d1032381_6-k.htm

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
 
FORM 6-K
 
Report of Foreign Private Issuer
Pursuant to Rule 13a-16 or 15d-16 of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
 
For the month of October 2009
----------------------------------------
Commission File Number: 001-32199
 
Ship Finance International Limited
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Translation of registrant's name into English)
 
Par-la-Ville Place, 14 Par-la-Ville Road, Hamilton, HM 08, Bermuda
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(Address of principal executive offices)
 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F.
Form 20-F [ X ]     Form 40-F [   ]

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(1): ________.

Note: Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(1) only permits the submission in paper of a Form 6-K if submitted solely to provide an attached annual report to security holders.

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(7): ________.

Note: Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(7) only permits the submission in paper of a Form 6-K if submitted to furnish a report or other document that the registrant foreign private issuer must furnish and make public under the laws of the jurisdiction in which the registrant is incorporated, domiciled or legally organized (the registrant’s “home country”), or under the rules of the home country exchange on which the registrant’s securities are traded, as long as the report or other document is not a press release, is not required to be and has not been distributed to the registrant’s security holders, and, if discussing a material event, has already been the subject of a Form 6-K submission or other Commission filing on EDGAR.


 
INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS FORM 6-K REPORT
 
Attached hereto are the unaudited condensed interim financial statements and related Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations of Ship Finance International Limited (the "Company") for the six months ended June 30, 2009.
 
This report on Form 6-K is hereby incorporated by reference into the Company's Registration Statement on Form F-3  (Registration No. 333-150125), filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") on April 7, 2008, and the Company's amended Registration Statement on Form F-3/A (Registration No. 333-158162) filed with the SEC on May 6, 2009.
 

 
2

 

SHIP FINANCE INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
 
As used herein, "we", "us", "our" and "the Company" all refer to Ship Finance International Limited.  This management's discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations should be read together with the discussion included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended
December 31, 2008.
 
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
for the six months ended June 30, 2009
 
General
 
Ship Finance International Limited is a Bermuda based ship-owning company incorporated in 2003, with registered and principal executive offices located at Par-la-Ville Place, 14 Par-la-Ville Road, Hamilton, HM 08, Bermuda.
 
We operate through subsidiaries, partnerships and branches located in Bermuda, Cyprus, Malta, Liberia, Norway, the United States of America, Singapore, the United Kingdom and the Marshall Islands.
 
We are an international ship owning company and our assets currently consist of 32 oil tankers, eight oil/bulk/ore carriers, which we refer to as OBOs currently configured to carry drybulk cargo, one drybulk carrier, eight container vessels, one jack-up drilling rig, six offshore supply vessels, two chemical tankers and three ultra-deepwater drilling units. At June 30, 2009 we owned one additional jack-up drilling rig and one VLCC which were subsequently sold.
 
Additionally we have contracted to purchase the following vessels:
 
·  
two newbuilding Suezmax oil tankers, with estimated delivery to us in 2009 and 2010, respectively; and
 
·  
five newbuilding container vessels, with estimated delivery to us between 2010 and 2012,
 
We have entered into an agreement to sell the two newbuilding Suezmax tankers immediately upon their delivery to us from the shipyard. The five newbuilding container vessels will be marketed for medium to long-term employment upon their delivery to us.
 
Our customers currently include subsidiaries of Frontline Ltd ("Frontline"), Horizon Lines Inc. ("Horizon Lines"), Golden Ocean Group Limited ("Golden Ocean"), Seadrill Limited ("Seadrill"), Taiwan Maritime Transportation Co. Ltd ("TMT"), Bryggen Shipping & Trading AS ("Bryggen"), Heung-A Shipping Co. Ltd ("Hueng-A"), the CMA CGM Group ("CMA CGM") and Deep Sea Supply Plc ("Deep Sea"). Existing charters for most of our vessels range from four to 18 years remaining charter period, providing us with significant, stable base cash flows and high asset utilization provided that our counterparties fully perform under the terms of the respective charters.  Some of our charters include purchase options exercisable by the charterer, which if exercised would reduce our remaining charter coverage and contracted cash flow.
 
We were formed in 2003 as a wholly owned subsidiary of Frontline, which is one of the largest owners and operators of large crude oil tankers in the world, and effective January 2004 we purchased from Frontline a fleet of 47 vessels, comprised of 23 Very Large Crude Carriers ("VLCCs"), including an option to acquire one VLCC, 16 Suezmax tankers and eight OBOs.
 
Since 2004 we have diversified our asset base from the initial two asset types - crude oil tankers and OBOs - to eight asset types, now including container vessels, drybulk carriers, chemical tankers, jack-up drilling rigs, ultra-deepwater drilling units and offshore supply vessels.
 
In early July 2009, we announced that Seadrill had exercised a purchase option for one of the jack-up drilling rigs, which was delivered to Seadrill in mid July 2009. In late July 2009, we announced the sale of a single-hull VLCC to an unrelated third party, which was delivered to the buyer in early September 2009.

 
3

 

Operating Results
 
Total operating revenues
 
Total operating revenues for the six months ended June 30, 2009 decreased to $184.9 million, compared to $242.5 million for the same period in 2008, primarily owing to a $44.3 million reduction in profit sharing revenues. Operating revenues include finance lease interest income, finance lease service revenues, charter revenues and profit sharing revenues from our profit sharing arrangements with Frontline Shipping Limited, Frontline Shipping II Limited and Frontline Shipping III Limited (the "Frontline Charterers"). The Frontline Charterers are all subsidiaries of Frontline.
 
The following table sets forth our total operating revenues in the six months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008:
 
(in thousands of $)
 
6 months ended
 June 30 2009
   
6 months ended
 June 30 2008
 
             
Finance lease interest income
    80,327       92,073  
Finance lease service revenues
    45,494       46,909  
Profit sharing revenues
    22,502       66,781  
Time charter revenues
    2,164       9,395  
Bareboat charter revenues
    34,249       27,276  
Other operating income
    155       27  
Total operating revenues
    184,891       242,461  
 
Finance lease interest income arises on our tankers and OBOs, two jack-up drilling rigs and two offshore supply vessels. Finance lease interest income reduces over the terms of our leases as a progressively lesser proportion of the lease rental payment is allocated as interest income, and a higher amount treated as repayment of the finance lease. Our total finance lease interest income has also decreased as a result of negative interest rate adjustments which reduced the charterhire income received on the two jack-up drilling rigs, although this reduction in revenue is matched by a corresponding reduction in interest expense.
 
The reduction in finance lease service revenue reflects the re-chartering of a tanker in 2008 to a third party charterer on bareboat terms, as well as the change in sub-chartering of two tankers in 2009 by one of the Frontline Charterers from time-charter to a bareboat charter basis. Profit sharing revenue decreased considerably owing to lower charter rates achieved by the Frontline Charterers on our vessels during the six month period ended June 30, 2009 compared with the same period in 2008.
 
Time charter revenues were received throughout 2008 on our three 1,700 twenty foot equivalent unit ("TEU") container vessels. Two of these vessels were re-chartered in January 2009 on bareboat terms, resulting in a reduction in time charter revenues in the six months ended June 30, 2009 compared with the same period in 2008, and the third vessel is now being chartered out at a lower rate compared to 2008.
 
Bareboat charter revenues are earned by our two chemical tankers and those of our containerships and offshore supply vessels which are leased under operating leases on bareboat charters. The chemical tankers were acquired in April and October 2008 and two 1,700 TEU container vessels were re-chartered in January 2009 on bareboat terms, resulting in an increase in bareboat charter revenues for the six month period ended June 30, 2009 compared with the same period in 2008.
 
At June 30, 2009 we also owned three subsidiaries which are accounted for under the equity method; these subsidiaries own one drybulk carrier and three ultra deepwater drilling units (see below). The charterhire earned on these assets are accounted for as finance lease income in the accounts of the vessel-owning subsidiaries.

 
4

 


 
Cash flows arising from finance leases
 
The following table analyzes our cash flows from our charters to the Frontline Charterers, Seadrill, Deep Sea and TMT, which were accounted for as finance leases, during the six months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008:
 
(in thousands of $)
           
   
6 months ended June 30, 2009
   
6 months ended June 30, 2008
 
Charterhire payments accounted for as:
           
Finance lease interest income
    80,328       92,073  
Finance lease service revenues
    45,494       46,909  
Finance lease repayments
    92,017       98,048  
Non-cash adjustment to leases
    (1,321 )     (1,295 )
Total charterhire received
    216,518       235,735  

 
Ship operating expenses
 
Ship operating expenses consist mainly of payments to Frontline Management (Bermuda) Ltd, ("Frontline Management") of $6,500 per day for each vessel chartered to the Frontline Charterers, in accordance with the vessel management agreements. They also include ship operating expenses for the time-chartered containerships that are managed by unrelated third parties.

Ship operating expenses decreased from $49.7 million for the six months ended June 30, 2008 to $47.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2009, primarily due to the re-chartering on bareboat terms of a tanker in 2008 and two container vessels in January 2009.  There was also an impact from the election, in May 2009, by Frontline to re-charter two vessels, changing from time charter to bareboat charter basis in 2009, during which time the $6,500 daily charge for vessel management is suspended.
 
Administrative expenses
 
Administrative expenses, which include the fair value cost of share options granted to directors and employees, decreased slightly to $5.1 million in the six months ended June 30, 2009, compared to $5.5 million in the same period in 2008
 
Depreciation expense
 
Depreciation expenses relate to the vessels on charters accounted for as operating leases. For the six months ended June 30, 2009 depreciation expenses were $15.0 million, compared to $13.2 million for same period in 2008.The increase is mainly due to the delivery of two chemical tankers in April and October 2008.

Vessel impairment expense

Management has been closely monitoring the issue of the statutory phase-out of single-hulled tanker vessels and its effect on the carrying values of the remaining single-hulled tanker vessels in our fleet. The continuing decline in independent broker valuations of these vessels and the agreement to sell the Front Duchess at a price less than its carrying value resulted in the decision to adjust the estimated residual values of the six remaining single-hulled tanker vessels.
The reduction in the residual values, and subsequent recalculation of the lease investments resulted in an impairment adjustment totalling $26.8 million to be recognized in the second quarter of 2009. There was no impairment for the six months ended June 30, 2008.

Interest income
 
Interest income has decreased to $0.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2009 from $1.9 million for the same period in 2008, owing to the reduction in average USD LIBOR and lower levels of funds held on deposit.

 
5

 


 
Interest expense
 
(in thousands of $)
 
6 months ended June 30, 2009
   
6 months ended June 30, 2008
 
             
Interest on floating rate loans
    24,650       41,671  
Interest on 8.5% Senior Notes
    19,086       19,086  
Swap interest expense
    6,753       733  
Other interest
    8,933       -  
Amortization of deferred charges
    2,412       1,851  
      61,834       63,341  
 
At June 30, 2009 the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries had total debt outstanding of $2,355 million, comprised of $301 million principal amount of 8.5% senior notes (net of $148 million of those notes repurchased and held as treasury bonds), $1,964 million under floating rate secured credit facilities and $90 million of unsecured fixed rate debt. At December 31, 2008 we had total debt outstanding of $2,596 million, of which $449 million related to the 8.5% senior notes, $2,032 million was under floating rate secured credit facilities and $115 million was unsecured fixed rate debt.
 
At June 30, 2009 the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries were party to interest rate swap contracts which effectively fix our interest rate on $1,142 million of floating rate debt at a weighted average interest rate of 3.91% per annum (December 31, 2008: $1,206 million of floating rate debt fixed at a weighted average of 3.95% per annum).
 
The reduction in interest payable on floating rate loans between the first half of 2008 and 2009 mainly results from the reduction in average USD LIBOR between these two periods, from 2.78% per annum at June 30, 2008 to 0.60% per annum at June 30,2009. The reduction in USD LIBOR also accounts for the increase in swap interest payable in the first half of 2009 compared to 2008, resulting in a reduction in variable interest receivable on that part of the floating rate debt which is subject to interest rate swaps, while fixed interest payable under the swap contracts remains unchanged.
 
Other interest of $8.9 million is payable on the unsecured fixed rate debt and two short-term floating rate loans from related parties.
 
Amortization of deferred charges was $2.4 million in the six months ended June 30, 2009, compared with $1.9 million in the same period in 2008. The 26% increase is due to new financing facilities established since the first half of 2008.
 
 
Other financial items
 
In the six months ended June 30, 2009, other financial items amounted to a net income of $34.7 million, compared to a net income of $0.6 million for the six months ended June 30, 2008. During the six months ended June 30, 2009 the Company recognized an extraordinary gain of $22.6 million on the purchase of $148 million of 8.5% senior notes. In addition to the extraordinary gain, other financial items consist mainly of mark-to-market valuation changes on financial instruments, including our interest rate swap contracts and our bond and equity swaps.
 
Asset impairment expense
 
At June 30, 2009 an impairment test was performed on the financial investment in a company held as a long term asset.  The investee is a container vessel owner/operator.  The impairment test was performed due to the significant decrease in market values of container vessels and container vessel spot rates.
 
The asset impairment charge was calculated to be $7.1 million for the six months ending June 30, 2009 while there was zero impairment for the same period in 2008.

 
6

 


 
Equity in earnings of associated companies
 
During 2008 we established two new wholly-owned subsidiaries which, like another wholly-owned subsidiary established in 2006, have been accounted for under the equity method, as discussed in Note 3 of the Consolidated Financial Statements included herein.  These investments represent 100% interests in the vessel-owning subsidiaries which own the drybulk carrier Front Shadow acquired in 2006, the ultra deepwater drill ship West Polaris acquired in July 2008 and the two ultra deepwater drilling units West Hercules and West Taurus acquired in November 2008.  Equity in earnings in associated companies increased from $0.5 million in the six months ended June 30, 2008 to $39.4 million in the six months ended June 30, 2009 owing to the acquisition of the three ultra-deepwater drilling units in 2008.
 
Seasonality
 
Most of our vessels are chartered at fixed rates on a long-term basis and seasonal factors do not have a significant direct affect on our business. Most of our tankers and OBOs are subject to profit sharing agreements, and our single remaining jack-up drilling rig became subject to a profit sharing agreement in 2009. To the extent that seasonal factors affect the profits of the charterers of these vessels we will also be affected.
 
Liquidity and Capital Resources
 
As of June 30, 2009, we had total cash and cash equivalents of $61.4 million and restricted cash of $0.8 million.
 
Cash flows provided by operating activities decreased for the six months ended June 30, 2009 to $81.8 million, compared to $102.4 million for the same period in 2008, mainly due to working capital movements.
 
Net cash provided by investing activities was $162.4 million for the six months ended June 30, 2009, compared to $2.7 million used in investing activities for the same period in 2008.
 
Cash provided by the repayment of finance leases was $91.5 million in the six months to June 30, 2009 compared to $119.1 million in same period in 2008. The higher figure in 2008 was due to the upfront payment on the hire-purchase sale of the Front Sabang. Additional cash of $59.3 million in 2009 has resulted from the release of restricted cash, following the unwinding of the total return bond swaps. In the same period in 2008 there were net placements of restricted cash $7.9 million. In the six months to June 30, 2009 $30.9 million was received from investments in associated companies, compared to zero for the same period in 2008.
 
In the six months ended June 30, 2009 $19.0 million was invested in our newbuilding projects. During the comparative period in 2008, we paid $134.8 million for the acquisition of vessels and received $23.0 million for the sale of vessels.
 
Net cash outflow from financing activities for the six months ended June 30, 2009 was $229 million, compared with $91.6 million in the same period in 2008. The increase in outflow was mainly due to the $125.4 million used to repurchase 8.5% senior notes in the first half of 2009 and cash settlements of derivative instruments during 2009. Cash used in the payment of dividends has decreased from $80.7 million in the six months ended June 30, 2008 to $53.5 million in the six months ended June 30, 2009 due to a reduction in the dividend and some shareholders electing to receive dividends in the form of shares.

 

 
7

 


SHIP FINANCE INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
Consolidated Statements of Operations
for the six month periods ended June 30, 2009 and June 30, 2008 (unaudited)
and the year ended December 31, 2008 (audited)

(in thousands of $, except per share amounts)

 
   
6 months ended
 June 30
   
Year ended
December 31
 
   
2009
   
2008
   
2008
 
   
(unaudited)
   
(unaudited)
   
(audited)
 
Operating revenues
                 
Finance lease interest income from related parties
    78,577       90,453       174,948  
Finance lease interest income from non-related parties
    1,750       1,620       3,674  
Finance lease service revenues from related parties
    45,494       46,909       93,553  
Profit sharing revenues from related parties
    22,502       66,781       110,962  
Time charter revenues from non-related parties
    2,164       9,395       18,646  
Bareboat charter revenues from related parties
    10,437       10,713       21,188  
Bareboat charter revenues from non-related parties
    23,812       16,563       34,606  
Other operating income
    155       27       228  
Total operating revenues
    184,891       242,461       457,805  
                         
Gain on sale of assets
    -       17,377       17,377  
                         
Operating expenses
                       
Ship operating expenses to related parties
    45,493       46,909       93,553  
Ship operating expenses to non-related parties
    1,591       2,774       6,353  
Depreciation
    14,983       13,193       28,038  
Vessel impairment
    26,756       -       -  
Administrative expenses to related parties
    457       692       1,013  
Administrative expenses to non-related parties
    4,661       4,840       8,823  
Total operating expenses
    93,941       68,408       137,780  
                         
Net operating income
    90,950       191,430       337,402  
Non-operating income / (expense)
                       
Interest income
    149       1,909       3,478  
Interest expense
    (61,834 )     (63,341 )     (127,192 )
Asset impairment
    (7,110 )     -       -  
Other financial items, net
    34,664       632       (54,876 )
Net income before equity in earnings of associated companies
    56,819       130,630       158,812  
                         
Equity in earnings of associated companies
    39,379       461       22,799  
                         
Net income
    96,198       131,091       181,611  
 
Per share information:
                       
 
Basic earnings per share
    $1.30       $1.80       $2.50  
 
Diluted earnings per share
    $1.30       $1.80       $2.50  

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
 

 
8

 

SHIP FINANCE INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
Consolidated Balance Sheets
as at June 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008

(in thousands of $)
 
 
   
June 30, 2009
   
December 31, 2008
 
   
(unaudited)
   
(audited)
 
ASSETS
           
Current assets
           
Cash and cash equivalents
    61,367       46,075  
Restricted cash
    813       60,103  
Trade accounts receivable
    71       435  
Due from related parties
    21,758       45,442  
Other receivables
    971       1,149  
Inventories
    97       252  
Prepaid expenses and accrued income
    2,353       3,638  
Investment in finance leases, current portion
    162,703       173,982  
Financial instruments (short term): mark to market valuation
    1,075       466  
Total current assets
    251,208       331,542  
                 
Vessels and equipment
    638,665       638,665  
Accumulated depreciation on vessels and equipment
    (66,829 )     (51,849 )
Vessels and equipment, net
    571,836       586,816  
Newbuildings
    88,822       69,400  
Investment in finance leases, long-term portion
    1,816,223       1,916,510  
Investment in associated companies
    452,835       420,977  
Other long-term investments
    1,687       8,545  
Deferred charges
    12,698       14,696  
Financial instruments (long term): mark to market valuation
    153          
Total assets
    3,195,462       3,348,486  
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
               
Current liabilities
               
Short-term debt and current portion of long-term debt
    394,460       385,577  
Trade accounts payable
    38       19  
Due to related parties
    45,413       6,472  
Accrued expenses
    10,138       17,937  
Financial instruments (short term): mark to market valuation
    -       34,300  
Dividend payable
    10,663       43,646  
Other current liabilities
    5,200       5,291  
Total current liabilities
    465,912       493,242  
Long-term liabilities
               
Long-term debt
    1,960,719       2,209,939  
Financial instruments (long term): mark to market valuation
    64,699       94,415  
Other long-term liabilities
    32,005       33,540  
Total liabilities
    2,523,335       2,831,136  
Commitments and contingent liabilities
    -       -  
Stockholders' equity
               
Share capital
    77,278       72,744  
Additional paid-in capital
    38,472       2,194  
Contributed surplus
    503,724       496,922  
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
    (58,157 )     (90,064 )
Accumulated other comprehensive loss – associated companies
    (25,904 )     (49,244 )
Retained earnings
    136,714       84,798  
Total stockholders' equity
    672,127       517,350  
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity
    3,195,462       3,348,486  

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 
9

 

SHIP FINANCE INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
 
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
for the six month periods ended June 30, 2009 and June 30, 2008 (unaudited)
and the year ended December 31, 2008 (audited)
 
(in thousands of $)
 
   
6 months ended
June 30
   
Year ended
December 31
 
   
2009
   
2008
   
2008
 
   
(unaudited)
   
(unaudited)
   
(audited)
 
Operating activities
                 
Net income
    96,198       131,091       181,611  
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by
operating activities:
                       
Depreciation
    14,983       13,193       28,038  
Impairment adjustment to vessel values
    26,756                  
Impairment adjustment to investment value
    7,110                  
Amortization of deferred charges
    2,413       1,851       3,777  
Amortization of seller's credit
    (1,034 )     (1,082 )     (2,144 )
Equity in earnings of associated companies
    (39,379 )     (461 )     (22,799 )
Gain on sale of assets
    -       (17,377 )     (17,377 )
Gain on repurchase of bonds
    (22,601 )     -       -  
Adjustment of derivatives to market value
    (13,310 )     (1,036 )     54,527  
Other
    (157 )     (651 )     (122 )
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effect of acquisitions
                       
Trade accounts receivable
    364       (19 )     (407 )
Due from related parties
    18,125       (17,930 )     (3,909 )
Other receivables
    178       11       (1,996 )
Inventories
    155       10       15  
Prepaid expenses and accrued income
    1,285       (3,099 )     (3,338 )
Trade accounts payable
    18       (73 )     (78 )
Accrued expenses
    (7,799 )     (4,068 )     965  
Other current liabilities
    (1,458 )     2,024       (5,377 )
Net cash provided by operating activities
    81,847       102,384       211,386  
                         
Investing activities
                       
Investment in finance lease assets
    -       (104,000 )     (104,000 )
Repayments from investments in finance leases
    91,516       119,137       210,348  
Additions to newbuildings
    (19,006 )     (734 )     (22,395 )
Purchase of vessels
    -       (30,100 )     (60,200 )
Proceeds from sales of vessels
    -       23,005       23,005  
Proceeds on cancellation of newbuildings
    -       -       1,845  
Repayment by (Investment in)  associated companies
    30,860       (2 )     (442,891 )
Costs of other investments
    (254 )     (2,020 )     (6,537 )
Net release (placement) of restricted cash
    59,290       (7,944 )     (33,120 )
Net cash (used in) investing activities
    162,406       (2,658 )     (433,945 )
                         
Financing activities
                       
Proceeds from issuance of short-term and long-term debt
    134,500       129,500       576,973  
Repayments of short-term and long-term debt
    (182,331 )     (137,570 )     (251,451 )
Repurchase of 8.5% Bonds
    (125,405 )     -       -  
Debt fees paid
    (429 )     (1,383 )     (1,551 )
Cash settlement of derivative instruments
    (18,285 )     (1,358 )     (10,655 )
Proceeds on issue of shares under ATM registration
    16,454       -       -  
Cash dividends paid
    (53,465 )     (80,745 )     (122,937 )
Net cash provided by financing activities
    (228,961 )     (91,556 )     190,379  
                         
Net change in cash and cash equivalents
    15,292       8,170       (32,180 )
Cash and cash equivalents at start of the period
    46,075       78,255       78,255  
Cash and cash equivalents at end of the period
    61,367       86,425       46,075  
                         
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
                       
Interest paid, net of capitalized interest
    63,246       68,427       126,759  
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 
10

 

SHIP FINANCE INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
 
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders' Equity and Comprehensive Income
for the six month periods ended June 30, 2009 and June 30, 2008 (unaudited)
and the year ended December 31, 2008 (audited)
 
(in thousands of $, except number of shares)
 
   
6 months ended
June 30
   
Year ended
December 31
 
   
2009
   
2008
   
2008
 
   
(unaudited)
   
(unaudited)
   
(audited)
 
Number of shares outstanding
                 
At beginning of period
    72,743,737       72,743,737       72,743,737  
Shares issued (see Note 6)
    3,495,264       -       -  
At end of period
    76,239,001       72,743,737       72,743,737  
                         
Share capital
                       
At beginning of period
    72,744       72,744       72,744  
Shares issued (see Note 6)
    4,534       -       -  
At end of period
    77,278       72,744       72,744  
                         
Additional paid-in capital
                       
At beginning of period
    2,194       737       737  
Premium on shares issued (see Note 6)
    35,728       -       -  
Employee stock options issued
    550       722       1,457  
At end of period
    38,472       1,459       2,194  
                         
Contributed surplus
                       
At beginning of period
    496,922       485,119       485,119  
Amortization of deferred equity contributions
    6,802       3,776       11,803  
At end of period
    503,724       488,895       496,922  
                         
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
                       
At beginning of period
    (90,064 )     (13,894 )     (13,894 )
Other comprehensive income/(loss)
    31,907       3,331       (76,170 )
At end of period
    (58,157 )     (10,563 )     (90,064 )
                         
Accumulated other comprehensive loss – associated companies
                       
At beginning of period
    (49,244 )     -       -  
Other comprehensive income (loss)
    23,340       -       (49,244 )
At end of period
    (25,904 )     -       (49,244 )
                         
Retained earnings
                       
At beginning of period
    84,798       69,771       69,771  
Net income
    96,198       131,091       181,611  
Dividends declared
    (44,282 )     (80,745 )     (166,584 )
At end of period
    136,714       120,117       84,798  
Total Stockholders' Equity
    672,127       672,652       517,350  
                         
Comprehensive income
                       
Net income
    96,198       131,091       181,611  
                         
Fair value adjustment to hedging financial instruments
    31,867       3,342       (76,019 )
Fair value adjustment to hedging financial instruments in associated companies
    23,340       -       (49,244 )
Other comprehensive income / (loss)
    40       (11 )     (151 )
                         
Comprehensive income
    151,445       134,422       56,197  
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 
11

 


SHIP FINANCE INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
 
 
1.
INTERIM FINANCIAL DATA
 
The unaudited interim financial statements of Ship Finance International Limited ("Ship Finance" or the "Company") have been prepared on the same basis as the Company's audited financial statements and, in the opinion of management, include all material adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments considered necessary in order to make the interim financial statements not misleading, in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("US GAAP"). The accompanying interim unaudited financial statements should be read in conjunction with the annual financial statements and notes included in the Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2008. The results of operations for the interim period ended June 30, 2009 are not necessarily indicative of the results for the entire year ending December 31, 2009.
 
Basis of Accounting
 
The consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with US GAAP. The consolidated financial statements include the assets and liabilities and results of operations of the Company and its subsidiaries. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated on consolidation.
 
Investments in companies over which the Company exercises significant influence but does not consolidate are accounted for using the equity method. The Company records its investments in equity-method investees on the consolidated balance sheets as "Investment in associated companies" and its share of the investees' earnings or losses in the consolidated statements of operations as "Equity in earnings of associated companies".
 
A variable interest entity is defined by Financial Accounting Standards Board Interpretation ("FIN") 46(R) as a legal entity where either (a) equity interest holders as a group lack the characteristics of a controlling financial interest, including decision making ability and an interest in the entity's residual risks and rewards, or (b) the equity holders have not provided sufficient equity investment to permit the entity to finance its activities without additional subordinated financial support, or (c) the voting rights of some investors are not proportional to their obligations to absorb the expected losses of the entity, their rights to receive the expected residual returns of the entity, or both and substantially all of the entity's activities either involve or are conducted on behalf of an investor that has disproportionately few voting rights.
 
FIN 46(R) requires a variable interest entity to be consolidated if any of its interest holders are entitled to a majority of the entity's residual return or are exposed to a majority of its expected losses. We evaluate our subsidiaries, and any other entity in which we hold a variable interest, in order to determine whether we are the primary beneficiary of the entity, and where it is determined that we are the primary beneficiary we fully consolidate the entity. Investments in which the Company has a majority shareholding but which it does not consolidate, due to the participating rights of other interest holders, are accounted for using the equity method.
 
Items of historical data are reclassified where appropriate in order to provide comparative figures on a consistent basis. Charterhire income is reported net of commissions deducted. Prior to 2009 all commissions were reported as a component of voyage costs. In comparative figures reported herein, commissions have been reclassified and are reported within charter hire revenues.
 
The preparation of financial statements in accordance with US GAAP requires that management make estimates and assumptions affecting the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Revenue and Expense Recognition
 
Revenues and expenses are recognized on the accrual basis. Revenues are generated from time charter hire, bareboat charter hire, finance lease interest income, finance lease service revenues and profit sharing arrangements.
 
Each charter agreement is evaluated and classified as an operating or a capital lease. Rental receipts from operating leases are recognized to income over the period to which the payment relates.
 
 
12

 
Rental payments from capital leases are allocated between lease service revenues, if applicable, finance lease interest income and repayment of net investment in finance leases. The amount allocated to lease service revenue is based on the estimated fair value at the time of entering the lease agreement of the services provided, which consist of ship management and operating services.
 
Any contingent elements of rental income, such as profit share or interest rate adjustments, are recognized when the contingent conditions have materialized and the rentals are due and collectible.
 
Deemed Equity Contributions
 
The Company has accounted for the acquisition of vessels from Frontline Ltd ("Frontline") at Frontline's historical carrying value.  The difference between the historical carrying value and the net investment in the lease has been recorded as a deferred deemed equity contribution. This deferred deemed equity contribution is presented as a reduction in the net investment in finance leases in the balance sheet.  This results from the related party nature of both the transfer of the vessel and the subsequent finance lease.  The deferred deemed equity contribution is amortized as a credit to contributed surplus over the life of the new lease arrangement, as lease payments are applied to the principal balance of the lease receivable.
 
Drydocking Provisions
 
Normal vessel repair and maintenance costs are charged to expense when incurred. The Company recognizes the cost of a drydocking at the time the drydocking takes place, applying the "expense as incurred" method.
 
New Accounting Pronouncements
 
In February 2008 the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Staff Position ("FSP") No.157-2 "Effective Date of FASB Statement No.157" ("FSP 157-2") which defers the effective date of FAS No. 157 "Fair Value Measurements" ("FAS 157") for one year relative to certain non-financial assets and liabilities. As a result, the application of FAS 157 for the definition and measurement of fair value and related disclosures for all financial assets and liabilities was effective for the Company beginning January 1, 2008 on a prospective basis. This adoption did not have a material impact on the Company's consolidated results of operations or financial condition. The remaining aspects of FAS 157, for which the effective date was deferred under FSP 157-2, relate to non-financial assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value, but are recognized or disclosed at fair value on a nonrecurring basis. This deferral applies to items such as long-lived asset groups measured at fair value for an impairment assessment. The effects of the remaining aspects of FAS 157 are applied to fair value measurements prospectively beginning January 1, 2009 and do not have a material impact on the Company's consolidated results of operations or financial condition.
 
In March 2008 the FASB issued FAS No. 161 "Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities—An Amendment of FASB Statement No. 133" ("FAS 161"). FAS 161 applies to all derivative instruments and related hedged items accounted for under FAS 133 and requires entities to provide greater transparency about (a) how and why an entity uses derivative instruments, (b) how derivative instruments and related hedged items are accounted for under FAS 133 and its related interpretations, and (c) how derivative instruments and related hedged items affect an entity's financial position, results of operations, and cash flows. FAS 161 is effective for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after November 15, 2008. Since FAS 161 applies only to financial statement disclosures, it does not have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial position, results of operations, and cash flows.
 
13

 
2.
INVESTMENTS IN FINANCE LEASES
 
Most of the Company's VLCCs, Suezmaxes and OBOs are chartered on long-term, fixed-rate charters to Frontline Shipping Limited, Frontline Shipping II Limited and Frontline Shipping III Limited, (the "Frontline Charterers") which extend for various periods depending on the age of the vessels, ranging from approximately four to 18 years remaining charter period. The terms of the charters do not provide the Frontline Charterers with an option to terminate the charter before the end of its term, other than with respect to the Company's non-double hull vessels for which there are termination options commencing in 2010.
 
The Company's two jack-up drilling rigs are chartered on long-term bareboat charters to wholly-owned subsidiaries of Seadrill Limited ("Seadrill"), a related party.  The terms of the charters provide the charterers with various call options to acquire the rigs at certain dates throughout the charters, which expire in 2021 and 2022.
 
Two of the Company's offshore supply vessels are chartered on long term bareboat charters to a wholly owned subsidiary of Deep Sea Supply Plc ("Deep Sea"), a related party. The terms of charters provide the charterers with various call options to acquire the vessels at certain dates throughout the charters, which expire in 2020.
 
As of June 30, 2009, 45 of the Company's assets were accounted for as finance leases, including the above vessels chartered to the Frontline Charterers and subsidiaries of Seadrill and Deep Sea. The following lists the components of the investments in finance leases as of June 30, 2009, all of which are leased to related parties, with the exception of the Front Vanadis and Front Sabang, which together accounted for $39.3 million of the total investment in finance leases as of June 30, 2009:
 
 
(in thousands of $)
 
June 30, 2009
   
December 31, 2008
 
 
 
Total minimum lease payments to be received
    3,669,356       3,903,011  
 
Less: amounts representing estimated executory costs including profit thereon, included in total minimum lease payments
    (874,734 )     (926,987 )
 
Net minimum lease payments receivable
    2,794,622       2,976,024  
 
Estimated residual values of leased property (un-guaranteed)
    599,226       625,857  
 
Less: unearned income
    (1,189,580 )     (1,278,840 )
        2,204,268       2,323,041  
 
Less: deferred deemed equity contribution
    (207,115 )     (213,917 )
 
Less: unamortized gains
    (18,227 )     (18,632 )
 
Total investment in finance leases
    1,978,926       2,090,492  
                   
 
Current portion
    162,703       173,982  
 
Long-term portion
    1,816,223       1,916,510  
        1,978,926       2,090,492  
 
The Analyses above for 2009 and 2008 include the West Ceres which was sold during the second half of 2009 following the exercise of a purchase option by Seadrill in July 2009.
 

 
 
3.
INVESTMENT IN ASSOCIATED COMPANIES

At June 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008 the Company has the following participation in investments that are recorded using the equity method:

     
June 30
 2009
   
December 31 2008
 
 
Front Shadow Inc.
    100.00 %     100.00 %
 
SFL West Polaris Limited
    100.00 %     100.00 %
 
SFL Deepwater Ltd
    100.00 %     100.00 %

 
 
14

 

Summarized balance sheet information on of the Company's three equity method investees is as follows:

     
As of June 30 2009
 
 
(in thousands of $)
 
TOTAL
   
Front Shadow
   
SFL West Polaris
   
SFL Deepwater
 
 
Current assets
    271,042       2,020       97,622       171,400  
 
Non current assets
    2,251,371       22,605       731,288       1,497,478  
 
Current liabilities
    240,044       3,984       76,415       159,645  
 
Non current liabilities
    1,809,906       18,090       613,941       1,177,875  


     
As of December 31 2008
 
 
(in thousands of $)
 
TOTAL
   
Front Shadow
   
SFL West Polaris
   
SFL Deepwater
 
 
Current assets
    229,801       1,666       84,780       143,355  
 
Non current assets
    2,358,735       23,518       767,742       1,567,475  
 
Current liabilities
    485,913       3,935       75,459       406,519  
 
Non current liabilities
    1,692,876       19,120       662,033       1,011,723  

Summarized statement of operations information of the Company's three equity method investees is as follows:

     
6 months ended June 30 2009
 
 
(in thousands of $)
 
TOTAL
   
Front Shadow
   
SFL West Polaris
   
SFL Deepwater
 
 
Operating revenues
    77,344       568       29,376       47,400  
 
Net operating income
    77,270       560       29,345       47,365  
 
Net income
    39,379       423       11,558       27,398  

     
6 months ended June 30 2008
 
 
(in thousands of $)
 
TOTAL
   
Front Shadow
   
SFL West Polaris
   
SFL Deepwater
 
 
Operating revenues
    837       837       -       -  
 
Net operating income
    835       835       -       -  
 
Net income
    461       461       -       -  

     
Year ended December 31 2008
 
 
(in thousands of $)
 
TOTAL
   
Front Shadow
   
SFL West Polaris
   
SFL Deepwater
 
 
Operating revenues
    44,823       1,632       28,156       15,035  
 
Net operating income
    44,560       1,630       28,024       14,906  
 
Net income
    22,799       939       13,354       8,506  
 
Front Shadow Inc. ("Front Shadow") is a 100% owned subsidiary of Ship Finance, incorporated in 2006 for the purpose of holding a Panamax drybulk carrier and leasing that vessel to Golden Ocean Group Limited ("Golden Ocean"), a related party. In September 2006 Front Shadow entered into a $22.7 million term loan facility and at June 30, 2009 the balance outstanding under this facility was $17.6 million. The Company guarantees $2.1 million of this debt. The vessel is chartered on a bareboat basis and the terms of the charter provide the charterer with various call options to acquire the vessel at certain dates throughout the charter, which expires in 2016.
 
SFL West Polaris Limited ("SFL West Polaris") is a 100% owned subsidiary of Ship Finance, incorporated in 2008 for the purpose of holding an ultra deepwater drillship and leasing that vessel to Seadrill Polaris Ltd. ("Seadrill Polaris"), a wholly owned and guaranteed subsidiary of Seadrill. In July 2008 SFL West Polaris entered into a $700.0 million term loan facility and at June 30, 2009 the balance outstanding under this facility was $653.8 million. The Company currently guarantees $100.0 million of this debt. The vessel is chartered on a bareboat basis and the terms of the charter provide the charterer with various call options to acquire the vessel at certain dates throughout the charter. In addition, SFL West Polaris has a put option to sell the vessel to Seadrill Polaris at a fixed price at the end of the charter, which expires in 2023.
 
 
15

 
SFL Deepwater Ltd ("SFL Deepwater") is a 100% owned subsidiary of Ship Finance, incorporated in 2008 for the purpose of holding two ultra deepwater drilling rigs and leasing those rigs to Seadrill Deepwater Charterer Ltd. ("Seadrill Deepwater"), a wholly owned and guaranteed subsidiary of Seadrill. In September 2008 SFL Deepwater entered into a $1,400.0 million term loan facility and at June 30, 2009 the balance outstanding under this facility was $1,329.3 million. The Company guarantees $200.0 million of this debt. The rigs are chartered on a bareboat basis and the terms of the charter provide the charterer with various call options to acquire the rigs at certain dates throughout the charter. In addition, there is an obligation for Seadrill Deepwater to purchase the rigs at fixed prices at the end of the charters, which expire in 2023.
 
These three entities are being accounted for using the equity method as it has been determined that Ship Finance is not their primary beneficiary under FIN 46 (R).
 
 
4.
LONG-TERM DEBT
 
 
 
( i(in thousands of $)
 
June 30, 2009
   
December 31, 2008
 
 
8.5% Senior Notes due 2013
    301,074       449,080  
 
U.S.dollar loan due 2009 to a related party
    90,000       115,000  
 
U.S. dollar denominated floating rate debt (LIBOR plus a margin) due through 2019
    1,964,105       2,031,436  
        2,355,179       2,595,516  
 
Less: short-term portion
    (394,460 )     (385,577 )
        1,960,719       2,209,939  
The outstanding debt as of June 30, 2009 is repayable as follows:
 
 
(in thousands of $)
Year ending December 31
     
 
2009 (remaining six months)
    213,680  
 
2010
    297,841  
 
2011
    702,387  
 
2012
    332,256  
 
2013
    452,611  
 
Thereafter
    356,404  
 
Total debt
    2,355,179  
 
The weighted average interest rate for floating rate debt denominated in U.S. dollars was 3.06% per annum and 3.35% per annum at June 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, respectively. These rates take into consideration the effect of related interest rate swaps. At June 30, 2009 the three month dollar USD LIBOR rate was 0.60% per annum.
 
8.5% Senior Notes Due 2013
 
On December 15, 2003 the Company issued $580 million of 8.5% senior notes.  Interest on the notes is payable in cash semi-annually in arrears on June 15 and December 15. The notes were not redeemable prior to December 15, 2008 except in certain circumstances.  After that date the Company may redeem notes at redemption prices which reduce from 104.25% in 2008 to 100% in 2011 and thereafter.
 
The Company bought back and cancelled notes in 2006, 2005 and 2004 with principal amounts of $8.0 million, $73.2 million and $49.7 million, respectively. No notes were bought in 2007 or 2008 and thus there was $449.1 million outstanding at December 31, 2008.
 
In June 2009 the Company purchased notes with a principal value of $148.0 million, which are being held as treasury bonds. There was thus a net $301.1 million of notes outstanding at June 30, 2009.
 
 
16

$1,131 million secured term loan facility
 
In February 2005 the Company entered into a $1,131 million term loan facility with a syndicate of banks.  The facility bears interest at LIBOR plus a margin and is repayable over a term of six years.
In September 2006 the Company signed an agreement whereby the existing debt facility, which had then been partially repaid, was increased by $220 million to the original amount of $1,131 million.  The increase is available on a revolving basis and at June 30, 2009 the available amount under the facility was fully drawn.
 
$350 million combined senior and junior secured term loan facility
 
In June 2005 the Company entered into a combined $350 million senior and junior secured term loan facility with a syndicate of banks, for the purpose of funding the acquisition of five VLCCs. The facility bears interest at LIBOR plus a margin for the senior loan and LIBOR plus a different margin for the junior loan. The facility is repayable over a term of seven years.
 
$210 million secured term loan facility
 
In April 2006 the Company entered into a $210 million secured term loan facility with a syndicate of banks to partly fund the acquisition of five new container vessels.  The facility bears interest at LIBOR plus a margin and is repayable over a term of 12 years.
 
$165 million secured term loan facility
 
In June 2006 the Company entered into a $165 million secured term loan facility with a syndicate of banks.  The proceeds of the facility were used to partly fund the acquisition of the jack-up drilling rig West Ceres. The facility bears interest at LIBOR plus a margin and is repayable over a term of six years. Subsequent to June 30, 2009 Seadrill has exercised a purchase option resulting in the sale of the West Ceres. Upon completion of the sale the loan facility will be re-paid.
 
$170 million secured term loan facility
 
In February 2007 the Company entered into a $170 million secured term loan facility with a syndicate of banks.  The proceeds of the facility were used to partly fund the acquisition of the jack-up drilling rig West Prospero. The facility bears interest at LIBOR plus a margin and is repayable over a term of six years from the date of delivery of the rig.
 
$149 million secured term loan facility
 
In August 2007 the Company entered into a $149 million secured term loan facility with a syndicate of banks.  The proceeds of the facility were used to partly fund the acquisition of five new offshore supply vessels. One of the vessels was sold in January 2008 and the loan facility now relates to four vessel owning subsidiaries. The facility bears interest at LIBOR plus a margin and is repayable over a term of seven years.
 
$77 million secured term loan facility
 
In January 2008 the Company entered into a $77 million secured term loan facility with a syndicate of banks. The proceeds of the facility were used to partly fund the acquisition of two offshore supply vessels. The facility bears interest at LIBOR plus a margin and is repayable over a term of seven years.
 
$30 million secured term loan facility
 
In February 2008 the Company entered into a $30 million secured term loan facility with a bank. The proceeds of the facility were used to partly fund the acquisition of the containership SFL Europa (ex Montemar Europa). The facility bears interest at LIBOR plus a margin and is repayable over a term of seven years.
 
$49 million secured term loan facility
 
In March 2008 the Company entered into a $49 million secured term loan facility with a bank, to partly fund the acquisition of two newbuilding chemical tankers. The facility bears interest at LIBOR plus a margin and is repayable over a term of ten years.
 
$70 million secured revolving credit facility
 
In June 2008 the Company entered into a $70 million secured revolving credit facility with a bank, secured against three single hull VLCCs. The facility bears interest at LIBOR plus a margin and is repayable over a term of two years. At June 30, 2009 the available amount under the facility was fully drawn.
 
 
17

$58 million secured revolving credit facility
 
In September 2008 the Company entered into a $58 million secured revolving credit facility with a syndicate of banks, secured against two containerships. The facility bears interest at LIBOR plus a margin and is repayable over a term of five years. At June 30, 2009 the amount available under the facility was fully drawn.
 
$100 million secured revolving credit facility
 
In November 2008 the Company entered into a $100 million secured revolving credit facility with a bank.  The proceeds of the facility were secured against five single hull VLCCs. The facility bears interest at LIBOR plus a margin and is repayable over a term of two years.  At June 30, 2009 the available amount under the facility was fully drawn.
 
$115 million loan due to a related party
 
In December 2008 the Company entered into a $115 million loan agreement with a related party. The loan bears interest at a fixed rate and is repayable in 2009.
 
$60 million secured term loan facility
 
In June 2009 the Company entered into a $60 million secured term loan facility with a bank, to partly fund the purchase of its 8.5% Senior Notes. The facility bears interest at LIBOR plus a margin and is repayable over a period of two years.
 
$30 million secured term loan facility
 
In June 2009 the Company entered into a $30 million secured term loan facility with a bank, to partly fund the purchase of its 8.5% Senior Notes. The facility bears interest at LIBOR plus a margin and is repayable over a period of one year, though at the end of that period the Company has the right to extend the term of the loan by an additional 2 years.
 
Agreements related to long-term debt provide limitations on the amount of total borrowings and secured debt, and acceleration of payment under certain circumstances, including failure to satisfy certain financial covenants. As of June 30, 2009 the Company is in compliance with all of the covenants under its long-term debt facilities.
 
 
5.
FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
 
 
  Interest rate risk management
 
In certain situations, the Company may enter into financial instruments to reduce the risk associated with fluctuations in interest rates.  The Company has a portfolio of swaps that swap floating rate interest to fixed rate, which from a financial perspective hedge interest rate exposure. The counterparties to such contracts are Nordea Bank Finland Plc, HSH Nordbank AG, Fortis Bank (Nederland) N.V., Fortis Bank NV/SA New York Branch, HBOS Treasury Services plc, NIBC Bank N.V., Citibank N.A. London, Scotiabank Europe Plc, DnB NOR Bank ASA, Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken AB (publ) Oslo, ING Bank N.V., Lloyds TSB Bank Plc, Commmerzbank AG, Royal Bank of Scotland plc, and Calyon. Credit risk exists to the extent that the counterparties are unable to perform under the contracts, but this risk is considered remote as the counterparties are all banks which have provided the Company with loans and the interest rate swaps are related to financing arrangements.
 
The Company manages its debt portfolio with interest rate swap agreements denominated in U.S. dollars to achieve an overall desired position of fixed and floating interest rates. At June 30, 2009 the Company, or subsidiaries of the Company, had entered into interest rate swap transactions, involving the payment of fixed rates in exchange for LIBOR, as summarized below. The summary includes all swap transactions, including those that are designated as hedges against specific loans.
 
 
Notional Principal (in thousands of $)
 
Inception date
Maturity date
 
Fixed interest rate
 
 
$522,542 (reducing to $415,422)
February 2008
February 2011
    2.87% - 4.03 %
 
$194,061 (reducing to $98,269)
April 2006
May 2019
    5.65 %
 
$111,964 (reducing to $86,612)
September 2007
September 2012
    4.85 %
 
$67,922 (reducing to $51,902)
January 2008
December 2011
    3.69 %
 
$47,066 (reducing to $24,794)
March 2008
August 2018
    4.05% - 4.15 %
 
$198,739 (reducing to $169,682)
March 2008
June 2012
    1.88% - 3.43 %
 
 

 
18

 


 
As at June 30, 2009 the total notional principal amounts subject to such swap agreements was $1,142.3 million (December 31, 2008: $1,205.6 million).
 
Total Return Bond Swap transactions
 
In 2007 and 2008 the Company entered into short-term total return bond swap transactions with banks and as of December 31, 2008 was holding bond swaps with a principal amount totalling $148.0 million under these arrangements.  In June 2009 the Company terminated these arrangements resulting in a cash settlement of $22.9 million and a final positive mark to market adjustment of $19 million to be recognized in the second quarter of 2009. The bonds held under the terminated swap agreements were purchased by the company below par value, resulting in an extraordinary gain of $22.6 million.
 
Total Return Equity Swap transactions
 
The Board of Directors of the Company has approved a share repurchase program of up to seven million shares, which is being financed through the use of total return swap transactions indexed to the Company's own shares. At June 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008 the counterparty to the transactions has acquired approximately 692,000 shares in the Company at an average price of $9.79. There is at present no obligation for the Company to purchase any shares from the counterparty and this arrangement has been recorded as a derivative transaction. The settlement date for these transactions is November 25, 2009, although early termination is possible.

Foreign currency risk
 
The majority of the Company's transactions, assets and liabilities are denominated in U.S. dollars, the functional currency of the Company.  There is a risk that currency fluctuations will have a negative effect on the value of the Company's cash flows.  The Company has not entered into forward contracts for either transaction or translation risk, which may have an adverse effect on the Company's financial condition and results of operations.
 
Fair Values
 
The carrying value and estimated fair value of the Company's financial assets and liabilities at June 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008 are as follows:
 
     
June 30 2009
   
December 31 2008
 
 
(in thousands of $)
 
Carrying value
   
Fair
value
   
Carrying value
   
Fair
value
 
 
Non-derivatives:
                       
 
Cash and cash equivalents
    61,367       61,367       46,075       46,075  
 
Restricted cash
    813       813       60,103       60,103  
 
Fixed rate long term debt
    90,000       90,000       115,000       115,000  
 
Floating rate long term debt
    1,964,106       1,964,106       2,031,436       2,031,436  
 
8.5% Senior Notes due 2013
    301,074       254,408       449,080       334,565  
                                   
 
Derivatives:
                               
 
TRS equity swap contracts – short term receivables
    1,075       1,075       466       466  
 
Interest rate swap contracts – long term receivables
    153       153       -       -  
 
Total amounts receivable
    1,228       1,228       466       466  
 
TRS bond swap contracts –  short term payables
    -       -       34,221       34,221  
 
Interest rate swap contracts – short term payables
    -       -       79       79  
 
Total short term amounts payable
    -       -       34,300       34,300  
 
Interest rate swap contracts – long term payables
    64,699       64,699       94,415       94,415  
 
Total amounts payable
    64,699       64,699       128,715       128,715  



19


 
 
  The above financial assets and liabilities are measured at fair value on a recurring basis as follows:

           
Fair value measurements at reporting date using
 
           
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets
   
Significant Other Observable Inputs
   
Significant Unobservable Inputs
 
 
(in thousands of $)
 
June 30,2009
   
(Level 1)
   
(Level 2)
   
(Level 3)
 
 
Assets:
                       
 
Cash and cash equivalents
    61,367       61,367              
 
Restricted cash
    813       813              
 
TRS equity swap contracts – short term receivables
    1,075               1,075        
 
Interest rate swap contracts – long term receivables
    153               153        
 
Total assets
    63,408       62,180       1,228       -  
 
Liabilities:
                               
 
Fixed rate long term debt
    90,000       90,000                  
 
Floating rate long term debt
    1,964,106       1,964,106                  
 
8.5% Senior Notes due 2013
    254,408       254,408                  
 
Interest rate swap contracts –  long term payables
    64,699               64,699          
 
Total liabilities
    2,373,213       2,308,514       64,699       -  
 
FAS 157 emphasizes that fair value is a market-based measurement, not an entity-specific measurement, and should be determined based on the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. As a basis for considering market participant assumptions in fair value measurements, FAS 157 establishes a fair value hierarchy that distinguishes between market participant assumptions based on market data obtained from sources independent of the reporting entity (observable inputs that are classified within levels one and two of the hierarchy) and the reporting entity's own assumptions about market participant assumptions (unobservable inputs classified within level three of the hierarchy).

Level one inputs utilize unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the Company has the ability to access. Level two inputs are inputs other than quoted prices included in level one that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. Level two inputs may include quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, as well as inputs that are observable for the asset or liability, other than quoted prices, such as interest rates, foreign exchange rates and yield curves that are observable at commonly quoted intervals. Level three inputs are unobservable inputs for the asset or liability, which are typically based on an entity's own assumptions, as there is little, if any, related market activity. In instances where the determination of the fair value measurement is based on inputs from different levels of the fair value hierarchy, the level in the fair value hierarchy within which the entire fair value measurement falls is based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety. The Company's assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement in its entirety requires judgment, and considers factors specific to the asset or liability.
 
The carrying value of cash and cash equivalents, which are highly liquid, is a reasonable estimate of fair value.
 
The fair value for floating rate long-term debt is estimated to be equal to the carrying value since it bears variable interest rates, which are reset on a quarterly basis. The estimated fair value for fixed rate long-term senior notes is based on the quoted market price. The fair value of the fixed rate short term debt is estimated to be equal to the carrying value since it is repayable within twelve months.
 
The fair value of total return equity swaps is calculated using the closing prices of the underlying listed shares, dividends paid since inception and the interest rate charged by the counterparty.
 
The fair value of interest rate swaps is calculated using a well-established independent valuation technique applied to contracted cash flows and LIBOR interest rates as at June 30, 2009.
 
 
20

Concentrations of risk
 
There is a concentration of credit risk with respect to cash and cash equivalents to the extent that most of the amounts are carried with Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken, DnB NOR, Fortis Bank and Nordea. However, the Company believes this risk is remote.
 
Since the Company was spun-off from Frontline in 2004, Frontline has accounted for a major proportion of our operating revenues. In the six months ended June 30, 2009 Frontline accounted for 72% of our operating revenues (for six months ended June 30, 2008: 77%, 2007: 82% and for years ended December 31, 2008: 75%, 2007: 78%). There is thus a concentration of revenue risk with Frontline.
 
 
 
6.
SHARE CAPITAL AND CONTRIBUTED SURPLUS
 
Authorized share capital as at June 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008 is as follows:

 
(in thousands of U.S. $, except share data)
     
 
125,000,000 common shares, $1.00 par value each
  $ 125,000  

Issued and fully paid share capital as at June 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008 is as follows:

  (in thousands of U.S. $, except share data)     June 30, 2009        December 31, 2008   
 
Number of common shares issued as at June 30, 2009
    76,239,001       72,743,737  
 
Shares subsequently issued in settlement of Q1 dividend
    1,038,777          
 
Issued share capital
  $ 77,278     $ 72,744  
 
In addition to the number of shares issued and fully paid as at June 30, 2009, at the time of publication, a further 1,038,777 shares have been issued to shareholders by way of settlement of the dividend declared in respect of the first quarter earnings for 2009. These shares have been included in reported share capital as at June 30, 2009
 
The Company's common shares are listed on the New York Stock Exchange.
 
The Company was formed in October 2003. Immediately after its partial spin-off from Frontline in May 2004 the issued share capital amounted to 73,925,837 common shares of $1 each, and in July 2004 the Company issued a further 1,600,000 shares in a private placement. Between November 2004 and January 2006 the Company purchased and cancelled 2,782,100 shares, leaving issued share capital of 72,743,737 common shares at December 31, 2008.
 
In December 2008 the Company filed a prospectus supplement to enable the Company to issue and sell up to 7,000,000 common shares from time to time (the "Share Programme"). Sales of the common shares, if any, will be made by means of ordinary brokers' transactions on the New York Stock Exchange or otherwise at market prices prevailing at the time of the sale, at prices related to the prevailing market prices, or at negotiated prices. In the six months ended June 30, 2009 the Company issued and sold 1,372,100 common shares under this arrangement, with total proceeds net of costs of $16.5 million.
 
On February 26, 2009 the Company declared a dividend of $0.30 per share payable on or about April 17, 2009. Shareholders were given the option to elect to receive their dividend in cash or in the form of newly issued common shares at a 5% discount to the volume-weighted-average-price (VWAP) of the shares for the three trading days prior to the ex-dividend date of March 5, 2009. Shareholders were required to make their election by April 13, 2009 and at that date holders of approximately 40 million common shares had elected to receive their dividend in the form of shares, at an issue price of $5.68 per share. Accordingly, this resulted in the issue on or about April 17, 2009 of 2,112,604 newly issued common shares of $1 each, with a total premium on issue of $9.9 million.
 
On May 14, 2009 the Company declared a dividend of $0.30 per share payable on or about July 6, 2009. Shareholders were given the option to elect to receive their dividend in cash or in the form of newly issued common shares at a 5% discount to the VWAP of the shares for the three trading days prior the ex-dividend date of May 22, 2009. Shareholders were required to make their election by June 26, 2009 and at that date holders of approximately 39 million common shares had elected to receive their dividend in the form of shares, at an issue price of $11.31 per share. Accordingly, this has resulted in the issue on or about July 6, 2009 of 1,038,777 newly issued common shares of $1 each, with a total premium on issue of $10.7 million.
 
 
21

 
The issue of new shares has been reflected in the Consolidated Balance Sheet as at June 30, 2009, since at the date of this report the outcome of the shareholders' elections was fully known.
 
During June, 2009 10,560 new ordinary shares, at a premium of approximately $0.05million were issued to an employee in lieu of the dividend portion of his share-based bonus payment.  The entire payment was worth $0.06 million which was the dividend bonus accrual for Q4 2008.
 
The Company has accounted for the acquisition of vessels from Frontline at Frontline's historical carrying value.  The difference between the historical carrying values and the net investment in the leases has been recorded as a deferred deemed equity contribution. This deferred deemed equity contribution is presented as a reduction in the net investment in finance leases in the balance sheet.  This results from the related party nature of both the transfer of the vessels and the subsequent finance leases.  The deferred deemed equity contribution is amortized as a credit to contributed surplus over the life of the lease arrangements, as lease payments are applied to the principal balance of the lease receivable. In the six months ended June 30, 2009 the Company has credited contributed surplus with $6.8 million of such deemed equity contributions.
 
In November 2006 the Board of Directors approved the Ship Finance International Limited Share Option Scheme (the "Option Scheme"). The Option Scheme permits the Board of Directors, at its discretion, to grant options to employees and directors of the Company or its subsidiaries. The fair value cost of options granted is recognized in the statement of operations, and the corresponding amount is credited to additional paid in capital (see also Note 7).
 
The Board of Directors of the Company has approved a share repurchase program of up to seven million shares, which initially is being financed through the use of total return swap transactions indexed to the Company's own shares.
 
 
7.
SHARE OPTION PLAN
 
The Option Scheme adopted in November 2006 will expire in November 2016.  The subscription price for all options granted under the scheme will be reduced by the amount of all dividends declared by the Company per share in the period from the date of grant until the date the option is exercised, provided the subscription price never shall be reduced below the par value of the share.  Options granted under the scheme will vest at a date determined by the board at the date of the grant.  The options granted under the plan to date vest over a period of one to three years.  There is no maximum number of shares authorized for awards of equity share options, and either authorized unissued shares of Ship Finance or treasury shares held by the Company may be used to satisfy exercised options.
 
No grants of share options were made in the six months ended June 30, 2009.
 
As of June 30, 2009 there was $0.8 million in unrecognized compensation costs related to non-vested options granted under the Options Scheme (December 31, 2008: $1.3 million). This cost will be recognized over the vesting periods, which average 1.25 years.
 
Share-based bonus
 
The employment contract for one employee contains a share-based bonus provision.  Under the terms of the contract, the share based bonus is calculated to be the annual increase in the share price of the Company above the share price at his employment date, plus any dividend per share paid, multiplied by a notional share holding of 200,000 shares.  Any bonus related to the increase in share price is payable at the end of each calendar year, while any bonus linked to dividend payments is payable on the relevant dividend payment date.  The amount accrued for the share price component of the share-based bonus at June 30, 2009 was $nil (December 31, 2008: $nil) and the amount accrued for the dividend component of the share-based bonus at June 30, 2009 was $nil (December 31, 2008: $nil).
 
 
8.
EARNINGS PER SHARE
 
The computation of basic EPS is based on the weighted average number of shares outstanding during the period. Diluted EPS includes the effect of the assumed conversion of potentially dilutive instruments.

22

 
The components of the numerator for the calculation of basic and diluted EPS are as follows:

  (in thousands of $)  
6 months ended June 30
   
Year ended December 31
 
 
 
 
2009
   
2008
   
2008
 
 
Net income available to stockholders
    96,198       131,091       181,611  

 
The components of the denominator for the calculation of basic and diluted EPS are as follows:

  (in thousands)  
6 months ended June 30
   
Year ended December 31
 
 
 
 
2009
   
2008
   
2008
 
 
Basic earnings per share:
                 
 
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding
    73,813       72,744       72,744  
 
Diluted earnings per share:
                       
 
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding
    73,813       72,744       72,744  
 
Effect of dilutive share options
    0       36       28  
        73,813       72,780       72,772  
 
9.
RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
 
The Company, which was formed in 2003 as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Frontline, was partially spun-off in 2004 and its shares commenced trading on the New York Stock Exchange in June 2004. A significant proportion of the Company's business continues to be transacted with Frontline and the following related parties, being companies in which our principal shareholders Hemen Holding Ltd. and Farahead Investment Inc. (hereafter jointly referred to as "Hemen") and companies associated with Hemen have a significant interest:
 
-  
Seadrill
 
-  
Golden Ocean
 
-  
DeepSea
 
The Consolidated Balance Sheets include the following amounts due from and to related parties, excluding finance lease balances (Note 2):
 
 
(in thousands of $)
 
June 30, 2009
   
 
December 31, 2008
 
 
Amounts due from:
           
 
Frontline Charterers (profit share receivable)
    21,485       42,643  
 
Frontline Ltd
    273       2,799  
 
Total amount due from related parties
    21,758       45,442  
 
 
 
               
                   
 
Amounts due to:
               
 
Frontline Management
    771       6,293  
 
Frontline Shipping III (short term loan)
    26,500       -  
 
Other related parties (short term loan)
    18,000       -  
 
Other related parties
    142       179  
 
Total amount due to related parties
    45,413       6,472  
 
 
Current portion of long-term debt: due to a related party
    90,000       115,000  
 
 
23

 
Related party leasing and service contracts
 
 
As at June 30, 2009, 39 of the Company's vessels were leased to the Frontline Charterers, two jack-up drilling rigs were leased to subsidiaries of Seadrill and two offshore supply vessels were leased to subsidiaries of Deep Sea: these leases have been recorded as finance leases. In addition, four offshore supply vessels were leased to Deep Sea under operating leases.
 
At June 30, 2009 the combined balance of net investments in finance leases with the Frontline Charterers and subsidiaries of Seadrill and Deep Sea was $2,165 million (December 31, 2008: $2,275.7 million) of which $145.6 million (December 31,2008: $157.5 million) represents short-term maturities.
At June 30, 2009 the net book value of assets leased under operating leases to Deep Sea was $151.9 million (December 31, 2008: $156.6 million).
A summary of leasing revenues earned from Frontline Charterers, Seadrill and Deep Sea is as follows:

 
Payments (in millions of $)
 
6 months ended June 30 2009
   
6 months ended June 30 2008
   
Year ended December 31 2008
 
                           
 
Operating lease income
    10.4       10.5       21.2  
 
Finance lease interest income
    78.2       90.1       174.9  
 
Finance lease service revenue
    45.5       46.9       93.6  
 
Finance lease repayments
    84.0       92.8       175.7  
 
The Frontline Charterers pay the Company profit sharing of 20% of their earnings on a time-charter equivalent basis from their use of the Company's fleet above average threshold charter rates each fiscal year.  During the six months ended June 30, 2009 the Company earned and recognized revenue of $22.5 million under this arrangement (6 months ended June 30, 2008: $66.8 million, year ended December 31, 2008: $111.0 million).
In the event that vessels on charter to the Frontline Charterers are agreed to be sold, the Company may pay compensation for the termination of the lease. During 2008 leases to the Frontline Charterers were cancelled on the following vessels, with termination fees agreed as shown:
 
 
Vessel
 
Lease cancelled
 
Termination Fee (in millions of $)
Front Maple
January 2008
    16.7
Front Sabang
April 2008
    26.8
 
As at June 30, 2009 the Company was owed a total of $21.5 million (December 31, 2008: $42.6 million) by the Frontline Charterers in respect of leasing contracts and profit share.
 
Most of the vessels leased to the Frontline Charterers are on time charter terms and for each such vessel the Company pays a management fee of $6,500 per day to Frontline Management (Bermuda) Ltd. ("Frontline Management"), a wholly owned subsidiary of Frontline, resulting in expenses of $45.5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2009 (six months ended June 30, 2008: $46.9 million, year ended December 31, 2008: $93.6 million). The management fees are classified as ship operating expenses in the consolidated statements of operations.
 
Related party purchases and sales of vessels – 2009
 
There have been no related party purchases or sales of vessels so far in 2009.
 
Related party purchases and sales of vessels - 2008
 
In July 2008 SFL West Polaris, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company accounted for under the equity method, acquired the ultra deepwater drill ship West Polaris for $845.0 million from a subsidiary of Seadrill. The vessel was chartered back to a subsidiary of Seadrill for a period of 15 years, fully guaranteed by Seadrill. The subsidiary has been granted fixed purchase options after four, six, eight, 10, 12 and 15 years. In addition, SFL West Polaris has a fixed price option to sell the drillship to the subsidiary of Seadrill after 15 years.
 
 
24

 
In November 2008 SFL Deepwater, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company accounted for under the equity method, acquired two ultra deepwater drilling rigs, West Hercules and West Taurus, for $1,690.0 million from subsidiaries of Seadrill. The rigs were each chartered back to a subsidiary of Seadrill for a period of 15 years, fully guaranteed by Seadrill.  The subsidiary has been granted fixed purchase options after three, six, eight, 10, and 12 years in the case of West Hercules and after six, eight, 10 and 12 years in the case of West Taurus.  In addition, the subsidiary of Seadrill has a purchase obligation to buy the rigs from SFL Deepwater after 15 years.
 
10.
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENT LIABILITIES
 
 
 Assets Pledged
 
   
June 30, 2009
 
 Book value of assets pledged under ship mortgages
$2,551 million
 

 
Other Contractual Commitments
 
The Company has arranged insurance for the legal liability risks for its shipping activities with Assuranceforeningen SKULD, Assuranceforeningen Gard Gjensidig and Britannia Steam Ship Insurance Association Limited, all mutual protection and indemnity associations. On certain of the vessels insured, the Company is subject to calls payable to the associations based on the Company's claims record in addition to the claims records of all other members of the associations.  A contingent liability exists to the extent that the claims records of the members of the associations in the aggregate show significant deterioration, which result in additional calls on the members.
 
At June 30, 2009 the Company had contractual commitments under newbuilding contracts and vessel acquisition agreements totalling $246.1 million (December 31, 2008: $675.7 million). There was also at that date a commitment to subscribe for up to $1.3 million in additional share capital to Sea Change Maritime LLC, a long term investment in which the Company has a 7% shareholding.
 
11.
SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
 
On July 3, 2009 the Company announced that Seadrill has exercised a purchase option for the jack-up drilling rig West Ceres. The option price for the rig was $135.2 million and net cash proceeds to the Company will be approximately $40 million after repayment of the outstanding loans. The sale will not generate any book gain/loss on disposal.
 
On July 13, 2009 the Company announced that all 355,000 options previously awarded to employees under the Option Scheme are to be cancelled, and a total of 505,000 new options were awarded at an initial subscription price of $10.64 per share.
 
On July 27, 2009 the Company announced that it has agreed to sell the single-hull VLCC Front Duchess and will receive a net amount of approximately $16 million after compensation of approximately $2.4 million is paid to Frontline for termination of the current charter. The sale will not generate any book gain/loss on disposal.
 
On August 20, 2009 the Board of Ship Finance declared a dividend of $0.30 per share to be paid on or about October 16, 2009 in cash or, at the election of the shareholder, in newly issued common shares.  On the same date, the Board also communicated that the Share Programme had been cancelled.
 
 
25

 

 
CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
 
Matters discussed herein may constitute forward-looking statements. The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides safe harbor protections for forward-looking statements in order to encourage companies to provide prospective information about their business. Forward-looking statements include statements concerning plans, objectives, goals, strategies, future events or performance, and underlying assumptions and other statements which are other than statements of historical facts.
 
The Company desires to take advantage of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and is including this cautionary statement in connection with this safe harbor legislation. The words "believe," "anticipate," "intend," "estimate," "forecast," "project," "plan," "potential," "may," "should," "expect," "pending" and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements.
 
The forward-looking statements herein are based upon various assumptions, many of which are based, in turn, upon further assumptions, including without limitation, our management's examination of historical operating trends, data contained in our records and other data available from third parties. Although we believe that these assumptions were reasonable when made, because these assumptions are inherently subject to significant uncertainties and contingencies which are difficult or impossible to predict and are beyond our control, we cannot assure you that we will achieve or accomplish these expectations, beliefs or projections. We undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
 
Important factors that, in our view, could cause actual results to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements include the strength of world economies and currencies, general market conditions, including fluctuations in charter rates and vessel values, changes in demand in the tanker market as a result of changes in OPEC's petroleum production levels and world wide oil consumption and storage, changes in demand for the carriage of drybulk cargoes and goods shipped in container vessels, the level of global oil exploration, changes in our operating expenses, including bunker prices, drydocking and insurance costs, the market for our vessels, availability of financing and refinancing, changes in governmental rules and regulations or actions taken by regulatory authorities, potential liability from pending or future litigation, general domestic and international political conditions, potential disruption of shipping routes due to accidents or political events, vessels breakdowns and instances of off-hires and other important factors described from time to time in the reports filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission and our Annual Report on Form 20-F.
 

 
26

 


SIGNATURES
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorised.
 
 
 
 
 
Ship Finance International Limited
----------------------------------------
    (Registrant)
 
   
   
Date: October 1, 2009
By: /s/ Ole B. Hjertaker
 
Ole B. Hjertaker
Chief Executive Officer
Ship Finance Management AS



 
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