Bahri’s net profit jumped by 53% compared to the same period in 2014 when it reached SAR398.4 mill.
The company said that the increase was mainly attributed to an increase in operating revenues, as a result of buying and taking delivery of several VLCCs, Bahri’s VLCC fleet expanded by five vessels, to reach a total of 36 during the quarter.
Other factors which influenced the positive income were a rise in average daily TCE rates in the crude oil spot market during the quarter compared to the corresponding quarter of 2015, a jump in the operating revenues and net income in the general cargo sector, due to the improvement of the operating and commercial performance, as well as a drop in average ship running expenses and average bunker prices.
Bahri’s operational profit also experienced a surge of 65%, from the SAR427.9 mill in 1Q15 to SAR709.7 mill in the corresponding period this year.
On 6th April, the company’s subsidiary, National Chemical Carriers (NCC), took delivery of the third out of five secondhand MRs bought in February for a total price of $166.5 mill.
Two more product tankers, built in 2014 at Hyundai Mipo Dockyard for Scorpio Tankers, are expected to be delivered by the end of June, 2016.