Financial review
Financial overview
In 2022, the Group’s consolidated revenue increased by 43% to RUB 162,639 million vs RUB 113,709 million in 2021. All business segments showed YoY growth of revenue.
The Port Division's revenue in 2022 went up by 45%, or RUB 10,231 million, to RUB 32,977 million. The main growth drivers included higher cargo transportation profits coming from rising handling volumes, and augmentation of storage profits coming on the back of increased average time for container terminal transit and additional container cargo management services. A 36% hike in the vehicle handling volumes and changes in the cargo structure by general cargo also had a positive impact on the Port Division’s revenue.
The Rail Division’s revenue in 2022 rose by 36%, or RUB 1,817 million. Fitting platforms, our core asset, accounted for most of this revenue growth.
The Liner and Logistics Division's revenue went up by 47% YoY, or RUB 44,335 million. The revenue growth was driven by:
- 19% rise in volumes carried by international routes;
- launch of FESCO Vietnam Direct Line (FVDL), a regular sea line connecting the ports of Vietnam with Port Vladivostok;
- launch of an intermodal service from Turkey to Russia;
- high market rates on international routes;
- higher liner tariffs for domestic container shipping lines;
- growing intermodal exports through the Commercial Port of Vladivostok;
- expanding geography of regular intermodal services to Samara, Kazan, Krasnodar, Minsk, and Kaliningrad.
In 2022, the Shipping Division’s revenue added 90%, or RUB 3,692 million, mostly driven by higher vessel revenue rates and the operation of the fleet purchased as part of a long-term fleet renewal programme.
Revenue of the Fuel Division in 2022 increased by 54%, or RUB 979 million, as a result of higher fuel prices and oil product sales. The low-sulphur fuel oil prices for Russian consumers in the ports of Vladivostok, Nakhodka and Vostochny went up by 30% in 2022. By the end of the year, the situation went back to normal, and starting from Q4 2022 the prices began to decrease mainly due to reduced demand from international buyers amid increasing sanction pressure.
In 2022, the Liner and Logistics Division's operating expenses increased by 6%, or RUB 579 million, driven by improved cargo turnover, including expenses on fuel, energy resources and cargo securing materials.
The Rail Division’s operating expenses shrank by 21%, or RUB 461 million. This was due to the disposal of leased fitting platforms.
Operating expenses of the Liner and Logistics Division grew by 52%, or RUB 27,986 million, due to higher transportation volumes, which triggered a rise in expenses associated with railway tariffs, terminal services, and containers, but also an increase in time-charter rates.
The Shipping Division’s operating expenses were up by 46%, or RUB 1,107 million. The growth was primarily driven by a surge in expenses associated with fleet acquisitions and the full year operation of newly acquired vessels.
In the Fuel Division, 2022 operating expenses increased by 55%, or RUB 923 million, as a result of higher prices and oil product sales.
Gross profit
In 2021, FESCO’s gross profit stood at RUB 89,924 million vs RUB 59,046 million in 2021.
The Group’s administrative expenses increased by 57% to RUB 19,639 million vs RUB 12,470 million in 2021.
Salary and other staff-related costs rose as vacancies were filled, new FTEs added to run projects on new routes and serve FESCO’s growing volumes, and incentive compensations paid to commercial personnel and management for their full-year performance.
Increase in other administrative expenses was primarily driven by higher legal, consultancy, conference, publicity, marketing and business trip expenses incurred to unlock business growth opportunities.
The Port Division’s EBITDA increased by 76%, or RUB 8,957 million, driven primarily by stronger turnover of container cargoes, vehicles and coal, higher storage profits and additional services to manage imported container cargoes.
In 2022, the Rail Division’s EBITDA rose by 98%, or RUB 1,956 million, due to the expansion of the core fleet of fitting platforms.
The Liner and Logistics Division's EBITDA in 2022 increased by 39%, or RUB 13,804 million. Despite international instability, 2022 offered favourable market conditions for development (pivot of transportation volumes from the ports of the Baltic and Black seas towards the Far East, higher freight rates). Throughout the year, FESCO positioned itself in the higher end segment as a premium transportation company offering services of superior quality. The opening of new routes and rapid growth of sales to direct customers also contributed to our strong financial performance.
In 2022, the Shipping Division’s EBITDA went up by 211% YoY, or RUB 2,338 million, mainly as a result of higher revenue rates and operation of new vessels.
In the Fuel Division, 2022 EBITDA increased by 52%, or RUB 43 million, due to stronger oil product sales and handling volumes.
In 2022, the Group’s depreciation and amortisation charges went down 4% to RUB 6,648 million vs RUB 6,909 million in 2021. The decline in charges in 2022 was caused by a drop in the value of the vessel fleet following annual revaluation.
Profit from operating activity
In 2022, FESCO’s profit from operating activity stood at RUB 50,899 million vs RUB 43,420 million in 2021.
Other financial expenses, NET
FESCO’s other financial income and expenses (net) came in at RUB (5,771) million vs RUB (3,124) million in 2021.
Net profit
Net profit stood at RUB 39,388 million vs RUB 37,850 million in 2021.
FESCO's liabilities as at 31 December 2022:
- RUB 30,610 million – loans and borrowings;
- RUB 2,698 million – lease liabilities.
Net debt shrank from RUB 22,942 million to RUB 2,631 million as at 31 December 2022.
Net debt / EBITDA ratio as at 31 December 2022 decreased to 0.04x (excluding IFRS 16 impact).
Capital expenditures
In 2022, the Group’s CAPEX totalled RUB 36,733 million, up 54% YoY.
Fleet purchase CAPEX in 2022 came in at RUB 13,156 million. FESCO acquired new container vessels to be operated on the Group’s domestic and international routes, including for providing services on the FESCO Turkey Black Sea Service (FTBS) line between the ports of Turkey and Novorossiysk.
In 2022, FESCO continued expanding its rolling stock and invested RUB 7,646 million in it. Most investments went to the core fleet of 80-foot fitting platforms, with 1,989 fitting platforms added to the rolling stock to accommodate stronger demand amid the quick development of railway services.
Investments in the Port Division’s capacities totalled RUB 3,510 million during the year. The Company continues its port development programme to ramp up its throughput capacity. Most investments in 2022 went to the acquisition of cranes and machinery, and expansion/upgrade of capacities. The port’s throughput capacity as at the end of 2022 reached 768 thousand TEU.
In 2022, the container fleet operated by the Company expanded to 135 thousand TEU. CAPEX required to purchase heavyweight containers in 2022 came in at RUB 9,137 million. The fleet of dry containers grew by 30% to reach 78,639 units, while the fleet of refrigerated containers expanded by 59% to 4,659 units.
In 2022, FESCO invested RUB 579 million in IT, allocating funds for the development and maintenance of operating and accounting systems.
Other capital expenses were associated with acquiring and repairing wheel sets, dry docking, and inland terminals, along with other maintenance CAPEX.