ATHENS, Greece, May 18, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- C3is Inc. (Nasdaq: CISS) (the “Company”), a ship-owning company providing tanker and dry bulk seaborne transportation services, announced today its unaudited financial and operating results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2026.

OPERATIONAL AND FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

• Our handysize dry bulk carriers are employed on time charters of short-term durations, producing steady cash flows, while our Aframax tanker operates in the spot market, currently achieving voyage charter rates of around $115,000 per day.
  
• The Company has also entered into agreements to acquire two product tankers for an aggregate consideration of $39.8 million. One of these tankers was delivered in April 2026, while the second is expected to be delivered in the third quarter of 2026. These acquisitions increase the Company’s exposure to the product tanker market, where current voyage charter rates for MR product tankers are approximately $36,000 per day.
  
• For the three months ended March 31, 2026, the Company generated revenues of $11.6 million, corresponding to a daily TCE ^I of $32,173, as compared to revenues of $8.7 million for the same period in 2025, representing a daily TCE of $16,202.
  
• For the first quarter of 2026, daily TCE increased by 98.6% as compared to the same period in 2025.
  
• EBITDAⁱ of $4.6 million, Net Income of $3.2 million, and Loss per share, Basic, of $(1.33) for the three months ended March 31, 2026, affected by two non-cash items of a $2.3 million loss on warrants and a $3.5 million deemed dividend on the Series A Perpetual Convertible Preferred Shares, both reflecting accounting revaluations of these securities.
  
• All of our vessels are unencumbered.
  
• Adjusted EBITDAⁱ of $6.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2026, an increase of 130% compared to $3.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2025.
  
• Adjusted Net Incomeⁱ of $5.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2026, an increase of 358% compared to $1.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2025.
  
• Cash balance, including time deposits, of $27.3 million at the end of the first quarter of 2026, compared to $14.9 million at year-end 2025, representing an increase of 82%.
  
• In February 2026, the Company entered into an “At The Market” sales agreement with Aegis Capital Corporation, covering the registration of common shares with an aggregate amount of up to $98,000,000. During the first quarter of 2026, the Company sold 156,619 shares of common stock – adjusted for the Reverse Stock Split of 1:7 in April 2026 - for total gross proceeds of $1.6 million.
  
• The Company effected a 1:20 Reverse Stock Split in January 2026 and a second 1:7 Reverse Stock Split in April 2026 to satisfy the minimum price bid requirement for maintaining listing on Nasdaq.
  

i TCE, EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted Net Income 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.

First Quarter 2026 Results:

• Voyage revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2026 amounted to $11.6 million, representing an increase of $2.9 million, or 34%, compared to revenues of $8.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2025, primarily due to higher charter rates. Total calendar days for our fleet were 360 days for both the three months ended March 31, 2026 and 2025. Of the total calendar days in the first quarter of 2026, 225, or 62.5%, were time charter days, as compared to 247 or 68.6% for the same period in 2025. Our fleet utilization was 89.4% and 100.0% for the periods of three months ended March 31, 2026 and 2025, respectively. Fleet operational utilization was 85.0% and 91.7% for the three months ended March 31, 2026 and 2025, respectively. The decrease was mainly attributable to the engine repairs on board our handysize carrier, the Eco Angelbay.
• Voyage expenses and vessels’ operating expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2026 were $1.2 million and $2.5 million respectively, compared to $2.8 million and $2.2 million for the same period in 2025. The decrease in voyage expenses was mainly driven by lower bunker costs and port expenses, which declined by 69% and 63% respectively, primarily due to greater fleet employment under time charter arrangements. Specifically, voyage expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2026 included bunker costs of $0.5 million and port expenses of $0.3 million, representing 41.7% and 25.0% of total voyage expenses, primarily due to our Aframax tanker, the Afrapearl II, operating in the spot market. Operating expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2026 mainly included crew expenses of $1.2 million, corresponding to 48.0% of total operating expenses, spares and consumable costs of $0.6 million, corresponding to 24.0% of total vessel operating expenses, and maintenance expenses of $0.3 million, representing maintenance and repairs on the vessels, corresponding to 12.0% of total vessel operating expenses.           
• Depreciation for the three months ended March 31, 2026 and 2025 was $1.6 million for each period.
• Management fees for the three months ended March 31, 2026 and 2025 were $0.16 million for each period.
• General and Administrative costs for the three months ended March 31, 2026 and 2025 were $0.8 million and $0.7 million, respectively. The $0.1 million increase is primarily due to higher professional fees.
  
• Interest and finance costs for the three months ended March 31, 2026 and 2025 were $0.002 million and $0.3 million respectively. In 2025, interest expense included accrued interest related to $14.6 million payable to a related party, representing 90% of the acquisition price of the Eco Spitfire, which was fully repaid in April 2025. For accounting purposes, the outstanding purchase price balance payable on the new vessel acquisition was allocated to principal and imputed interest, even though no interest was contractually charged by the sellers. The total amount paid was consistent with the originally agreed purchase price of the vessel.
  
• Interest income for the three months ended March 31, 2026 and 2025 was $0.2 million and $0.1 million, respectively. The increase is mainly attributed to a higher amount of funds placed under time deposits.
  
• Loss on warrants for the three months ended March 31, 2026 was $2.3 million compared to a gain on warrants of $6.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2025. The change reflects the net fair value movements in our Class B-1, B-2, C-1 and C-2 warrants, which are classified as liabilities.
• Net Income of $3.2 million and related Loss per share, basic, of ($1.33) for the three months ended March 31, 2026, compared to a net income of $7.9 million, corresponding to an Earnings per share (EPS), basic, of $1,439.93 for the same period of last year.
• Adjusted Net Income was $5.5 million, corresponding to an Adjusted EPS, basic, of $5.24 for the three months ended March 31, 2026 compared to an Adjusted net income of $1.2 million corresponding to an Adjusted EPS, basic, of $101.88 for the same period of last year.
• Adjusted EBITDA for the three months ended March 31, 2026 and 2025 amounted to $6.9 million and $3.0 million, respectively. Reconciliations of Adjusted Net Income, EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA to Net Income are set forth below.
  

CEO Dr. Diamantis Andriotis commented:

The first quarter of 2026 marked a period of strong financial and operational performance for the Company, with adjusted net income increasing by 358% year-over-year to $5.5 million and adjusted EBITDA rising by 130% to $6.9 million. During the quarter, the Company generated revenues of $11.6 million and a robust cash flow from operating activities of $9.3 million, resulting in a cash balance of $27 million, representing an 82% increase compared to year-end 2025.

Our fleet achieved average daily TCE rates of approximately $32,200 during the quarter, reflecting healthy market conditions across both the tanker and dry bulk sectors. More recently, spot market earnings have strengthened further, with our Aframax tanker currently earning $115,000 per day, while MR product tanker and Handysize dry bulk markets continue to generate attractive returns.

At the beginning of the second quarter, we took delivery of the first of two newly acquired product tankers, with the second vessel expected to be delivered in the third quarter of 2026. These additions further enhance and diversify our fleet profile while increasing our exposure to the tanker market. We also benefit from a flexible payment structure, under which the remaining acquisition costs for the recently acquired vessels are payable within one year from the respective acquisition agreements.

With no outstanding bank debt, we maintain significant financial flexibility as we continue to execute our growth strategy and position the Company to capitalize on favorable market conditions.

Conference Call details:

On May 18, 2026, at 10:00 am ET, the Company’s management will host a conference call to present the results and the company’s operations and outlook.

Slides and audio webcast:

There will also be a live and then archived webcast of the conference call, through C3is Inc. website (www.c3is.pro). Participants to the live webcast should register on the website approximately 10 minutes prior to the start of the webcast.

ABOUT C3IS INC.

C3is Inc. is a ship-owning company providing dry bulk and crude oil seaborne transportation services. The Company currently owns five vessels, comprising three Handysize dry bulk carriers with a total capacity of 97,664 deadweight tons (dwt), an Aframax oil tanker with a cargo carrying capacity of 115,804 dwt and a product tanker with a cargo carrying capacity of 47,203 dwt, resulting in a fleet total capacity of 260,671 dwt. On a pro forma basis following the delivery of one additional MR product tanker, the Company’s fleet will consist of six vessels: three Handysize dry bulk carriers, one Aframax tanker, and two MR product tankers, with a total carrying capacity of approximately 311,431 dwt. C3is Inc.’s shares of Common Stock are listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market and trade under the symbol “CISS.”

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 including our intentions relating to fleet growth and diversification and financing, outlook for our shipping sectors and vessel earnings, and our ability to maintain compliance with Nasdaq continued listing requirements, 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 C3is 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, C3is 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 risks discussed in our filings with the SEC and the following: the strength of world economies and currencies, geopolitical conditions, including any trade disruptions resulting from tariffs, port fees or other protectionist measures imposed by the United States, China 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, shipyard performance, changes in C3is Inc.’s operating expenses, including bunker prices, drydocking and insurance costs, ability to fund the purchase price for our two product tankers, 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 conflict in the Middle East, potential disruption of shipping routes due to ongoing attacks by Houthis in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden and the effective closure of the Persian Gulf, including the Strait of Hormuz, due to the conflict between Iran and the U.S. and Israel, accidents and political events or acts by terrorists.

Risks and uncertainties are further described in reports filed by C3is INC. with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

Company Contact:

Nina Pyndiah
Chief Financial Officer

C3is INC.
00-30-210-6250-001
E-mail: info@c3is.pro

Fleet Data:

The following key indicators highlight the Company’s operating performance during the three-month periods ended March 31, 2025 and March 31, 2026.

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 repairs, drydockings or special or intermediate surveys.
3. Total voyage days for fleet reflect the total number of days the vessels we operated were in our possession for the relevant period, net of off-hire days associated with 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 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 gain/(loss) on warrants and 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, gain/(loss) on warrants and share based compensation.

Adjusted EPS represents Adjusted net income 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 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. Management also uses these non-GAAP financial measures in making financial, operating and planning decisions and in evaluating our performance.

Reconciliation of TCE:
Time Charter Equivalent rate or “TCE” rate is determined by dividing voyage revenue net of voyage expenses by voyage days for the relevant time period. TCE is a non-GAAP measure which provides additional meaningful information in conjunction with voyage revenues, the most directly comparable GAAP measure to Time charter equivalent revenues assisting the Company’s management in making decisions regarding the deployment and use of its vessels and in evaluating their financial performance. TCE is also a standard shipping industry performance measure used primarily to compare period-to-period changes in a shipping company’s performance despite changes in the mix of charter types (i.e., spot charters or time charters) under which the vessels may be employed between the periods. TCE assists our investors to assess our financial performance from period to period on a comparable basis and provides investors with a means of better evaluating and understanding our operating performance.

ii The computation of earnings/(loss) per share gives retroactive effect to the reverse stock splits effected in April 2024, December 2024, April 2025, January 2026 and April 2026.