Safe Bulkers Q4 2025 Earnings Call - Balancing dividends and newbuild-driven fleet renewal while sitting on ample liquidity

Conference Operator: Thank you for standing by, ladies and gentlemen, and welcome to Safe Bulkers conference call for the fourth quarter 2025 financial results. We have with us Mr. Polys Hajioannou, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Loukas Barmparis, President, and Mr. Konstantinos Adamopoulos, Chief Financial Officer of the company. At this time, all participants are in a listen-only mode. There will be a presentation followed by a question and answer session. At which time, if you wish to ask a question, please press star one on your telephone keypad and wait for your name to be announced. Following this conference call, if you need further information on the conference call or on the presentation, please contact Capital Link at 212-661-7566. I must advise you that this conference call is being recorded today.

The archived webcast of the conference will soon be made available on Safe Bulkers website, www.safebulkers.com. Many of the remarks today contain forward-looking statements based on current expectations. Actual results may differ materially from results projected from those forward-looking statements. Additional information concerning factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements is contained in the fourth quarter 2025 earnings release, which is available on the Safe Bulkers website. Again, www.safebulkers.com. I would now like to turn the conference over to one of our speakers today, the Chairman and CEO of the company, Mr. Polys Hajioannou. Please go ahead, sir.

Loukas Barmparis, President, Safe Bulkers: Good morning to all. I’m Lucas Barmparis, President of Safe Bulkers, and I’m welcoming you at our quarter results. During 2025, the dry bulk market witnessed increased market volatility, mainly due to geopolitical reasons. In the fourth quarter of 2025, we achieved $0.14 of adjusted earnings per share, and our board has declared a $0.05 per share dividend, rewarding our common shareholders. The company maintains a prudent balance between spot and time charter exposure, allowing it to capture market opportunities while preserving a cash flow visibility and a strong capital structure, providing flexibility in our capital allocation. Following a comprehensive review of the forward-looking statements, language, which is presented on slide 2, let’s proceed to examine the supply side dynamics in slide 4.

The dry bulk fleet is projected to grow by about 3% in 2026 due to stable new deliveries, with fleet growth estimated to be highest for the Panamax and Supermax segments. The order book now stands at about 11.4% of the current fleet. The forecast for dry bulk supply as per BIMCO is to grow by 2.5% in 2026 and by 3% in 2027, as adjusted for the sailing speed. Asset prices remain elevated in line with the current trade market. Recycling volumes are anticipated to rise, but still remain low compared to historical levels. Currently, about 11% of ship capacity in the dry bulk order book will be ready to use alternative fuels upon delivery, and out of these ships, about half will use methanol, 36% LNG, and the remaining ammonia and hydrogen.

However, the dual fuel order book remains small in the dry bulk segment. The postponement of the adoption of the global fuel standard by IMO may alter the path on decarbonization towards more pragmatic solutions. In a total order book of 20 Phase 3 vessels placed in 2020, we do have 2 dual fuel newbuilds on order, with deliveries by Q1 2027, able to operate with fossil fuels until alternative fuels become available and economically viable, hedging for the increasingly more stringent carbon intensity limits of the fuel regulation after 2030 and the potential adoption of new regional or global regulations. Safe Bulkers fleet now counts 12 Phase 3 vessels in the water, all delivered from 2022 onwards. In addition, 26 vessels have undergone environmental upgrades and 11 vessels are Eco, incorporating superior fuel efficiency characteristics.

Approximately 80% of our fleet is Japanese-built, compared to the global average of roughly 40%, underscoring our focus on quality and asset durability. We need also to underline the improved quality of our Chinese ships, which incorporate improvements in durability and fuel efficiency. Our average fleet age of 10.5 years is approximately 2.5 years younger than the global fleet average, which is 12.6 years, strengthening our competitive position in terms of operational performance and regulatory compliance. Our commercial competitiveness will strengthen as we will be taking delivery of our remaining order book of 8 phase three vessels.

By Q1 2029, Safe Bulkers fleet will be comprised of 38 phase three vessels, positioning us favorably to compete based on the fuel efficiency of our vessels, while the shipbuilding capacity will continue to be constrained, leading to longer lead terms. When we speak about supply, we need also to highlight not only the reduced scrapping rate, but also the aging dry bulk fleet... 35% of which exceeds 15 years of age, and the increasing expectation of older vessels, which will be reflected on the, and the increasing inspection of older vessels, which will be reflected on their ops. Moving on to slide five, we present an overview of the demand and basic commodities trade.

The global GDP growth expectations for 2026 and 2027, as reflected in the IMF’s January forecast, call for a growth around 3% in the coming years, accompanied by gradual control of inflationary pressures. BIMCO forecasts a global dry bulk demand growth of 2%-3% in 2026. Cargo volumes are projected to expand by 1%-2% in 2026, with average sailing distances increasing by 0.5%-1.5% annually, supporting tonne-mile demand. Iron ore shipments expected to grow up to 1% in 2026, and similarly in 2027. Lower prices, driven by increased exporter output, could stimulate trade and enhance competitiveness, especially lower-grade domestic Chinese supply. However, high Chinese port inventories, +11% year-on-year, may soften import demand in first half of 2026.

Coal shipments are projected to decline by 1%-2% in 2026. The International Energy Agency expects global coal demand to fall by 1.4% between 2025 and 2027, with coal imports declining by 4%. Chinese demand is projected to fall by 1.5%, while India and Asian regions remain growth pockets. Thermal coal trade is weakening. Coking coal remains relatively resilient. Grains remain the strongest performing major bulk, with shipments estimated to grow by 5%-6% in 2026. Strong harvest in the US and EU, Argentina, Russia, and Brazil under peak supply. However, China’s policy push towards greater self-sufficiency and reduced soya meal usage presents a downturn risk. Minor bulks growth is expected at 3.5%-4.5% in 2026.

Energy transition-related ores remain supported, though bauxite trade growth may moderate due to China’s aluminum production cap. Fertilizer demand continues to expand, but at a slower pace. China remains a central strength factor for dry bulk. The broader economy continues to face structural headwinds from a weak property sector, elevated inventories in key commodities, iron ore, coal, policy-driven industrial adjustment, and increasing trade barriers and the export licensing controls. Steel demand in China is expected to weaken, though exports remain elevated despite tighter regulation. Domestic production policy and import substitution strategies, particularly in coal and grains, represent key downside risk to seaborne trade. Trade tensions between the U.S. and China, although truce has been reached, remain a key source of global economic uncertainty.

India continues to perform and is projected to experience the fastest growth among major economies, with a forecast of 6.4% in GDP increasing in 2026. Its expanding domestic market and manufacturing sector may continue to contribute positively to the dry bulk demand, with infrastructure investments playing a vital role. In Japan, following a decisive super majority victory in the in February snap elections, the Japanese government now holds significant political capital to advance a responsible and proactive fiscal policy aimed at transitioning the economy from prolonged deflation towards a phase of sustainable growth, widely referred to as sun economics, emphasizing aggressive fiscal stimulus to catalyze domestic demand and reinforce economic momentum. Summing up the supply-demand equilibrium on slide 6, the supply growth is expected to marginally match demand for 2026.

The freight market has shown strength during the fourth quarter of 2025 and continues to be healthy in early 2026. In relation to our Capesize class vessels, seven were chartered under period time charters, with an average remaining charter duration of 1.8 years and an average daily charter hire of $24,000, topping $130 million in contracted revenue backlog from Capes alone. Moving to slide eight, we present an overview of our quarterly highlights. We have declared our seventeenth consecutive quarterly dividend of $0.05, representing 3.3% dividend yield. At the same time, our free cash flow finances our newbuild program. We maintain ample liquidity and capital resources of $382 million, and a comfortable leverage of 34%.

We have $72.6 million of net revenues, and we do have an active 10 million shares repurchase program. In January, we placed order for two Kamsarmax Phase III newbuilds, and in February, we sold a 2012 Chinese-built Capesize class vessel. In slide nine, we present our returns to shareholders of $89 million paid in common dividends and $35 million paid in common shares and purchases. Since 2022, reflecting our consistency in generating sustainable returns across market fluctuations because of our track record, hazard management, and our overall business model. Concluding the company update in slide ten, we present our strong fundamentals. Safe Bulkers is a bulk company with $628 million market cap, 45 days on the water, $1,274 million scrap value.

We maintain significant firepower with $163 million cash, $220 million in undrawn RCFs, and $182 million borrowing capacity against our significant order book of 8 newbuilds, mainly in Japanese shipyards. We focus on our majority Japanese-built standards on fleet energy efficiency and lower CO2 taxation, reflected in our CII rating of several vessels on the bottom categories of D and E. We maintain a young, technologically advanced fleet, strong balance sheet, comfortable leverage, and low net debt per vessel of $8.4 million for a 10.4-year-old fleet. We have built a resilient business model with cash flow visibility of $164 million in revenue backlog, hefty expansion for a sizable fleet that achieves scale, and a meaningful 3.3% annualized building yield positioned to leverage on its fuel efficiency.

I now pass the floor to our CFO, Konstantinos Adamopoulos, for our quarterly financial overview. Konstantinos, the floor is yours.

Konstantinos Adamopoulos, Chief Financial Officer, Safe Bulkers: Thank you, Loukas, and good morning to everyone. During the fourth quarter of 2025, we operated in a slightly improved charter market environment compared to the same period in 2024, with increased revenues due to higher charter highs and slightly increased earnings from scrubber-fitted vessels. Moving on to slide 12, with our quarterly financial highlights for the fourth quarter of 2025 compared to the same period of 2024. Our adjusted EBITDA for the fourth quarter of 2025 stood at $37.4 million, compared to $40.7 billion for the same period in 2024.

Our adjusted earnings per share for the third quarter of 2025 was $0.14, calculated on a weighted average number of 102.3 million shares, compared to $0.15 during the same period in 2024, calculated on a weighted average number of 106.4 million shares. On the top graph, during the fourth quarter of 2025, we operated 45 vessels on average, earning an average time charter equivalent of $17,050, compared to 45.9 vessels on average, earning a TCE of $16,521 during the same period in 2024.

Our daily vessel operating expenses increased by 13% to $5,683 for the fourth quarter of 2025, compared to $5,047 for the same period in 2024. Daily vessel OpEx, excluding drydocking delivery expenses, increased by 6% to $5,057 for the fourth quarter of 2025, compared to $4,787 for the same period in 2024. Slide 14-13, with a quick overview of our quarterly operational highlights for the fourth quarter of 2025, this compared to the same period of 2024. Now, let’s continue to slide 14, where we present our balance sheet analysis, noting that assets are presented in their book value. Strong liquidity and ample cash reserves provide significant financial flexibility to navigate market volatility.

The company maintains a healthy balance sheet, supported by a robust equity base and conservative leverage levels. Our capital structure positions the company for sustainable long-term growth and resilience. We conclude our presentation in slide 15, where we present our daily free cash flow for the 12 months of 2025, illustrating the company’s ability to generate free cash flows, highlighting disciplined cost control and efficient vessel operations. We’d like to highlight that based on financial performance, the company’s board of directors has declared a $0.05 dividend per common share. The company is maintaining a healthy cash position of about $167 million as of February 13. Another $218 million available in revolving credit facilities, giving a combined liquidity and capital resources of $385 million.

We should also add the contracted revenue of $178 million. This underscores our capacity to support debt service, reinvestment, and shareholder returns at the same time, which enable us to expand the fleet, build a resilient company, and create long-term prosperity for our shareholders. Thank you, and we are now ready for your questions.

Conference Operator: Thank you. If you would like to ask a question, please press star one on your telephone keypad. A confirmation tone will indicate your line is in the question queue. You may press star two if you would like to remove your question from the queue. For participants using speaker equipment, it may be necessary to pick up your handset before pressing the star keys. Our first question is from Climent Molins with Value Investor’s Edge. Please proceed.

Climent Molins, Analyst, Value Investor’s Edge: Hi, good afternoon, and thank you for taking my questions. You’ve made a lot of leeway on the fleet renewal front in recent years, putting special emphasis on Kamsarmax newbuilds… When looking at your overall fleet pro forma for the newbuild additions, the Capesize does seem a tad older. Is there any appetite to renew it going forward, or is newbuild and secondhand pricing difficult to justify based on your expectations?

Polys Hajioannou, Chairman and CEO, Safe Bulkers: Yes. Good afternoon. Good morning to you. The second-hand prices right now, they are getting higher, but the problem is the lack of suitable available tonnages for sale. So there is no quality tonnages in secondhand market available for sale, no Japanese-built vessels or even Chinese modern fleet, modern vessels available for sales. And the reason being that market prospects look quite positive. We have a very strong Q4 and now very strong Q1, and people are getting hold of their assets to ride the improved market. So the only option you have, a company, at least like ours, that we need to have quality tonnage, and we need to have a sustainable program for the future, is to look into shipyards.

Also there, the task is not easy, but because most of the shipyards are fully booked for 2028, so we have to go into 2029 for deliveries. And basically, this is what we have done in the last quarter.

Climent Molins, Analyst, Value Investor’s Edge: Yeah, that’s helpful. Thank you. I also wanted to ask about the time charter market. Have you seen increasing appetite from charterers for 2- to 3-year contracts on Kamsarmaxes? And secondly, based on current quotes, would you favor index-linked exposure or fixed coverage?

Polys Hajioannou, Chairman and CEO, Safe Bulkers: Yes. There is no, there is no interest for two or three-year contracts. The market is just starting its improvement, you know, the last couple of quarters. You have to remember last year was a very difficult year, especially the first half, which was all the talks of tariffs and it started from September 2024 up, and it last up to July of 2025, when we saw that Trump administration was starting settling some of those issues with a few countries. So there were a good 10 months of depression in the market. Stories start changing from second half of 2025, when we start seeing improvement. I mean, the momentum has to gather pace, which is doing right now, and we started now seeing better freight rates.

Right now, we could say that many charters can take 12-month period charters. In order to see 2 or 3 years, we need to have more of this visibility. We have to have this going into 2 or 3 quarters before charters appear for longer-term deals. So at the moment, I would say that you could easily fix, you know, 6- to 12-month charters, but the longer charters would come only after we see sustained strength of the market. So the other question about index or fixed, traditionally, we prefer the fixed rate, and sometimes we do index. You know, usually on a rising market, charters try to avoid index. They prefer fixed rate. We don’t mind securing a good return with the fixed rates.

Right now, there are one-year deals or 12 one-year deals in the market, approaching $18,000 or $19,000 a day. So this is a good, a good level to start locking in a few ships.

Climent Molins, Analyst, Value Investor’s Edge: The $18,000-$19,000 per day would be for Eco and Scrubber, right?

Polys Hajioannou, Chairman and CEO, Safe Bulkers: No, no scrubber. It will be for Eco Kamsarmaxes. Eco Kamsarmaxes, they don’t usually have scrubbers.

Climent Molins, Analyst, Value Investor’s Edge: Okay. That’s clear. Thank you.

Polys Hajioannou, Chairman and CEO, Safe Bulkers: I’ll turn it over.

Climent Molins, Analyst, Value Investor’s Edge: Scrubbers-

Polys Hajioannou, Chairman and CEO, Safe Bulkers: Sorry, go on.

Climent Molins, Analyst, Value Investor’s Edge: Usually on Capes.

Polys Hajioannou, Chairman and CEO, Safe Bulkers: Scrubbers, you find usually on Capesize bulk carriers or vessels that they are burning over 25 tons to make worthwhile the investment. So the young ones that burn 14 or 15 tons, they don’t, it’s not viable to fit scrubber on those. It’s a very small consumption.

Climent Molins, Analyst, Value Investor’s Edge: Makes sense. Thank you.

Polys Hajioannou, Chairman and CEO, Safe Bulkers: Thank you.

Conference Operator: As a reminder, just star one on your telephone keypad, if you would like to ask a question. We will pause for a brief moment to see if there’s any further questions. With no further questions, I would like to hand the conference back over to management for closing remarks.

Polys Hajioannou, Chairman and CEO, Safe Bulkers: Thank you very much for attending this conference call about the first, the last quarter of financial results of 2025, and we’re looking forward to discuss again with you in our next quarter results. Thank you very much, and have a good day.

Conference Operator: Thank you. This will conclude today’s conference. You may disconnect your lines at this time, and thank you for your participation.