Capital Product Partners LP
NASDAQ:CPLP

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Capital Product Partners LP
NASDAQ:CPLP
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Earnings Call Analysis

Q4-2023 Analysis
Capital Product Partners LP

Solid Q4 Earnings with Asset Growth and Fleet Coverage

In Q4 2023, the company's net income reached $12.7 million, excluding a $3.5 million impairment charge. Total revenue climbed to $95.5 million, up from $79.9 million in the same quarter the prior year, largely driven by newly acquired vessels. Despite increasing expenses and a higher interest rate now at 6.6%, the per-unit earnings were $0.61 after adjustments. Full charter coverage is assured into 2025 with a $3 billion backlog ensuring long-term stability. With a capital of $1.175 billion and debt at $1.8 billion, the company is planning significant capital expenditures and anticipates incurring an additional $720 million of debt in 2024. There are no major debt maturities until 2026 when revenue backlog is a solid $3.1 billion. The decline in gas prices in 2023 has led to lower spot and time charter rates, averaging $75,000 per day.

Introduction to Axios II Delivery and Charter Details

The partnership celebrated the delivery of the LNG carrier, Axios II, on January 2nd. The carrier embarked on a one-year index-linked time charter with a significant commodity trader, followed by a prospective seven-year bareboat charter with Boni Gas Transport Limited (BGT). Additionally, BGT retains the option to extend the charter for another three years, signifying potential further stability to the revenue stream.

Debt Maturity and Revenue Backlog Outlook

The debt profile of the company is robust, with no significant maturities impending until 2026 when a $150 million bond is due. Meanwhile, the partnership boasts a contracted revenue backlog of $3.1 billion, dominated by LNG assets, with an established and diverse customer base encompassing 11 charters. Notably, current commitments extend as far out as 78 years, with potential to extend to 113 years if all charter options are exercised. No vessels are open for charter until the end of 2025, ensuring revenue predictability in the near term.

Container Fleet Management and Divestment Strategy

With a contracted backlog of 47 years for the container fleet—which could increase to an impressive 82 years should all options be exercised—the company has set sights on divesting from container vessels. This strategic move is driven by significant interest in their high-quality fleet and attractive charters, as evidenced by the recent sale of an older Panamax vessel. A careful balance of expected cash flows, sales price, and residual values will guide future divestment decisions.

State of LNG Markets and Fleet Expansion

Despite a downtrend in gas prices due to various global factors, including security considerations and inventory levels, the LNG market maintains buoyant spot and charter rates. LNG spot rates averaged $171,250 per day in Q4 2023, while 1-year charter rates stood at $75,000 as of January 2024. Anticipating a tightening market, longer-term charters also indicate a healthy demand. The fleet order book is hefty, with current orders filling shipyard capacity through 2027. This surge is supported by the United States becoming the world's largest LNG exporter, with the market also adapting to geopolitical influences in shipping routes that may further increase demand for LNG carriers.

Corporate Strategy and Future Roadmap

Executive plans include a structural transition from an MLP to an LNG and energy transition shipping corporation, aimed at redefining their capital allocation policy and enhancing corporate agility. They're poised to continue divesting container assets opportunistically and focus on acquiring three new LNG carriers with secured long-term employment, solidifying the company's commitment to its growth and business plan execution.

Earnings Call Transcript

Earnings Call Transcript
2023-Q4

from 0
Operator

Thank you for standing by, and welcome to the Capital Product Partners' Fourth Quarter 2023 Financial Results conference call. We have with us today Mr. Jerry Kalogiratos, Chief Executive Officer; Mr. Spyros Leoussis and Mr. Nikos Kalapotharakos, Chief Financial Officer of the company. [Operator Instructions]. I must advise you this conference is being recorded February 2, 2024. This today's conference call that are not historical facts, including our expectations regarding acquisition transactions and their expected effect on us, cash generation, equity returns and future debt levels, our ability to pursue growth opportunities, our expectations or objectives regarding future distribution events or unit buyback amounts, capital reserve amounts, distribution coverage, future earnings, capital allocation as well as our expectations regarding market fundamentals and the employment of our vessels, including redelivery dates and charter rates may be forward-looking statements as such as defined in Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as amended.

These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause the stated or forecasted results to be materially different from those anticipated. Unless required by law, we expressly disclaim any obligation to update or revise any of these forward-looking statements, whether because of future events, new information, a change in our views or expectations to conform to actual results or otherwise. We make no prediction or statement about the performance of our common units. I would now like to turn the call over to your speaker today, Mr. Kalogiratos. Please go ahead, sir.

G
Gerasimos Kalogiratos
executive

Thank you, Rob, and thank you all for joining us today. As a reminder, we will be referring to the supporting slides available on our website as we go through today's presentation. On November 13 of last year, we announced a strategic transaction for the partnership, which aims to transform CPLP into a leading LNG and energy transition focused Shipping Corporation. We started executing on our business plan directly thereafter by concluding a $500 million rights offering and successfully closed the agreement to acquire 11 latest-generation 2-stroke LNG carriers with deliveries for the fourth quarter of 2023 through to the first quarter of 2027. We also agreed to negotiate the conversion of the partnership from a limited partnership to a corporation with customary corporate governance provisions by June of this year. Finally, we also secured rights of first [ refusal ] on two very large ammonia carriers and 2 liquid CO2 carriers currently on order by Capital Maritime.

On closing of the transaction on December 21, we took delivery of the first vessel under this agreement, the LNG carrier Amore Mio 1. And shortly thereafter, on January 2, we took delivery of the second vessel, the LNG carrier [ Axis 2 ]. In addition, we also agreed to sell the 5,000 TEU container vessel Long Beach Express in line with our stated intention to divest gradually from our legacy container assets. Turning to the Partnership's financial preference, Net income for the fourth quarter of 2023 was $12.7 million or $16.3 million, excluding a $3.5 million impairment associated with the sale of two of our vessels. Directors has declared a cash distribution of $0.15 per common unit for the fourth quarter of 2023. The fourth quarter cash distribution will be paid on February 13 to common unitholders of record on February 6.

Finally, the partnership's current fleet charter coverage for 2024 and 2025 stands at 100% and 82%, respectively, with the remaining charter duration corresponding to 7.2 years and contract revenue backlog of $3 billion. Turning to Slide 4. Total revenue for the fourth quarter of 2023 was $95.5 million compared to $79.9 million during the fourth quarter of '22. The increase in revenue was primarily attributable to the revenue contributed by the three new building containers and one new building LNG carrier, we acquired between October 2022 and June 2023, as well as the LNG carrier Amore Mio 1 acquired in mid-December 2023, partly offset by the sale of our sole dry bulk vessel, the Cape Agamemnon earlier in the quarter. Total expense for the fourth quarter of '23 was $55.1 million compared to $42.1 million for the fourth quarter of '22. Total vessel operating expenses during the fourth quarter of 2023 amounted to $20.6 million compared to $17.3 million during the fourth quarter of '22 and were higher mainly due to the net increase in the average number of vessels in our flat.

Now total expenses for the fourth quarter of '23 also include a noncash impairment charge of EUR 3.5 million that we recognized in connection with the sale of the Cape Agamemnon and the Long Beach Express and vessel depreciation and amortization of $22.2 million compared to $17 million in the fourth quarter of '22. The increase in depreciation and amortization during the fourth quarter of '23 was mainly attributable to the net increase in the average size of our fleet. General and administrative expenses for the fourth quarter of '23 increased to $5.7 million from 4 million, mainly due to the costs incurred in connection with the LNG transaction we closed in December 23. Interest expense and finance costs increased to 27.9 million for the fourth quarter compared to $18.4 million for the fourth quarter of '22. The increase was mainly due to the partnership's average indebtedness and the increase in the weighted average interest rate to 6.6% from 5.4% in the fourth quarter of '22. Net income per common unit for the quarter was $0.48 or $0.61 if we exclude the impairment compared to $1.03 per common unit in the fourth quarter of last year.

On Slide 5, you can see the details of our balance sheet. As of the end of the fourth quarter, the partner's capital amounted to 1.175 billion, an increase of $536.5 million compared to $638.4 million as of the end of '22. The increase reflects net income for '23, other comprehensive income of $3.2 million relating to the net effect of the gross currency swap agreement with designators and accounting hedge. The amortization associated with the equity incentive plan of 3.8 million and the net result from the issuance of common units in connection with the rights offering of 498.7 million, partly offset by distributions declared and paid during the period in a total amount of 12.2 million and the cost of repurchasing our common units under our unit repurchase program for an aggregate amount of 4.1 million. Total debt increased by $488.6 million to 1.8 billion compared to 1.3 billion of year-end. The increase is driven primarily by the drawdown of $588.3 million to finance special acquisitions and a $10 million increase in the U.S. dollar equivalent of the euro-denominated bonds partly offset by the scheduled principal payments and the early repayment in full of facilities for a total of 109.8 million.

Total cash of the as of quarter end amounted to 104.1 million, including resulted cash of $11.7 million, which represents the minimum liquidity requirement under financing arrangements. On Slide 6, we provide an overview of the agreement for the acquisition of the 11 latest-generation LNG carriers from Capital Maritime for a total price of $3.1 billion, which closed on December 21. We remind you that the agreement included the $500 million rights offering at the price of $14.25, fully backstopped by Capital Maritime 200 million seller's credit. Closing of the agreement on December 21, a total of $454.2 million was due to Capital Maritime by the partnership broken down as follows: 141.7 million being the equity part of the acquisition price for the Amore Mio 1 on top of the lease financing that was in place and was taken over by the partnership. We took delivery of the Amore Mio 1 immediately being the sole vessel in the water at the time of closing. In addition, another $174.4 million was due to Capital Maritime represent 10% of the relevant acquisition price of 6 initial vessels. We define as initial vessels, the LNG carriers that we are going to take over and pay for the balance of purchase price, the date that they are going to be delivered from the shipyard. This means that for these vessels with no obligation until delivery.

And finally, another 138.1 million was due for the four remaining vessels. We defined a manning vessels, the entities we acquired on the day of closing in December, which are partly to the [ sea building ] contracts of the four remaining LNG carriers. And hence, we took over their obligations under their respective contracts, including predelivery installments. Now with regard to the rights offering, Capital Maritime purchased 34.6 million common units pursuant to the standby purchase agreement for an aggregate amount of EUR 493.6 million as the rights offering was not fully subscribed. As a result, the amount of $454.2 million due to Capital Maritime was netted against the $493.6 million from Capital Maritime, resulting a net cash inflow of $39.5 million that was paid from Capital Maritime to the partnership in cash. Turning to Slide 7. The LNG carrier Amore Mio 1 was successfully delivered on December 21 to the partnership and is on a 3-year time charter with Qatar Energy & Trading. The charter is expected to generate about $162 million EBITDA from the delivery of the vessel to the partnership to the completion of the charter. Upon acquisition of Amore Mio 1, we assumed indebtedness of $196.3 million in the form of a sale and leaseback financing.

On Slide 8, we review the delivery of the LNG carrier Axios II to the partnership, which took place on January 2. The vessel commenced an index linked to 1-year time charter with a major commodity trader, which will be followed by a 7-year bearable charter with Boni Gas Transport Limited. Boni Gas Transport or BGT maintains an option to extend the charter by an additional 3 years. The bareboat charter is expected to generate over the 7 years, approximately $250 million of EBITDA. The vessel acquisition was financed by netting 10% of the purchase price against the amount due from Capital Maritime and the standby purchase agreement and secured a new senior secured loan facility for an amount of 190 million and a drawdown of 92.6 million under the sellers' credit facility. On Slide 9, we review our capital expenditure commitments in relation to the four remaining vessels under construction. Our 2024 CapEx commitments amount to 1.2 billion with 1.1 million, representing predelivery installments due to the shipyard and are expected to be paid within the first quarter of 2024. The remaining $1.1 million represents the balance due to CMC upon delivery of each of the initial vessels. This amount includes a balance of $282.6 million due for Axios II, which was paid on January 2. Net of that, the remaining balance for 2024 is $801 million.

We expect to finance this amount with approximately $720 million of senior debt and the remainder with a drawdown under the sellers' credit facility. The next year with a significant capital expenditure is 2026, when $863 million is due for predelivery and delivery installment due to the shipyard. This is expected to be funded through a combination of cash from the balance sheet, vessel financing and draw down under the sales credit. We expect to have more details on the debt financing of these vessels closer to their respective deliveries. On Slide 10, we review our current debt amortization profile, excluding maturities. This includes the expected net sale proceeds from Long Beach Express, which will go towards the repayment of the outstanding sellers' credit balance. As you can see, we expect to reduce our debt levels by $335 million over the next 3 years without taking into account any additional cash proceeds from the sale of container vessels. At this time, as I mentioned earlier, we expect to incur approximately an additional 720 million of debt in '24. In order to take delivery of the remaining 3 LNG carriers we will be acquiring this year. The incremental debt amortization of this 720 million is expected to be on average around 34 million on an annualized basis.

Turning to Slide 11. You can see our debt maturity split by year. It's important to highlight here that we do not have any material maturities until the year 2026 when our first 150 million bond becomes due. Moving to Slide 12. The partnership's contracted revenue backlog now stands at 3.1 billion, with over 80% of contracted revenue coming from LNG assets with a highly diversified and high-quality customer base of 11 charters. On Slide 13, you can see the charter profile of our LNG fleet. Our contracted backlog of 78 years would decrease to 113 years if all options were to be exercised. I should stress that we have no open vessels between now and the end of 2025. We do have four vessels coming up for delivery and one for renewal in 2026 and an additional two vessels for delivery and one for renewal if charter these options are not exercised in '27. These vessels are expected to be seeking employment with a new wave of 170 MPPA of additional new liquefaction capacity are expected to come online in the period between 2026 and 2028. We estimate that these projects alone, which have taken FID and export permits will require between 190 to 120 additional vessels with only 156 vessels for delivery during that period.

On Slide 14, we can see the charter expiration of the container fleet. The contracted backlog of 47 years could increase to 82 years with all options exercised. Since the announcement of our intention to divest from container vessels, we have seen significant inquiry for the sale of our vessels, given the quality of our fleet and the attractive charters in place. This is already culminating the sale of one of our older Panamax vessels. We'll continue to seek to divest from additional container vessels in an opportunistic banner, provide that we can achieve a reasonable sales price compared to the contracted and expected cash flows and our expectations with regard to residual value going forward. Turning to Slide 15 and the overview of the LNG market. I will pass the floor to our Chief Commercial Officer, Spyros Leoussis.

S
Spyros Leoussis
executive

Thank you, Gerry. Overall, the reduced focus on are security, along with warm weather and full gas inventories have resulted in a decline in gas prices in 2023. This, combined with prolonged availability throughout the year, has kept at the rates lower compared to previous years. Spot rates for too slow vessel averaged $171,250 per day in Q4 2023 while the 1-year time charter rate as of the end of January 2024 stood at $75,000 a day. Notably, 5-year times after 8 have exceeded those for shorter durations, reflecting anticipation of tightening conditions from 2026. On the longer term, 10-year rates exhibited an upward trend in influenced by increases in newbuilding prices and interest rate, although this trend has moderated recently. [ Charter ] markets for 2 strokes are expected to remain tall in 2024 and 2025. The preference for [ too slow ] vessels remains robust as the benefits of higher carrying capacity and lower boil-off are still significant, even at lower gas prices. Rate differentials to older, less efficient torments continue to increase and we have now split rate even for 158 to 145 [indiscernible] as the market recognizes a material difference for an additional few thousand cubic meters of current capacity on the impact of EXI regulations on vessel speed.

The United States became the world's largest exporter in 2023, a position fell by Qatar for the last few years, closely followed by Australia while China claimed its position as the largest importer. In Europe, [indiscernible] historic highs with several Asian importers having also reached full capacity. The focus on [indiscernible] heightened 2023 and daily this year, asset used to inform in Panama led to fewer transit flows through the canal. This could lead an additional demand for 4 to 5 LNG carriers per month from Q1 2024 [indiscernible]. Additionally, security concerns in the Red Sea have prompted vessels to avoid the Bab-el-Mandeb straight on Suez Canal, choosing the Cape of good Hope assets instead. Analysts expect that redirecting all LNG carriers via the Cape of good Hope should create additional demand for LNG vessels. Finally, the LNG fleet order book currently sits at approximately 52% of the total fleet encompassing 341 vessels on order. Shipyards respond to heightened demand, find themselves fully booked through 2027. The building the newbuilding price stands at more than $260 million per vessel for basic specification vessels. In 2023, there were 68 new orders, a decrease from the record stating 185 ships ordered in 2022. More ordering is expected in order to meet the demand for anticipated liquefaction volumes in the years ahead.

[indiscernible] projects adhere to time lines and propose projects secure final investment decision, the demand for newbuild [indiscernible] current yard capacity until the decades end.

G
Gerasimos Kalogiratos
executive

Thank you, Spyros. As a final comment again before we move to questions. So I would like to draw your attention to Slide 16. Here, you can see an updated time line of what we have set out to do. In the fourth quarter of '23, we announced closed the agreement for the acquisition of the 11 LNG carriers. We completed the 500 million rights offering, acquired the LNGC and Amore Mio and the 4 remaining vessels and 10% deposit for the initial vessels. We're now in the first quarter of '24 have already taken delivery of the LNGC Axios and agreed to sell one of our container vessels. Now looking ahead, we are going to focus on the following key steps. Firstly, the conversion of the corporate structure from MLP to an LNG and energy transition shipping Corporation, which we hope to conclude over the coming months. Secondly, and after the conversion. We will be working with our Board to define the new capital allocation policy free of the MLP mantle. Thirdly, we will continue to look for opportunistic divestments of our container vessels. And finally, we will continue to execute on our business plan by taking delivery of the next 3 LNG carriers with long-term employment in place in May, June and July of this year. And with that, I'm happy to answer any questions you may have. Rob, please open the floor for questions.

Operator

[Operator Instructions]. Our first question comes from Omar Nokta with Jefferies. Thank you.

O
Omar Nokta
analyst

Good afternoon. Thanks for the update. Gerry, yes, I just wanted to ask a few questions for me. But maybe just a simple one just to start off on the planned corporate conversion from a partnership to a corporation. Just simply noticed in the release, the date of June 21, it's a bit of an exact date. How do you feel negotiations or discussions are going on to make that deadline? And then what happens if it's not done by them.

G
Gerasimos Kalogiratos
executive

So this was the undertaking that the GP and the partnership gave to each other when the wider transaction was being negotiated. So the idea is to -- this is the, let's say, the deadline, there is there are no direct consequences envisioned under the umbrella agreement. In the end, it is an intention to negotiate the commitment from both sides. But what I can tell you is that both the GP and the partnership are very much motivated to get the conversion done. We are still in early innings as it is a process and both part is potentially or engaging advisers and whatnot. But I think it's more a question of few months rather than stretching beyond the deadline. As I said, I think both the GPs or Capital Maritime and affiliates, I want to see the conversion take place sooner than later and so is the Board and the partnership. So I'm quite optimistic that we will be able to conclude this much earlier than the target date.

O
Omar Nokta
analyst

Okay. That's clear. And then maybe just -- and I know you addressed this in the past, I could sort of get a sense of it, but maybe just want to hear some of you kind of -- how are you thinking about the platform and the business overall once this corporate conversion is official? And how do you see this affecting or changing maybe think of the management operations or strategy? Any color you can give on that?

G
Gerasimos Kalogiratos
executive

I think it is mostly conversion that will affect corporate governance. So the evolution of the GP and the GP rights as well as the IDRs and whatnot. I don't think it will significantly change strategy that we have already set out. I mean already the partnership has moved away from the contracted cash flow model. We now have acquired assets, a number of assets that have charters in place, but we also have a number of assets that do not have employment in what we perceive to be a very attractive period of time given LNG fundamental. So in terms, I think, of the shipping strategy. Already, we have moved to a more mix model, if you want, with both contracted cash flows and potential exposure to the underlying markets with first-class assets. Now with regard to -- I think to the distribution or the capital allocation policy, I think that's probably where you should expect also to see changes. The MLP model is more rigid in a way with asset distribution and moving from there onwards. Definitely CPLP going ahead expects to remain a disciplined steward of investor capital and will consider -- will continue to be to -- have a balanced approach towards growth, debt repayment and distributions like we have done over the last few years. And we are going to definitely retain the $0.15 per unit until we set out a new capital allocation policy. But I think overall, the -- to move to a floating dividend policy tied to a percent that's payout of free cash flow generation and earnings. So that's shareholders participate in the potential upside as we fix our vessels going forward. But I think the details of that are going to be carved out once we have completed also the conversion of the partnership corporation. And of course, there is -- there are numerous parameters due to this. But we'll talk about that when I think we have more details.

O
Omar Nokta
analyst

Okay. Sounds good. We look forward to that. And then maybe just a final quick one for me. What's the right share count we should be using now proforma -- or unit count pro forma the rights offering and the backstop agreement.

G
Gerasimos Kalogiratos
executive

It's 55.3 million. I can give the exact share count offline.

Operator

Our next question comes from Ben Nolan with Stifel.

B
Benjamin Nolan
analyst

Yes. Gerry. So actually, I wanted to go back a little bit to the first part of the -- Omar's question. Can you help me understand what exactly is being negotiated I don't think that IDRs are really a factor here. So how should we think about the -- what is what's, I guess, being negotiated? And how do you think about what that means from a monetary perspective maybe just a little bit more detail on what that process looks like.

G
Gerasimos Kalogiratos
executive

So the conversion entails the evolution of the GP, which means that there will be a sale of the GP units to the partnership. The consideration, what is -- what will be negotiated it's not being currently, will be the consideration for the sale of these GP units. The GP units come with two things: the IDRs, which, as you say, are part of the money. And certain corporate governance rights and control. There is a multitude of presidents out there in the space. I think really, the -- what has happened is the analysis of these presidents what applies here? And what is really the value for sale of these units if any, incrementally to their obvious economic value. The -- I should add as a consideration again, the weather the consideration can be paid, be it cash, shares, combination thereof is also something that could potentially discuss. So these are really the considerations around it. I cannot provide the framework because I mean, simply, I don't have one yet. But I think as soon as we have something that we can announce we will happily do so. This is the idea. After all, we want to have this done sooner than later and behind us in order to move forward.

B
Benjamin Nolan
analyst

Okay. That's helpful. And really appreciating that you can't say what you don't know. So we'll see that framing in is helpful. And then secondly, just curious, obviously, we've seen a pretty sizable pullback in LNG spot rate here. Obviously, there's seasonality and everything else as you guys talked about, but with respect to the new builds that are yet to be contracted, maybe could you talk to the appetite of charters or they're obviously going to be world-class assets that are high performing and everything else, but in a weaker environment, has there be any change the appetite for charters to contract those? And how are you thinking about the time frame where you would expect to have employment locked in on those.

S
Spyros Leoussis
executive

Hi, Ben. I will take this. Spyros. From our point of view, we see a very strong appetite from charterers to charter the vessels. Obviously, this is totally uncorrelated to the current market. We are talking about 2, 3 years ahead of time. We don't have a specific time line. I mean we expect to fix before delivery, let's say, that's our timeline. And this is a strategy that we have implemented in the past and it has been quite successful because we were able to capitalize effectively on the scarcity of slots and ships availability closer to delivery instead of competing with newbuilding slots. In terms of interest, we are seeing interest from all sorts of charters from either from fleet replacement projects, which I think will be quite significant also going forward. But obviously, from new projects that will seek to transport the new LNG that they will be producing.

B
Benjamin Nolan
analyst

Okay. Have you -- I guess just a follow on, I know it's early, but has there been any change in the rate or maybe the tenor of contracts at all given the current spot weakness? Or is the market long-term market sort of looking through that, do you think?

S
Spyros Leoussis
executive

As I told you, I think the long-term market is totally uncorrelated. The correlation -- a strong correlation for the long-term market is the building price as you know, remains quite robust, and we don't see any reason for disabling prices to reduce going forward either than I think most likely is to move a bit further upwards rather than downwards. So I think that's the main -- and also, obviously, interest rates is a big element to the price of -- to the rate that we are seeing on long-term projects. So actually, the trend for long-term projects has been to -- for prices to increase. If you see, I think the last the last one on the year -- on the 10-year mark, we are talking about 6-digit charters.

Operator

Our next question is from Liam Burke with B. Riley Securities.

L
Liam Burke
analyst

Hi, Gerry. How are you today?

G
Gerasimos Kalogiratos
executive

Hi, Liam. I'm well. How are you?

L
Liam Burke
analyst

I'm good, thank you. You sold the Long Beach, you're beginning to divest of the container vessels. Could you give us a sense as to the cadence? I mean, are you seeing a lot of interest, especially when you're looking at a container fleet, that's probably going to have excess capacity for the next couple of years.

G
Gerasimos Kalogiratos
executive

That's a good question, Liam. Actually, we definitely have seen no lack of interest. I don't forget that container owners and operators alike are coming from 2 years of an exceptional market. So balance sheet -- most balanced, it are quite loaded. And people are seeking quality tonnage like ours. So far, we have had approaches for all our vessels. But we are quite opportunistic in the way that we engage. We believe that dogmatic exits have no place in shipping and there have been examples of that. I think you have to make sure that you're getting proper value as a function of your contracted cash flows, expected cash flows and, of course, residual value. So in the end, we wouldn't mind keeping certain assets and just let them generate cash flow if we're not getting the proper price. But on the other hand, when we see what we perceive as a good valuation, we will be taking that. Having said that and to answer your -- first part of your question, I expect that we will be able to announce more in the first half of 2024. But again, I don't want to commit to a specific time line for divesting from all the assets. This is not the intention.

L
Liam Burke
analyst

That's certainly fair. And then on the Morion, you've got a period time chart for 3 years. Are you comfortable with that duration? Or would you prefer to have been longer understanding like rates are short-term, rates are a little softer. Why three years, generally, I think that it would go a little longer.

G
Gerasimos Kalogiratos
executive

So the Amore Mio 1 had a very attractive charter in place. I mean, the -- just from these 3 years, we expect to generate or until it is November 2026, right? So until November 2026, the vessel is expected to generate about 162 million of EBITDA. So that's better than many long-term charters in place. And the other attraction of this three year deal is that the vessel is coming off charter right at the time when we think that there will be big demand new liquefaction projects. So it's really at the end of '26 , which is for us a very good position. But really, the reason that we think the 3 years was the high rate. It was -- I think it was a very good trade-off.

Operator

There Are no further questions at this time. I'd like to turn the call back over to the CEO for closing comments.

G
Gerasimos Kalogiratos
executive

Thank you, Rob, and thank you all once again for listening in today.

Operator

This concludes today's conference. You may disconnect your lines at this time, and we thank you for your participation.

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