Fugros Response to Covid19 Pandemic

Fugro is taking appropriate measures during the COVID-19 pandemic to keep its employees, partners and clients safe and healthy while ensuring service delivery.

• First priority is to protect the health and safety of employees, partners and clients 
• The company is taking appropriate measures to ensure business continuity 
• Current liquidity is strong with over EUR 400 million in cash and available facilities
• A cost and capex reduction programme is being implemented
• Fugro withdraws earlier guidance for 2020 

Restrictions are in place regarding non-essential travel and international travel has almost come to a standstill. For those working at operating sites, the company has put additional health and safety measures in place. Offshore work is generally subject to quarantine prior to mobilisation. Furthermore, Fugro is reaching out to its clients and partners on a regular basis in order to understand their plans, challenges and measures, and is available to support them where possible. 

Mark Heine, CEO, commented: 

“Our priorities in this complex environment are clear: preserve the health and wellbeing of our people and those of other stakeholders, ensure business continuity and reduce costs and capex in order to protect liquidity and profitability. We have a strong and committed team in place that is dealing with this unprecedented situation. I am impressed by the professional behaviour and dedication of all our colleagues, especially those who work in the field or onboard one of our vessels. Although our backlog is still solid, our business operations will be impacted, especially given the combination of the pandemic with the recent sharp decline in the oil price. We are continuously analysing scenarios and are implementing mitigating measures.”

Business impact

Despite strong efforts to keep operations going, some projects cannot be executed as originally planned due to increasing travel restrictions and country lockdowns, which are impacting the business, particularly in the Europe-Africa region. The impact of the virus is compounded by oil and gas companies’ recently announced spending cuts due to the sharp decline in the oil price. At the same time, offshore wind is anticipated to show continued growth, though somewhat less than assumed at the start of this year. The pandemic may result in a decline in building and infrastructure activities, which could be partly compensated by government initiatives for additional infrastructure investment programmes. 

Mitigating measures

Fugro is taking decisive and immediate action to mitigate the impact of the above factors on its business. The company is implementing a programme to significantly reduce costs and capital expenditure, with the aim of realising cash savings. This includes minimising the hire of short-term charters, implementing a hiring and salary freeze and measures to reduce our workforce. These are painful measures that are necessary as a result of the dual impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the low oil price environment. Furthermore, we are assessing all available possibilities for government support to bridge this difficult period. Current liquidity is good with over EUR 400 million available in cash and committed facilities.

Guidance

At this stage, it is impossible to forecast the magnitude and duration of the impact of the virus and oil price development given the limited visibility on how this global crisis will unfold. Therefore, Fugro withdraws its earlier guidance for 2020 and will provide further information on 30 April, with the publication of its first quarter trading update.

About Fugro:

Fugro is the world’s leading, independent provider of geo-intelligence and asset integrity solutions. Fugro acquires and analyses data on topography and the subsurface, soil composition, meteorological and environmental conditions, and provides related advice. With its geo-intelligence and asset integrity solutions Fugro supports the safe, efficient and sustainable development and operation of buildings, industrial facilities and infrastructure and the exploration and development of natural resources. Fugro works around the globe, predominantly in energy and infrastructure markets offshore and onshore, employing approximately 10,500 people in around 60 countries. In 2016, revenue amounted to EUR 1.8 billion. The company is listed on Euronext Amsterdam. w: www.fugro.com