Global Ship Lease Reports Results for the First Quarter of 2012

First Quarter and Year To Date Highlights

- Reported revenue of $38.4 million for the first quarter 2012, down from $39.1 million for the first quarter 2011 mainly due to 48 days offhire in the first quarter 2012 for three planned drydockings, compared to three days in the first quarter 2011

- Reported net income of $8.0 million for the first quarter 2012, including a $2.7 million non-cash interest rate derivative mark-to-market gain. Reported net income for the first quarter 2011 was $10.8 million, including $5.0 million non-cash mark-to-market gain

- Generated $25.2 million EBITDA(1) for the first quarter 2012, compared to $26.2 million for the first quarter 2011 due mainly to additional offhire and increased maintenance spend

- Excluding the non-cash mark-to-market items, normalized net income(1) was $5.3 million for the first quarter 2012 compared to normalized net income of $5.9 million for the first quarter 2011

- Repaid $11.8 million of debt in the first quarter 2012 for a total debt repayment of $127.3 million since August 2009, when we commenced amortization of our credit facility balance

Ian Webber, Chief Executive Officer of Global Ship Lease, stated, "We continued to generate strong financial results and achieve high utilization levels during the first quarter of 2012, as our entire fleet remained secured on long-term fixed rate charters. During a time in which we completed three of seven scheduled drydockings for 2012, we achieved EBITDA of $25.2 million and utilization of 97%. Despite continuing macro-economic uncertainty, a welcome positive development in our industry has been the recent successful implementation by the liner companies of freight rate increases. Global Ship Lease remains well positioned for long-term success as our fleet has a weighted average remaining lease term of 8.1 years with a contracted revenue stream of $1.2 billion."

Mr. Webber continued, "Complementing our success generating stable and predictable results, we further strengthened our balance sheet for the benefit of the Company and its shareholders. At a time when we have no purchase obligations, we have used our free cash flow to reduce our debt, paying down $11.8 million in the first quarter and $127.3 million since August of 2009."