179.6, down 9.7. The spread between EC2602 - EC2604 was 498.50, down 39.80; the spread between EC2602 - EC2606 was 293.10, down 29.00. The EC contract basis was - 320.43, up 47.90. The EC main contract position was 38860 hands, down 20 [1]. 3.2 Spot Price - SCFIS (European line) (weekly) was 1357.67, down 147.13; SCFIS (US West line) (weekly) was 1238.42, down 91.29. SCFI (composite index) (weekly) was 1451.38, down 43.72; container ship capacity (10,000 TEUs) was 1227.97, unchanged. CCFI (composite index) (weekly) was 1094.03, up 35.86; CCFI (European line) (weekly) was 1403.64, up 36.79. The Baltic Dry Index (daily) was 2125.00, up 28.00; the Panamax Freight Index (daily) was 1897.00, down 10.00. The average charter price of Panamax ships was 17564.00, unchanged; the average charter price of Capesize ships was 27460.00, down 310.00 [1]. 3.3 Industry News - The European Commission said the eurozone economy may expand faster than expected this year and reach or exceed potential growth in 2026 and 2027, but debt and deficits will rise due to defense spending. The predicted GDP growth for the eurozone this year is 1.3%, higher than the 0.9% forecast in April. The Fed Vice - Chair Jefferson said the downside risk to employment has increased, and the upside risk to inflation may have slightly decreased recently. Fed Governor Waller reiterated that the Fed should cut interest rates again at the December meeting. China has made stern representations to Japan over Japanese Prime Minister Kaochi Sanae's wrong remarks on Taiwan [1]. 3.4 Key Points to Follow - November 19th, 15:00: UK October CPI monthly rate; November 19th, 15:00: UK October retail price index monthly rate; November 19th, 18:00: Eurozone October CPI annual rate final value; November 19th, 21:30: US August trade balance (in billions of dollars) [1].

Report Summary 1. Investment Rating The report does not provide an investment rating for the shipping industry. 2. Core View - Mainstream shipping companies have initiated price increase announcements for the second half of November, boosting the EC futures market. The spot freight rate decline slightly exceeded market expectations, mainly due to changes in the settlement index rhythm caused by vessel rolling and delays in late October. It is expected that the spot freight rate will gradually rise from November to December, and shipping companies may continue to announce price increases. The report suggests a wait - and - see approach for both unilateral and arbitrage trading [7][8][9]. 3. Summary by Section I. Market Analysis and Strategy Recommendation - **Market Performance** - On November 4, 2025, EC2512 closed at 1909.9 points, up 3.14% from the previous day. The SCFIS European line index reported on November 4 was 1208.71 points, down 7.9% week - on - week, while the SCFI European line reported on October 31 was $1344/TEU, up 7.9% week - on - week [6][7]. - Shipping companies such as CMA, HPL, and MSC have announced price increases for the second half of November, with targets between $3000 - 3100/FEU [7]. - **Logic Analysis** - Spot freight rates are expected to gradually rise. For example, HPL plans to raise the price to $3100 in the second half of November from around $2000 in the first half. CMA announced a price increase to $3000/FEU in the second half of November and set the online price at $3500 in December [8]. - From the fundamental perspective, the shipping volume from November to December is expected to improve. The weekly average capacity from Shanghai to the 5 Nordic ports in October, November, and December is 241,100 TEU, 260,400 TEU, and 289,200 TEU respectively, with a slight increase in December [8]. - **Trading Strategy** - Unilateral trading: Wait and see as the market has factored in the peak - season expectations in advance, and short - term fluctuations are expected while waiting for the implementation of price increases [9]. - Arbitrage trading: Wait and see [10]. II. Industry News - Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) has a fleet capacity of over 7 million TEU, accounting for 21.2% of the market share [11]. - The third - quarter corrugated carton shipments in the US fell to the lowest level since 2015, intensifying concerns about the holiday sales season [11]. - China and the EU held export control dialogue consultations in Brussels to promote the stability and smoothness of the industrial and supply chains [11]. - Diplomatic responses were made regarding the potential US tariff increase on China and the situation in the Israel - Palestine conflict [11][12]. III. Related Attachments The report includes figures such as the SCFIS European line index and SCFIS US - West line index, SCFI comprehensive index, and container freight rates for different routes, with data sources from Galaxy Futures, Shanghai Shipping Exchange, and other institutions [15][17][20].

Group 1: Report Industry Investment Rating - Not provided Group 2: Report's Core View - The shipping market is affected by multiple factors. The easing of Sino - US trade policies has released positive signals, but the short - term nature of the agreement may not bring long - term confidence to importers. The EC market is in a volatile state, and in the short - term, macro - level positives, capacity control, and multiple price - support expectations will support the market, but the market has already factored in some premiums [5][6] Group 3: Summary by Related Catalogs Shipping Derivatives Data - **Freight Rate Index**: The Shanghai Export Container Freight Index (SCFI) is currently at 1551, up 10.49% from the previous value; the China Export Container Freight Index (CCFI) is at 1021, up 2.89%. Rates for various routes such as SCFI - US West, SCFI - US East, and SCFI - Northwest Europe have all increased significantly [3][4] - **Contract Data**: For contracts like EC2506, EC2608, etc., most have seen a decline in value compared to the previous period. For example, EC2506 has a current value of 1379.6, down 1.69% from the previous value. In terms of positions, most contracts have increased in position size, such as EC2606 with a position increase of 110 [4][5] - **Month - to - Month Spread**: The 12 - 02 month - to - month spread is currently 250.4, down 10.4 from the previous value; the 12 - 04 spread is 642.9, down 25.0; and the 02 - 04 spread is 392.5, down 14.6 [5] Market Analysis - **Sino - US Trade Policy Impact**: The Sino - US leaders' meeting on October 30 led to the relaxation of some trade policies, which alleviated the suppression of trans - oceanic cargo volume by trade frictions. Although the direct impact is concentrated on US routes, it also improves the outlook for European routes. However, the short - term nature of the agreement may not provide long - term confidence to importers [5] - **EC Market**: The EC market is in a volatile state. Spot prices vary among different shipping companies. Key influencing factors include the fulfillment of peak - season demand, the sustainability of shipping company strategies, and geopolitical and long - term contract variables. The recommendation is to go long on the main contract at low prices and closely monitor suspension of voyages and shipping company loading rates [6] Strategy - The recommended strategy is to wait and see [7]

Report Summary 1. Report Industry Investment Rating No investment rating information is provided in the report. 2. Core Views - **Container Shipping**: Spot freight rates are in a downward channel, and the decline is expected to slow down in mid - to late October. The overall freight rate center is expected to move down in the second half of the year due to tariff suppression. The 10 - contract valuation has room to decline, and trading strategies include weak oscillations for single - sided trading and specific arbitrage operations [8][9][11]. - **Dry Bulk Shipping**: The Baltic Dry Bulk Freight Index reached a one - and - a - half - month high. Large - vessel market freight rates are expected to be supported in the short term but lack strong upward momentum. Medium - vessel market transportation demand has certain support and is expected to fluctuate in the short term [19][22]. - **Oil Tanker Transportation**: The oil transportation market shows obvious differentiation. The crude oil transportation market continues to rise, while the refined oil market is in a downward trend. Long - term attention should be paid to the impact of environmental protection elimination and supply - demand reshaping on freight rates [29]. 3. Summary by Directory Container Shipping - Container Freight Index (European Line) - **Market Data** - **Futures Disk**: On September 17, 2025, EC2510 closed at 1,109.7, down 60.0 or 5.13%. Different contracts showed different price and volume changes [5]. - **Container Freight Rates**: SCFIS European Line was at 1440.24 points, down 8.06% week - on - week and 62.24% year - on - year. Different routes had different freight rate changes [5]. - **Fuel Costs**: WTI crude oil near - month was at $64.17 per barrel, up 1.82% year - on - year; Brent crude oil near - month was at $68.03 per barrel, up 1.51% year - on - year [5]. - **Market Analysis and Strategies** - **Analysis**: Spot freight rates are falling, and the impact of the closure of the Polish border on China - Europe freight trains continues. The freight rate center in the second half of September dropped to around 1400 - 1700 US dollars/FEU. The market is affected by factors such as demand, supply, and tariffs [8][9]. - **Strategies**: Single - sided trading is expected to be weakly oscillating. For the 10 - contract, short positions can be gradually reduced and profited before the National Day. For arbitrage, conduct 10 - 12 reverse arbitrage operations at low levels and enter 2 - 4 positive arbitrage at low levels [11][12]. Dry Bulk Shipping - **Market Data** - **Freight Index**: On September 16, the Baltic Dry Bulk Freight Index rose 0.05% to 2154 points. The Capesize vessel freight index rose 1.1% to 3189 points, while the Panamax vessel freight index fell 1.8% to 1968 points [18][19]. - **Spot Freight Rates**: Different routes of Capesize and Panamax vessels had different freight rate changes on September 16 and as of September 12 [18][20]. - **Shipping Data**: From September 8 - 14, 2025, the global iron ore shipping volume increased. Brazilian grain exports in September are expected to increase [21]. - **Market Analysis and Outlook** - **Analysis**: The rise in Capesize vessel freight rates offset the decline of smaller vessels. The large - vessel market is supported by Australian end - of - season cargo releases, but the cargo volume is expected to decrease from mid - October. The medium - vessel market has certain transportation demand support, mainly in a fluctuating trend [22]. Oil Tanker Transportation - **Market Data** - **Freight Index**: On September 16, the Baltic Dirty Tanker Index (BDTI) was at 1137, up 0.8% week - on - week and 26.76% year - on - year; the Baltic Clean Tanker Index (BCTI) was at 609, up 0.66% week - on - week and down 4.55% year - on - year [28][29]. - **Average Earnings**: VLCC average earnings were $57,975 per day, up 58.71% week - on - week and 90.00% year - on - year; Suezmax average earnings were $45,871 per day, up 43.38% week - on - week and down 14.04% year - on - year [28]. - **Crude Oil Futures Prices**: WTI crude oil near - month was at $64.17 per barrel, up 1.82% year - on - year; Brent crude oil near - month was at $68.03 per barrel, up 1.51% year - on - year [28]. - **Market Analysis and Outlook** - **Analysis**: The crude oil transportation market continues to rise, while the refined oil market is in a downward trend. The VLCC market is improving due to tight supply and slightly higher - than - expected cargo volume [29]. - **Industry News** - OPEC+ representatives will discuss updating member production capacity estimates in Vienna from September 18 - 19, aiming to determine new production baselines and 2027 production targets [30]. - On September 15, oil prices continued to rise due to supply interruption risks from Ukraine's attacks on Russian energy facilities and Trump's call for NATO to stop buying Russian oil [31].

Report Industry Investment Rating - Not provided in the content Core Viewpoints - The container shipping index (European Line) is under pressure. The 2510 contract is currently pricing in the downward trend of freight rates in the first half of October and the potential upward risk in the second half, and is short - term weak. The 2512 contract should not be over - estimated due to potential negative factors. The 2602 contract may not show a discount to the 12 contract in years with a late Spring Festival [10][13] - This week, consider taking profits on the 2510 contract at low prices. In the medium - to - long - term, consider going long on the 02 - 04 and 12 - 04 calendar spreads [14] Summary by Related Catalogs Futures Market - The main 2510 contract of the container shipping index (European Line) closed at 1,203.8 points, down 5.28%, with an increase of 2,187 lots in positions; the second - main 2512 contract closed at 1,609.1 points, down 4.07%, with an increase of 1,417 lots in positions [1][10] Freight Rates - The 38 - week freight rate center has further declined to around $1,650/FEU. Conservatively estimated, the cumulative decline in the 39th and 40th weeks is $100/FEU, and the center may fall to around $1,550/FEU. Different alliances have different pricing and adjustment situations [11] Supply - Side Fundamentals - In October, the weekly average capacity has been slightly revised down from 276,000 TEU/week to 267,000 TEU/week. The year - on - year growth rate of capacity in October is 1.1%, a significant decline compared to July - September. The suspension of sailings by shipping companies during the National Day holiday is relatively strong. In November, there are 6 pending voyages, 3 blank sailings, and 1 additional sailing. Without considering the pending voyages, the current weekly average capacity is 302,000 TEU/week [12] Contract Analysis - The 2510 contract may mainly reflect the freight rate quotes from the 40th to 42nd weeks. The current price may have priced in the downward trend of freight rates in the first half of October and the potential upward risk in the second half, and is short - term weak. The 2512 contract should not be over - estimated due to potential negative factors such as the late Spring Festival in 2026 and increasing over - capacity pressure. The 2602 contract may not show a discount to the 12 contract in years with a late Spring Festival [13] Strategy - This week, consider taking profits on the 2510 contract at low prices. In the medium - to - long - term, consider going long on the 02 - 04 and 12 - 04 calendar spreads [14] Trend Intensity - The trend intensity of the container shipping index (European Line) is 0, indicating a neutral trend [15]

Summary of Key Points from the Conference Call Company Overview - The company discussed is Zhonggu Logistics, focusing on its performance in the logistics industry for the first half of 2025. Financial Performance - In the first half of 2025, the company's non-GAAP net profit reached 1.072 billion yuan, with 1 billion yuan attributed to sustainable income, 750 million yuan from foreign trade, and 250 million yuan from domestic trade [1][5][2]. - The second quarter saw a decline in non-GAAP net profit compared to the first quarter, primarily due to lower domestic freight rates and a lack of asset disposal gains, which were 70 million yuan in the first quarter [1][3][4]. - The company's operating costs increased due to a reduction in loaded tonnage to 1.2 million tons, resulting in a year-on-year increase of over 10% [1][6][8]. Market Dynamics - The domestic logistics market experienced a 40% reduction in capacity compared to the previous year, leading to a contraction in domestic trade volume despite a slight recovery in freight rates [2][5]. - Conversely, foreign trade capacity increased by approximately 40% year-on-year, with leasing prices remaining high, contributing to better performance in foreign trade [2]. - The competitive landscape in the domestic market has stabilized, with expectations for freight rates to rise in the fourth quarter, driven by historical trends [9][10][11]. Cost Structure and Challenges - The mismatch between capacity and cargo volume has been a significant factor in rising costs, with a 15% increase noted in the first half of the year [7][8]. - Fixed asset depreciation has also contributed to increased costs per container, despite the company maintaining industry-leading efficiency [6][8]. Future Outlook - The company anticipates an increase in freight rates in the fourth quarter, contingent on demand stability [10][12]. - The foreign trade segment faces uncertainties due to U.S. tariffs, but the overall trend remains positive [10][12]. - The company has successfully signed long-term contracts for foreign trade vessel leases, with all contracts post-April 2025 being for two years or more [13]. Investment and Dividend Strategy - The company achieved a high dividend payout ratio of 84% in the mid-year report, with plans to maintain a minimum of 60% for the full year [16]. - Management is focused on exploring new business directions to achieve growth beyond existing domestic and foreign container operations [17]. Additional Insights - Demand for small vessels in the foreign trade market remains strong, with ongoing negotiations for potential deployment despite cost challenges [14]. - The company aims to enhance investor returns through improved dividend strategies and innovative business developments [16][17].

Group 1: Report Industry Investment Rating - Not provided Group 2: Core Viewpoints of the Report - The shipping market is in a weak oscillation. The market's expectation of interest rate cuts has increased due to Powell's speech, and Trump's threat to impose tariffs on imported furniture has led to pre - shipment rush. The short - term market still has room to decline [5]. - The current shipping market demand is continuously weak. The spot freight rate is under obvious pressure due to more overtime ships in late August. The market has turned to buyer - dominated, and there is no clear price - increase plan from shipping companies for now [6]. - The downward adjustment of OCEAN's freight rate in September is accelerating, which may put pressure on NSK to cut prices. The price of the 12 - contract is likely to show a weak and oscillating trend [7]. - The recommended strategy is to short the 10 - contract on rallies and conduct a rolling 10 - 12 reverse spread [8]. Group 3: Summary by Related Contents Shipping Market Data - The Shanghai Export Container Freight Index (SCFI) is currently at 1415, down 3.07% from the previous value; the China Export Container Freight Index (CCFI) is at 1175, down 1.55%. Rates for various routes such as SCFI - US West, SCFI - US East, and SCFI - Northwest Europe all decreased, with declines ranging from 3.90% to 8.72% [4]. - For shipping derivatives, the prices of contracts like EC2506, EC2608, etc. mostly declined, with the largest decline of 2.45%. The open interest of some contracts increased, and the month - spreads also changed slightly [4]. Market Influencing Factors - Powell's speech at the Jackson Hole Symposium made the market expect interest rate cuts, and Trump's plan to impose tariffs on imported furniture led to pre - shipment rush [5]. - The increase in overtime ships in late August put pressure on spot freight rates. The competition for prices intensified, and shipping companies took measures such as adjusting surcharges and relaxing long - term contract booking restrictions to stimulate shipments [6]. - The planned suspension of voyages on the Trans - Pacific route before China's "Golden Week" in 2025 may increase temporarily in the coming weeks, and the current announced capacity reduction is lower than the historical benchmark [4]. - The low empty - sail rate on European routes in September and the sufficient supply of shipping capacity in the near future indicate no obvious signal of supply tightening in the short term. The congestion at European ports and the decrease in the rate of postponed sailings on the Asia - Europe route may affect subsequent cabin allocation and arrival cycles [6]. Shipping Company Strategies - Mediterranean Shipping (MSC) and Maersk (MSK) have announced their quotes for early September, maintaining the August level. Maersk will lower the peak - season surcharge to $50/100 in September and adjust the overweight surcharge policy [6]. - Some shipping companies are relaxing the restrictions on low - price long - term contract bookings to boost shipment volume [6].

Core Viewpoint - The report highlights the financial performance and operational challenges faced by China Merchants Energy Shipping Co., Ltd. in the first half of 2025, emphasizing a decline in revenue and profits due to geopolitical risks and market volatility [1][3][4]. Financial Performance - The company's operating revenue for the first half of 2025 was approximately CNY 12.58 billion, a decrease of 4.91% compared to the same period last year [3]. - Total profit for the period was CNY 2.48 billion, down 16.40% year-on-year [3]. - Net profit attributable to shareholders was CNY 2.12 billion, reflecting a 14.91% decline from the previous year [3]. - The company declared a cash dividend of CNY 0.7 per share, totaling CNY 565.22 million, which represents 41.22% of the net profit for the period [1]. Industry Overview - The international shipping market faced significant challenges due to geopolitical tensions, including the US tariff policy adjustments and conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine, leading to increased complexity in global trade [4][5]. - The Clarkson shipping index fell by 5% year-on-year, with a more substantial decline of 31% when excluding the container shipping market [4]. - The global economic growth forecast for 2025 is only 2.8%, with the International Energy Agency (IEA) predicting a slowdown in global oil demand growth to 0.8% [4][5]. Shipping Market Dynamics - The average daily earnings for VLCC, Suezmax, and Aframax tankers decreased by 9.99%, 18.32%, and 31.00% respectively, indicating a challenging market environment [5]. - The global LNG trade volume is expected to grow by 6% in 2025, driven by increased exports from the US and rising imports in Europe [6]. - The global fleet of LNG carriers has grown to 829 vessels, with a high order backlog, although new orders have significantly declined [6]. Company Operations - The company operates a fleet of 52 VLCCs, maintaining its position as the world's largest operator in this segment [8]. - The dry bulk fleet consists of 37 VLOCs, also ranking first globally, with a focus on enhancing operational efficiency and safety [9]. - The company is actively pursuing long-term contracts with major oil companies and expanding its market presence in LNG transportation [10]. Strategic Focus - The company aims to enhance its core competitiveness by optimizing fleet structure and focusing on strategic partnerships with key clients [9][11]. - Efforts are being made to improve operational capabilities in the automotive and container shipping sectors, with a focus on customer-centric services [12].

Report Summary 1. Report Industry Investment Rating - Not provided in the given content 2. Core View of the Report - The shipping market is experiencing a rebound, mainly due to the market's increased expectation of interest rate cuts after Powell's speech at the Jackson Hole Symposium and the anticipation of a rush to ship furniture before potential tariffs. However, the current shipping market demand remains weak, with spot freight rates accelerating to the bottom, and the overall trend is downward [7][8][9]. 3. Summary by Relevant Content 3.1 Shipping Index Data - **Freight Rate Index**: The Shanghai Export Container Freight Index (SCFI) and related sub - indices showed declines, with SCFI - Northwest Europe having the largest decline of - 8.35%, and EC2510 in the derivatives having the largest increase of 3.74% [5]. - **Positions**: There were changes in the positions of various contracts, such as a decrease of 22 in the EC2606 position and an increase of 102 in the EC2410 position [5]. - **Monthly Spreads**: The monthly spreads of 10 - 12, 12 - 2, and 12 - 4 all increased, with the 12 - 4 spread increasing by 16.0 [5]. 3.2 Market Situation - **Demand and Supply**: The demand in the shipping market is weak. In late August, the increase in overtime ships pressured the spot freight rates. The market is buyer - dominated, and there are no clear price - increase plans from shipping companies. The announced empty - sailing rate for European routes in September is low, and the supply of shipping capacity is abundant in the short term [8]. - **Port Conditions**: European main ports such as Germany and the Netherlands are congested, and the on - time rate of the Asia - Europe route has decreased by 13.3%, which may affect subsequent cabin allocation and arrival cycles [8]. - **Policy Impact**: Trump's potential tariff policy on furniture and the global over - capacity problem have further suppressed trade volume [8]. 3.3 Market Trend and Strategy - **Trend**: Shipping companies are accelerating the price - cut rhythm to maintain market share, and the overall downward trend of freight rates is established. The spot freight rate is in the stage of accelerating to the bottom, and the follow - up decline of the futures market may be smaller [9]. - **Strategy**: The recommended strategy is to short the October contract on rallies and conduct a rolling 10 - 12 reverse spread [10].