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Published: 2021-03-09 09:23:15 ET
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EX-99.1 2 d8822202_ex99-1.htm
Exhibit 99.1

Investor and Media Contacts:
The IGB Group
Bryan Degnan
646-673-9701
or
Leon Berman
212-477-8438


Global Ship Lease Reports Results for the Fourth Quarter of 2020

LONDON, ENGLAND — March 4, 2021 - Global Ship Lease, Inc. (NYSE:GSL) (the “Company,” “Global Ship Lease” or “GSL”), a containership charter owner, announced today its unaudited results for the three months and year ended December 31, 2020.
Full Year 2020 and Year To Date 2021 Highlights
- Reported operating revenue of $70.0 million for the fourth quarter 2020. Operating revenue for the year ended December 31, 2020 was $282.8 million.
- Reported net income available to common shareholders of $10.8 million for the fourth quarter 2020 after $0.5 million premium paid on the redemption in December 2020 of $28.0 million of our 9.875% Senior Secured Notes due 2022 (“2022 Notes”), giving normalized net income(3) of $11.3 million. For the year ended December 31, 2020, net income available to common shareholders was $37.6 million, after a non-cash impairment charge of $8.5 million, $0.2 million loss on sale of two ships and $2.8 million premium paid on the redemption in February 2020 of $46.0 million and in December 2020 of $28.0 million of our 2022 Notes, giving normalized net income(3) of $49.1 million.
- Generated $38.8 million of Adjusted EBITDA(3) for the fourth quarter 2020. Adjusted EBITDA for the year ended December 31, 2020 was $161.7 million.
- During the fourth quarter of 2020, raised a further $11.9 million net proceeds under our ATM program for our 8.75% Series B Preferred Shares (“Series B Preferred Shares”), for total net proceeds in 2020 of $18.7 million. During the period from January 1, 2021 through March 3, 2021, a further $6.5 million net proceeds was raised under the ATM program for Series B Preferred Shares.
- During the fourth quarter of 2020, raised a further $0.8 million net proceeds under our ATM program for our 8.00% Senior Unsecured Notes due 2024 (“2024 Notes”) for total net proceeds in 2020 of $19.7 million. During the period from January 1, 2021 through March 3, 2021, a further $12.9 million net proceeds was raised under the ATM program for the 2024 Notes.
- On January 7, 2021, entered into a new $236.2 million senior secured loan facility with Hayfin Capital Management, LLP (the “New Hayfin Facility”), which was fully drawn on January 19, 2021.  The proceeds, together with cash on hand, were used to complete on January 20, 2021 the full optional redemption of our outstanding 2022 Notes.
- On January 12, 2021, announced that our Board of Directors approved the initiation of a quarterly cash dividend of $0.12 per Class A common share, with effect from the first quarter of 2021.
- On January 12, 2021, Moody’s upgraded our Corporate Family Rating and the issue rating of our 2022 Notes to B2 / Positive from B3 / Positive. On December 9, 2020, S&P upgraded the issue rating of our 2022 Notes to BB- from B+.
- On January 20, 2021, upon the redemption in full of our 2022 Notes, the 250,000 Series C Perpetual Convertible Preferred Shares held by KEP VI (Newco Marine) Ltd. and KIA VIII (Newco Marine) Ltd., both affiliates of Kelso & Company, a U.S. private equity firm, were converted into 12,955,188 of our Class A common shares.
Page 1


- On January 26, 2021, closed our fully underwritten public offering of 5,400,000 Class A common shares, at a public offering price of $13.00 per share, for gross proceeds of approximately $70.2 million. The underwriters exercised, in part, their 30-day option to purchase on February 17, 2021 an additional 141,959 Class A common shares (together, the “January 2021 Equity Offering”). The aggregate net proceeds, after underwriting discounts and commissions and expenses, were approximately $67.8 million.
- On February 9, 2021, announced that we had agreed to purchase from and charter back to Maersk Line, seven 6,000 TEU Post-Panamax containerships with an average age of approximately 20 years for an aggregate purchase price of $116.0 million. On completion of short charters on two of these vessels, all seven ships will be chartered to Maersk Line for a minimum firm period of 36 months each, followed by two one-year extensions at charterer’s option. The vessels are expected to generate aggregate Adjusted EBITDA of approximately $95.0 million over the average firm period of 3.1 years.  If all options are exercised, the vessels are expected to generate approximately $126.0 million of Adjusted EBITDA. The vessels are scheduled for phased delivery during the second and third quarters of 2021.
- Since October 1, 2020, agreed twelve charter extensions and new charters for our existing fleet, adding approximately $198.3 million of contracted revenues and $138.6 million of expected aggregate Adjusted EBITDA. The charters were for four 2,200 – 2,800 TEU feeder ships, four 5,100 TEU Panamaxes, three 5,900 – 6,800 TEU Post-Panamaxes, and one of our Eco-9,000s. Charter durations ranged from approximately 10 months to over three years, with shorter durations for the smaller ships and longer for the larger ships. Rates were up significantly against previous open market fixtures. Since July 1, 2020, when the market began to rebound, and excluding the seven vessels we have contracted to purchase, we have agreed a total of 22 new charters or extensions and added approximately $264.5 million of contracted revenues and $176.8 million of expected aggregate Adjusted EBITDA. 
George Youroukos, Executive Chairman of Global Ship Lease, stated, “Through the second half of 2020 and into early 2021, Global Ship Lease has taken decisive action in a uniquely strong market in ways that will benefit the Company for years to come. As our liner operator customers have increasingly found themselves short of containership capacity in the rapid rebound of demand, severe port congestion particularly on the US West Coast and in China, and the already tight vessel supply that preceded the onset of COVID-19, we have been able to secure and extend charters across our fleet of low slot cost, high reefer capacity, fuel efficient containerships at rates and durations well beyond what has been available in recent years.”
“On the back of these dramatic chartering successes, and supplemented by our deleveraging efforts, and game-changing capacity discipline by the liner companies, we were able to achieve the major goal of refinancing our 2022 Notes on dramatically improved terms. Eliminating the restrictive covenants that had previously limited our ability to pursue the full range of attractive market opportunities or to share the proceeds of those efforts with our shareholders, we moved quickly to initiate a sustainable quarterly dividend of $0.12 for our Class A Common Shares and announced an agreement to add a further seven vessels to our fleet in a transaction that will be immediately accretive, with strong downside protection and adding approximately $19 million to annual net income, based on today’s LIBOR, representing an increase of nearly 40% compared to normalized net income for the year ended December 31, 2020.”
“As we now move through a period of the year that typically sees the most pronounced seasonal weakness in our industry, we continue to see a highly supportive environment.  This is driven by both a sustained high level of containership demand and a restricted near term supply of ships, reinforced for the mid term by a negligible orderbook for mid-sized and smaller vessels, constrained in part by uncertainty over future fuel and propulsion technologies.  These factors point to highly supportive supply side fundamentals through the medium term. With an improved financial foundation, a highly in-demand fleet, and substantial momentum in unlocking value for our shareholders, we believe that GSL is well placed to continue executing our accretive growth strategy and taking full opportunity of the attractive opportunities ahead of us.”
Ian Webber, Chief Executive Officer of Global Ship Lease, commented, “The successful refinancing of our 2022 Notes earlier in 2021 is yet another step to further strengthen our balance sheet and is also a highly significant unlocking event in and of itself. By extending maturity from 2022 to 2026, eliminating incurrence covenants, and reducing annual cash debt service by up to $15 million, the refinancing provides us with a materially enhanced free cashflow profile and the flexibility to allocate that cashflow in a way that best creates long-term value for our shareholders. Following our initiation of a dividend on our Class A common shares and a successful equity offering that facilitates our ability to pursue further accretive growth, we are as financially strong as we have been at any point in our history.”
Page 2


SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA – UNAUDITED
(thousands of U.S. dollars)
   
Three
months ended
   
Three
months ended
   
Year
ended
   
Year
ended
 
   
December 31, 2020
   
December 31, 2019
   
December 31, 2020
   
December 31, 2019
 
                         
Operating Revenue (1)
   
69,970
     
67,554
     
282,813
     
261,102
 
Operating Income
   
25,846
     
27,345
     
104,758
     
111,567
 
Net Income (2)
   
10,752
     
7,961
     
37,568
     
36,757
 
Adjusted EBITDA (3)
   
38,769
     
37,734
     
161,729
     
156,956
 
Normalized Net Income (3)
   
11,312
     
8,307
     
49,140
     
37,103
 
                                 

(1) Operating Revenue is net of address commissions which represents a discount provided directly to a charterer based on a fixed percentage of the agreed upon charter rate. Brokerage commissions are included in “Time charter and voyage expenses”.
(2) Net Income available to common shareholders.
(3) Adjusted EBITDA and Normalized Net Income are non-U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“U.S. GAAP”) financial measures, as explained further in this press release, and are considered by Global Ship Lease to be a useful measure of its performance. For reconciliations of these non-U.S. GAAP financial measure to net income, the most directly comparable U.S. GAAP financial measure, please see “Reconciliation of Non-U.S. GAAP Financial Measures” below.

Revenue and Utilization
Revenue from fixed-rate, mainly long-term, time-charters was $70.0 million in the three months ended December 31, 2020, up $2.4 million (or 3.6%) on revenue of $67.6 million for the fourth quarter of 2019. The increase is principally due to a 10.7% increase in operating days from the addition of five vessels since October 1, 2019, together with increased revenue on renewals at higher rates from MSC Qingdao, Orca, Agios Dimitrios and MSC Tianjin partially offset by decreases in revenue on renewals at lower rates from GSL Chateau d’If, CMA CGM Alcazar, Anthea Y, Maira, Nicolas and Maira XL. There were 3,956 ownership days in the quarter, an increase of 4.0% on 3,804 in the fourth quarter 2019. The 128 days of offhire for dry-dockings in the three months ended December 31, 2020 were mainly attributable to four regulatory dry-dockings, one of which remained in progress at December 31, 2020. With 26 days idle time for GSL Chateau d’If and GSL Ningbo between charters and 16 days of unplanned offhire days, utilization was 95.7%. In the comparative period of 2019, there were 195 days of offhire for five regulatory dry-dockings, with extended completion times due to congestion in shipyards. With 114 days idle time for GSL Matisse, Manet and Dolphin II prior to their delivery to their new charterers and 75 days of unplanned offhire, including 45 days for repairs to the stern tube of one ship, utilization for the fourth quarter 2019 was 89.9%.
Page 3



For the year ended December 31, 2020, revenue was $282.8 million, up $21.7 million (or 8.3%) on revenue of $261.1 million in the comparative period, mainly due to an increase of 10.4% in operating days from the addition of two vessels during the second and third quarter of 2019 and five vessels since October 1, 2019, together with increased revenue from MSC Tianjin, Alexandra, Alexis, Olivia I, Kristina and Katherine as the charters for these ships were renewed at increased rates, partially offset by a decrease in revenue from GSL Matisse and Utrillo (both sold in July 2020) and La Tour and Manet, as their charters were renewed at lower rates.
The table below shows fleet utilization for the three months ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, and for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019, 2018 and 2017.

   
Three months ended
   
Year ended
 
   
December 31,
   
December 31,
   
Dec 31,
   
Dec 31,
   
Dec 31,
   
Dec 31,
 
Days
 
2020
   
2019
   
2020
   
2019
   
2018
   
2017
 
                                     
Ownership days
   
3,956
     
3,804
     
16,044
     
14,326
     
7,675
     
6,570
 
Planned offhire - dry-dockings
   
(128
)
   
(195
)
   
(687
)
   
(537
)
   
(34
)
   
(62
)
Unplanned offhire
   
(16
)
   
(75
)
   
(95
)
   
(105
)
   
(17
)
   
(40
)
Idle time
   
(26
)
   
(114
)
   
(338
)
   
(164
)
   
(47
)
   
0
 
Operating days
   
3,786
     
3,420
     
14,924
     
13,520
     
7,577
     
6,468
 
                                                 
Utilization
   
95.7
%
   
89.9
%
   
93.0
%
   
94.4
%
   
98.7
%
   
98.4
%

As of December 31, 2020, one dry-docking for regulatory requirements was in progress. In 2021, we anticipate 10 further dry-dockings, for regulatory requirements.
Vessel Operating Expenses
Vessel operating expenses, which primarily include costs of crew, lubricating oil, repairs, maintenance, insurance and technical management fees, were up 13.1% to $27.7 million for the three months ended December 31, 2020, compared to $24.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2019. The increase of $3.2 million was mainly due to 152 or 4.0% additional ownership days as a result of the acquisition of five vessels since October 1, 2019, all of which are Post-Panamax with higher daily operating expenses less the operating expenses of GSL Matisse and Utrillo (both sold in July 2020), resulting in $1.6 million net additional operating expenses and $1.9 million due to catch-up on reduced expenses earlier in the year as a result of COVID-19 restrictions and delays on crew replacement and delivery of spares. The average cost per ownership day in the quarter was $7,006, compared to $6,436 for the prior year period, up $570 per day, or 8.9%.
For the year ended December 31, 2020, vessel operating expenses were $102.8 million, or an average of $6,410 per day, compared to $87.8 million, or $6,128 per day, in the comparative period, an increase of $282 per ownership day, or 4.6%. The absolute increase and increase in vessel operating expenses per day are mainly due to the reasons noted above.
Time Charter and Voyage Expenses
Time charter and voyage expenses comprise mainly commission paid to ship brokers, the cost of bunker fuel for owner’s account when a ship is off-hire or idle and miscellaneous owner’s costs associated with a ship’s voyage. Time charter and voyage expenses were $2.4 million for the three months ended December 31, 2020, compared to $3.0 million in the fourth quarter of 2019. The decrease is mainly due to the decrease in idle days and unplanned off hire days resulting in lower costs for bunker fuel for owner’s account.
For the year ended December 31, 2020, time charter and voyage expenses were $11.1 million, compared to $9.0 million in the comparative period with the increase being mainly due to the fact that a number of our legacy ships have completed their initial sale-leaseback charters with CMA CGM or OOCL, which did not include brokerage commission and were subsequently employed on new charters obtained with the assistance of a broker, thereby incurring such commissions. Further, there was an increase in bunker costs for GSL Matisse and Utrillo (both vessels were sold during July 2020) and Julie and GSL Christen during idle time.
Page 4


Depreciation and Amortization

Depreciation and amortization for the three-month period ended December 31, 2020 was $12.0 million, compared to $11.0 million in the fourth quarter of 2019.  The increase was mainly due to the addition of five vessels since October 1, 2019 offset by the sale of GSL Matisse and Utrillo in July 2020.

Depreciation for the year ended December 31, 2020 was $47.0 million, compared to $43.9 million in the comparative period, with the increase being due to the reasons noted above.


Loss on sale of vessels - vessel impairment losses
Two 1999-built, 2,200 TEU feeder ships, GSL Matisse and Utrillo, were sold in July 2020 resulting in a loss of $0.2 million. As of March 31, 2020, we had an expectation that the vessels would be sold before the end of their previously estimated useful life, and as a result performed an impairment test of these two asset groups and an impairment charge of $7.6 million was recognized. An additional impairment charge of $0.9 million was recognized on these two vessels in the three months ended June 30, 2020 for a total of $8.5 million in the year ended December 31, 2020. No impairment charges were recognized in the prior year.

General and Administrative Expenses
General and administrative expenses were $2.0 million in the three months ended December 31, 2020, compared to $1.7 million in the fourth quarter of 2019. The average general and administrative expense per ownership day for the three-month period ended December 31, 2020 was $498, compared to $455 in the comparative period, an increase of $43 or 9.5%. The increase was mainly due to increased legal and auditing fees in relation to a corporate structure reorganization.

For the year ended December 31, 2020, general and administrative expenses were $8.4 million, compared to $8.8 million in the comparative period. The average general and administrative expense per ownership day for the year ended December 31, 2020 was $520, compared to $615 in the comparative period, a decrease of $95 or 15.4%.


Adjusted EBITDA

Adjusted EBITDA was $38.8 million for the three months ended December 31, 2020, up from $37.7 million for the fourth quarter of 2019, with the net increase being mainly due to the addition of five vessels since October 1, 2019.

Adjusted EBITDA for the year ended December 31, 2020 was $161.7 million, compared to $157.0 million for the comparative period, with the net increase being due to the addition of vessels.


Interest Expense and Interest Income

Debt as at December 31, 2020 totaled $781.9 million, comprising $233.4 million of indebtedness on our 2022 Notes, collateralized by 16 vessels in the legacy GSL fleet, $488.7 million other secured debt collateralized by our other vessels and $59.8 million of unsecured indebtedness on our Senior Unsecured Notes due 2024 (the “2024 Notes”). As of December 31, 2020, five of our vessels were unencumbered.

Debt as at December 31, 2019 totaled $912.8 million, comprising $322.7 million of indebtedness under our 2022 Notes, $12.1 million of indebtedness under the Citi secured term loan, both cross collateralized by 18 ships in the legacy GSL fleet, $538.3 million of bank debt collateralized by the rest of the fleet and $39.8 million of indebtedness under our 2024 Notes. Three vessels were unencumbered as at December 31, 2019.
Page 5



Interest and other finance expenses for the three months ended December 31, 2020 were $14.8 million, a decrease of $3.7 million, or 20.0%, on the interest and other finance expenses for the fourth quarter of 2019 of $18.5 million. The decrease is mainly due to lower outstanding principal during fourth quarter of 2020 and the decrease in LIBOR, offset by $0.5 million premium paid on the annual redemption of $28.0 million of our 2022 Notes in December 2020.

For the year ended December 31, 2020, interest expense was $65.4 million, compared to $75.0 million for the comparative period, with the decrease mainly for the reasons noted above offset by $2.3 million premium paid on the optional redemption of $46.0 million of our 2022 Notes in the first quarter of 2020 and the $0.5 million premium paid on the annual redemption of $28.0 million of our 2022 Notes in December of 2020.

Interest income for the three months ended December 31, 2020 was $0.1 million, compared to $0.6 million for the fourth quarter of 2019 with the decrease being due to lower deposit interest rates.

Interest income for the year ended December 31, 2020 was $1.0 million, compared to $1.8 million for the comparative period.


Other Income/(Expenses), Net

Other income, net was $0.9 million in the three months ended December 31, 2020, compared to an expense, net of $0.7 million in the fourth quarter of 2019.

Other income, net was $1.3 million in the year ended December 31, 2020, compared to income, net of $1.5 million in the comparative period.


Taxation

Taxation for the three months ended December 31, 2020 was a credit of $1,000, compared to a charge of $43,000 in the fourth quarter of 2019.

Taxation for the year ended December 31, 2020 was a charge of $49,000, compared to $3,000 charge in the comparative period.

Earnings Allocated to Preferred Shares
Our Series B Preferred Shares carry a coupon of 8.75%, the cost of which for the three months ended December 31, 2020 was $1.2 million, compared to $0.8 million for the fourth quarter of 2019. The increase is due to additional Series B Preferred Shares issued under our ATM program since December 2019. The cost was $4.0 million in the year ended December 31, 2020, compared to $3.1 million for the comparative period.

Net Income Available to Common Shareholders

Net income available to common shareholders for the three months ended December 31, 2020 was $10.8 million, after $0.5 million premium paid on the redemption of $28.0 million of our 2022 Notes in December 2020, compared to $8.0 million in the fourth quarter of 2019, after $0.3 million premium paid on the redemption $17.3 million of our 2022 Notes in December 2019.

Net income available to common shareholders was $37.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2020, after a non-cash impairment charge of $8.5 million, $0.2 million loss on sale of two ships, $2.3 million premium paid on the redemption of $46.0 million of our 2022 Notes in February 2020 and $0.5 million premium paid on the redemption of $28.0 million of our 2022 Notes in December 2020, compared to $36.8 million in the comparative period.
Page 6



Normalized net income for the three months ended December 31, 2020, was $11.3 million, before the $0.5 million premium paid on the redemption of $28.0 million of our 2022 Notes in December 2020. Normalized net income in the comparative period was $8.3 million, before the $0.3 million premium paid on the redemption $17.3 million of our 2022 Notes in December 2019.  For the year ended December 31, 2020, normalized net income was $49.1 million, before the non-cash impairment charge of $8.5 million, $2.8 million premium paid on the redemptions of 2022 Notes and $0.2 million loss on sale of the two ships. Normalized net income in the comparative period was $37.1 million, before the $0.3 million premium paid on the redemption $17.3 million of our 2022 Notes in December 2019.


Fleet

The following table provides information about our on-the-water fleet of 43 ships. The table includes charters agreed up to March 3, 2021.

Vessel Name
Capacity in TEUs
Lightweight (tons)
Year Built
Charterer
Earliest Charter Expiry Date
Latest Charter Expiry Date
Daily Charter Rate $
               
CMA CGM Thalassa
11,040
38,577
2008
CMA CGM
4Q25
1Q26
47,200
UASC Al Khor(1)
9,115
31,764
2015
Hapag-Lloyd
1Q22
2Q22
34,000
Anthea Y(1)
9,115
31,890
2015
COSCO
3Q23 (2)
4Q23 (2)
Note (2)
Maira XL(1)
9,115
31,820
2015
ONE (3)
2Q22
3Q22
Note (3)
MSC Tianjin
8,603
34,325
2005
MSC
2Q24
3Q24
Note (4)
MSC Qingdao
8,603
34,609
2004
MSC
2Q24
3Q24
23,000 (4)
GSL Ningbo
8,603
34,340
2004
MSC (5)
1Q23 (5)
3Q23 (5)
Note (5)
GSL Eleni
7,847
29,261
2004
Maersk
3Q24
4Q24 (6)
16,500 (6)
GSL Kalliopi
7,847
29,190
2004
Maersk
4Q22
4Q24 (6)
14,500 (6)
GSL Grania
7,847
29,105
2004
Maersk
4Q22
4Q24 (6)
14,500 (6)
Mary(1)
6,927
23,424
2013
CMA CGM
3Q23
4Q23
25,910
Kristina(1)
6,927
23,421
2013
CMA CGM
2Q24
3Q24
25,910
Katherine (1)
6,927
23,403
2013
CMA CGM
1Q24
2Q24
25,910
Alexandra (1)
6,927
23,348
2013
CMA CGM
1Q24
2Q24
25,910
Alexis (1)
6,882
23,919
2015
CMA CGM
1Q24
2Q24
25,910
Olivia I (1)
6,882
23,864
2015
CMA CGM
1Q24
2Q24
25,910
GSL Christen
6,840
27,954
2002
Maersk (7)
3Q23(7)
4Q23(7)
Note (7)
GSL Nicoletta
6,840
28,070
2002
MSC
2Q21
3Q21
13,500
CMA CGM Berlioz
6,621
26,776
2001
CMA CGM
2Q21
4Q21
34,000
Agios Dimitrios
6,572
24,931
2011
MSC
4Q23
1Q24
20,000
GSL Vinia
6,080
23,737
2004
Maersk (8)
3Q24
1Q25
13,250 (8)
GSL Christel Elisabeth
6,080
23,745
2004
Maersk (8)
2Q24
1Q25
13,250 (8)
Tasman
5,936
25,010
2000
Maersk
1Q22
3Q23 (9)
12,500 (9)
Dimitris Y
5,936
25,010
2000
ZIM
1Q24(10)
2Q24(10)
Note(10)
Ian H
5,936
25,128
2000
ZIM
2Q24(10)
3Q24(10)
Note(10)
Dolphin II
5,095
20,596
2007
Sea-Lead(11)
1Q22(11)
2Q22 (11)
7,000 (11)
Orca I
5,095
20,633
2006
Maersk(12)
2Q24 (12)
3Q25 (12)
Note (12)
CMA CGM Alcazar
5,089
20,087
2007
CMA CGM
3Q21 (13)
4Q21 (13)
16,000 (13)
GSL Château d’If
5,089
19,994
2007
Hapag-Lloyd (13)
4Q21 (13)
4Q21 (13)
14,500 (13)
CMA CGM Jamaica
4,298
17,272
2006
CMA CGM
3Q22
1Q23
25,350
CMA CGM Sambhar
4,045
17,429
2006
CMA CGM
3Q22
1Q23
25,350
CMA CGM America
4,045
17,428
2006
CMA CGM
3Q22
1Q23
25,350
GSL Valerie
2,824
11,971
2005
ZIM
3Q21
1Q22
12,825 (14)
Athena
2,762
13,538
2003
MSC
1Q21
2Q21
9,000
Maira
2,506
11,453
2000
Hapag-Lloyd (15)
1Q23
2Q23 (15)
14,260 (15)
Nikolas
2,506
11,370
2000
CMA CGM (16)
1Q23
2Q23
16,000 (16)
Newyorker
2,506
11,463
2001
MSC
1Q21
1Q21
8,000
La Tour
2,272
11,742
2001
MSC
2Q21
2Q21
7,250
Manet
2,272
11,727
2001
Sea-Lead
4Q21 (17)
4Q21 (17)
7,750 (17)
Keta
2,207
11,731
2003
OOCL
3Q21 (18)
3Q21 (18)
9,400 (18)
Julie
2,207
11,731
2002
Sea Consortium
2Q21
2Q21
9,250
Kumasi
2,207
11,791
2002
CMA CGM
3Q21 (19)
4Q21 (19)
9,300 (19)
Marie Delmas
2,207
11,731
2002
CMA CGM
3Q21 (19)
4Q21 (19)
9,300 (19)

Page 7


(1) Modern design, high reefer capacity, fuel-efficient vessel.
(2)  Charter at $23,500 per day to 4Q20; thereafter direct continuation at a rate of $38,000 per day.
(3) Charter to 1Q21 at $24,990 per day; thereafter direct continuation at a rate of $31,650 per day.
(4) Charter to MSC Tianjin at $23,000 per day through 1Q21; thereafter at $19,000 per day, due to cancellation of scrubber installation. MSC Qingdao has a scrubber installed, and will continue to trade at a rate of $23,000 per day.
(5) Charter with Maersk at a rate of $18,000 per day to November 2020, with a new charter to MSC commencing thereafter at a rate of $22,500 per day and with median expiry 2Q23.
(6) GSL Eleni delivered 2Q2019 and is chartered for five years; GSL Kalliopi (delivered 4Q19) and GSL Grania (delivered 3Q19) are chartered for three years plus two successive periods of one year at the option of the charterer. During the option periods the charter rates for GSL Kalliopi and GSL Grania are $18,900 per day and $17,750 per day respectively.
(7) GSL Christen commenced a new charter with Maersk in 3Q20, with escalating charter rates: the rate for the first four months is $12,250 per day, after which it climbs to $14,000 per day until mid-March 2021, and thereafter increases to $15,000 per day. On expiry of the charter in May 2021, GSL Christen will be chartered to a leading liner operator at a rate expected to generate Adjusted EBITDA of approximately $22.5 million through to the median expiry of the charter in 4Q2023;
(8) GSL Vinia and GSL Christel Elisabeth delivered in 4Q19, and are contracted on 52 – 60 months charters.
(9) 12-month extension at charterer’s option callable in 2Q22, at an increased rate of $20,000 per day.
(10) A package agreement with ZIM, for direct charter extensions on two 5,900 TEU ships: Ian H, at a rate of $32,500 per day from May 2021 to 3Q2024, and Dimitris Y, at a rate expected to generate approximately $11.5 million of Adjusted EBITDA over the median term of the charter, from May 2022 to 2Q2024.
(11) Charter with Sea-Lead at a rate of $7,000 per day to January 2021, with a new charter to OOCL to commence thereafter at a rate of $24,500 per day and with median expiry 1Q22.
(12) Charter with Maersk at a rate of $10,000 per day ending in 2Q21. On expiry of the charter in April 2021, Orca I will be chartered to a leading liner operator at a rate expected to generate Adjusted EBITDA of approximately $15.0 million through to the median expiry of the charter in 3Q2024; thereafter the charterer has the option to charter the vessel for a further 12-14 months at the same rate.
(13) CMA CGM Alcazar chartered to CMA CGM at $33,750 per day (the original sale & leaseback rate agreed in 2008) to October 2020; thereafter charter extended to 4Q21, assuming median redelivery, at a rate of $16,000 per day. GSL Chateau d'If (formerly CMA CGM Chateau d'If) chartered to CMA CGM at $33,750 per day to October 2020; thereafter a new charter agreed with Hapag-Lloyd to 4Q21, assuming median delivery, at a rate of $14,500 per day.
(14) New charter agreed with ZIM, on scheduled completion of GSL Valerie's drydocking at end-October 2020, at an average rate of $12,825 per day, assuming median duration of the charter to 4Q21.
(15) Charter with MSC to November 2020, at which time the vessel was dry-docked. Thereafter, in January 2021, Maira was chartered to Hapag-Lloyd at an average rate of $14,260 per day, with median expiry in 1Q23;
(16) Charter with MSC to December 2020, at which time the vessel was dry-docked. Thereafter, in January 2021, Nikolas was chartered to CMA CGM at a rate of $16,000 per day, with median expiry in 1Q23;
(17) Charter with Sea-Lead at a rate of $7,750 per day to January 2021, extended thereafter at a rate of $12,850 per day and with median expiry 4Q21.
(18) Charter to October 2020 at a rate of $8,000 per day; thereafter extended to 3Q21, with a new rate of $9,400 per day.
(19) Charter to October 2020 at a rate of $9,800 per day; thereafter extended to 3Q21, assuming median charter term, with a new rate of $9,300 per day.
Page 8



The following table provides information about the seven ships that we have contracted to purchase as announced on February 9, 2021 and which are scheduled to deliver during the second and third quarters of 2021. Contract cover for each vessel is for a firm period of at least three years from the date each vessel is delivered, with charterers holding two one year extension options thereafter. During the firm periods of cover the charters are expected to generate aggregate annualized Adjusted EBITDA of approximately $29.0 million.
Vessel Name
Capacity in TEUs
Lightweight (tons)
Year Built
GSL Arcadia
6,008
24,858
2000
GSL MYNY
6,008
24,873
2000
GSL Melita
6,008
24,848
2001
GSL Maria
6,008
24,414
2001
GSL Violetta
6,008
24,873
2000
GSL Tegea
6,008
24,308
2001
GSL Dorothea
6,008
24,243
2001


Conference Call and Webcast
Global Ship Lease will hold a conference call to discuss the Company's results for the three months ended December 31, 2021 today, Thursday March 4, 2021 at 10:30 a.m. Eastern Time. There are two ways to access the conference call:
(1) Dial-in: (877) 445-2556 or (908) 982-4670; Passcode: 4539656

Please dial in at least 10 minutes prior to 10:30 a.m. Eastern Time to ensure a prompt start to the call.

(2) Live Internet webcast and slide presentation: http://www.globalshiplease.com

If you are unable to participate at this time, a replay of the call will be available through Saturday, March 20, 2021 at (855) 859-2056 or (404) 537-3406. Enter the code 4539656 to access the audio replay. The webcast will also be archived on the Company’s website: http://www.globalshiplease.com.


Annual Report on Form 20-F

The Company’s Annual Report for 2019 was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) on April 2, 2020. A copy of the report can be found under the Investor Relations section (Annual Reports) of the Company’s website at http://www.globalshiplease.com or on the Commission’s website at www.sec.gov.  Shareholders may request a hard copy of the audited financial statements free of charge by contacting the Company at info@globalshiplease.com or by writing to Global Ship Lease, Inc, care of Global Ship Lease Services Limited, 25 Wilton Road, London SW1V ILW.

About Global Ship Lease
Global Ship Lease is a leading independent owner of containerships with a diversified fleet of mid-sized and smaller containerships. Incorporated in the Marshall Islands, Global Ship Lease commenced operations in December 2007 with a business of owning and chartering out containerships under fixed-rate charters to top tier container liner companies. On November 15, 2018, it completed a strategic combination with Poseidon Containers.

Page 9


Global Ship Lease owns 43 containerships, and has contracted to purchase a further seven ships, ranging from 2,207 to 11,040 TEU, with a total capacity (when fully delivered) of 287,336 TEU. 32 ships are Post-Panamax, of which nine are fuel-efficient new-design wide-beam.

Adjusted to include all charters agreed, and ships acquired or divested, up to March 3, 2021, the average remaining term of the Company’s charters at December 31, 2020, to the mid-point of redelivery, including options under the Company’s control, was 2.5 years on a TEU-weighted basis. Contracted revenue on the same basis was $892.5 million. Contracted revenue was $1,051.4 million, including options under charterers’ control and with latest redelivery date, representing a weighted average remaining term of 3.1 years.

Reconciliation of Non-U.S. GAAP Financial Measures

A.
Adjusted EBITDA

Adjusted EBITDA represents net income before interest income and expense, earnings allocated to preferred shares, income taxes, depreciation and amortization of drydocking costs, gains or losses on the sale of vessels and impairment losses.  Adjusted EBITDA is a non-U.S. GAAP quantitative measure used to assist in the assessment of the Company's ability to generate cash from its operations.  We believe that the presentation of Adjusted EBITDA is useful to investors because it is frequently used by securities analysts, investors and other interested parties in the evaluation of companies in our industry. Adjusted EBITDA is not defined in U.S. GAAP and should not be considered to be an alternative to net income or any other financial metric required by such accounting principles. Our use of Adjusted EBITDA may vary from the use of similarly titled measures by others in our industry.


ADJUSTED EBITDA - UNAUDITED

(thousands of U.S. dollars)

      
Three
   
Three
             
      
months
   
months
   
Year
   
Year
 
      
ended
   
ended
   
ended
   
ended
 
      
December 31,
   
December 31,
   
December 31,
   
December 31,
 
     
2020
   
2019
   
2020
   
2019
 
                           
Net income available to Common Shareholders
   
10,752
     
7,961
     
37,568
     
36,757
 
                                   
Adjust:
Depreciation and amortization
   
12,008
     
11,028
     
46,978
     
43,912
 

Impairment charges
   
-
     
-
     
8,497
     
-
 

Loss on sale of vessels
   
-
     
-
     
244
     
-
 

Interest income
   
(59
)
   
(593
)
   
(956
)
   
(1,791
)

Interest expense
   
14,821
     
18,510
     
65,354
     
74,994
 

Income tax
   
(1
)
   
43
     
49
     
3
 

Earnings allocated to preferred shares
   
1,248
     
785
     
3,995
     
3,081
 
                                   
Adjusted EBITDA
   
38,769
     
37,734
     
161,729
     
156,956
 

Page 10


B.
Normalized net income
Normalized net income represents net income available to common shareholders adjusted for impairment charges, the premium paid on redemption of our 2022 Notes and gains/losses on sale of vessels. Normalized net income is a non-U.S. GAAP quantitative measure which we believe will assist investors and analysts who often adjust reported net loss for items that do not affect operating performance or operating cash generated. Normalized net income is not defined in U.S. GAAP and should not be considered to be an alternate to net income or any other financial metric required by such accounting principles.  Our use of Normalized net income may vary from the use of similarly titled measures by others in our industry.

NORMALIZED NET INCOME

(thousands of U.S. dollars)

      
Three
   
Three
             
      
months
   
months
   
Year
   
Year
 
      
ended
   
ended
   
ended
   
ended
 
      
December 31,
   
December 31,
   
December 31,
   
December 31,
 
     
2020
   
2019
   
2020
   
2019
 
                           
Net income available to Common Shareholders
   
10,752
     
7,961
     
37,568
     
36,757
 
                                   
Adjust:
Impairment charges
   
-
     
-
     
8,497
     
-
 

Loss on sale of vessels
   
-
     
-
     
244
     
-
 

Premium paid on redemption of 2022 Notes
   
560
     
346
     
2,831
     
346
 
                                   
Normalized net income
   
11,312
     
8,307
     
49,140
     
37,103
 

Page 11



Safe Harbor Statement

This communication contains forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements provide Global Ship Lease's current expectations or forecasts of future events. Forward-looking statements include statements about Global Ship Lease's expectations, beliefs, plans, objectives, intentions, assumptions and other statements that are not historical facts. Words or phrases such as "anticipate," "believe," "continue," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "may," "ongoing," "plan," "potential," "predict," “should,” "project," "will" or similar words or phrases, or the negatives of those words or phrases, may identify forward-looking statements, but the absence of these words does not necessarily mean that a statement is not forward-looking. These forward-looking statements are based on assumptions that may be incorrect, and Global Ship Lease cannot assure you that these projections included in these forward-looking statements will come to pass. Actual results could differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors.

The risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to:

future operating or financial results;

expectations regarding the future growth of the container shipping industry, including the rates of annual demand and supply growth;

the length and severity of the ongoing outbreak of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) around the world and governmental responses thereto;

the financial condition of our charterers, particularly CMA CGM, our principal charterer and main source of operating revenue, and their ability to pay charterhire in accordance with the charters;

Global Ship Lease’s financial condition and liquidity, including its level of indebtedness or ability to obtain additional financing to fund capital expenditures, ship acquisitions and other general corporate purposes;

Global Ship Lease’s ability to meet its financial covenants and repay its credit facilities;

Global Ship Lease’s expectations relating to dividend payments and forecasts of its ability to make such payments including the availability of cash and the impact of constraints under its credit facility;

risks relating to the acquisition of Poseidon Containers and Global Ship Lease’s ability to realize the anticipated benefits of the acquisition;

future acquisitions, business strategy and expected capital spending;

operating expenses, availability of crew, number of off-hire days, drydocking and survey requirements and insurance costs;

general market conditions and shipping industry trends, including charter rates and factors affecting supply and demand;

assumptions regarding interest rates and inflation;

changes in the rate of growth of global and various regional economies;

risks incidental to ship operation, including piracy, discharge of pollutants and ship accidents and damage including total or constructive total loss;

estimated future capital expenditures needed to preserve its capital base;

Global Ship Lease’s expectations about the availability of ships to purchase, the time that it may take to construct new ships, or the useful lives of its ships;

Global Ship Lease’s continued ability to enter into or renew long-term, fixed-rate charters or other ship employment arrangements;

the continued performance of existing long-term, fixed-rate time charters;

Global Ship Lease’s ability to capitalize on its management’s and board of directors’ relationships and reputations in the containership industry to its advantage;

changes in governmental and classification societies’ rules and regulations or actions taken by regulatory authorities;

expectations about the availability of insurance on commercially reasonable terms;

unanticipated changes in laws and regulations including taxation;
Page 12




potential liability from future litigation.
Forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties and are based on potentially inaccurate assumptions that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expected or implied by the forward-looking statements. Global Ship Lease's actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in forward-looking statements for many reasons specifically as described in Global Ship Lease's filings with the U.S Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”).  Accordingly, you should not unduly rely on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this communication. Global Ship Lease undertakes no obligation to publicly revise any forward-looking statement to reflect circumstances or events after the date of this communication or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. You should, however, review the factors and risks Global Ship Lease describes in the reports it will file from time to time with the SEC after the date of this communication.

Page 13

Global Ship Lease, Inc.

Interim Unaudited Consolidated Balance Sheets

(Expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars)

   
December 30, 2020
   
December 31, 2019
 
ASSETS
           
CURRENT ASSETS
           
Cash and cash equivalents
 
$
80,757
   
$
138,024
 
Restricted cash
   
825
     
3,909
 
Accounts receivable, net
   
2,532
     
2,350
 
Inventories
   
6,316
     
5,595
 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
   
6,711
     
8,132
 
Due from related parties
   
1,472
     
3,860
 
Total current assets
 
$
98,613
   
$
161,870
 
NON - CURRENT ASSETS
               
Vessels in operation
 
$
1,140,583
   
$
1,155,586
 
Advances for vessels acquisitions and other additions
   
1,364
     
10,791
 
Intangible assets - charter agreements
   
-
     
1,467
 
Deferred charges, net
   
22,951
     
16,408
 
Restricted cash, net of current portion
   
10,680
     
5,703
 
Total non - current assets
   
1,175,578
     
1,189,955
 
TOTAL ASSETS
 
$
1,274,191
   
$
1,351,825
 
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
               
CURRENT LIABILITIES
               
Accounts payable
 
$
10,557
   
$
9,052
 
Accrued liabilities
   
19,127
     
22,916
 
Current portion of long-term debt and deferred financing costs
   
76,681
     
87,532
 
Deferred revenue
   
5,623
     
9,987
 
Due to related parties
   
225
     
109
 
Total current liabilities
 
$
112,213
   
$
129,596
 
LONG-TERM LIABILITIES
               
Long - term debt, net of current portion and deferred financing costs
 
$
692,775
   
$
809,357
 
Intangible liability-charter agreements
   
4,462
     
6,470
 
Total non - current liabilities
   
697,237
     
815,827
 
Total liabilities
 
$
809,450
   
$
945,423
 
Commitments and Contingencies
               
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
               
Class A common shares - authorized
214,000,000 shares with a $0.01 par value
17,741,008 shares issued and outstanding (2019 – 17,556,738 shares)
   
177
     
175
 
Series B Preferred Shares - authorized
44,000 shares with a $0.01 par value
22,822 shares issued and outstanding (2019 – 14,428 shares)
   
-
     
-
 
Series C Preferred Shares - authorized
250,000 shares with a $0.01 par value
250,000 shares issued and outstanding (2019 - 250,000 shares)
   
3
     
3
 
Additional paid in capital
   
586,355
     
565,586
 
Accumulated deficit
   
(121,794
)
   
(159,362
)
Total shareholders' equity
   
464,741
     
406,402
 
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
 
$
1,274,191
   
$
1,351,825
 

Page 14


Global Ship Lease, Inc.

Interim Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Operations

(Expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars except share data)

   
Three months ended December 31,
   
Twelve months ended December 31,
 
   
2020
   
2019
   
2020
   
2019
 
OPERATING REVENUES
                       
Time charter revenue (includes related party revenues of $33,057 and $40,774 for each of the three month periods ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively, and $144,608 and $153,661 for each of the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively)
 
$
69,970
   
$
67,554
   
$
282,813
   
$
261,102
 
OPERATING EXPENSES:
                               
Vessel operating expenses (includes related party vessel operating expenses of $3,199 and $2,874 for each of the three month periods ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively, and $12,580 and $9,880 for each of the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively)
   
27,713
     
24,483
     
102,837
     
87,786
 
Time charter and voyage expenses (includes related party brokerage commissions of $645 and $517 for each of the three month periods ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively, and $2,446 and $1,845 for each of the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively)
   
2,431
     
2,966
     
11,149
     
9,022
 
Depreciation and amortization
   
12,008
     
11,028
     
46,978
     
43,912
 
Impairment of vessels
   
-
     
-
     
8,497
     
-
 
General and administrative expenses
   
1,972
     
1,732
     
8,350
     
8,815
 
Loss on sale of vessels
   
-
     
-
     
244
     
-
 
Operating Income
   
25,846
     
27,345
     
104,758
     
111,567
 
 
                               
NON-OPERATING INCOME/(EXPENSES)
                               
Interest income
   
59
     
593
     
956
     
1,791
 
Interest and other finance expenses
   
(14,821
)
   
(18,510
)
   
(65,354
)
   
(74,994
)
Other income (expense), net
   
915
     
(639
)
   
1,252
     
1,477
 
Total non-operating expenses
   
(13,847
)
   
(18,556
)
   
(63,146
)
   
(71,726
)
Income before income taxes
   
11,999
     
8,789
     
41,612
     
39,841
 
Income taxes
   
1
     
(43
)
   
(49
)
   
(3
)
Net Income
   
12,000
     
8,746
     
41,563
     
39,838
 
Earnings allocated to Series B Preferred Shares
   
(1,248
)
   
(785
)
   
(3,995
)
   
(3,081
)
Net Income available to Common Shareholders
 
$
10,752
   
$
7,961
   
$
37,568
   
$
36,757
 
                                 

Page 15


Global Ship Lease, Inc.

Interim Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(Expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars)

   
Three months ended December 31,
   
Twelve months ended December 31,
 
   
2020
   
2019
   
2020
   
2019
 
Cash flows from operating activities:
                       
Net income
 
$
12,000
   
$
8,746
   
$
41,563
   
$
39,838
 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
                               
Depreciation and amortization
 
$
12,008
   
$
11,028
   
$
46,978
   
$
43,912
 
Impairment of vessels
   
-
     
-
     
8,497
     
-
 
Loss from vessel sale
   
-
     
-
     
244
     
-
 
Amortization of deferred financing costs
   
1,055
     
864
     
4,085
     
3,108
 
Amortization of original issue discount/premium on repurchase of notes
   
814
     
533
     
3,269
     
1,140
 
Amortization of intangible liability/asset-charter agreements
   
(453
)
   
497
     
(541
)
   
1,933
 
Share based compensation
   
358
     
429
     
1,998
     
1,717
 
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
   
-
                         
Decrease/(increase) in accounts receivable and other assets
 
$
1,062
   
$
(1,151
)
 
$
3,132
   
$
(1,393
)
(Increase)/decrease in inventories
   
(901
)
   
(282
)
   
(721
)
   
174
 
(Decrease)/increase in accounts payable and other liabilities
   
(4,155
)
   
(4,528
)
   
(2,215
)
   
2,284
 
Increase/(decrease) in related parties' balances, net
   
971
     
626
     
2,504
     
(6,251
)
(Decrease)/increase in deferred revenue
   
(492
)
   
3,152
     
(4,364
)
   
6,869
 
Unrealized foreign exchange gain
   
-
     
61
     
2
     
50
 
Net cash provided by operating activities
 
$
22,267
   
$
19,975
   
$
104,431
   
$
93,381
 
Cash flows from investing activities:
                               
Acquisition of vessels
 
$
-
   
$
(39,500
)
 
$
(23,060
)
 
$
(72,997
)
Cash paid for vessel expenditure
   
(520
)
   
(24
)
   
(4,089
)
   
(9,528
)
Advances for vessel acquisitions and other additions
   
(64
)
   
(3,281
)
   
(4,541
)
   
(9,184
)
Cash paid for drydockings
   
(4,657
)
   
(4,208
)
   
(14,756
)
   
(7,390
)
Proceeds from sale of vessels
   
-
     
-
     
6,852
     
-
 
Cash acquired in Poseidon Transaction, net of capitalized expenses
   
-
     
(826
)
   
-
     
(826
)
Net cash used in investing activities
 
$
(5,241
)
 
$
(47,839
)
 
$
(39,594
)
 
$
(99,925
)
Cash flows from financing activities:
                               
Proceeds from issuance of 2024 Notes
 
$
861
   
$
39,765
   
$
20,054
   
$
39,765
 
Repurchase of 2022 Notes, including premium
   
(32,356
)
   
(17,623
)
   
(91,971
)
   
(17,623
)
Proceeds from drawdown of credit facilities
   
-
     
34,000
     
47,000
     
327,500
 
Repayment of credit facilities
   
(17,509
)
   
(25,686
)
   
(64,311
)
   
(63,505
)
Repayment of refinanced debt
   
-
             
(44,366
)
   
(262,810
)
Deferred financing costs paid
   
(231
)
   
(3,692
)
   
(1,193
)
   
(7,904
)
Proceeds from offering of Class A common shares, net of offering costs
   
-
     
50,710
     
(76
)
   
50,710
 
Proceeds from offering of Series B preferred shares, net of offering costs
   
11,811
     
1,056
     
18,647
     
1,056
 
Series B Preferred Shares-dividends paid
   
(1,248
)
   
(784
)
   
(3,995
)
   
(3,081
)
Net cash (used in)/provided by financing activities
 
$
(38,672
)
 
$
77,746
   
$
(120,211
)
 
$
64,108
 
(Decrease)/increase in cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash
   
(21,646
)
   
49,882
     
(55,374
)
   
57,564
 
Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of the period
   
113,908
     
97,754
     
147,636
     
90,072
 
Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of the period
 
$
92,262
   
$
147,636
   
$
92,262
   
$
147,636
 
Supplementary Cash Flow Information:
                               
Cash paid for interest
   
19,655
     
25,536
     
60,026
     
70,630
 
Non-cash Investing activities:
                               
Unpaid drydocking expenses
   
1,061
     
1,217
     
1,321
     
3,676
 
Unpaid vessel additions
   
1,459
     
3,567
     
4,127
     
1,641
 
Non-cash financing activities:
                               
Unpaid offering costs
   
-
     
200
     
-
     
200
 





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