Costamare Inc. Reports Results for the Fourth Quarter and Year Ended December 31, 2019

MONACO, Jan. 28, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Costamare Inc. ("Costamare" or the "Company") CMRE today reported unaudited financial results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2019.

• Net Income increased by 82% to $35.9 million for the three months ended December 31, 2019 ("Q4 2019") compared to $19.7 million for the three months ended December 31, 2018 ("Q4 2018"). Earnings per Share available to common stockholders increased by 118% to $0.24 in Q4 2019 compared to $0.11 in Q4 2018.
  
  
• Adjusted Net Income available to common stockholders⁽¹⁾ increased by 189% to $38.4 million in Q4 2019 compared to $13.3 million in Q4 2018. Adjusted Earnings per Share⁽¹⁾ available to common stockholders increased by 167% to $0.32 in Q4 2019 compared to $0.12 in Q4 2018.
  
  
• Voyage Revenues increased by 17% to $124.5 million in Q4 2019 compared to $106.2 million in Q4 2018.
  
  
• Continued its fleet renewal. More specifically, the Company:
  
  
  • Acquired the below four containerships:
    • Vela (2009-built, 4,258 TEU capacity)
    • JPO Virgo (2009-built, 4,258 TEU capacity)
    • Vulpecula (2010-built, 4,258 TEU capacity)
    • Volans (2010-built, 4,258 TEU capacity)
      
      
  • Sold the below four containerships:
    • Sierra II (1991-built, 2,023 TEU capacity)
    • Namibia II (1991-built, 2,023 TEU capacity)
    • Reunion (1992-built, 2,024 TEU capacity)
    • Neapolis (2000-built, 1,645 TEU capacity) / Sale is expected to be concluded in January 2020
      
      
• Arranged financing agreements for four 2017-built, 11,010 TEU capacity containerships with leading European and U.S. financial institutions for an aggregate amount of up to $265 million.
  
  
• Declared dividend of $0.10 per share on its common stock and dividends on all four classes of its preferred stock.

⁽¹⁾ Adjusted Net Income available to common stockholders and Adjusted Earnings per Share are non-GAAP measures and should not be used in isolation or as substitutes for Costamare's financial results presented in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"). For the definition and reconciliation of these measures to the most directly comparable financial measure calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP, please refer to Exhibit I.

New Business Developments

A.  Fleet Renewal

1. Vessel Acquisitions

• In December 2019, we acquired three 4,258 TEU capacity sister containerships (2010-built  Vulpecula, 2010-built Volans and 2009-built Vela).
  
  
• In January 2020, we acquired the 2009-built, 4,258 TEU capacity containership JPO Virgo.
  
  
• We acquired all four vessels using cash in hand and we are currently in advanced discussions with a leading European financial institution for their financing.

      II.  Vessel Disposals

• In October 2019, we sold the 1991-built, 2,023 TEU capacity containership Sierra II.
  
  
• In November 2019, we sold the 1992-built, 2,024 TEU capacity containership Reunion.
  
  
• In December 2019, we sold the 1991-built, 2,023 TEU capacity containership Namibia II.
  
  
• In January 2020, we agreed to sell the 2000-built, 1,645 TEU containership Neapolis. The sale is expected to be concluded by the end of January 2020.

B.  New Financing Agreements

• We have entered into four separate loan agreements with leading European and U.S. financial institutions for a total amount of up to $265 million. The loan proceeds have been used for the refinancing of the existing indebtedness of four 2017-built, 11,010 TEU containerships (acquired under our JV with York Capital Management) and for general corporate purposes. The new facilities will be repayable over 5 years.

C.  Dividend announcements

• On January 3, 2020, we declared a dividend for the quarter ended December 31, 2019, of $0.10 per share on our common stock, payable on February 5, 2020, to stockholders of record of common stock as of January 21, 2020.
  
  
• On January 3, 2020, we declared a dividend of $0.476563 per share on our Series B Preferred Stock, a dividend of $0.531250 per share on our Series C Preferred Stock, a dividend of $0.546875 per share on our Series D Preferred Stock and a dividend of $0.554688 per share on our Series E Preferred Stock, which were all paid on January 15, 2020 to holders of record as of January 14, 2020.

Mr. Gregory Zikos, Chief Financial Officer of Costamare Inc., commented:

"During the fourth quarter and the year, net income and earnings per share increased substantially boosted by higher charter rates and the addition of new ships.

As part of our fleet renewal program, we acquired four panamax vessels with an average age of about 11 years during the quarter and disposed of an equal number of ships with an average age of 27 years.

During the year larger vessels enjoyed a rising charter market and today there is limited supply available in the post -panamax sizes. 

We have 18 post -panamax ships coming off charter over the next twelve months, which positions us favorably, should market momentum continue."

(1) Accrued charter revenue represents the difference between cash received during the period and revenue recognized on a straight-line basis. In the early years of a charter with escalating charter rates, voyage revenue will exceed cash received during the period and during the last years of such charter cash received will exceed revenue recognized on a straight-line basis.
(2) Voyage revenue adjusted on a cash basis represents Voyage revenue after adjusting for non-cash "Accrued charter revenue" recorded under charters with escalating charter rates. However, Voyage revenue adjusted on a cash basis is not a recognized measurement under U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"). We believe that the presentation of Voyage revenue adjusted on a cash basis is useful to investors because it presents the charter revenue for the relevant period based on the then current daily charter rates. The increases or decreases in daily charter rates under our charter party agreements are described in the notes to the "Fleet List" below.
(3) Adjusted Net Income available to common stockholders and Adjusted Earnings per Share are non-GAAP measures. Refer to the reconciliation of Net Income to Adjusted Net Income.

Non-GAAP Measures

The Company reports its financial results in accordance with U.S. GAAP. However, management believes that certain non-GAAP financial measures used in managing the business may provide users of these financial measures 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. The tables below set out supplemental financial data and corresponding reconciliations to GAAP financial measures for the three-month periods and years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018. Non-GAAP financial measures should be viewed in addition to, and not as an alternative for, voyage revenue or net income as determined in accordance with GAAP. Non-GAAP financial measures include (i) Voyage revenue adjusted on a cash basis (reconciled above), (ii) Adjusted Net Income available to common stockholders and (iii) Adjusted Earnings per Share.

Exhibit I
Reconciliation of Net Income to Adjusted Net Income available to common stockholders and Adjusted Earnings per Share

Adjusted Net Income available to common stockholders and Adjusted Earnings per Share represent Net Income after earnings allocated to preferred stock, but before non-cash "Accrued charter revenue" recorded under charters with escalating charter rates, realized loss on Euro/USD forward contracts, vessels' impairment loss, loss on sale / disposal of vessels, swaps' breakage costs, loss on vessels held for sale, loss on sale / disposal of vessel by a jointly owned company with York included in equity gain on investments, (gain) / loss on asset held for sale by a jointly owned company with York included in equity gain on investments, non-cash general and administrative expenses and non-cash other items, non-recurring, voyage expenses, tank cleaning costs in order to comply with the global sulphur cap of 0.5% m/m in anticipation of the entry into force on January 1, 2020 of the relevant MARPOL Annex VI regulations, non-recurring, voyage expenses tank cleaning costs in order to comply with the global sulphur cap of 0.5% m/m in anticipation of the entry into force on January 1, 2020 of the relevant MARPOL Annex VI regulations incurred by jointly owned companies with York, non-recurring, non-cash write-off of loan deferred financing costs, non-recurring, non-cash write-off of loan deferred financing costs by jointly owned companies with York, amortization of prepaid lease rentals, net, amortization of Time charter assumed and non-cash changes in fair value of derivatives. "Accrued charter revenue" is attributed to the timing difference between the revenue recognition and the cash collection. However, Adjusted Net Income available to common stockholders and Adjusted Earnings per Share are not recognized measurements under U.S. GAAP. We believe that the presentation of Adjusted Net Income available to common stockholders and Adjusted Earnings per Share are useful to investors because they are frequently used by securities analysts, investors and other interested parties in the evaluation of companies in our industry. We also believe that Adjusted Net Income available to common stockholders and Adjusted Earnings per Share are useful in evaluating our ability to service additional debt and make capital expenditures. In addition, we believe that Adjusted Net Income available to common stockholders and Adjusted Earnings per Share are useful in evaluating our operating performance and liquidity position compared to that of other companies in our industry because the calculation of Adjusted Net Income available to common stockholders and Adjusted Earnings per Share generally eliminates the effects of the accounting effects of capital expenditures and acquisitions, certain hedging instruments and other accounting treatments, items which may vary for different companies for reasons unrelated to overall operating performance and liquidity. In evaluating Adjusted Net Income available to common stockholders and Adjusted Earnings per Share, 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 Net Income available to common stockholders and Adjusted Earnings per Share should not be construed as an inference that our future results will be unaffected by unusual or non-recurring items.

(1) Items to consider for comparability include gains and charges. Gains positively impacting Net Income available to common stockholders are reflected as deductions to Adjusted Net Income available to common stockholders. Charges negatively impacting Net Income available to common stockholders are reflected as increases to Adjusted Net Income available to common stockholders.

Results of Operations

Three-month period ended December 31, 2019 compared to the three-month period ended December 31, 2018

During the three-month periods ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, we had an average of 59.2 and 59.8 vessels, respectively, in our fleet. In the three-month period ended December 31, 2019, we accepted delivery of the secondhand containerships Vulpecula, Volans, and Vela with an aggregate TEU capacity of 12,774 and we sold Sierra II, Reunion and Namibia II with an aggregate TEU capacity of 6,070. In the three-month period ended December 31, 2018, we acquired the 60% equity interest of York Capital Management in each of the 14,000 TEU container vessels Triton, Titan, Talos, Taurus and Theseus and as a result we obtained 100% of the equity interest in each of these five vessels. In the three-month period ended December 31, 2018, we sold the 3,842 TEU container vessel MSC Koroni. In the three-month periods ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, our fleet ownership days totaled 5,447 and 5,505 days, respectively. Ownership days are one of the primary drivers of voyage revenue and vessels' operating expenses and represent the aggregate number of days in a period during which each vessel in our fleet is owned.

(1) Voyage revenue adjusted on a cash basis is not a recognized measurement under U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"). Refer to "Financial Summary" above for the reconciliation of Voyage revenue adjusted on a cash basis.

Voyage Revenue

Voyage revenue increased by 17.2%, or $18.3 million, to $124.5 million during the three-month period ended December 31, 2019, from $106.2 million during the three-month period ended December 31, 2018. The increase is mainly attributable to revenue earned by (i) five vessels acquired during the fourth quarter of 2018 and two vessels acquired during the fourth quarter of 2019 , (ii) increased charter rates for certain of our vessels during the fourth quarter of 2019 compared to the fourth quarter of 2018 and (iii) decreased off-hire days for certain of our vessels during the fourth quarter of 2019 compared to the fourth quarter of 2018, partly off-set by revenue not earned by five vessels sold during the year ended December 31, 2019. 

Voyage revenue adjusted on a cash basis (which eliminates non-cash "Accrued charter revenue"), increased by 23.7%, or $24.6 million, to $128.5 million during the three-month period ended December 31, 2019, from $103.9 million during the three-month period ended December 31, 2018. Accrued charter revenue for the three-month periods ended December 31, 2019 was a positive amount of $4.0 million and for the three-month period ended December 31, 2018 was a negative amount of $2.3 million.

Voyage Expenses

Voyage expenses were $2.1 million and $1.0 million for the three-month periods ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively. Voyage expenses mainly include (i) off-hire expenses of our vessels, primarily related to fuel consumption and (ii) third party commissions. Voyage expenses for the three month period ended December 31, 2019 include a cost of $1.5 million relating to our vessels' tank cleaning in order to comply with the global sulphur cap of 0.5% m/m in anticipation of the entry into force on January 1, 2020 of the relevant MARPOL Annex VI regulations.

Voyage Expenses – related parties

Voyage expenses – related parties were $1.7 million and $0.9 million for the three-month periods ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively. Voyage expenses – related parties represent (i) fees of 1.25%¹ in the aggregate on voyage revenues charged by related managers and (ii) charter brokerage fees payable to a related charter brokerage company.

Vessels' Operating Expenses

Vessels' operating expenses, which also include the realized gain / (loss) under derivative contracts entered into in relation to foreign currency exposure, were $28.8 million and $30.3 million during the three-month periods ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively. Daily vessels' operating expenses were $5,283 and $5,512 for the three-month periods ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively. Daily operating expenses are calculated as vessels' operating expenses for the period over the ownership days of the period.

General and Administrative Expenses

General and administrative expenses were $1.4 million and $1.3 million during the three-month periods ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively, and both include $0.63 million paid to a related manager.

Management Fees – related parties

Management fees paid to our related managers were $5.2 million and $5.0 million during the three-month periods ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively.

General and administrative expenses – non-cash component

General and administrative expenses – non-cash component for the three-month period ended December 31, 2019 amounted to $1.4 million, representing the value of the shares issued to a related manager on December 30, 2019. General and administrative expenses – non-cash component for the three-month period ended December 31, 2018, amounted to $0.7 million, representing the value of the shares issued to a related manager on December 31, 2018.

Amortization of dry-docking and special survey

Amortization of deferred dry-docking and special survey costs was $2.2 million and $2.1 million during the three-month periods ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively. During the three-month period ended December 31, 2018, two vessels underwent and completed their special survey and two were in process of completing their special survey. During the three-month period ended December 31, 2019, no vessel underwent any special survey.

Depreciation

Depreciation expense for the three-month period ended December 31, 2019 and 2018 was $28.4 million and $26.5 million, respectively.

Amortization of Prepaid Lease Rentals, net

Amortization of prepaid lease rentals, net for the three-month periods ended December 31, 2019 and 2018 was nil and $2.1 million, respectively.

Loss on sale / disposal of vessels

During the three-month period ended December 31, 2019, we sold the vessels Sierra II, Reunion and Namibia II and we recorded a loss of $0.7 million, in aggregate. As at September 30, 2019, the vessels Reunion and Sierra II were classified as assets held for sale.  During the three-month period ended December 31, 2018, we sold the 3,842 TEU container vessel MSC Koroni and we recorded a loss of $0.3 million.

Loss on vessels held for sale

During the three-month period ended December 31, 2019, we recorded a loss on vessels held for sale of $2.5 million, representing the expected loss from the sale of two of our vessels during the next twelve-month period. During the three-month period ended December 31, 2018, we recorded a loss on vessel held for sale of $0.1 million, representing the expected loss from the sale of one of our vessels during the next twelve-month period.

Interest Income

Interest income amounted to $0.8 million and $0.8 million for each of the three-month periods ended December 31, 2019 and 2018.

Interest and Finance Costs

Interest and finance costs were $19.7 million for each of the three-month periods ended December 31, 2019 and 2018.

Equity Gain on Investments

During the three-month period ended December 31, 2019, we recorded an equity gain on investments of $4.0 million representing our share of the gain in jointly owned companies pursuant to the Framework Deed dated May 15, 2013, as amended and restated (the "Framework Deed"), with York Capital Management Global Advisors LLC and an affiliated fund (collectively, together with the funds it manages or advises, "York"). Since November 12, 2018, we have held 100% of the equity interest in five previously jointly owned companies with York, and as of that date these five companies are consolidated in our consolidated financial statements. As of December 31, 2019, 13 companies are jointly-owned with York (of which, 10 companies currently own vessels). During the three-month period ended December 31, 2018, we recorded an equity gain on investments of $2.9 million also relating to investments under the Framework Deed.

Gain / (Loss) on Derivative Instruments

The fair value of our four interest rate derivative instruments which were outstanding as of December 31, 2019 equates to the amount that would be paid by us or to us should those instruments be terminated. As of December 31, 2019, the fair value of these four interest rate derivative instruments in aggregate amounted to a net asset of $0.4 million. The effective portion of the change in the fair value of the interest rate derivative instruments that qualified for hedge accounting is recorded in "Other Comprehensive Income" ("OCI") while the ineffective portion is recorded in the consolidated statements of income. The change in the fair value of the interest rate derivative instruments that did not qualify for hedge accounting is recorded in the consolidated statement of income. For the three-month period ended December 31, 2019, a gain of $0.4 million has been included in OCI, resulting from the fair market value change of the interest rate derivative instruments during the three-month period ended December 31, 2019.

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¹ 0.75% until June 30, 2019

Cash Flows

Three-month periods ended December 31, 2019 and 2018

Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities

Net cash flows provided by operating activities for the three-month period ended December 31, 2019, increased by $41.8 million to $76.8 million, from $35.0 million for the three-month period ended December 31, 2018. The increase is mainly attributable to the increased cash from operations of $24.6 million, the favorable change in working capital position, excluding the current portion of long-term debt and the accrued charter revenue (representing the difference between cash received in that period and revenue recognized on a straight-line basis) of $12.7 million, the decreased special survey costs of $3.9 million and the decreased payments for interest (including swap payments) of $0.2 million during the three-month period ended December 31, 2019 compared to the three-month period ended December 31, 2018.

Net Cash Provided by / (Used in) Investing Activities

Net cash used in investing activities was $17.8 million in the three-month period ended December 31, 2019, which mainly consisted of advance payments for upgrades for certain of our vessels, payments for the acquisition of three secondhand vessels, advance payment for the acquisition of one vessel, which was delivered in January 2020, dividend distributions we received from two entities jointly -owned with York pursuant to the Framework Deed and proceeds we received from the sale of three vessels.    

Net cash provided by investing activities was $0.9 million in the three-month period ended December 31, 2018, which mainly consisted of proceeds we received from the sale of one vessel, net payments for the acquisition of the 60% equity interest in five companies previously jointly owned with York pursuant to the Framework Deed and payments for capitalized expenses for certain of our vessels.

Net Cash Used in Financing Activities

Net cash used in financing activities was $67.3 million in the three-month period ended December 31, 2019, which mainly consisted of (a) $52.6 million of payments relating to our debt financing agreements, (b) $7.0 million we paid for dividends to holders of our common stock for the third quarter of 2019 and (c) $1.0 million we paid for dividends to holders of our 7.625% Series B Cumulative Redeemable Perpetual Preferred Stock ("Series B Preferred Stock"), $2.1 million we paid for dividends to holders of our 8.500% Series C Cumulative Redeemable Perpetual Preferred Stock ("Series C Preferred Stock"), $2.2 million we paid for dividends to holders of our 8.75% Series D Cumulative Redeemable Perpetual Preferred Stock ("Series D Preferred Stock") and $2.6 million we paid for dividends to holders of our 8.875% Series E Cumulative Redeemable Perpetual Preferred Stock ("Series E Preferred Stock") for the period from July 15, 2019 to October 14, 2019.

Net cash used in financing activities was $24.2 million in the three-month period ended December 31, 2018, which mainly consisted of (a) $9.0 million net payments relating to our debt financing agreements, (b) $6.6 million we paid for dividends to holders of our common stock for the third quarter of 2018 and (c) $1.0 million we paid for dividends to holders of our Series B Preferred Stock, $2.1 million we paid for dividends to holders of our Series C Preferred Stock, $2.2 million we paid for dividends to holders of our Series D Preferred Stock and $2.6 million we paid for dividends to holders of our Series E Preferred Stock for the period from July 15, 2018 to October 14, 2018.

Year ended December 31, 2019 compared to the year ended December 31, 2018

During the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, we had an average of 60.3 and 55.8 vessels, respectively, in our fleet. In the year ended December 31, 2019, we accepted delivery of the secondhand containerships Vulpecula, Volans and Vela with an aggregate TEU capacity of 12,774 and we sold the vessels Sierra II, Reunion, Namibia II, MSC Pylos and Piraeus with an aggregate TEU capacity of 13,082. In the year ended December 31, 2018, (i) we acquired the 60% equity interest of York Capital Management in each of the 14,000 TEU container vessels Triton, Titan, Talos, Taurus and Theseus and, as a result, we obtained 100% of the equity interest in each of these five vessels, (ii) we accepted delivery of the secondhand containerships Michigan, Trader, Megalopolis, Marathopolis, Maersk Kleven and Maersk Kotka with an aggregate capacity of 28,602 TEU and (iii) we sold the container vessels Itea and MSC Koroni with an aggregate capacity of 7,684 TEU. In the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, our fleet ownership days totaled 22,002 and 20,359 days, respectively. Ownership days are one of the primary drivers of voyage revenue and vessels' operating expenses and represent the aggregate number of days in a period during which each vessel in our fleet is owned.

(1) Voyage revenue adjusted on a cash basis is not a recognized measurement under U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"). Refer to "Financial Summary" above for the reconciliation of Voyage revenue adjusted on a cash basis.

Voyage Revenue

Voyage revenue increased by 25.7%, or $97.7 million, to $478.1 million during the year ended December 31, 2019, from $380.4 million during the year ended December 31, 2018. The increase is mainly attributable to revenue earned by (i) ten vessels acquired during the year ended December 31, 2018 and two vessels acquired during the fourth quarter of 2019, (ii) decreased off-hire days for certain of our vessels during the year ended December 31, 2019 compared to the year ended December 31, 2018 and (iii) increased charter rates for certain of our vessels during the year ended December 31, 2019, partly offset by revenue not earned by two vessels sold during 2018 and five vessels sold during 2019.

Voyage revenue adjusted on a cash basis (which eliminates non-cash "Accrued charter revenue"), increased by 29.2%, or $109.1 million, to $482.2 million during the year ended December 31, 2019, from $373.1 million during the year ended December 31, 2018. Accrued charter revenue for the year ended December 31, 2019 and 2018 was a positive amount of $3.9 million and a negative amount of $7.3 million, respectively.

Voyage Expenses

Voyage expenses were $5.3 million and $5.8 million for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively. Voyage expenses mainly include (i) off-hire expenses of our vessels, primarily related to fuel consumption and (ii) third party commissions. Voyage expenses for the year ended December 31, 2019, include a cost of $1.5 million relating to our vessels' tank cleaning in order to comply with the global sulphur cap of 0.5% m/m in anticipation of the entry into force on January 1, 2020 of the relevant MARPOL Annex VI regulations.

Voyage Expenses – related parties

Voyage expenses – related parties were $5.3 million and $3.2 million for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively. Voyage expenses – related parties represent (i) fees of 1.25%²  in the aggregate on voyage revenues charged by related managers and (ii) charter brokerage fees payable to a related charter brokerage company.

Vessels' Operating Expenses

Vessels' operating expenses, which also include the realized gain / (loss) under derivative contracts entered into in relation to foreign currency exposure, were $116.1 million and $110.6 million during the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively. Daily vessels' operating expenses were $5,277 and $5,431 for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively. Daily vessels' operating expenses are calculated as vessels' operating expenses for the period over the ownership days of the period.

General and Administrative Expenses

General and administrative expenses were $5.6 million and $5.4 million during the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively, and both include $2.5 million which is part of the annual fee paid to a related manager.

Management Fees – related parties

Management fees paid to our managers were $21.3 million and $19.5 million during the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively.

General and administrative expenses – non-cash component

General and administrative expenses – non-cash component for the year ended December 31, 2019 amounted to $3.9 million representing the value of the shares issued to a related manager on March 29, 2019, June 28, 2019, September 30, 2019 and December 30, 2019. General and administrative expenses – non-cash component for the year ended December 31, 2018 amounted to $3.8 million representing the value of the shares issued to a related manager on March 30, 2018, June 29, 2018, September 28, 2018 and December 31, 2018.

Amortization of Dry-docking and Special Survey Costs

Amortization of deferred dry-docking and special survey costs was $8.9 million and $7.3 million during the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively. During the year December 31, 2019, six vessels underwent and completed their special survey. During the year ended December 31, 2018, 17 vessels underwent and completed their special survey.

Depreciation

Depreciation expense for the year ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, was $113.5 million and $96.3 million, respectively. The increase was partly attributable to the increased average number of vessels during the year ended December 31, 2019 compared to the year ended December 31, 2018.

Amortization of Prepaid Lease Rentals, net

Amortization of prepaid lease rentals, net for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018 was nil and $8.2 million, respectively.

Loss on sale / disposal of vessels

During the year ended December 31, 2019, we recorded an aggregate loss of $19.6 million from the sale of the container vessels Piraeus, MSC Pylos, Reunion, Sierra II and Namibia II. MSC Pylos was classified as asset held for sale as at December 31, 2018. During the year ended December 31, 2018, we recorded a loss of $2.2 million from the sale of the vessel MSC Koroni and $0.9 million from the sale of the vessel Itea, which was classified as Asset held for sale as at December 31, 2017.

Loss on vessels held for sale

During the year ended December 31, 2019, we recorded a loss on vessels held for sale of $2.5 million representing the expected loss from the sale of two of our vessels during the next twelve-month period. During the year ended December 31, 2018, we recorded a loss on vessel held for sale of $0.1 million, representing the expected loss from the sale of one of our vessels during the next twelve-month period.

Vessels' impairment loss

During the year ended December 31, 2019, we recorded an impairment loss in relation to two of our vessels in the amount of $3.0 million, in the aggregate. During the year ended December 31, 2018, no impairment loss was recorded.

Interest Income

Interest income amounted to $3.3 million and $3.5 million for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively.

Interest and Finance Costs

Interest and finance costs were $89.0 million and $64.0 million during the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively. The increase is mainly attributable to the increased average loan balance during the year ended December 31, 2019 compared to the year ended December 31, 2018.

Swaps Breakage Cost

During the year ended December 31, 2019, we terminated eight interest rate derivative instruments that qualified for hedge accounting and three that did not qualify for hedge accounting and we paid the counterparties breakage costs, net in the amount of $0.016 million in the aggregate. During the year ended December 31, 2018, we terminated three interest rate derivative instruments that qualify for hedge accounting and we paid the counterparties breakage costs of $1.2 million.

Equity Gain on Investments

During the year ended December 31, 2019, we recorded an equity gain on investments of $11.4 million representing our share of the net gain in jointly-owned companies pursuant to the Framework Deed. Since November 12, 2018, we have held 100% of the equity interest in five previously jointly-owned companies with York, and as of that date these five companies are consolidated in our consolidated financial statements. As of December 31, 2019, 13 companies are jointly-owned with York (of which, 10 companies currently own vessels). During the year ended December 31, 2018, we recorded an equity gain on investments of $12.1 million also relating to investments under the Framework Deed.

Loss on Derivative Instruments

The fair value of our four interest rate derivative instruments which were outstanding as of December 31, 2019 equates to the amount that would be paid by us or to us should those instruments be terminated. As of December 31, 2019, the fair value of these four interest rate derivative instruments in aggregate amounted to a net asset of $0.4 million. The effective portion of the change in the fair value of the interest rate derivative instruments that qualified for hedge accounting is recorded in "Other Comprehensive Income" ("OCI") while the ineffective portion is recorded in the consolidated statements of income. The change in the fair value of the interest rate derivative instruments that did not qualify for hedge accounting is recorded in the consolidated statement of income. For the year ended December 31, 2019, a net loss of $5.8 million has been included in OCI and a net loss of $0.7 million has been included in Gain / (Loss) on derivative instruments in the consolidated statement of income, resulting from the fair market value change of the interest rate derivative instruments during the year ended December 31, 2019.

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2} 0.75% up to June 30, 2019

Cash Flows
Years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018

Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities

Net cash flows provided by operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2019 increased by $109.6 million to $250.4 million, compared to $140.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2018. The increase is mainly attributable to the increased cash from operations of $109.1 million, the favorable change in working capital position, excluding the current portion of long-term debt and the accrued charter revenue (representing the difference between cash received in that period and revenue recognized on a straight-line basis) of $20.4 million and the decreased special survey costs of $12.3 million during the year ended December 31, 2019 compared to the year ended December 31, 2018, partly off-set by increased payments for interest (including swap payments) during the year of $19.3 million.
  
Net Cash Used in Investing Activities

Net cash used in investing activities was $8.9 million in the year ended December 31, 2019, which mainly consisted of advance payments for upgrades for certain of our vessels, payments for the acquisition of three secondhand vessels, advance payment for the acquisition of one vessel, which was delivered in January 2020, dividend distribution we received from 11 entities jointly -owned with York pursuant to the Framework Deed and proceeds we received from the sale of five vessels.

Net cash used in investing activities was $112.6 million in the year ended December 31, 2018, which mainly consisted of net payments relating to the acquisition of six secondhand vessels and five newbuild vessels, net payments for the acquisition of the 60% equity interest in five companies previously jointly owned with York pursuant to the Framework Deed, payments for capital injection into certain entities pursuant to the Framework Deed (net of dividend distributions we received) and proceeds we received from the sale of two vessels.

Net Cash Used in Financing Activities

Net cash used in financing activities was $212.2 million in the year ended December 31, 2019, which mainly consisted of (a) $149.6 million of net payments relating to our debt financing agreements (including the prepayments following the sale of five container vessels during the year ended December 31, 2019), (b) $27.4 million we paid for dividends to holders of our common stock for the fourth quarter of 2018, the first quarter of 2019, the second quarter of 2019 and the third quarter of 2019 and (c) $3.8 million we paid for dividends to holders of our Series B Preferred Stock, $8.5 million we paid for dividends to holders of our Series C Preferred Stock, $8.8 million we paid for dividends to holders of our Series D Preferred Stock and $10.2 million we paid for dividends to holders of our Series E Preferred Stock for the period from October 15, 2018 to January 14, 2019, January 15, 2019 to April 14, 2019, April 15, 2019 to July 14, 2019 and July 15, 2019 to October 14, 2019.

Net cash used in financing activities was $80.5 million in the year ended December 31, 2018, which mainly consisted of (a) $139.2 million net payments relating to our debt financing agreements, (b) $111.2 million net proceeds we received from our January 2018 public offering, of 4.6 million shares of our Series E Preferred Stock, net of underwriting discounts and expenses incurred in the offering, (c) $20.9 million we paid for dividends to holders of our common stock for the fourth quarter of 2017, the first quarter of 2018, the second quarter of 2018 and the third quarter of 2018 and (d) $3.8 million we paid for dividends to holders of our Series B Preferred Stock, $8.5 million we paid for dividends to holders of our Series C Preferred Stock, $8.8 million we paid for dividends to holders of our Series D Preferred Stock, for the periods from October 15, 2017 to January 14, 2018, January 15, 2018 to April 14, 2018, April 15, 2018 to July 14, 2018 and July 15, 2018 to October 14, 2018 and $7.2 million we paid for dividends to holders of our Series E Preferred Stock, for the period from January 30, 2018 to April 14, 2018, April 15, 2018 to July 14, 2018 and July 15, 2018 to October 14, 2018.

Liquidity and Unencumbered Vessels

Cash and cash equivalents

As of December 31, 2019, we had a total cash liquidity of $195.9 million, consisting of cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash.

Debt-free vessels

As of January 28, 2020, the following vessels were free of debt.

(*) Vessels acquired pursuant to the Framework Deed with York.

Conference Call details:

On Wednesday, January 29, 2020 at 8:30 a.m. EST, Costamare's management team will hold a conference call to discuss the financial results. Participants should dial into the call 10 minutes before the scheduled time using the following numbers: 1-844-887-9405 (from the US), 0808-238-9064 (from the UK) or +1-412-317-9258 (from outside the US and the UK). Please quote "Costamare". A replay of the conference call will be available until February 5, 2020. The United States replay number is +1-877-344-7529; the standard international replay number is +1-412-317-0088; and the access code required for the replay is: 10138768.

Live webcast:

There will also be a simultaneous live webcast over the Internet, through the Costamare Inc. website (www.costamare.com). Participants to the live webcast should register on the website approximately 10 minutes prior to the start of the webcast.

About Costamare Inc.

Costamare Inc. is one of the world's leading owners and providers of containerships for charter. The Company has 46 years of history in the international shipping industry and a fleet of 76 containerships, with a total capacity of approximately 549,000 TEU, including five newbuild containerships currently under construction. Ten of our containerships have been acquired pursuant to the Framework Deed with York Capital Management by vessel-owning joint venture entities in which we hold a minority equity interest. The Company's common stock, Series B Preferred Stock, Series C Preferred Stock, Series D Preferred Stock and Series E Preferred Stock trade on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbols "CMRE", "CMRE PR B", "CMRE PR C", "CMRE PR D" and "CMRE PR E", respectively.

Forward-Looking Statements

This earnings release contains "forward-looking statements". In some cases, you can identify these statements by forward-looking words such as "believe", "intend", "anticipate", "estimate", "project", "forecast", "plan", "potential", "may", "should", "could", "expect" and similar expressions. These statements are not historical facts but instead represent only Costamare's belief regarding future results, many of which, by their nature, are inherently uncertain and outside of Costamare's control. It is possible that actual results may differ, possibly materially, from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements. For a discussion of some of the risks and important factors that could affect future results, see the discussion in Costamare Inc.'s most recent Annual Report on Form 20-F (File No. 001-34934) under the caption "Risk Factors".

Company Contacts:

Gregory Zikos - Chief Financial Officer
Konstantinos Tsakalidis - Business Development

Costamare Inc., Monaco
Tel: (+377) 93 25 09 40
Email: ir@costamare.com

Fleet List

The table below provides additional information, as of January 28, 2020, about our fleet of containerships, including our newbuilds on order, the vessels acquired pursuant to the Framework Deed and those vessels subject to sale and leaseback agreements. Each vessel is a cellular containership, meaning it is a dedicated container vessel.

Newbuilds