GLPR.L Regulatory News (GLPR)

For immediate release 24 April 2019

Global Ports Investments PLC

Publication of 2018 Annual Report and Accounts

Global Ports Investments PLC ("Global Ports" or the "Company", together with its subsidiaries and joint ventures, the "Group"; LSE ticker: GLPR) today publishes its 2018 Annual Report and Accounts ('the Annual Report for 2018").

The Group's Full Year 2018 Financial Results are included as an Appendix to the Annual Report for 2018. The Annual Report for 2018 is available for viewing or downloading in pdf format at:

[http://www.globalports.com/globalports/upload_docs/reports/Annual_Report_2018.pdf]

http://www.rns-pdf.londonstockexchange.com/rns/0117X_1-2019-4-24.pdf

The Annual Report for 2018 will also be available in hard copy at the registered office of the Company at Omirou 20, Agios Nikolaos, CY-3095 Limassol, Cyprus, and a copy will be submitted to the National Storage Mechanism, available for inspection at http://www.morningstar.co.uk/uk/NSM.

In compliance with DTR 6.3.5, the following information is extracted from the Annual Report for 2018 and should be read in conjunction with the Group's Full Year 2018 Financial Results Announcement issued on 28 March 2018. Together, these constitute the material required by DTR 6.3.5 to be communicated to the media in full-unedited text through a Regulatory Information Service. This material is not a substitute for reading the Annual Report for 2018 and page numbers and cross-references in the extracted information below refer to page numbers and cross-references in the Annual Report for 2018.

Risk Management Process, Principal Risks and Uncertainties

The following description of principal risks and uncertainties is extracted from the "Risk Management" section of the Annual Report for 2018, pages 52 - 57 of the Annual Report for 2018.

Global Ports is exposed to a variety of risks which are listed below. The order in which the risks are presented is not intended to be an indication of the probability of their occurrence or the magnitude of their potential effect. Not all of these risks are within the Group's control, and the list cannot be considered to be exhaustive, as other risks and uncertainties may emerge in a changing external and internal environment that could have a material adverse effect on the Group's ability to achieve its business objectives and deliver its overall strategy. Further information on our risk management system including a detailed description of identified risk factors is contained in the notes to the Financial Statements attached to the Annual Report for 2018.

Strategic risks

‐ Global Ports' operations are dependent on the global macroeconomic environment and resulting trade flows, including in particular container volumes. Container market throughput is closely correlated with the volume of imported goods, which in turn is driven by domestic consumer demand, combined with volatility of the Russian rouble against USD/Euro. The Group remains exposed to the risk of contraction in the Russian economy which if it were to occur could further dampen consumer demand and lead to a deterioration in the container market which could have a materially adverse impact on the Group.

‐ Barriers to entry are typically high in the container terminal industry due to the capital-intensive nature of the business. However, challenging market conditions mean that competition from other container terminals continues to be a significant factor. Further consolidation between container terminal operators and container shipping companies, introduction of new/upgraded capacity and carrier consolidation could result in greater price competition, lower utilisation, and a potential deterioration in profitability. In recent years, the Russian market has witnessed the introduction of significant new container handling capacity, an example being the new terminal at Bronka, which competes with the Group's ports in the Baltic Sea Basin. Additionally, strategic international investors may develop or acquire stakes in existing competing Russian container terminals, which could bring new expertise into the market and divert clients and cargoes away from the Group. Given the historically high margins in the Russian container handling industry, this trend may continue.

‐ Instability in the Russian economy as well as social and political instability could create an uncertain operating environment and affect the Group's ability to sell its services due to significant economic, political, legal and legislative risks. Certain government policies or the selective and arbitrary enforcement of such policies could make it more difficult for the Group to compete effectively and/or impact its profitability. The Group may also be adversely affected by US, EU and other authorities sanctions against Russian business/companies whose measures have had and may continue to have an adverse effect on the Russian economy and demand for commodities. Ongoing sanctions could also adversely impact the Group's ability to obtain financing on favourable terms and to deal with certain persons and entities in Russia or in other countries.

Operational risks

‐ The Group leases a significant amount of the land and quays required to operate its terminals from government agencies. Any revision or alteration of the terms of these leases or the termination of these leases, or changes to the underlying property rights under these leases, could adversely affect the Group's business.

‐ The Group is dependent on a relatively limited number of major customers (shipping lines, etc.) for a significant portion of its business. These customers are affected by conditions in their market sector which can result in contract changes and renegotiations as well as spending constraints, and this is further exacerbated by carrier consolidation.

‐ The Group is dependent on the performance of services by third parties outside its control, including the performance by all other participants in the logistics chain, such as customs inspectors, supervisory authorities and others, and the performance of security procedures carried out at other port facilities and by its shipping line customers.

‐ Tariffs for certain services at certain of the Group's terminals have been in the past regulated by the Russian Federal Antimonopoly Service (FAS). As a result, the tariffs charged for such services were, and may potentially in the future be, subject to a maximum tariff rate and/or fixed in Russian roubles as PLP, VSC, and FCT, like many other Russian seaport operators, are classified as natural monopolies under Russian law.

‐ The Group's competitive position and prospects depend on the expertise and experience of its key management team and its ability to continue to attract, retain and motivate qualified personnel. Industrial action or adverse labour relations could disrupt the Group's operating activities and have an adverse effect on performance results.

‐ Accidents involving the handling of hazardous materials and oil products at the Group's terminals could disrupt its business and operations and/or subject the Group to environmental and other liabilities. The risk of safety incidents is inherent in the Group's businesses. The Group's operations could be adversely affected by terrorist attacks, natural disasters or other catastrophic events beyond its control.

Regulatory risks

‐ The Group is subject to a wide variety of regulations, standards and requirements and may face substantial liability if it fails to comply with existing regulations applicable to its businesses. The Group's terminal operations are subject to extensive laws and regulations governance, among other things, the loading, unloading and storage of hazardous materials, environmental protection and health and safety.

‐ Changes to existing regulations or the introduction of new regulations, procedures or licensing requirements are beyond the Group's control and may be influenced by political or commercial considerations not aligned with the Group's interests. Any expansion of the scope of the regulations governing the Group's environmental obligations, in particular, would likely involve substantial additional costs, including costs relating to maintenance and inspection, development and implementation of emergency procedures and insurance coverage or other financial assurance of its ability to address environmental incidents or external threats.

Compliance and shareholder risk

‐ The Group's controlling beneficial shareholders may have interests that conflict with those of the holders of the GDRs or notes. The major implications of this risk are that (i) co-controlling shareholders pursue other businesses not related to GPI and hence may not be deeply involved with developing GPI and (ii) one of the major shareholders is also a major customer of the Group.

‐ Adverse determination of pending and potential legal actions involving the Group's subsidiaries could have an adverse effect on the Group's business, revenues and cash flows and the price of the GDRs. Weaknesses relating to the Russian legal and tax system and appropriate Russian law create an uncertain environment for investment and business activity and legislation may not adequately protect against expropriation and nationalisation. The lack of independence of certain members of the judiciary, the difficulty of enforcing court decisions and governmental discretion claims could prevent the Group from obtaining effective representation in court proceedings.

Financial risks

‐ The Group is subject to foreign-exchange risk arising from various currency exposures, primarily the Russian rouble and the US dollar. Foreign-exchange risk is the risk to profits and cash flows of the Group arising from movement of foreign-exchange rates due to inability to timely plan for and appropriately react to fluctuations in foreign-exchange rates. Risk also arises from revaluation of assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currency.

‐ The Group may be subject to credit risk due to its dependence on key customers and suppliers.

‐ The Group's indebtedness or the enforcement of certain provisions of its financing arrangements could affect its business or growth prospects. Failure to promptly monitor and forecast compliance with debt covenants both at the Group and individual terminal levels may result in covenant breaches and technical defaults. If the Group is unable to access funds (liquidity) it may be unable to meet financial obligations when they fall due, or on an ongoing basis, to borrow funds in the market at an acceptable price to fund its commitments.

‐ The Group's container terminals rely on IT and technology systems to keep their operations running efficiently, prevent disruptions to logistic supply chains, and monitor and control all aspects of their operations. Any IT glitches can create major disruptions for complex logistic supply chains. Any prolonged failure or disruption of these IT systems, whether a result of a human error, a deliberate data breech or an external cyber threat could create major disruptions in terminal operations. This could dramatically affect the Group's ability to render its services to customers, leading to reputational damage, disruption to business operations and an inability to meet its contractual obligations.

Directors Responsibility Statements

We confirm that to the best of our knowledge: This Annual Report includes a fair review of the development and performance of the business and the position of the Group and the undertakings included in the consolidation taken as a whole, together with a description of the principal risks and uncertainties that they face.

ENQUIRIES

Global Ports Investor Relations

Mikhail Grigoriev / Tatiana Khansuvarova

+357 25 313 475

+7 916 991 73 96

Email: ir@globalports.com

Global Ports Media Relations

Anna Vostrukhova

+357 25 313 475

E-mail: media@globalports.com 

Teneo

Zoë Watt / Douglas Campbell

+44 20 7260 2700

E-mail: globalports@teneo.com

NOTES TO EDITORS

Global Ports Investments PLC

Global Ports Investments PLC is the leading operator of container terminals in the Russian market by capacity and container throughput[1].

Global Ports' terminals are located in the Baltic and Far East Basins, key regions for foreign trade cargo flows. Global Ports operates five container terminals in Russia (Petrolesport, First Container Terminal, Ust-Luga Container Terminal[2] and Moby Dik[3] in the Russian Baltics, and Vostochnaya Stevedoring Company in the Russian Far East) and two container terminals in Finland[4] (Multi-Link Terminals in Helsinki and Kotka). Global Ports also owns inland container terminal Yanino Logistics Park[5] located in the vicinity of St. Petersburg.

Global Ports' revenue for 2018 was 343.6 USD million[6] and Adjusted EBITDA was 217.3 USD million.. Consolidated Marine Container Throughput was 1,352 thousand TEU in 2018[7].

Global Ports' major shareholders are Delo Group, one of the largest private transportation and logistics holding companies in Russia (30.75%), and APM Terminals B.V. (30.75%), whose core expertise is the design, construction, management and operation of ports, terminals and inland services. APM Terminals operates a global terminal network of 74 ports and 117 inland services facilities, giving the company a global presence in 58 countries. 20.5% of Global Ports shares are traded in the form of global depositary receipts on the Main Market of the London Stock Exchange (LSE ticker: GLPR).

For more information please see:  www.globalports.com

LEGAL DISCLAIMER

Some of the information in these materials may contain projections or other forward-looking statements regarding future events or the future financial performance of Global Ports. You can identify forward looking statements by terms such as "expect", "plan", "project", "believe", "target", "anticipate", "estimate", "intend", "will", "could," "may", "should" or "might" or the negative of such terms or other similar expressions. Global Ports wishes to caution you that these statements are only predictions and that actual events or results may differ materially. Global Ports does not intend to update these statements to reflect events and circumstances occurring after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. Many factors could cause the actual results to differ materially from those contained in projections or forward-looking statements of Global Ports, including, among others, general political and economic conditions, the competitive environment, risks associated with operating in Russia and market change in the industries Global Ports operates in, as well as many other risks related to Global Ports and its operations.