KNOP Achieves 99.5% Fleet Utilization in Q4 2025
Fleet operated with 99.5% utilization for scheduled operations in Q4 2025, and 96.4% utilization taking into account the scheduled drydocking of the Synnove Knutsen, for which the relevant off-hire period occurred during Q4 2025. Derek Lowe, CEO, stated, "We are pleased to report another strong performance in Q4 2025, marked by safe operation at 99.5% from scheduled operations, 96.4% utilization when including drydockings, consistent revenue and operating income generation, and material progress in the charter coverage outlook for our fleet. As of the date of this release and including contractual updates since December 31, 2025, we have now secured 98% of charter coverage for the first half of 2026, and approximately 88% for the second half of 2026, in both cases after allowing for scheduled dry dockings. We remain focused on further strengthening our fleetwide charter coverage and seizing those periodic opportunities that exist to re-charter vessels in the current tight market environment. In Brazil, the main offshore oil market where we operate, Petrobras exceeded the upper end of its oil production targets for 2025. This was driven primarily by the successful deployment of FPSOs focused in shuttle tanker-serviced fields, in multiple instances taking place ahead of schedule and reaching production levels in excess of their anticipated maximums. As a result, the world's biggest shuttle tanker market is both growing and materially tightening. The North Sea, our secondary geography, has also established some positive momentum as projects ramp up production in both the UK North Sea and, most significantly, the Barents Sea. While less dynamic than is the case in Brazil, these positive developments in the wider North Sea region are a welcome and notable change after a protracted period of relatively slack shuttle tanker demand. Against this backdrop, we continue to believe that growth of offshore oil production in shuttle tanker-serviced fields across both Brazil and the North Sea is on track to outpace shuttle tanker supply growth throughout the coming years. We are aware of newbuild shuttle tanker orders, including eight for Knutsen NYK, all of which are scheduled for delivery over 2026-2028. We anticipate that all these new orders are backed by charters to clients in Brazil, and see this as a sign of confidence in the medium-to-long term demand for the global shuttle tanker fleet. Particularly when considered in the context of the increasing numbers of shuttle tankers reaching or exceeding typical retirement age, as well as yard capacity constraints limiting material new orders into at least 2028, we anticipate that these newbuild deliveries will be readily absorbed by the expanding market for shuttle tankers. As the largest global owner of shuttle tankers, along with our Sponsor, and with a market-leading position in the fastest-growing shuttle tanker region of offshore Brazil, KNOP is well positioned to benefit from these trends throughout the coming years. Accordingly, our Board of Directors is keenly focused on optimizing the Partnership's value creation strategy and is actively weighing the available capital allocation alternatives with the intention of maximizing unitholder value in a sustainable manner over the long term."
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- Financial Performance Overview: KNOT Offshore Partners reported total revenues of $96.5 million for Q4 2025, with a net loss of $6.2 million due to a $20.3 million impairment on the Bodil Knutsen, although adjusted net income stood at $14.0 million, indicating operational resilience.
- Liquidity Position: As of December 31, 2025, the Partnership had $137.0 million in available liquidity, comprising $89.0 million in cash and cash equivalents and $48.0 million in undrawn revolving credit capacity, ensuring financial flexibility for future operations.
- Fleet Utilization Rates: The fleet operated at a remarkable 99.5% utilization for scheduled operations in Q4 2025, and 96.4% when accounting for scheduled drydocking, reflecting the company's excellence in scheduling and operational efficiency.
- Dividends and Buyback Program: The Partnership declared a quarterly cash distribution of $0.026 per common unit on January 7, 2026, and initiated a buyback program of up to $10 million in July 2025, demonstrating a strong commitment to shareholder returns.
- Financial Performance: KNOT Offshore Partners reported a net loss of $6.2 million in Q4 2025, primarily due to a $20.3 million non-cash impairment related to the Bodil Knutsen vessel, indicating challenges in asset management.
- Revenue Growth: Despite the loss, the company achieved revenue of $96.49 million in Q4, representing a 5.7% year-over-year increase, suggesting some revenue growth potential in the current market environment.
- Liquidity Position: As of December 31, 2025, the company had $137.0 million in available liquidity, comprised of $89.0 million in cash and cash equivalents and $48.0 million in undrawn revolving credit capacity, demonstrating short-term financial stability.
- Operational Efficiency: The fleet operated at 99.5% utilization for scheduled operations in Q4 2025, and 96.4% when accounting for the scheduled drydocking of the Synnøve Knutsen, reflecting high operational efficiency in fleet management.
- Market Performance: Energy stocks showed mixed results late Friday afternoon, with the NYSE Energy Sector Index declining by 0.4%, indicating a divergence in market sentiment that could affect investor confidence.
- Investor Reaction: Despite overall market volatility, some investors may seize this opportunity for bargain hunting, particularly against the backdrop of fluctuating energy prices, which could influence future investment strategies.
- Industry Dynamics: The performance of the energy sector is closely tied to the fluctuations in oil and gas prices, prompting investors to monitor global supply and demand changes that may impact energy stocks.
- Future Outlook: As market attention shifts towards renewable energy, traditional energy stocks may face challenges, necessitating investors to assess the implications of industry transformation on long-term investments.

- Acquisition Talks Terminated: KNOT Offshore Partners announced the termination of acquisition discussions with Knutsen NYK Offshore Tankers, resulting in an 8.9% drop in post-market shares, reflecting market uncertainty regarding future growth prospects.
- Board Evaluation: KNOT Offshore stated that a board committee retained independent legal and financial advisors to evaluate the acquisition proposal; however, despite discussions, the parties could not reach an agreement, highlighting the complexities and challenges of the acquisition process.
- Background of Non-Agreement: Knutsen submitted an unsolicited offer in November to acquire all publicly traded units of KNOT Offshore for $10 each in cash, which, despite generating interest, failed to facilitate a deal, impacting investor confidence.
- Market Reaction Analysis: Following strong Q3 results, the market had anticipated a potentially more attractive acquisition offer for KNOT Offshore, but the termination of talks has led to investor doubts about future acquisition opportunities, potentially affecting the stability of the company's stock price.
- Analyst Rating Upgrades: Several mid-to-low cap energy stocks, including American Resources (AREC) and Black Stone Minerals (BSM), have received an A+ EPS Revision rating from analysts, indicating a significant increase in market confidence regarding their profitability outlook, which may attract more investor attention.
- Improved Earnings Expectations: CrossAmerica Partners LP (CAPL) and Delek US Holdings (DK) also achieved an A+ rating, reflecting analysts' upward revisions of their earnings forecasts, suggesting that their fundamentals are improving and could drive stock price increases.
- Industry Trend Analysis: VAALCO Energy (EGY) and KNOT Offshore Partners LP (KNOP) have also earned A+ ratings, indicating strong earnings momentum among low-cap energy stocks as the earnings season approaches, potentially eliciting positive investor reactions.
- Market Focus: Liberty Energy (LBRT) and Nordic American Tankers (NAT) receiving A+ ratings further demonstrate analysts' optimism about their earnings prospects, which could lead to increased capital inflows into these stocks and enhance market activity.
- Cash Distribution Announcement: KNOT Offshore Partners has declared a quarterly cash distribution of $0.026 per common unit, scheduled for payment on February 5, 2026, to all unitholders of record as of January 26, 2026, aimed at enhancing investor confidence.
- Financial Transparency: The company operates as a publicly traded master limited partnership but is classified as a corporation for U.S. federal tax purposes, issuing Form 1099 to its unitholders, which simplifies tax processing for investors.
- Market Positioning: KNOT Offshore focuses on owning, operating, and acquiring shuttle tankers under long-term charters primarily in offshore oil production regions of Brazil and the North Sea, highlighting its strategic importance in the global energy transportation market.
- Forward-Looking Statements: The company’s press release includes forward-looking statements that underscore potential risks and uncertainties, indicating management's cautious outlook on future performance and advising investors to consider factors that may affect future results.








