Q1 2026 Danaos Corp Earnings Call

May 12, 2026

Speaker #1: Good day and welcome to Danaos Corporation Conference Call to discuss the financial result for the 3-month ended March 31, 2026. As a reminder, today's call is being recorded.

Operator: Good day, welcome to Danaos Corporation conference call to discuss the financial result for the three months ended 31 March 2026. As a reminder, today's call is being recorded. Hosting the call today is Dr. John Coustas, Chief Executive Officer of Danaos Corporation, and Mr. Evangelos Chatzis, Chief Financial Officer of Danaos Corporation. Dr. Coustas and Mr. Chatzis will be making some introductory comments, and we will be open the call for question and answer session.

Speaker #1: Hosting the call today is Dr. John Coustas, Chief Executive Officer of Danaos Corporation, and Mr. Ivan Golos, Head CEO, Chief Financial Officer of Danaos Corporation.

Speaker #1: Dr. Coustas and Mr. Head CEO will be making some introductory comments and we will be open the call for questions and answers session.

Speaker #2: Thank you, Operator. Good morning, everyone. And thank you for joining us today. Before we begin, I quickly want to remind everyone that management remarks this morning may contain certain forward-looking statements and that actual results could differ materially from those projected today.

Evangelos Chatzis: Thank you, operator. Good morning, everyone, and thank you for joining us today. Before we begin, I quickly want to remind everyone that management remarks this morning may contain certain forward-looking statements and that actual results could differ materially from those projected today. These forward-looking statements are made as of today, and we undertake no obligation to update them. Factors that might affect future results are discussed in our filings with the SEC, and we encourage you to review these detailed safe harbor and risk factor disclosures. Please also note that where we feel appropriate, we will continue to refer to non-GAAP financial measures such as EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA, adjusted net income, time charter equivalent revenues, and time charter equivalent dollars per day to evaluate our business. The reconciliations of non-GAAP financial measures to GAAP financial measures are included in our earnings release and accompanying materials.

Speaker #2: These forward-looking statements are made as of today and we undertake no obligation to update them. Factors that might affect future results are discussed in our filings with the SEC and we encourage you to review these detailed safe harbor and risk factor disclosures.

Speaker #2: Please also note that where we feel appropriate, we will continue to refer to non-GAAP financial measures such as EBITDA, attracted EBITDA, adjusted net income, time charter equivalent revenues, and time charter equivalent dollars per day to evaluate our business.

Speaker #2: Reconciliations of non-GAAP financial measures to GAAP financial measures are included in our earnings release and accompanying materials. With that, let me now turn over the call to Dr. John Coustas who will provide the broad overview of the quarter.

Evangelos Chatzis: With that, let me now turn over the call to Dr. John Coustas, who will provide the broad overview of the quarter. John.

Speaker #2: John, thank you, Evangelos. Good morning and thank you all for joining today's call to discuss our results for the first quarter of 2026. This quarter was shaped by the unprecedented events in the Gulf and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

John Coustas: Thank you, Evangelos. Good morning, and thank you all for joining today's call to discuss our results for Q1 2026. This quarter was shaped by the unprecedented events in the Gulf and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a situation that is still unfolding, but which we hope will be resolved in the coming weeks. The disruption has primarily benefited the tanker sector, where rates spiked sharply before quickly normalizing. In the container sector, the disruption helped stabilize and lift certain box rates. However, it did not have a significant effect. Two of our vessels currently remain in the Gulf, but this does not affect our earnings as both vessels continue to be on charter. The dry bulk market has improved considerably and continues to strengthen.

Speaker #2: The situation that is still unfolding but which we hope will be resolved in the coming weeks. The disruption has primarily benefited the tanker sector where rates spiked sharply before quickly normalizing.

Speaker #2: In the container sector, the disruption helped stabilize and lift certain box rates; however, it did not have a significant effect. Two of our vessels currently remain in the Gulf, but this does not affect our earnings as both vessels continue to be on charter.

Speaker #2: The dry bulk market has improved considerably and continues to strengthen. Our optimistic outlook for this market prompted us to expand our order book to four Newcastle maxes for 2028 delivery.

John Coustas: Our optimistic outlook for this market prompted us to expand our order book to 4 Newcastlemaxes for 2028 delivery. We also ordered 2 5,000 TEU container ships for 2027 delivery, both of which are backed by 3-year charters. Together with charter arrangements for our existing fleet, these additions position us with a pro forma fleet of 104 container ships and 15 Capesize and Newcastlemax vessels with a $1.4 billion contracted revenue backlog. Combined with $1.3 billion of liquidity, this positions us to continue pursuing accretive opportunities as they arise. Resolution of the conflicts in the Gulf and Ukraine should bring meaningful stability for years to come, absent new initiatives by the major global powers.

John Coustas: Our optimistic outlook for this market prompted us to expand our order book to four Newcastlemaxes for 2028 delivery. We also ordered two 5,000 TEU container ships for 2027 delivery, both of which are backed by 3-year charters. Together with charter arrangements for our existing fleet, these additions position us with a pro forma fleet of 104 container ships and 15 Capesize and Newcastlemax vessels with a $1.4 billion contracted revenue backlog. Combined with $1.3 billion of liquidity, this positions us to continue pursuing accretive opportunities as they arise. Resolution of the conflicts in the Gulf and Ukraine should bring meaningful stability for years to come, absent new initiatives by the major global powers.

Speaker #2: We also ordered two 5,000 EU container ships for 2027 delivery both of which are backed by three-year charters. Together with charter arrangements for our existing fleet, these additions position us with a pro forma fleet of 104 container ships and 15 cape-sized and Newcastle max vessels with a 4.1 billion contracted revenue backlog.

Speaker #2: Combined with 1.3 billion of liquidity, this positions us to continue pursuing accretive opportunities as they arise. Resolution of the conflicts in the Gulf and Ukraine should bring meaningful stability for years to come.

Speaker #2: Absent new initiatives by the major global powers. Last year's developments demonstrated that globalization remains resilient and that protectionism is likely to be the exception rather than the rule going forward.

John Coustas: Last year's developments demonstrated that globalization remains resilient and that protectionism is likely to be the exception rather than the rule going forward. Trade is becoming increasingly multilateral, which benefits the mid-size containership segment in which we are actively investing. Together with a disciplined expansion strategy, we believe these dynamics will continue to drive improved profitability and create value for our shareholders. With that, I hand over the call back to Evangelos, who will take you through the financials for the quarter. Evangelos.

Speaker #2: Trade is becoming increasingly multilateral which benefits the mid-sized container ship segment in which we are actively investing. Together with a disciplined expansion strategy, we believe this dynamics will continue to drive improved profitability and create value for our shareholders.

Speaker #2: With that, I hand over the call back to Evangelos who will take you through the financials for the quarter. Evangelos, thank you, John, and good morning again to everyone.

Evangelos Chatzis: Thank you, John. Good morning again to everyone. I will briefly review the results for the quarter and then open the call to Q&A. We are reporting adjusted EPS for this quarter of $6.72 per share or adjusted net income of a hundred and twenty-two and a half million, compared to adjusted EPS of $6.04 per share or adjusted net income of $113.4 million for the corresponding Q1 of 2025.

Speaker #2: I will briefly review the results for the quarter and then open the call to Q&A. We are reporting adjusted EPS for this quarter of $6.72 per share or adjusted net income of $122.5 million compared to adjusted EPS of $6.04 per share or adjusted net income of $113.4 million for the corresponding first quarter of 2025.

Speaker #2: This 9.1 million increase in adjusted net income between the two quarters is the combined result of a 0.4 million increase in operating revenues, a 4.4 million improvement in total operating expenses, a 2.4 million improvement in net finance expenses, combined with a $2 million increase in dividend income partially offset by a 0.1 million increase in loss on equity investments.

Evangelos Chatzis: This $9.1 million increase in adjusted net income between the two quarters is the combined result of a $0.4 million increase in operating revenues, a $4.4 million improvement in total operating expenses, a $2.4 million improvement in net finance expenses, combined with a $2 million increase in dividend income, partially offset by a $0.1 million increase in loss on equity investments. Operating revenues of our containership fleet decreased by $6.6 million as a result of a $6.9 million decrease in revenues due to lower contracted charter rates and a $7.2 million decrease due to lower non-cash US GAAP revenue recognition accounting.

Speaker #2: Operating revenues of our container ship fleet decreased by 6.6 million as a result of a 6.9 million decrease in revenues due to lower contracted charter rates and a 7.2 million decrease due to lower non-cash US GAAP revenue recognition accounting.

Speaker #2: And these were partially offset by a 3.9 million increase in revenues as a result of new building container ship vessel additions and 3.6 million of incremental revenues as a result of improved container fleet utilization between the two quarters.

Evangelos Chatzis: These were partially offset by a 3.9 million increase in revenues as a result of new building containership vessel additions and 3.6 million of incremental revenues as a result of improved container fleet utilization between the two quarters. Operating revenues of our dry bulk fleet that is deployed in the spot market increased by $7 million, primarily due to a significant improvement in time charter equivalent earnings that averaged $24,825 per day during this quarter, compared to $10,500 approximately per day for Q1 2025. Vessel operating expenses dropped by 1.7 million to 50 million in the current quarter from 51.7 million in Q1 2025, despite the increase in the average number of vessels in our fleet.

Speaker #2: Operating revenues of our dry bulk fleet that is deployed in the spot market increased by $7 million, primarily due to a significant improvement in time charter equivalent earnings that averaged $24,825 per day during this quarter, compared to approximately $10,500 per day for the first quarter of 2025.

Speaker #2: Vessel operating expenses dropped by 1.7 million to $50 million in the current quarter from $51.7 million in the first quarter of 2025 despite the increase in the average number of vessels in our fleet.

Speaker #2: This improvement was mainly driven by lower repairs and maintenance expenses, with our daily operating costs declining to $6,680 per vessel per day for this quarter compared to $7,028 per vessel per day in the first quarter of 2025.

Evangelos Chatzis: This improvement was mainly driven by lower repairs and maintenance expenses, with our daily operating cost declining to $6,680 per vessel per day for this quarter, compared to $7,028 per vessel per day in Q1 2025. Our operating costs continue to remain among the most competitive in the industry. G&A expenses increased by $2.4 million to $14.6 million in the current quarter, compared to $12.2 million in the corresponding Q1 2025. This is mainly attributable to $1.3 million in higher management fees driven by the increase in the average number of vessels in our fleet, as well as a $1.1 million increase in corporate G&A.

Speaker #2: Our operating costs continue to remain among the most competitive in the industry. GNA expenses increased by 2.4 million to $14.6 million in the current quarter compared to $12.2 million in the corresponding first quarter of 2025.

Speaker #2: This is mainly attributable to $1.3 million in higher management fees driven by the increase in the average number of vessels in our fleet, as well as a $1.1 million increase in corporate G&A.

Speaker #2: Interest expense excluding finance costs and debt finance costs amortization increased by 1.7 million to $10.9 million in the current quarter compared to $9.2 million in the first quarter of last year.

Evangelos Chatzis: Interest expense, excluding finance costs and debt, finance cost amortization increased by $1.7 million to $10.9 million in the current quarter, compared to $9.2 million in Q1 of last year. This increase is a combined result of a four and a half million increase in interest expense due to higher average indebtedness between the two periods by $330 million, and that was partially offset by a reduction in the cost of debt service by approximately 50 basis points, mainly as a result of reduced SOFR rates. We also have a $2.8 million reduction in interest expense due to higher capitalized interest on vessels under construction between the two periods.

Speaker #2: This increase is a combined result of a $4.5 million increase in interest expense due to higher average indebtedness between the two periods by $330 million, which was partially offset by a reduction in the cost of debt service by approximately 50 basis points, mainly as a result of reduced SOFR rates.

Speaker #2: We also had a $2.8 million reduction in interest expense due to higher capitalized interest on vessels under construction between the two periods. At the same time, interest income came in at $7.6 million versus $3.6 million in the corresponding first quarter of 2025, mainly due to higher average cash balances.

Evangelos Chatzis: At the same time, interest income came in at $7.6 million versus $3.6 million in the corresponding Q1 of 2025, mainly due to higher average cash balances. Adjusted EBITDA increased by 5.2% or by $8.9 million to $180.6 million in the current quarter from $171.7 million in the Q1 of 2025 for the reasons that have already been outlined earlier on this call. We also encourage you to review our updated investor presentation that is posted on our website, as well as all subsequent events disclosures. Since the date of our last earnings release, we have added $120 million to our contracted revenue backlog.

Speaker #2: Adjusted EBITDA increased by 5.2% or by 8.9 million to $180.6 million in the current quarter from $171.7 million in the first quarter of 2025 for the reasons that have already been outlined earlier on this call.

Speaker #2: We also encourage you to review our updated investor presentation that is posted on our website as well as all subsequent events disclosures. Since the date of our last earnings release, we have added $120 million to our contracted revenue backlog.

Speaker #2: As a result, our contract revenue backlog for our container ship fleet now stands at $4.1 billion, with a 4.2-year average charter duration. Contract coverage stands at 100% for the remainder of this year, 88% for 2027, and 65% for 2028.

Evangelos Chatzis: As a result, our contract revenue backlog for our containership fleet now stands at $4.1 billion, with a 4.2 year average charter duration. Contract coverage stands at 100% for this year, for the remainder of this year, 88% for 2027, and 65% for 2028.

Speaker #2: Our investor presentation has analytical disclosure on our contracted charter book. As of March 31, 2026, our net debt stood at $170 million that translates to a net debt to adjusted EBITDA ratio of 0.2 times while 67 out of our 86 vessels are unencumbered and debt-free while an extra 12 unencumbered vessels that secure our evolving credit facility are also debt-free.

Evangelos Chatzis: Our investor presentation has analytical disclosure on our contracted charter book. As of 31 March 2026, our net debt stood at $170 million. That translates to a net debt to adjusted EBITDA ratio of 0.2 times. While 67 out of our 86 vessels are unencumbered and debt-free, while an extra 12 unencumbered vessels that secure our revolving credit facility are also debt-free. We have declared a dividend of $0.09 per share for this quarter, and we currently have $65 million remaining authority to repurchase stock under our $300 million share repurchase program. Finally, as of the end of Q1 2026, cash stood at $0.9 billion, while total liquidity, including availability under our revolving credit facility and marketable securities, stood at $1.3 billion, giving us ample flexibility to pursue accretive capital deployment opportunities.

Speaker #2: We have declared a dividend of 90 cents per share for this quarter and we currently have $65 million remaining authority to repurchase stock under our $300 million share repurchase program.

Speaker #2: Finally, as at the end of the first quarter of 2026, cash stood at 0.9 billion while total liquidity including availability under our evolving credit facility and marketable securities stood at 1.3 billion giving us ample flexibility to pursue accretive capital deployment opportunities.

Speaker #2: With that, I would like to thank you for listening to this first part of our call. Operator, we are now ready to open the call to Q&A.

Evangelos Chatzis: With that, I would like to thank you for listening to this first part of our call. Operator, we are now ready to open the call to Q&A.

Speaker #1: Thank you. We will now begin the question and answer session. To ask a question, you may press star and one on your touch-tone phone.

Operator: Thank you. We will now begin the question-and-answer session. To ask a question, you may press star 1 on your touch tone phone. If you're using a speakerphone, please pick up your handset before pressing the keys. If at any time your question has been addressed and you would like to withdraw your question, please press star 2. At this time, we will pause momentarily to assemble our roster. Our first question comes from Omar Nokta with Jefferies. Please go ahead.

Speaker #1: If you're using a speakerphone, please pick up your handset before pressing the keys. If at any time your question has been addressed, and you would like to withdraw your question, please press star and two.

Speaker #1: At this time, we will pause momentarily to assemble our roster. Our first question comes from Omar Nokta with Clarkson. Please go ahead.

Speaker #2: Thank you. Hi, John and Evangelos. Good afternoon. I have a couple of things I'm—

Omar Nokta: Thank you. Hi, John and Evangelos. Good afternoon.

John Coustas: Hi

John Coustas: -a couple of things I'm-

Speaker #3: Hi. Welcome back.

John Coustas: Welcome back.

Speaker #2: Thank you, sir. Thank you. Just a couple of things on my side. from here. Your last couple of investments outside of your core focus seem to be in LNG both in the stake in Yoda you're also invested in the Alaska LNG project earlier this year.

Omar Nokta: Thank you, sir. Thank you. Just a couple of things on my side. Just wanted to ask about investments from here. Your last couple of investments outside of your core focus, seem to be in LNG, both in, you know, the stake in Yoda. You also invested in the Alaska LNG project earlier this year. Is this a concerted effort on your part to get a bit deeper into LNG? Should we be expecting more of this type of investment going forward?

Speaker #2: Is this a concerted effort on your part to get a bit deeper into LNG? Shouldn't be expecting more of this type of investment going forward?

Speaker #3: Yes. I think the in general, the energy sector is, let's say, our next point of focus. And as we see geopolitically, there are a lot of changes in that area.

John Coustas: Yes. I think the in general, the energy sector is, let's say, our next point of focus. As we see geopolitically, there are a lot of changes in that area. We are following it very closely, and we try to address it from every angle, both from the angle of transportation and also from the angle of LNG production itself, which is going to give us an access to the transportation as well.

Speaker #3: So we are following it very closely and we try to address it from every angle both from the angle of transportation and also from the angle of LNG production itself which is going to give us an access to the transportation as well.

Speaker #2: Okay. Okay. Got it. That's helpful. Thank you. And then just maybe in terms of what we're seeing in the container shipping market, your revenue backlog is at 4.1 billion which is obviously very strong historically.

Omar Nokta: Okay. Got it. Well, that's helpful. Thank you. Just maybe in terms of what we're seeing in the container shipping market, your revenue backlog is at $4.1 billion, which is obviously, you know, very strong historically. It is a little bit down from where you were last quarter, which I think was $4.3. In general, you know, it looks like backlog additions maybe have been a bit leaner this, you know, these past couple of months, even though we are seeing indexes for, you know, the time charter indexes being at all-time highs or near all-time highs. What are you seeing kind of at the moment or in terms of liner interest for more charter coverage from here?

Speaker #2: It is a little bit down from where you were last quarter which I think was 4.3. In general, it looks like backlog additions maybe have been a bit leaner these past couple of months even though we are seeing indexes for the time charter index is being at all-time highs or near all-time highs what are you seeing kind of at the moment in terms of liner interest for more charter coverage from here?

John Coustas: You know, from what you see from the profile, practically all 2026 and 2027 are almost fixed. We have very, very little, you know, going forward. Now, also for liner companies to start discussing from now about, you know, 2028, let's say, ships might be a bit premature, especially for second-hand. You know, I don't think really it signifies anything else apart from that we have been really fixing quite a lot in this period of time, and it's just circumstantial.

Speaker #3: From what you see from the profile, practically all '26 and '27 are almost fixed. We have very, very little going forward. Now, also for liner companies, to start discussing from now about 2028, let's say, ships might be a bit premature.

Speaker #3: Especially for second-hand. So I don't think really it signifies anything else apart from that we have been really fixing quite a lot in this period of time.

Speaker #3: And it's just circumstantial.

Speaker #2: Okay. That certainly makes sense. Just not a nothing's available to be booked in the next several quarters. Okay. And maybe just one final one.

Omar Nokta: Okay. Yeah, that certainly makes sense. Yeah, just nothing's available to be booked in the next several quarters. Okay. Maybe just one final one. You know, thoughts on the share buyback. You've obviously historically been quite, you know, active on that front. You bought a bit during Q1, not at the same pace we've seen at least in Q4. I guess that sort of makes sense given the shares have really been hitting, you know, 52-week highs seemingly every week. How are you thinking about the buyback from here, I guess, in the context of maybe two things? One, you know, the shares are obviously at their highs. How do you think about the buyback from that perspective?

Speaker #2: Thoughts on the share buyback? You've obviously historically been quite active on that front. You bought a bit during the first quarter not at the same pace we've seen at least in the fourth quarter.

Speaker #2: And I guess that sort of makes sense given the shares have really been hitting 52-week highs seemingly every week. How are you thinking about the buyback from here?

Speaker #2: I guess in the context of maybe two things. One, the shares are obviously at their highs. How do you think about the buyback from that perspective?

Speaker #2: But then also from the perspective of asset value on NAV basis it's discounted and then perhaps on a free cash flow yield the yield is quite high.

Omar Nokta: Also from the perspective of, you know, asset value, on an NAV basis, it's discounted. Perhaps on a free cash flow yield, the yield is quite high. How are you thinking about those two things, with respect to the buyback?

Speaker #2: So how are you thinking about those two things with respect to the buyback?

Speaker #3: Well, we still have the authority for another 65 million. We are keeping closely. I mean, the stock has done a terrific run in the last few months.

John Coustas: Well, you know, we still have the authority for another.

John Coustas: Sixty-five

Evangelos Chatzis: Sixty-five

John Coustas: $65 million. We are keeping closely. I mean, the stock has done a terrific run, you know, in the last, you know, few months. We are at a kind of a all-time high. You know, although, you know, we still believe that, you know, it's the stock is deeply undervalued, we are kind of more cautious into, you know, continuing, you know, during this hype to continue the buyback.

Speaker #3: We are at kind of all-time high. And so although we still believe that it's the stock is deeply undervalued we are kind of more cautious into continuing during this hype to continue the buyback.

Speaker #2: Okay. That's fair. Cool. Well, thank you for that color, John. Thanks, Evangelos. I'll pass it back.

Omar Nokta: Okay. That's fair. Cool. Well, thank you for that color, John. Thanks, Evangelos. I'll pass it back.

Speaker #3: Thank you.

John Coustas: Thank you.

Speaker #1: Thank you. Our next question comes from Clement Mollins with Value Investor. Please go ahead.

Operator: Thank you. Our next question come from Climent Molins with Value Investor. Please go ahead.

Speaker #4: Hi, good afternoon, and thank you for taking my questions. Omar has already covered a lot of ground, but I wanted to ask about the utilization on the Cape Sea side of the fleet.

Climent Molins: Hi, good afternoon. Thank you for taking my questions. Omar has already covered a lot of ground. I wanted to ask about the utilization on the Capesize side of the fleet. Could you talk a bit about the drivers behind the significant schedule of hire for the quarter? Was it mostly dry dockings? Secondly, could you remind us about the dry docking schedule on this side of the fleet for the remainder of the year?

Speaker #4: Could you talk a bit about the drivers behind the significant schedule to hire for the quarter? Was it mostly dry dockings? And secondly, could you remind us about the dry docking schedule on this side of the fleet for the remainder of the year?

Speaker #3: Yes. It was two vessels that went to dry dock in Q1. And I don't have it offhand but I don't think we have any more scheduled vessels on the dry side to the shipyard for the remainder of this year.

Evangelos Chatzis: Yes. It was 2 vessels that went to dry dock in Q1. I don't have it offhand, but I don't think we have any more scheduled vessels on the dry side to head to the shipyard for the remainder of this year.

Speaker #4: Okay. That's helpful. And all the off-hire days were attributable to these two vessels?

Climent Molins: Okay, that's helpful. All the off-hire days were attributable to these two vessels?

Speaker #3: Sorry. Say again?

Evangelos Chatzis: Sorry, say again.

Speaker #4: I was asking if all the off-hire days in Q1 were attributable to the dry dockings you conducted?

Climent Molins: I was asking if all the off-hire days in Q1 were attributable to the dry docking you conducted?

Speaker #3: Yes. Correct.

Evangelos Chatzis: Yes. Correct.

Speaker #4: Okay, okay. That's very helpful, thank you. I'll turn it over. Thank you for taking my questions.

Climent Molins: Okay. Okay. That's very helpful. Thank you. I'll turn it over. Thank you for taking my questions.

Speaker #1: Thank you. Oedipus, we have no further question at this time. I would like to turn the call back over to Dr. Coustas for any further comments or closing remarks.

Operator: Thank you. It appears we have no further question at this time. I would like to turn the call back over to Dr. Coustas for any further comments or closing remarks.

Speaker #3: Thank you all for joining this conference call and your continued interest in our story. Look forward to hosting you on our next earnings call.

John Coustas: Thank you all for joining this conference call and your continued interest in our story. Look forward to hosting you on our next earnings call. Have a nice day.

Speaker #3: Have a nice day.

Operator: Thank you. The conference has now concluded. Thank you for attending today's presentation. You may now disconnect.