ANNOUNCEMENT
NO. 16 – 2008
11
August 2008
TORM
increases outlook for 2008 earnings to all-time high
The
Company’s product tankers continue to contribute higher earnings than
expected. The background for the performance is that TORM now commands a
significantly larger fleet following the acquisition and integration of
OMI and FR8 (50%) combined with the fact that the product tanker market is
developing favourably with respect to demand and freight rates. TORM
expects that this trend will continue in the near future and raises its
pre-tax profit outlook for 2008 from USD 295-315 million to USD 355-370
million.
“We expect our 2008 earnings
to be the highest in company history. This is a consequence of our growth
strategy and confirms our focus on the product tanker market. The timing
of the acquisition of OMI and subsequently of 50% of FR8 was favourable in
view of the positive development we are experiencing in the tanker
market,” says TORM CEO Klaus Kjærulff.
TORM
will release its report for the first six months of the year on Wednesday,
20 August 2008.
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Contact
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A/S
Dampskibsselskabet
TORM
Tuborg
Havnevej
18
DK-2900
Hellerup
Denmark
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Telephone: +45
39 17 92 00
Klaus Kjærulff, CEO
Mikael Skov, COO
Roland M. Andersen, CFO
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About
TORM
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TORM
is one of the world's leading carriers of refined oil products as well as
being a significant participant in the dry bulk market. The Company
operates a combined fleet of more than 125 modern vessels, principally
through a pooling cooperation with other respected shipping companies who
share TORM's commitment to safety, environmental responsibility and
customer service.
TORM
was founded in 1889. The Company conducts business worldwide and is
headquartered in Copenhagen, Denmark. TORM’s shares are listed on the
Copenhagen Stock Exchange (ticker TORM) as well as on the NASDAQ (ticker
TRMD). For further information, please visit www.torm.com.
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Safe
Harbor
Forward
Looking
Statements
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Matters discussed in this release may constitute forward-looking statements. 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 TORM 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, TORM cannot assure you that it will achieve or accomplish these expectations, beliefs or projections. |
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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, changes in charter hire rates
and vessel values, changes in demand for “tonne miles” of oil carried by
oil tankers, the effect of changes in OPEC’s petroleum production levels
and worldwide oil consumption and storage, changes in demand that may
affect attitudes of time charterers to scheduled and unscheduled
dry-docking, changes in TORM’s operating expenses, including bunker
prices, dry-docking and insurance costs, changes in governmental rules and
regulations including requirements for double hull tankers or 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 TORM with the US Securities and Exchange
Commission, including the TORM Annual Report on Form 20-F and its reports
on Form 6-K.
Forward
looking statements are based on management’s current evaluation, and TORM
is only under obligation to update and change the listed expectations to
the extent required by law.
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A/S
STEAMSHIP COMPANY TORM
(registrant)
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Dated:
August 11, 2008
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By: /s/ Klaus
Kjærulff
Name: Klaus
Kjærulff
Title: Chief
Executive Officer
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