Genco Shipping & Trading Limited Announces Q1 2026 Financial Results

Declares Dividend of $0.35 per Share for Q1 2026, Marking 133% Increase Year-Over-Year and 27 th Consecutive Quarterly Dividend

Expects Significantly Higher Q2 2026 Dividend

High Specification Scrubber-Fitted Capesize Vessel Expected to Deliver in Q2 2026, Further Enhancing Earnings Power and Dividend Capacity

NEW YORK, May 06, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Genco Shipping & Trading Limited (NYSE:GNK) (“Genco” or the “Company”), the largest U.S. headquartered drybulk shipowner focused on the global transportation of commodities, today reported its financial results for the three months ended March 31, 2026.

First Quarter 2026 and Year-to-Date Highlights

John C. Wobensmith, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, commented, “Following a strong end to 2025, we are pleased to have continued our positive momentum in 2026. The first quarter marked another period of strong execution of our Comprehensive Value Strategy and significant progress increasing our earnings power and dividend capacity. During a seasonally softer period, we generated strong cash flows and declared a $0.35 per share dividend, representing a year-over-year increase of 133%. This also marked our 27 th consecutive quarterly dividend, the longest uninterrupted period of dividends in our drybulk peer group. Including the Q1 payment, total dividends to shareholders over the past seven years will increase to $340 million, or $7.915 per share. Based on our significant operating leverage in a strengthening market, firm fixtures to date and assuming the current FFA curve, projections show a Q2 dividend of $0.70 per share, a 367% increase year-over-year.”

Mr. Wobensmith added, “Consistent with our well-defined capital allocation strategy, we have continued to renew and grow our fleet with a focus on high specification, premium earning assets. We recently sold two older, non-core vessels at levels above broker estimates and plan to redeploy a portion of the proceeds into a modern, fuel-efficient Capesize vessel. We anticipate this vessel will earn a premium to benchmark indices in the spot market following its expected delivery next month. Building on our successful investments in our fleet totaling approximately $557 million since 2021 inclusive of this latest acquisition, we intend to draw on our industry-leading balance sheet and significant undrawn revolver availability to continue to capitalize on attractive growth opportunities ahead.”

Mr. Wobensmith concluded, “Freight rates have continued to strengthen in 2026, reflected in our Q2 TCE to date, which is 24% higher than Q1 levels. We are confident that our premium earning assets, leading commercial operating platform, advantageous spot-focused commercial strategy, and sizeable operating leverage in a strengthening drybulk market put Genco in an ideal position to continue generating superior returns for shareholders in 2026 and beyond. Our business is strong, and we look forward to continuing to advance our low leverage high dividend payout model, while maintaining industry-leading governance standards.”

1 Genco share price as of May 5, 2026.

2 We believe the non-GAAP measure presented provides investors with a means of better evaluating and understanding the Company’s operating performance. Please see Summary Consolidated Financial and Other Data below for further reconciliation. Regarding Q2 2026 TCE, this estimate is based on both period and current spot fixtures, actual results will vary from current estimates. Net revenue is defined as voyage revenues minus voyage expenses, charter hire expenses and realized gains or losses on fuel hedges. Q2 2026 projected dividend shown is based on fixtures to date, assuming the current FFA curve for the balance of the quarter and estimated expense levels and utilization as described in the appendix to our Q1 2026 earnings presentation posted on our website under “Investors – Events and Presentations.” Given freight market volatility, the FFA curve is subject to change.

Comprehensive Value Strategy

Genco’s consistent comprehensive value strategy is centered on three pillars:

Key characteristics of our strategy include:

3 Represents the principal amount of our credit facility debt outstanding less our cash and cash equivalents as of March 31, 2026 divided by estimates of the market value of our fleet based on the average of broker valuations received from two independent third-party firms as of April 15, 2026, shown for illustrative purposes only. The actual market value of our vessels may vary.

Fleet Renewal and Growth

We took delivery of two 2020-built 208,000 dwt scrubber-fitted Newcastlemax vessels, the Genco Stars and Stripes and the Genco Valkyrie, on March 5, 2026 and March 24, 2026, respectively.

The Company has agreed to acquire a 2019 Imabari built 182,000 dwt scrubber-fitted Capesize vessel with prompt delivery expected in June 2026.

Additionally, we sold two 2005-built Supramaxes, the two oldest and smallest vessels in our fleet. The Genco Picardy and the Genco Predator were delivered to their third-party buyers on March 30, 2026 and April 15, 2026, respectively.

The purchase price of the 2019 Imabari built scrubber-fitted Capesize vessel, to be renamed the Genco Volunteer, is $65.0 million while the gross sales price for the two 2005-built Supramaxes is $10.6 million each or $21.2 million in aggregate. We reported a gain on sale of the Genco Picardy of $2.1 million in Q1 2026 and expect to record a gain of a similar level in Q2 2026 relating to the sale of the Genco Predator.

Dividend Policy

Genco declared a cash dividend of $0.35 per share for the first quarter of 2026. The Q1 2026 dividend is payable on or about May 26, 2026 to all shareholders of record as of May 18, 2026.

Quarterly dividend policy: 100% of quarterly operating cash flow less a voluntary reserve.

Under the quarterly dividend policy adopted by our Board of Directors, the amount available for quarterly dividends is to be calculated based on the formula in the table below. The table includes the calculation of the actual Q1 2026 dividend:

Operating cash flow is defined as net revenue (consisting of voyage revenue less voyage expenses, charter hire expenses, and realized gains or losses on fuel hedges), less operating expenses (consisting of vessel operating expenses, general and administrative expenses other than non-cash restricted stock expenses, technical management expenses, and interest expense other than non-cash deferred financing costs), for purposes of the foregoing calculation.

The voluntary quarterly reserve for the second quarter of 2026 under the Company’s dividend formula is targeted at $19.5 million, which remains fully within our discretion. A key component of Genco’s value strategy is maintaining a voluntary quarterly reserve, as well as the optionality for the use of the reserve as Genco seeks to pay sizeable dividends across the cyclicality of the drybulk market while continuing to invest in our fleet. Subject to the development of freight rates for the remainder of the second quarter and our assessment of our liquidity and forward outlook, we maintain flexibility to reduce the quarterly reserve to pay dividends or increase the amount of dividends otherwise payable under our formula. The reserve is set by our Board of Directors at its discretion, and our Board has generally allotted an amount for anticipated debt prepayments plus an additional amount. We plan to set the voluntary reserve on a quarterly basis for the subsequent quarter.

Anticipated uses for the voluntary reserve include, but are not limited to:

The Board expects to reassess the payment of dividends as appropriate from time to time. Our quarterly dividend policy and declaration and payment of dividends are subject to legally available funds, compliance with applicable law and contractual obligations (including our credit facility) and the Board of Directors’ determination that each declaration and payment is at the time in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders after its review of our financial performance.

Peter Allen, Chief Financial Officer, commented, “Our strong first quarter performance was a direct result of the strategic capital allocation actions we have taken to enhance our premium earning asset base, combined with our spot-focused revenue generation strategy. Notably, Q1 2026 TCE increased by 63% year-over-year, led by strong performance in the Capesize sector, which saw TCE increase by 104% to nearly $27,000 per day highlighting the operating leverage of the sector. Complementing our strong performance, we more than doubled our Q1 2026 dividend on a year-over-year basis and expect a significantly higher dividend in Q2 2026, as compared to both Q2 2025 and Q1 2026. We also continue to make strong progress renewing and growing our fleet, having entered into recent sale and purchase transactions that were immediately accretive to cash flow and net asset value. With significant balance sheet strength, Genco maintains the financial flexibility to capitalize on attractive growth opportunities that continue to expand our earnings power and dividend capacity in a strengthening drybulk market.”

Genco’s Active Commercial Operating Platform and Fleet Deployment Strategy

We utilize a portfolio approach towards revenue generation through a combination of:

Our fleet deployment strategy currently remains weighted towards short-term fixtures, which provide us with optionality on our sizeable fleet.

Based on current fixtures to date, our estimated TCE to date for the second quarter of 2026 on a load-to-discharge basis is presented below. Actual rates for the second quarter will vary based upon future fixtures. These estimates are based on time charter contracts entered by the Company as well as current spot fixtures on the load-to-discharge method, whereby revenue is recognized ratably over the voyage from the commencement of loading to the completion of discharge. The actual TCE rates to be earned will depend on the number of contracted days and the number of ballast days at the end of the period. According to the load-to-discharge accounting method, the Company does not recognize revenue for any ballast days or uncontracted days at the end of the second quarter of 2026. At the same time, expenses for uncontracted days will be recognized as incurred.

Financial Review: 2026 First Quarter

The Company recorded net income for the first quarter of 2026 of $9.3 million, or $0.21 basic and diluted earnings per share. Adjusted net income of $11.3 million or basic and diluted earnings per share of $0.26, excluding a gain on sale of vessels of $2.1 million, impairment of vessel assets of $0.5 million, other operating expense of $3.8 million and unrealized gain on fuel hedges of $0.2 million. Comparatively, for the three months ended March 31, 2025, the Company recorded a net loss of $11.9 million, or $0.28 basic and diluted net loss per share.

Revenue / TCE

The Company’s revenues increased to $114.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2026 as compared to $71.3 million recorded for the three months ended March 31, 2025, primarily due to higher rates earned by our major and minor bulk vessels, the operation of a larger fleet, as well as less drydocking days during the first quarter of 2026 as compared to the first quarter of 2025. The average daily time charter equivalent, or TCE, rates obtained by the Company’s fleet was $19,346 per day for the three months ended March 31, 2026 as compared to $11,884 per day for the three months ended March 31, 2025.

Voyage expenses

Voyage expenses increased to $36.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2026 from $27.4 million during the prior year period.

Vessel operating expenses

Vessel operating expenses increased to $26.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2026 from $24.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2025. Daily vessel operating expenses, or DVOE, amounted to $6,805 per vessel per day for the first quarter of 2026 compared to $6,592 per vessel per day for the first quarter of 2025. The increase in DVOE was primarily due to higher crew costs partially offset by the timing of the purchase of spares.

We believe daily vessel operating expenses are best measured for comparative purposes over a 12-month period in order to take into account all of the expenses that each vessel in our fleet will incur over a full year of operation. Based on current estimates, our DVOE budget for Q2 2026 is $6,750 per vessel per day on a fleet-wide basis.

General and administrative expenses

General and administrative expenses increased to $8.1 million for the first quarter of 2026 compared to $7.5 million for the first quarter of 2025.

Depreciation and amortization expenses

Depreciation and amortization expenses increased to $21.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2026 from $17.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2025 primarily due to an increase in drydocking amortization expense for certain vessels in our fleet, as well as an increase in vessel depreciation expenses for vessels delivered during the fourth quarter of 2025 and the first quarter of 2026.

EBITDA

EBITDA for the three months ended March 31, 2026 amounted to $34.2 million compared to $7.9 million during the prior year period. During the three months of 2026 and 2025, EBITDA included a gain on sale of vessels, impairment of vessel assets, other operating expenses, as well as unrealized gains on fuel hedges. Excluding these items, our adjusted EBITDA amounted to $36.2 million and $7.9 million, for the respective periods.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Cash Flow

Net cash provided by operating activities for the three months ended March 31, 2026 and 2025 was $15.7 million and $2.9 million, respectively. This increase in cash provided by operating activities was primarily due to higher rates earned by our major and minor bulk vessels, as well as changes in working capital. Additionally, there was a decrease in drydocking costs incurred during the three months ended March 31, 2026 as compared to the three months ended March 31, 2025.

Net cash used in investing activities for the three months ended March 31, 2026 and 2025 was $123.3 million and $2.9 million, respectively. This fluctuation was primarily a result of a $131.0 million increase in the purchase of vessel assets due to the purchase of the Genco Stars and Stripes and the Genco Valkyrie which were delivered on March 5, 2026 and on March 24, 2026, respectively. This increase in net cash used in investing activities was partially offset by $10.9 million net proceeds from the sale of the Genco Picardy on March 30, 2026.

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities during the three months ended March 31, 2026 and 2025 was $106.9 million and ($13.4) million, respectively. On February 27, 2026, the $600 Million Revolver was refinanced with the $680 Million Revolver. As part of the debt modification, $4.3 million was settled net among the lenders of the $600 Million Revolver and $680 Million Revolver. The fluctuation is primarily due to drawdowns totaling $130.0 million on the $600 Million Revolver and the $680 Million Revolver made by the Company during the three months ended March 31, 2026. This increase in cash provided by financing activities was partially offset by a $9.2 million increase in the payment of dividends and a $0.5 million increase in the payment of deferred financing costs related to the $680 Million Revolver during the first quarter of 2026 as compared to the first quarter of 2025.

Capital Expenditures

Genco’s current fleet consists of 43 vessels with an average age of 12.6 years and an aggregate capacity of approximately 4,935,000 dwt:

In addition to acquisitions that we may undertake, we will incur additional capital expenditures due to special surveys and drydockings. Furthermore, we plan to upgrade a portion of our fleet with energy saving devices and apply high performance paint systems to our vessels in order to reduce fuel consumption and emissions.

We estimate our capital expenditures related to drydocking, including capitalized costs incurred during drydocking related to vessel assets and vessel equipment, ballast water treatment system costs, fuel efficiency upgrades and scheduled off-hire days for our fleet for the balance of 2026 to be:

Summary Consolidated Financial and Other Data

The following table summarizes Genco Shipping & Trading Limited’s selected consolidated financial and other data for the periods indicated below.

About Genco Shipping & Trading Limited

Genco Shipping & Trading Limited is a U.S. based drybulk ship owning company focused on the seaborne transportation of commodities globally. We transport key cargoes such as iron ore, coal, grain, steel products, bauxite, cement, nickel ore among other commodities along worldwide shipping routes. Our wholly owned high quality, modern fleet of dry cargo vessels consists of the larger Newcastlemax and Capesize vessels (major bulk) and the medium-sized Ultramax and Supramax vessels (minor bulk), enabling us to carry a wide range of cargoes. Genco’s fleet consists of 43 vessels with an average age of 12.6 years and an aggregate capacity of approximately 4,935,000 dwt:

Conference Call Announcement

Genco Shipping & Trading Limited will hold a conference call on Thursday, May 7, 2026 at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time to discuss its 2026 first quarter financial results. The conference call and a presentation will be simultaneously webcast and will be available on the Company’s website, www.GencoShipping.com. To access the call by phone, please register via the live call registration link, https://events.q4inc.com/analyst/719392054?pwd=NnY9JEdY, and you will be provided with dial-in instructions and details. Please dial in at least 10 minutes prior to 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time to ensure a prompt start to the call. The conference call will be broadcast live and available for replay on the Company’s website: http://www.gencoshipping.com.

Website Information

We intend to use our website, www.GencoShipping.com, as a means of disclosing material non-public information and for complying with our disclosure obligations under Regulation FD. Such disclosures will be included in our website’s Investor Relations section. Accordingly, investors should monitor the Investor Relations portion of our website, in addition to following our press releases, SEC filings, public conference calls, and webcasts. To subscribe to our e-mail alert service, please click the “Receive E-mail Alerts” link in the Investor Relations section of our website and submit your email address. The information contained in, or that may be accessed through, our website is not incorporated by reference into or a part of this document or any other report or document we file with or furnish to the SEC, and any references to our website are intended to be inactive textual references only.

"Safe Harbor" Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995

This release contains forward-looking statements made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements use words such as “anticipate,” “budget,” “estimate,” “expect,” “project,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” and other words and terms of similar meaning in connection with a discussion of potential future events, circumstances or future operating or financial performance. These forward-looking statements are based on our management’s current expectations and observations. Included among the factors that, in our view, could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward looking statements contained in this release are the following: (i) declines or sustained weakness in demand in the drybulk shipping industry; (ii) weakness or declines in drybulk shipping rates; (iii) changes in the supply of or demand for drybulk products, generally or in particular regions; (iv) changes in the supply of drybulk carriers including newbuilding of vessels or lower than anticipated scrapping of older vessels; (v) changes in rules and regulations applicable to the cargo industry, including, without limitation, legislation adopted by international organizations or by individual countries and actions taken by regulatory authorities; (vi) increases in costs and expenses including but not limited to: crew wages, insurance, provisions, lube oil, bunkers, repairs, maintenance, general and administrative expenses, and management expenses; (vii) whether our insurance arrangements are adequate; (viii) changes in general domestic and international political conditions; (ix) military actions, terrorism, or piracy, including without limitation the ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and Iran, attacks on vessels in the Red Sea, and other conflicts in the Middle East and Venezuela; (x) changes in the condition of the Company’s vessels or applicable maintenance or regulatory standards (which may affect, among other things, our anticipated drydocking or maintenance and repair costs) and unanticipated drydock expenditures; (xi) the Company’s acquisition or disposition of vessels; (xii) the amount of offhire time needed to complete maintenance, repairs, and installation of equipment to comply with applicable regulations on vessels and the timing and amount of any reimbursement by our insurance carriers for insurance claims, including offhire days; (xiii) the completion of definitive documentation with respect to charters; (xiv) charterers’ compliance with the terms of their charters in the current market environment; (xv) the extent to which our operating results are affected by weakness in market conditions and freight and charter rates; (xvi) our ability to maintain contracts that are critical to our operation, to obtain and maintain acceptable terms with our vendors, customers and service providers and to retain key executives, managers and employees; (xvii) completion of documentation for vessel transactions and the performance of the terms thereof by buyers or sellers of vessels and us; (xviii) the relative cost and availability of low sulfur and high sulfur fuel, worldwide compliance with sulfur emissions regulations that took effect on January 1, 2020 and our ability to realize the economic benefits or recover the cost of the scrubbers we have installed; (xix) our financial results for the year ending December 31, 2025 and other factors relating to determination of the tax treatment of dividends we have declared; (xx) the financial results we achieve for each quarter that apply to the formula under our new dividend policy, including without limitation the actual amounts earned by our vessels and the amounts of various expenses we incur, as a significant decrease in such earnings or a significant increase in such expenses may affect our ability to carry out our new value strategy; (xxi) the exercise of the discretion of our Board regarding the declaration of dividends, including without limitation the amount that our Board determines to set aside for reserves under our dividend policy; (xxii) outbreaks of disease such as the COVID-19 pandemic; (xxiii) trade conflicts, the imposition or modification of port fees, tariffs and other import restrictions, and the effectiveness and cost of any measures the Company may adopt to avoid or mitigate the impact of the foregoing, including alternate trade routes and repositioning vessels; and (xxiv) other factors listed from time to time in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including, without limitation, our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025 and subsequent reports on Form 8-K and Form 10-Q). Our ability to pay dividends in any period will depend upon various factors, including the limitations under any credit agreements to which we may be a party, applicable provisions of Marshall Islands law and the final determination by the Board of Directors each quarter after its review of our financial performance, market developments, and the best interests of the Company and its shareholders. The timing and amount of dividends, if any, could also be affected by factors affecting cash flows, results of operations, required capital expenditures, or reserves. As a result, the amount of dividends actually paid may vary. Our Q2 2026 estimated dividend range is based on TCE estimates to date and estimated expense levels as detailed above under “Genco’s Active Commercial Operating Platform and Fleet Deployment Strategy” and “Dividend Policy” and in the appendix to our Q1 2026 earnings presentation to posted on our website on May 6, 2026 under “Investors – Events and Presentations.” We do not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

CONTACT:

Peter Allen

Chief Financial Officer

Genco Shipping & Trading Limited

(646) 443-8550