UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 6-K

REPORT OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER PURSUANT TO RULE 13A-16 OR 15D-16 OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the month of March 2022

Commission File Number:  001-34153

Global Ship Lease, Inc.
(Translation of registrant's name into English)
 
c/o Global Ship Lease Services Limited,
25 Wilton Road
London SW1V 1LW
United Kingdom
(Address of principal executive office)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F.

Form 20-F [X]       Form 40-F [  ]

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(1): [  ].

Note: Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(1) only permits the submission in paper of a Form 6-K if submitted solely to provide an attached annual report to security holders.

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(7): [  ].

Note: Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(7) only permits the submission in paper of a Form 6-K if submitted to furnish a report or other document that the registrant foreign private issuer must furnish and make public under the laws of the jurisdiction in which the registrant is incorporated, domiciled or legally organized (the registrant's "home country"), or under the rules of the home country exchange on which the registrant's securities are traded, as long as the report or other document is not a press release, is not required to be and has not been distributed to the registrant's security holders, and, if discussing a material event, has already been the subject of a Form 6-K submission or other Commission filing on EDGAR.





INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS FORM 6-K REPORT
Attached to this Report on Form 6-K (this “Report”) as Exhibit 99.1 is a copy of the press release of Global Ship Lease, Inc. (the “Company”), dated March 2, 2022, reporting the Company’s financial results for the three months and year ended December 31, 2021.
Attached to this Report as Exhibit 99.2 is a copy of the press release of the Company, dated February 10, 2022, announcing that the Company’s Board of Directors declared a quarterly dividend per common share for the fourth quarter of 2021.
Attached to this Report as Exhibit 99.3 is a copy of the press release of the Company, dated January 25, 2022, announcing an update on recent chartering and refinancing activity.
Attached to this Report as Exhibit 99.4 is a copy of the press release of the Company, dated December 13, 2021, announcing that the Company’s Board of Directors declared a quarterly dividend on its 8.75% Series B Cumulative Redeemable Perpetual Preferred Shares.
Attached to this Report as Exhibit 99.5 is a copy of the press release of the Company, dated November 22, 2021, announcing new multi-year charters and an increased quarterly dividend.
The information contained in Exhibits 99.2, 99.3, 99.4, and 99.5 of this Report, excluding the commentary of George Youroukos, is hereby incorporated by reference into the Company's registration statements on Form F-3 (File Nos. 333-231509, 333-234343, 333-235305 and 333-258800) and Form S-8 (File No. 333-258992).


SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 
GLOBAL SHIP LEASE, INC.
 
(registrant)
   
   
Dated: March 4, 2022
By:
/s/ Ian J. Webber
   
Ian J. Webber
   
Chief Executive Officer
     

Exhibit 99.1

Investor and Media Contacts:
The IGB Group
Bryan Degnan
646-673-9701
or
Leon Berman
212-477-8438
Global Ship Lease Reports Results for the Fourth Quarter of 2021
Declares Dividend of $0.25 per Common Share; Approves $40.0 million for Share
Repurchases
Expanded Fleet by over 50% in 2021 through Immediately Accretive Transactions with all
Acquired Ships Delivered and on Charter
LONDON, ENGLAND — March 2, 2022 - Global Ship Lease, Inc. (NYSE:GSL) (the “Company”, “Global Ship Lease” or “GSL”), an owner of containerships, announced today its unaudited results for the three months and year ended December 31, 2021.
Full Year 2021 and Year To Date Highlights
- Reported operating revenue of $153.5 million for the fourth quarter 2021. Operating revenue for the year ended December 31, 2021 was $448.0 million.
- Reported net income available to common shareholders and normalized net income(3) of $66.1 million for the fourth quarter 2021.
- For the year ended December 31, 2021, net income available to common shareholders was $163.2 million, after $5.8 million premium paid on the full optional redemption of the outstanding 9.875% Senior Secured Notes due 2022 (“2022 Notes”) on January 20, 2021, associated non-cash write offs of deferred financing charges of $3.7 million and of original issue discount of $1.1 million, a non-cash charge of $1.3 million for accelerated stock based compensation expense, prepayment fees of $3.2 million on three credit facilities and a $7.8 million net gain from the sale of La Tour. Normalized net income(3) for the year ended December 31, 2021 was $170.7 million.
- Generated $85.4 million of Adjusted EBITDA(3) for the fourth quarter 2021. Adjusted EBITDA(3) for the year ended December 31, 2021 was $252.2 million.
- Earnings per share and Normalized earnings per share(3) for the fourth quarter of 2021 was $1.84. Earnings per share for the year ended December 31, 2021 was $4.65. Normalized earnings per share(3) for the year ended December 31, 2021 was $4.86.
- Declared a dividend of $0.25 per Class A common share for the fourth quarter of 2021 to be paid on March 4, 2022 to common shareholders of record as of February 22, 2022.
- Paid dividends of $0.25 per Class A common share for the first, second and third quarters 2021.
- Announced that from first quarter of 2022 the dividend will increase by 50% to $0.375 per Class A common share per quarter; $1.50 per share, annualized.
- Authorized $40.0 million for share repurchases, to be utilized on an opportunistic basis.


- During the fourth quarter 2021, raised $32,561 of net proceeds under the ATM program for the 8.75% Series B Preferred Shares (“Series B Preferred Shares”). Since the inception of this ATM program in December 2019, a total of $71.4 million net proceeds has been raised. During 2021, the average issue price under this ATM program was $25.38 per share, against par value of $25.00. As of December 31, 2021, there were 43,592 Series B Preferred Shares outstanding.
- The total outstanding of Senior Unsecured Notes due 2024 (the “2024 Notes”) as at December 31, 2021 was $117.5 million, which includes the issuance in July 2021 of $35.0 million aggregate principal amount of the 2024 Notes to the sellers of the Borealis Fleet, as part of the consideration. Since the inception of the ATM program for the 2024 Notes in November 2019, a total of $50.9 million net proceeds has been raised. During 2021, the average issue price under the ATM program was $25.55, against par value of $25.00. There were no sales of the 2024 Notes under this ATM program in the third and fourth quarter of 2021.
- In January 2021, fully drew down a new $236.2 million senior secured loan facility with Hayfin Capital Management, LLP (the “New Hayfin Facility”). The proceeds, together with cash on hand, were used to complete on January 20, 2021 the full optional redemption of our then outstanding 9.875% 2022 Notes.
- In January 2021, closed a fully underwritten public offering of 5,400,000 Class A common shares, at a public offering price of $13.00 per share. The underwriters exercised, in part, their 30-day option to purchase in February 2021, an additional 141,959 Class A common shares. The aggregate net proceeds, after underwriting discounts and commissions and expenses, were approximately $67.5 million.
- In April and May 2021, drew down in full two new $51.7 million secured credit facilities and a new $54.0 million sale and leaseback agreement maturing April 2026 and May 2028 respectively, to refinance the three existing tranches of the $180.5 million Deutsche, First Citizens & Trust Company, HCOB, Entrust, Blue Ocean Credit Facility that had a maturity date of June 30, 2022.
- In August 2021, entered into a term loan facility of $12.0 million with Sinopac Capital International (HK) Limited maturing September 2026 to refinance the $8.125 million Hayfin Facility (the “GSL Valerie Facility”), which was the final facility maturing in 2022.
- In December 2021, entered into a USD 1 month LIBOR interest rate cap of 0.75% through fourth quarter 2026 on $484.1 million of floating rate debt, which reduces over time and represented approximately half of the outstanding floating rate debt.
- In January 2022, agreed an amendment to the existing $268.0 million Syndicated Senior Secured Credit Facility (CACIB, ABN, CIT, Siemens, CTBC, Bank Sinopac, Palatine) with outstanding balance of $213.2 million, to extend the maturity date from September 2024 to December 2026, favorably amend certain covenants, and release three vessels from the facility’s collateral basket, at an unchanged rate of LIBOR + 3.00%. These three vessels were subsequently used as collateral for a new $60.0 million syndicated senior secured debt facility, maturing July 2026 and priced at LIBOR + 2.75%, which was used to fully repay the 10.00% Blue Ocean junior debt facility and for general corporate purposes. There are now no material debt maturities before May 2024.
- In February 2022, entered into a further USD 1 month LIBOR interest rate cap of 0.75% through fourth quarter 2026 on $507.9 million of floating rate debt, which reduces over time and represented the remaining balance of the outstanding floating rate debt, leaving the Company fully hedged.
- On September 1, 2021, announced the purchase and retirement of 521,650 shares for $10.0 million.
- In January 2021, Moody’s upgraded the Corporate Family Rating and the issue rating of the 2022 Notes to B2 / Positive from B3 / Positive. In July 2021, Moody’s further upgraded the Corporate Family Rating to B1 / Stable. In August 2021, S&P upgraded the Corporate Family Rating to BB- / Stable from B+ / Stable.


- On February 9, 2021, announced the agreement to purchase from and charter back to Maersk Line, seven 6,000 TEU Post-Panamax containerships with an average age of approximately 20 years for an aggregate purchase price of $116.0 million funded by cash, a new $64.2 million secured credit facility and a new $14.7 million sale and leaseback agreement. The vessels were delivered between April 26, 2021 through July 28, 2021.
- On June 8, 2021, announced the agreement to purchase 12 containerships from Borealis Finance LLC (the “Borealis Fleet”), with an average size of approximately 3,000 TEU, a weighted average age of 11 years, and all with charters to leading liner operators, for an aggregate purchase price of $233.9 million funded by cash, an issuance of $35.0 million of existing 2024 Notes to the sellers of the ships and a new $140.0 million syndicated secured credit facility. All of these vessels were delivered in July 2021.
- On June 16, 2021, announced the agreement to purchase four 5,470 TEU ultra-high reefer capacity Panamax containerships with an average age of approximately 11 years, and with charters to Maersk Line, for an aggregate purchase price of $148.0 million funded by cash and four new $30.0 million sale and leaseback agreements. Three of these vessels were delivered to us in September 2021 and the remaining vessel was delivered on October 13, 2021.
- Between January 1, 2021 and March 1, 2022, including the charters on the 23 ships purchased during 2021, added 51 charters (including extensions), representing approximately $1.55 billion of contracted revenues and $1.17 billion of expected aggregate Adjusted EBITDA(3), calculated on the basis of the median firm periods of the respective charters. 26 charters were for 1,100 – 3,500 TEU feeder ships, nine were for 4,250 – 5,470 TEU Panamax ships, 14 were for 5,900 – 6,800 TEU Post-Panamaxes, and two were for ECO-9,115 TEU wide-beam vessels. Charter durations ranged from approximately 21 months to approximately five years, with shorter durations for the smaller ships and longer durations for the larger ships. Rates were up materially against those previously contracted.
George Youroukos, Executive Chairman of Global Ship Lease, stated, “First and foremost, we must acknowledge the dreadful situation in Ukraine and extend our sympathies to all those affected, including the many seafarers who are so concerned about their families. We are doing all that we can to support them. The conflict introduces significant uncertainty into the course of economic recovery and additional complexity into supply chains throughout the region. That said, throughout 2021 and continuing into what is normally a seasonally weak period in the new year, the combination of consistently strong demand and limited vessel supply has driven the containership charter market to levels not seen in well over a decade. Facing robust demand for the transportation of containerized freight, both structural and pandemic-related congestion and supply chain issues that further tighten the market, and the real prospect of finding themselves short of vessel capacity, our liner company customers have sought ever-longer charter durations at increasingly attractive rates. GSL’s high-quality fleet of mid-sized and smaller containerships has put us in a very strong position to benefit from this environment, securing numerous charters at durations and rates that are multiples of what would have been available 12-18 months ago, and unthinkable in years past. In this environment, GSL has entered a virtuous cycle of improved long-term charter revenues, reduced cost of debt, selective growth on an immediately accretive basis, and substantial returns of capital to shareholders in the form of both opportunistic share buybacks and a sustainable dividend that will soon be more than triple the level announced in early 2021.”
“Moving forward, supply and demand fundamentals in the containership sector look set to remain positive through at least the medium term, with congestion expected to be a continuing feature and large retail inventory restocking needs representing a substantial incremental contributor to overall demand. Despite a continuing recovery in global economic activity, with positive implications for containerized trade flows, a limited number of new vessels in our mid-sized and smaller classes are scheduled to be delivered in the next couple of years. The combination of rising newbuild costs, a distant delivery window due to a lack of shipyard capacity, and continued uncertainty about long-term environmental regulations and propulsion technology are discouraging the speculative ordering that was a prominent feature of earlier containership market upcycles. Meanwhile, the imperative to pursue decarbonization is expected to drive cooperation between liner operators and containership owners to enhance existing ships to meet the evolving demands of both regulators and end consumers, which is expected to result in a material reduction in vessel speeds and thus in effective fleet supply. In the quarters and years ahead, and in collaboration with our customers, we expect to deploy proven technologies and solutions to improve vessel efficiency and reduce our carbon footprint accordingly. Against this highly supportive backdrop, and by continuing to execute our prudent chartering strategy and deploying capital on a highly disciplined basis, GSL remains well positioned to further improve our balance sheet, expand our contracted cash flow and fleet through selective acquisitions, reliably sustain our dividend, opportunistically utilize our new $40.0 million share repurchase authorization to return a substantial proportion of our available cashflow to shareholders, and create lasting value for shareholders throughout the cycle.”


Ian Webber, Chief Executive Officer of Global Ship Lease, commented, “The addition of more than $1.5 billion of contracted revenues and the expansion of our fleet by more than 50% since the beginning of 2021 – contributing significantly to a more than doubling of adjusted EBITDA from fourth quarter 2020 to fourth quarter 2021 - have put GSL in a position to materially improve our financial performance in ways that will benefit the Company on a sustained basis for years to come. As credit ratings across the liner industry have increasingly reflected the dramatically improved financial condition of our counterparties, we have been able to refinance over $400.0 million of debt, reduce our cost of debt from 6.3% to 4.7%, and hedge all of our floating rate debt, all reflected in our repeated credit rating upgrades. With no debt maturities until mid-2024 and a high degree of visibility on our revenues in the years ahead, we intend to continue pursuing opportunities to eliminate relatively higher cost debt and maintaining a prudent, non-speculative debt structure in which our amortization schedule is well matched by contracted cash flows. From this strong foundation, we believe that we can sustainably support not only the ongoing capital needs of our business, but also our disciplined growth strategy and a substantial return of capital to our shareholders.”
SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA – UNAUDITED
(thousands of U.S. dollars)
 
Three
Three
   
 
months
ended
months
ended
Year
 ended
Year
 ended
 
December 31, 2021
December 31, 2020
December 31, 2021
December 31, 2020
         
Operating Revenue (1)
153,529
69,970
447,954
282,813
Operating Income
82,197
25,846
237,517
104,758
Net Income (2)
66,095
10,752
163,232
37,568
Adjusted EBITDA (3)
85,410
38,674
252,202
163,186
Normalized Net Income (3)
66,095
11,312
170,681
49,566
         

(1) Operating Revenue is net of address commissions which represents a discount provided directly to a charterer based on a fixed percentage of the agreed upon charter rate and includes the amortization of intangible liabilities. Brokerage commissions are included in “Time charter and voyage expenses”.
(2) Net Income available to common shareholders.
(3) Adjusted EBITDA, Normalized Net Income and Normalized Earnings Per Share are non-U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“U.S. GAAP”) financial measures, as explained further in this press release, and are considered by Global Ship Lease to be a useful measure of its performance. For reconciliations of these non-U.S. GAAP financial measure to net income or earnings per share as reported, the most directly comparable U.S. GAAP financial measures, please see “Reconciliation of Non-U.S. GAAP Financial Measures” below.
Revenue and Utilization
Revenue from fixed-rate, mainly long-term, time-charters was $153.5 million in the three months ended December 31, 2021, up $83.5 million (or 119.3%) on revenue of $70.0 million for the prior year period. The period-on-period increase in revenue was principally due to (i) a 50.9% increase in ownership days, due to the net acquisition of 22 vessels in 2021, of which 21 were delivered prior to September 30, 2021 and one in the fourth quarter 2021, resulting in 5,968 ownership days in the quarter, compared to 3,956 in the fourth quarter 2020, (ii) increased revenue on charter renewals at higher rates on 15 vessels since the beginning of 2021, (iii) $17.9 million credit from amortization of intangible liabilities arising on below-market charters attached to vessel additions, and (iv) $7.7 million due to the modification of time charter contracts with a direct continuation at a different rate with the same charterer, partially offset by an increase in idle time, from 26 days in the fourth quarter of 2020 to 48 days in the same quarter in 2021, by an increase in unplanned offhire days from 16 in the fourth quarter of 2020 to 62 days in the same quarter of 2021 and an increase in planned offhire days from 128 in the fourth quarter of 2020 to 367 in the same quarter of 2021. The 62 days of unplanned offhire in the fourth quarter of 2021 includes an incident of 30 days for main engine malfunction and 8 days due to auxiliary and pipes leakages. The 367 days of planned offhire for drydockings in the fourth quarter 2021 were attributable to eight regulatory drydockings, while in the comparative period of 2020, the 128 days of offhire for drydockings were mainly attributable to four drydockings. Utilization for the fourth quarter of 2021 was 92.0% compared to utilization of 95.7% in the same period of the prior year.


For the year ended December 31, 2021, revenue was $448.0 million, up $165.2 million (or 58.4%) on revenue of $282.8 million in the comparative period, mainly due to the factors noted above.
The table below shows fleet utilization for the three months ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, and for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020, 2019 and 2018.
 
Three months ended
 
Year ended
 
December 31,
December 31,
 
Dec 31,
Dec 31,
Dec 31,
Dec 31,
Days
2021
2020
 
2021
2020
2019
2018
               
Ownership days
5,968
3,956
 
19,427
16,044
14,326
7,675
Planned offhire - scheduled drydock
(367)
(128)
 
(752)
(687)
(537)
(34)
Unplanned offhire
(62)
(16)
 
(260)
(95)
(105)
(17)
Idle time
(48)
(26)
 
(88)
(338)
(164)
(47)
Operating days
5,491
3,786
 
18,327
14,924
13,520
7,577
               
Utilization
92.0%
95.7%
 
94.3%
93.0%
94.4%
98.7%

Four drydockings to meet regulatory requirements were completed in the fourth quarter 2021 and, as of December 31, 2021, four such drydockings were in progress. In 2022, we anticipate sixteen drydockings, fourteen as scheduled and two deferred from 2021 for commercial reasons.
Vessel Operating Expenses
Vessel operating expenses, which primarily include costs of crew, lubricating oil, repairs, maintenance, insurance and technical management fees, were up 57.4% to $43.6 million for the fourth quarter 2021, compared to $27.7 million in the comparative period. The increase of $15.9 million was mainly due to 2,012 or 50.9% net additional ownership days in the fourth quarter 2021 as the result of the net increase of 22 vessels since January 1, 2021, of which 21 were delivered prior to October 1, 2021 and one in the fourth quarter 2021. The average cost per ownership day in the quarter was $7,308, compared to $7,006 for the prior year period, up $302 per day, or 4.3%.
For the year ended December 31, 2021, vessel operating expenses were $130.3 million, or an average of $6,707 per day, compared to $102.8 million in the comparative period, or $6,410 per day, an increase of $297 per ownership day, or 4.6%.
Time Charter and Voyage Expenses
Time charter and voyage expenses comprise mainly commission paid to ship brokers, the cost of bunker fuel for owner’s account when a ship is off-hire or idle and miscellaneous owner’s costs associated with a ship’s voyage. Time charter and voyage expenses were $4.8 million for the fourth quarter 2021, compared to $2.4 million in the fourth quarter of 2020. The increase was mainly due to the net increase of 22 vessels since January 1, 2021, plus the increase in unplanned off hire days resulting in higher costs for bunker fuel for owner’s account.
For the year ended December 31, 2021, time charter and voyage expenses were $13.1 million, or an average of $674 per ownership day, compared to $11.1 million in the comparative period, or $695 per ownership day, a decrease of $21 per ownership day, or 3.0%.
Depreciation and Amortization
Depreciation and amortization for the fourth quarter 2021 was $19.2 million, compared to $12.0 million in the fourth quarter of 2020. The increase was mainly due to the net increase of 22 vessels since January 1, 2021 and the 11 drydockings that have been completed since January 1, 2021, including five drydockings for vessels acquired in 2021.
Depreciation for the year ended December 31, 2021 was $61.6 million, compared to $47.0 million in the comparative period, with the increase being due mainly to the reasons noted above.


Gain on sale of vessel and impairment of vessels
The 2001-built, 2,272 TEU containership, La Tour, was sold on June 30, 2021 for net proceeds of $16.5 million resulting in a gain of $7.8 million. As at December 31, 2021, there were no events or changes in circumstances which indicated that the carrying amounts of any of our vessels may not be recoverable and therefore no impairment was charged. As of March 31, 2020, we had an expectation that the 1999-built, 2,200 TEU feeder ships, GSL Matisse and Utrillo, would be sold before the end of their previously estimated useful life, and as a result performed an impairment test of these two asset groups and an impairment charge of $7.6 million was recognized. An additional impairment charge of $0.9 million was recognized on these two vessels in the three months ended June 30, 2020 for a total of $8.5 million in the year ended December 31, 2020. The two vessels were sold in July 2020.
General and Administrative Expenses
General and administrative expenses were $3.7 million in the fourth quarter 2021, compared to $2.0 million in the fourth quarter of 2020. The increase was mainly due to social tax costs related to vesting of certain senior management stock awards, the effect in share based compensation expense from a new stock award plan agreed in July 2021 and increased cost of D&O insurance. The average general and administrative expense per ownership day for the fourth quarter 2021 was $618, compared to $498 in the comparative period, an increase of $120 or 24.1%.
For the year ended December 31, 2021, general and administrative expenses were $13.2 million, compared to $8.4 million in the comparative period mainly due to the non-cash effect of accelerated stock-based compensation expense recognized in the first quarter of 2021 and the factors noted above. The average general and administrative expense per ownership day for the year ended December 31, 2021 was $682, compared to $520 in the comparative period, an increase of $162 or 31.2%.
Adjusted EBITDA
Adjusted EBITDA was $85.4 million for the fourth quarter 2021, up from $38.7 million for the fourth quarter of 2020, with the net increase being mainly due to the increased operating days from the net increase of 22 vessels since January 1, 2021 and increase revenue from charter renewals at higher rates.
Adjusted EBITDA for the year ended December 31, 2021 was $252.2 million, compared to $163.2 million for 2020, with the increase being due to the reason noted above.
Interest Expense and Interest Income
Debt as at December 31, 2021 totaled $1,085.6 million, comprising $789.7 million secured debt collateralized by vessels, $178.4 million under sale and leaseback financing transactions and $117.5 million of unsecured indebtedness on our 2024 Notes. As of December 31, 2021, none of our vessels were unencumbered.
Debt as at December 31, 2020 totaled $781.9 million, comprising $233.4 million of indebtedness on our 2022 Notes, collateralized by 16 vessels in the legacy GSL fleet, $488.7 million other secured debt collateralized by our other vessels and $59.8 million of unsecured indebtedness on our 2024 Notes. As of December 31, 2020, five of our vessels were unencumbered.
Interest and other finance expenses for the fourth quarter 2021 were $14.9 million, up from $14.8 million for the fourth quarter of 2020. The effect of full repayment of our higher interest rate 2022 Notes in January 2021 and the partial repayment of our higher interest rate Blue Ocean Junior Credit Facility in February 2021 was offset by new loans with Hamburg Commercial Bank AG (“HCOB”) and new sale and leaseback agreements with Neptune Maritime Leasing (“Neptune”) and with CMB Financial Leasing Co. Ltd. (“CMBFL”), all for vessel acquisitions.
Interest and other finance expenses for the year ended December 31, 2021 were $69.2 million, an increase of $3.8 million, or 5.8%, on the interest and other finance expenses for the comparative period, of $65.4 million, although total debt increased by a net amount of $303.7 million year on year or 38.8%. The increase was mainly due to $5.8 million premium paid on the redemption in full of our 2022 Notes in January 2021 compared to $2.8 million premium paid on the redemption of $74.0 million of the 2022 Notes in 2020, the non-cash write off of deferred financing charges of $3.7 million and of original issue discount of $1.1 million associated with the redemption of the 2022 Notes, the prepayment fee of $1.6 million paid on the partial repayment of our Blue Ocean Junior Credit Facility, the prepayment fee of $1.4 million paid on the repayment and completion of the refinancing of our Odyssia Credit Facilities and interest on new loans with HCOB and new sale and leaseback agreements with Neptune and CMBFL, all for vessel additions, offset by a decrease in our blended cost of debt from approximately 6.3% for 2020 to 4.9% for 2021, as a result of our refinancings.


Interest income for the fourth quarter 2021 was $0.01 million, the same as is the fourth quarter 2020.
Interest income for the year ended December 31, 2021 was $0.4 million, compared to $1.0 million for 2020.
Other Income, Net
Other income, net was $1.1 million in the fourth quarter 2021, compared to income of $0.9 million in the fourth quarter 2020.
Other income, net was $2.8 million in the year ended December 31, 2021, compared to income of $1.3 million in 2020.
Taxation
Taxation for the fourth quarter 2021 was a charge of $2,000, compared to a charge of $1,000 in the fourth quarter 2020.
Taxation for the year ended December 31, 2021 was a credit of $0.06 million, compared to a credit of $0.05 million for 2020.
Earnings Allocated to Preferred Shares
Our Series B Preferred Shares carry a coupon of 8.75%, the cost of which for the fourth quarter 2021 was $2.4 million, compared to $1.2 million for the fourth quarter 2020. The increase was due to additional Series B Preferred Shares issued under our ATM program since January 1, 2021. The cost was $8.3 million in the year ended December 31, 2021, compared to $4.0 million for 2020.
Net Income Available to Common Shareholders
Net income available to common shareholders for the three months ended December 31, 2021 was $66.1 million. Net income available to common shareholders for the prior period was $10.8 million after $0.5 million premium paid on the redemption of $28.0 million of our 2022 Notes. Earnings per share for the three months ended December 31, 2021 was $1.84, an increase of 425.7% from the earnings per share for the comparative period, which was $0.35 per share.
Net income available to common shareholders for the year ended December 31, 2021 was $163.2 million, including the $7.8 million net gain on the sale of La Tour, the prepayment fee of $1.6 million on the partial repayment of our Blue Ocean Junior Credit Facility, the prepayment fee of $1.4 million on the completion of the refinancing of our Odyssia Credit Facilities, the prepayment fee of $0.2 million on the repayment of our Hayfin Credit Facility, the non-cash effect of $1.3 million for accelerated stock based compensation expense due to vesting and new awards of fully vested incentive shares, $5.8 million premium paid on the redemption in full of our 2022 Notes in January 2021, and associated accelerated amortization of $3.7 million deferred financing charges and $1.1 million original issue discount. Net income available to common shareholders for the prior period was $37.6 million, after a non-cash impairment charge of $8.5 million, $0.2 million loss on sale of two ships, $2.3 million premium paid on the redemption of $46.0 million of our 2022 Notes in February 2020 and $0.5 million premium paid on the redemption of $28.0 million of our 2022 Notes in December and $0.4 million new awards of fully vested incentive shares. Earnings per share for the year ended December 31, 2021 was $4.65, and increase of 278.0% from the earnings per share for 2020, which was $1.23.
Normalized net income (a non-GAAP financial measure) for the three months ended December 31, 2021, was $66.1 million. Normalized earnings per share for the three months ended December 31, 2021 was $1.84 the same as reported. Normalized net income for the three months ended December 31, 2020, was $11.3 million, before the $0.5 million premium paid on the redemption of $28.0 million of our 2022 Notes in December. Normalized earnings per share for the three months ended December 31, 2020 was $0.37.
Normalized net income for the year ended December 31, 2021 was $170.7 million before the $7.8 million net gain on the sale of La Tour, the prepayment fee of $1.6 million on the partial repayment of our Blue Ocean Junior Credit Facility, the prepayment fee of $1.4 million on the completion of the refinancing of our Odyssia Credit Facilities, the prepayment fee of $0.2 million on the repayment of our Hayfin Credit Facility, the non-cash effect of $1.3 million for accelerated stock based compensation expense, $5.8 million premium paid on the redemption in full of our 2022 Notes in January 2021, the associated accelerated amortization of $3.7 million deferred financing charges and $1.1 million original issue discount. Normalized earnings per share for the year ended December 31, 2021 was $4.86. Normalized net income in the comparative period was $49.6 million, before the non-cash impairment charge of $8.5 million, $2.8 million premium paid on the redemption of 2022 Notes, $0.2 million of loss on sale of the two ships and $0.4 million new awards of fully vested incentive shares. Normalized earnings per share for the year ended December 31, 2020 was $1.62.


Fleet
As at March 1, 2022, we had 65 containerships in our fleet.

  Vessel Name
Capacity in TEUs
Lightweight (tons)
Year Built
Charterer
Earliest Charter Expiry Date
Latest Charter Expiry Date (2)
Daily Charter Rate $
               
CMA CGM Thalassa
11,040
38,577
2008
CMA CGM
4Q25
2Q26
47,200
UASC Al Khor (1)
9,115
31,764
2015
Hapag-Lloyd (3)
1Q27 (3)
3Q27 (3)
34,000 (3)
Anthea Y (1)
9,115
31,890
2015
COSCO
3Q23
4Q23
38,000
Maira XL(1)
9,115
31,820
2015
ONE (3)
2Q27 (3)
4Q27 (3)
31,650 (3)
MSC Tianjin
8,603
34,325
2005
MSC
2Q24
3Q24
19,000
MSC Qingdao (4)
8,603
34,609
2004
MSC
2Q24
1Q25
23,000
GSL Ningbo
8,603
34,340
2004
MSC
1Q23
3Q23
22,500
GSL Eleni
7,847
29,261
2004
Maersk
3Q24
4Q24 (5)
16,500 (5)
GSL Kalliopi
7,847
29,105
2004
Maersk
4Q22
1Q25 (5)
14,500 (5)
GSL Grania
7,847
29,190
2004
Maersk
4Q22
4Q24 (5)
14,500 (5)
Mary (1)
6,927
23,424
2013
CMA CGM
3Q23
4Q23
25,910
Kristina (1)
6,927
23,421
2013
CMA CGM
2Q24
3Q24
25,910
Katherine (1)
6,927
23,403
2013
CMA CGM
1Q24
2Q24
25,910
Alexandra (1)
6,927
23,348
2013
CMA CGM
1Q24
3Q24
25,910
Alexis (1)
6,882
23,919
2015
CMA CGM
1Q24
3Q24
25,910
Olivia I (1)
6,882
23,864
2015
CMA CGM
1Q24
2Q24
25,910
GSL Christen
6,840
27,954
2002
Maersk
3Q23
4Q23
35,000
GSL Nicoletta
6,840
28,070
2002
Maersk
3Q24
4Q24
35,750
CMA CGM Berlioz
6,621
26,776
2001
CMA CGM
4Q25
2Q26
37,750 (6)
Agios Dimitrios (4)
6,572
24,931
2011
MSC
4Q23
3Q24
20,000
GSL Vinia
6,080
23,737
2004
Maersk
3Q24
2Q25
13,250
GSL Christel Elisabeth
6,080
23,745
2004
Maersk
2Q24
2Q25
13,250
GSL Dorothea
5,992
24,243
2001
Maersk
3Q24
3Q26
18,600 (7)
GSL Arcadia
6,008
24,858
2000
Maersk
2Q24
1Q26
18,600 (7)
GSL Violetta
6,008
24,873
2000
Maersk
4Q24
4Q25
18,600 (7)
GSL Maria
6,008
24,414
2001
Maersk
4Q24
1Q27
18,600 (7)
GSL MYNY
6,008
24,873
2000
Maersk
3Q24
1Q26
18,600 (7)
GSL Melita
6,008
24,848
2001
Maersk
3Q24
3Q26
18,600 (7)
GSL Tegea
5,992
24,308
2001
Maersk
3Q24
3Q26
18,600 (7)
Tasman
5,936
25,010
2000
Maersk
1Q22
1Q24
12,500 (8)
ZIM Europe
5,936
25,010
2000
ZIM
1Q24
3Q24
14,500 (9)
Ian H
5,936
25,128
2000
ZIM
2Q24
4Q24
32,500 (9)
GSL Tripoli
5,470
22,259
2009
Maersk
3Q24
4Q27
36,500 (10)
GSL Kithira
5,470
22,108
2009
Maersk
4Q24
1Q28
36,500 (10)
GSL Tinos
5,470
22,067
2010
Maersk
3Q24
4Q27
36,500 (10)
GSL Syros
5,470
22,098
2010
Maersk
3Q24
4Q27
36,500 (10)
Dolphin II
5,095
20,596
2007
OOCL
1Q25
2Q25
24,500 (11)
Orca I
5,095
20,633
2006
Maersk
2Q24
4Q25
21,000 (12)
CMA CGM Alcazar
5,089
20,087
2007
CMA CGM
3Q26
4Q26
35,500
GSL Château d’If
5,089
19,994
2007
CMA CGM
4Q26
1Q27
35,500
GSL Susan
4,363
17,309
2008
CMA CGM
3Q22
4Q22
22,000
CMA CGM Jamaica
4,298
17,272
2006
CMA CGM
3Q22
3Q23
25,350
CMA CGM Sambhar
4,045
17,429
2006
CMA CGM
3Q22
3Q23
25,350
CMA CGM America
4,045
17,428
2006
CMA CGM
3Q22
2Q23
25,350
GSL Rossi
3,421
16,420
2012
Gold Star/ZIM
1Q26
3Q26
20,000 (13)
GSL Alice
3,421
16,543
2014
CMA CGM
1Q23
2Q23
21,500
GSL Eleftheria
3,404
16,642
2013
Maersk
3Q25
4Q25
37,975
GSL Melina
3,404
16,703
2013
Maersk
2Q23
3Q23
24,500
GSL Valerie
2,824
11,971
2005
ZIM
1Q25
3Q25
13,250 (14)
Matson Molokai
2,824
11,949
2007
Matson
2Q25
3Q25
20,250 (15)
GSL Lalo
2,824
11,950
2006
ONE
4Q22
1Q23
18,500
GSL Mercer
2,824
11,970
2007
ONE
4Q24
1Q25
35,750
Athena
2,762
13,538
2003
Hapag-Lloyd
2Q24
2Q24
21,500
GSL Elizabeth
2,741
11,507
2006
ONE
3Q22
1Q23
18,500
GSL Chloe
2,546
12,212
2012
ONE
4Q24
1Q25
33,000
GSL Maren
2,546
12,243
2014
Westwood
4Q22
1Q23
19,250
Maira
2,506
11,453
2000
Hapag-Lloyd
1Q23
2Q23
14,450
Nikolas
2,506
11,370
2000
CMA CGM
1Q23
1Q23
16,000
Newyorker
2,506
11,463
2001
CMA CGM
1Q24
3Q24
20,700
Manet
2,272
11,727
2001
OOCL
4Q24
1Q25
32,000 (16)
Keta
2,207
11,731
2003
CMA CGM
1Q25
1Q25
25,000
Julie
2,207
11,731
2002
Sea Consortium
1Q23
2Q23
20,000
Kumasi
2,207
11,791
2002
Wan Hai
1Q25
2Q25
38,000 (17)
Akiteta (18)
2,207
11,731
2002
OOCL
4Q24
1Q25
32,000
GSL Amstel
1,118
5,167
2008
CMA CGM
3Q23
3Q23
11,900



 
(1)
Modern design, high reefer capacity, fuel-efficient vessel.
 
(2)
In many instances charterers have the option to further extend a charter beyond the nominal latest expiry date by the amount of time that the vessel was off hire during the course of that charter. This additional charter time (“Offhire Extension”) is computed at the end of the initially contracted charter period. The Latest Charter Expiry Dates shown in this table have been adjusted to reflect offhire accrued up to the date of issuance of this release plus estimated offhire scheduled to occur during the remaining lifetimes of the respective charters. However, as actual offhire can only be calculated at the end of each charter, in some cases actual Offhire Extensions – if invoked by charterers - may exceed the Latest Charter Expiry Dates indicated.
 
(3)
UASC Al Khor & Maira XL. On November 22, 2021 we announced the forward fixture of these two ships, upon the expiry of their existing charters in the second or third quarters of 2022, to a leading liner operator for approximately five years each at a charter rate of $65,000 per day.
 
(4)
MSC Qingdao & Agios Dimitrios are fitted with Exhaust Gas Cleaning Systems (“scrubbers”).
 
(5)
GSL Eleni delivered 2Q2019 and is chartered for five years; GSL Kalliopi (delivered 4Q2019) and GSL Grania (delivered 3Q2019) are chartered for three years plus two successive periods of one year at the option of the charterer. During the option periods the charter rates for GSL Kalliopi and GSL Grania are $18,900 per day and $17,750 per day respectively.
 
(6)
CMA CGM Berlioz. Chartered at $34,000 per day through end-December 2021, at which time the rate increased to $37,750 per day.
 
(7)
On February 9, 2021 we announced that we had contracted to purchase seven ships of approximately 6,000 TEU each, which have now been delivered. Contract cover for each ship is for a firm period of at least three years from the date each vessel is delivered, with charterers holding a one-year extension option on each charter (at a rate of $12,900 per day), followed by a second option (at a rate of $12,700 per day) with the period determined by - and terminating prior to - each vessel’s 25th year drydocking & special survey.
 
(8)
Tasman. 12-month extension at charterer’s option is callable in 2Q2022, at an increased rate of $20,000 per day.
 
(9)
A package agreement with ZIM, for direct charter extensions on two 5,900 TEU ships: Ian H, at a rate of $32,500 per day from May 2021, and ZIM Europe (formerly Dimitris Y), at a rate of $24,250 per day, from May 2022.
 
(10)
On June 16, 2021 we announced that we had contracted to purchase four ultra-high reefer ships of 5,470 TEU each. These ships delivered in September and October of 2021. Contract cover on each ship is for a firm period of three years at a rate of $36,500 per day, with a period of an additional three years (at $17,250 per day) at charterers’ option.
 
(11)
Dolphin II. Chartered to OOCL at $24,500 per day through April 2022, at which time the rate will increase to $53,500 per day.
 
(12)
Orca I. Chartered at $21,000 per day through to the median expiry of the charter in 2Q2024; thereafter the charterer has the option to charter the vessel for a further 12-14 months at the same rate.
 
(13)
GSL Rossi. Chartered to Gold Star / ZIM to March 2022 at a rate of $20,000 per day; thereafter the rate increases to an average of $38,875 per day.
 
(14)
GSL Valerie: chartered to ZIM at $13,250 per day to January 2022; thereafter the rate increases to an average of $35,600 per day-$40,000 for the first 12 months, $36,000 for the next 12 months and $32,000 for the remaining period.
 
(15)
Matson Molokai. Chartered to Matson at $20,250 per day to May 2022 after which the rate increases to $36,500 per day.
 
(16)
Manet. Chartered to OOCL at a rate of $32,000 per day upon completion of dry-docking.
 
(17)
Kumasi. Chartered to Wan Hai at a rate of $38,000 per day upon completion of dry-docking.
 
(18)
Akiteta, formerly Marie Delmas. Chartered to OOCL at a rate of $32,000 per day upon completion of dry-docking. Note that this charter was formerly attributed to Kumasi, but was switched to Akiteta due to vessel positioning and availability.



Conference Call and Webcast
Global Ship Lease will hold a conference call to discuss the Company's results for the three months ended December 31, 2021 today, Wednesday March 2, 2022 at 10:30 a.m. Eastern Time. There are two ways to access the conference call:
(1)
Dial-in: (877) 445-2556 or (908) 982-4670; Passcode: 7693412
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 Friday, March 18, 2022 at (855) 859-2056 or (404) 537-3406. Enter the code 7693412 to access the audio replay. The webcast will also be archived on the Company’s website: http://www.globalshiplease.com
Annual Report on Form 20-F
The Company’s Annual Report for 2020 was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) on March 19, 2021. 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 or on the Commission’s website at www.sec.gov. 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, 25 Wilton Road, London SW1V ILW.
About Global Ship Lease
Global Ship Lease is a leading independent owner of containerships with a diversified fleet of mid-sized and smaller containerships. Incorporated in the Marshall Islands, Global Ship Lease commenced operations in December 2007 with a business of owning and chartering out containerships under fixed-rate charters to top tier container liner companies. It was listed on the New York stock Exchange in August 2008.
As at March 1, 2022, Global Ship Lease owned 65 containerships, ranging from 1,118 to 11,040 TEU, with an aggregate capacity of 342,348 TEU. 32 ships are wide-beam Post-Panamax.
Adjusted to include all charters agreed, and ships contracted to be purchased, up to March 1, 2022, the average remaining term of the Company’s charters as at December 31, 2021, to the mid-point of redelivery, including options under the Company’s control and other than if a redelivery notice has been received, was 2.6 years on a TEU-weighted basis. Contracted revenue on the same basis was $1.79 billion. Contracted revenue was $2.04 billion, including options under charterers’ control and with latest redelivery date, representing a weighted average remaining term of 3.3 years.
Reconciliation of Non-U.S. GAAP Financial Measures
A. Adjusted EBITDA
Adjusted EBITDA represents net income available to common shareholders before interest income and expense, earnings allocated to preferred shares, income taxes, depreciation and amortization of drydocking net costs, gains or losses on the sale of vessels, amortization of intangible liabilities, charges for share based compensation and impairment losses. Adjusted EBITDA is a non-U.S. GAAP quantitative measure used to assist in the assessment of our ability to generate cash from our 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 U.S. GAAP and should not be considered to be an alternative to net income or any other financial metric required by such accounting principles. Our use of Adjusted EBITDA may vary from the use of similarly titled measures by others in our industry.


Adjusted EBITDA is presented herein both on a historic basis and on a forward-looking basis in certain instances. We do not provide a reconciliation of such forward looking non-U.S. GAAP financial measure to the most directly comparable U.S. GAAP measure because such U.S. GAAP financial measure on a forward-looking basis is not available to us without unreasonable effort.
ADJUSTED EBITDA - UNAUDITED
(thousands of U.S. dollars)
   
Three
Three
Twelve
Twelve
   
months
months
months
months
   
ended
ended
ended
ended
   
December 31,
December 31,
December 31,
December 31,
   
2021
2020
2021
2020
           
Net income available to Common Shareholders
66,095
10,752
 163,232
 37,568
           
Adjust:
Depreciation and amortization
19,245
12,008
61,563
46,978
 
Amortization of intangible liabilities
(18,362)
(453)
(45,430)
(541)
 
Impairment of vessels
-
-
-
8,497
 
(Gain)/loss on sale of vessels
-
-
(7,770)
244
 
Interest income
(80)
(59)
(449)
(956)
 
Interest expense
14,925
14,821
69,227
65,354
 
Share based compensation
1,205
358
3,510
1,998
 
Earnings allocated to preferred shares
2,384
1,248
8,263
3,995
 
Income tax
(2)
(1)
56
49
           
Adjusted EBITDA
85,410
38,674
 252,202
 163,186

B. Normalized net income
Normalized net income represents net income available to common shareholders adjusted for impairment charges, the premium paid on redemption of our 2022 Notes together with the associated accelerated amortization of deferred financing costs and original issue discount, prepayment fees on repayment of credit facilities, accelerated stock based compensation expense due to vesting and new awards of fully vested incentive shares and gains or losses on sale of vessels. Normalized net income is a non-U.S. GAAP quantitative measure which we believe will assist investors and analysts who often adjust reported net income for items that do not affect operating performance or operating cash generated. Normalized net income is not defined in U.S. GAAP and should not be considered to be an alternate to net income or any other financial metric required by such accounting principles. Our use of Normalized net income may vary from the use of similarly titled measures by others in our industry.



NORMALIZED NET INCOME

(thousands of U.S. dollars)

   
Three
months
ended
December 31,
2021
Three
months
ended
December 31,
2020
Twelve
months
Ended
December 31,
2021
Twelve
months
ended
December 31,
2020
   
 
 
 
 
Net income available to Common Shareholders
66,095
10,752
163,232
37,568
   
 
 
 
 
Adjust:
(Gain)/loss on sale of vessels
-
-
(7,770)
244
 
Prepayment fee on repayment of Odyssia Credit Facilities
-
-
1,438
-
 
Prepayment fee on partial repayment of Blue Ocean Credit Facility
-
-
1,618
-
 
Prepayment fee on repayment of Hayfin Facility
-
 
175
 
 
Impairment of vessels
-
-
-
8,497
 
Accelerated stock based compensation expense due to vesting and new awards of fully vested incentive shares
-
-
1,346
426
 
Premium paid on redemption of 2022 Notes
-
560
5,764
2,831
 
Accelerated write off of deferred financing charges related to redemption of 2022 Notes
-
-
3,745
-
 
Accelerated write off of original issue discount related to redemption of 2022 Notes
-
-
1,133
-
   
 
 
 
 
 Normalized net income
 66,095
 11,312
 170,681
 49,566

C. Normalized Earnings per Share
Normalized Earnings per Share represents Earnings per Share adjusted for impairment charges, the premium paid on redemption of our 2022 Notes together with the associated accelerated amortization of deferred financing costs and original issue discount, prepayment fees on repayment of credit facilities, accelerated stock based compensation expense due to vesting and new awards of fully vested incentive shares and gains or losses on sale of vessels. Normalized Earnings per Share is a non-U.S. GAAP quantitative measure which we believe will assist investors and analysts who often adjust reported Earnings per Share for items that do not affect operating performance or operating cash generated. Normalized Earnings per Share is not defined in U.S. GAAP and should not be considered to be an alternate to Earnings per Share as reported or any other financial metric required by such accounting principles. Our use of Normalized Earnings per Share may vary from the use of similarly titled measures by others in our industry.



NORMALIZED EARNINGS PER SHARE

   
Three
Three
Twelve
Twelve
   
months
months
months
months
   
ended
ended
ended
ended
   
December 31,
December 31,
December 31,
December 31,
   
2021
2020
2021
2020
           
EPS as reported (USD)
1.84
0.35
4.65
1.23
Normalized net income adjustments-Class A common shares (in thousands USD)
-
324
7,449
6,992
Weighted average number of Class A Common shares
35,891,587
17,741,008
35,125,003
17,687,137
Adjustment on EPS (USD)
-
0.02
0.21
0.39
Normalized EPS (USD)
1.84
0.37
4.86
1.62


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," “should,” "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;
 
geo-political events such as the conflict in Ukraine;
 
the length and severity of the ongoing outbreak of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) around the world and governmental responses thereto;
 
the financial condition of our charterers, particularly CMA CGM, our principal charterer and main source of operating revenue, and their ability to pay charterhire in accordance with the charters;
 
Global Ship Lease’s financial condition and liquidity, including its level of indebtedness or ability to obtain additional financing to fund capital expenditures, ship acquisitions and other general corporate purposes;
 
Global Ship Lease’s ability to meet its financial covenants and repay its credit facilities;
 
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 facilities;


 
risks relating to the acquisition of Poseidon Containers and Global Ship Lease’s ability to realize the anticipated benefits of the acquisition;
 
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 ship operation, including piracy, discharge of pollutants and ship 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 or other ship employment arrangements;
 
Global Ship Lease’s ability to realize expected benefits from its acquisition of secondhand vessels;
 
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 U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (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.




Global Ship Lease, Inc.
Interim Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(Expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars except share data)

 
December 31, 2021
 
December 31, 2020
ASSETS
   
 
 
 
CURRENT ASSETS
         
Cash and cash equivalents
$
75,180
 
$
80,757
Restricted cash
 
24,894
   
825
Accounts receivable, net
 
3,220
 
 
2,532
Inventories
 
11,410
   
6,316
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
 
25,224
 
 
6,711
Derivative asset
 
533
   
-
Due from related parties
 
2,897
   
1,472
Total current assets
$
143,358
 
$
98,613
NON-CURRENT ASSETS
         
Vessels in operation
$
1,682,816
 
$
1,140,583
Advances for vessels acquisitions and other additions
 
6,139
   
1,364
Deferred charges, net
 
37,629
   
22,951
Other non-current assets
 
14,010
   
-
Derivative asset, net of current portion
 
6,694
   
-
Restricted cash, net of current portion
 
103,468
 
 
10,680
Total non-current assets
 
1,850,756
 
 
1,175,578
TOTAL ASSETS
$
1,994,114
 
$
1,274,191
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
         
CURRENT LIABILITIES
   
 
 
 
Accounts payable
$
13,159
 
$
10,557
Accrued liabilities
 
32,249
 
 
19,127
Current portion of long-term debt
 
190,316
   
76,681
Current portion of deferred revenue
 
8,496
 
 
5,623
Due to related parties
 
543
   
225
Total current liabilities
$
244,763
 
$
112,213
LONG-TERM LIABILITIES
         
Long-term debt, net of current portion and deferred financing costs
$
880,134
 
$
692,775
Intangible liabilities-charter agreements
 
55,376
 
 
4,462
Deferred revenue, net of current portion
 
101,288
   
-
Total non-current liabilities
 
1,036,798
 
 
697,237
Total liabilities
$
1,281,561
 
$
809,450
Commitments and Contingencies
         
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
   
 
 
 
Class A common shares - authorized
214,000,000 shares with a $0.01 par value
36,464,109 shares issued and outstanding (2020 – 17,741,008 shares)
 
365
   
177
Series B Preferred Shares - authorized
44,000 shares with a $0.01 par value
43,592 shares issued and outstanding (2020 – 22,822 shares)
 
-
   
-
Series C Preferred Shares - authorized
250,000 shares with a $0.01 par value
Nil shares issued and outstanding (2020 - 250,000 shares)
 
-
 
 
3
Additional paid in capital
 
698,463
   
586,355
Retained earnings/(accumulated deficit)
 
13,498
 
 
(121,794)
Accumulated other comprehensive income
 
227
   
-
Total shareholders' equity
 
712,553
   
464,741
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
$
1,994,114
 
$
1,274,191


Global Ship Lease, Inc.
Interim Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income
(Expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars)
 
Three months ended December 31,
 
Twelve months ended December 31,
 
2021
 
2020
 
2021
 
2020
OPERATING REVENUES
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Time charter revenue (includes related party revenues of $39,686 and $32,604 for the three month periods ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively, and $144,681 and $142,826 for the twelve month periods ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively)
$
135,167
 
$
69,517
 
$
402,524
 
$
282,272
Amortization of intangible liabilities-charter agreements (includes related party amortization of intangible liabilities-charter agreements of $3,358 and $453 for the three month periods ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively, and $6,882 and $1,782 for the twelve month periods ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively)
 
18,362
   
453
   
45,430
   
541
Total Operating Revenues
 
153,529
 
 
69,970
 
 
447,954
 
 
282,813
                       
OPERATING EXPENSES:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Vessel operating expenses (includes related party vessel operating expenses of $4,539 and $3,199 for the three month periods ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively, and $15,294 and $12,580 for the twelve month periods ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively)
 
43,612
   
27,713
   
130,304
   
102,837
Time charter and voyage expenses (includes related party time charter and voyage expenses of $1,218 and $645 for the three month periods ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively, and $3,583 and $2,446 for the twelve months period ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively)
 
4,789
 
 
2,431
 
 
13,100
 
 
11,149
Depreciation and amortization
 
19,245
   
12,008
   
61,563
   
46,978
Impairment of vessels
 
-
 
 
-
 
 
-
 
 
8,497
General and administrative expenses
 
3,686
   
1,972
   
13,240
   
8,350
(Gain)/loss on sale of vessels
 
-
 
 
-
 
 
(7,770)
 
 
244
Operating Income
 
82,197
 
 
25,846
 
 
237,517
 
 
104,758
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NON-OPERATING INCOME/(EXPENSES)
                     
Interest income
 
80
 
 
59
 
 
449
 
 
956
Interest and other finance expenses (include of $5,764 and $2,831 Notes premium for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively)
 
(14,925)
   
(14,821)
   
(69,227)
   
(65,354)
Other income, net
 
1,125
 
 
915
 
 
2,812
 
 
1,252
Total non-operating expenses
 
(13,720)
 
 
(13,847)
 
 
(65,966)
 
 
(63,146)
Income before income taxes
 
68,477
 
 
11,999
 
 
171,551
 
 
41,612
Income taxes
 
2
   
1
   
(56)
   
(49)
Net Income
 $
68,479
 
12,000
 
$
171,495
 
41,563
Earnings allocated to Series B Preferred Shares
 
(2,384)
   
(1,248)
   
(8,263)
   
(3,995)
Net Income available to Common Shareholders
 $
66,095
 
10,752
 
163,232
 
37,568




Global Ship Lease, Inc.
Interim Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(Expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars)

   
Three months ended December 31,
   
Twelve months ended December 31,
   
2021
   
2020
   
2021
   
2020
Cash flows from operating activities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income
$
68,479
 
$
12,000
 
$
171,495
 
$
41,563
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Depreciation and amortization
$
19,245
 
$
12,008
 
$
61,563
 
$
46,978
Impairment of vessels
 
-
 
 
-
 
 
-
 
 
8,497
(Gain)/loss on sale of vessel
 
-
   
-
   
(7,770)
   
244
Amortization of deferred financing costs
 
1,469
 
 
1,055
 
 
8,279
 
 
4,085
Amortization of original issue discount/premium on repurchase of notes
 
(119)
   
814
   
8,615
   
3,269
Amortization of intangible liabilities-charter agreements
 
(18,362)
 
 
(453)
 
 
(45,430)
 
 
(541)
Share based compensation
 
1,205
   
358
   
3,510
   
1,998
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(Increase)/decrease in accounts receivable and other assets
$
(10,656)
 
$
1,062
 
$
(33,211)
 
$
3,132
Increase in inventories
 
(2,149)
 
 
(901)
 
 
(5,094)
 
 
(721)
Increase in derivative asset
 
(7,000)
   
-
   
(7,000)
   
-
Increase/(decrease) in accounts payable and other liabilities
 
7,111
   
(4,155)
   
5,939
   
(2,215)
(Decrease)/increase in related parties' balances, net
 
(1,444)
 
 
971
 
 
(1,107)
 
 
2,504
Increase/(decrease) in deferred revenue
 
102,602
   
(492)
   
104,160
   
(4,364)
Unrealized foreign exchange gain
 
(5)
 
 
-
 
 
-
 
 
-
Net cash provided by operating activities
$
160,376
 
$
22,267
 
$
263,949
 
$
104,429
Cash flows from investing activities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Acquisition of vessels and intangibles
$
(36,000)
 
$
-
 
$
(463,750)
 
$
(23,060)
Cash paid for vessel expenditures
 
(1,853)
 
 
(520)
 
 
(4,611)
 
 
(4,089)
Advances for vessel acquisitions and other additions
 
1,043
   
(64)
   
(3,276)
   
(4,541)
Cash paid for drydockings
 
(11,660)
 
 
(4,657)
 
 
(19,226)
 
 
(14,756)
Net proceeds from sale of vessels
 
-
   
-
   
16,514
   
6,852
Net cash used in investing activities
$
(48,470)
 
$
(5,241)
 
$
(474,349)
 
$
(39,594)
Cash flows from financing activities:
                     
Proceeds from issuance of 2024 Notes
$
-
 
$
861
 
$
22,701
 
$
20,054
Repurchase of 2022 Notes, including premium
 
-
   
(32,356)
   
(239,183)
   
(91,971)
Proceeds from drawdown of credit facilities and sale and leaseback
 
30,000
 
 
-
 
 
744,506
 
 
47,000
Repayment of credit facilities and sale and leaseback
 
(37,835)
   
(17,509)
   
(115,502)
   
(64,311)
Repayment of refinanced debt
 
-
 
 
-
 
 
(149,632)
 
 
(44,366)
Deferred financing costs paid
 
(1,885)
   
(231)
   
(13,790)
   
(1,193)
Net proceeds from offering and repurchase of Class A common shares, net of offering costs
 
-
 
 
-
 
 
67,549
 
 
(74)
Retirement of Class A common shares
 
-
   
-
   
(10,000)
   
-
Proceeds from offering of Series B preferred shares, net of offering costs
 
(20)
   
11,811
   
51,234
   
18,647
Class A common shares-dividend paid
 
(9,235)
 
 
-
 
 
(27,940)
 
 
-
Series B Preferred Shares-dividend paid
 
(2,384)
   
(1,248)
   
(8,263)
   
(3,995)
Net cash (used in)/provided by financing activities
$
(21,359)
 
$
(38,672)
 
$
321,680
 
$
(120,209)
Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash
 
90,547
   
(21,646)
   
111,280
   
(55,374)
Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of the period
 
112,995
 
 
113,908
 
 
92,262
 
 
147,636
Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of the period
$
203,542
 
$
92,262
 
$
203,542
 
$
92,262
Supplementary Cash Flow Information:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash paid for interest
$
13,238
 
$
19,655
 
$
49,528
 
$
59,769
Non-cash Investing activities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Unpaid drydocking expenses
 
5,799
   
1,061
   
5,799
   
1,321
Unpaid vessel expenditures
 
6,257
 
 
1,459
 
 
6,257
 
 
4,127
Unpaid advances for vessels acquisitions and other additions
 
1,499
   
-
   
1,499
   
-
Acquisition of vessels and intangibles
 
4,209
   
-
   
96,344
   
-
Non-cash financing activities:
                     
Issuance of 2024 Notes for the acquisition of vessels
 
-
   
-
   
35,000
   
-
Premium on the 2024 Notes issued for the acquisition of vessels
 
-
   
-
   
1,680
   
-
Net unrealized gain on interest rate cap
 
227
   
-
   
227
   
-

Exhibit 99.2

Global Ship Lease Declares Quarterly Dividend per Common Share for Fourth Quarter of 2021
February 10, 2022
Reiterates intention to increase dividend by 50% to $0.375 per share
LONDON, Feb. 10, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Global Ship Lease, Inc. (NYSE:GSL) (the “Company”) announced today that the Company’s Board of Directors has declared a dividend of $0.25 per Class A common share for the fourth quarter of 2021, to be paid on March 4, 2022 to shareholders of record as of February 22, 2022.
As announced on November 22, 2021, the Company’s Board of Directors intends to increase the quarterly dividend to be paid to common shareholders by 50% to $0.375 per share, with effect from the dividend related to the first quarter of 2022.
About Global Ship Lease
Global Ship Lease is a leading independent owner of containerships with a diversified fleet of mid-sized and smaller containerships. Incorporated in the Marshall Islands, Global Ship Lease commenced operations in December 2007 with a business of owning and chartering out containerships under fixed-rate charters to top tier container liner companies. It was listed on the New York stock Exchange in August 2008.
As at January 25, 2022, Global Ship Lease owned 65 containerships, ranging from 1,118 to 11,040 TEU with an aggregate capacity of 342,348 TEU. 32 ships are wide-beam Post-Panamax.
Adjusted to include all charters agreed, and ships contracted to be purchased, up to January 25, 2022, the average remaining term of the Company’s charters as at September 30, 2021, to the mid-point of redelivery, including options under the Company’s control and other than if a redelivery notice has been received, was 2.8 years on a TEU-weighted basis. Contracted revenue on the same basis was $1.89 billion. Contracted revenue was $2.15 billion, including options under charterers’ control and with latest redelivery date, representing a weighted average remaining term of 3.5 years.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements provide the Company’s current expectations or forecasts of future events. Forward-looking statements include statements about the Company’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 the Company cannot assure you that the events or expectations 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, including the factors described in “Risk Factors” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 20-F and the factors and risks the Company describes in subsequent reports filed from time to time with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Accordingly, you should not unduly rely on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly revise any forward-looking statement to reflect circumstances or events after the date of this press release or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

Investor and Media Contact:
The IGB Group
Bryan Degnan
646-673-9701
or
Leon Berman
212-477-8438

Global Ship Lease Inc.
Exhibit 99.3

Global Ship Lease Provides Update on Recent Chartering and Refinancing Activity
January 25, 2022
New multi-year charter for 2,200 TEU, 2002-built Kumasi at a rate more than 300% above prior and approximately 20% above sister ship charters agreed in 4Q21
Refinancing activity extends maturity of largest outstanding debt facility from 2024 to 2026, positions Company to eliminate highest-cost debt, and caps interest rate exposure through 4Q26
LONDON, Jan. 25, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Global Ship Lease, Inc. (NYSE: GSL) (the “Company”) today provided an update on its recent chartering and refinancing activity.
The Company has agreed a new three-year charter with a leading liner operator for the 2,200 TEU, 2002-built Kumasi. The charter is scheduled to commence following the vessel’s regulatory drydock in January 2022, at a rate of $38,000 per day.
The Company has also agreed a new senior secured debt facility to refinance its outstanding $219.4 million senior secured debt facility, which will extend the maturity date from September 2024 to December 2026, amend certain covenants in the Company’s favor, further strengthen the Company’s ability to sustain dividends throughout market cycles, and release three vessels from the facility’s collateral basket (the “Unencumbered Vessels”), at an unchanged rate of LIBOR + 3.00%. The Unencumbered Vessels were subsequently used as collateral for a new $60 million syndicated senior secured debt facility, priced at LIBOR + 2.75%, which the Company intends to utilize to fully repay its 10.00% junior debt facility, and for general corporate purposes.
The Company has also hedged its exposure to a potential rising interest rate environment by putting in place a USD LIBOR cap of 0.75% through fourth quarter 2026 (the “Interest Rate Cap”), on $484 million of its floating rate debt, which reduces over time and represents approximately half of the Company’s outstanding floating rate debt.
George Youroukos, Executive Chairman of Global Ship Lease, commented, “As the numerous multi-year forward charters that we have agreed in recent quarters increasingly come into effect and substantially strengthen our long-term cashflows, we have remained active in ensuring that we crystallize the long-term benefits of having a high-quality fleet during this extraordinarily strong market. We have had continual success in improving our balance sheet by reducing our cost of debt, hedging much of our floating rate interest exposure, increasing the diversification of our lenders to a total number of 18, and improving both terms and flexibility in ways that will support our competitiveness, our earnings, and our ability to reliably pay a dividend throughout market cycles. We have also remained active in chartering, securing long-term employment for our only near-term expiry, the Kumasi, and exploring opportunities for forward contracts for vessels coming off charter later this year. The highly attractive rate that we have secured for the 20-year-old Kumasi represents an increase of more than 300% from the vessel’s prior rate and is approximately 20% higher than multi-year charters agreed for two of Kumasi’s sister vessels during the fourth quarter of 2021. We believe that this is clear evidence that the market for mid-sized and smaller containerships has maintained significant positive momentum on the back of highly supportive and durable fundamentals despite what is traditionally the low season for the charter market.”
About Global Ship Lease
Global Ship Lease is a leading independent owner of containerships with a diversified fleet of mid-sized and smaller containerships. Incorporated in the Marshall Islands, Global Ship Lease commenced operations in December 2007 with a business of owning and chartering out containerships under fixed-rate charters to top tier container liner companies. It was listed on the New York stock Exchange in August 2008.
As at January 25, 2022, Global Ship Lease owned 65 containerships, ranging from 1,118 to 11,040 TEU with an aggregate capacity of 342,348 TEU. 32 ships are wide-beam Post-Panamax.
Adjusted to include all charters agreed, and ships contracted to be purchased, up to January 25, 2022, the average remaining term of the Company’s charters as at September 30, 2021, to the mid-point of redelivery, including options under the Company’s control and other than if a redelivery notice has been received, was 2.8 years on a TEU-weighted basis. Contracted revenue on the same basis was $1.89 billion. Contracted revenue was $2.15 billion, including options under charterers’ control and with latest redelivery date, representing a weighted average remaining term of 3.5 years.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements provide the Company’s current expectations or forecasts of future events. Forward-looking statements include statements about the Company’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 the Company cannot assure you that the events or expectations 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, including the factors described in “Risk Factors” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 20-F and the factors and risks the Company describes in subsequent reports filed from time to time with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Accordingly, you should not unduly rely on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly revise any forward-looking statement to reflect circumstances or events after the date of this press release or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.
CONTACT:
Investor and Media Contact:
The IGB Group Bryan Degnan 646-673-9701 or
Leon Berman
212-477-8438


Global Ship Lease Inc.

Exhibit 99.4
Global Ship Lease Declares Quarterly Dividend on its 8.75% Series B Cumulative Redeemable Perpetual Preferred Shares
December 13, 2021
LONDON, Dec. 13, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Global Ship Lease, Inc. (NYSE:GSL) (the “Company”) announced today that the Company’s Board of Directors has declared a cash dividend of $0.546875 per depositary share, each representing a 1/100th interest in a share of its 8.75% Series B Cumulative Redeemable Perpetual Preferred Shares (the “Series B Preferred Shares”) (NYSE:GSLPrB). The dividend represents payment for the period from October 1, 2021 to December 31, 2021 and will be paid on January 3, 2022 to all Series B Preferred Shareholders of record as of December 27, 2021.
About Global Ship Lease
Global Ship Lease is a leading independent owner of containerships with a diversified fleet of mid-sized and smaller containerships. Incorporated in the Marshall Islands, Global Ship Lease commenced operations in December 2007 with a business of owning and chartering out containerships under fixed-rate charters to top tier container liner companies. It was listed on the New York stock Exchange in August 2008.
As at November 21, 2021, Global Ship Lease owned 65 containerships, ranging from 1,118 to 11,040 TEU with an aggregate capacity of 342,348 TEU. 32 ships are wide-beam Post-Panamax.
Adjusted to include all charters agreed, and ships contracted to be purchased, up to November 21, 2021, the average remaining term of the Company’s charters as at September 30, 2021, to the mid-point of redelivery, including options under the Company’s control and other than if a redelivery notice has been received, was 2.8 years on a TEU-weighted basis. Contracted revenue on the same basis was $1.85 billion. Contracted revenue was $2.1 billion, including options under charterers’ control and with latest redelivery date, representing a weighted average remaining term of 3.4 years.
Safe Harbor Statement
This press release contains forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements provide the Company’s current expectations or forecasts of future events. Forward-looking statements include statements about the Company’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 the Company cannot assure you that the events or expectations 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, including the factors described in “Risk Factors” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 20-F and the factors and risks the Company describes in subsequent reports filed from time to time with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Accordingly, you should not unduly rely on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly revise any forward-looking statement to reflect circumstances or events after the date of this press release or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.
Investor and Media Contact:
The IGB Group
Bryan Degnan
646-673-9701
or
Leon Berman
212-477-8438



Global Ship Lease Inc.

Exhibit 99.5
Global Ship Lease Announces New Multi-Year Charters and Increases Quarterly Dividend
November 22, 2021
Quarterly dividend to increase by 50% to $0.375 per share, more than triple the dividend initially announced in January 2021
Newly signed post-panamax forward charters add EBITDA over five years
LONDON, Nov. 22, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Global Ship Lease, Inc. (NYSE:GSL) (the “Company”) today announced that it has agreed new five-year time charters for the Eco 9,115 TEU UASC Al Khor and Maira XL with a leading liner operator, to commence mid-2022 at the conclusion of their current charters. The vessels, which are currently earning $31,650 and $34,000 per day, respectively, are expected to generate aggregate Adjusted EBITDA of approximately $206 million over the five-year firm period. Adjusted to include these newly signed charters, the Company’s total contracted revenue increases to $1.85 billion.
These new charter agreements, for two of GSL’s most valuable and in-demand vessels, are consistent with the Company’s strategy of capitalizing on the strong charter market to lock-in cashflow over a multi-year period. The agreements materially reduce open days in 2022 which are now at minimal levels, and together with the substantial increase in contracted revenue from other year-to-date charter renewals and from growth, provide additional cashflow visibility. Accordingly, our Board of Directors has announced its intention to increase the quarterly dividend to be paid to common shareholders by 50% to $0.375 per share, with effect from the first quarter of 2022. This increased dividend represents more than triple the amount initially announced in January 2021.
George Youroukos, Executive Chairman of Global Ship Lease, stated, “These new long-term charters at excellent rates, agreed well ahead of current charter expiry, are in line with our strategy of locking in attractive cashflow for multi-year periods. They demonstrate not only the continued strength of the charter market for high-quality, Eco post-panamax containerships, but also the dramatic earnings growth potential of the GSL fleet. Having increased the size of our fleet by more than 50% over the course of 2021, through a series of immediately accretive acquisitions, these newly signed charters are a powerful demonstration of the operating leverage of our business model. Taking into consideration all of these highly supportive developments, our greatly expanded contract cover, and our continued positive assessment of mid-sized and smaller containership prospects for some time to come, our Board of Directors is confident that GSL can sustainably support this significant increase in our quarterly dividend for common shareholders to $0.375 per share, more than three times the level we announced in January 2021. Looking ahead, we continue to see opportunities to create shareholder value by further growing the fleet with accretive acquisitions of on-the-water vessels, to opportunistically work with our customers to renew and improve our fleet on a non-speculative basis, and to pursue a range of value-creating activities for the long-term benefit of our shareholders.”
About Global Ship Lease
Global Ship Lease is a leading independent owner of containerships with a diversified fleet of mid-sized and smaller containerships. Incorporated in the Marshall Islands, Global Ship Lease commenced operations in December 2007 with a business of owning and chartering out containerships under fixed-rate charters to top tier container liner companies. It was listed on the New York stock Exchange in August 2008.
As at November 21, 2021, Global Ship Lease owned 65 containerships, ranging from 1,118 to 11,040 TEU, with an aggregate capacity of 342,348 TEU. 32 ships are wide-beam Post-Panamax.
Adjusted to include all charters agreed, and ships contracted to be purchased, up to November 21, 2021, the average remaining term of the Company’s charters as at September 30, 2021, to the mid-point of redelivery, including options under the Company’s control and other than if a redelivery notice has been received, was 2.8 years on a TEU-weighted basis. Contracted revenue on the same basis was $1.85 billion. Contracted revenue was $2.10 billion, including options under charterers’ control and with latest redelivery date, representing a weighted average remaining term of 3.4 years.
Safe Harbor Statement
This press release contains forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements provide the Company’s current expectations or forecasts of future events. Forward-looking statements include statements about the Company’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 the Company cannot assure you that the events or expectations 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, including the factors described in “Risk Factors” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 20-F and the factors and risks the Company describes in subsequent reports filed from time to time with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Accordingly, you should not unduly rely on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly revise any forward-looking statement to reflect circumstances or events after the date of this press release or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.
Investor and Media Contact:
The IGB Group
Bryan Degnan
646-673-9701
or
Leon Berman
212-477-8438
Global Ship Lease Inc.