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First half revenues surge 31% at constant exchange rates (16.9% at current exchange rates) to €433.6 million, in line with the Horizon 2012 plan

Paris, August 7, 2008 version pdf

Jacques de Chateauvieux, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of BOURBON, said: “The strong growth in revenues reflects delivery of new vessels, activity generated by chartered vessels, rate increases following contract renewals and a continuing high level of freight rates in the Bulk Division; despite the dollar’s steep decline, BOURBON’s growth is fully in line with the goals of the Horizon 2012 strategic plan.”

FIRST HALF REVENUES 2008 BY DIVISION

(in millions of euros) Second Quarter First Half
Q2 2008 Q2 2007 Change at current exchange rates H1 2008 H1 2007 Change at current exchange rates Change at constant exchange rates
Offshore 148.2 120.6 22.9% 285.0 231.4 23.1% 36.1%
Bulk 67.8 67.0 1.2% 133.4 117.4 13.6% 30.8%
Other 6.0 9.0 -33.2% 15.3 22.2 -31.2% -22.0%
BOURBON TOTAL 222.0 196.6 12.9% 433.6 371.0 16.9% 31.0%

First half revenues amounted to €433.6 million, up 16.9% over first half 2007.

In first half 2008, the dollar suffered a decrease of 15% compared with first half 2007, with an average dollar/euro exchange rate of 1.53 in first half 2008 compared to 1.33 in first half 2007.

At constant exchange rates, revenues increased 31%.

BOURBON’s growth, which is in line with the Horizon 2012 plan, was boosted by both a buoyant offshore oil and gas marine services market and strong freight rates that remained exceptionally high.

OFFSHORE DIVISION

As announced under the Horizon 2012 plan, the breakdown in the Offshore Division’s revenues now reflects the new organisational structure covering two Activities, Marine Services and Subsea Services.

(in millions of euros) H1 2008 H1 2007 Change %
Marine Services 228.7 196.0 32.7 16.7%
Subsea Services 56.3 35.4 20.9 59.0%
TOTAL 285.0 231.4 53.6 23.1%
BOURBON vessels 242.9 216.7 26.2 12.1%
Chartered vessels 42.1 14.7 27.4 +186.5%

The Offshore Division’s revenues, at €285 million, rose 36.1% at constant exchange rates and 23.1% at current exchange rates compared to first half 2007.

Growth was driven by:

On the downside, revenues for the period were hit by disposals of vessels and the unfavorable euro/dollar exchange rate.

Breakdown of the Offshore Division by geographical region

First Half
(in millions of euros) H1 2008 H1 2007 % Change
Offshore Division 285.0 231.4 23.1%
Africa 194.9 153.6 26.9%
Europe & Med/ Middle East 52.8 49.3 7.1%
American Continent 20.8 18.9 10.1%
Asia 16.5 9.6 71.9%

BOURBON’s activity in Africa continues to soar, particularly in Nigeria, Angola and Congo. The strong revenue growth in Angola and Congo was fuelled by the deepwater activity and the operational relaunch of old fields.

In Nigeria, conditions locally made operational management extremely difficult. Decisions taken to bolster security led to significant additional costs, which the customers understood.

In addition to strong revenues in Europe and on the American continent, BOURBON is also building up its presence in the booming region of India and South East Asia, where the company was boosted by contracts with new customers including Reliance, Talisman, JVPC Vietnam etc.

BULK DIVISION

The Bulk Division posted revenues of €133.4 million for the period ended June 30, 2008, up 13.6% at current exchange rates and 30.8% at constant exchange rates compared to first half 2007.

The activity benefited from an increase in the Baltic Supramax Index (BSI) from an average of $36,450 per day in first half 2007 to an average of $55,292 per day in first half 2008.

The volume shipped for first half 2008 amounted to 7.5 million tons, down from 8.2 million tons for first half 2007. BOURBON thus used 22 ships equivalent full time in first half 2008, of which 6 are fully owned, down from 25 ships equivalent full time in first half 2007.

OUTLOOK

BOURBON’s activity in the second half will continue in line with the Horizon 2012 plan.

The Offshore Division will be boosted by the commissioning of new vessels and by the renewal of contracts in a still buoyant offshore market.

The Bulk Division’s results will include a $40.6 million capital gain following the July sale of the Supramax Fructidor bulk carrier and the Division will take delivery of two new vessels in December 2008. BSI rates are expected to remain at a high level, albeit lower than levels in the first half.

Finally, BOURBON’s financial results will continue to be affected by movements in the euro-dollar exchange rate.

FINANCIAL CALENDAR

Presentation of first half 2008 results
August 27, 2008
Third quarter 2008 revenue release
November 6, 2008
Fourth quarter and full-year 2008 revenue release
February 9, 2009
Presentation of 2008 annual results
March 26, 2009

APPENDICES

BOURBON QUATERLY DATA

2008 2007
(in millions of euros) Q2 Q1 Q4 Q3 Q2 Q1
Offshore 148.2 136.8 128.6 124.5 120.6 110.8
Bulk 67.8 65.6 61.3 66.1 67.0 50.4
Other 6.0 9.3 8.3 9.8 9.0 13.2
BOURBON TOTAL 222.0 211.7 198.2 200.4 196.6 174.4

KEY INDICATORS

Q2 2008 Q2 2007
Average USD exchange rate for the quarter (in €) 1.5553 1.3478
USD exchange rate at closing on June 30 (in €) 1.5764 1.3505
Average Brent price for the quarter (in $/bl) 123 69
Average Baltic Supramax Index for the quarter (in $/day) 60,461 41,483

The average euro/dollar exchange rate in first half 2008 was 1.53$ compared with 1.33$ in first half 2007.

About BOURBON

With 4,300 professionals and a fleet of 236 owned vessels with 204 units on order, BOURBON was present as of February 6 2008 in more than 25 countries.
BOURBON offers a broad range of offshore oil and gas marine services. Under the Horizon 2012 plan, BOURBON intends to become the leader in modern offshore oil and gas marine services by offering the most demanding clients worldwide, a full line of innovative, high performance and new-generation vessels and an expanded offer of Subsea Services.
BOURBON also specializes in bulk transport and protects the French coastline for the French Navy.
Classified by ICB (Industry Classification Benchmark) in the "Oil Services" sector, BOURBON is listed for trading on Euronext Paris, Compartment A, and is included in the Deferred Settlement Service SRD and in the SBF 120 and Dow Jones Stoxx 600 indices.

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