Danaos Corporation Reports Third Quarter and Nine Months Results for the Period Ended September 30, 2016

ATHENS, Greece, Dec. 15, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Danaos Corporation ("Danaos") (NYSE: DAC), one of the world's largest independent owners of containerships, today reported unaudited results for the period ended September 30, 2016.

Highlights for the Third Quarter and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016:

• Adjusted net income¹ of $22.8 million, or $0.21 per share, for the three months ended September 30, 2016 compared to $43.8 million, or $0.40 per share, for the three months ended September 30, 2015, a decrease of 47.9%. Adjusted net income1 of $117.7 million, or $1.07 per share, for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 compared to $112.3 million, or $1.02 per share, for the nine months ended September 30, 2015, an increase of 4.8%.
• Operating revenues of $111.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016 compared to $144.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2015, a decrease of 22.7%. Operating revenues of $386.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 compared to $424.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015, a decrease of 9.0%.
• Adjusted EBITDA¹ of $75.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016 compared to $106.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2015, a decrease of 29.3%. Adjusted EBITDA¹ of $274.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 compared to $312.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015, a decrease of 12.1%.
• Total contracted operating revenues were $2.2 billion as of September 30, 2016, with charters extending through 2028 and remaining average contracted charter duration of 6.5 years, weighted by aggregate contracted charter hire.  
• Charter coverage of 95% for the next 12 months on current operating revenues and 79% in terms of contracted operating days.
• On September 1, 2016, Hanjin Shipping, a charterer of eight of our vessels, filed for receivership with the Seoul Central District Court, which had a negative impact on our current operating results, contracted operating revenue and our debt.
• In July 2016, we reached a charter restructuring agreement with Hyundai Merchant Marine ("HMM").

Danaos' CEO Dr. John Coustas commented:

We report our results for the third quarter of 2016 in the aftermath of the bankruptcy of Hanjin Shipping, one of Danaos' large customers. As a result of the bankruptcy, we did not recognize any operating revenues for the vessels that had been chartered to Hanjin during the quarter. This reduced our operating revenues by $24.8 million and was the main contributor to the $21 million reduction in our adjusted net income to $22.8 million compared to an adjusted net income of $43.8 million in the third quarter of 2015.

Setting aside the significant effect of the Hanjin bankruptcy on our operating revenues and our bottom line, we have otherwise managed to improve our adjusted net income by $3.8 million, mainly due to a $10.2 million improvement in our net finance costs resulting from the continued de-leveraging of our balance sheet, interest rate swap expirations and a $1.3 million reduction in total operating expenses, partially offset by a $8 million reduction in operating revenues attributed to lower fleet utilization, the sale of the Federal during the first quarter and lower re-chartering rates for certain of our vessels in a softer charter market.

As a result of the Hanjin bankruptcy we also recorded a write-off of $15.8 million, representing the outstanding charter hire owed to us by Hanjin as of June 30, 2016. Additionally, principally as a result of the effects of the cancellation of the Hanjin charters, the Company was in breach of certain financial covenants as at September 30, 2016 for which we have obtained waivers until April 1, 2017. Because the waivers are for a period of less than 12 months, all of the debt has been classified as current on the September 30, 2016 financial statements. Notwithstanding the negative consequences of the Hanjin bankruptcy, the Company is currently in a position to fully service all of its operational and contractual financial obligations.

All the Hanjin vessels have been discharged and re-delivered to us. We have already re-chartered 5 x 3,400 TEU vessels at market rates while we are still in negotiations to charter the remaining 3 x 10,100 TEU vessels, which we expect to be deployed after the end of the first quarter of 2017.

During the third quarter we sold all the shares that the Company had received as compensation pursuant to the HMM restructuring for a consideration of $38.1 million. This constitutes a 98% recovery of the $39 million charter hire concession for which we were compensated with HMM shares. Despite the effective recovery at par on a cash basis, we recorded a non-cash accounting loss of $12.9 million on the sale of these shares, reflecting the difference between the book value and the sale price of the shares, which has been included within our adjusted net income calculation.

Danaos continues to have low near term exposure to the weak spot market compared to current operating revenues with 95% of charter cover in terms of third quarter operating revenues and 79% in terms of contracted operating days for the next 12 months. Additionally, our continued focus on cost containment has reduced our daily operating costs to $5,462 per day for the third quarter, a decline of nearly 4% versus the same period in the prior year. This clearly positions us as one of the most efficient operators in the industry, which is particularly beneficial in today's environment.

Amidst this challenging economic environment we will remain singularly focused on preserving value, de-levering our balance sheet, managing our fleet efficiently and capitalizing on the resilience of our business model.

Three months ended September 30, 2016 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2015

During the three months ended September 30, 2016, Danaos had an average of 55 containerships compared to 56 containerships for the three months ended September 30, 2015. Our fleet utilization decreased to 96.7% in the three months ended September 30, 2016 compared to 100.0% in the three months ended September 30, 2015.

Our adjusted net income amounted to $22.8 million, or $0.21 per share, for the three months ended September 30, 2016 compared to $43.8 million, or $0.40 per share, for the three months ended September 30, 2015. We have adjusted our net income in the three months ended September 30, 2016 mainly for bad debt expense of $15.8 million related to Hanjin Shipping, loss on sale of HMM securities of $12.9 million, unrealized gains on derivatives of $1.6 million and a non-cash amortization charge of $4.0 million for fees related to our comprehensive financing plan (comprised of non-cash, amortizing and accrued finance fees). Please refer to the Adjusted Net Income reconciliation table, which appears later in this earnings release.

The decrease of $21.0 million in adjusted net income for the three months ended September 30, 2016 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2015 is attributable to a $32.8 million decrease in operating revenues, which were partially offset by $10.2 million decrease in net finance costs mainly due to lower debt balances and interest rate swap expirations, a $1.3 million decrease in total operating expenses and a $0.3 million decrease in loss on equity investments.

On a non-adjusted basis, we incurred a loss of $8.4 million, or $0.08 loss per share, for the three months ended September 30, 2016 compared to net income of $42.1 million, or $0.38 earnings per share, for the three months ended September 30, 2015.

Operating Revenues

Operating revenues decreased by 22.7%, or $32.8 million, to $111.8 million in the three months ended September 30, 2016 from $144.6 million in the three months ended September 30, 2015.

Operating revenues for the three months ended September 30, 2016 reflect:

• $24.8 million decrease in revenues in the three months ended September 30, 2016 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2015 due to loss of revenue from cancelled charters with Hanjin Shipping for eight of our vessels, for which we ceased recognizing revenue effective as of July 1, 2016. See "Recent news" below.
• $1.1 million decrease in revenues in the three months ended September 30, 2016 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2015 due to the sale of the Federal on January 8, 2016.
• $4.5 million decrease in revenues in the three months ended September 30, 2016 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2015 due to the re-chartering of certain of our vessels at lower rates.
• $2.4 million decrease in revenues due to lower fleet utilization in the three months ended September 30, 2016 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2015.

Vessel Operating Expenses

Vessel operating expenses decreased by 5.7%, or $1.6 million, to $26.6 million in the three months ended September 30, 2016 from $28.2 million in the three months ended September 30, 2015. The decrease is attributable to a 3.7% decrease in the average daily operating cost per vessel while the average number of vessels in our fleet during the three months ended September 30, 2016 decreased by 1.8% compared to the three months ended September 30, 2015.

The average daily operating cost per vessel decreased to $5,462 per day for the three months ended September 30, 2016 from $5,669 per day for the three months ended September 30, 2015. Management believes that our daily operating cost ranks as one of the most competitive in the industry.

Depreciation & Amortization

Depreciation & Amortization includes Depreciation and Amortization of Deferred Dry-docking and Special Survey Costs.

Depreciation

Depreciation expense decreased by 2.1%, or $0.7 million, to $32.5 million in the three months ended September 30, 2016 from $33.2 million in the three months ended September 30, 2015, mainly due to decreased depreciation expense for twelve vessels for which we recorded an impairment charge on December 31, 2015 and due to the decreased average number of vessels in our fleet in the three months ended September 30, 2016 following the sale of the Federal on January 8, 2016.

Amortization of Deferred Dry-docking and Special Survey Costs

Amortization of deferred dry-docking and special survey costs increased by $0.6 million, to $1.5 million in the three months ended September 30, 2016 from $0.9 million in the three months ended September 30, 2015. The increase is mainly due to the increased payments for dry-docking and special survey costs related to certain vessels over the last nine months.

General and Administrative Expenses

General and administrative expenses remained stable, amounting to $5.5 million both in the three months ended September 30, 2016 and in the three months ended September 30, 2015.

Other Operating Expenses

Other Operating Expenses include Voyage Expenses and Bad Debt Expense.

Voyage Expenses

Voyage expenses increased by $0.4 million, to $3.3 million in the three months ended September 30, 2016 from $2.9 million in the three months ended September 30, 2015.

Bad Debt Expense

Bad debt expense of $15.8 million in the three months ended September 30, 2016 compared to nil in the three months ended September 30, 2015 relates to receivables from Hanjin Shipping, which were written-off.

Interest Expense and Interest Income

Interest expense decreased by 0.5%, or $0.1 million, to $21.0 million in the three months ended September 30, 2016 from $21.1 million in the three months ended September 30, 2015 including the amortization of deferred finance costs reclassified from other finance expenses to interest expense of $3.2 million and $3.5 million, respectively. The decrease in interest expense was mainly due to the decrease in our average debt by $243.0 million, to $2,632.0 million in the three months ended September 30, 2016, from $2,875.0 million in the three months ended September 30, 2015 and a $0.3 million decrease in the amortization of deferred finance costs, which were partially offset by an increase in average cost of debt due to the increase in US$ Libor.

The Company is deleveraging its balance sheet. As of September 30, 2016, the debt outstanding gross of deferred finance costs was $2,615.4 million compared to $2,860.1 million as of September 30, 2015. As a result principally of the cancellation of eight charters with Hanjin Shipping, we expect the rate at which we reduce our leverage to decline.

Interest income increased by $0.5 million to $1.4 million in the three months ended September 30, 2016 compared to $0.9 million in the three months ended September 30, 2015. The increase is mainly attributed to the interest income recognized on HMM notes receivable.

Other finance expenses

Other finance expenses decreased by $0.1 million, to $1.1 million in the three months ended September 30, 2016 from $1.2 million in the three months ended September 30, 2015, following the reclassification of the amortization of deferred finance costs from other finance expenses to interest expense of $3.2 million and $3.5 million, respectively.

Equity loss on investments

Equity loss on investments decreased by $0.3 million, to $0.7 million in the three months ended September 30, 2016 compared to a loss of $1.0 million in the three months ended September 30, 2015 and relates to the investment in Gemini Shipholdings Corporation ("Gemini"), acquired in August 2015, in which the Company has a 49% shareholding interest. This loss is attributed to operating losses of two out of the four vessels that have been acquired by Gemini.

Unrealized gain on derivatives

Unrealized gains on interest rate swaps amounted to $1.6 million in the three months ended September 30, 2016 compared to unrealized gains of $2.6 million in the three months ended September 30, 2015. The unrealized gains were attributable to mark to market valuation of our swaps.

Realized loss on derivatives

Realized loss on interest rate swaps decreased by $10.0 million, to $2.2 million in the three months ended September 30, 2016 from $12.2 million in the three months ended September 30, 2015. This decrease is attributable to a $375.0 million decrease in the average notional amount of swaps during the three months ended September 30, 2016 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2015 as a result of swap expirations.

Other income/(expenses),net

Other income/(expenses), net decreased by $12.9 million, to $12.8 million net expenses in the three months ended September 30, 2016 from $0.1 million net income in the three months ended September 30, 2015 due to a $12.9 million recognized loss on sale of HMM equity securities for cash proceeds of $38.1 million, which were acquired by Danaos in July 2016 as part of the charter restructuring agreement with HMM.

Adjusted EBITDA

Adjusted EBITDA decreased by 29.3%, or $31.3 million, to $75.5 million in the three months ended September 30, 2016 from $106.8 million in the three months ended September 30, 2015. As outlined earlier, this decrease is mainly attributed to a $32.8 million decrease in operating revenues, which were partially offset by a $0.3 million decrease in loss on equity investments and a $1.2 million decrease in voyage and vessel operating expenses. Adjusted EBITDA for the three months ended September 30, 2016 is adjusted mainly for bad debt expenses of $15.8 million, loss on sale of HMM securities of $12.9 million, unrealized gain on derivatives of $1.6 million and realized losses on derivatives of $1.2 million. Tables reconciling Adjusted EBITDA to Net Income can be found at the end of this earnings release.

Nine months ended September 30, 2016 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2015

During the nine months ended September 30, 2016, Danaos had an average of 55 containerships compared to 56 containerships for the nine months ended September 30, 2015. Our fleet utilization decreased to 96.0% in the nine months ended September 30, 2016 compared to 99.2% in the nine months ended September 30, 2015.

Our adjusted net income amounted to $117.7 million, or $1.07 per share, for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 compared to $112.3 million, or $1.02 per share, for the nine months ended September 30, 2015. We have adjusted our net income in the nine months ended September 30, 2016 mainly for bad debt expense of $15.8 million related to Hanjin Shipping, loss on sale of HMM securities of $12.9 million, unrealized gains on derivatives of $3.7 million and a non-cash amortization charge of $12.3 million for fees related to our comprehensive financing plan (comprised of non-cash, amortizing and accrued finance fees). Please refer to the Adjusted Net Income reconciliation table, which appears later in this earnings release.

The increase of $5.4 million in adjusted net income for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2015 is mainly attributable to a reduction of $42.4 million in net finance costs mainly due to lower debt balances and interest rate swap expirations, a $1.6 million decrease in total operating expenses, which were partially offset by a decrease of $38.4 million in operating revenues and a $0.6 million increase in loss on equity investments.

On a non-adjusted basis, our net income amounted to $80.4 million, or $0.73 per share, for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 compared to net income of $110.5 million, or $1.01 per share, for the nine months ended September 30, 2015.

Operating Revenues

Operating revenues decreased by 9.0%, or $38.4 million, to $386.2 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2016 from $424.6 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2015.

Operating revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 reflect:

• $24.8 million decrease in revenues in the nine months ended September 30, 2016 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2015 due to loss of revenue from cancelled charters with Hanjin Shipping for eight of our vessels, for which we ceased recognizing revenue effective as of July 1, 2016. See "Recent news" below.
• $2.3 million decrease in revenues in the nine months ended September 30, 2016 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2015 due to the sale of the Federal on January 8, 2016.
• $7.1 million decrease in revenues in the nine months ended September 30, 2016 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2015 due to the re-chartering of certain of our vessels at lower rates.
• $4.2 million decrease in revenues due to lower fleet utilization in the nine months ended September 30, 2016 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2015.

Vessel Operating Expenses

Vessel operating expenses decreased by 1.8%, or $1.5 million, to $83.6 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2016, from $85.1 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2015. The decrease is due to a decrease in average number of vessels in our fleet by 1.8% and due to a 0.4% decrease in the average daily operating cost per vessel during the nine months ended September 30, 2016 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2015.

The average daily operating cost per vessel decreased to $5,749 per day for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 from $5,770 per day for the nine months ended September 30, 2015. Management believes that our daily operating cost ranks as one of the most competitive in the industry.

Depreciation & Amortization

Depreciation & Amortization includes Depreciation and Amortization of Deferred Dry-docking and Special Survey Costs.

Depreciation

Depreciation expense decreased by 2.0%, or $2.0 million, to $96.6 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2016 from $98.6 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2015, mainly due to decreased depreciation expense for twelve vessels for which we recorded an impairment charge on December 31, 2015 and due to the decreased average number of vessels in our fleet in the nine months ended September 30, 2016 following the sale of the Federal on January 8, 2016.

Amortization of Deferred Dry-docking and Special Survey Costs

Amortization of deferred dry-docking and special survey costs increased by $1.1 million, to $4.0 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2016 from $2.9 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2015. The increase is mainly due to the increased payments for dry-docking and special survey costs related to certain vessels over the last nine months.

General and Administrative Expenses

General and administrative expenses remained stable, amounting to $16.1 million both in the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and in the nine months ended September 30, 2015.

Other Operating Expenses

Other Operating Expenses include Voyage Expenses and Bad Debt Expense

Voyage Expenses

Voyage expenses increased by $0.8 million, to $10.0 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2016 from $9.2 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2015. The increase is mainly due to increased bunkering expenses.

Bad Debt Expense

Bad debt expense of $15.8 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2016 compared to nil in the nine months ended September 30, 2015 relates to receivables from Hanjin Shipping, which were written-off.

Interest Expense and Interest Income

Interest expense decreased by 3.7%, or $2.4 million, to $61.8 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2016 from $64.2 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2015 including the amortization of deferred finance costs reclassified from other finance expenses to interest expense of $9.7 million and $10.7 million, respectively. The change in interest expense was mainly due to the decrease in our average debt by $240.5 million, to $2,685.5 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2016, from $2,926.0 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and due to a $1.0 million decrease in the amortization of deferred finance costs, which were partially offset by an increase in average cost of debt due to the increase in US$ Libor.

The Company is deleveraging its balance sheet. As of September 30, 2016, the debt outstanding gross of deferred finance costs was $2,615.4 million compared to $2,860.1 million as of September 30, 2015. As a result principally of the cancellation of eight charters with Hanjin Shipping, we expect the rate at which we reduce our leverage to decline.

Interest income increased by $0.7 million to $3.2 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2016 compared to $2.5 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2015. The increase is mainly attributed to the interest income recognized on HMM notes receivable.

Other finance expenses

Other finance expenses decreased by $0.2 million, to $3.3 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2016 from $3.5 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2015, following the reclassification of the amortization of deferred finance costs from other finance expenses to interest expense of $9.7 million and $10.7 million, respectively.

Equity loss on investments

Equity loss on investments of $1.6 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2016 compared to a loss of $1.0 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2015 relate to the investment in Gemini Shipholdings Corporation ("Gemini"), acquired in August 2015, in which the Company has a 49% shareholding interest. This loss is attributed to operating losses of two out of the four vessels that have been acquired by Gemini.

Unrealized gain on derivatives

Unrealized gains on interest rate swaps amounted to $3.7 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2016 compared to unrealized gains of $11.6 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2015. The unrealized gains were attributable to mark to market valuation of our swaps, as well as reclassification of unrealized losses from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss to our earnings due to the discontinuation of hedge accounting since July 1, 2012.

Realized loss on derivatives

Realized loss on interest rate swaps decreased by $40.3 million, to $7.5 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2016 from $47.8 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2015. This decrease is attributable to a $675.8 million decrease in the average notional amount of swaps during the nine months ended September 30, 2016 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2015 as a result of swap expirations.

Other income/(expenses),net

Other income/(expenses), net decreased by $12.5 million, to $12.4 million net expenses in the nine months ended September 30, 2016 from $0.1 million net income in the nine months ended September 30, 2015 mainly due to a $12.9 million recognized loss on sale of HMM equity securities for cash proceeds of $38.1 million, which were acquired by Danaos in July 2016 as part of the charter restructuring agreement with HMM.

Adjusted EBITDA

Adjusted EBITDA decreased by 12.1%, or $37.9 million, to $274.7 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2016 from $312.6 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2015. As outlined earlier, this decrease is mainly attributed to a $38.4 million decrease in operating revenues and a $0.6 million increased loss on equity investments, which were partially offset by a $0.7 million decrease in voyage and vessel operating expenses. Adjusted EBITDA for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 is adjusted mainly for bad debt expenses of $15.8 million, loss on sale of HMM securities of $12.9 million, unrealized gain on derivatives of $3.7 million and realized losses on derivatives of $4.5 million. Tables reconciling Adjusted EBITDA to Net Income can be found at the end of this earnings release.

Recent news

Hanjin Shipping

On September 1, 2016, Hanjin Shipping, a charterer of eight of our vessels under long term, fixed rate charter party agreements, referred to the Bankruptcy Court of Seoul in South Korea, which issued an order to commence the rehabilitation proceedings of Hanjin Shipping. Hanjin Shipping has cancelled all eight of its charter party agreements with us, which represented approximately $560 million of our $2.8 billion of contracted revenue as of June 30, 2016, and returned each of the vessels to us. We have rechartered five 3,400 TEU vessels on short-term charters at market rates and are seeking chartering opportunities for the other three vessels in the prevailing weak containership charter market. As a result of these events, we ceased recognizing revenue from Hanjin Shipping effective from July 1, 2016 onwards and recognized a bad debt expense amounting to $15.8 million relating to unpaid charter hire recorded as accounts receivable as of June 30, 2016 in our condensed consolidated statements of income for the nine month period ended September 30, 2016. We have an unsecured claim for unpaid charter hire, charges, expenses and loss of profit against Hanjin Shipping totaling $597.9 million submitted to the Bankruptcy Court of Seoul.

As a result of a decrease in our operating income and charter-attached market value of certain of our vessels caused mainly by the cancellation of our eight charters with Hanjin Shipping, we were in breach of the minimum security cover, consolidated net leverage and consolidated net worth financial covenants contained in our Bank Agreement and our other credit facilities as of September 30, 2016. We have obtained waivers of the breaches of these financial covenants covering the period until April 1, 2017. As these waivers were obtained for a period of less than the next 12 months, and in accordance with the guidance related to the classification of obligations that are callable by the lenders, we have classified our long-term debt, net of deferred finance costs as current. Notwithstanding the negative consequences of the Hanjin bankruptcy, the Company is currently in a position to fully service all of its operational and contractual financial obligations.

HMM

In July 2016, we entered into a charter restructuring agreement with HMM as part of the agreements it reached with its creditors and owners of its chartered-in fleet in connection with the restructuring of its obligations. The charter restructuring agreement provides for a 20% reduction, for the period until December 31, 2019 (or earlier charter expiration in the case of eight vessels), in the charter hire rates payable for thirteen of our vessels currently employed with HMM. In exchange, under the charter restructuring agreement we received (i) $32.8 million principal amount of senior, unsecured loan notes, amortizing subject to available cash flows, which accrue interest at 3% per annum payable on maturity in July 2024, (ii) $6.2 million principal amount of senior, unsecured, non-amortizing loan notes, which accrue interest at 3% per annum payable on maturity in December 2022 and (iii) 4,637,558 HMM shares issued on July 23, 2016, which were sold for cash proceeds of $38.1 million on September 1, 2016.

Conference Call and Webcast

On Friday, December 16, 2016 at 9:00 A.M. ET, the Company's management will host a conference call to discuss the results.

Participants should dial into the call 10 minutes before the scheduled time using the following numbers: 1 844 802 2437 (US Toll Free Dial In), 0800 279 9489 (UK Toll Free Dial In) or +44 (0) 2075 441 375 (Standard International Dial In). Please indicate to the operator that you wish to join the Danaos Corporation earnings call.

A telephonic replay of the conference call will be available until December 23, 2016 by dialing 1 877 344 7529 (US Toll Free Dial In) or +44 (0) 2036 088 021 (Standard International Dial In) and using 10098045# as the access code.

Audio Webcast

There will also be a live and then archived webcast of the conference call through the Danaos website (www.danaos.com). Participants of the live webcast should register on the website approximately 10 minutes prior to the start of the webcast.

About Danaos Corporation

Danaos Corporation is one of the largest independent owners of modern, large-size containerships. Our current fleet of 59 containerships aggregating 353,586 TEUs, including four vessels owned by Gemini Shipholdings Corporation, a joint venture, ranks Danaos among the largest containership charter owners in the world based on total TEU capacity. Our fleet is predominantly chartered to many of the world's largest liner companies on fixed-rate, long-term charters. Our long track record of success is predicated on our efficient and rigorous operational standards and environmental controls. Danaos Corporation's shares trade on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "DAC".

Forward-Looking Statements

Matters discussed in this release may constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the safeharbor provisions of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Forward-looking statements reflect our current views with respect to future events and financial performance and may 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 forward-looking statements in this release are based upon various assumptions, many of which are based, in turn, upon further assumptions, including without limitation, management's examination of historical operating trends, data contained in our records and other data available from third parties. Although Danaos Corporation believes 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, Danaos Corporation cannot assure you that it will achieve or accomplish these expectations, beliefs or projections. 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 changes in charter hire rates and vessel values, charter counterparty performance, changes in demand that may affect attitudes of time charterers to scheduled and unscheduled drydocking, changes in Danaos Corporation's operating expenses, including bunker prices, dry-docking and insurance costs, ability to obtain financing and comply with covenants in our financing arrangements, actions taken by regulatory authorities, potential liability from pending or future litigation, domestic and international political conditions, potential disruption of shipping routes due to accidents and political events or acts by terrorists.

Risks and uncertainties are further described in reports filed by Danaos Corporation with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

Visit our website at www.danaos.com

Appendix

Fleet Utilization

Danaos had 169 unscheduled off-hire days in the three months ended September 30, 2016. The following table summarizes vessel utilization and the impact of the off-hire days on the Company's revenue.

Fleet List

The following table describes in detail our fleet deployment profile as of December 15, 2016:

* The Company reports its financial results in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). However, management believes that certain non-GAAP financial measures used in managing the business may provide users of this financial information additional meaningful comparisons between current results and results in prior operating periods. Management believes that these non-GAAP financial measures can provide additional meaningful reflection of underlying trends of the business because they provide a comparison of historical information that excludes certain items that impact the overall comparability. Management also uses these non-GAAP financial measures in making financial, operating and planning decisions and in evaluating the Company's performance. See the Table above for supplemental financial data and corresponding reconciliations to GAAP financial measures for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015. Non-GAAP financial measures should be viewed in addition to, and not as an alternative for, the Company's reported results prepared in accordance with GAAP.

1)   Adjusted EBITDA represents net income before interest income and expense, depreciation, amortization of deferred drydocking & special survey costs and deferred finance costs, amortization of deferred realized losses on interest rate swaps, unrealized gain on derivatives, realized loss on derivatives gain/(loss) on sale of vessels, bad debt expense and loss on sale of securities. However, Adjusted EBITDA is not a recognized measurement under U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, or "GAAP." We believe that the presentation of Adjusted EBITDA is useful to investors because it is frequently used by securities analysts, investors and other interested parties in the evaluation of companies in our industry. We also believe that Adjusted EBITDA is useful in evaluating our operating performance compared to that of other companies in our industry because the calculation of Adjusted EBITDA generally eliminates the effects of financings, income taxes and the accounting effects of capital expenditures and acquisitions, items which may vary for different companies for reasons unrelated to overall operating performance. In evaluating Adjusted EBITDA, you should be aware that in the future we may incur expenses that are the same as or similar to some of the adjustments in this presentation. Our presentation of Adjusted EBITDA should not be construed as an inference that our future results will be unaffected by unusual or non-recurring items.

Note: Items to consider for comparability include gains and charges. Gains positively impacting net income are reflected as deductions to net income. Charges negatively impacting net income are reflected as increases to net income.

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SOURCE Danaos Corporation