Q3 2025 KNOT Offshore Partners LP Earnings Call
Speaker #1: Third quarter 2025 earnings call. After today's prepared remarks, we will host a question-and-answer session with an opportunity for equity research analysts to ask questions.
Operator: Q3 2025 earnings call. After today's prepared remarks, we will host a question-and-answer session with an opportunity for equity research analysts to ask questions. If you would like to ask a question, please raise your hand. If you have dialed into today's call, please press star nine to raise your hand and star six to unmute. I will now hand the conference over to Derek Lowe. Please go ahead, sir.
Speaker #1: If you would like to ask a question, please raise your hand. If you have dialed in to today's call, please press *9 to raise your hand and *6 to unmute.
Speaker #1: I will now hand the conference over to Derek Lowe. Please go ahead, sir.
Speaker #2: Thank you, Karina, and good morning, ladies and gentlemen. My name is Derek Lowe, and I'm the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of KNOT Offshore Partners.
Derek Lowe: Thank you, Karina, and good morning, ladies and gentlemen. My name is Derek Lowe, and I'm the Chief Executive and Chief Financial Officer of KNOT Offshore Partners. Welcome to the partnership's earnings call for Q3 of 2025. Our website is knottoffshorepartners.com, and you can find the earnings release there along with this presentation. On slide two, you will find guidance on the inclusion of forward-looking statements in today's presentation. These are made in good faith and reflect management's current views, known and unknown risks, and are based on assumptions and estimates that are inherently subject to significant uncertainties and contingencies, many of which are beyond our control. Actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied in forward-looking statements, and the partnership does not have or undertake a duty to update any such forward-looking statements made as of the date of this presentation.
Speaker #2: Welcome to the partnership's earnings call for the third quarter of 2025. Our website is knotoffshorepartners.com, and you can find the earnings release there, along with this presentation.
Speaker #2: On slide 2, you will find guidance on the inclusion of forward-looking statements in today's presentation. These are made in good faith and reflect management's current views, known and unknown risks, and are based on assumptions and estimates that are inherently subject to significant uncertainties and contingencies—many of which are beyond our control.
Speaker #2: Actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied in forward-looking statements. The partnership does not have or undertake a duty to update any such forward-looking statements made as of the date of this presentation.
Speaker #2: For further information, please consult our SEC filings, especially in relation to our annual and quarterly results. Today's presentation also includes certain non-GAAP measures, and our earnings release includes a reconciliation of these to the most directly comparable GAAP measures.
Derek Lowe: For further information, please consult our SEC filings, especially in relation to our annual and quarterly results. Today's presentation also includes certain non-US GAAP measures, and our earnings release includes a reconciliation of these to the most directly comparable GAAP measures. We begin on slide three with clearly the most material development during and since Q3 2025, which is our receipt of an unsolicited and non-binding offer from our sponsor, KNOT, to buy the publicly owned common units for $10 per common unit. The offer is currently being evaluated by the conflicts committee of the board, which is comprised of directors who are not affiliated to KNOT, and they have appointed Evercore and Richards, Layton & Finger as their independent professional advisors.
Speaker #2: We begin on slide 3 with, clearly, the most material development during and since Q3 2025, which is our receipt of an unsolicited and non-binding offer from our sponsor, KNOT, to buy the publicly owned common units for $10 per common unit.
Speaker #2: The offer is currently being evaluated by the conflicts committee of the board, which is comprised of directors who are not affiliated with KNOT. They have appointed Eva Kaur and Richard Laken as their independent professional advisors.
Speaker #2: Given the outstanding nature of that process, I will not be addressing that matter on today's call and would refer you to the press release that we issued on November 3rd and to KNOT's own 13D filing with the SEC on the same date.
Derek Lowe: Given the outstanding nature of that process, I will not be addressing that matter on today's call and would refer you to the press release that we issued on 3 November and to KNOT's own 13D filing with the SEC on the same date, as those contain all the detail that's currently available. On slide four, we have the Q3 financial and operational headlines. Revenues were $96.9 million, operating income $30.6 million, and net income $15.1 million. Adjusted EBITDA was $61.6 million. As of 30 September 2025, we had $125.2 million in available liquidity, made up of $77.2 million in cash and cash equivalents, plus $48 million in undrawn capacity on our credit facilities. That was $20.4 million higher than at 30 June. We operated with 99.9% utilization, taking into account the scheduled drydocking of Tove Knutsen, which amounts to 96.5% utilization overall.
Speaker #2: As those contain all the details that are currently available. On slide 4, we have the Q3 financial and operational headlines. Revenues were $96.9 million, operating income was $30.6 million, and net income was $15.1 million.
Speaker #2: Adjusted EBITDA was $61.6 million. As of September 30, 2025, we had $125.2 million in available liquidity, made up of $77.2 million in cash and cash equivalents, plus $48 million in undrawn capacity on our credit facilities.
Speaker #2: And that was $20.4 million higher than at June 30. We operated with 99.9% utilization, taking into account the scheduled dry docking of Tovar Knudsen.
Speaker #2: Which amounts to 96.5% utilization overall. Following the end of Q3, we declared a cash distribution of $0.026 per common unit, which was paid in November.
Derek Lowe: Following the end of Q3, we declared a cash distribution of $0.026 per common unit, which was paid in November. On slide five, we have developments during Q3, most of which you will likely have seen in our update in late September. On 2 July, we purchased the Dakin Knutsen from our sponsor. The headlines of this are set out on slide six and include seven years of a guaranteed high rate. Also, on 2 July, we announced the establishment of the buyback program. We purchased just under 385,000 common units at a total cost of just over $3 million, which averages $7.87 per common unit. The program was concluded in October. We completed two refinancings in the quarter.
Speaker #2: On slide 5, we have developments during Q3, most of which you will likely have seen in our update in late September. On July 2nd, we purchased the DAC in Knudsen from our sponsor.
Speaker #2: The headlines of this are set out on Slide 6 and include 7 years of a guaranteed high rate. Also, on July 2nd, we announced the establishment of a buyback program.
Speaker #2: We purchased just under 385,000 common units at a total cost of just over $3 million, which averages $7.87 per common unit. The program was concluded in October.
Speaker #2: We completed two refinancings in the quarter. The first was our $25 million revolving credit facility with NTT, and the second was for the Tovar Knudsen, where we used a sale and leaseback to increase capital by a net $32 million.
Derek Lowe: The first was our $25 million revolving credit facility with NTT, and the second was for the Tove Knutsen, where we used a sale and leaseback to increase capital by net $32 million. On the contractual front, in August, we obtained an extension with Shell for the Hilda Knutsen of up to one year. That is three months firm and then nine months at our option. And in September, we secured an extension with Equinor for the Bodil Knutsen, which is now contracted through to March 2029 fixed, plus two options of one year each. On slide seven, we have the key developments in the fourth quarter to date. Most material is the offer from KNOT, which I described earlier.
Speaker #2: On the contractual front, in August, we obtained an extension with Shell for the Hilda Knudsen of up to one year. That is three months firm, and then three months, and then nine months at our option.
Speaker #2: And in September, we secured an extension with Equinor for the Bodle Knudsen, which is now contracted through to March 2029, fixed plus two options of one year each.
Speaker #2: On slide 7, we have the key developments in the fourth quarter to date. Most material is the offer from KNOT, which I described earlier.
Speaker #2: We completed this year's refinancing schedule with a $71 million loan secured by the Sonova Knudsen in October, and a $25 million revolving credit facility that was rolled over with SBI Shinsay.
Derek Lowe: We have completed this year's refinancing schedule with a $71 million loan secured by the Synnøve Knutsen in October and a $25 million revolving credit facility, which was rolled over with SBI Shinsei. On the contracting front, we assigned a time charter with KNOT for the Fortaleza Knutsen to begin in Q2 2026, which is for one year fixed, followed by two charter options each of one year. Turning to slide 8 for a high-level summary of our current momentum, the shuttle tanker market has been tightening in both Brazil and the North Sea as well, in either case driven by FPSO startups and ramp-ups. Certain of these projects were a long time coming, and it's been encouraging to see them up and running, driving shuttle tanker demand growth.
Speaker #2: And on the contracting front, we assigned a time chart with KNOT for the Fortaleza Knudsen to begin in Q2 2026, which is for one year fixed, followed by two charter options, each of one year.
Speaker #2: Turning to slide 8 for a high-level summary of our current momentum, the shuttle tanker market has been tightening in both Brazil and the North Sea as well.
Speaker #2: In either case, driven by FPSO startups and ramp-ups. Certain of these projects were a long time coming, and it's been encouraging to see them up and running, driving shuttle tanker demand growth.
Speaker #2: We've extended our backlog as of September 30, 2025, to $963 million of fixed contracts averaging 2.6 years, and rather more if all options are exercised.
Derek Lowe: We've extended our backlog as of September 30, 2025, to $963 million of fixed contracts, averaging 2.6 years, and rather more if all options are exercised. At September 30, our fleet of 19 vessels had an average age of 10 years. We are continuing to repay debt at $95 million or more per year, which we think is prudent with a depreciating asset base. Our robust model has been validated by the four refinancings we've completed in the second half of 2025. Over slides 10 to 13, we provide the financials for Q3, for which the headlines are revenues of $96.3 million, operating income $30.7 million, net income $15.1 million, Adjusted EBITDA $61.6 million, and available liquidity at quarter end of $125.2 million, made up of $77.2 million in cash and cash equivalents, plus $48 million in undrawn capacity on our credit facilities.
Speaker #2: At September 30th, our fleet of 19 vessels had an average age of 10 years. We are continuing to repay debt at $95 million or more per year, which we think is prudent with a depreciating asset base.
Speaker #2: And our robust model has been validated by the four refinancings we've completed in the second half of 2025. Over slides 10 to 13, we provide the financials for Q3, for which the headlines are revenues of $96.3 million, operating income of $30.7 million, net income of $15.1 million, adjusted EBITDA of $61.6 million, and available liquidity at quarter end of $125.2 million, made up of $77.2 million in cash and cash equivalents, plus $48 million in undrawn capacity on our credit facilities.
Speaker #2: And that's $20 million higher than available liquidity at the end of Q2. On slide 14 is our debt maturity profile, which has been updated to reflect the refinancing since quarter-end of the Sonova Knudsen loan and the second revolving credit facility.
Derek Lowe: That's $20 million higher than Available Liquidity at the end of Q2. On slide 14 is our debt maturity profile, which has been updated to reflect the refinancing since quarter end of the Synnøve Knutsen loan and the second revolving credit facility. Notably, the average margin on our floating rate debt was 2.2% over SOFR. We're encouraged by our experience of the refinancing this year and the signal they provide for lenders' appetite to provide refinancing in future. Moving on to slide 16 and our charter portfolio, I've covered most of the updates here, but I believe that this is a very useful resource for investors looking to track primary movements, where change can occur in a highly stable portfolio of cash flows, in other words, when charters turn over and when there are drydocks that will cause off-hire and incurrence of Capex costs.
Speaker #2: Notably, the average margin on our floating rate debt was 2.2% over SOFR. We're encouraged by our experience of the refinancings this year and the signal they provide for lenders' appetite to provide refinancing in the future.
Speaker #2: Moving on to slide 16 and our charter portfolio, I've covered most of the updates here. But I believe that this is a very useful resource for investors looking to track the primary movements where change can occur in a highly stable portfolio of cash flows.
Speaker #2: In other words, when charters turn over and when there are dry docks that will cause off-fire and incurrence of CAPEX costs. Based on current charter rates, we believe the charter options are likely to be taken up given the strength of the charter market.
Derek Lowe: Based on current charter rates, we believe that charter options are likely to be taken up given the strength of the charter market. On slide 17, you can see our strong coverage through the coming quarters. Some charter options that market conditions suggest have a good likelihood of being exercised and a small amount of open time. In all, we have 93% of vessel time in 2026 covered by fixed contracts and 69% in 2027. If all relevant options are exercised, this rises to 98% in 2026 and 88% in 2027. On slide 18, you can see the dropdown inventory held at the sponsor. Dropdowns have been the route to growth in the fleet throughout the life of the partnership and other means of replenishing and rejuvenating the fleet, given the depreciation in our assets.
Speaker #2: On slide 17, you can see our strong coverage through the coming quarters. Some charters have options that market conditions suggest have a good likelihood of being exercised, and a small amount of open time.
Speaker #2: In all, we have 93% of vessel time in 2026 covered by fixed contracts, and 69% in 2027. If all relevant options are exercised, this rises to 98% in 2026 and 88% in 2027.
Speaker #2: On slide 18, you can see the dropdown inventory held at the sponsor. Dropdowns have been the route to growth in the fleet throughout the life of the partnership.
Speaker #2: And other means of replenishing and rejuvenating the fleet, given the depreciation in our assets. On slides 19 to 21, we include again some commentary from Petrobras with relevant highlights from the five-year plan they've just released for 2026 through 2030.
Derek Lowe: On slides 19 to 21, we include again some commentary from Petrobras with relevant highlights from the five-year plan they've just released for 2026 through to 2030. Overall volumes produced and anticipated project startup timelines in the pre-salt continue to be in line with or above prior expectations, while Capex on pre-salt projects comes down marginally. We believe that these materials from Petrobras provide a useful insight into the Brazilian offshore market, and we would encourage you to review the extensive materials that Petrobras have just published last week for the full picture. In short, though, from the shuttle tanker owner's perspective, there is a lot to like about what Petrobras is saying and, importantly, in what they're putting into action.
Speaker #2: Overall volumes produced and anticipated product startup timelines in the pre-sale continue to be in line with or above prior expectations, while CAPEX on pre-sale projects comes down marginally.
Speaker #2: We believe that these materials from Petrobras provide useful insight into the Brazilian offshore market. We encourage you to review the extensive materials that Petrobras published just last week for the full picture.
Speaker #2: In short, though, from the shuttle tanker owner's perspective, there is a lot to like about what Petrobras is saying and, importantly, in what they're putting into action.
Speaker #2: Crucially, it is this trackable and measurable activity, including numerous additional FPSOs that have already been funded but expect to come online in the years ahead, that gives us comfort that shuttle tanker demand should readily absorb the current order book.
Derek Lowe: Crucially, it is this trackable and measurable activity, including numerous additional FPSOs that have already been funded but expect to come online in the years ahead, that gives us comfort that shuttle tanker demand should readily absorb the current order book. Further, we believe that the current order book still trends towards a medium-term shortage of shuttle tankers when set against the forthcoming production. To summarize on slide 22, during Q3, we had strong utilization and financial results. We bought the Dakin Knutsen, refinanced two facilities, including a cash generation via sale and leaseback. We secured additional charter cover and paid the quarterly distribution. So far, during Q4, we've received the unsolicited and non-binding offer from our sponsor, KNOT. We've refinanced two further facilities.
Speaker #2: Further, we believe that the current order book still trends towards a medium-term shortage of shuttle tankers when set against the forthcoming production. To summarize on slide 22, during Q3, we had strong utilization and financial results.
Speaker #2: We bought the DAC in Knudsen. We financed two facilities, including a cash generation via sale and leaseback. We secured additional charter cover and paid the quarterly distribution.
Speaker #2: And so far during Q4, we've received an unsolicited and non-binding offer from our sponsor, KNOT. We've refinanced two further facilities, secured the next period of charter coverage for the Fortaleza Knudsen, and announced the annual meeting for December 15th, at which our board has nominated Ms. Pernilla Osenjo for election as an independent director.
Derek Lowe: We've secured the next period of charter coverage for the Fortaleza Knutsen, and we've announced the annual meeting for 15 December, at which our board has nominated Ms. Pernilla Osengo for election as independent director. With that, I'll hand the call back to Karina for any questions. Thank you.
Speaker #2: With that, I'll hand the call back to Carina for any questions. Thank you. We will now begin the question-and-answer session, which is open to equity research analysts.
Operator: Thank you. We will now begin the question and answer session, which is open to equity research analysts. If you would like to ask a question, please raise your hand now. If you have dialed into today's call, please press star nine to raise your hand and star six to unmute. Please stand by while we compile the Q&A roster. Your first question comes from the line of Poe Fratt from Alliance Global Partners. Your line is open. Please go ahead.
Speaker #2: If you would like to ask a question, please raise your hand now. If you have dialed in to today's call, please press star 9 to raise your hand.
Speaker #2: And star 6 to unmute. Please stand by while we compile the Q&A roster. Your first question comes from the line of Poe Fratt from Alliance Global Partners.
Speaker #2: Your line is open. Please go ahead.
Speaker #3: Good afternoon, Derek.
Poe Fratt: Good afternoon, Derek.
Derek Lowe: Hi.
Speaker #3: Just a couple of questions. Okay, one on the Fortaleza. Can you give me an appreciation for the potential rate change versus the current time charter with TransPetro when it moves over to Knot?
Poe Fratt: Just a couple of questions. One on the Fortaleza. Can you give me an appreciation for the potential rate change versus the current time charter with Transpetro when it moves over to KNOT?
Speaker #4: We don't comment on individual rates, I'm afraid; but I can say that we're certainly satisfied with the rate that we'll be getting.
Derek Lowe: We don't comment on individual rates, I'm afraid, but I can say that we're certainly satisfied with the rate that we'll be getting.
Speaker #3: Okay. Can I assume it's a higher rate then, or directionally, Derek?
Poe Fratt: Okay. Can I assume it's a higher rate than or directionally, Derek?
Speaker #4: Yeah, we don't go. We don't comment on particular rates. I mean, you'll appreciate the timing of when this new contract has been signed by comparison with when the previous one was signed some years ago.
Derek Lowe: Yeah, we don't comment on particular rates. I mean, you'll appreciate the timing of when this new contract has been signed by comparison with when the previous one was signed some years ago. Obviously, there'll be a change in market conditions between the two times.
Speaker #4: And obviously, there'll be a change in market conditions between the two.
Speaker #4: times. Okay.
Poe Fratt: Okay. And then looking at 26 for dry dockings, it looks like it's a pretty active year with at least what, probably four, potentially five dry docks?
Speaker #3: And then looking at 26 for dry dockings, it looks like it's a pretty active year with at least what probably four, potentially five dry docks?
Speaker #4: Yes, that's right.
Derek Lowe: Yes, that's right.
Speaker #3: Okay. And then you added the additional, I can't pronounce the name, but Dan Q. But G&A didn't go up at all. Is that something we should continue to look at, sort of the G&A at $1.6 million per quarter?
Poe Fratt: Okay. And then you added the additional. I can't pronounce the name, but Dakin Q. But G&A didn't go up at all. Is that something we should continue to look at, sort of the G&A at the $1.6 million per quarter range?
Speaker #3: Range? Yeah, we're not expecting that to change materially.
Derek Lowe: Yeah, we're not expecting that to change materially. I mean, if you're thinking that that ought to, or question whether that should have changed with acquisition of one vessel out of turning 18 into 19, we don't see any material increase in the administrative burdens of one vessel.
Speaker #4: I mean, if you're thinking that that ought to or questioning whether that should have changed with the acquisition of one vessel out of turning 18 into 19, we don't see any material increase in the administrative burdens of one vessel.
Speaker #3: Yep. Yeah,
Speaker #4: As seen in
Poe Fratt: Yep.
Derek Lowe: As seen in the G&A.
Speaker #4: the G&A.
Speaker #3: just wanted to double check. And then did I hear you correctly that, or did I hear you say that the buyback, the unit buyback program had
Poe Fratt: Yeah, just wanted to double-check. And then did I hear you correctly, or did I hear you say that the unit buyback program had concluded?
Speaker #3: concluded? That's right,
Derek Lowe: That's right, yeah.
Speaker #3: So, you've stopped at three instead of going to the full ten?
Poe Fratt: So you stopped at three instead of going to the full 10 million authorization?
Speaker #4: That's
Speaker #4: right, yeah. 10 million Yeah.
Speaker #3: Authorization? Okay. And then, that's it for me. Oh, Derek, I just have to ask. I know you said you couldn't comment on it, but can you at least give us a ballpark timeframe when you think this independent committee process of evaluating or potentially getting a definitive agreement in place?
Derek Lowe: Yeah.
Poe Fratt: Okay. And then, no, that's it for me. Oh, Derek, and I just have to ask. I know you said you couldn't comment it, but can you at least give us a ballpark timeframe when you think this independent committee process of evaluating or potentially getting a definitive agreement in place? What a ballpark timeframe for that would be?
Speaker #3: What would a ballpark timeframe for that be?
Speaker #4: Yeah. I'm afraid all the information that's currently available is what's been announced already on the 3rd of November. That was a press release from the partnership and the 13D filing from KNOT.
Derek Lowe: Yeah. I'm afraid all the information that's currently available is what's been announced already on 3 November. And that was a press release from the partnership and a 13D filing from KNOT. But beyond those, there's nothing further that we can provide by way of comment, I'm afraid.
Speaker #4: But beyond those, there's nothing further that we can provide by way of comment.
Speaker #4: I'm afraid. Yep.
Speaker #3: Okay, but just mechanically, just so we all understand what the process is: you'll get a definitive agreement, then you'll have to put a proxy out, and then you'll have a shareholder vote or a unitholder vote at some point in time.
Poe Fratt: Yep. Okay. But just mechanically, just so we all understand what the process is, you'll get a definitive agreement, then you'll have to put a proxy out, and then you'll have a shareholder vote or a unit holder vote at some point in time. So it really looks more realistically, at least in my mind, that this would be a Q1 event at the earliest.
Speaker #3: So it really looks more realistically, at least in my mind, that this would be a first-quarter event at the
Speaker #3: earliest. Yeah.
Speaker #4: I mean, that's in the process that the conflicts committee is going through now. So it's for them to develop with their advisors and, obviously, in discussion with KNOT in due course.
Derek Lowe: Yeah. I mean, that's in the process that the Conflicts Committee is going through now. So it's for them to develop with their advisors and obviously in discussion with in response to KNOT in due course.
Speaker #3: Great. Thank you.
Poe Fratt: Great. Thank you.
Speaker #4: Thanks,
Derek Lowe: Thanks, Po.
Speaker #2: As a kind reminder, if you would like to ask a question, please raise your hand now using the raise hand feature. If you have dialed in to today's call, please press star 9 to raise your hand.
Operator: As a kind reminder, if you would like to ask a question, please raise your hand now using the raise hand feature. If you have dialed into today's call, please press star nine to raise your hand and star six to unmute. It appears we have no further questions in queue. I will hand the call back to Derek Lowe for closing remarks.
Speaker #2: And star 6 to unmute. It appears we have no further questions in Q. I will hand the call back to Derek Lowe for closing.
Speaker #2: Remarks. Thank you again for joining.
Derek Lowe: Thank you again for joining this earnings call for KNOT Offshore Partners Q3 2025. I look forward to speaking with you following the Q4 results, and I encourage you to provide your proxy vote into the annual meeting within the next few days. Thank you.
Speaker #4: This earnings call for KNOT Offshore Partners' third quarter in 2025. I look forward to speaking with you following the fourth quarter results. I encourage you to provide your proxy vote for the annual meeting within the next few days.
Speaker #4: Thank you.
Operator: This now concludes today's call. Thank you for attending. You may now disconnect.