News Release

LONDON, July 28, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Global Ship Lease, Inc. (NYSE:GSL), a containership charter owner, announced today its unaudited results for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2014.

Second Quarter and Year To Date Highlights

- Reported revenue of $33.5 million for the second quarter 2014. Revenue for the six months ended June 30, 2014 was $67.5 million

- Reported net loss of $2.3 million for the second quarter 2014. For the six months ended June 30, 2014, net loss was $0.4 million after a $1.9 million non-cash mark-to-market gain and non-cash $3.0 million accelerated write off of deferred financing costs

- Generated $19.8 million of Adjusted EBITDA⁽¹⁾ for the second quarter 2014. Adjusted EBITDA for the six months ended June 30, 2014 was $40.6 million

- Normalized net loss⁽¹⁾ is the same as reported net loss at $2.3 million for the second quarter 2014. Excluding the non-cash items normalized net income was $0.6 million for the six months ended June 30, 2014

- Commenced a new time charter with Sea Consortium, doing business as X-press Feeders, on May 7, 2014 for Ville d'Aquarius, a 4,113 TEU vessel, at a gross rate of $7,490 per day for 180 days plus or minus 30 days at charterer's option

- Expanded the Board of Directors by appointing on May 8, 2014 Alain Wils and John van de Merwe, nominated by the company's largest shareholder, CMA CGM

- Commenced a new time charter with Sea Consortium, on July 17, 2014 for Ville d'Orion, a 4,113 TEU vessel, at a gross rate of $8,000 per day for six to 12 months at charterer's option

Ian Webber, Chief Executive Officer of Global Ship Lease, stated, "In the second quarter of 2014, during which our two 4,113 TEU vessels, Ville d'Aquarius and Ville d'Orion, were redelivered at the conclusion of charters to CMA CGM, our fleet generated Adjusted EBITDA of $19.8 million. We are pleased to have agreed to new time charters with Sea Consortium for these vessels, thereby again achieving 100% contract coverage. By establishing and expanding our commercial relationship with Sea Consortium, we have taken meaningful steps in diversifying our charter portfolio and increasing our contracted revenue stream."       

Mr. Webber continued, "We remain confident in the long-term, underlying fundamentals of the industry and believe the Company is well-positioned for growth. Drawing on our strong financial flexibility, we continue to actively pursue accretive opportunities to expand our fleet and future earnings power while enhancing shareholder value."

SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA - UNAUDITED

(1) Adjusted EBITDA and Normalized net (loss) income are non-US Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (US GAAP) measures, as explained further in this press release, and are considered by Global Ship Lease to be useful measures of its performance. Reconciliations of such non-GAAP measures to the interim unaudited financial information are provided in this Earnings Release.

Revenue and Utilization

The 17 vessel fleet generated revenue from fixed rate, mainly long-term time, charters of $33.5 million in the three months ended June 30, 2014, down $2.4 million on revenue of $35.9 million for the comparative period in 2013 due mainly to reduced revenue for four vessels, following charter extensions by three years at a lower daily rate of $15,300 compared to $18,465 previously, effective February 1, 2014 and from 48 days idle time in the quarter for Ville d'Aquarius and Ville d'Orion from their redelivery by the previous charterer, CMA CGM, in late April and in late May respectively, until the commencement of new charters on May 7, 2014 and July 17, 2014 respectively. There were 1,547 ownership days in the quarter, the same as the comparable period in 2013. There was one day of unplanned offhire and 48 days idle in the three months ended June 30, 2014 giving a utilization of 96.8%. In the comparable period of 2013, there was one unplanned day offhire, for utilization of 99.9%.

For the six months ended June 30, 2014, revenue was $67.5 million, down $3.6 million on revenue of $71.1 million in the comparative period, mainly due to lower revenue on the four extended charters and idle time on the two 4,113 TEU vessels, offset by lower offhire from planned drydockings.

The table below shows fleet utilization for the three and six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013 and for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012, 2011 and 2010.

There were no drydockings in the first half of 2014. Two vessels were drydocked in the comparative period. Two regulatory drydockings are scheduled for later in 2014 and none in 2015.

Vessel Operating Expenses

Vessel operating expenses, which include costs of crew, lubricating oil, spares and insurance, were $12.1 million for the three months ended June 30, 2014. The average cost per ownership day in the quarter was $7,853 compared to $7,504 for the comparative period, up $349 or 4.7%. Second quarter average cost per ownership day was up $434 or 5.9% on $7,419 for the rolling four quarters ended March 31, 2014. The increases are mostly from higher spend on maintenance due to the phasing of generator overhauls and from the cost of bunkers consumed, for owners account, while the two 4,113 TEU vessels were idle and for positioning Ville d'Aquarius for the commencement of her new charter on May 7, 2014.

For the six months ended June 30, 2014 vessel operating expenses were $23.7 million or an average of $7,696 per day compared to $23.2 million in the comparative period or $7,525 per day.

Depreciation

Depreciation for the three months ended June 30, 2014 was $10.0 million, compared to $10.1 million in the second quarter 2013.

Depreciation for the six months ended June 30, 2014 was $20.1 million, compared to $20.2 million in the comparative period.

General and Administrative Costs

General and administrative costs were $1.7 million in the three months ended June 30, 2014, compared to $1.5 million in the second quarter of 2013.

For the six months ended June 30, 2014, general and administrative costs were $3.4 million compared to $3.1 million for 2013. The increase is due mainly to costs associated with the issuance of the Notes which could not be capitalized.

Other Operating Income

Other operating income in the three months ended June 30, 2014 was $0.1 million, compared to $0.2 million in the second quarter 2013.

For the six months ended June 30, 2014, other operating income was $0.2 million, the same as for the comparative period. 

Adjusted EBITDA

As a result of the above, Adjusted EBITDA was $19.8 million for the three months ended June 30, 2014, down from $22.9 million for the three months ended June 30, 2013.

Adjusted EBITDA for the six months ended June 30, 2014 was $40.6 million, compared to $45.1 million for the comparative period.

Interest Expense

Until March 19, 2014, the Company's borrowings comprised amounts outstanding under its credit facility, which carried interest at US $ LIBOR plus a margin, most recently 3.75%, and $45 million preferred shares, which carries interest at US $ LIBOR plus a margin of 2.00%. The Company hedged its interest rate exposure by entering into derivatives that swapped floating rate debt for fixed rate debt to provide long-term stability and predictability to cash flows.

On March 19, 2014, the outstanding borrowings under the credit facility totaling $366.4 million were repaid out of the proceeds of $420.0 million aggregate principal amount of 10.0% First Priority Secured Notes due 2019 (the "Notes"). In addition, the $277.0 million nominal amount of interest rate derivatives outstanding were terminated on March 19, 2014 for a final payment of $19.3 million.

Interest expense for the three months ended June 30, 2014, including interest and the amortization of deferred financing costs and of the original issue discount on the Notes, interest on the $45.0 million preferred shares and the commitment fee on the Company's new and undrawn $40.0 million revolving credit facility, was $12.0 million.

In the second quarter 2013, interest expense, including amortization of deferred financing costs, was $4.8 million, on borrowings averaging $410.9 million under the Company's credit facility and the $45.0 million preferred shares. 

For the six months ended June 30, 2014, interest expense (including the amortization of deferred financing costs and from March 19, 2014 of the original issue discount on the Notes) on borrowings under the credit facility up to March 19, 2014, on the Notes from that date, on the $45.0 million preferred shares and including the commitment fee on the million revolving credit facility was $20.2 million. Amortization of deferred financing costs includes accelerated write off of $3.0 million being the balance of such costs associated with the credit facility. 

Interest expense for the six months ended June 30, 2013 was $9.7 million on an average amount outstanding on the credit facility during that period of $418.2 million and $45.0 million of preferred shares.

Interest income for the three and six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013 was not material.

Change in Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The Company hedged its interest rate exposure by entering into derivatives that swap floating rate debt for fixed rate debt. These hedges did not qualify for hedge accounting under US GAAP and the outstanding hedges were marked to market at each period end with any change in the fair value being booked to the income and expenditure account. The Company's derivative hedging instruments were terminated on March 19, 2014 and consequently had no effect in the three months ended June 30, 2014. They gave a realized loss of $2.9 million in the three months ended June 30, 2013 for settlements in the period, as US $ LIBOR rates were lower than the average fixed rates. Further, there was a $5.0 million unrealized gain for revaluation of the balance sheet. 

For the six months ended June 30, 2014, the realized loss from hedges was $2.8 million and the unrealized gain was $1.9 million. This compares to a realized loss of $8.3 million and an unrealized gain of $10.4 million in the six months ended June 30, 2013.

Taxation

Taxation for the three months ended June 30, 2014 was $22,000, compared to $16,000 in the second quarter of 2013.

Taxation for the six months ended June 30, 2014 was $41,000, compared to $39,000 for the comparative period in 2013. 

Net Loss/Income

Net loss for the three months ended June 30, 2014 was $2.3 million. For the three months ended June 30, 2013, net income was $10.1 million, after the $5.0 million non-cash interest rate derivative mark-to-market gain. Normalized net loss, which excludes, when applicable, the effect of the non-cash interest rate derivative mark-to-market gains and losses was $2.3 million, or the same as net loss, for the three months ended June 30, 2014 and $5.1 million for the three months ended June 30, 2013. 

Net loss was $0.4 million for the six months ended June 30, 2014 after a $1.9 million non-cash mark-to-market gain on interest rate derivatives and a non-cash $3.0 million accelerated write off of deferred financing costs. For the six months ended June 30, 2013, net income was $17.4 million after a $10.4 million non-cash interest rate derivative mark-to-market gain. 

Dividend

The board of directors is committed to paying a meaningful dividend once this can be sustained and provided that it is in the best interests of shareholders at the time. In the meantime, Global Ship Lease is not paying a dividend on common shares.

Fleet

The following table provides information about the on-the-water fleet of 17 vessels, of which 15 are chartered to CMA CGM and two (Ville d'Orion from July 17, 2014) to Sea Consortium, doing business as X-press Feeders.

Conference Call and Webcast

Global Ship Lease will hold a conference call to discuss the Company's results for the three months ended June 30, 2014 today, Monday, July 28, 2014 at 10:30 a.m. Eastern Time. There are two ways to access the conference call:

(1) Dial-in: (877) 455-2556 or (908) 982-4670; Passcode: 69499510

Please dial in at least 10 minutes prior to 10:30 a.m. Eastern Time to ensure a prompt start to the call.

(2) Live Internet webcast and slide presentation: http://www.globalshiplease.com

If you are unable to participate at this time, a replay of the call will be available through Wednesday, August 13, 2014 at (855) 859-2056 or (404) 537-3406. Enter the code 69499510 to access the audio replay. The webcast will also be archived on the Company's website: http://www.globalshiplease.com.

Annual Report on Form 20F

Global Ship Lease, Inc has filed its Annual Report for 2013 with the Securities and Exchange Commission. A copy of the report can be found under the Investor Relations section (Annual Reports) of the Company's website at http://www.globalshiplease.com. Shareholders may request a hard copy of the audited financial statements free of charge by contacting the Company at info@globalshiplease.com or by writing to Global Ship Lease, Inc, care of Global Ship Lease Services Limited, Portland House, Stag Place, London SW1E 5RS or by telephoning +44 (0) 207 869 8806.

About Global Ship Lease

Global Ship Lease is a containership charter owner. Incorporated in the Marshall Islands, Global Ship Lease commenced operations in December 2007 with a business of owning and chartering out containerships under long-term, fixed rate charters to top tier container liner companies.

Global Ship Lease owns 17 vessels with a total capacity of 66,349 TEU with an average age, weighted by TEU capacity, at June 30, 2014 of 10.3 years. All 17 vessels are currently fixed on time charters, 15 of which are with CMA CGM. The average remaining term of the charters is 6.2 years, or 7.3 years on a weighted basis, excluding Ville d'Orion and Ville d'Aquarius which operate in the short term charter market.

Reconciliation of Non-U.S. GAAP Financial Measures

A. Adjusted EBITDA

Adjusted EBITDA represents Net income (loss) before interest income and expense including amortization of deferred finance costs, realized and unrealized gain (loss) on derivatives, income taxes, depreciation, amortization and impairment charges. Adjusted EBITDA is a non-US GAAP quantitative measure used to assist in the assessment of the Company's ability to generate cash from its operations. We believe that the presentation of Adjusted EBITDA is useful to investors because it is frequently used by securities analysts, investors and other interested parties in the evaluation of companies in our industry. Adjusted EBITDA is not defined in US GAAP and should not be considered to be an alternate to Net income (loss) or any other financial metric required by such accounting principles.

ADJUSTED EBITDA - UNAUDITED

B. Normalized net income

Normalized net income represents Net income (loss) adjusted for the unrealized gain (loss) on derivatives, the accelerated write off of a portion of deferred financing costs and impairment charges. Normalized net income is a non-GAAP quantitative measure which we believe will assist investors and analysts who often adjust reported net income for non-operating items such as change in fair value of derivatives to eliminate the effect of non cash non-operating items that do not affect operating performance or cash generated. Normalized net income is not defined in US GAAP and should not be considered to be an alternate to Net income (loss) or any other financial metric required by such accounting principles.

NORMALIZED NET INCOME - UNAUDITED  

Safe Harbor Statement

This communication contains forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements provide Global Ship Lease's current expectations or forecasts of future events. Forward-looking statements include statements about Global Ship Lease's expectations, beliefs, plans, objectives, intentions, assumptions and other statements that are not historical facts. Words or phrases such as "anticipate," "believe," "continue," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "may," "ongoing," "plan," "potential," "predict," "project," "will" or similar words or phrases, or the negatives of those words or phrases, may identify forward-looking statements, but the absence of these words does not necessarily mean that a statement is not forward-looking. These forward-looking statements are based on assumptions that may be incorrect, and Global Ship Lease cannot assure you that these projections included in these forward-looking statements will come to pass. Actual results could differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors.

The risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to:

• future operating or financial results;
• expectations regarding the future growth of the container shipping industry, including the rates of annual demand and supply growth;
• the financial condition of CMA CGM, our sole charterer and only source of operating revenue, and its ability to pay charterhire in accordance with the charters;
• Global Ship Lease's financial condition and liquidity, including its ability to obtain additional waivers which might be necessary under the existing credit facility or obtain additional financing to fund capital expenditures, vessel acquisitions and other general corporate purposes;
• Global Ship Lease's ability to meet its financial covenants and repay its credit facility;
• Global Ship Lease's expectations relating to dividend payments and forecasts of its ability to make such payments including the availability of cash and the impact of constraints under its credit facility;
• future acquisitions, business strategy and expected capital spending;
• operating expenses, availability of crew, number of off-hire days, drydocking and survey requirements and insurance costs;
• general market conditions and shipping industry trends, including charter rates and factors affecting supply and demand;
• assumptions regarding interest rates and inflation;
• changes in the rate of growth of global and various regional economies;
• risks incidental to vessel operation, including piracy, discharge of pollutants and vessel accidents and damage including total or constructive total loss;
• estimated future capital expenditures needed to preserve its capital base;
• Global Ship Lease's expectations about the availability of ships to purchase, the time that it may take to construct new ships, or the useful lives of its ships;
• Global Ship Lease's continued ability to enter into or renew long-term, fixed-rate charters;
• the continued performance of existing long-term, fixed-rate time charters;
• Global Ship Lease's ability to capitalize on its management's and board of directors' relationships and reputations in the containership industry to its advantage;
• changes in governmental and classification societies' rules and regulations or actions taken by regulatory authorities;
• expectations about the availability of insurance on commercially reasonable terms;
• unanticipated changes in laws and regulations including taxation;
• potential liability from future litigation.

Forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties and are based on potentially inaccurate assumptions that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expected or implied by the forward-looking statements. Global Ship Lease's actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in forward-looking statements for many reasons specifically as described in Global Ship Lease's filings with the SEC. Accordingly, you should not unduly rely on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this communication. Global Ship Lease undertakes no obligation to publicly revise any forward-looking statement to reflect circumstances or events after the date of this communication or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. You should, however, review the factors and risks Global Ship Lease describes in the reports it will file from time to time with the SEC after the date of this communication.

CONTACT: Investor and Media Contacts:

         The IGB Group

         Bryan Degnan

         or

         Leon Berman

         212-477-8438