MS ‘Deutschland’ Beteiligungsgesellschaft mbH
MS ‘Deutschland’ Beteiligungs GmbH: Sales achievements mark half-year results of MS ‘Deutschland’ Beteiligungsgesellschaft mbH
MS ‘Deutschland’ Beteiligungs GmbH / Key word(s): Half Year Results Sales achievements mark half-year results of MS ‘Deutschland’ Beteiligungsgesellschaft mbH – Turnover up by 8% to EUR 23.3m (prior year: EUR 21.6m) – EBITDA increased to EUR -1.0m (prior year: EUR -1.885m) – Capacity utilisation up by 10% to 69.8% – Incoming bookings for next year increased by more than 75% – Push for greater quality and service well received by guests Neustadt in Holstein, 17 July 2013. According to preliminary figures, MS ‘Deutschland’ Beteiligungsgesellschaft mbH (‘MS Deutschland GmbH’), owner and operator of the cruise ship MS DEUTSCHLAND, generated a turnover of EUR 23.3m in the first half of 2013, despite extremely unfavourable weather conditions. This is an 8% increase on the prior-year period (EUR 21.6m). After a clearly negative result in the first half of 2012, EBITDA (net income adjusted by the net financial result as well as depreciation and amortization) improved by over 40% to around EUR -1.0m (prior year: EUR -1.885m). Capacity utilisation was increased by 10% in the same period, reaching its current level of 69.8%. Despite the extremely tough market and industry environment in the first half of the year, it was possible to keep the daily rate at a constant level. The medium-term achievements in sales make a particularly positive impression, with incoming bookings for the following year up by more than 75% on the first half of 2012. While on 30 June 2012 bookings for trips in 2013 amounted to EUR 5.6m, the booking volume for trips in 2014 came to EUR 9.9m at the same time this year. The step up in sales activities is part of the strategy introduced by the management team that was newly formed at the start of the year, as is the comprehensive quality and service drive, which is already being acknowledged by the ship’s guests. The ‘on-board barometer’ of the MS DEUTSCHLAND, which measures customer satisfaction, is currently at its highest level this year. Christopher Nolde, Managing Director of MS Deutschland GmbH, said: ‘Investing in quality and customer satisfaction is about fostering long-term, sustainable success, which is what makes this a key element of our strategy. Our sales achievements, the satisfaction of our guests and the positive turnover and earnings trends prove that we are heading in the right direction. We will continue to consistently position ourselves as a grand hotel of the high seas and to strengthen the ‘Traumschiff’ brand in the future.’ Konstantin Bissias, Managing Director of MS Deutschland GmbH and Managing Director Sales of Reederei Peter Deilmann GmbH, said: ‘We have coped well with the unfavourable market environment, which was particularly marked by a long, cold winter and rainy spring. The current high level of demand will partially compensate for the modest market activity at the start of the year that resulted from adverse weather conditions. We also hope that political tensions in the Middle East will soon be eased.’ Despite gaining momentum over the first half of the year, it is unlikely that the turnover and earnings targets for 2013 announced at the start of the year will be met. This is in light of the unusually long and cold winter that has burdened the industry as a whole. Turnover for the year is currently forecast at EUR 52-54m and EBITDA at EUR 1-2m. However, this will not effect the interest payments linked to the bond issued in December 2012 in any way, as an appropriate credit line is in place with the majority owner AURELIUS AG. The final figures for the first half of 2013 will be published in September 2013.
About MS ‘Deutschland’ Beteiligungsgesellschaft mbH: MS ‘Deutschland’ Beteiligungsgesellschaft mbH, headquartered in Neustadt in Holstein (Germany), operates cruises worldwide throughout the year as the owner of the ocean cruise liner MS DEUTSCHLAND, also known as the ‘Traumschiff’ from the television series of the same name. With a length of 175m and a width of 23m, the MS DEUTSCHLAND as ‘grand hotel of the high seas’ has a total of 294 passenger cabins. The ship received the award of ‘Best Ship 2013’ from both the Lufthansa City Center travel agencies and Diners Club. Further information: This report contains forward-looking estimates and statements that were made on the basis of the information available at this time. Forward-looking statements reflect the point of view at the time they are made. MS ‘Deutschland’ Beteiligungsgesellschaft mbH would like to point out that the actual circumstances and, consequently, the actual results realised at a later date may differ from the forecasts presented in this report for a variety of reasons. End of Corporate News 17.07.2013 Dissemination of a Corporate News, transmitted by DGAP – a company of EQS Group AG. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. DGAP’s Distribution Services include Regulatory Announcements, Financial/Corporate News and Press Releases. Media archive at www.dgap-medientreff.de and www.dgap.de |
Language: | English | |
Company: | MS ‘Deutschland’ Beteiligungs GmbH | |
Am Holm 25 | ||
23730 Neustadt in Holstein | ||
Germany | ||
Phone: | 04561/396-0 | |
Fax: | 04561/396-121 | |
E-mail: | info@msdeutschland-gmbh.de | |
Internet: | www.msdeutschland-gmbh.de | |
ISIN: | DE000A1RE7V0 | |
WKN: | A1RE7V | |
Listed: | Frankfurt in Open Market (Entry Standard) | |
End of News | DGAP News-Service |
221535 17.07.2013 |