Preliminary Results

RNS Number : 0628G
Ocean Wilsons Holdings Ld
13 March 2020
 

The information communicated within this announcement is deemed to constitute inside information as stipulated under the Market Abuse Regulations (EU) No. 596/2014. Upon the publication of this announcement, this inside information is now considered to be in the public domain.

 

Ocean Wilsons Holdings Limited

Preliminary results for the year ended 31 December 2019

Ocean Wilsons Holdings Limited ("Ocean Wilsons" or the "Company") today announces its preliminary results for the year ended 31 December 2019.

Ocean Wilsons Holdings Limited

Highlights

Profit after tax for the year of US$61.0 million was US$27.2 million higher than the prior year (2018: US$33.8 million) principally due to a strong performance from our investment portfolio.

● The investment portfolio (including cash under management) increased US$26.4 million to US$285.3 million (2018: US$258.9 million).

●      Operating profit fell 30.6% to US$69.0 million (2018: US$99.5 million) mainly due to lower revenue and weaker operating margins at the Group's towage and offshore support base businesses.

  Profit after tax and operating profit was after an impairment charge on our offshore base business (Brasco) of US$13.0 million.

● Group revenue for the year was 11.8% lower at US$406.1 million (2018: US$460.2 million) principally due to a higher average USD/BRL exchange rate and a difficult trading environment.

● Net cash inflow from operating activities for the year was US$106.3 million (2018: US$113.7 million). 

● Proposed dividend unchanged at US 70 cents per share (2018: US 70 cents per share).

● Earnings per share for the year up by US 94.9 cents per share to US 132.5 cents (2018: US 37.6 cents per share).

 

*Operating margins are defined as operating profit (excluding impairment charge) divided by revenue.

About Ocean Wilsons Holdings Limited

Ocean Wilsons Holdings Limited ("Ocean Wilsons" or the "Company") is a Bermuda based investment holding company which, through its subsidiaries, operates a maritime services company in Brazil and holds a portfolio of international investments. The Company is listed on both the Bermuda Stock Exchange and the London Stock Exchange. It has two principal subsidiaries: Wilson Sons Limited and Ocean Wilsons (Investments) Limited (together with the Company and their subsidiaries, the "Group").

Wilson Sons Limited ("Wilson Sons") is a Bermuda company listed on the São Paulo Stock Exchange (BOVESPA) and Luxembourg Stock Exchange. At 31 December 2019 Ocean Wilsons holds a 58.16% interest in Wilson Sons which is fully consolidated in the Group accounts with a 41.84% non-controlling interest. Wilson Sons is one of the largest providers of maritime services in Brazil with over four thousand employees and activities including towage, container terminals, offshore oil and gas support services, small vessel construction, logistics and ship agency. Ocean Wilsons (Investments) Limited is a wholly owned Bermuda investment company and holds a portfolio of international investments.

Objective

Ocean Wilsons is run with a long-term outlook. This applies to both the investment portfolio and our investment in Wilson Sons. The long-term view taken by the Board enables Wilson Sons to grow and develop its businesses without pressure to produce short-term results at the expense of long-term value creation. The same view allows our Investment Manager to make investment decisions that create long-term capital growth.

Chairman's Statement

Introduction

A strong performance from our investment portfolio in the year was tapered by weaker trading results at our Brazilian businesses. Driven by rising equity markets, the investment portfolio was up 12.4% net of fees over the year to US$285.3 million (2018: US$258.9 million), outperforming its benchmark which rose 5.3%. The Brazilian economy continues to struggle with growth of approximately 1% per annum in each of the last three years following the 2015-16 crash, making it the worst recovery from recession on record. Against the backdrop of poor economic growth in Brazil, a difficult trading environment and a higher average US Dollar/Brazilian Real "USD"/ "BRL" exchange rate, revenue in USD terms fell 12% in the year. The key operational indicators at our container terminals and towage businesses both weakened against the 2018 comparative.

 

Operating volumes

2019

2018

% Change

Container Terminals (container movements in TEU '000s) *

1,027.3

1,072.7

(4.2%)

Towage (number of harbour manoeuvres performed)

53,088

56,114

(5.4%)

Offshore Vessels (days in operation)

5,128

5,126

0.0%

 

*TEUs stands for "twenty-foot equivalent units".

Significant progress was made in expanding the Salvador container terminal during the year. The civil works to extend the terminal's principal quay from 377 metres to 800 metres are now more than 80% complete and we expect to finish the quay extension by the second half of 2020. This will allow the simultaneous berthing of two super-post-Panamax ships at our terminal and is an important development in improving our operational efficiency and development of our facilities. This important investment reflects the Group's ongoing commitment to support our customers and maintain the port of Salvador as an engine for creating jobs and reinforcing economic growth in the state of Bahia. During 2019 the Group received US$29.7 million in loans from the Brazilian Economic and Social Development Bank to provide financing for the civil works of the terminal's expansion. Container volumes handled at our Salvador container terminal in 2019 grew 4% over the prior year to 334,400 TEUs (2018: 322,700 TEUs) driven by higher international trade, cabotage and transhipment movements. Container volumes handled at the Rio Grande container terminal at 692,900 TEUs, were 57,100 TEU's lower than the prior year, (2018: 750,000 TEUs) mainly due to a 68,900 TEU reduction in transhipment volumes which were impacted by the cancellation of two feeder services from Argentina that migrated to other ports in the first quarter of the year. Revenue from our offshore oil and gas support bases remained disappointing as demand from the offshore oil sector remains soft. As a result an impairment of $13.0 million was recorded by Brasco in the year against goodwill and intangibles.

The number of harbour towage manoeuvres performed in the year was 5% lower at 53,088 (2018: 56,114) due to the competitive environment and a reduction in iron ore exports from Brazil. Towage market over-capacity caused by a weak demand from the offshore oil and gas industry continues to influence both volumes and prices in harbour towage although we did see some improvement in prices later in the year. Wilson Sons remains the leading supplier of towage services in Brazil with a fleet of seventy-five tugboats operating in the principal ports and terminals of the country. During the year, Wilson Sons shipyards in Guarujá, São Paulo state, delivered another tugboat to our fleet, the escort tug WS Aries, which joins the WS Sirius (delivered in 2018) as the two most powerful tugboats operating in Brazil. The WS Aries has 90 tons bollard pull and a render recovery winch, which allows for the automatic control of maximum pull on the towline while keeping the tow length constant. With more advanced technology and power available, WS Aries offers a greater range of options during operations making for a safer operating environment. The Group now operates four tugboats equipped and certified as escort vessels, which means that the towline can be used at cruising speeds and the vessels can operate more than 100 nautical miles offshore.

The market for small vessel construction in Brazil remains weak with shipyard third-party work restricted to dry-docking repair and maintenance operations in the year. The shipyard will continue to provide important vessel construction and maintenance services for our towage and offshore vessel fleets.

The number of operating days at our offshore vessel joint venture, Wilson Sons Ultratug Offshore, at 5,128 were in line with the prior year (2018: 5,126) although revenue was 3% higher due to a higher average daily rate from annual contractual adjustments and improved contract mix with higher specification vessels in operation. Our joint venture continues to explore alternative revenue streams for our off-hire vessels. During the year the platform support vessels ("PSV") Ostreiro and Fulmar commenced new three-year contracts to provide shallow-water diving support services. In addition the PSV Talha-Mar started a new two-year contract with PetroRio and PSV Biguá signed a new short-term contract with Seaseep. At the year end, the joint venture had a fleet of 23 offshore support vessels ("OSVs") of which 17 were under contract, with the remainder available in the Brazilian spot market or laid up until market conditions improve.

While the Wilson Sons long-term vision and business unit strategies remain unchanged, we have decided to give greater emphasis to the Wilson Sons trademark in the branding of the businesses to make them more easily identifiable. The roll out will take place throughout 2020.    

Results

Profit for the year at US$61.0 million was US$27.2 million higher than the prior year (2018: US$33.8 million) primarily due to a US$42.7 million positive movement in returns from the investment portfolio, reduced foreign exchange losses on monetary items of US$0.1 million (2018: US$8.4 million) and better results from our joint ventures with a US$0.6 million attributable profit (2018: US$ 4.0 million loss). Results were adversely impacted by a US$30.5 million decrease in operating profit and a US$4.8 million increase in finance costs. Operating profit at US$69.0 million (2018: US$99.5 million) fell due to lower revenue which was down 12% in USD terms, softer operating margins (excluding impairment charges) which at 20.2% were 1.4% lower than the prior year (2018: 21.6%) and an impairment of US$13.0 million recorded by Brasco in the year as we took a more conservative approach to valuation. Group operating margins were impacted by weaker margins at the Group's towage and offshore support base businesses. The fall in Group revenue to US$406.1 million (2018: US$460.2 million) is primarily due to a higher average USD/BRL exchange rate and a difficult trading environment. Earnings per share for the year rose to 132.5 cents compared with 37.6 cents in 2018.

Investment portfolio performance

The investment portfolio produced a good performance in the year i ncreasing US$26.4 million to US$285.3 million (2018: US$258.9 million) after paying dividends of US$4.75 million to Ocean Wilsons Holdings Limited and deducting management and other fees of US$3.7 million. This represents a time-weighted net return in the year of 12.1% compared with the performance benchmark of 5.3%. Over the three-year period of the performance benchmark, the portfolio produced a time-weighted net return of 7.8% per annum compared with the performance benchmark of 5.1% per annum resulting in a US$0.7 million performance fee payable to the Investment Manager.

Portfolio returns in the year were driven by the strong performance of global equity markets, which rose 26.4% in the year (MSCI ACQI +FM NR Index). The investment portfolio is weighted towards global equities, which at the year end comprised 56% of the portfolio valuation (US$160.3 million), with private equity investments accounting for 33% (US$95.3 million) and the balance invested in diversifying hedge funds, cash and bonds. Our portfolio of private equity investments produced a net cash inflow to the portfolio of US$0.1 million in the year with US$10.5 million in capital and profit distributions and new capital drawdowns of US$10.4 million. The portfolio retains an over-weight bias to emerging markets which accounted for 33% of the investment portfolio net asset value ("NAV") at the year end.

At 31 December 2019 the top ten investments account for 44% of the investment portfolio valuation (US$124.6 million).

Investment Manager

Ocean Wilson (Investments) Limited ("OWIL"), a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company registered in Bermuda, holds the Group's investment portfolio. OWIL has appointed Hanseatic Asset Management LBG, a Guernsey registered and regulated investment group, as its Investment Manager.

Investment management fee

The Investment Manager receives an investment management fee of 1% of the valuation of funds under management and an annual performance fee of 10% of the net investment return which exceeds the benchmark, provided that the high-water mark has been exceeded. The portfolio performance is measured against a benchmark calculated by reference to US CPI plus 3% per annum over rolling three-year periods. Payment of performance fees are subject to a high-water mark and are capped at a maximum of 2% of the portfolio NAV. The Board considers a three-year measurement period appropriate due to the investment mandate's long-term horizon and an absolute return inflation-linked benchmark appropriately reflects the Company's investment objectives while having a linkage to economic factors.

In 2019 the investment management fee paid was US$2.8 million (2018: US$2.7 million) and a US$0.7 million performance fee is payable to the Investment Manager (2018: nil).

Net asset value

At the close of markets on 31 December 2019, the Wilson Sons' share price was R$44.79 (US$13.04), resulting in a market value for the Ocean Wilsons holding of 41,444,000 shares (58.16% of Wilson Sons) totalling approximately US$461.2 million which is the equivalent of US$13.04 (£9.84) per Ocean Wilsons share.

Adding the market value per share of Wilsons Sons of US$13.04 and the investment portfolio at 31 December 2019 per share of US$8.07 results in a net asset value per Ocean Wilsons Holdings Limited share of US$21.11 (£15.92) per share. The Ocean Wilsons Holdings Limited share price of £9.90 at 31 December 2019 represented an implied discount of 38% which is higher than the historic long-term discount.

Dividend

The Board is recommending an unchanged dividend of US 70 cents per share to be paid on 5 June 2020, to shareholders of the Company as of the close of business on 11 May 2020. Shareholders will receive dividends in Sterling by reference to the exchange rate applicable to the USD on the dividend record date (11 May 2020) except for those shareholders who elect to receive dividends in USD. Based on the current share price and exchange rates a dividend of US 70 cents per share represents an attractive dividend yield of approximately 5.3%.

Dividends are set in US Dollars and paid annually. The Ocean Wilsons Holdings Limited dividend policy is to pay a percentage of the average capital employed in the investment portfolio determined annually by the Board and the Company's full dividend received from Wilson Sons in the period after deducting funding for the parent company costs. The Board of Directors may review and amend the dividend policy from time to time in light of our future plans and other factors.

Strategic review

On 24 July 2019 we announced that our principal operating subsidiary, Wilson Sons Limited, had concluded the formal process to evaluate strategic alternatives involving its container terminal and logistics assets. The board of directors of Wilson Sons decided not to engage in any transaction at that time.

Brexit

Shareholders will be aware that the United Kingdom ("UK") left the European Union ("EU") on 31 January 2020 and that as matters currently stand there is no agreement governing the withdrawal or the future relationship between the UK and the EU. Such is the uncertainty surrounding the outcome that the consequent risks and potential opportunities for the Company are difficult to assess. Since the Company is domiciled in Bermuda and does not operate directly within the EU and Ocean Wilsons (Investments) Limited invests the majority of its assets into investment vehicles domiciled outside the EU, it may be that the impact of Brexit will be felt principally through the consequences for the London financial markets, in which some of the investments vehicles participate and where the Company's shares are traded on the London Stock Exchange.

Charitable donations and corporate sponsorship

The Group's subsidiary Wilson Sons continues to support several local charities and causes in Brazil. Group donations for charitable and sponsorship purposes in the year including amounts paid through fiscal incentive laws amounted to US$581,000 (2018: US$670,000). Wilson Sons sponsors a number of projects through the Brazilian sports incentive and Brazilian cultural incentive laws. The Group's objective is to promote private social investment in projects, actions and social programmes related to respecting and valuing life with a focus on young people, promoting social inclusion and development.

Health, safety and environmental practices

The Group manages the areas of Occupational Health, Safety, and Environment ("HSE") in a strategic manner as the Board consider it of fundamental importance for the development of a sustainable business. This is reflected in the Group's corporate values which gives great importance to people´s safety, the environment and communities. HSE has a formal agenda within the Wilson Sons Limited executive committee, with monthly meetings to deal exclusively with issues related to the topic which is supported by dedicated committees and subcommittees for each business unit.

The Group has achieved considerable success in reducing its accident rates through the WS+ safety programme in partnership with DuPont to promote improved safety throughout the Wilson Sons Group. Our HSE guidelines are based on the concepts of continuous improvement, relationship with stakeholders, risk management and training. Although we have achieved a world-class level of safety, Wilson Sons continues to work on improving safety performance and work practices to prevent future accidents. Our long-term goal is to maintain the lost-time injury frequency rate below or equal to 0.5 lost-time injury accidents per million hours worked and achieve an interdependent safety management culture in which everyone is aware of the safety agenda and concerned not only with their own safety but also with those around them.

We are now looking to focus excellence in environmental management as part of the Group's strategic objectives. In this context, excellence means using resources rationally and efficiently, managing environmental risks and liabilities, understanding and engaging with environmental interests of stakeholders with integrity, as well as planning and achieving financial performance targets aligned with environmental commitments. We are improving our understanding of the environmental aspects and impacts of our activities through Wilson Sons developing an Environmental Management Index ("EMI") based on current best practices to improve our measurement and understanding of our environmental impact.

Corporate governance

The Board has established corporate governance arrangements which it believes are appropriate for the operation of the Company. The Board has considered the principles and recommendations of the 2018 UK Corporate Governance Code ("the Code") issued by the Financial Reporting Council and decided to apply those aspects which are appropriate to the business. This reflects the fact that Ocean Wilsons is an investment holding company incorporated in Bermuda with significant operations in Brazil. The Company complies with the Code where it is appropriate for both its shareholders and its business to do so. It has done so throughout the year and up to the date of this report but it does not fully comply with the Code. The areas where the Company does not comply with the Code, and an explanation of why, are contained in the section on corporate governance in the Annual Report. The position is regularly reviewed and monitored by the Board.

Following the retirement of Mr A Rozental as a director at the Annual General Meeting in June 2019, the Company has retained Trust Associates Limited, an executive search firm to help identify two new independent non-executive directors. One new independent non-executive director will be appointed by the Board prior to the next Annual General Meeting and a resolution proposed for shareholders to approve this appointment at the next Annual General Meeting. Directors are currently subject to re-election every 3 years. The Board will propose a resolution to be approved by shareholders at the next Annual General Meeting that all Directors should be subject to annual re-election.

 

New Board Appointment

 

I am pleased to announce the appointment of Fiona Beck as an independent non-executive director of the Company with effect from 13April 2020. Ms Beck, who is based in Bermuda, will be subject to election as a director at the Company's next Annual General Meeting.

Outlook

While the Brazilian economy has continued to struggle since the recession of 2015-16 the prospects for 2020 had appeared more positive with the government making important progress with its reform agenda to control public expenditure and open up the economy. However the recent developments of the Covid-19 and its possible impacts on global trade are concerning. Interest rates are at a new low of 4.50% and the Brazilian government has raised forecast growth for the current year to 2.1% but is subject to increasing uncertainty. The expansion of the Salvador container terminal which started in 2018 is forecast for completion by the second half of 2020. The completed terminal expansion will further develop and improve this important asset and enhance our operational capability. Due to the impact of the Covid-19 outbreak, we are already seeing some reduction in forecast container volumes to be received from China at our container terminals in March and April. While the full impact from the Covid-19 outbreak on economic activity and global trade volumes with the associated implications for our businesses is still uncertain it is increasingly concerning. The Brazilian towage market remains highly competitive however we have been encouraged by some firming of prices in 2019. We remain confident in the strength of our towage business.

Demand from the Brazilian offshore oil and gas market remains subdued with 2020 expected to be another difficult year for the industry. Based on activity in the past and the successful oil field auctions in recent years we are optimistic about some recovery in the offshore oil and gas market from 2022 onwards. The shipyard orderbook consists of 21 dry-docking operations scheduled for 2020, including 10 tugboats for Wilson Sons,10 tugboats for third parties, and one PSV for our offshore support vessel joint venture. Since year end the oil price has dropped almost 50.0% and the BRL has devalued substantially against the USD. If the continued weakness in the BRL is maintained during 2020 this will negatively impact our bottom line earnings in the year. The last few years have been difficult for Brazil and the Group with 2020 continuing to present a number of challenges. However the solid performances delivered by the Group over the years means we are confident in the strength of our Brazilian businesses and believe that we are well positioned to face the coming challenges and take advantage of business opportunities as they arise.

2019 closed on a high note with some global equity markets setting fresh record highs as concerns surrounding geopolitical risks eased. Stock markets have already slumped on investor concerns about how Covid-19 is affecting consumer demand, manufacturing supply chains and major economies around the world, with its full impact still unknown. Importantly whilst growth is still subdued, we do not see the factors in place which are normally associated with a recession.

We continue to see value offered by a number of the emerging markets with attractive valuations by historic standards Emerging market central banks cut interest rates during 2019 in many cases and we expect to see further rate cuts in the current year, as growth remains low and inflation pressures are modest. However any disruption to global supply chains could have an adverse impact on commodity prices with associated consequences for emerging markets.

Management and staff

On behalf of the Board and shareholders, I would like to thank our management and staff for their efforts and hard work during the year.

 

J F Gouvêa Vieira

Chairman

12 March 2020

 

Financial Review

Operating profit

Operating profit after an impairment charge of US$13.0 million was US$30.5 million lower than prior year at US$69.0 million (2018: US$99.5 million) principally due to lower revenue and operating margins for the year. Brasco our oilfield services based continues to experience difficult trading conditions in the near term. An impairment of $13.0 million was recorded in the year as a result of a more conservative approach to valuation, see note 13 for further details. Operating margins for the year excluding the impairment declined to 20.2 % (2018: 21.6%) principally due to poorer margins at the Group's towage and offshore support base businesses. Excluding the impacts of IFRS 16, operating profit in the current period would have fallen to US$59.8 million and margins to 18.0%. IFRS 16 principally impacts our container terminal, offshore support base and logistics businesses (further details provided below).

Raw materials and consumables used were US$12.8 million lower at US$25.3 million (2018: US$38.1 million) reflecting lower shipyard activity. Employee expenses were US$6.0 million lower at US$140.3 million (2018: US$146.3 million) due to the effect of the stronger average USD/BRL exchange rate and lower headcount. The headcount at the year end was 3,939 compared with 4,103 in 2018. Employee expenses rose in BRL terms mainly due to the rollback during 2018 of some temporary payroll exemptions. Employee expenses as a percentage of revenue rose from 32% in 2018 to 35% in the current year. Other operating expenses were US$27.2 million lower at US$92.6 million (2018: US$119.8 million) as a result of the stronger average USD/BRL exchange rate and a US$21.0 million adjustment from the implementation of IFRS 16 relating to operating lease and container handling expenses that were previously included in other operating expenses. Amortisation of right-of-use assets (US$12.4 million) relates to the right-of-use assets recognised under IFRS 16 from 1 January 2019. The depreciation and amortisation expense at US$53.7 million was US$2.5 million lower than the comparative period (2018: US$56.2 million).

Revenue from Maritime Services

Group revenue for the year in BRL terms decreased by 5% while in USD terms revenue was 12% lower at US$406.1 million (2018: US$460.2 million). The fall in revenue is principally due to the higher average USD/BRL exchange rate and a difficult trading environment. Towage revenue at US$159.5 million was US$6.1 million lower than the prior year (2018: US$165.6 million) as results continued to be impacted by the competitive towage environment although there was some firming of prices in the year. The competitive environment and lower iron ore exports from Brazil resulted in harbour towage manoeuvres performed in the year declining 6% to 53,088 (2018: 56,114). Additionally towage revenue was impacted by a US$2.1 million fall in income from special operations to US$11.1 million (2018: US$13.2 million). The project based nature of special towage operations (ocean towage, shipyard support, firefighting and salvage assistance) means revenue streams are more unpredictable than harbour towage. Ship agency revenue at US$9.2 million was 7% lower than the prior year (2018: US$10.0 million).

Port terminals revenue at US$187.2 million was US$16.6 million lower than the prior year, (2018: US$203.8 million) principally due to the higher average USD/BRL exchange rate. Container volumes handled fell 4% to 1,027,300 TEUs (2018: 1,072,700 TEUs) mainly due to a 68,900 reduction in lower priced transhipment volumes moved through our Rio Grande terminal. Due to the decrease in container volumes handled, lower import warehouse revenue and the higher average USD/BRL exchange rate in the year container terminal revenue declined 8% to US$167.8 million (2018: US$183.0 million). Despite vessel turnarounds in the year increasing 14% to 762 (2018: 670) revenue at our offshore support base decreased US$1.4 million to US$19.4 million (2018: US$20.8 million) mainly due to currency impacts.

Revenue at our logistics business was 20% lower at US$45.7 million (2018: US$56.9 million) primarily as a result of the ending of a large warehousing contract at one of our logistics centres and the higher average USD/BRL exchange rate. Third-party shipyard revenue was US$19.5 million lower at US$4.5 million (2018: US$24.0 million) due to the poor market for small vessel construction in Brazil with third party work restricted to dry-docking repairs and maintenance operations in the period. However, the shipyard continues to provide important vessel construction and maintenance services for our towage and offshore vessel fleets.

All Group revenue is derived from Wilson Sons' operations in Brazil.

IFRS 16 - Leases

As at 1 January 2019 the Group adopted the new accounting standard IFRS 16 which requires a lessee to recognise assets and liabilities for all leases with a term of more than 12 months, unless the underlying asset is of low value. Following the standard coming into effect, leases have been recorded as assets and liabilities (right -of-use assets and financial lease liabilities). The Group used the modified retrospective approach, meaning assets and liabilities recognised are equal at the point of application and that comparatives for the 2018 financial statements were not restated. Therefore for comparison purposes the principal impacts of IFRS 16 on the income statement for the year ended 31 December 2019 are:

 

 

Positive/

 

 

(negative)

 

 

2019

 

 

US$ million

Other operating expenses

 

21.2

Depreciation and amortisation

 

(12.0)

Operating profit

 

9.2

 

(15.8)

 

1.7

 

(4.9)

Circular from the Brazilian Securities and Exchange Commission ("CVM")

On the basis of guidelines contained in CVM/SNC/SEP Memorandum Circular No. 02/2019 of the 18 December 2019, which establishes accounting procedures related to the measurement method of lease liabilities, the Group has restated the initial amounts of lease liabilities and right-of-use assets on the first-time adoption. According to the CVM the lease liabilities must be measured at the present value of the remaining lease payments, gross of PIS and COFINS credits, discounted based on incremental interest rates. IFRS is silent regarding the treatment of PIS and COFINS. In the interim statement the Group disclosed the initial amounts of lease liabilities on the first-time adoption considering the remaining lease payments, net of PIS and COFINS.

The principal impacts on the Group's balance sheet at 31 December 2019 are the recognition of a right-to-use asset of US$189.0 million and finance lease liabilities of US$194.1 million.

Further details of right-of-use assets and lease liabilities are shown in Note 14 to the accounts.

Share of results of joint ventures

The share of results of joint ventures is Wilson Sons' 50% share of net profit for the period from our offshore joint ventures. Operating profit for a 50% share in the joint ventures in the year increased US$4.6 million to US$8.9 million compared to US$4.3 million in 2018. Revenue was 12% higher at US$65.5 million (2018: US$58.5 million) while operating days at 5,128 days were in line with the prior year (2018: 5,126). The improved operating profit, lower exchange losses on monetary items and an income tax credit in the period resulted in a profit for the year of US$0.6 million (2018: US$4.1 million loss). At the year end, our joint ventures had 17 offshore support vessels under contract out of a total fleet of 23.

Returns on the investment portfolio at fair value through profit or loss

Returns on the investment portfolio of US$34.7 million (2018: US$7.9 million loss) comprise realised profits on the disposal of financial assets at fair value through profit or loss of US$7.5 million (2018: US$8.6 million), income from underlying investment vehicles of US$2.8 million (2018: US$2.1 million) and unrealised gains on financial assets at fair value through profit or loss of US$24.4 million (2018: US$18.7 million loss).

Other investment income

Other investment income for the year rose US$1.9 million to US$6.1 million (2018: US$4.2 million). Lower interest on bank deposits of US$1.7 million (2018: US$3.6 million) was more than offset by other interest income of US$4.3 million (2018: US$0.6 million). Interest on bank deposits fell due to lower interest rates during the year. Other interest of US$4.3 million includes monetary correction on the judicial deposits of US2.8 million and US$0.6 million on tax credits.

Finance costs

Finance costs for the year at US$27.7 million were US$4.7 million higher than the prior year (2018: US$23.0 million) as interest on lease liabilities increased US$15.8 million to US$15.9 million (2018: US$0.1 million) due to the impact of adopting IFRS 16. Exchange losses on foreign currency borrowings were US$9.2 million lower at US$0.8 million (2018: US$10.0 million) as the BRL depreciated less against the USD in 2019 compared with 2018 and the Group has reduced borrowings in currencies other than the functional currencies of the subsidiaries. Interest on bank loans and overdrafts decreased US$1.5 million to US$10.8 million (2018: US$12.3 million) due to lower variable interest rates.

Exchange rates

The Group reports in USD and has revenues, costs, assets and liabilities in both BRL and USD. Therefore movements in the USD/BRL exchange rate influence the Group's results both positively and negatively from year to year. During 2019 the BRL depreciated 4% against the USD from R$3.87 at 1 January 2019 to R$4.03 at the year end. In 2018 the BRL depreciated 17% against the USD from R$3.31 at 1 January 2018 to R$3.87 at the year end. The principal effects from the movement of the BRL against the USD on the income statement are set out in the table below:

 

 

2019

2018

 

US$ million

US$ million

Exchange gains on monetary items (i)

(0.6)

(8.5)

Exchange losses on foreign currency borrowings

(0.8)

(10.0)

Deferred tax on retranslation of fixed assets (ii)

 0.6

(9.8)

Deferred tax on exchange variance on loans (iii)

(2.0)

10.1

Total

(2.8)

(18.2)

(i)  This arises from the translation of BRL denominated monetary items in USD functional currency entities.

(ii)  The Group's fixed assets are located in Brazil and therefore future tax deductions from depreciation used in the Group's tax calculations are denominated in BRL. When the BRL depreciates against the US Dollar the future tax deduction in BRL terms remain unchanged but is reduced in US Dollar terms.

(iii)  Deferred tax credit arising from the exchange losses on USD denominated borrowings in Brazil.

The movement of the BRL against the USD in 2019 resulted in a negative impact of US$2.8 million on the income statement in the year compared with a US$18.2 million negative impact in 2018.

A currency translation adjustment loss of US$10.9 million (2018: US$39.4 million) on the translation of operations with a functional currency other than USD is included in other comprehensive expense for the year and recognised directly in equity.

The average USD/BRL exchange rate during 2019 was 8% higher than prior year at 3.95 (2018: 3.66). A higher average exchange rate negatively affects BRL denominated revenues and positively impacts BRL denominated costs when converted into our USD reporting currency.

Profit before tax

Profit before tax for the year increased US$22.3 million to US$82.5 million compared to US$60.2 million in 2018. The improvement in profit before tax is primarily due to the US$42.7 million positive movement in returns from the investment portfolio, a US$4.6 million improvement in share of results from joint ventures and an US$8.4 million positive movement in foreign exchange losses on monetary items. This was partially offset by the US$30.5 million decrease in operating profit and a US$4.1 million increase in finance costs.

Taxation

Although taxable profit was US$22.3 million higher at US$82.5 million, (2018: US$60.2 million), the tax charge for the year at US$21.5 million was US$4.9 million lower than prior year (2018: US$26.4 million) This represents an effective tax rate for the year of 26.0% (2018: 43.9%) compared with the corporate tax rate prevailing in Brazil of 34%.The difference in the effective tax rate in 2019 from the Brazilian corporate tax rate is principally due to income arising from the investment portfolio held by Ocean Wilsons (Investments) Limited in Bermuda that is not subject to income tax. The improvement of 17.9% in the current year effective tax rate of 26.0% compared with the prior year effective tax rate of 43.9% is principally because in 2018 there were losses at our Bermudian companies that were not deductible for income tax purposes compared with net profits in the current year. In the current year, income arising in Bermuda improved the effective tax rate by 11.60% and in 2018 net expenses in Bermuda adversely impacted the effective tax rate by 8.0%. The remaining difference in the effective tax rate is due to deferred tax items and expenses that are not included in determining taxable profit in Brazil. The net impact of these items on the effective tax rate in the year at -3.6% are higher than the prior year (-1.9%) while both deferred tax items and expenses not included in determining taxable profit are lower in the current year mainly due to lower exchange rate movements in the income statement. 

The principal impacts from these items on the tax charge in the income statement are set out in the table below:

 

 

 

2019

 

2018

 

US$

% of

US$

% of

 

million

taxable profit

million

taxable profit

Deferred tax items not included

 

 

 

 

in determining taxable profit (i)

(1.2)

(1.5%)

4.6

7.7%

Net expenses not included

 

 

 

 

in determining taxable profit (ii)

(1.7)

(2.1%)

(5.8)

(9.6%)

Net income/(expenses) incurred outside Brazil

9.5

11.6%

(4.8)

(8.0%)

Total

6.6

8.0%

(6.0)

(9.9%)

Charge/(credit) to the current period tax charge

(i)  The principal deferred tax items not included in determining taxable profit are a deferred tax credit arising on the retranslation of BRL denominated fixed assets in Brazil, the deferred tax charge on the exchange losses on USD denominated borrowings and tax losses at our Brazilian subsidiaries not recognised in deferred tax.

(ii)  The main items not included in determining taxable profit are the tax effect of foreign exchange gains/(losses) on monetary items, the tax effect of the share of results of joint ventures and non-deductible expenses.

A more detailed breakdown is provided in note 10.

Profit for the year

Profit attributable to equity holders of the parent company for the year is US$46.9 million (2018: US$13.3 million) after deducting profit attributable to non-controlling interests of US$14.2 million (2018: US$20.5 million). Profit attributable to non-controlling interests at 23% of the Group profit for the year are a lower percentage than prior year (2018: 61%) because the profits or losses from the investment portfolio accrue solely to the equity holders of the parent company.

Earnings per share

Earnings per share for the year was US 132.5 cents compared with US 37.6 cents in 2018.

Cash flow

Net cash inflow from operating activities for the period at US$106.3 million was US$7.4 million lower than prior year (2018:US$113.7 million) mainly due to the lower operating profit in the year. Capital expenditure in the year at US$85.7 million was US$26.1 million higher than the prior year (2018: US$59.6 million) principally due to increased expenditure on the expansion of Wilson Sons Salvador container terminal. The Group drew down new loans of US$113.6 million (2018: US$9.4 million) to finance capital expenditure. while making loan repayments of US$85.9 million in the year (2018: US$54.2 million). Dividends of US$24.8 million were paid to shareholders (2018: US$24.8 million) with a further US$16.5 million paid to non-controlling interests in our subsidiaries (2018: US$16.1 million). 

Cash and cash equivalents at 31 December 2019 increased US$25.2 million from the prior year end to US$69.0 million, (2018: US$43.8 million) of which US$35.7 million was denominated in Brazilian Real (2018: US$28.2 million). Wilson Sons Limited held a further US$14.1 million in USD denominated fixed rate certificates which are classified as financial assets at fair value through profit or loss (2018: US$29.1 million) which are not part of the Group's investment portfolio managed by Hanseatic Asset Management LBG and are intended to fund Wilson Sons Limited.

Balance sheet

Equity attributable to shareholders of the parent company at the balance sheet date was US$15.6 million higher at US$569.8 million compared with US$554.2 million at 31 December 2018. The main movements in equity in the year were profits for the period of US$46.9 million, less dividends paid of US$24.8 million and a negative currency translation adjustment of US$6.5 million. The currency translation adjustment arises from exchange differences on the translation of operations with a functional currency other than USD. On a per share basis, equity attributable to shareholders represents the equivalent of US$16.11 per share (31 December 2018: US$15.67 per share).

Net debt and financing

All debt at the year end was held in the Wilson Sons group with no recourse to the parent company, Ocean Wilsons Holdings Limited, or the investment portfolio held by Ocean Wilsons (Investments) Limited. The Group's borrowings are used principally to finance vessel construction and the development of our container terminal business.

Borrowings are long-term with defined repayment schedules payable over different periods of up to 18 years. At 31 December 2019 all the Group's borrowings are denominated in BRL with 68% linked to the USD and the remaining 32% denominated in BRL. The Group's borrowings denominated in BRL linked to the USD loans are fixed rate loans while BRL denominated debt is variable rate. A significant portion of the Group's Brazilian pricing is denominated in USD which acts as a natural hedge to our long-term exchange rate exposure.  In addition to borrowings the Group has lease liabilities of US$194.1 million (2018: US$0.1 million). The increase in lease liabilities in the year is due to the Group's adoption of  the new accounting standard IFRS 16 in 2019 which requires a lessee to recognise assets and liabilities for all leases with a term of more than 12 months, unless the underlying asset is of low value.

Net debt including lease liabilities at 31 December 2019 was US$446.0 million (2018: US$234.4 million) as set out in the following table:

 

2018

2018

 

US$ million

US$ million

Debt

 

 

Short-term

58.6

60.2

Long-term

470.5

247.1

Total debt

529.1

307.3

Cash and cash equivalents*

(83.1)

(72.9)

Net debt

446.0

234.4

*  Included in cash and cash equivalents are US$14.1 million of short-term investments held by Wilson Sons Limited which are intended to fund Wilson Sons Limited's operations in Brazil.

The Group's reported borrowings do not include US$220.3 million of debt from the Company's 50% share of borrowings in our Offshore Vessel joint venture.

 

Keith Middleton

Finance Director

12 March 2020

 

Wilson Sons Limited

The Wilson Sons 2019 Earnings Report released on 12 March 2020 is available on the Wilson Sons Limited website: www.wilsonsons.com.br

In it Cezãr Baião, CEO of Operations in Brazil, said:

"Wilson Sons 2019 EBITDA of US$141.3 million decreased 12.0% against 2018 (US$160.6 million) which, after an impairment charge of US$13.0 million against goodwill and intangible assets of the offshore support bases (Brasco) and positive effects of changes to IFRS 16, is largely due to reduced container terminal and towage results.

Container terminal results declined as economic growth in Brazil remains sluggish. The Salvador terminal reported a 3.7% increase in operating volumes with 13.9% growth in import volumes benefitting the cargo mix. Civil works at Salvador to extend the terminal's principal quay were 90% complete on 9 March 2020. The expansion project is a priority investment of the Brazilian government's Investment Partnership Program (PPI) and is critical to the Bahia state economy. The extended 800-metre quay will allow the simultaneous berthing of two super-post-Panamax ships, facilitating access to the port and the largest economy in the northeast of Brazil. The Rio Grande terminal reported weaker volumes affected by reduced transshipment cargo with the loss of two feeder services in 1Q19.

Towage results continued to feel the temporary reduction of iron ore exports and a very competitive environment affecting volumes. During the quarter the division signed a R$42.6 million financing agreement to be used for dry-docking, repair and maintenance of 34 tugboats between 2019 and 2020.

Our oil services businesses including support bases and offshore support vessels ("OSV") still face weak demand, although we expect a recovery in the medium term. We continue to explore alternative revenue streams for our off-hire vessels and base areas, which are well positioned to profit from the expected recovery in the industry over the next couple of years, although we have taken a more conservative approach to impairment evaluation of the offshore support bases (Brasco) to record an impairment of US$13.0 million on goodwill and intangible assets. Since year end the oil price has dropped almost 50.0% and the BRL devalued 16.0% against the USD at the time of writing.

 The Company remains focused on increasing cash flow and improving capacity utilisation across all businesses in order to maximise stakeholder value, maintaining our relentless commitment to safety"

 

The Wilson Sons Strategy

The Wilson Sons strategy is to grow utilising our skills and existing assets while strengthening the businesses and looking for new opportunities, focusing on Brazil and Latin America. We continue to consolidate our position in all the segments in which we operate, maximising economies of scale and efficiency, quality and the range of services we provide to customers. The strategy comprises:

Utilising capacity at our container terminals. In order to meet demand from domestic and international trade, we have expanded both our container terminals since the beginning of the concessions. By maximising installed capacity utilisation, we are able to improve productivity and levels of service to our clients through economies of scale. We will diligently pursue this objective. The early renewal of the Salvador terminal concession through to 2050 includes investments in quay extension and equipment, further enhancing terminal productivity. Additionally, we will evaluate new concessions and the possible development of new terminals to provide a strong return on shareholders' equity.

Maximising capacity utilisation of our offshore support bases. Our bases in Niterói and Rio de Janeiro have a total capacity of eight berths to provide logistics support for offshore vessels. With excellent access to the Campos and Santos petroleum basins, and close to the pre-salt region, our bases are strategically positioned together as one of the largest operators of offshore support terminals in Brazil. We continuously monitor offshore exploration and production activities along the Brazilian coast to meet the demand for such services.

Strengthening our position as the leading provider of towage services in Brazil. We continue to modernise and expand our tugboat fleet in order to consistently provide high-quality services to our customers and consolidate our leading position in the Brazilian towage market. We also look to contribute to the expansion of activities in Brazilian ports, offering state-of-the-art vessels that are suitable for operating new classes of ships, as well as for the oil and gas industry. We regularly review our fleet deployment to optimise efficiency and to seek out new market niches where we can provide additional services or expand our geographical footprint to new ports in Brazil.

Maximising potential of our shipyard facilities through a mix of in-house and third-party vessel construction, repair, maintenance, conversion, and dry-docking services to meet the demand of local and international ship owners operating in Brazil.

Solidifying our offshore support vessel services to oil and gas platforms. Using our knowledge and experience, we look to consolidate our activities maintaining our position amongst the leading suppliers of services to the offshore oil and gas industry in Brazil. We are exploring alternative revenue streams to increase utilisation of our offshore support vessel fleet.

Exploring innovative opportunities and strategies to provide the best and most complete set of services to our customers. We are always looking to provide innovative services to our customers, as well as to anticipate their needs. Through a solid nationwide footprint, we will continue our strategy of providing comprehensive logistics solutions to support domestic and international trade activities, as well as the oil and gas industry. We also seek to make our services more efficient and cost-effective, in order to maintain our strong customer base and strengthen our relationships.

Increasing economies of scale, productivity, synergies and cost savings across our businesses. We continuously seek to optimise our operations, productivity and reduce costs through synergies among our businesses. We will continue to be focused on integrating similar activities, especially in our branch offices, to achieve economies of scale and reduce costs wherever possible.

Health, Safety and the Environment ("HSE") are part of our overall strategy of sustainable and ethical business practices. We continue to promote HSE best practices throughout the Group to achieve and maintain excellence in these areas.

 

Investment Portfolio

Investment objective

Ocean Wilsons is run with a long-term outlook. The objective of the investment portfolio is to make investments that create long-term capital growth without pressure to produce short-term results at the expense of long-term value creation.

Investment Policy

The Investment Manager will seek to achieve the investment objective through investments in publicly quoted and private (unquoted) assets across three 'silos': (i) Core regional funds which form the core of our holdings, enabling us to capture the natural beta within markets; (ii) Sector specific silo, represented by those sectors with long-term growth attributes, such as technology and biotechnology; and (iii) Diversifying silo, which are those asset classes and sectors which will add portfolio protection as the business cycle matures. Cash levels will be managed to meet future commitments (e.g. to private assets) whilst maintaining an appropriate balance for opportunistic investments.

Commensurate with the long-term horizon, it is expected that the majority of investments will be concentrated in equity, across both 'public' and 'private' markets. In most cases, investments will be made either through collective funds or limited partnership vehicles, working alongside expert managers in specialised sectors or markets to access the best opportunities.

The Investment Manager maintains a global network to find the best opportunities across the three silos worldwide. The portfolio contains a high level of investments which would not normally be readily accessible to investors without similar resources. Furthermore, a large number of holdings are closed to new investors. There is currently no gearing although the Board would, under the appropriate circumstances, be open-minded to modest levels of gearing. Likewise, the Board may, from time to time, permit the Investment Manager opportunistically to use derivative instruments (such as index hedges using call and put options) to actively protect the portfolio.

Investment Process

Manager selection is central to the successful management of the investment portfolio. Potential individual investments are considered based on their risk-adjusted expected returns in the context of the portfolio as a whole. Initial meetings are usually a result of: (i) a 'top-down' led search for exposure to a certain geography or sector; (ii) referrals from the Investment Manager's global network; or (iii) relationships from sell-side institutions and other introducers. The Investment Manager reviews numerous investment opportunities each year, favouring active specialist managers who can demonstrate an ability to add value over the longer-term, often combining a conviction-based approach, an unconstrained mandate and the willingness to take unconventional decisions (e.g. investing according to conviction and not fearing short-term underperformance versus an index).

Excessive size is often an impediment to continued outperformance and the bias is therefore towards managers who are prepared to restrict their assets under management to a level deemed appropriate for the underlying opportunity set. Track records are important but transparency is an equally important consideration. Alignment of interests is essential and the Investment Manager will always seek to invest on the best possible terms. Subjective factors are also important in the decision making process - these qualitative considerations would include an assessment of the integrity, skill and motivation of a fund manager.

When the Investment Manager believes there is a potential fit, thorough due diligence is performed to verify the manager's background and identify the principal risks. The due diligence process would typically include visiting the manager in their office (in whichever country it may be located), onsite visits to prospective portfolio companies, taking multiple references and seeking a legal opinion on all relevant documentation.

All investments are reviewed on a regular basis to monitor the ongoing compatibility with the portfolio, together with any 'red flags' such as signs of 'style drift', personnel changes or lack of focus. Whilst the Investment Manager is looking to cultivate long-term partnerships, every potential repeat investment with an existing manager is assessed as if it were a new relationship.

Portfolio Characteristics

The portfolio has several similarities to the 'endowment model'. These similarities include an emphasis on generating real returns, a perpetual time horizon and broad diversification, whilst avoiding asset classes with low expected returns (such as government bonds in the current environment). This diversification is designed to make the portfolio less vulnerable to permanent loss of capital through inflation, adverse interest rate fluctuations and currency devaluation and to take advantage of market and business cycles. The Investment Manager believes that outsized returns can be generated from investments in illiquid asset classes (such as private equity). In comparison to public markets, the pricing of assets in private markets is less efficient and the outperformance of superior managers is more pronounced.

 

Investment Manager's Report

Market backdrop

2019 turned out to be a Goldilocks year for world stock markets with positive performance experienced across both risk assets, in particular equities, and defensive assets such as bonds and gold.  Notably in March markets notched up the 10th anniversary of the current bull market making this cycle one of the longest in recent history.

World equities rose by 26.6% which was some three times above their historical average.  Again the US led the way, rising by 30.7%, powered by the technology sector, and outperforming Europe and the Emerging markets which rose 23.8% and 18.4% respectively reflecting their greater dependence on cyclical economic growth. 

Rather perversely bonds, which typically do less well when risk assets are strong, also performed well.  Driving this performance was the combination of slowing growth, interest rate cuts and more quantitative easing by the European Central Bank alongside a large market of forced buyers.  The Global bond index rose by 5.6% for the 12 month period, US Treasuries 6.9% and global corporates 11.5%

Finally, within commodity markets, gold also delivered robust returns over the year.  Again the blend of weak growth, low rates (important for a non-yielding asset class such as gold) and political uncertainty served to underpin the gold price which rose by 18.3%.

Stock markets were strong across both asset classes and geography in 2019 (USD Returns).

Cumulative portfolio returns

 

 

2019

3 years p.a.

5 years p.a.

10 years p.a.

OWIL (Gross time-weighted)

13.5%

9.0%

5.6%

4.9%

OWIL (Net) 1

12.4%

7.8%

4.5%

3.8%

Performance benchmark2

5.3%

5.1%

4.8%

3.9%

MSCI ACWI + FM NR

26.6%

12.4%

8.4%

8.8%

MSCI Emerging Markets NR

18.4%

11.6%

5.6%

3.7%

1.  The OWIL net performance is after charging investment management and performance fees

2.  The OWIL performance benchmark which came into effect on the 1st January 2015 is US CPI Urban Consumers NSA +3% p.a. This has been combined with the old benchmark (USD 12 Month LIBOR +2%) for periods prior to the adoption of the current benchmark.

 Portfolio review

The investment portfolio was up 12.4% on a net basis over the year, outperforming its benchmark which rose 5.3%. Despite some concerns on global markets coming into the year, 2019 proved to be a strong one for the portfolio with the majority of holdings performing well.

Of the portfolio's public market investments the North American holdings were among the larger contributors to performance over the year. Vulcan Value Equity was a very strong performer with a return of 44.2% assisted by good performance from some of its top positions including Skyworks Solutions and Qorvo. Both companies enjoyed a strong end to the year as mobile chip sales were above expectations and several analysts upgraded their forecasts for the stock prices. Anthem, a provider of health insurance, also performed well as several of the Democratic presidential candidates proposing radical healthcare reforms dipped in the opinion polls. Findlay Park American and Select Equity also had good years increasing by 26.8% and 33.2%, respectively. Pershing Square Holdings performed very strongly as well, returning 51.4% over the year.

Of the portfolio's European holdings Adelphi European Select had a superb year returning 34.8%. Delivery Hero, Worldpay and Scout24 were among the top performing investments for the fund over the year. Delivery Hero enjoyed a welcome bounce in 2019 after a difficult year in 2018. The company announced a $4bn strategic partnership to combine its Korean business with the market leader, Baedal Minjok, which should lead to it becoming profitable when the integration is complete. Worldpay has performed strongly since its merger with FIS in the first quarter of 2019 and has upgraded guidance on cost and revenue synergies. Scout24 has been the subject of a bidding war for most of the year, with Hellman & Friedman eventually having their offer accepted in December at a significant premium. BlackRock European Hedge Fund performed well over the year, up 28.7%, with its long positions contributing the majority of its return.

Several of the thematic holdings in the portfolio also had a very strong year, particularly Worldwide Healthcare Trust which was up 38.0% over the period. Fears that the healthcare sector would be weighed down by concerns surrounding the US presidential election eased as the more radical Democratic candidates (Warren and Sanders) slipped back in the polls. ArQule, a specialist in biomarker-defined oncology and rare disease indications, was acquired by Merck & Co for a 100% premium in December delivering a significant profit for the trust. Mirati Therapeutics, another investment of the trust and another oncology specialist, also had a strong year on the back of encouraging trial data for their novel lung cancer treatment. GAM Star Technology also performed well over the year, up 38.7%, benefiting from excellent performance from positions in Alibaba, Micron and Kainos.

We added a new position to the lower risk portion of the portfolio with Selwood Liquid Credit Strategy being bought at the beginning of the year. This fund aims to make consistent, less correlated returns by selling protection against defaults in the corporate bond market and then covering positions on individual companies it considers to be a credit risk. We also rotated our biotechnology holdings, selling Biotech Growth Trust and adding BB Biotech in its place. We believe that BB Biotech, with its deep scientific expertise, is better positioned going forward.

On the private asset side of the portfolio performance was more subdued this year. TA XII was one of the stronger performers with the fund partially realising several investments over the course of the year. 62% of the fund's position in Aldevron was sold during a recapitalization that was completed in October 2019 for a return of 14.7x cost and US$1.5bn of gross proceeds. The company provides high-quality plasmid DNA, proteins, enzymes, antibodies and other biologicals to biotechnology companies and performance has been very strong during the year with revenues and earnings growing rapidly. TA XII retains a 19% stake with an implied value of US$469m which would give a 19.4x multiple. The fund also sold 39% of its position in insight software at a 2.3x multiple during a minority recapitalization following strong performance. The company is currently held at a 4.0x multiple. The fund is now valued at a 1.6x net multiple with a DPI of 0.4x.

Silver Lake Partners ("SLP") IV has been another strong performer with a significant amount of capital distributed in 2019 taking the DPI to 0.7x. Silver Lake is a specialist in the technology sector investing in mid and large cap companies globally. The fund exited two investments during the year, Cast & Crew and Motorola Solutions, both of which produced strong returns. Cast & Crew is the premier provider of technology-enabled payroll, production accounting and related value-added services to the entertainment industry. SLP IV had invested a total of US$403 million into the company since its initial purchase in August 2015 including the follow-on acquisition of CAPS Payroll. The sale of the company to another private equity fund, EQT VIII, completed in February 2019 to give a gross multiple on invested capital of 4.4x. Motorola Solutions is a leading global provider of innovative mission critical communications equipment and SLP IV had invested $502 million since August 2015. The fund fully exited this investment in September 2019 achieving a 3.8x gross multiple. The fund is currently held at a net multiple of 1.8x.

New commitments were made during the year to TA XIII (US$5 million), Partners Group Direct Equity 2019 (US$3 million) and Great Point Partners III (US$2 million). We have invested with all three of these managers before and therefore know the teams well giving us confidence in their ability to produce superior returns.

Summary

Markets have steadily climbed a wall of fear. The scars of the more recent bear markets ran so deep that investors have been excessively cautious through much of the current cycle.  This has led to a longer, more drawn out bull market than has typically been the case.  We have remained sanguine through the cycle arguing that equity returns, whilst not being as high as those seen in previous cycles, would nonetheless be decent and certainly better than bonds. Whilst acknowledging that returns are likely to be lower and more fragile as the cycle enters its more mature stages this remains our central view over the medium term.  Clearly in the near term much will depend on the impact of the of covid-19 virus with its impact on both company supply chains and consumer end demand looking increasingly severe and impact on growth undoubtedly meaningful.  Historically such event driven market falls have tended to be shorter lived than other forms of sell-offs but ultimately much will depend on whether it results in a persistent change in consumer and corporate behavior. 

 

Investment Portfolio at 31 December 2019

 

 

 

 

Fair market Value US$000

% of  NAV

Primary Focus

Findlay Park American Fund

27,533

9.6

US Equities - Long Only

Adelphi European Select Equity Fund

15,780

5.5

Europe Equities - Long Only

Egerton Long - Short Fund Limited

13,812

4.8

Europe/US Equities - Hedge

BlackRock European Hedge Fund

12,242

4.3

Europe Equities - Hedge

Goodhart Partners: Hanjo Fund

11,035

3.9

Japan Equities - Long Only

Select Equity Offshore, Ltd

9,970

3.5

US Equities - Long Only

Vulcan Value Equity Fund

9,839

3.4

US Equities - Long Only

GAM Star Fund PLC - Disruptive Growth

8,869

3.1

Technology Equities - Long Only

NTAsian Discovery Fund

8,007

2.8

Asia ex-Japan Equities - Long Only

Pangaea II, LP

7,481

2.6

Private Assets - GEM

Top 10 Holdings

124,569

43.7

 

Schroder ISF Asian Total Return Fund

7,332

2.6

Asia ex-Japan Equities - Long Only

NG Capital Partners II, LP

7,013

2.5

Private Assets - Latin America

Global Event Partners Ltd

6,072

2.1

Market Neutral - Event-Driven

Hudson Bay International Fund Ltd

5,762

2.0

Market Neutral - Multi-Strategy

Helios Investors II, LP

5,681

2.0

Private Assets - Africa

Greenspring Global Partners IV, LP

5,364

1.9

Private Assets - US Venture Capital

Hony Capital Fund V, LP

5,141

1.8

Private Assets - China

Greenspring Global Partners VI, LP

4,951

1.7

Private Assets - US Venture Capital

Prince Street Opportunities Fund

4,735

1.7

Emerging Markets Equities - Long Only

Primary Capital IV, LLP

4,731

1.7

Private Assets - Europe

Top 20 Holdings

181,351

63.6

 

L Capital Asia, LP

4,578

1.6

Private Assets - Asia (Consumer)

Silver Lake Partners IV, LP

4,104

1.4

Private Assets - Global Technology

Indus Japan Long Only Fund

4,022

1.4

Japan Equities - Long Only

Dynamo Brasil VIII

3,940

1.4

Brazil Equities - Long Only

Prosperity Quest Fund

3,846

1.3

Emerging Markets Equities - Long Only

L Capital Asia 2, LP

3,811

1.3

Private Assets - Asia (Consumer)

African Development Partners I, LLC

3,515

1.2

Private Assets - Africa

Worldwide Healthcare Trust PLC

3,429

1.2

Healthcare Equities - Long Only

Pershing Square Holdings Ltd

3,110

1.1

US Equities - Long Only

Gramercy Distressed Opportunity Fund II, LP

3,012

1.1

Private Assets - Distressed Debt

Top 30 Holdings

218,717

76.6

 

47 Remaining Holdings

61,106

21.4

 

Cash and money market funds

5,526

1.9

 

TOTAL

285,349

100.0

 

 

Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income

for the year ended 31 December 2019

 

 

 

Year ended

Year ended

 

 

31 December

31 December

 

 

2019

2018

 

Notes

US$'000

US$'000

Revenue

3

406,128

460,196

Raw materials and consumables used

 

(25,290)

(38,128)

Employee charges and benefits expense

6

(140,348)

(146,327)

Depreciation & amortisation expense (owned assets)

5

(53,733)

(56,178)

Amortisation of right-of-use assets

5, 14

(12,389)

-

Impairment charge

 

(13,025)

-

Other operating expenses

 

(92,624)

(119,767)

Gain/(loss) on disposal of property, plant and equipment

 

294

(296)

Operating profit

 

69,013

99,500

Share of results of joint ventures

18

564

(4,062)

Returns on investment portfolio at fair value through profit or loss

7

34,716

(7,942)

Other investment income

8

6,052

4,152

Finance costs

9

(27,736)

(22,951)

Foreign exchange losses on monetary items

 

(79)

(8,459)

Profit before tax

5

82,530

60,238

Income tax expense

10

(21,481)

(26,433)

Profit for the year

5

61,049

33,805

Other comprehensive income:

 

 

 

Items that will never be reclassified subsequently to profit and loss

 

 

 

Exchange differences arising on translation of foreign operations

 

(11,137)

(39,336)

Post-employment benefits

 

(1,168)

(187)

Items that are or may be reclassified subsequently to profit and loss

 

 

 

Effective portion of changes in fair value of derivatives

 

689

542

Other comprehensive expense for the year

 

(11,616)

(38,981)

Total comprehensive income/(expense) for the year

 

49,433

(5,176)

Profit for the period attributable to:

 

 

 

Equity holders of parent

 

46,852

13,308

Non-controlling interests

 

14,197

20,497

 

 

61,049

33,805

Total comprehensive income/(expense) for the period attributable to:

 

 

 

Equity holders of parent

 

40,030

(9,278)

Non-controlling interests

 

9,403

4,102

 

 

49,433

(5,176)

Earnings per share

 

 

 

Basic and diluted

12

132.5c

37.6c

 

Consolidated Balance Sheet

as at 31 December 2019

 

 

 

As at

As at

 

 

31 December

31 December

 

 

2019

2018

 

Notes

US$'000

US$'000

Non-current assets

 

 

 

Goodwill

13

14,090

27,515

Right-of-use assets

14

189,011

-

Other intangible assets

15

22,313

25,468

Property, plant and equipment

16

627,049

602,451

Deferred tax assets

24

31,820

28,223

Investment in joint ventures

18

30,334

26,528

Related party loans

34

30,132

29,804

Recoverable taxes

22

26,501

25,603

Other non-current assets

26

9,407

7,446

Other trade receivables

21

354

483

 

 

981,011

773,521

Current assets

 

 

 

Inventories

20

10,507

10,875

Financial assets at fair value through profit and loss

19

298,840

287,298

Trade and other receivables

21

56,743

73,671

Recoverable taxes

22

25,547

23,283

Cash and cash equivalents

 

68,979

43,801

 

 

460,616

438,928

Total assets

 

1,441,627

1,212,449

Current liabilities

 

 

 

Trade and other payables

25

(56,608)

(57,640)

Derivatives

 

-

(422)

Tax liabilities

 

(496)

(719)

Lease liabilities

14

(21,938)

(46)

Bank overdrafts and loans

23

(36,636)

(60,209)

 

 

(115,678)

(119,036)

Net current assets

 

344,938

319,892

Non-current liabilities

 

 

 

Bank loans

23

(298,342)

(247,097)

Post-employment benefits

36

(2,369)

(1,190)

Deferred tax liabilities

24

(52,525)

(50,023)

Provisions for tax, labour and civil cases

26

(14,643)

(17,335)

Lease liabilities

14

(172,210)

(59)

 

 

(540,089)

(315,704)

Total liabilities

 

(655,767)

(434,740)

Net assets

 

785,860

777,709

Capital and reserves

 

 

 

Share capital

27

11,390

11,390

Retained earnings

 

588,160

566,678

Capital reserves

 

31,991

31,760

Translation and hedging reserve

 

(61,748)

(55,603)

Equity attributable to equity holders of the parent

 

569,793

554,225

Non-controlling interests

 

216,067

223,484

Total equity

 

785,860

777,709

The accounts on pages 38 to 92 were approved by the Board on 12 March 2020. The accompanying notes are part of this Consolidated Balance Sheet.

 

 

J. F. Gouvêa Vieira K. W. Middleton

Chairman  Director

 

Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity

as at 31 December 2019

 

 

 

 

 

Hedging

Attributable

 

 

 

 

 

 

and

to equity

Non-

 

 

Share

Retained

Capital

Translation

holders of

controlling

Total

 

capital

earnings

reserves

reserve

the parent

interests

equity

For the year ended 31 December 2018

US$'000

US$'000

US$'000

US$'000

US$'000

US$'000

US$'000

Balance at 1 January 2018

11,390

578,126

31,760

(33,115)

588,161

235,899

824,060

Currency translation adjustment

-

-

-

(22,803)

(22,803)

(16,533)

(39,336)

Post-employment benefits (note 36)

-

(98)

-

-

(98)

(89)

(187)

Effective portion of changes in fair value of derivatives

-

-

-

315

315

227

542

Profit for the year

-

13,308

-

-

13,308

20,497

33,805

Total income and expense for the year

-

13,210

-

(22,488)

(9,278)

4,102

(5,176)

Dividends

-

(24,754)

-

-

(24,754)

(17,914)

(42,668)

Share options exercised in subsidiary (note 28)

-

96

-

-

96

94

190

Share based payment expense (note 6)

-

-

-

-

-

1,303

1,303

Balance at 31 December 2018

11,390

566,678

31,760

(55,603)

554,225

223,484

777,709

For the year ended 31 December 2019

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at 1 January 2019

11,390

566,678

31,760

(55,603)

554,225

223,484

777,709

Currency translation adjustment

-

-

-

(6,546)

(6,546)

(4,591)

(11,137)

Post-employment benefits (note 36)

-

(677)

-

-

(677)

(491)

(1,168)

Effective portion of changes in fair value of derivatives

-

-

-

401

401

288

689

Profit for the year

-

46,852

-

-

46,852

14,197

61,049

Total income and expense for the year

-

46,175

-

(6,145)

40,030

9,403

49,433

Dividends

-

(24,754)

-

-

(24,754)

(17,428)

(42,182)

Tax incentives

-

-

231

-

231

166

397

Share options exercised in subsidiary (note 28)

-

61

-

-

61

72

133

Share based payment expense (note 6)

-

-

-

-

-

370

370

Balance at 31 December 2019

11,390

588,160

31,991

(61,748)

569,753

216,067

785,860


Share capital

The Group has one class of ordinary share which carries no right to fixed income.

Capital reserves

The capital reserves arise principally from transfers from revenue to capital reserves made in the Brazilian subsidiaries arising in the following circumstances:

(a)  profits of the Brazilian subsidiaries and Brazilian holding company which in prior periods were required by law to be transferred to capital reserves and other profits not available for distribution; and

(b)  Wilson Sons Limited bye-laws require the company to credit an amount equal to 5% of the company's net profit to a retained earnings account to be called legal reserve until such amount equals 20% of the Wilson Sons Limited share capital.

Hedging and translation reserve

The hedging and translation reserve arises from exchange differences on the translation of operations with a functional currency other than US Dollars and effective movements on hedging instruments.

Amounts in the statement of changes of equity are stated net of tax where applicable.

 

Consolidated Cash Flow Statement

for the year ended 31 December 2019

 

 

 

Year ended

Year ended

 

 

31 December

31 December

 

 

2019

2018

 

Notes

US$'000

US$'000

Net cash inflow from operating activities

29

106,309

113,710

Investing activities

 

 

 

Interest received

 

3,379

5,031

Dividends received from trading investments

7

2,781

2,133

Proceeds on disposal of trading investments

19

55,882

63,922

Purchase of trading investments

19

(35,489)

(56,225)

Proceeds on disposal of property, plant and equipment

 

871

600

Purchase of property, plant and equipment

 

(85,686)

(59,554)

Purchase of intangible assets

15

(1,545)

(2,033)

Capital increase - Wilson, Sons Ultratug Participaçes S.A

18

(3,527)

(4,003)

Net cash used in investing activities

 

(63,334)

(50,129)

Financing activities

 

 

 

Dividends paid

11

(24,754)

(24,754)

Dividends paid to non-controlling interests in subsidiary

 

(17,428)

(17,914)

Repayments of borrowings

 

(85,856)

(54,223)

Payments of lease liabilities

 

(6,424)

(665)

New bank loans drawn down

 

113,629

9,381

Derivative payments

 

(339)

(771)

Net cash inflow arising from issue of new shares in subsidiary under employee stock option scheme.

28,31

133

190

Net cash used in financing activities

 

(21,172)

(88,756)

 

 

 

 

Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

 

21,803

(25,175)

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year

 

43,801

83,827

Effect of foreign exchange rate changes

 

3,242

(14,851)

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of year

 

68,979

43,801

 

Notes to the Accounts

for the year ended 31 December 2019

1  General Information

The financial statements have been prepared on the historical cost basis except for the revaluation of financial investments. The accounting policies are consistent with those set out in the 2018 Group annual report   except for new standards and interpretations adopted

2  Significant accounting policies and critical accounting judgements

Basis of accounting

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRSs") adopted for use by the International Accounting Standards Board ("IASB").

The financial statements have been prepared on the historical cost basis, except for the revaluation of financial instruments and share-based payments liabilities that are measured at fair value. The principal accounting policies adopted are set out below.

Going concern

The directors have, at the time of approving the financial statements, a reasonable expectation that the Group has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. The Group closely monitors and manages its liquidity risk. The Group has considerable financial resources including US$69.0 million in cash and cash equivalents and the Group's borrowings have a long maturity profile. The Group's business activities together with the factors likely to affect its future development and performance are set out in the Chairman's statement, Operating review and Investment Manager's report. The financial position, cash flows and borrowings of the Group are set out in the financial review. In addition note 35 to the financial statements include details of its financial instruments and hedging activities and its exposure to credit risk and liquidity risk. Details of the Group's borrowings are set out in note 23. Based on the Group's forecasts and sensitivities run, the directors have a reasonable expectation that the Company and the Group have adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. For this reason, they continue to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the accounts.

Basis of consolidation

The consolidated financial statements incorporate the financial statements of the Company and entities controlled by the Company (its subsidiaries) made up to 31 December each year (collectively the "Group"). The Group controls an entity when it is exposed to, or has the rights to, variable returns from its involvement with the entity and has the ability to affect those returns through its power over the entity.

The results of subsidiaries acquired or disposed of during the year are included in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income from the effective date of acquisition or up to the effective date of disposal as appropriate. Where necessary, adjustments are made to the financial statements of subsidiaries to bring their accounting policies into line with those used by other members of the Group. All intra-group transactions, balances, income and expenses are eliminated on consolidation.

Non-controlling interests in the net assets of consolidated subsidiaries are identified separately from the Group's equity therein. Non-controlling interests consist of the amount of those interests at the date of the original business combination and the non-controlling interest's share of changes in equity since the date of the combination.

Where a change in percentage of interests in a controlled entity does not result in a change of control, the difference between the consideration paid for the additional interest and the book value of the net assets in the subsidiary at the time of the transaction is taken directly to equity.

Foreign currency

The functional currency for each Group entity is determined as the currency of the primary economic environment in which it operates (its functional currency). Transactions other than those in the functional currency of the entity are translated at the exchange rate prevailing at the date of the transaction. Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are retranslated at year end exchange rates. Exchange differences arising on the settlement of monetary items and on the retranslation of monetary items are included in the statement of comprehensive income for the period. Non-monetary items that are measured in terms of historical cost in a foreign currency are not retranslated.

On consolidation, the statement of comprehensive income of entities with a functional currency other than US Dollars are translated into US Dollars, the Group's presentational currency, at average rates of exchange. Balance sheet items are translated into US Dollars at year end exchange rates. Exchange differences arising on consolidation of entities with functional currencies other than US Dollars are classified as equity and are recognised in the Group's translation reserve.

Investments in joint ventures

Interests in joint ventures

A joint venture is a contractual agreement where the Group has rights to the net assets of the contractual arrangement and is not entitled to specific assets and liabilities arising from the agreement. Investments in joint venture entities are accounted for using the equity method. After initial recognition, the financial statements include the Group's share in the profit or loss for the year and other comprehensive income of the joint venture until the date that significant influence or joint control ceases.

Interests in joint operations

A joint operation is a contractual arrangement whereby the Group and other parties undertake an economic activity that is subject to joint control which is when the strategic financial and operating policy decisions relating to the activities require the unanimous consent of the parties sharing control. The joint operations assets and any liabilities incurred jointly with other ventures are recognised in the financial statements of the relevant entity and classified according to their nature. The Group's share of the assets, liabilities, income and expenses of joint operation entities are combined with the equivalent items in the consolidated financial statements on a line-by-line basis.

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of joint ventures and joint operations which are listed in Note 18.

Employee Benefits

Short-term employee benefits

Obligations of short-term employee benefits are recognised as personnel expenses as the corresponding service is provided. The liability is recognised for the amount expected to be paid if the Group has a present legal or constructive obligation to pay this amount as a result of past service provided by the employee and the obligation can be estimated reliably.

Stock option plan

For equity-settled share-based payment transactions, the Group measures the options granted, and the corresponding increase in equity, directly at the fair value of the option grant. Subsequent to initial recognition and measurement the estimate of the number of equity instruments for which the service and non-market performance conditions are expected to be satisfied is revised during the vesting period. The cumulative amount recognised is based on the number of equity instruments for which the service and non-market vesting conditions are expected to be satisfied. No adjustments are made in respect of market vesting conditions.

Share-based payment transactions

The fair value of the amount payable to an employee regarding the rights on the valuation of the shares, which is settled in cash, is recognised as an expense with a corresponding increase in liabilities during the period that the employee is unconditionally entitled to payment. The liability is remeasured at each balance sheet date and at settlement date based on the fair value of the rights on valuation. Any changes in the fair value of the liability are recognised in the statement of comprehensive income as personnel expenses.

Defined health benefit plans

The Group's net obligation regarding defined health benefit plans is calculated separately for each plan by estimating the amount of future benefit that employees receive in return for their service in the current period and prior periods. That health benefit is discounted to determine its present value.

The calculation of the liability of the defined health benefit plan is performed annually by a qualified actuary using the projected unit credit method. Remeasurements of the net defined health benefit obligation, which include actuarial gains and losses, are immediately recognised in other comprehensive income. The Group determines the net interest on the net amount of defined benefit liabilities for the period by multiplying them by the discount rate used to measure the defined health benefit obligation. Defined benefit liabilities for the period take into account the balance at the beginning of the period covered by the financial statements and any changes in the defined health benefit net liability during the period due to the payment of contributions and benefits. Net interest and other expenses related to defined health benefit plans are recognised in the statement of comprehensive income.

When the benefits of a plan are increased, the portion of the increased benefit relating to past services rendered by employees is recognised immediately in the statement of comprehensive income. The Group recognises gains and losses on the settlement of a defined health benefit plan when settlement occurs.

Other long-term employee benefits

The Group's net obligation in respect of other long-term employee benefits is the amount of future benefit that employees receive in return for the service rendered in the current year and previous years. That benefit is discounted to determine its present value. Any revision to the calculations are recognised in the statement of comprehensive income.

Benefits of termination of employment relationship

The benefits of termination of an employment relationship are recognised as an expense when the Group can no longer withdraw the offer of such benefits and when the Group recognizes the costs of restructuring. If payments are settled after 12 months from the balance sheet date, then they are discounted to their present values.

Taxation

Tax expense for the period comprises current tax and deferred tax.

The current tax is based on taxable profit for the year. Taxable profit differs from profit as reported in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income because it excludes or includes items of income or expense that are taxable or deductible in other years and it further excludes items that are never taxable or deductible. The Group's current tax expense is calculated using tax rates that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the end of the reporting period.

Deferred tax is the tax expected to be payable or recoverable on temporary differences and tax losses (i.e. differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities in the financial statements and the corresponding tax basis used in the computation of taxable profit). Deferred tax liabilities are generally recognised for all taxable temporary differences except where the Group is able to control the reversal of the temporary difference and it is probable that the temporary difference will not reverse in the foreseeable future. Deferred tax assets arising from deductible temporary differences associated with such investments and interests are only recognised to the extent that it is probable that there will be sufficient taxable profits against which to utilise the benefits of the temporary differences and they are expected to reverse in the foreseeable future. The carrying amount of deferred tax assets is reviewed at the end of each reporting period and reduced to the extent that it is no longer probable that sufficient taxable profits will be available to allow all or part of the asset to be recovered. Such deferred tax assets and liabilities are not recognised if the temporary difference arises from goodwill or from the initial recognition (other than in a business combination) of other assets and liabilities in a transaction that affects neither the taxable profit nor the accounting profit.

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured at the tax rates that are expected to apply in the period in which the liability is settled or the asset is realised, based on tax rates and tax laws that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the end of the reporting period. The measurement of deferred tax liabilities and assets reflects the tax consequences that would follow from the manner in which the Group expects, at the end of the reporting period, to recover or settle the carrying amount of its assets and liabilities.

The Company offsets current tax assets against current tax liabilities when these items are in the same entity and relate to income taxes levied by the same taxation authority and the taxation authority permits the company to make or receive a single net payment. In the consolidated financial statements, a deferred tax asset of one entity in the Group cannot be offset against a deferred tax liability of another entity in the Group as there is no legally enforceable right to offset tax assets and liabilities between Group companies.

Current and deferred tax are recognised as an expense or income in profit or loss, except when they relate to items charged or credited directly to equity, in which case the tax is also taken directly to equity. Current tax is based on assessable profit for the year.

Property, plant and equipment

Property, plant and equipment is stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and any accumulated impairment losses.

Depreciation is charged so as to write off the cost or valuation of assets, other than land or assets under construction over their estimated useful lives, using the straight-line method as follows:

Freehold Buildings:

25 to 60 years

Leasehold Improvements:

Lower of the rental period or useful life considering residual values

Floating Craft:

25 to 35 years

Vehicles:

5 years

Plant and Equipment:

5 to 30 years

The estimated useful lives, residual values and depreciation method are reviewed at the end of each reporting period with the effect of any changes in estimate accounted for on a prospective basis.

Assets in the course of construction are carried at cost less any recognised impairment loss. Costs include professional fees and borrowing costs for qualifying assets. Depreciation of these assets on the same basis as other property assets commences when the assets are ready for intended use.

Assets held under finance leases are depreciated over their expected useful lives on the same basis as owned assets except when there is no reasonable certainty that the Group will obtain ownership by the end of the lease term in which the asset shall be fully depreciated over the shorter of the lease term and its useful life.

Dry docking costs are capitalised and depreciated over the period in which the economic benefits are received. Docking costs are included in the floating craft category.

An item of property, plant and equipment is derecognised upon disposal or when no future economic benefits are expected to arise from the continued use of the asset. The gain or loss arising on the disposal or retirement of an asset is determined as the difference between the sales proceeds and the carrying amount of the asset and is recognised in the statement of comprehensive income.

Subsequent expenditure is capitalised only when it is probable that the future economic benefits associated with the expenditure will flow to the Group.

Borrowing costs

Borrowing costs directly attributable to the acquisition, construction or production of qualifying assets, which are assets that necessarily take a substantial period of time to get ready for their intended use or sale, are added to the cost of those assets until such time as the assets are substantially ready for their intended use or sale. Investment income earned on the temporary investment of specific borrowings pending their expenditure on qualifying assets is deducted from the borrowing costs eligible for capitalisation. All other borrowing costs are recognised in the profit or loss in the period in which they are incurred.

Goodwill

Goodwill arising on an acquisition of a business is carried at cost as established at the date of acquisition of the business less accumulated impairment losses, if any.

Sale of non-controlling interest

Non-controlling interests in the net assets of consolidated subsidiaries are identified separately from the Group's equity therein. Non-controlling interests consist of the amount of those interests at the date of the original business combination and the non-controlling interest's share of changes in equity since the date of the combination.

Intangible assets

Intangible assets with finite useful lives that are acquired separately are carried at cost less accumulated amortisation and accumulated impairment losses. Amortisation is recognised on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives as follows. The estimated useful life and amortisation method are reviewed at the end of each annual reporting period, with the effect of any changes in estimate being accounted for on a prospective basis. There is no indefinite life intangible asset.

 

Concession rights:

10 to 33 years

Computer software:

3 to 5 years

An intangible asset is derecognised on disposal or when no future economic benefits are expected from use or disposal. Gains or losses arising from derecognition are measured as the difference between the net disposal proceeds and the carrying amount of the asset and are recognised in the income statement when the asset is derecognised.

Impairment

The carrying amounts of the Group's non-financial assets other than inventories and deferred tax assets are reviewed at each reporting date to determine whether there is any indication of impairment. If any such indication exists, then the asset's recoverable amount is estimated.

Goodwill is tested annually for impairment. An impairment loss is recognised if the carrying amount of an asset or cash-generating unit (CGU) exceeds its recoverable amount.

The recoverable amount of an asset or CGU is the greater of its value in use and its fair value less costs to sell. In assessing value in use, the estimated future cash flows are discounted to their present value using a pre-tax discount rate that reflects current market assessments of the time value of money and the risks specific to the asset or CGU. For impairment testing, assets are grouped together into the smallest group of assets that generate cash inflows from continuing use that are largely independent of the cash inflows of other assets or CGUs. Subject to an operating segment ceiling test, CGUs to which goodwill has been allocated are aggregated so that the level at which impairment testing is performed reflects the lowest level at which goodwill is monitored for internal reporting purposes. Goodwill acquired in a business combination is allocated to groups of CGUs that are expected to benefit from the synergies of the combination.

Impairment losses are recognised in profit or loss. Impairment losses recognised in respect of CGUs are allocated first to reduce the carrying amount of any goodwill allocated to the CGU and then to reduce the carrying amounts of the other assets in the CGU on a pro rata basis.

An impairment loss in respect of goodwill is not reversed. For other assets, an impairment loss is reversed only to the extent that the asset's carrying amount does not exceed the carrying amount that would have been determined, net of depreciation or amortisation, if no impairment loss had been recognised. Assets that are subject to amortisation or depreciation are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that their carrying amounts may not be recoverable.

Inventories

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost and net realisable value. Cost comprises direct materials, spare parts and, where applicable, direct labour costs and those overheads that have been incurred in bringing the inventories to their present location and condition. Net realisable value represents the estimated selling price less all estimated costs of completion and costs to be incurred in marketing, selling and distribution.

Financial instruments

Financial assets and liabilities are recognised in the Group's balance sheet when the Group becomes a party to the contractual provisions of the instrument.

a.  Financial assets

Financial assets are classified at initial recognition as subsequently measured at amortised cost, fair value through profit or loss (FVTPL) and fair value through other comprehensive income (OCI). The classification of financial assets at initial recognition depends on the financial asset's contractual cash flow and the Group's business model for managing them.

In order for a financial asset to be classified and measured at amortised cost or fair value through OCI, it needs to give rise to cash flows that are solely payments of principal and interest (SPPI) on the principal amount outstanding. This assessment is referred to as the SPPI test and is performed at an instrument level.

The Group's business model for managing financial assets refers to how it manages its financial assets in order to generate cash flows. The business model determines whether cash flows will result from collecting contractual cash flows, selling the financial assets, or both.

Financial assets at amortised cost

The following instruments have been classified and measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method, less any impairment loss:

● Cash and Cash Equivalents/Investments: Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash on hand and other short-term highly liquid cash equivalents with maturities of less than 90 days which are subject to an insignificant risk of changes in value and Investments comprise cash in hand and other investments with more than 90 days of maturity.

● Trade Receivables: Trade receivables and other amounts receivable are stated at the present value of the amounts due, reduced by any impairment loss.

The effective interest method is a method of calculating the amortised cost of a debt instrument and of allocating interest income over the relevant period. The effective interest rate is the rate that exactly discounts estimated future cash receipts (including all fees paid or received that form an integral part of the effective interest rate, transaction costs and other premiums or discounts) through the expected life of the debt instrument, or where appropriate, a shorter period, to the net carrying amount on initial recognition.

Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss

Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss include financial assets held for trading, financial assets designated upon initial recognition at fair value through profit or loss or financial assets mandatorily required to be measured at fair value. Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss are carried in the balance sheet at fair value with net changes in fair value recognised in the statement of profit or loss. Changes in fair value are recognised in the profit or loss under "financial income" or "financial expenses", depending on the results obtained.

Impairment of financial assets

Financial assets that are measured at amortised cost are assessed for indicators of impairment at the end of each reporting period. Financial assets are considered to be impaired when there is objective evidence that, as a result of one or more events that occurred after the initial recognition of the financial asset, the estimated future cash flows of the investment have been affected.

Objective evidence of impairment could include:

● Significant financial difficulty of the issuer or counterparty;

● Default or delinquency in interest or principal payments;

● It becoming probable that the borrower will enter bankruptcy or financial re-organisation; or

● The disappearance of an active market for that financial asset due to financial difficulties.

For trade receivables, the Group applies a simplified approach in calculation an allowance for expected credit losses. Details are disclosed in Note 21.

For financial assets carried at amortised cost, the amount of the impairment loss recognised is the difference between the asset's carrying amount and the present value of estimated future cash flows, reflecting the impact of collateral and guarantees, discounted at the financial asset's original effective interest rate.

The carrying amount of the financial asset is reduced by the impairment loss directly for all financial assets with the exception of trade receivables where the carrying amount is reduced through the use of an allowance account.

When a trade receivable is considered uncollectible it is written off against the allowance account. Subsequent recoveries of amounts previously written off are credited against the allowance account. Changes in the carrying amount of the allowance account are recognised in profit or loss.

Derecognition of financial assets

The Group derecognises a financial asset only when the contractual rights to the cash flows from the asset expire or when it transfers the financial asset and substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership of the asset to another entity. If the Group neither transfers nor retains substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership and continues to control the transferred asset, the Group recognises its retained interest in the asset and an associated liability for amounts it may have to pay. If the Group retains substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership of a transferred financial asset, the Group continues to recognise the financial asset and also recognises a collateral borrowing for the proceeds received.

b.  Financial liabilities

Financial liabilities are classified as either "FVTPL" or "other financial liabilities". Financial liabilities are classified as at FVTPL when the financial liability is either held for trading or it is designated as at FVTPL. Other financial liabilities are initially measured at fair value, net of transaction costs and then subsequently measured at amortisation cost using the effective interest method with interest expense recognised on an effective yield basis.

The effective interest method is a method of calculating the amortised cost of a financial liability and of allocating interest expense over the relevant period. The effective interest rate is the rate that exactly discounts estimated future cash payments through the expected life of the financial liability, or (where appropriate) a shorter period, to the net carrying amount on initial recognition.

There are no financial liabilities classified at FVTPL.

Other financial liabilities

● Bank loans: Interest-bearing bank loans are recorded at the proceeds received net of direct issue costs. Finance charges including premiums payable on settlement or redemption and direct issue costs are accounted for on the accruals basis to the income statement using the effective interest method and are added to the carrying amount of the instrument to the extent that they are not settled in the period in which they arise.

● Trade Payables: Trade payables and other amounts payable are measured at fair value, net of transaction costs.

Derivatives

One of the Group's subsidiaries held derivatives to hedge foreign currency exposure arising from capital expenditure denominated in Real. These derivatives were marked to market at the end of every month. This swap was settled in January 2019.

Derecognition of financial liabilities

The Group derecognises financial liabilities only when the Group's obligations are discharged, cancelled or they expire.

Provisions

Provisions are recognised when the Group has a present obligation as a result of a past event, it is probable that an outflow of economic benefits will be required to settle that obligation and a reliable estimate can be made of the amount of the obligation. The amount recognised as a provision is the best estimate of the expenditure required to settle the present obligation at the end of the reporting period taking into account the risks and uncertainties surrounding the obligation. When some or all of the economic benefits required to settle a provision are expected to be recovered from a third party, a receivable is recognised as an asset if it is virtually certain that reimbursement will be received and the amount of the receivable can be measured reliably.

Revenue

Revenue is measured at fair value of the consideration received or receivable for goods and services provided in the normal course of business net of trade discounts and other sales related taxes.

Shipyard revenue

Revenue related to services and construction contracts is recognised throughout the period of the project when the work in proportion to the stage of completion of the transaction contracted has been performed.

Port terminals revenue

Revenue from providing container movement and associated services is recognised on the date that the services have been performed.

Oil & Gas support base revenue

Revenue from providing vessel turnarounds is recognised on the date that the services have been performed.

Towage revenue

Revenue from towage services is recognised on the date that the services have been performed.

Ship agency and logistics revenues

Revenue from providing agency and logistics services is recognised when the agreed services have been performed.

Interest income

Interest income is recognised when it is probable that the economic benefits will flow to the Group and the amount of revenue can be measured reliably. Interest income is accrued on a time basis by reference to the principal outstanding and at the effective interest rate applicable.

Dividend income

Dividend income from investments is recognised when the shareholders right to receive payment has been established.

Construction contracts

Construction contracts in progress represent the gross amount expected to be collected from customers for contract work performed to date. When the outcome of a construction contract can be estimated reliably, revenue and costs are recognised by reference to the stage of completion of the contract activity at the end of the reporting period, measured based on the proportion of contract costs incurred for work performed to date relative to the estimated total contract costs, except where this would not be representative of the stage of completion. Variations in contract work, claims and incentive payments are included to the extent that the amount can be measured reliably, has been agreed with the customer and consequently is considered probable.

When the outcome of a construction contract cannot be estimated reliably, contract revenue is recognised to the extent it is probable contract costs incurred will be recoverable. Contract costs are recognised as expenses in the period in which they are incurred.

When it is probable that total contract costs will exceed total contract revenue, the expected loss is recognised as an expense immediately.

Construction contracts in progress are presented as part of trade and other payables and trade and other receivables in the statement of financial position for all contracts in which costs incurred plus recognised profits exceed progress billings and recognised losses.

Leased assets

The Group has applied IFRS 16 using the modified retrospective approach and therefore comparative information has not been restated. This means comparative information is still reported under IAS 17 and IFRIC 4 and the lease liability opening balance was calculated considering the outstanding payments as from 1 January 2019. Also, the Group decided to adopt the portfolio approach for the interest rate estimation and hence, similar commitments related to similar assets rented for similar periods are discounted considering the same discount rate.

Accounting policy applicable from 1 January 2019

The Group as a lessee

For any new contracts entered into on or after 1 January 2019, the Group considers whether a contract is, or contains a lease. A lease is defined as 'a contract, or part of a contract, that conveys the right to use an asset (the underlying asset) for a period of time in exchange for consideration'. To apply this definition the Group assesses whether the contract meets three key criteria:

· The contract contains an identified asset, which is either explicitly identified in the contract or implicitly specified by being identified at the time the asset is made available to the Group;

· The Group has the right to obtain substantially all of the economic benefits from use of the identified asset throughout the period of use, considering its rights within the defined scope of the contract; and

· The Group has the right to direct the use of the identified asset throughout the period of use. The Group assesses whether it has the right to direct 'how and for what purpose' the asset is used throughout the period of use.

Measurement and recognition of leases as a lessee

At lease commencement date, the Group recognises a right-of-use asset and a lease liability on the balance sheet. The right-of-use asset is measured at cost, which is made up of the initial measurement of the lease liability, any initial direct costs incurred by the Group, an estimate of any costs to dismantle and remove the asset at the end of the lease, and any lease payments made in advance of the lease commencement date (net of any incentives received).

The Group measures the lease liability at the present value of the lease payments unpaid at that date using the interest rate implicit in the lease, if that rate can be readily determined. If that rate cannot be readily determined, the lessee shall use the lessee's incremental borrowing rate. Generally the Group applies the incremental borrowing rate. For a portfolio of leases with similar characteristics, lease liabilities are discounted using single discount rate.

Lease payments included in the measurement of the lease liability are made up of fixed payments, variable payments based on an index or rate, amounts expected to be payable under a residual value guarantee and payments arising from options reasonably certain to be exercised.

In accessing certain commitments related to the rent of buildings, the Group cannot readily determine the lease term as these can be terminated with no penalty every year. For these cases, the Group defines a standard lease term of 5 years. For machinery which the Group cannot readily determine the lease term, the Group defines the lease term as the useful life of the machinery.

Subsequent to the initial measurement, the carrying amount of the liability is reduced to reflect the lease payments made and increased to reflect the interest payable. If there is a change in the expected cashflows, the lease liability is recalculated. If the modification is related to a change in the amounts to be paid, the discount rate is not revised. Otherwise the Group revises the discount rate as if a new lease arrangement had been made.

When the lease liability is revised, the corresponding adjustment is reflected in the right-of-use asset. When the right-of-use asset is reduced to zero, the amount is recognised in the statement of comprehensive income.

The Group amortises the right-of-use assets on a straight-line basis from the lease commencement date to the earlier of the end of the useful life of the right-of-use asset or the end of the lease term.

The Group has elected to account for short-term leases and leases of low-value assets using the practical expedients method. Instead of recognising a right-of-use asset and lease liability, the payments in relation to these are recognised as an expense in the statement of comprehensive income on a straight-line basis over the lease term.

Accounting policy applicable before 1 January 2019

Leasing

Leases are classified as finance leases whenever the terms of the lease transfer substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership to the lessee. All other leases are classified as operating leases.

The Group as lessee:

Assets held under finance leases are recognised as assets of the Group at their fair value at the inception of the lease or, if lower, at the present value of the minimum lease payments. The corresponding liability to the lessor is included in the balance sheet as a finance lease obligation.

Lease payments are apportioned between finance expenses and reduction of the lease obligation so as to achieve a constant rate of interest on the remaining balance of the liability. Finance expenses are recognised immediately in profit or loss, unless they are directly attributable to qualifying assets in which case they are capitalised.

Operating lease payments are recognised as an expense on a straight-line basis over the lease term.

Determining whether an arrangement contains a lease

At inception of an arrangement, the Group determines whether such an arrangement is or contains a lease. This will be the case if the following two criteria are met:

● The fulfilment of the arrangement is dependent on the use of a specific asset or assets: and

● The arrangement contains a right to use the asset(s).

At inception or on reassessment of the arrangement, the Group separates payments and other consideration required by such an arrangement into those for the lease and those for other elements on the basis of their relative fair values. If the Group concludes for a finance lease that it is impracticable to separate the payments reliably, then an asset and a liability are recognised at an amount equal to the fair value of the underlying asset. Subsequently the liability is reduced as payments are made and an imputed finance cost on the liability is recognised using the Group's incremental borrowing rate.

Finance income and finance costs

Finance income comprises interest income on funds invested, fair value gains on financial assets recognised through profit or loss and gains on hedging instruments that are recognised in profit or loss. Interest income is recognised as it accrues in the profit or loss using the effective interest method.

Finance costs comprise interest expense on borrowings, unwinding of the discount on provisions and deferred consideration, fair value losses on financial assets at fair value through profit or loss and contingent consideration losses on hedging instruments that are recognised in profit or loss.

Critical accounting judgements and key sources of estimation uncertainty

The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with IFRS requires management to make judgements, estimates and assumptions that affect the application of accounting policies and the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, income and expenses. Actual results may differ from these estimates.

Estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognised in the period in which the estimates are revised and in any future periods affected.

In the process of applying the Group's accounting policies, which are described above, management has made the following judgements that have the most significant effect on the amounts recognised in the financial statements as mentioned below.

a.  Provisions for tax, labour and civil risks - Judgement

In the normal course of business in Brazil the Group is exposed to local legal cases. Provisions for legal cases are made when the Group's management, together with their legal advisors, consider the probable outcome is a financial settlement against the Group. Provisions are measured at managements' best estimate of the expenditure required to settle the obligation based upon legal advice received. For labour claims, the provision is based on prior experience and management's best knowledge of the relevant facts and circumstances.

The amount of provisions for tax, labour and civil risks at the end of the reporting period was US$14.6 million (2018: US$17.3 million). Details are disclosed in Note 26.

b.  Impairment of goodwill - Judgement and estimation

Determining whether goodwill is impaired requires an estimation of the value in use of the CGU to which goodwill has been allocated. The recoverable amount calculation requires the entity's management to estimate growth rate, discount rate and inflation rate. Further estimates include sales and operating margins which are based on past experience taking into account the effect of known or likely changes in market or operating conditions and the weighted average cost of capital.

The carrying amount of goodwill at the end of the reporting period was US$14.1 million (2018: US$27.5 million). Details are disclosed in Note 13. An impairment of US$13.0 million was recorded in the year attributed to Offshore Support Bases.

c.   Leases - Estimating the incremental borrowing rate - Estimation

Where the Group cannot readily determine the interest rate implicit in the lease, it uses its incremental borrowing rate (IBR) to measure lease liabilities. The IBR is the rate of interest that the Group would have to pay to borrow over a similar term, and with a similar security, the funds necessary to obtain an asset of a similar value to the right-of-use asset in a similar economic environment. The Group estimates the IBR using observables inputs when available and is required to make certain entity-specific estimates.  

d.  Valuation of unquoted investments - Judgement and estimation

The fair value of financial assets and liabilities that are not traded in an active market is determined using valuation techniques. The Group uses a variety of methods and makes assumptions that are based on market conditions existing at each reporting date. Valuation techniques used include the use of comparable recent arm's length transactions, reference to other instruments that are substantially the same, discounted cash flow analysis, option pricing models and other valuation techniques commonly used by market participants making the maximum use of market inputs and relying as little as possible on entity-specific inputs.

Through the Investment Manager, the directors have considered the valuation of investments in particular level 3 assets and they consider that the position taken represents the best estimate at the balance sheet date.

The amount of Level 3 assets at the end of the reporting period was US$101.3 million (2018: US$111.3 million). Details are disclosed in note 35.

Changes in accounting policies and disclosures

First-time adoption of new accounting standard

IFRS 16 - Leases

IFRS 16 was adopted as of 1 January 2019 and eliminates the accounting for operating lease agreements for the lessee, presenting only one lease model that consists of: (a) initially recognising all leased assets (Right-of-use assets) and liabilities (Other liabilities) at the net present value of the lease payments; and (b) recognising depreciation of the right-of-use assets and interest from the lease separately in the statement of comprehensive income. The standard includes two recognition exemptions for lessees - leases of 'low-value' assets (e.g. personal computers) and short-term leases (i.e. leases with a term of 12 months or less).

In 2018 the Group performed a detailed impact assessment of IFRS 16 identifying existing contracts as well as the environment of internal controls and systems impacted by the adoption of the new standard. The assessment was divided into three stages:

Identification of contracts

Management prepared a full lease contract inventory identifying the types of contracts that would be in the scope of the standard. The Group elected to use the exemption allowed by the standard for lease contracts where the lease terms ends within 12 months of the initial application date and low value lease contracts.

Transition approach

The Group applied IFRS 16 with effect from 1 January 2019 using the modified retrospective approach. Accordingly, the comparative information has not been restated and continues to be reported under International Accounting Standard ("IAS") 17 and International Financial Reporting Interpretations Committee ("IFRIC") 4.

The Group used the following practical expedients when applying IFRS 16:

· Applied a single discount rate to portfolios of leases with similar characteristics. The weighted average rate applied was 8.76% p.a. depending on the contractual terms.

· Applied the exemption not to recognise right-of-use assets and liabilities for leases where the lease term ends within 12 months of initial application date and leases of low-value assets. The payments associated with these leases will be recognised as an expense on a straight-line basis over the lease term.

· Used hindsight when determining the lease term to determine if the contract contained options to extend or terminate the lease.

The following are lease liabilities under IFRS 16 reconciled to the disclosed operating lease commitments under IAS 17 at 31 December 2018.

 

 

Lease commitments

 

 

Liability

 

disclosed at

 

recognised at

 

31 December

Present value

1 January

 

2018

adjustment

2019

 

 

 

 

Operational facilities

499,828

(320,987)

178,841

Vessels

5,108

(583)

4,525

Buildings

7,896

(1,172)

6,714

Machinery, equipment and vehicles

5,520

(1,467)

4,053

Total

518,342

(324,209)

194,133

Effects of first-time adoption

For more details about the IFRS 16 adoption, please see Note 14.

IFRIC 23 - Uncertainty over Income Tax Treatments

The Interpretation addresses the accounting for income taxes when tax treatments involve uncertainty that affects the application of IAS 12 Income Taxes. It does not apply to taxes or levies outside the scope of IAS 12, nor does it specifically include requirements relating to interest and penalties associated with uncertain tax treatments. The Interpretation specifically addresses the following:

• Whether an entity considers uncertain tax treatments separately

• The assumptions an entity makes about the examination of tax treatments by taxation authorities

• How an entity determines taxable profit or loss, tax bases, unused tax losses, unused tax credits and tax rates

• How an entity considers changes in facts and circumstances

The Group determines whether to consider each uncertain tax treatment separately or together with one or more other uncertain tax treatments and uses the approach that better predicts the resolution of the uncertainty.

The Group applies significant judgement in identifying uncertainties over income tax treatments. Since the Group operates in a complex multinational environment, it assesses whether the Interpretation has an impact on its consolidated financial statements. Upon adoption of the Interpretation, the Group considered whether it has any uncertain tax positions, particularly those relating to transfer pricing. The Company's and the subsidiaries' tax filings in different jurisdictions include deductions related to transfer pricing and the taxation authorities may challenge those tax treatments. The Group determined, based on its tax compliance and transfer pricing study, that it is probable that its tax treatments (including those for the subsidiaries) will be accepted by the taxation authorities. The Interpretation did not have an impact on the consolidated financial statements of the Group.

New standards and interpretations not yet adopted

The Group has listed all new standards and interpretations issued by the IASB but not yet effective, regardless of whether these have any material impact on the Group's financial statement. Based on a preliminary assessment made by the Company, the impacts are detailed below:

Other standards or amendments

The following new or amended standards are not expected to have a significant impact on the Group's consolidated financial statements:

● Insurance Contracts (IFRS 17);

● Definition of a Business (Amendments to IFRS 3);

● Definition of Material (Amendments to IAS 1 and IAS 8);  

● Amendments to References to the Conceptual Framework in IFRS Standards;

● Amendments to IFRS 9, IAS 39 and IFRS 7: Interest Rate Benchmark Reform; and

● Amendments to IAS 1 Presentation of Financial Statements: Classification of liabilities as current or non-current.

 3  Revenue

An analysis of the Group's revenue is as follows:

 

Year ended

Year ended

 

31 December

31 December

 

2019

2018

 

US$'000

US$'000

Sales of services

406,128

446,158

Revenue from construction contracts

-

14,038

 

406,128

460,196

Income from underlying investment vehicles (note 7)

2,781

2,133

Other investment income (note 8)

6,039

4,152

 

414,948

466,481

The following is an analysis of the Group's revenue from continuing operations for the period (excluding investment income - notes 7 and 8).

3.1  Disaggregated revenue information

Set out below is the disaggregation of the Group's revenue from contracts with customers.

 

Year ended

Year ended

 

31 December

31 December

 

2019

2018

 

US$'000

US$'000

Towage and ship agency services

 

 

Harbour manoeuvres

 148,330

152,376

Special operations

 11,194

13,212

Ship agency

 9,241

9,950

Total

 168,765

175,538

Port terminals

 

 

Container handling

 92,341

97,627

Warehousing

 33,545

43,995

Ancillary services

 21,607

24,432

Oil & Gas support bases

 19,357

20,813

Other services

 20,317

16,920

Total

 187,167

203,787

Logistics

 

 

Logistics

 45,691

56,908

Total

 45,691

56,908

Shipyard

 

 

Shipyard construction contracts

-

14,038

Repairs/dry-docking

 4,505

9,939

Total

 4,505

23,977

 

Other services

 

 

Other services

-

(14)

Total

406,128

460,196

 

 

Year ended

Year ended

 

31 December

31 December

 

2019

2018

 

US$'000

US$'000

Timing of revenue recognition

 

 

At a point of time

 401,623

436,219

Over time

 4,505

23,977

 

406,128

460,196

3.2  Contract balance

Trade receivables are generally received within 30 days. The carrying amount of operational trade receivables at the end of the reporting period was US$47.2 million (2018: US$57.7 million). These amounts include US$12.4 million (2018: US$15.3 million) of contract assets (unbilled accounts receivables).

There were no contract liabilities as at 31 December 2019 or 31 December 2018.

3.3 Performance obligations

Information about the Group's performance obligations are summarised below:

 

 

When performance obligation

Performance obligation

is typically satisfied

 

 

Towage and ship agency services

 

Harbour manoeuvres

At a point in time

Special operations

At a point in time

Ship agency

At a point in time

 

 

Port Terminals

 

Container handling

At a point in time

Warehousing

At a point in time

Ancillary services

At a point in time

Oil & Gas support bases

At a point in time

Other services

At a point in time

 

 

Logistics

 

Logistics

At a point in time

 

 

Shipyard

 

Ship construction contracts

Over time

Technical assistance / dry-docking

Over time

 

The majority of the Group's performance obligations are satisfied at a point in time, upon delivery of the service and payment is generally due within 30 days from completion of the service.

The performance obligation of ship construction contracts, technical assistance and drydocking is satisfied over time and the revenue related to these contracts is recognised when the work in proportion to the stage of completion of the transaction contracted has been performed.

There are no significant judgements in the determination of when performance obligations are typically satisfied.

All revenue is derived from continuing operations.

4   Business and geographical segments

Business segments

Ocean Wilsons has two reportable segments: maritime services and investments. The maritime services segment provides towage and ship agency, port terminals, offshore, logistics and shipyard services in Brazil. The investment segment holds a portfolio of international investments. Segment information relating to these businesses is presented below.

For the year ended 31 December 2019

 

Maritime

 

 

 

 

Services

Investment

Unallocated

Consolidated

 

Year ended

Year ended

Year ended

Year ended

 

31 December

31 December

31 December

31 December

 

2019

2019

2019

2019

 

US$'000

US$'000

US$'000

US$'000

Revenue

406,128

-

-

406,128

Result

 

 

 

 

Segment result

75,200

(3,648)

(2,539)

69,013

Share of results of joint ventures

564

-

-

564

Return on investment portfolio at fair value through P&L

-

34,716

-

34,716

Other investment income

6,045

7

-

6,052

Finance costs

(27,736)

-

-

(27,736)

Foreign exchange (losses)/profit on monetary items

(634)

(14)

569

(79)

Profit/(loss) before tax

53,439

31,061

(1,970)

82,530

Tax

(21,481)

-

-

(21,481)

Profit/(loss) after tax

31,958

31,061

(1,970)

61,049

Other information

 

 

 

 

Capital additions

89,482

-

-

89,482

Right -of-use asset additions

14,434

-

-

14,434

Depreciation, amortisation and impairment

(66,758)

-

-

(66,758)

Amortisation of right-of-use assets

(12,352)

-

-

(12,352)

Balance Sheet

 

 

 

 

Assets

 

 

 

 

Segment assets

1,151,527

286,009

4,091

1,441,627

Liabilities

 

 

 

 

Segment liabilities

(654,018)

(923)

(826)

(655,767)

For the year ended 31 December 2018

 

Maritime

 

 

 

 

Services

Investment

Unallocated

Consolidated

 

Year ended

Year ended

Year ended

Year ended

 

31 December

31 December

31 December

31 December

 

2018

2018

2018

2018

 

US$'000

US$'000

US$'000

US$'000

Revenue

460,196

-

-

460,196

Result

 

 

 

 

Segment result

104,453

(2,902)

(2,051)

99,500

Share of results of joint ventures

(4,062)

-

-

(4,062)

Return on investment portfolio at fair value through P&L

-

(7,942)

-

(7,942)

Other investment income

4,060

16

76

4,152

Finance costs

(22,951)

-

-

(22,951)

Foreign exchange (losses)/profits on monetary items

(8,807)

(22)

370

(8,459)

Profit/(loss) before tax

72,693

(10,850)

(1,605)

60,238

Tax

(26,433)

-

-

(26,433)

Profit/(loss) after tax

46,620

(10,850)

(1,605)

33,805

Other information

 

 

 

 

Capital additions

(61,706)

-

-

(61,706)

Depreciation and amortisation

(56,175)

-

(3)

(56,178)

 

Balance Sheet

 

 

 

 

 

Assets

 

 

 

 

 

Segment assets

950,272

258,985

3,192

1,212,449

 

Liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

Segment liabilities

(434,151)

(256)

(333)

(434,740)

 

Finance costs and associated liabilities have been allocated to reporting segments where interest costs arise from loans used to finance the construction of fixed assets in that segment.

Geographical Segments

The Group's operations are located in Bermuda and Brazil. The Group, through its participation in an offshore vessel joint venture in Panama, earns income in that country and in Uruguay. All the Group's sales are derived in Brazil.

The following is an analysis of the carrying amount of segment assets, and additions to property, plant and equipment and intangible assets, analysed by the geographical area in which the assets are located.

 

 

 

Additions to

 

Carrying amount of

property, plant and equipment

 

segment assets

and intangible assets

 

 

 

Year ended

Year ended

 

31 December

31 December

31 December

31 December

 

2019

2018

2019

2018

 

US$'000

US$'000

US$'000

US$'000

Brazil

1,109,485

909,385

89,482

61,706

Bermuda

332,142

303,064

-

-

 

1,441,627

1,212,449

89,482

61,706

5   Profit for the year

Profit for the year has been arrived at after charging:

 

Year ended

Year ended

 

31 December

31 December

 

2019

2018

 

US$'000

US$'000

Depreciation of property, plant and equipment

50,353

52,757

Impairment charge

13,025

-

Amortisation of intangible assets

3,380

3,421

Operating lease rentals

-

22,104

Amortisation of right-of-use assets

12,389

-

Auditor's remuneration (see below)

795

735

Non-executive directors emoluments

521

536

A more detailed analysis of auditor's remuneration is provided below:

Auditor's remuneration for audit services

732

721

Other services

63

14

 

795

735

6  Employee charges and benefits expense

 

Year ended

Year ended

 

31 December

31 December

 

2019

2018

 

US$'000

US$'000

Aggregate remuneration comprised:

 

 

Wages, salaries and benefits

111,066

119,402

Share based payments

370

1,331

Social security costs

28,157

24,507

Other pension costs

755

1,087

 

140,348

146,327

7  Returns on investment portfolio at fair value through profit or loss

 

Year ended

Year ended

 

31 December

31 December

 

2019

2018

 

US$'000

US$'000

Unrealised gains/(losses) on financial assets at fair value through profit or loss

24,438

(18,654)

Income from underlying investment vehicles

2,781

2,133

Profit on disposal of financial assets at fair value through profit or loss

7,497

8,579

 

34,716

(7,942)

8  Other investment income

 

Year ended

Year ended

 

31 December

31 December

 

2019

2018

 

US$'000

US$'000

Interest on bank deposits

1,740

3,565

Other interest

4,312

587

 

6,052

4,152

9  Finance costs

 

Year ended

Year ended

 

31 December

31 December

 

2019

2018

 

US$'000

US$'000

Interest on lease liabilities

15,912

62

Interest on bank overdrafts and loans

10,823

12,300

Exchange loss on foreign currency borrowings

778

10,009

Other interest

223

580

 

27,736

22,951

Borrowing costs incurred on qualifying assets of US$2.3 million (2018: US$0.1 million) were capitalised in the year at an average interest rate of 2.85% (2018: 3.38%).

10  Taxation

 

Year ended

Year ended

 

31 December

31 December

 

2019

2018

 

US$'000

US$'000

Current

 

 

Brazilian taxation

 

 

Corporation tax

16,202

20,764

Social contribution

6,155

8,270

Total current tax

22,357

29,034

Deferred tax

 

 

Charge for the year in respect of deferred tax liabilities

(5)

16,044

Credit for the year in respect of deferred tax assets

(871)

(18,645)

Total deferred tax

(876)

(2,601)

Total taxation charge

21,481

26,433

Brazilian corporation tax is calculated at 25% (2018: 25%) of the assessable profit for the year. Brazilian social contribution tax is calculated at 9% (2018: 9%) of the assessable profit for the year.

At the present time, no income, profit, capital or capital gains taxes are levied in Bermuda and accordingly, no provision for such taxes has been recorded by the Company. In the event that such taxes are levied, the Company has received an undertaking from the Bermuda Government exempting it from all such taxes until 31 March 2035.

The charge for the year can be reconciled to the profit per the statement of comprehensive income as follows:

 

Year ended

Year ended

 

31 December

31 December

 

2019

2018

 

US$'000

US$'000

Profit before tax

82,530

60,238

Tax at the aggregate Brazilian tax rate of 34% (2018: 34%)

28,060

20,481

 

 

 

Utilisation of net operating losses

(506)

(4,839)

Net operating losses in the period

1,712

1,336

Amortisation of goodwill

-

(1,093)

Exchange variance on loans

(804)

(10,988)

Tax effect of share of results of joint ventures

(192)

1,381

Tax effect of foreign exchange gains or losses on monetary items

494

3,397

Retranslation of non-current assets

(592)

9,826

Share option scheme

126

443

Non-deductible expenses

1,701

952

Leasing

(133)

730

Termination of tax litigation

(126)

35

Impairment charge

(1,438)

-

Other

-

404

Effect of different tax rates of subsidiaries operating in other jurisdictions

(9,697)

4,368

 

 

 

Tax expense for the year

21,481

26,433

Effective rate for the year

26%

44%

The Group earns its profits primarily in Brazil. Therefore, the tax rate used for tax on profit on ordinary activities is the standard rate in Brazil of 34% (2018:34%), consisting of corporation tax (25%) and social contribution (9%).

11  Dividends

 

Year ended

Year ended

 

31 December

31 December

 

2019

2018

 

US$'000

US$'000

Amounts recognised as distributions to equity holders in the period:

 

 

Final dividend paid for the year ended 31 December 2018 of 70c (2017: 70c) per share

24,754

24,754

Proposed final dividend for the year ended 31 December 2019 of 70c (2018: 70c) per share

 

24,754

24,754

12  Earnings per share

The calculation of the basic and diluted earnings per share is based on the following data:

 

Year ended

Year ended

 

31 December

31 December

 

2019

2018

 

US$'000

US$'000

Earnings:

 

 

Earnings for the purposes of basic earnings per share being net profit attributable to equity holders of the parent

 

46,852

13,308

Number of shares:

 

 

Weighted average number of ordinary shares for the purposes of basic and diluted earnings per share

 

35,363,040

35,363,040

13  Goodwill

 

31 December

31 December

 

2019

2018

 

US$'000

US$'000

Cost and carrying amount attributed to:

 

 

Tecon Rio Grande

12,793

13,307

Brasco offshore base

-

11,728

Tecon Salvador

2,480

2,480

Total

14,090

27,515

The goodwill associated with each cash-generating unit "CGU" (Brasco, Tecon Salvador and Tecon Rio Grande) is attributed to the Maritime services segment. The movement in goodwill balances in the year is due to the depreciation of the Brazilian Real against the US Dollar and the impairment of Brasco carrying amount referred below.

Each CGU is assessed for impairment annually and whenever there is an indication of impairment. The carrying value of goodwill has been assessed with reference to its value in use reflecting the projected discounted cash flows of each CGU to which goodwill has been allocated.

Salvador and Rio Grande container terminals

The cash flows of these CGUs are derived from the most recent financial budget for which its estimate life is the remaining period of the concessions.

The key assumptions used in determining value in use relate to growth rate, discount rate and inflation rate. Further projections include sales and operating margins which are based on past experience taking into account the effect of known or likely changes in market or operating conditions. Projected volumes for Tecon Rio Grande and Tecon Salvador are driven by the expected performance of the Brazilian economy until reaching operating capacity. The discount rate assumes the cost of capital whereas the growth rate for perpetuity projection is based on the inflation rate only after reaching operating capacity.

The estimated average growth rate used does not exceed the historical average for Tecon Rio Grande and Tecon Salvador, while the discount rate used was 9.3% (2018: 10.5%). The growth rates reflect the products, industries and country in which the businesses operate.

Having completed the annual impairment test, the level of headroom for each of these business units is significant and no reasonable change in any of the forecast assumptions would give rise to any impairment. 

Offshore support bases

The cash-flows are based on ten-year cash flow projections plus terminal value. Future cash flows are derived from the most recent financial budget. The period of the cash flows has been determined in excess of 5 years to reflect the longer cycle period of the oil and gas industry. The key assumptions used in determining value in use relate to growth rate, discount rate and inflation rate. Further projections include sales and operating margins which are based on past experience taking into account the effect of known or likely changes in market or operating conditions. Projected volumes for Brasco are driven by the expected performance of the Brazilian economy and demand from the Brazilian offshore oil & gas industry production, until reaching operating capacity. The discount rate assumes the cost of capital whereas the growth rate for perpetuity projection is based on the inflation rate only after reaching operating capacity and a growth rate that doesn't exceed past performance.

The discount rate applied to the cash flow projections is 14.5% (2018: 10.5%) and cash flows beyond the ten-year period are extrapolated using a 1.0% terminal growth rate and 4.0% inflation (2018: 4.9%).

It was concluded that carrying value of Brasco's assets of US$83.6 million exceeded the value in use of US$70.4 million. As a result of this analysis, an impairment charge has been recognised of US$13.0 million in the current year, of which US$12.7million is against goodwill and the remaining against other intangible assets. The impairment charge is recorded within a separate line item in the statement of comprehensive income. The reason for the impairment charge arising in the year was an increase in the discount rate applied to the cash flows and continued difficult trading conditions the CGU is experiencing

Key assumptions used in the value in use calculations and sensitivity to changes in assumptions

The calculation of value in use for the Brasco unit is most sensitive to the following assumptions:

· Growth rate

· Discount rate

· Inflation rate

Growth rate - The growth rate is determined based on management's best estimates using data from Petroleum National Agency (ANP), Energy Research Agency (EPE, subordinated to Ministry of Energy), Oil Companies' releases and specialised industry reports. The business is expected to contract in 2020 due to market demand and recover in subsequent years. Decrease in demand can lead to a decrease in growth rate. A decrease in the growth by 1% would result in a further impairment of US$5.2 million. An increase in the growth by 1% would result in a reversal of the impairment recorded in other intangible assets of US$0.5 million.

Discount rate - The discount rate represents the current market assessment of the risks specific to the CGU, taking into consideration the time value of money and individual risks of the underlying assets that have not been incorporated in the cash flow estimates. The discount rate calculation is based on the specific circumstances of the CGU and its operating segments and is a weighted average cost of capital ("WACC"). The WACC takes into account both debt and equity. The cost of equity is derived from the expected return on the investment by the potential investors. The cost of debt is based on an assessment of the interest-bearing borrowings the CGU is able to borrow in the market. Segment-specific risk is incorporated by applying individual beta factors. The beta factors are evaluated annually based on publicly available market data. Adjustments to the discount rate are made to factor in the specific amount and timing of the future tax flows in order to reflect a pre tax discount rate. The Group has applied a specific risk premium to its discount rate due to the uncertainty related to its not yet contracted projected revenue for future periods.

A rise in the pre-tax discount rate to (i.e., +0.5%) would result in a further impairment of US$5.2 million. A decrease in the discount rate by -0.5% would result in a reversal of the impairment recorded in other intangible assets of US$0.5 million.

 Inflation rate - The inflation rate is based on published market data available at the time of the assessment. Management recognises that the volatility in the Brazilian market and its impact on the inflation rates of the country can have a significant impact on the model. An increase in the inflation rate by 0.5% would result in a reversal of the impairment recorded in other intangible assets of US$0.5 million. A reduction by 0.5% in the inflation rate would result in a further impairment of US$6.0 million.

14 Lease arrangements

14.1 Right-of-use assets

 

Operational

 

 

Vehicles, plant

 

 

facilities

Floating craft

Buildings

and equipment

Total

 

US$'000

US$'000

US$'000

US$'000

US$'000

Cost or valuation

 

 

 

 

 

At 1 January 2019

178,841

4,525

6,714

4,053

194,133

Transfers from property, plant and equipment

-

-

-

9,798

9,798

Contractual amendments

14,748

173

(218)

(269)

14,434

Additions

-

-

65

161

226

Exchange differences

(7,563)

(217)

(112)

(578)

(8,470)

Terminated contracts

-

-

-

(462)

(462)

At 31 December 2019

186,026

4,481

6,449

12,703

209,659

Accumulated amortisation

 

 

 

 

 

At 1 January 2019

-

-

-

-

-

Transfers from property, plant and equipment

-

-

-

7,969

7,969

Charge for the year

8,422

2,321

  1,473

1,326

13,542

Exchange differences

(153)

(45)

(4)

(330)

(532)

Terminated contracts

-

-

-

(331)

(331)

At 31 December 2019

8,269

2,276

1,469

8,634

20,648

 

Carrying Amount

 

 

 

 

 

At 31 December 2019

177,757

2,205

4,980

4,069

189,011

Included in right-of-use assets are US$1.3 million previously classified as finance leases.

Operational facilities

The main lease commitments included as operational facilities are described below:

Tecon Rio Grande

The Tecon Rio Grande lease was signed on 3 February 1997 for a period of 25 years renewable for a further 25 years. Tecon Rio Grande was granted the right to renew the lease as set out in the contract amendment signed on 7 March 2006 due to compliance with the contractual requirements to make additional investments in expanding the terminal by constructing  a third berth and achieving the minimum annual container volume handled.

Among the commitments set forth in the lease agreement and its addendum are the following:

· A monthly payment for facilities and leased areas;

· A contractual payment per container moved based on minimum forecast volumes. If container volumes moved through the terminal exceed forecast volumes in any given year, additional payments are required;

· A payment per tonne in respect of general cargo handling and unloading.

Tecon Salvador

Tecon Salvador S.A. has the right to lease and operate the container terminal and heavy cargo terminal in the Port of Salvador for 25 years renewed in 2016 for a further 25 years. The total lease term of 50 years, until March 2050, is provided in the second addendum to the rental agreement. This addendum requires the Group to make a minimum specified investment in expanding the leased terminal area.

 

As a result of the lease agreement with CODEBA, Tecon Salvador has the following commitments:

 

· A monthly payment;

· Lease payments for the existing area and the additional area added under the terms of the second contractual addendum;

· A contractual payment per container moved based on minimum forecast volumes and a fee per ton of non-containerised cargo moved based on minimum forecast volumes.

Wilson Sons shipyard

Lease commitments mainly refer to a 60-year right to lease and operate an area located adjacent to our shipyard in Guarujá, São Paulo state. The initial lease of 30 years is renewable for a further period of 30 years at the option of the Group. The area has been used to expand and develop the Wilson Sons shipyard. Management's intention is to exercise the renewal option.

Brasco

The Brasco lease commitments mainly refers to a 30-year lease expiring in 2043 to operate a port area in Caju, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil with convenient access to service the Campos and Santos oil producing basins.

 

Logistics

Lease commitments mainly refer to the bonded terminals and distribution centres located in Santo André, São Paulo state and Suape, Pernambuco state with terms ranging between 18 and 24 years.

Floating craft

Chartering of vessels for maritime transport between port terminals. Payments made relating to the number of vessel trips were not included in the measurement of lease liabilities.

Buildings

The Group has lease commitments for its Brazilian business headquarters, branches and commercial offices in several Brazilian cities.

 

Vehicles, plant and equipment

Rental contracts mainly for forklifts, vehicles for operational, commercial and administrative activities and other operating equipment. 

14.2 Lease liabilities

 

 

 

31 December

 

 

2019

 

Discount rate

US$'000

Lease liabilities by class of asset

Operational facilities

8.75%

183,895

Buildings

8.75%

5,072

Vehicles, plant and equipment

8.88% - 12.90%

2,887

Floating craft

9.25%

2,294

Total

 

194,148

 

 

21,938

 

172,210

 

 

 

31 December

 

 

2019

 

 

US$'000

Maturity analysis - contractual undiscounted cash flows

Within one year

 

22,918

In the second year

 

20,456

In the third to fifth years inclusive

 

60,954

After five years

 

371,236

Total borrowings

 

475,564

Adjustment to present value

 

(281,416)

Total lease liabilities

 

194,148

Inflation adjustment of the lease liabilities

The table below presents the lease liabilities balance considering the projected future inflation rate in the discounted payment flows. For the purposes of this calculation, all other assumptions were maintained.

 

 

31 December

1 January

 

2019

2019

 

US$'000

US$'000

Actual flow

475,564

518,353

Lease liabilities

(281,416)

(324,220)

Embedded interest

194,148

194,133

 

 

14.3 Amounts recognised in profit and loss

 

 

Year ended

 

 

31 December

 

 

2019

 

 

US$'000

 

(13,542)

 

1,153

 

(16,799)

 

887

 

(2,222)

 

(15,852)

 

(908)

(1) The amounts refers to payments which exceeded the minimum forecast volumes of Tecon Rio Grande and Tecon Salvador.

(2) The payments related to the number of vessel trips which were not included in the measurement of lease liabilities.

The Group is unable to estimate the future cash outflows relating to variable lease payments due to operational, economic and foreign exchange uncertainties.

14.4 Amounts recognised in the cash flow statement

 

 

Year ended

 

 

31 December

 

 

2019

 

 

US$'000

 

(6,424)

 

(16,806)

 

(15,852)

 

(2,222)

 

(908)

 

(37,726)

 

15  Other intangible assets

 

Computer Software

Concession -rights

Other

Total

 

US$'000

US$'000

US$'000

US$'000

Cost

 

 

 

 

At 1 January 2018

42,897

25,418

75

68,390

Additions

2,033

-

-

2,033

Disposals

(553)

-

-

(553)

Exchange differences

(2,028)

(3,694)

(11)

(5,733)

At 1 January 2019

 42,349

 21,724

 64

 64,137

Additions

 1,545

-

-

 1,545

Transfers to property, plant and equipment

 (72)

-

-

 (72)

  Impairment charge

-

(488)

-

(488)

Disposals

 (927)

 (422)

 (1)

 (1,350)

Exchange differences

 (475)

 (840)

 (2)

 (1,317)

At 31 December 2019

 42,420

 19,974

 61

 62,455

Amortisation

 

 

 

 

At 1 January 2018

30,372

7,426

-

37,798

Charge for the year

2,784

637

-

3,421

Disposals

(551)

-

-

(551)

Exchange differences

(897)

(1,102)

-

(1,999)

At 1 January 2019

 31,708

 6,961

-

 38,669

Charge for the year

 2,822

 558

-

 3,380

Disposals

 (926)

 (422)

-

 (1,348)

Exchange differences

 (278)

 (281)

-

 (559)

At 31 December 2019

 33,326

 6,816

 - 

 40,142

Carrying amount

 

 

 

 

31 December 2019

 9,094

 13,158

 61

 22,313

31 December 2018

10,641

14,763

64

25,468

The impairment charge in the year refers to the impairment of Brasco's assets as described in note 13.

16  Property, plant and equipment

 

Land and

 

Vehicles, plant

Assets under

 

 

buildings

Floating craft

and equipment

construction

Total

 

US$'000

US$'000

US$'000

US$'000

US$'000

Cost or valuation

 

 

 

 

 

At 1 January 2018

301,306

462,105

259,518

2,760

1,025,689

Additions

16,827

12,620

8,856

21,370

59,673

Transfers

1,163

13,997

(1,163)

(13,997)

-

Exchange differences

(35,009)

-

(33,782)

-

(68,791)

Disposals

(1,781)

-

(2,865)

-

(4,646)

At 1 January 2019

 282,506

 488,722

 230,564

 10,133

 1,011,925

Transfers to right-of-use assets

-

-

 (9,798)

 - 

 (9,798)

Additions

 40,320

 14,450

 27,325

 5,842

 87,937

Transfers

 212

 15,712

 (241)

 (15,683)

 - 

Transfers from intangible assets

 (11)

 (22)

 105

 - 

 72

Exchange differences

 (9,301)

 - 

 (7,662)

 - 

 (16,963)

Disposals

 (294)

 (2,501)

 (9,067)

 - 

 (11,862)

At 31 December 2019

 313,432

 516,361

 231,226

 292

 1,061,311

Accumulated depreciation and impairment

 

 

 

 

 

At 1 January 2018

91,919

167,158

131,731

-

390,808

Charge for the year

8,589

25,499

18,669

-

52,757

Elimination on construction contracts

-

163

-

-

163

Exchange differences

(11,968)

-

(17,461)

-

(29,429)

Disposals

(1,405)

-

(3,420)

-

(4,825)

At 1 January 2019

 87,135

192,820

 129,519

-

 409,474

Transfers to right-of-use assets

-

-

 (7,969)

-

 (7,969)

Charge for the year

 8,018

 26,741

 15,594

-

 50,353

Elimination on construction contracts

-

 128

-

-

 128

Exchange differences

 (2,974)

-

 (4,001)

-

 (6,975)

Disposals

 (234)

 (2,320)

 (8,195)

-

 (10,749)

At 31 December 2019

 91,945

 217,369

 124,948

-

 434,262

 

Carrying Amount

 

 

 

 

 

At 31 December 2019

 221,487

 298,992

 106,278

 292

 627,049

At 31 December 2018

195,371

295,902

101,045

10,133

602,451

Land and buildings with a net book value of US$0.2 million (2018: US$0.2 million) and plant and machinery with a net book value of US$0.2 million (2018: US$0.2 million) have been given in guarantee of various legal processes.

The Group has pledged assets having a carrying amount of US$269.3 million (2018: US$293.8 million) to secure loans granted to the Group.

The amount of borrowing costs capitalised in 2019 is US$2.3 million (2018: US$0.1 million) at an average interest rate of 2.85% (2018: 3.38%).

17  Principal subsidiaries

 

Place of

 

Method used

 

incorporation

Effective

to account

 

and operation

interest*

for investment

OCEAN WILSONS (INVESTMENTS) LIMITED

Bermuda

100%**

Consolidation

Investment holding and dealing company

 

 

 

WILSON SONS LIMITED

Bermuda

58.16%**

Consolidation

Holding company

 

 

 

WILSON, SONS DE ADMINISTRAÇO E COMÉRCIO LTDA

Brazil

58.16%

Consolidation

Holding company

 

 

 

WS PARTICIPAҪES S.A.

Brazil

58.16%

Consolidation

Holding company

 

 

 

WS PARTICIPACIONES S.A.

Uruguay

58.16%

Consolidation

Holding company

 

 

 

WILSON, SONS ADMINISTRAÇO DE BENS LTDA

Brazil

58.16%

Consolidation

Holding company

 

 

 

SAVEIROS CAMUYRANO SERVIÇOS MARÍTIMOS LTDA

Brazil

58.16%

Consolidation

Tug operators

 

 

 

WILSON, SONS S.A., COMÉRCIO, INDÚSTRIA, E AGÉNCIA DENAVEGAÇO LTDA

Brazil

58.16%

Consolidation

Shipbuilders

 

 

 

WILSON, SONS ESTALEIRO LTDA

Brazil

58.16%

Consolidation

Shipbuilders

 

 

 

WILSON SONS AGENCIA MARÍTIMA LTDA

Brazil

58.16%

Consolidation

Ship Agency

 

 

 

TRANSAMERICA VISA SERVIÇOS DE DESPACHOS LTDA

Brazil

58.16%

Consolidation

Ship Agency

 

 

 

WILSON, SONS LOGÍSTICA LTDA

Brazil

58.16%

Consolidation

Logistics

 

 

 

WILPORT OPERADORES PORTUÁRIOS LTDA

Brazil

58.16%

Consolidation

Port operator

 

 

 

EADI SANTO ANDRÉ TERMINAL DE CARGA LTDA

Brazil

58.16%

Consolidation

Bonded warehousing

 

 

 

TECON RIO GRANDE S.A.

Brazil

58.16%

Consolidation

Port operator

 

 

 

BRASCO LOGÍSTICA OFFSHORE LTDA

Brazil

58.16%

Consolidation

Port operator

 

 

 

TECON SALVADOR S.A.

Brazil

58.16%

Consolidation

Port operator

 

 

 

*  Effective interest is the net interest of Ocean Wilsons Holdings Limited after non-controlling interests.

**  Ocean Wilsons Holdings Limited holds direct interests in Ocean Wilsons (Investments) Limited and Wilsons Sons Limited.

The Group also has a 58.16% effective interest in a private investment fund Hydrus Fixed Income Private Credit Investment Fund. This private fund is administrated by Itaú BBA S.A. and the investment policy and objectives are determined by the Wilson Sons treasury department in line with their policy.

18  Joint ventures

The Group holds the following significant interests in joint operations and joint ventures:

 

Place of

 

Proportion of ownership

 

incorporation

 

31 December

31 December

 

and operation

 

2019

2018

Towage

 

 

 

 

Consórcio de Rebocadores Barra de Coqueiros1

Brazil

 

50%

50%

Consórcio de Rebocadores Baia de São Marcos1

Brazil

 

50%

50%

Logistics

 

 

 

 

Porto Campinas, Logística e Intermodal Ltda

Brazil

 

50%

50%

Offshore

 

 

 

 

Wilson, Sons Ultratug Participaçes S.A. 2

Brazil

 

50%

50%

Atlantic Offshore S.A. 3

Panamá

 

50%

50%

1  Joint operations

2         Wilson, Sons Ultratug Participaçes S.A. controls Wilson, Sons Offshore S.A. and Magallanes Navegaço Brasileira S.A. These latter two companies are indirect joint ventures of the Company.

3  Atlantic Offshore S.A. controls South Patagonia S.A. This company is an indirect joint venture of the Company.

Joint operations

The following amounts are included in the Group's financial statements as a result of proportional consolidation of joint operations listed above:

 

Year ended

Year ended

 

31 December

31 December

 

2019

2018

 

US$'000

US$'000

Income

 13,310

14,598

Expenses

 (7,397)

(7,544)

 Profit for the year

5,913

7,054

 

 

31 December

31 December

 

2019

2018

 

US$'000

US$'000

Property, plant and equipment

2,619

2,688

Right-of-use assets

3

-

Intangible assets

13

24

Inventories

482

385

Trade and other receivables

2,365

2,418

Cash and cash equivalents

874

796

Total assets

6,356

6,311

Trade and other payables

(6,235)

(6,172)

Deferred tax liabilities

(118)

(139)

Lease liabilities

(3)

-

Total liabilities

(6,356)

(6,311)

Joint ventures

The aggregated Group's interests in joint ventures are equity accounted.

 

 

Year ended

Year ended

 

31 December

31 December

 

2019

2018

 

US$'000

US$'000

Revenue

130,911

117,055

Raw materials and consumables used

(7,590)

(9,758)

Employee benefits expense

(40,594)

(40,396)

Amortisation of right-of-use assets

(10,205)

-

Depreciation and amortisation expenses

(39,636)

(41,907)

Other operating expenses

(15,037)

(16,390)

Loss on disposals of property, plant and equipment

(2)

(26)

Results from operating activities

17,847

8,578

Finance income

747

302

Finance costs

(18,236)

(17,318)

Foreign exchange (losses)/gains on monetary items

(2,073)

(9,160)

Loss before tax

(1,715)

(17,598)

Income tax credit

2,843

9,474

Profit/(loss) for the year

1,128

(8,124)

Participation

50%

50%

Equity result

564

(4,062)

 

 

31 December

31 December

 

2019

2018

 

US$'000

US$'000

Right-of-use assets

1,160

-

Property, plant and equipment

596,213

628,135

Long-term investment

2,185

2,171

Other assets

11,753

8,821

Trade and other receivables

34,517

24,223

Derivatives

3

507

Cash and cash equivalents

 21,183

18,145

Total assets

667,014

682,002

Bank overdrafts and loans

440,561

484,009

Lease liabilities

(922)

-

Other non-current liabilities

39,884

31,468

Trade and other payables

92,640

77,746

Equity

94,851

88,779

Total liabilities and equity

667,014

682,002


The Group has not given separate disclosure of each of our material joint ventures because they belong to the same economic group. Wilson Sons Limited holds a non-controlling interest in Wilson, Sons Ultratug Particpaçes S.A and Atlantic Offshore S.A. Wilson, Sons Ultratug Participaçes S.A is a controlling shareholder of Wilson, Sons Offshore S.A. and Magallanes Navegaço Brasileira S.A, while Atlantic Offshore S.A. is a controlling shareholder of South Patagonia S.A.

Guarantees

Wilson Sons Ultratug Participaçes S.A. loans with the BNDES are guaranteed by a lien on the financed supply vessel and in the majority of the contracts a corporate guarantee from both Wilson Sons de Administraço e Comércio Ltda and Remolcadores Ultratug Ltda, each guaranteeing 50% of its subsidiary's debt balance with BNDES. A 50% share of the loan agreements amount to US$176.5 million.

Wilson, Sons Ultratug Particpaçes S.A. subsidiary's loan with Banco do Brasil is guaranteed by a pledge over the financed supply vessels. The security package also includes a standby letter of credit issued by Banco de Crédito e Inversiones - Chile for part of the debt balance, assignment of Petrobras' long-term contracts and a corporate guarantee issued by Inversiones Magallanes Ltda - Chile. A cash reserve account, accounted for under long-term investments and funded with US$2.2 million, is to be maintained until full repayment of the loan agreement. A 50% share of the loan agreements amount to US$28.2 million.). 

The loan that Atlantic Offshore S.A. has with Deutsche Verkehrs-Bank "DVB" and Norddeutsche Landesbank Girozentrale Trade "Nord/LB" for the financing of the offshore support vessel "Pardela" is guaranteed by a pledge over the vessel, the shares of Atlantic Offshore S.A. and a corporate guarantee for half of the credit from Wilson Sons de Administraço e Comércio Ltda. Remolcadores Ultratug Ltda, the 50% partner in the business guarantees the other half of the loan. A 50% share of the loan agreements amount to US$11.7 million.

Covenants

At 31 December 2019, Wilson Sons Ultratug Participaçes S.A.´s subsidiary was in compliance with all covenant ratios in respect of the Banco do Brasil loan.

Atlantic Offshore S.A. has to comply with specific financial covenants on its two loan agreements with Deutsche Verkehrs-Bank "DVB" and Norddeutsche Landesbank Girozentrale Trade "Nord/LB". At 31 December 2019 the subsidiary was in compliance with all loan agreement clauses. 

Provisions for tax, labour and civil risks

In the normal course of business in Brazil, the joint ventures remain exposed to numerous local legal claims. It is the joint ventures' policy to vigorously contest such claims, many of which appear to have little merit, and to manage such claims through its legal counsel.

Wilson, Sons Ultratug Participaçes S.A booked provisions related to labour claims amounting to US$100,000 (2018: US$50,000), whose probability of loss was estimated as probable.

In addition to the cases for which the joint ventures have made a provision, there are other tax, civil and labour disputes amounting to US$15.5 million (2018: US$14.5 million) whose probability of loss was estimated by legal counsel as possible.

The breakdown of aggregated possible losses is as follows:

 

31 December

31 December

 

2019

2018

 

US$'000

US$'000

Tax cases

 8,304

6,901

Labour claims

 7,192

7,629

Civil cases

  6

-

Total

15,502

14,530

Below is the reconciliation of the investment in joint ventures recognised in the balance sheet including the impact of profit recognised by joint ventures:

 

US$'000

At 1 January 2018

26,644

Share of result of joint ventures

(4,062)

Capital increase

4,032

Elimination on construction contracts

(86)

Post-employment benefits

(10)

Derivatives

58

Exchange movements

(48)

At 1 January 2019

26,528

Share of result of joint ventures

 564

Capital increase

 3,527

Elimination on construction contracts

 156

Post-employment benefits

 (51)

Derivatives

 (380)

Exchange movements

 (10)

At 31 December 2019

30,334

19 Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss

 

2019

2018

 

US$'000

US$'000

Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss

 

 

At 1 January

287,298

305,070

Additions, at cost

35,489

56,225

Disposals, at market value

(55,882)

(63,992)

Increase/(decrease) in fair value of financial assets at fair value through profit or loss

24,438

(18,654)

Profit on disposal of financial assets at fair value through profit or loss

7,497

8,579

At 31 December

298,840

287,298

Ocean Wilsons (Investment) Limited Portfolio

284,763

258,188

Wilson Sons Limited

14,077

29,110

Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss held at 31 December

298,840

287,298

Wilson Sons Limited

The Wilson Sons Limited investments are held and managed separately from the Ocean Wilsons (Investments) Limited portfolio and consist of US Dollar denominated depository notes.

Ocean Wilsons (Investments) Limited portfolio

The Group has not designated any financial assets that are not classified as trading investments as financial assets at fair value through profit or loss.

Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss above represent investments in listed equity securities, funds and unquoted equities that present the Group with opportunity for return through dividend income and capital appreciation.

Included in financial assets at fair value through profit or loss are open ended funds whose shares may not be listed on a recognised stock exchange but are redeemable for cash at the current net asset value at the option of the Group. They have no fixed maturity or coupon rate. The fair values of these securities are based on quoted market prices where available. Where quoted market prices are not available, fair values are determined by third parties using various valuation techniques that include inputs for the asset or liability that are not based on observable market data (unobservable inputs).

20  Inventories

 

31 December

31 December

 

2019

2018

 

US$'000

US$'000

Operating materials

 9,228

8,906

Raw materials for third party vessel construction

1,279

1,969

Total

10,507

10,875

Inventories are expected to be recovered in less than one year and there were no obsolete items.

21  Trade and other receivables

 

31 December

31 December

 

2019

2018

 

US$'000

US$'000

Trade and other receivables

 

 

Other trade receivables

354

483

Total other non-current trade receivables

354

483

Amount receivable for the sale of services

47,991

59,224

Allowance for bad debts

(837)

(1,490)

Total current trade receivables

47,154

57,734

Prepayments

6,452

10,917

Insurance claim receivable

1,972

3,314

Other receivables

1,165

1,706

Total other current trade receivables

9,589

15,937

Total current trade and other receivables

56,743

73,671

 

 

31 December

31 December

 

2019

2018

Ageing of trade receivables

US$'000

US$'000

Current

37,146

45,243

From 0 - 30 days

 7,641

9,325

From 31 - 90 days

 1,434

2,405

From 91 - 180 days

 694

1,276

More than 180 days

 1,076

973

Total

47,991

59,224

Generally, interest of 1% per month plus a 2% penalty is charged on overdue balances. Allowances for bad debts are recognised as a reduction of receivables and are recognised whenever a loss is identified. As of 1 January 2018, due to the application of IFRS 9, the Group has recognised an allowance for bad debts taking into account an expected credit loss model that involves historical evaluation of effective losses over billing cycles. The period of review is 3.5 years, reassessed every 180 days. The measurement of the default rate considers the recoverability of receivables and will apply according to the payment profile of debtors. The Group will calibrate, when appropriate, the matrix to adjust the historical credit loss experience with forward-looking information. The provision matrix is disclosed in note 35.

 

 

2019

2018

Movement in the allowance for bad debts

US$'000

US$'000

Balance at 1 January 2019

1,490

958

Amounts written off as uncollectable

(28)

(5,171)

(Decrease)/increase in allowance recognised in profit or loss

 (534)

5,861

Exchange differences

 (91)

(158)

Balance at 31 December 2019

837

1,490

The directors consider that the carrying amount of trade and other receivables approximates their fair value and that no additional provision is required in the allowance for bad debts.

22  Recoverable taxes

 

2019

2018

 

US$'000

US$'000

PIS and COFINS recoverable1

 18,467

17,306

FUNDAF recoverable2

 4,578

3,828

Judicial bond recoverable

 2,698

3,681

Other recoverable taxes

 758

788

Total recoverable taxes non-current

26,501

25,603

PIS and COFINS recoverable1

 11,764

12,993

Income tax and social contribution recoverable

 8,377

5,718

FUNDAF recoverable2

 1,954

2,819

Judicial bond recoverable

 1,911

-

ISS recoverable3

 1,264

1,303

INSS recoverable4

 238

409

Other recoverable taxes

 39

41

Total recoverable taxes current

25,547

23,283

Total

52,048

48,886

1)  The PIS (Program of Social Integration) and COFINS (Contribution for the Financing of Social Security) are Brazilian federal taxes based on the turnover of companies.

2)  FUNDAF (Fundo Especial de Desenvolvimento e Aperfeiçoamento das Atividades de Fiscalizaço) is a Brazilian sales tax charged on the gross sales revenue in ports and bonded airports.

3)  The Brazilian Municipal Service Tax, ISS ( Imposto Sobre Serviços) is a tax levied on the provision of services.

4)  INSS (Instituto Nacional do Seguro Social) is a Brazilian payroll tax.

The Group reviews taxes and levies impacting its business to ensure that payments are accurately made. In the event that tax credits arise, the Group intends to use them in future years within their legal term. If the Group does not utilise the tax credit within their legal term, a reimbursement of such amounts will be requested from the Brazilian Internal Revenue Service ("Receita Federal do Brasil").

23  Bank loans and overdrafts

 

Annual

31 December

31 December

 

interest rate

2019

2018

 

%

US$'000

US$'000

Secured borrowings

 

 

 

BNDES - FMM linked to US Dollar¹

2.07% to 5%

148,564

152,002

BNDES - Real

5.95% to 8.54%

39,807

14,267

BNDES - FMM Real¹

9.28%

1,064

1,250

BNDES - Finame Real²

4.50% to 5.50%

35

150

Total BNDES

 

189,470

167,669

Banco do Brasil - FMM linked to US Dollar¹

2.00% - 3.00%

79,535

85,142

Bradesco - NCE - Real³

6.70%

50,043

-

Itaú - NCE - Real³

5.88%

15,930

-

Santander - US Dollar

3.97%

-

25,523

IFC - US Dollar

7.00%

-

21,547

China Construction Bank - US Dollar

6.14%

-

6,364

Eximbank - US Dollar

6.22%

-

1,061

Total others

 

145,508

139,637

Total

 

334,978

307,306

1.  As an agent of Fundo da Marinha Mercante's ("FMM"), Banco Nacional de Desenvolvimento Econômico e Social ("BNDES") and Banco do Brasil ("BB") finances the construction of tugboats and shipyard facilities.

2.  Finame is the financing for the acquisition of machinery and equipment.

3.  NCE is an export credit note.

The breakdown of bank overdrafts and loans by maturity is as follows:

 

31 December

31 December

 

2019

2018

 

US$'000

US$'000

Within one year

 36,636

60,209

In the second year

 41,492

30,504

In the third to fifth years (inclusive)

 106,523

79,460

After five years

 150,327

137,133

Total

334,978

307,306

Amounts due for settlement within 12 months

 36,636

60,209

Amounts due for settlement after 12 months

 298,342

247,097

The analysis of borrowings by currency is as follows: 

 

 

BRL

 

 

 

 

linked to

 

 

 

BRL

US Dollars

US Dollars

Total

 

US$'000

US$'000

US$'000

US$'000

31 December 2019

 

 

 

 

Bank loans

106,879

228,099

-

334,978

Total

106,879

228,099

-

334,978

31 December 2018

 

 

 

 

Bank loans

15,667

237,144

54,495

307,306

Total

15,667

237,144

54,495

307,306

Loan agreement for civil works

In December 2018, the subsidiary Tecon Salvador S.A. signed a US$67.9 million financing agreement with the BNDES, to be used for civil works during the terminal's expansion. During 2019 US$29.7 million of the loan was disbursed. Due to the new financing contract, the loan agreement with the IFC was prepaid on the 30 January 2019.

Guarantees

Loans with the BNDES and Banco do Brasil rely on corporate guarantees from Wilson Sons de Administraço e Comércio Ltda. For some contracts, the corporate guarantee is in addition to a pledge of the respective financed tugboat or a lien over the logistics and port operations equipment financed.

The loan agreement for Tecon Salvador from the International Finance Corporation ("IFC") was guaranteed by the subsidiary's shares, along with receivables, plant and equipment, until its prepayment in full on 30 January 2019.

The loan agreement for Tecon Rio Grande from the Export-Import Bank of China for the purchase of equipment is guaranteed by a standby letter of credit issued by Itaú BBA S.A, which in turn had a pledge on the equipment financed until its payment in full on the 21 January 2019.

The loan agreement for Tecon Rio Grande from Banco Santander for the purchase of equipment relies on a corporate guarantee from Wilson, Sons de Administraço e Comércio Ltda.

The loan agreement for Tecon Rio Grande from Banco Itaú for the purchase of equipment relies on a corporate guarantee from Wilport Operadores Portuários Ltda.

The loan agreement for Tecon Salvador from Banco Bradesco for purchase of equipment relies on a corporate guarantee from Wilport Operadores Portuários Ltda.

Undrawn credit facilities

At 31 December 2019, the Group had available US$104.3 million of undrawn borrowing facilities. For each disbursement there is a set of conditions precedent that must be satisfied.

Covenants

Wilson, Sons de Administraço e Comércio Ltda. as corporate guarantor has to comply with annual loan covenants for both Wilson Sons Estaleiros, Brasco Logística Offshore and Saveiros Camuryano Serviços Maritimos S.A. in respect of loan agreements signed with BNDES.

Wilport Operadores Portuários Ltda as corporate guarantor for loan agreements signed between BNDES and Tecon Salvador S.A. has to comply with annual loan covenants including ratios of debt service coverage, net debt ratio over EBITDA and equity over total assets. For the BNDES agreements Tecon Salvador has to comply with a debt service coverage ratio covenant. The ratios are calculated excluding the impact of IFRS16.

Tecon Rio Grande S.A. has to comply with loan covenants from Santander including a minimum liquidity ratio and capital structure.

At 31 December 2019, the Group was in compliance with all covenants in the above mentioned loan contracts.

Fair value

The directors estimate the fair value of the Group's borrowings as follows:

 

31 December

31 December

 

2019

2018

 

US$'000

US$'000

Bank loans

 

 

BNDES

 189,470

167,669

Banco do Brasil

 79,535

85,142

Bradesco - NCE - Real

 50,043

-

Itaú

 15,930

-

Santander

-

25,523

IFC

-

21,547

China Construction Bank

-

6,364

Eximbank China

-

1,061

Total

334,978

307,306

24  Deferred tax

The following are the major deferred tax assets and liabilities recognised by the Group and movements thereon during the current and prior reporting period.

 

 

Unrealised foreign exchange

 

 

 

Retranslation of

 

 

Accelerated tax

variance on

Other

non-current asset

 

 

depreciation

loans

differences

valuation

Total

 

US$'000

US$'000

US$'000

US$'000

US$'000

At 1 January 2018

(38,108)

26,684

33,473

(44,941)

(22,892)

(Charge)/credit to income

(6,218)

10,137

8,508

(9,826)

2,601

Compensation of tax losses

-

-

(1,679)

-

(1,679)

Exchange differences

5,998

(4,647)

(1,181)

-

170

At 1 January 2019

(38,328)

32,174

39,121

(54,767)

(21,800)

(Charge)/credit to income

 (587)

 (1,978)

2,849

 592

 876

Exchange differences

 1,641

 (817)

(605)

 - 

219

At 31 December 2019

 (37,274)

 29,379

41,365 

 (54,175)

 (20,705)

Certain tax assets and liabilities have been offset on an entity by entity basis. The following is the analysis of the deferred tax balances (after offset) for financial reporting purposes.

 

31 December

31 December

 

2019

2018

 

US$'000

US$'000

Deferred tax liabilities

 (52,525)

(50,023)

Deferred tax assets

31,820

28,223

 

(20,705)

(21,800)

At the balance sheet date the Group had unused tax losses of US$64.0 million (2018: US$46.2 million) available for offset against future profits in the company in which they arose. No deferred tax asset has been recognised in respect of US$6.3 million (2018: US$4.4 million) due to the unpredictability of future profit streams. In Brazil a tax asset of one entity in the Group cannot be offset against a tax liability of another entity in the Group as there is no legally enforceable right to offset tax assets and liabilities between Group companies.

Retranslation of non-current asset valuation deferred tax arises on Brazilian property, plant and equipment held in US dollar functional currency businesses. Deferred tax is calculated on the difference between the historical US Dollar balances recorded in the Group's accounts and the Brazilian Real balances used in the Group's Brazilian tax calculations.

Deferred tax on exchange variance on loans arises from exchange gains or losses on the Group's US Dollar and Brazilian Real denominated loans linked to the US Dollar that are not deductible or payable for tax in the period they arise. Exchange gains on these loans are taxable when settled and not in the period in which gains arise.

25  Trade and other payables

 

31 December

31 December

 

2019

2018

 

US$'000

US$'000

Trade creditors

20,400

21,510

Other taxes

9,848

11,215

Salaries, provisions and social contribution

18,544

16,585

Accruals and deferred income

7,630

8,145

Share based payment liability

186

185

Total

56,608

57,640

Trade creditors and accruals principally comprise amounts outstanding for trade purposes and ongoing costs.

The average credit period for trade purchases is 29 days (2018: 26 days). For most suppliers, interest is charged on outstanding trade payable balances at various interest rates. The Group has financial risk management policies in place to ensure that payables are paid within the credit timeframe.

The directors consider that the carrying amount of trade payables approximates their fair value.

Taxes Payable

 

2019

2018

 

US$'000

US$'000

INSS payable

4,041

4,125

PIS and COFINS payable

1,853

2,768

ISS payable

1,686

1,956

Income tax payable

1,365

1,342

FGTS¹ payable

668

643

Other payable taxes

235

381

Total current taxes payable

9,848

11,215

1.  FGTS is Fundo de Garantia do Tempo de Serviço and is a fund for dismissed employees.

26  Provisions for tax, labour and civil cases

 

Labour claims

Tax cases

Civil cases

Total

 

US$'000

US$'000

US$'000

US$'000

Cost

 

 

 

 

At 1 January 2018

14,942

2,468

822

18,232

Increase in provisions in the year

3,297

754

15

4,066

Utilisation of provisions

(2,197)

-

(14)

(2,211)

Exchange difference

(2,229)

(384)

(139)

(2,752)

At 1 January 2019

13,813

2,838

684

17,335

Increase in provisions in the year

1,326

322

1,445

3,093

Utilisation of provisions

(3,878)

(977)

(308)

(5,163)

Exchange difference

(557)

(73)

8

(622)

At 31 December 2019

10,704

2,110

1,829

14,643

In the normal course of business in Brazil, the Group is exposed to numerous local legal claims. It is the Group's policy to vigorously contest such claims, many of which appear to have little substance or merit, and to manage such claims through its legal counsel. Both provisions and contingent liabilities can take a significant amount of time to resolve.

Other non-current assets of US$9.4 million (2018: US$7.4 million) represent legal deposits required by the Brazilian legal authorities as security to contest legal actions.

In addition to the cases where the Group has booked a provision, there are other tax, civil and labour disputes amounting to US$103.6 million (2018: US$120.2 million) where the probability of loss was estimated by the legal counsels as possible.

The analysis of possible claims by type is as follows:

 

31 December

31 December

 

2019

2018

 

US$'000

US$'000

Tax cases

78,258

86,204

Labour claims

14,223

18,839

Civil and environmental cases

11,108

15,156

Total

103,589

120,199

The main probable and possible claims against the Group are described below:

Tax cases - The Group defends against government tax assessments considered inappropriate.

Labour claims - Most claims involve payment of health risks, additional overtime and other allowances.

Civil and environmental cases - Indemnification claims involving material damage, environmental and shipping claims and other contractual disputes.

The procedure for classification of legal liabilities identifies claims as probable, possible or remote, as assessed by the external lawyers is:

● upon receipt of notices of new lawsuits, external lawyers generally classify the claim as possible recorded at the total amount at risk. The Group uses the estimated value at risk and not the total claim value involved in each process;

● if there is sufficient knowledge from the beginning that there is a very high or very low risk of loss, the lawyer may classify the claim as a probable loss or remote loss;

● during the course of the lawsuit the lawyer may re-classify the claim as a probable loss or remote loss based on information available including judicial decisions, legal precedents, claimant arguments, applicable laws, defence documentation and other variables; and

● When classifying the claim as a probable loss, the lawyer estimates the amount at risk for the claim.

Management are not able to give an indication of when the provisions are likely to be utilised as the majority of the litigation involves a high degree of uncertainty as to when the cases will be resolved.

27  Share capital

 

2019

2018

 

US$'000

US$'000

Authorised

 

 

50,060,000 ordinary shares of 20p each

16,119

16,119

Issued and fully paid

 

 

35,363,040 ordinary shares of 20p each

11,390

11,390

The Company has one class of ordinary share which carries no right to fixed income.

Share capital is converted at the exchange rate prevailing at 31 December 2002, the date at which the Group's presentational currency changed from Sterling to US Dollars, being US$1.61 to £1.

28  Exercise of stock options in subsidiary

During 2019 participants of the Wilson Sons Limited stock option scheme exercised 17,400 options. As a result the non-controlling interest in Wilson Sons Limited increased from 41.83% at 31 December 2018 to 41.84% at 31 December 2019. The Group received US$133,000 (2018: US$190,000) from the exercise of stock options in the period.

 

2019

2018

 

US$'000

US$'000

The following amounts have been recognised in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income

 

 

Movement attributable to equity holders of parent

61

96

Movement attributable to non-controlling interest

72

94

29  Notes to the cash flow statement

 

Year ended

Year ended

 

31 December

31 December

 

2019

2018

 

US$'000

US$'000

Reconciliation from profit before tax to net cash from operating activities

 

 

Profit before tax

82,530

60,238

Share of results of joint venture

(564)

4,062

Returns on investment portfolio at FVTPL

(34,716)

7,942

Other investment income

(6,052)

(4,152)

Finance costs

27,736

22,951

Foreign exchange losses on monetary items

79

8,459

Operating profit

69,013

99,500

Adjustments for:

 

 

Amortisation of right-of-use assets

12,389

-

Depreciation of property, plant and equipment

50,353

52,757

Impairment charge

13,025

-

Amortisation of intangible assets

3,380

3,421

Share based payment credit

370

1,331

(Gain)/loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment

(294)

296

Increase/(decrease) in provisions

421

(418)

Operating cash flows before movements in working capital

148,657

156,887

Decrease in inventories

368

2,898

Decrease in receivables

16,213

1,228

Decrease in payables

(1,525)

(7,219)

(Increase)/decrease in other non-current assets

(5,123)

2,089

Cash generated by operations

158,590

155,883

Income taxes paid

(23,324)

(30,079)

Interest paid

(28,957)

(12,094)

Net cash from operating activities

106,309

113,710

Non-cash movements in financing

In addition to the cashflow movements in financing arrangements the group was subject to the following non cash movements:

● Exchange losses of $0.8m (2018: $10m)

● Increases in lease liabilities resulting from modifications of $14.4m (2018: $nil)

Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash held by the Group and short-term bank deposits with an original maturity of three months or less. The carrying amount of these assets approximates their fair value.

Exclusive investment fund

The Group has investments in an exclusive investment fund managed by Itaú BBA S.A. that is consolidated in these financial statements. The fund portfolio is marked to fair value on a daily basis. This fund's financial obligations are limited to service fees to the asset management company employed to execute investment transactions, audit fees and other similar expenses. The fund's investments are highly liquid, readily convertible to known amounts of cash and subject to insignificant risk of changes in value.

Additionally, the Group has investments in an exchange fund managed by Itaú Cambial FICFI to reduce the currency volatility of US Dollar linked commitments.

Cash and cash equivalents held in Brazil amount to US$35.7 million (2018: US$28.2 million).

Cash equivalents are held for the purpose of meeting short-term cash commitments and not for investment purposes.

30  Contingent liabilities

In the normal course of business in Brazil, the Group continues to be exposed to numerous local legal claims. It is the Group's policy to contest such claims vigorously, many of which appear to have little merit, and to manage such claims through its legal advisers. The total estimated contingent claims at 31 December 2019 are US$103.6 million (2018: US$120.2 million). These have not been provided for as the directors and the Group's legal advisors do not consider that there are any probable losses. Contingent liabilities relate to labour, civil and environmental and tax claims.

31  Share options

Stock option scheme

On 13 November 2013 the board of Wilson Sons Limited approved a Stock Option Plan which allowed for the grant of options to eligible participants to be selected by the board. The shareholders of Wilson Sons Limited in a special general meeting approved the plan on the 8 January 2014 including an increase in the authorised capital of Wilson Sons Limited through the creation of up to 4,410,927 new shares. The options provide participants with the right to acquire shares via Brazilian Depositary Receipts ("BDR") in Wilson Sons Limited at a predetermined fixed price not less than the three-day average mid-price for the days preceding the date of option issuance. The Stock Option Plan is detailed below:

 

 

 

Original

 

Exercise

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Grant

vesting

Expiry

price

 

 

 

 

Outstanding

Total

Options series

date

date

date

(R$)

Number

Expired

Exercised

Vested

not Vested

Subsisting

07 ESO - 3 Year

10/1/2014

10/1/2017

10/1/2024

31.23

961,653

(178,695)

(39,039)

749,661

-

743,919

07 ESO - 4 Year

10/1/2014

10/1/2018

10/1/2024

31.23

961,653

(178,695)

(39,039)

749,661

-

743,919

07 ESO - 5 Year

10/1/2014

10/1/2019

10/1/2024

31.23

990,794

(184,110)

(27,982)

-

-

778,702

07 ESO - 3 Year

13/11/2014

13/11/2017

13/11/2024

33.98

45,870

(12,870)

(3,630)

29,370

-

29,370

07 ESO - 4 Year

13/11/2014

13/11/2018

13/11/2024

33.98

45,870

(12,870)

(3,630)

29,370

-

29,370

07 ESO - 5 Year

13/11/2014

13/11/2019

13/11/2024

33.98

47,260

(13,260)

(3,740)

-

-

30,260

07 ESO - 3 Year

11/08/2016

11/08/2019

11/08/2026

34.03

82,500

-

-

-

-

82,500

07 ESO - 4 Year

11/08/2016

11/08/2020

11/08/2026

34.03

82,500

-

-

-

82,500

82,500

07 ESO - 5 Year

11/08/2016

11/08/2021

11/08/2026

34.03

85,000

-

-

-

85,000

85,000

07 ESO - 3 Year

16/05/2017

16/05/2020

15/05/2027

38.00

20,130

-

-

-

20,130

20,130

07 ESO - 4 Year

16/05/2017

16/05/2021

15/05/2027

38.00

20,130

-

-

-

20,130

20,130

07 ESO - 5 Year

16/05/2017

16/05/2022

15/05/2027

38.00

20,740

-

-

-

20,740

20,740

07 ESO - 3 Year

09/11/2017

09/11/2020

09/11/2027

40.33

23,760

(11,880)

-

-

11,880

11,880

07 ESO - 4 Year

09/11/2017

09/11/2021

09/11/2027

40.33

23,760

(11,880)

-

-

11,880

11,880

07 ESO - 5 Year

09/11/2017

09/11/2022

09/11/2027

40.33

24,480

(12,240)

-

-

12,240

12,240

Total

 

 

 

 

3,436,100

(616,500)

 (117,060)

2,438,040

264,500

2,702,540

The following table illustrates the number and weighted average exercise prices (WAEP) of and movements in share options over the last two years.

 

 

Number

WAEP (R$)

 

 

 

Subsisting at 1 January 2018

2,779,700

31.95

Exercised during the year ¹

(23,760)

31.23

Subsisting at 31 December 2018

2,755,940

31.96

Exercised during the year ²

(17,400)

31.23

Expired during the year

(36,000)

40.33

Subsisting at 31 December 2019

2,702, 540

31.85

¹ The weighted average share price at the date of exercise of these options was R$42.80.

² The weighted average share price at the date of exercise of these options was R$40.87.

The options terminate on the expiry date or immediately on the resignation of the director or senior employee, whichever is earlier. Options lapse if not exercised within 6 months of the date that the participant ceases to be employed or hold office within the Group by reason of, amongst others: injury, disability or retirement; or dismissal without just cause.

The following Fair Value expense of the grant to be recorded as a liability in the respective accounting periods was determined using the Binomial model based on the assumptions detailed below:

 

 

Projected IFRS2

 

Fair Value expense

Period

US$'000

10 January 2014

2,826

10 January 2015

3,296

10 January 2016

3,409

10 January 2017

2,331

10 January 2018

1,303

10 January 2019

370

10
January 2020

206

10
January 2021

99

10
January 2022

27

Total

13,867

 

 

10 January

13 November

11 August

16 May

9 November

 

2014

2014

2016

2017

2017

Closing share price (in Real)

R$30.05

R$33.50

R$32.15

R$38.00

R$38.01

Expected volatility

28.00%

29.75%

31.56%

31.82%

31.82%

Expected life

10 years

10 years

10 years

10 years

10 years

Risk free rate

10.8%

12.74%

12.03%

10.17%

10.17%

Expected dividend yield

1.7%

4.8%

4.8%

4.8%

4.8%

Expected volatility was determined by calculating the historical volatility of the Wilson Son's share price. The expected life used in the model has been adjusted based on management's best estimate for exercise restrictions and behavioural considerations.

32  Commitments

At 31 December 2019 the Group had entered into commitment agreements with respect to the investment portfolio. These commitments relate to capital subscription agreements entered into by Ocean Wilsons (Investments) Limited. The expiry dates of the outstanding commitments in question may be analysed as follows:

 

 

2019

2018

 

US$'000

US$'000

Within one year

2,978

4,416

In the second to fifth year inclusive

4,453

5,305

After five years

32,222

25,903

 

39,653

35,624

There may be situations when commitments may be extended by the manager of the underlying structure beyond the initial expiry date dependent upon the terms and conditions of each individual structure.

At 31 December 2019, the Group had entered into contractual commitments for the acquisition of property, plant and equipment amounting to US$3.0 million (2018: US$52.1 million). The amount mainly relates to capital expenditure for the Salvador container terminal.

33  Retirement benefit schemes

Defined contribution schemes

The Group operates defined contribution retirement benefit schemes for all qualifying employees of its Brazilian business. The assets of the scheme are held separately from those of the Group in funds under the control of independent managers.

The total cost charged to the income statement of US$0.7 million (2018: US$1.1 million) represents contributions payable to the scheme by the Group at rates specified in the rules of the plan.

34  Related party transactions

Transactions between the Company and its subsidiaries which are related parties have been eliminated on consolidation and are not disclosed in this note. Transactions between the Group and its associates, joint ventures and other investments are disclosed below:

 

 

Revenue from services

Amounts paid/ Cost of services

 

 

31 December

31 December

31 December

31 December

 

 

2019

2018

2019

2018

 

 

US$'000

US$'000

US$'000

US$'000

Joint ventures

 

 

 

 

1.

Allink Transportes Internacionais Limitada1

-

8

(339)

(376)

2.

Consórcio de Rebocadores Barra de Coqueiros

 

-

-

 

-

-

3.

Consórcio de Rebocadores Baía de São Marcos

470

26

-

-

4.

Wilson Sons Ultratug Participaçes S.A. and subsidiaries7

584

2,250

-

-

5.

Atlantic offshore S.A.8

-

-

-

-

Others

 

 

 

 

6.

Hanseatic Asset Management LBG2

-

-

(3,417)

(2,742)

7.

Gouvêa Vieira Advogados3

-

-

(66)

(66)

8.

CMMR Intermediacão Comercial Limitada4

-

-

(81)

(87)

9.

Jofran Services5

-

-

(178)

(173)

10.

Hansa Capital GmbH6

-

-

(98)

(93)

 

 

 

Amounts owed

Amounts owed

 

 

by related parties

to related parties

 

 

31 December

31 December

31 December

31 December

 

 

2019

2018

2019

2018

 

 

US$'000

US$'000

US$'000

US$'000

Joint ventures

 

 

 

 

1.

Allink Transportes Internacionais Limitada1

-

-

(28)

(1)

2.

Consórcio de Rebocadores Barra de Coqueiros

62

85

-

-

3.

Consórcio de Rebocadores Baía de São Marcos

2,383

2,199

-

-

4.

Wilson Sons Ultratug Participaçes S.A.  and subsidiaries7

10,088

10,072

-

-

5.

Atlantic offshore S.A.8

20,167

20,167

-

-

Others

 

 

 

 

6.

Hanseatic Asset Management LBG2

-

-

(902)

(256)

7.

Gouvêa Vieira Advogados3

-

-

-

-

8.

CMMR Intermediacão Comercial Limitada4

-

-

-

-

9.

Jofran Services5

-

-

-

-

10.

Hansa Capital GmbH6

 

-

 

-

1.  Mr A C Baião, a director of Wilson Sons Limited is a shareholder and Director of Allink Transportes Internacionais Limitada. Allink Transportes Internacionais Limitada is 50% owned by the Group.

2.  Mr W H Salomon is chairman of Hanseatic Asset Management LBG. Fees were paid to Hanseatic Asset Management LBG for acting as Investment Manager of the Group's investment portfolio.

3.  Mr J F Gouvêa Vieira is a partner in the law firm Gouvêa Vieira Advogados. Fees were paid to Gouvêa Vieira Advogados for legal services.

4.  Mr C M Marote, a Director of Wilson Sons Limited is a shareholder and Director of CMMR Intermediacão Comercial Limitada. Fees were paid to CMMR Intermediacão Comercial Limitada for consultancy services.

5.  Mr J F Gouvêa Vieira is a Director of Jofran Services. Directors' fees were paid to Jofran Services.

6.  Mr C Townsend is a Director of Hansa Capital GmbH. Directors' fees were paid to Hansa Capital GmbH.

7.  Related party loans with Wilson, Sons Ultratug Participaçes S.A.  (interest - 0.3% per month with no maturity date) and other trade payables and receivables from Wilson, Sons Offshore S.A. and Magallanes Navegaço Brasileira S.A.  

8.  Related party loans with Atlantic Offshore S.A. (with no interest and with no maturity date).

Remuneration of key management personnel

The remuneration of the executive directors and other key management of the Group is set out below in aggregate for the categories specified in IAS 24 Related Party Disclosures.

 

 

Year ended

Year ended

 

2019

2018

 

US$'000

US$'000

Short-term employee benefits

7,958

9,798

Other long-term employee benefits

1,069

1,132

Share options issued

370

1,303

Share-based payment

-

28

 

9,397

12,261

35  Financial instruments

Capital risk management

The Group manages its capital to ensure that entities in the Group will be able to continue as a going concern. The capital structure of the Group consists of debt, which includes the borrowings disclosed in note 23, cash and cash equivalents and equity attributable to equity holders of the parent company comprising issued capital, reserves and retained earnings disclosed in the consolidated statement of changes in equity.

The Group borrows to fund capital projects and looks to cash flow from these projects to meet repayments. Working capital is funded through cash generated by operating revenues.

Externally imposed capital requirement

The Group is not subject to any externally imposed capital requirements.

Significant accounting policies

Details of significant accounting policies and methods adopted, including the criteria for recognition, the basis of measurement and the basis on which income and expense are recognised, in respect of each class of financial asset, financial liability and equity instrument are disclosed in note 2 to the financial statements.

Categories of financial instruments

 

 

31 December

31 December

 

2019

2018

 

US$'000

US$'000

Financial assets

 

 

Designated as fair value through profit or loss

284,763

258,188

Receivables (including cash and cash equivalents)

141,943

167,895

Financial liabilities

 

 

Financial instruments classified as amortised cost

(575,866)

(353,836)

Financial instruments classified as cash flow hedge (Derivatives)

-

(422)

Financial risk management objectives

The Wilson Sons corporate treasury function provides services to the business, co-ordinates access to domestic and international financial markets and manages the financial risks relating to the operations of the Group. A financial risk committee meets regularly to assess financial risks and decide mitigation based on guidelines stated in the Wilson Sons financial risk policy. The primary objective is to minimise exposure to those risks by assessing and controlling the credit and liquidity risks. These risks include market risk (including currency risk, interest rate risk and price risk), credit risk and liquidity risk.

The Group may use derivative financial instruments to hedge these risk exposures. The Group does not enter into trading financial instruments, including derivative financial instruments for speculative purposes.

Credit risk

The Group's principal financial assets are cash, trade and other receivables, related party loans and financial assets designated as fair value through profit or loss. The Group's credit risk is primarily attributable to its bank balances, trade receivables, related party loans and investments. The amounts presented as receivables in the balance sheet are shown net of allowances for bad debts.

The Wilson Sons Group invests temporary cash surpluses in government and private bonds, according to regulations approved by management, which follow the Wilson Sons Group policy on credit risk concentration. Credit risk on investments in non-government backed bonds is mitigated by investing only in assets issued by leading financial institutions.

The credit risk on liquid funds is limited because the counterparties are banks with high credit ratings assigned by international credit-rating agencies. The credit risk on investments held for trading is limited because the counterparties with whom the Group transacts are regulated institutions or banks with high credit ratings. The Company's appointed Investment Manager, Hanseatic Asset Management LBG, evaluates the credit risk on trading investments prior to and during the investment period.

In addition the Group invests in limited partnerships and other similar investment vehicles. The level of credit risk associated with such investments is dependent upon the terms and conditions and the management of the investment vehicles. The Board reviews all investments at its regular meetings from reports prepared by the Group's Investment Manager.

The Group has no significant concentration of credit risk. Regular credit evaluation is performed on the financial condition of accounts receivable.

Operational trade receivables

An impairment analysis is performed at each reporting date using a provision matrix to measure expected credit losses. The provision matrix is initially based on the Group's historical observed default rates. The Group evaluates the concentration of risk with respect to trade receivables and contract assets as low, as historically trade receivables are generally received in 30 days.

 

 

 

1 - 30

31 - 90

91 -180

More than

 

31 December 2019

Current

days

days

days

180 days

Total

 

US$'000

US$'000

US$'000

US$'000

US$'000

US$'000

Expected credit loss rate

0.19%

0.19%

1.78%

12.11%

60.38%

 

Receivables for services

37,146

7,641

1,434

694

1,076

47,991

Accumulated credit loss

 (63)

 (15)

 (26)

 (84)

 (649)

 (837)

 

 

 

1 - 30

31 - 90

91 -180

More than

 

31 December 2018

Current

days

days

days

180 days

Total

 

US$'000

US$'000

US$'000

US$'000

US$'000

US$'000

Expected credit loss rate

0.25%

0.25%

8.07%

32.01%

74.20%

 

Receivables for services

45,245

9,325

2,405

1,276

973

59,224

Accumulated credit loss

(141)

(24)

(194)

(409)

(722)

(1,490)

Market risk

The Group's activities expose it primarily to the financial risks of changes in foreign currency exchange rates, interest rates and market prices.

Foreign currency risk management

The Group undertakes certain transactions denominated or linked to foreign currencies and therefore exposures to exchange rate fluctuations arise. The Group operates principally in Brazil with a substantial proportion of the Group's revenue, expenses, assets and liabilities denominated in the Real. Due to the high cost of hedging the Real, the Group does not normally hedge its net exposure to the Real, as the Board does not consider it economically viable.

Cash flows from investments in fixed assets are denominated in Real and US Dollars. These investments are subject to currency fluctuations between the time that the price of goods or services are settled and the actual payment date. The resources and their application are monitored with the objective of matching the currency cash flows and due dates. The Group has contracted US Dollar-denominated and Real-denominated debt and the cash and cash equivalents balances are also US Dollar-denominated and Real-denominated.

In general terms, for operating cash flows, the Group seeks to neutralise the currency risk by matching assets (receivables) and liabilities (payments). Furthermore the Group seeks to generate an operating cash surplus in the same currency in which the debt service of each business is denominated.

The carrying amount of the Group's foreign currency denominated monetary assets and monetary liabilities at the reporting date are as follows:

 

Liabilities

Assets

 

2019

2018

2019

2018

 

US$'000

US$'000

US$'000

US$'000

Real

382,285

109,764

174,900

179,031

Sterling

21

59

11,094

11,373

Euro

-

-

27,033

21,590

Yen

-

-

4,022

5,333

 

382,306

109,823

217,049

217,327

Foreign currency sensitivity analysis

The Group is primarily exposed to unfavourable movements in the Real on its Brazilian liabilities held by US Dollar functional currency entities.

The sensitivity analysis below refers to the position at 31 December 2019 and estimates the impacts of a Real devaluation against the US Dollar. Three exchange rate scenarios are shown: a likely scenario (probable) and two possible scenarios of a 25% devaluation (possible) and a 50% devaluation (remote) in the exchange rate. The Group uses the Brazilian Central Bank's "Focus" report to determine the probable scenario.

 

 

 

 

 

31 December 2019

 

 

 

 

 

Exchange rates

Operation

Risk

Amount

Result

 

Probable

Possible

Remote

 

 

US Dollars

 

 

scenario

scenario

scenario

 

 

 

 

 

 

(25%)

(50%)

Exchange rate

 

 

 

 

4.05

5.06

6.08

 

 

 

 

 

US$'000

US$'000

US$'000

Total assets

BRL

174,900

Exchange effects

 

 (815)

 (34,844)

 (57,530)

Total liabilities

BRL

382,285

Exchange effects

 

 1,822

 77,914

 128,643

 

 

 

Net effect

 

 1,007

 43,070

 71,113

 

 

 

 

 

 

31 December 2018

 

 

 

 

 

Exchange rates

Operation

Risk

Amount

Result

 

Probable

Possible

Remote

 

 

US Dollars

 

 

scenario

scenario

scenario

 

 

 

 

 

 

(25%)

(50%)

Exchange rate

 

 

 

 

3.75

4.69

5.63

 

 

 

 

 

US$'000

US$'000

US$'000

Total assets

BRL

179,031

Exchange Effects

 

5,873

(30,597)

(54,910)

Total liabilities

BRL

109,764

Exchange Effects

 

(3,653)

19,030

34,153

 

 

 

Net Effect

 

2,220

(11,567)

(20,757)

The Real foreign currency impact is mainly attributable to the exposure of outstanding Real receivables and payables of the Group at the year end. In management's opinion, the sensitivity analysis is unrepresentative of the inherent foreign exchange risk as the year end exposure does not reflect the exposure during the year.

Interest rate risk management

The Group is exposed to interest rate risk as entities in the Group borrow funds at both fixed and floating interest rates. The Group holds most of its debts linked to fixed rates. Most of the Group's fixed rate loans are with the FMM (Fundo da Marinha Mercante).

Other loans exposed to floating rates are as follows:

● TJLP (Brazilian Long-Term Interest Rate) for Brazilian Real denominated funding through a FINAME credit line for port and logistics operations;

● DI (Brazilian Interbank Interest Rate) for Brazilian Real denominated funding in logistics operations; and

● 6-month LIBOR (London Interbank Offered Rate) for US Dollar denominated funding for port operations (Eximbank).

The Group's Brazilian Real-denominated investments yield interest rates corresponding to the DI daily fluctuation for privately issued securities and/or "Selic-Over" government-issued bonds. The US Dollar-denominated investments are partly in time deposits, with short-term maturities.

The Group has floating rate financial assets consisting of bank balances principally denominated in US Dollars and Real that bear interest at rates based on the banks floating interest rate.

Interest rate sensitivity analysis

The following sensitivity analysis estimates changes in income or expenses linked to the transactions and scenarios shown without considering their fair value. For floating rate liabilities and investments the analysis is prepared assuming the liability outstanding or cash invested at the balance sheet date was outstanding or invested for the whole year.

 

 

 

 

31 December 2019

Transaction

 

 

 

Probable

Possible

Remote

 

 

 

 

scenario

scenario

scenario

 

 

 

 

 

25%

50%

Loans - LIBOR4

 

 

 

1.97%

2.46%

2.95%

Loans - CDI¹

 

 

 

4.50%

5.63%

6.75%

Loans - TJLP²

 

 

 

5.09%

6.36%

7.64%

Loans - IPCA³

 

 

 

4.31%

5.39%

6.47%

Investments - LIBOR4

 

 

 

3.17%

3.67%

4.16%

Investments - CDI

 

 

 

4.50%

5.63%

6.75%

 

Transaction

Risk

Amount

Result

Probable

Possible

Remote

 

 

US Dollars

 

scenario

scenario

scenario

 

 

 

 

 

(25%)

(50%)

 

 

 

 

US$'000

US$'000

US$'000

Loans - LIBOR

LIBOR

 - 

Interest

 - 

 - 

 - 

Loans - CDI

CDI

 65,974

Interest

 (47)

 (574)

 (1,095)

Loans - TJLP

TJLP

 1,190

Interest

 - 

 (10)

 (20)

Loans - IPCA

IPCA

 39,680

Interest

 - 

 (317)

 (632)

Loans - Fixed

N/A

 228,134

None

  -

  -

  -

Total loans

 

 334,978

 

 (47)

 (901)

 (1,747)

Investments - LIBOR

LIBOR

 24,153

Income

 - 

 56

 111

Investments - CDI

CDI

 34,739

Income

 85

 1,105

 2,125

Total investments

 

 58,892

 

 85

 1,161

 2,236

 

 

 

Net Income

 38

 260

 489

1.   CDI - Information source: B3 (Brasil Bolsa Balcão), report dated 13 January 2020.

2.    TJLP - Information source: BNDES (Banco Nacional de Desenvolvimento Econômico e Social), report dated 14 January 2020.

3.  IPCA - Information source: Bloomberg, report dated 14 January 2020.

4..  LIBOR - Information source: BM&F (Bolsa de Mercadorias e Futuros), report dated 13 January 2020.

The net effect was obtained by assuming a 12-month period starting at 31 December 2019 in which interest rates vary and all other variables are held constant. The scenarios represent the difference between the weighted scenario rate and actual rate.

 

31 December 2018

Transaction

Probable

Possible

Remote

 

scenario

scenario

scenario

 

 

25%

50%

Loans - LIBOR

3.01%

3.76%

4.52%

Loans - TJLP

6.98%

8.73%

10.47%

Investments - LIBOR

2.62%

3.38%

4.13%

Investments - CDI

6.55%

8.19%

9.83%

 

Transaction

Risk

Amount

Result

Probable

Possible

Remote

 

 

US Dollars

 

scenario

scenario

scenario

 

 

 

 

 

(25%)

(50%)

 

 

 

 

US$'000

US$'000

US$'000

Loans - LIBOR

LIBOR

32,948

Interest

(11)

(69)

(126)

Loans - TJLP

TJLP

15,517

Interest

-

(164)

(325)

Loans - Fixed

N/A

258,841

None

-

-

-

Total loans

 

307,306

 

(11)

(233)

(451)

Investments - LIBOR

LIBOR

35,273

Income

-

290

579

Investments - CDI

CDI

27,015

Income

273

1,150

2,028

Total investments

 

62,288

 

273

1,440

2,607

 

 

 

Net Income

262

1,207

2,156

1.  LIBOR - Information source: Bloomberg, report dated 16 January 2019.

2.  CDI - Information source: BM&F (Bolsa de Mercadorias e Futuros), report dated 17 January 2019.

3.  TJLP - Information source: BNDES (Banco Nacional de Desenvolvimento Economico e Social), reports from October to December 2018.

The net effect was obtained by assuming a 12-month period starting 31 December 2018 in which interest rates vary and all other variables are held constant. The scenarios represent the difference between the weighted scenario rate and actual rate.

Investment portfolio

Interest rate changes will always impact equity prices. The level and direction of change in equity prices is subject to prevailing local and world economics as well as market sentiment all of which are very difficult to predict with any certainty.

Derivative financial instruments

The Group may enter into derivatives contracts to manage risks arising from interest rate fluctuations. All such transactions are carried out within the guidelines set by the Wilson Sons Limited risk management committee. Generally the Group seeks to apply hedge accounting in order to manage volatility.

The Group uses cash flow hedges to limit its exposure that may result from the variation of floating interest rates. On 16 September 2013, Tecon Salvador entered into an interest rate swap agreement to hedge a portion of its outstanding floating-rate debt with the IFC. Due to a new financing contract with the BNDES the derivative was settled in January 2019.

Market price sensitivity

By the nature of its activities, the Group's investments are exposed to market price fluctuations. However the portfolio as a whole does not correlate exactly to any Stock Exchange Index as it is invested in a diversified range of markets. The Investment Manager and the Board monitor the portfolio valuation on a regular basis and consideration is given to hedging the portfolio against large market movements.

The sensitivity analysis below has been determined based on the exposure to market price risks at the year end and shows what the impact would be if market prices had been 5, 10 or 20 percent higher or lower at the end of the financial year. The amounts below indicate an increase in profit or loss and total equity where market prices increase by 5,10 or 20 percent, assuming all other variables are kept constant. A fall in market prices of 5,10 or 20 percent would give rise to an equal fall in profit or loss and total equity.

 

31 December 2019

 

5% scenario

10% scenario

20% scenario

 

US$'000

US$'000

US$'000

Profit or loss

14,238

28,476

56,953

Total equity

14,238

28,476

56,953

 

 

31 December 2018

 

5% scenario

10% scenario

20% scenario

 

US$'000

US$'000

US$'000

Profit or loss

13,040

26,079

52,159

Total equity

13,040

26,079

52,159

Credit risk management

Credit risk refers to the risk that a counterparty will default on its contractual obligations resulting in a financial loss to the Group. The Group has adopted a policy of only dealing with creditworthy counterparties as a means of mitigating the risk of financial loss from defaults.

The Group's sales policy is subordinated to the credit sales rules set by Wilson Sons management, which seeks to mitigate any loss from customers' delinquency.

Trade receivables consist of a large number of customers. Regular credit evaluation is performed on the financial condition of accounts receivable. Trade and other receivables disclosed in the balance sheet are shown net of the allowance for bad debts. The allowance is booked whenever a loss is identified based on past experience or there is an indication of impaired cash flows.

Ocean Wilsons (Investments) Limited primarily transacts with regulated institutions on normal market terms which are trade date plus one to three days. The levels of amounts outstanding from brokers are regularly reviewed by the Investment Manager. The duration of credit risk associated with the investment transaction is the period between the date the transaction took place, the trade date and the date the stock and cash are transferred, and the settlement date. The level of risk during the period is the difference between the value of the original transaction and its replacement with a new transaction.

In addition Ocean Wilsons (Investments) Limited invests in limited partnerships and other similar investment vehicles. The level of credit risk associated with such investments is dependent upon the terms and conditions and the management of the investment vehicles. The Board reviews all investments at its regular meetings from reports prepared by the Company's Investment Manager.

Liquidity risk management

Liquidity risk is the risk that the Group will encounter difficulty in fulfilling obligations associated with its financial liabilities that are settled with cash payments or other financial assets. The Group's approach in managing liquidity is to ensure that the Group always has sufficient liquidity to fulfil its obligations that expire, under normal and stressed conditions, to avoid damage to the reputation of the Group. The Group manages liquidity risk by maintaining adequate reserves, banking facilities and reserve borrowing facilities by continuously monitoring forecast and actual cash flows and matching the maturity profiles of financial assets and liabilities.

The Group ensures it has sufficient cash reserves to meet the expected operational expenses, including financial obligations. This practice excludes the potential impact of extreme circumstances that cannot be reasonably foreseen.

The following tables detail the Group's remaining contractual maturity for its non-derivative financial liabilities. The tables have been drawn up based on the undiscounted cash flows of financial liabilities based on the earliest date on which the Group can be required to pay. The table includes both interest and principal cash flows.

 

Weighted

 

 

 

 

 

average

 

 

 

 

 

effective

Less than

 

 

 

 

interest rate

12 months

1-5 years

5+ years

Total

 

%

US$'000

US$'000

US$'000

US$'000

31 December 2019

 

 

 

 

 

Non-interest bearing

-

57,104

-

-

57,104

Variable interest rate instruments

3.07%

12,654

67,648

26,542

106,844

Fixed interest rate instruments

2.75%

  30,869

101,423

138,093

270,385

Lease liability (under IAS 17)

3.17%

49

11

 -

60

Lease liability

8.80%

22,918

81,410

371,236

475,564

 

 

123,594

250,492

535,871

909,957

31 December 2018

 

 

 

 

 

Non-interest bearing

-

58,539

-

-

58,539

Finance lease liability

7.06%

6

59

-

105

Variable interest rate instruments

4.78%

17,057

30,875

533

48,465

Fixed interest rate instruments

3.12%

43,152

79,089

136,600

258,841

 

 

118,794

110,023

137,133

365,950

The Group expects to meet its other obligations from operating cash flows and proceeds of maturing financial assets.

Fair value of financial instruments

The fair value of financial assets and liabilities traded in active markets are based on quoted market prices at the close of trading on 31 December 2019. The quoted market price used for financial assets held by the Company utilise the last traded market prices.

Fair value measurements recognised in the statement of financial position

IFRS 13 requires the disclosure of fair value measurements by level of the following fair value measurement hierarchy:

Level 1 fair value measurements are those derived from quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities;

Level 2 Valuation techniques for which the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement is directly or indirectly observable; and

Level 3 Valuation techniques for which the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement is unobservable.

Assessing the significance of a particular input requires judgement, considering factors specific to the asset or liability.

The following table provides an analysis of financial instruments recognised in the statement of financial position by the level of hierarchy:

 

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

Total

31 December 2019

US$'000

US$'000

US$'000

US$'000

Financial assets at FVTPL

 

 

 

 

Non-derivative financial assets for trading

18,490

165,010

101,263

284,763

 

 

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

Total

31 December 2018

US$'000

US$'000

US$'000

US$'000

Financial assets at FVTPL

 

 

 

 

Non-derivative financial assets for trading

13,729

133,150

111,309

258,188

Valuation Process

Investments whose values are based on quoted market prices in active markets and are classified within Level 1 include active listed equities. The Group does not adjust the quoted price for these investments.

Financial instruments that trade in markets that are not considered active but are valued based on quoted market prices, dealer quotations or alternative pricing sources supported by observable inputs are classified within Level 2. These include certain private investments that are traded over the counter.

Investments classified within Level 3 have significant unobservable inputs as they trade infrequently and are not quoted in an active market. The Group investments include holdings in limited partnerships and other private equity funds which may be subject to restrictions on redemptions such as lock up periods, redemption gates and side pockets.

Valuations are the responsibility of the Board of directors of the Company. The Group's Investment Manager considers the valuation techniques and inputs used in valuing these funds as part of its due diligence prior to investing to ensure they are reasonable and appropriate. Therefore the net asset value ("NAV") of these funds may be used as an input into measuring their fair value. In measuring this fair value, the NAV of the funds is adjusted, if necessary, for other relevant factors known of the fund. No such adjustments were identified in the year. In measuring fair value, consideration is also paid to any clearly identifiable transactions in the shares of the fund.

Depending on the nature and level of adjustments needed to the NAV and the level of trading in the fund, the Group classifies these funds as either Level 2 or Level 3. As observable prices are not available for these securities, the Company values these based on an estimate of their fair value, which is determined as follows. The Group obtains the fair value of their holdings from valuation statements provided by the managers of the invested funds. Where the valuation statement is not stated as at the reporting date, the Group adjusts the most recently available valuation for any capital transactions made up to the reporting date. When considering whether the NAV of the underlying managed funds represent fair value, the Investment Manager considers the valuation techniques and inputs used by the managed funds in determining their NAV.

The underlying funds use a blend of methods to determine the value of their own NAV by valuing underlying investments using methodology consistent with the International Private Equity and Venture Capital Valuation Guidelines ('IPEV'). IPEV guidelines generally provides five ways to determine the fair market value of an investment:

(i)  binding offer on the company

(ii)  transaction multiples

(iii)  market multiples

(iv)  net assets

(v)  discounted cash flows.

Such valuations are necessarily dependent upon the reasonableness of the valuations by the fund managers of the underlying investments. In the absence of contrary information the values are assumed to be reliable.

Periodically the Investment Manager considers historical alignment to actual market transactions for a sample of realised investments.

Investment in private equity funds require a long-term commitment with no certainty of return and the Group's intention is to hold level 3 investments to maturity. In the unlikely event that the Group is required to liquidate these investments then the proceeds received maybe less than the carrying value due to their illiquid nature. The following table summarises the sensitivity of the Company's level 3 investments to changes in fair value due to illiquidity at 31 December 2019. The analysis is based on the assumptions that the proceeds realised will be decreased by 5%, 10% or 20%, with all other variables held constant. This represents the directors' best estimate of a reasonable possible impact that could arise from a disposal due to illiquidity.

 

31 December 2019

 

5% scenario

10% scenario

20% scenario

 

US$'000

US$'000

US$'000

Profit or loss

5,063

10,126

20,253

Total equity

5,063

10,126

20,253

 

 

31 December 2018

 

5% scenario

10% scenario

20% scenario

 

US$'000

US$'000

US$'000

Profit or loss

5,696

11,391

22,783

Total equity

5,696

11,391

22,783

Sensitivity analysis in relation to Level 3 investments has been included in the market price risk management analysis where the Group has shown impacts to the value of investments if market prices had been 5%, 10% or 20% higher or lower at the end of the financial year.

 

2019

2018

Reconciliation of Level 3 fair value measurements of financial assets:

US$'000

US$'000

Balance at 1 January

111,309

112,088

Transfers out of level 3 to level 2

(10,732)

-

Total (losses)/profits in the Statement of Comprehensive Income

(1,546)

(9,682)

Purchases and drawdowns of financial commitments

10,462

10,002

Sales and repayments of capital

(8,230)

(1,099)

Balance at 31 December

101,263

111,309

During 2019, following the investment manager valuation of the investments, due to different levels of information available for investments when compared to the prior year, the Company has decided to reclassify the investments from Level 3 to Level 2 (US$ 10.7 million)

36  Post-employment benefits

The Group operates a private medical insurance scheme for its employees which requires the eligible employees to pay fixed monthly contributions. In accordance with Brazilian law, eligible employees with greater than ten years' service acquire the right to remain in the plan following retirement or termination of employment, generating a post-employment commitment for the Group. Ex-employees remaining in the plan will be liable for paying the full cost of their continued scheme membership. The present value of actuarial liabilities at 31 December 2019 is approximately US$2.4 million (2018: US$1.2 million). The future actuarial liability for the Group relates to the potential increase in plan costs resulting from additional claims as a result of the expanded membership of the scheme.

 

31 December

31 December

 

2019

2018

 

US$'000

US$'000

Present value of actuarial liabilities

2,369

1,190

Actuarial assumptions

The calculation of the liability generated by the post-employment commitment involves actuarial assumptions. The following are the principal actuarial assumptions used:

Economic and Financial Assumptions

 

31 December

31 December

 

2019

2018

Annual interest rate

6.76%

9.20%

Estimated inflation rate in the long-term

3.50%

4.00%

Ageing Factor

Based on the experience of Wilson Sons1

Medical cost trend rate

6.09% p.a

6.60% p.a

1  The amount of current contributions of retirees and medical costs used in the actuarial valuation, both in monthly amounts per health care provider, may vary between R$106.42 and R$4.023,74 (absolute value).

Biometric and Demographic Assumptions

 

31 December

31 December

 

2019

2018

Employee turnover

21.27%

21.27%

Mortality table

AT-2000

AT-2000

Disability table

Álvaro Vindas

Álvaro Vindas

Retirement Age

100% at 62

100% at 62

Employees who opt to keep the health plan after retirement and termination

 

23%

23%

Probability of marriage

80% of the participants

80% of the participants

Age difference for active participants

Men 3 years older than the woman

Men 3 years older than the woman

Family composition after retirement

Composition of the family group

Composition of the family group

 

 

 

 

Enquiries:

 

Company Contact

Keith Middleton     1 441 295 1309

 

Media

David Haggie  020 7562 4444

Haggie Partners LLP

 

Cantor Fitzgerald Europe    020 7894 7000

David Foreman, Will Goode - Corporate Finance

 


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