Imperial Petroleum Inc. Reports First Quarter 2025 Financial and Operating Results

ATHENS, Greece, May 23, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- IMPERIAL PETROLEUM INC. (NASDAQ: IMPP; the “Company”), a ship-owning company providing petroleum products, crude oil and dry bulk seaborne transportation services, announced today its unaudited financial and operating results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2025.

OPERATIONAL AND FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

• Fleet operational utilization of 83.8% in Q1 25’ versus 86% in Q4 24’ and 80.6% in Q1 24’.
• About 47% of fleet calendar days were dedicated to time charter activity while 53% to spot activity.
• Delivery of the dry bulk carrier, Supra Pasha (2012 built) on April 26th 2025; the remaining six contracted dry bulk carriers will be delivered by June 2025.
• Revenues of $32.1 million in Q1 25’ compared to $41.2 million in Q1 24’- a 22.1% decline as market rates were stronger during Q1 24’.
• Net income of $11.3 million in Q1 25’ versus $16.7 million in Q1 24’, corresponding to an EPS, basic of $0.32.
• EBITDA¹ of $14.7 million for Q1 25’.
• Revenues and net income increased by $5.9 million (or 22.5%) and $7.4 million (or 189.7%), respectively, in Q1 25’ compared to Q4 24’.
• Cash and cash equivalents including time deposits of $227.4 million as of March 31, 2025 which is 167.5% higher than our current market capitalization of about $85 million.
• Recurring profitability and debt free capital structure facilitate robust cash flow generation.

First Quarter 2025 Results:

• Revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2025 amounted to $32.1 million, a decrease of $9.1 million, or 22.1%, compared to revenues of $41.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024, primarily due to a decrease in the spot market tanker rates. During the three months ended March 31, 2024 average spot rates for product and suezmax tankers were 26.9% and 24.2% higher than average spot rates during the three months ended March 31, 2025.
• Voyage expenses and vessels’ operating expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2025 were $10.5 million and $7.1 million, respectively, compared to $13.5 million and $6.0 million, respectively, for the three months ended March 31, 2024. The $3.0 million decrease in voyage expenses is mainly attributed to increased time charter activity leading to a decline in spot days by 16.1%. The decline in spot days along with the decrease in the Suez Canal transits compared to the same period of last year, led to decreased bunker consumption by 21.2% and lower port expenses by 30.8%. The $1.1 million increase in vessels’ operating expenses is primarily due to the increased size of our fleet by an average of 2.1 vessels between the two periods.
• Drydocking costs for the three months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024 were nil and $0.6 million, respectively. This decrease is due to the fact that during the three months ended March 31, 2025, no vessel underwent drydocking whereas during the three months ended March 31, 2024 our aframax tanker commenced its drydocking which was concluded within April 2024.
• General and administrative costs for both the three months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024 were $1.2 million.
• Depreciation for the three months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024 was $5.0 million and $4.0 million, respectively. The change is attributable to the increase in the average number of vessels in our fleet.
• Management fees for the three months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024 were $0.5 million and $0.4 million, respectively. The change is attributable to the increase in the average number of vessels in our fleet.
• Interest and finance costs for the three months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024 were $0.6 million and $0.002 million, respectively. The $0.6 million of costs for the three months ended March 31, 2025 relate mainly to accrued interest expense – related party in connection with the $14.0 million and $24.0 million part of the acquisition prices of our bulk carriers, Neptulus and Clean Imperial, respectively. These balances were completely settled in April 2025. For accounting purposes, the outstanding balances payable on the two vessels were required to be allocated between principal and imputed interest, despite the fact that no interest was contractually charged by the sellers. The total amounts ultimately paid remained consistent with the originally agreed purchase prices.
• Interest income for the three months ended March 31, 2025 was $2.2 million as compared to $1.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024. The $1.2 million increase is mainly attributed to a higher amount of funds placed under time deposits.
• Interest income – related party for the three months ended March 31, 2025 was nil as compared to $0.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024. The decrease is mainly attributed to the $0.8 million of accrued interest income – related party for the three months ended March 31, 2024 in connection with the $38.7 million of the sale price of the Aframax tanker Afrapearl II (ex. Stealth Berana). The balance was collected in July 2024, thus the balance for the three months ended March 31, 2025 was nil.
• Foreign exchange (loss)/gain for the three months ended March 31, 2025 was a gain of $1.7 million as compared to a loss of $0.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024. The $1.7 million foreign exchange gain for the three months ended March 31, 2025, is mainly attributed the strengthening of the euro currency against the dollar at the end of the three months ended March 31, 2025 when compared to the respective currency values at the end of year 2024.
• As a result of the above, for the three months ended March 31, 2025, the Company reported net income of $11.3 million, compared to net income of $16.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024. Dividends paid on Series A Preferred Shares amounted to $0.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2025. The weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding, basic, for the three months ended March 31, 2025 was 32.9 million. Earnings per share, basic and diluted, for the three months ended March 31, 2025 amounted to $0.32 and $0.30, respectively, compared to earnings per share, basic and diluted, of $0.56 and $0.50, respectively, for the three months ended March 31, 2024.
• Adjusted net income¹ was $12.2 million corresponding to an Adjusted EPS¹, basic of $0.34 for the three months ended March 31, 2025 compared to an Adjusted net income of $17.5 million corresponding to an Adjusted EPS, basic, of $0.59 for the same period of last year.
• EBITDA¹ for the three months ended March 31, 2025 amounted to $14.7 million, while Adjusted EBITDA¹ for the three months ended March 31, 2025 amounted to $15.6 million.
• An average of 11.90 vessels were owned by the Company during the three months ended March 31, 2025 compared to 9.84 vessels for the same period of 2024.

¹ EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted EPS are non-GAAP measures. Refer to the reconciliation of these measures to the most directly comparable financial measure in accordance with GAAP set forth later in this release. Reconciliations of Adjusted Net Income, EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA to Net Income are set forth below.

Fleet Employment Table

As of May 23, 2025, the profile and deployment of our fleet is the following:

Name	Year Built		Country Built		Vessel Size (dwt)		Vessel Type		Employment Status		Expiration of Charter(1)
Tankers
Magic Wand	2008		Korea		47,000		MR product tanker		Time Charter		October 2025
Clean Thrasher	2008		Korea		47,000		MR product tanker		Time Charter		May 2025
Clean Sanctuary (ex. Falcon Maryam)	2009		Korea		46,000		MR product tanker		Spot
Clean Nirvana	2008		Korea		50,000		MR product tanker		Spot
Clean Justice	2011		Japan		46,000		MR product tanker		Time Charter		September 2027
Aquadisiac	2008		Korea		51,000		MR product tanker		Spot
Clean Imperial	2009		Korea		40,000		MR product tanker		Time Charter		January 2026
Suez Enchanted	2007		Korea		160,000		Suezmax tanker		Spot
Suez Protopia	2008		Korea		160,000		Suezmax tanker		Spot
Drybulk Carriers(2)
Eco Wildfire	2013		Japan		33,000		Handysize drybulk		Time Charter		May 2025
Glorieuse	2012		Japan		38,000		Handysize drybulk		Time Charter		June 2025
Neptulus	2012		Japan		33,000		Handysize drybulk		Time Charter		June 2025
Supra Pasha	2012		Japan		56,000		Supramax drybulk		Spot
Fleet Total					807,000 dwt

 

(1) (2)	Earliest date charters could expire. We have contracted to acquire six Japanese built drybulk carriers, aggregating approximately 387,000 dwt, which are expected to be delivered to us by June 2025.

CEO Harry Vafias Commented

Another year commenced with a positive momentum for Imperial Petroleum. We are happy as we consider the $11.3 million of net income generated in Q1 25’ a very good result given the eventful but softish market. This is a busy period for our Company but at the same time exciting as we are taking on delivery of another six drybulk vessels. Within the short life of Imperial Petroleum, we are expanding our fleet from four vessels to nineteen by the second quarter of 2025; our goal of growing fast and transforming a small company to medium sized was achieved. We feel confident that the diversified quality non- Chinese fleet we have created will pay off. Imperial Petroleum enjoys fast growth, recurring profits, zero bank debt and liquidity as of March 31, 2025 in excess of $220 million and as per our view ticks all the boxes that define a successful operation.

Conference Call details:

On May 23, 2025 at 10:00 am ET, the company’s management will host a conference call to discuss the results and the company’s operations and outlook.

Online Registration:

Conference call participants should pre-register using the below link to receive the dial-in numbers and a personal PIN, which are required to access the conference call.

https://register-conf.media-server.com/register/BIaef045aa9f5b46a7b5e8eb48c2e56115

Slides and audio webcast:

There will also be a live and then archived webcast of the conference call, through the IMPERIAL PETROLEUM INC. website (www.ImperialPetro.com). Participants to the live webcast should register on the website approximately 10 minutes prior to the start of the webcast.

About IMPERIAL PETROLEUM INC.        

IMPERIAL PETROLEUM INC. is a ship-owning company providing petroleum products, crude oil and drybulk seaborne transportation services. The Company owns a total of thirteen vessels on the water - seven M.R. product tankers, two suezmax tankers and four handysize drybulk carriers - with a total capacity of 807,000 deadweight tons (dwt), and has contracted to acquire an additional six drybulk carriers of 387,000 dwt aggregate capacity. Following these deliveries, the Company’s fleet will count a total of 19 vessels with an aggregate capacity of 1.2 million dwt. IMPERIAL PETROLEUM INC.’s shares of common stock and 8.75% Series A Cumulative Redeemable Perpetual Preferred Stock are listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market and trade under the symbols “IMPP” and “IMPPP,” respectively.

Forward-Looking Statements

Matters discussed in this release may constitute forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements reflect our current views with respect to future events and financial performance and may include statements concerning plans, objectives, goals, strategies, future events or performance, and underlying assumptions and other statements, which are other than statements of historical facts. The forward-looking statements in this release are based upon various assumptions, many of which are based, in turn, upon further assumptions, including without limitation, management’s examination of historical operating trends, data contained in our records and other data available from third parties. Although IMPERIAL PETROLEUM INC. believes that these assumptions were reasonable when made, because these assumptions are inherently subject to significant uncertainties and contingencies which are difficult or impossible to predict and are beyond our control, IMPERIAL PETROLEUM INC. cannot assure you that it will achieve or accomplish these expectations, beliefs or projections. Important factors that, in our view, could cause actual results to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements include the strength of world economies and currencies, geopolitical conditions, including any trade disruptions resulting from tariffs and other protectionist measures imposed by the United States or  other countries, general market conditions, including changes in charter hire rates and vessel values, charter counterparty performance, changes in demand that may affect attitudes of time charterers to scheduled and unscheduled drydockings, changes in IMPERIAL PETROLEUM INC’s operating expenses, including bunker prices, drydocking and insurance costs, ability to obtain financing and comply with covenants in our financing arrangements, actions taken by regulatory authorities, potential liability from pending or future litigation, domestic and international political conditions, the conflict in Ukraine and related sanctions, the conflicts in the Middle East, potential disruption of shipping routes due to ongoing attacks by Houthis in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden or accidents and political events or acts by terrorists.

Risks and uncertainties are further described in reports filed by IMPERIAL PETROLEUM INC. with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

Fleet List and Fleet Deployment        
For information on our fleet and further information:
Visit our website at www.ImperialPetro.com

Company Contact:
Fenia Sakellaris
IMPERIAL PETROLEUM INC.
E-mail: [email protected]

Fleet Data:
The following key indicators highlight the Company’s operating performance during the three month periods ended March 31, 2024 and 2025.

FLEET DATA	Q1 2024	Q1 2025
Average number of vessels (1)	9.84	11.90
Period end number of owned vessels in fleet	11	12
Total calendar days for fleet (2)	895	1,071
Total voyage days for fleet (3)	878	1,067
Fleet utilization (4)	98.1%	99.6%
Total charter days for fleet (5)	207	504
Total spot market days for fleet (6)	671	563
Fleet operational utilization (7)	80.6%	83.8%

1) Average number of vessels is the number of owned vessels that constituted our fleet for the relevant period, as measured by the sum of the number of days each vessel was a part of our fleet during the period divided by the number of calendar days in that period.
2) Total calendar days for fleet are the total days the vessels we operated were in our possession for the relevant period including off-hire days associated with major repairs, drydockings or special or intermediate surveys.
3) Total voyage days for fleet reflect the total days the vessels we operated were in our possession for the relevant period net of off-hire days associated with major repairs, drydockings or special or intermediate surveys.
4) Fleet utilization is the percentage of time that our vessels were available for revenue generating voyage days, and is determined by dividing voyage days by fleet calendar days for the relevant period.
5) Total charter days for fleet are the number of voyage days the vessels operated on time or bareboat charters for the relevant period.
6) Total spot market charter days for fleet are the number of voyage days the vessels operated on spot market charters for the relevant period.
7) Fleet operational utilization is the percentage of time that our vessels generated revenue, and is determined by dividing voyage days excluding idle days by fleet calendar days for the relevant period.

Reconciliation of Adjusted Net Income, EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA and adjusted EPS:

Adjusted net income represents net income before share based compensation. EBITDA represents net income before interest and finance costs, interest income and depreciation. Adjusted EBITDA represents net income before interest and finance costs, interest income, depreciation and share based compensation.
Adjusted EPS represents Adjusted net income attributable to common shareholders divided by the weighted average number of shares. EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA, adjusted net income and adjusted EPS are not recognized measurements under U.S. GAAP. Our calculation of EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA, adjusted net income and adjusted EPS may not be comparable to that reported by other companies in the shipping or other industries. In evaluating Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted net income and Adjusted EPS, you should be aware that in the future we may incur expenses that are the same as or similar to some of the adjustments in this presentation.

EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA, adjusted net income and adjusted EPS are included herein because they are a basis, upon which we and our investors assess our financial performance. They allow us to present our performance from period to period on a comparable basis and provide investors with a means of better evaluating and understanding our operating performance.

(Expressed in United States Dollars, except number of shares)	Third Quarter Ended March 31st,
	2024		2025
Net Income - Adjusted Net Income
Net income	16,654,604		11,290,986
Plus share based compensation	858,810		889,076
Adjusted Net Income	17,513,414		12,180,062
Net income – EBITDA
Net income	16,654,604		11,290,986
Plus interest and finance costs	2,430		606,383
Less interest income	(1,785,878)		(2,184,394)
Plus depreciation	4,027,061		5,002,837
EBITDA	18,898,217		14,715,812
Net income - Adjusted EBITDA
Net income	16,654,604		11,290,986
Plus share based compensation	858,810		889,076
Plus interest and finance costs	2,430		606,383
Less interest income	(1,785,878)		(2,184,394)
Plus depreciation	4,027,061		5,002,837
Adjusted EBITDA	19,757,027		15,604,888
EPS
Numerator
Net income	16,654,604		11,290,986
Less: Cumulative dividends on preferred shares	(435,246)		(435,246)
Less: Undistributed earnings allocated to non-vested shares	(856,950)		(453,265)
Net income attributable to common shareholders, basic	15,362,408		10,402,475
Denominator
Weighted average number of shares	27,613,661		32,944,925
EPS - Basic	0.56		0.32
Adjusted EPS
Numerator
Adjusted net income	17,513,414		12,180,062
Less: Cumulative dividends on preferred shares	(435,246)		(435,246)
Less: Undistributed earnings allocated to non-vested shares	(902,326)		(490,387)
Adjusted net income attributable to common shareholders, basic	16,175,842		11,254,429
Denominator
Weighted average number of shares	27,613,661		32,944,925
Adjusted EPS, Basic	0.59		0.34

Imperial Petroleum Inc.
Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Income
(Expressed in United States Dollars, except for number of shares)

		Quarters Ended March 31,
		2024		2025
Revenues
	Revenues	41,203,281		32,091,626
Expenses
	Voyage expenses	12,963,607		10,054,114
	Voyage expenses - related party	514,414		401,753
	Vessels' operating expenses	5,951,561		7,021,928
	Vessels' operating expenses - related party	82,000		98,500
	Drydocking costs	625,457		--
	Management fees – related party	393,800		471,240
	General and administrative expenses	1,207,168		1,217,977
	Depreciation	4,027,061		5,002,837
Total expenses		25,765,068		24,268,349
Income from operations		15,438,213		7,823,277
Other (expenses)/income
	Interest and finance costs	(2,430)		(3,607)
	Interest expense – related party	--		(602,776)
	Interest income	1,035,261		2,184,394
	Interest income – related party	750,617		--
	Dividend income from related party	189,583		187,500
	Foreign exchange (loss)/gain	(756,640)		1,702,198
Other income, net		1,216,391		3,467,709
Net Income		16,654,604		11,290,986
Earnings per share
- Basic		0.56		0.32
- Diluted		0.50		0.30
Weighted average number of shares
-Basic		27,613,661		32,944,925
-Diluted		30,951,012		34,258,803

Imperial Petroleum Inc.
Unaudited Consolidated Balance Sheets
(Expressed in United States Dollars)

		December 31,		March 31,
		2024		2025
Assets
Current assets
	Cash and cash equivalents	67,783,531		126,520,450
	Time deposits	138,948,481		100,900,500
	Trade and other receivables	13,456,083		8,772,549
	Other current assets	652,769		67,374
	Inventories	7,306,356		6,705,115
	Advances and prepayments	250,562		209,858
Total current assets		228,397,782		243,175,846
Non current assets
	Operating lease right-of-use asset	78,761		60,239
	Vessels, net	208,230,018		227,015,031
	Investment in related party	12,798,500		12,794,333
Total non current assets		221,107,279		239,869,603
Total assets		449,505,061		483,045,449
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
Current liabilities
	Trade accounts payable	5,243,872		5,923,098
	Payable to related parties	18,725,514		39,232,604
	Accrued liabilities	3,370,020		3,604,467
	Operating lease liability, current portion	1,419,226		60,239
	Deferred income	78,761		1,812,557
Total current liabilities		28,837,393		50,632,965
Total liabilities		28,837,393		50,632,965
Commitments and contingencies
Stockholders' equity
	Common stock	382,755		386,671
	Preferred Stock, Series A	7,959		7,959
	Preferred Stock, Series B	160		160
	Treasury stock	(8,390,225)		(8,390,225)
	Additional paid-in capital	282,642,357		283,527,517
	Retained earnings	146,024,662		156,880,402
Total stockholders' equity		420,667,668		432,412,484
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity		449,505,061		483,045,449

Imperial Petroleum Inc.
Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(Expressed in United States Dollars

		Three Month Periods Ended March 31,
		2024		2025
Cash flows from operating activities
	Net income for the period	16,654,604		11,290,986
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash
provided by operating activities:
	Depreciation	4,027,061		5,002,837
	Non - cash lease expense	17,550		18,522
	Share based compensation	858,810		889,076
	Unrealized foreign exchange loss/(gain) on time deposits	799,150		(358,420)
	Dividend income from related party	(189,583)		--
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
	(Increase)/decrease in
	Trade and other receivables	(3,249,129)		4,683,534
	Other current assets	(532,029)		585,395
	Inventories	(574,256)		601,241
	Changes in operating lease liabilities	(17,550)		(18,522)
	Advances and prepayments	(45,536)		40,704
	Due from related parties	(879,732)		4,167
	Increase/(decrease) in
	Trade accounts payable	(1,100,028)		679,226
	Due to related parties	2,839,227		(3,369,040)
	Accrued liabilities	903,784		234,447
	Deferred income	(869,166)		393,331
Net cash provided by operating activities		18,643,177		20,677,484
Cash flows from investing activities
	Dividends income received	191,667		--
	Acquisition and improvement of vessels	(72,257,190)		(4,350)
	Increase in bank time deposits	(31,695,420)		(57,958,390)
	Maturity of bank time deposits	31,368,080		96,364,791
Net cash (used in)/provided by investing activities		(72,392,863)		38,402,051
Cash flows from financing activities
	Stock issuance costs	(2,504,498)		--
	Dividends paid on preferred shares	(341,947)		(342,616)
Net cash used in financing activities		(2,846,445)		(342,616)
Net (decrease)/increase in cash and cash equivalents		(56,596,131)		58,736,919
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period		91,927,512		67,783,531
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period		35,331,381		126,520,450
Cash breakdown
	Cash and cash equivalents	35,331,381		126,520,450
Total cash and cash equivalents shown in the statements of cash flows		35,331,381		126,520,450