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SFL Corporation (SFL) Risk Analysis
Risk Overview Q4, 2025
Risk Change Over Time
- Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 1Increasing scrutiny and changing expectations from investors, lenders and other market participants with respect to our ESG policies may impose additional costs on us or expose us to additional risks.
Companies across all industries are facing increasing scrutiny relating to their ESG policies. Investor advocacy groups, certain institutional investors, investment funds, lenders and other market participants have been focused on ESG practices and in recent years have placed importance on the implications and social cost of their investments. Companies which do not adapt to or comply with investor, lender or other industry shareholder expectations and standards, which are evolving, or which are perceived to have not responded appropriately to ESG issues, regardless of whether there is a legal requirement to do so, may suffer from reputational damage, costs related to litigation, and the business, financial condition, and/or stock price of such a company could be materially and adversely affected. We may face increasing pressures from investors, lenders and other market participants, who are increasingly focused on climate change, to prioritize sustainable energy practices, reduce our carbon footprint and promote sustainability. As a result, we may be required to implement more stringent ESG procedures or standards so that our existing and future investors and lenders remain invested in us and make further investments in us, especially given the highly focused and specific trade of crude oil transportation in which we are engaged. Such ESG corporate transformation calls for an increased resource allocation to serve the necessary changes in that sector, increasing costs and capital expenditure. If we do not meet these standards, our business and/or our ability to access capital could be harmed. Additionally, certain investors and lenders may exclude fossil fuel-related companies, such as us, from their investing portfolios altogether due to environmental, social and governance factors. These limitations in both the debt and equity capital markets may affect our ability to finance our plans for growth. If those capital markets are unavailable to us, or if we are unable to access alternative means of financing on acceptable terms, or at all, we may be unable to implement our business strategy, which would have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations and impair our ability to service our indebtedness. Further, it is likely that we will incur additional costs and require additional resources to monitor, report and comply with wide ranging ESG requirements. The occurrence of any of the foregoing could have a material adverse effect on our business and financial condition. See further details of our ESG efforts at "Item 4.B.-Business Overview" and our latest Environmental Social Governance Report, which may be found on our website at https://www.sflcorp.com/esg/. The information on our website is not incorporated by reference into this annual report.
- Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 2If our long-term charters or management agreements relating to our vessels and rigs terminate, we could be exposed to increased volatility in our business and financial results, which could cause a decrease in revenues and increase in operating expenses.
If any of our charters terminate, we may be unable to re-charter the affected vessels on a long-term basis on terms comparable to our existing charters, or at all. The vessels in our fleet with attached charters are generally contracted for firm periods, together with certain optional extension periods. However, we have granted certain charterers purchase or early termination options which, if exercised, could result in earlier termination of the relevant charters. In addition, one or more charters may terminate upon a requisition for title or the total loss of a vessel. Any of these events could cause a significant decrease in revenues. The technical and operational management agreements relating to our vessels and rigs are not fixed price arrangements and may be subject to cost increases. To the extent we acquire additional vessels or rigs, our cash flows may become more volatile and we may be exposed to increases in vessel and rig operating expenses, either of which could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
- Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 3The market price of our common shares may be unpredictable and volatile, and future sales of our common shares could cause the market price of our common shares to decline.
The market price of our common shares has been volatile. For the year ended December 31, 2025, the closing market price of our common shares ranged from a high of $11.12 on January 15, 2025, to a low of $6.84 on October 21, 2025. The market price of our common shares may continue to fluctuate due to factors such as actual or anticipated fluctuations in our quarterly and annual results and those of other public companies in our industry, changes in key management personnel, any reductions in the payment of our dividends or changes in our dividend policy, mergers and strategic alliances in the shipping and offshore industries, market conditions in the shipping and offshore industries, changes in government regulation, shortfalls in our operating results from levels forecast by securities analysts, perceived or actual inability by our chartering counterparts to fully perform under the charter parties, including the charterers of our drilling rigs and third party announcements concerning us or our competitors and the general state of the securities market. The shipping and offshore industries have been highly unpredictable and volatile. The market for common shares in these industries may be equally volatile. The market volatility in equities remains high. In the past, following periods of volatility in the market, securities class-action litigation has often been instituted against companies. Such litigation, if instituted against us, could result in substantial costs and diversion of management's attention and resources, which could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and growth prospects. Therefore, we cannot assure you that you will be able to sell any of our common shares you may have purchased at a price greater than or equal to its original purchase price, also when adjusted for any dividends. Additionally, to the extent that the price of our common shares declines, our ability to raise funds through the issuance of equity, or otherwise using our common shares as consideration, will be reduced. Additionally, securities of certain companies might experience significant and extreme volatility in stock price due to short sellers of shares of common stock, known as a "short squeeze". These short squeezes have caused extreme volatility in those companies and in the market and have led to the price per share of those companies to trade at a significantly inflated rate that is disconnected from the underlying value of the company. Many investors who have purchased shares in those companies at an inflated rate face the risk of losing a significant portion of their original investment as the price per share has declined steadily as interest in those stocks has abated. While we have no reason to believe our shares would be the target of a short squeeze, there can be no assurance that we will not be in the future, and you may lose a significant portion or all of your investment if you purchase our shares at a rate that is significantly disconnected from our underlying value. The market price of our common shares could decline due to sales of a large number of our shares in the market or the perception that such sales could occur. This could depress the market price of our common shares and make it more difficult for us to sell equity securities in the future at a time and price that we deem appropriate, or at all.
- Debt & Financing - Risk 4We depend on our charterers for our operating cash flows and for our ability to pay dividends to our shareholders and repay our outstanding borrowings.
We own 15 container vessels on long-term time charters to Maersk A/S or Maersk, and multiple other assets chartered to a number of counterparties. We also partially own four container vessels on long-term bareboat charters to MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company S.A. and its affiliate Conglomerate Shipping Ltd. or MSC. Our other vessels that have charters attached to them are chartered to other customers under short-, medium- or long-term time charters. The charter hire payments that we receive from our customers constitute substantially all of our operating cash flows. If any of our major counterparties, including Maersk, MSC or other customers, were to fail to perform their obligations, seek to renegotiate charter rates, refuse to pay charter hire, experience financial distress, declare bankruptcy or otherwise default under their charter agreements, we could experience a significant reduction or complete loss of revenue from the affected vessels.
Risk Highlights Q4, 2025
Risk Word Cloud
Risk Factors Full Breakdown - Total Risks 58
- Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 1ChangedIncreasing scrutiny and changing expectations from investors, lenders and other market participants with respect to our ESG policies may impose additional costs on us or expose us to additional risks.
Companies across all industries are facing increasing scrutiny relating to their ESG policies. Investor advocacy groups, certain institutional investors, investment funds, lenders and other market participants have been focused on ESG practices and in recent years have placed importance on the implications and social cost of their investments. Companies which do not adapt to or comply with investor, lender or other industry shareholder expectations and standards, which are evolving, or which are perceived to have not responded appropriately to ESG issues, regardless of whether there is a legal requirement to do so, may suffer from reputational damage, costs related to litigation, and the business, financial condition, and/or stock price of such a company could be materially and adversely affected. We may face increasing pressures from investors, lenders and other market participants, who are increasingly focused on climate change, to prioritize sustainable energy practices, reduce our carbon footprint and promote sustainability. As a result, we may be required to implement more stringent ESG procedures or standards so that our existing and future investors and lenders remain invested in us and make further investments in us, especially given the highly focused and specific trade of crude oil transportation in which we are engaged. Such ESG corporate transformation calls for an increased resource allocation to serve the necessary changes in that sector, increasing costs and capital expenditure. If we do not meet these standards, our business and/or our ability to access capital could be harmed. Additionally, certain investors and lenders may exclude fossil fuel-related companies, such as us, from their investing portfolios altogether due to environmental, social and governance factors. These limitations in both the debt and equity capital markets may affect our ability to finance our plans for growth. If those capital markets are unavailable to us, or if we are unable to access alternative means of financing on acceptable terms, or at all, we may be unable to implement our business strategy, which would have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations and impair our ability to service our indebtedness. Further, it is likely that we will incur additional costs and require additional resources to monitor, report and comply with wide ranging ESG requirements. The occurrence of any of the foregoing could have a material adverse effect on our business and financial condition. See further details of our ESG efforts at "Item 4.B.-Business Overview" and our latest Environmental Social Governance Report, which may be found on our website at https://www.sflcorp.com/esg/. The information on our website is not incorporated by reference into this annual report.
- Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 2ChangedIf our long-term charters or management agreements relating to our vessels and rigs terminate, we could be exposed to increased volatility in our business and financial results, which could cause a decrease in revenues and increase in operating expenses.
If any of our charters terminate, we may be unable to re-charter the affected vessels on a long-term basis on terms comparable to our existing charters, or at all. The vessels in our fleet with attached charters are generally contracted for firm periods, together with certain optional extension periods. However, we have granted certain charterers purchase or early termination options which, if exercised, could result in earlier termination of the relevant charters. In addition, one or more charters may terminate upon a requisition for title or the total loss of a vessel. Any of these events could cause a significant decrease in revenues. The technical and operational management agreements relating to our vessels and rigs are not fixed price arrangements and may be subject to cost increases. To the extent we acquire additional vessels or rigs, our cash flows may become more volatile and we may be exposed to increases in vessel and rig operating expenses, either of which could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
- Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 3ChangedThe market price of our common shares may be unpredictable and volatile, and future sales of our common shares could cause the market price of our common shares to decline.
The market price of our common shares has been volatile. For the year ended December 31, 2025, the closing market price of our common shares ranged from a high of $11.12 on January 15, 2025, to a low of $6.84 on October 21, 2025. The market price of our common shares may continue to fluctuate due to factors such as actual or anticipated fluctuations in our quarterly and annual results and those of other public companies in our industry, changes in key management personnel, any reductions in the payment of our dividends or changes in our dividend policy, mergers and strategic alliances in the shipping and offshore industries, market conditions in the shipping and offshore industries, changes in government regulation, shortfalls in our operating results from levels forecast by securities analysts, perceived or actual inability by our chartering counterparts to fully perform under the charter parties, including the charterers of our drilling rigs and third party announcements concerning us or our competitors and the general state of the securities market. The shipping and offshore industries have been highly unpredictable and volatile. The market for common shares in these industries may be equally volatile. The market volatility in equities remains high. In the past, following periods of volatility in the market, securities class-action litigation has often been instituted against companies. Such litigation, if instituted against us, could result in substantial costs and diversion of management's attention and resources, which could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and growth prospects. Therefore, we cannot assure you that you will be able to sell any of our common shares you may have purchased at a price greater than or equal to its original purchase price, also when adjusted for any dividends. Additionally, to the extent that the price of our common shares declines, our ability to raise funds through the issuance of equity, or otherwise using our common shares as consideration, will be reduced. Additionally, securities of certain companies might experience significant and extreme volatility in stock price due to short sellers of shares of common stock, known as a "short squeeze". These short squeezes have caused extreme volatility in those companies and in the market and have led to the price per share of those companies to trade at a significantly inflated rate that is disconnected from the underlying value of the company. Many investors who have purchased shares in those companies at an inflated rate face the risk of losing a significant portion of their original investment as the price per share has declined steadily as interest in those stocks has abated. While we have no reason to believe our shares would be the target of a short squeeze, there can be no assurance that we will not be in the future, and you may lose a significant portion or all of your investment if you purchase our shares at a rate that is significantly disconnected from our underlying value. The market price of our common shares could decline due to sales of a large number of our shares in the market or the perception that such sales could occur. This could depress the market price of our common shares and make it more difficult for us to sell equity securities in the future at a time and price that we deem appropriate, or at all.
- Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 4–Risk Relating to our Common Shares
Our common shares are subject to a significant number of external and internal risks. The market price of our common shares has historically been unpredictable and volatile. As a holding company, we depend on the ability of our subsidiaries to distribute funds to satisfy our financial and other obligations. As we are a foreign corporation, our shareholders may not have the same rights as a shareholder in a U.S. corporation may have. In addition, our shareholders may not be able to bring suit against us or enforce a judgement obtained in the United States against us since our offices and the majority of our assets are located outside of the United States. Furthermore, sales of our common shares could cause the market price of our common shares to decline. Details of specific risks relating to our common shares are described below. Some risks are static while other risks may change and will vary depending on global and corporate developments that may occur now or in the future. The risk factors below identify risks relating to our industry, Company and common shares. These risks may not cover all and future applicable risk factors applicable to us.
- Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 5Certain of our directors, executive officers and major shareholders may have interests that are different from the interests of our other shareholders.
C.K. Limited is the trustee of two trusts or the Trusts, that indirectly hold all of the common shares of Hemen, our largest shareholder. Accordingly, C.K. Limited, as trustee, may be deemed to beneficially own the 25,728,687 of our common shares, representing 17.8% of our outstanding shares that are owned by Hemen. Mr. Fredriksen established the Trusts for the benefit of his immediate family. Beneficiaries of the Trusts, which may include Ms. Fredriksen, do not have any absolute entitlement to the Trust assets and thus disclaim beneficial ownership of all of our common shares owned by Hemen. Mr. Fredriksen is neither a beneficiary nor a trustee of either Trust and has no economic interest in such common shares. He disclaims any control over and all beneficial ownership of such common shares, save for any indirect influence he may have with C.K. Limited, as the trustee of the Trusts, in his capacity as the settlor of the Trusts. Please see "Item 7. Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions – A. Major Shareholders". For so long as Hemen beneficially owns a significant percentage of our outstanding common shares, it is able to exercise significant influence over us and will be able to strongly influence the outcome of shareholder votes on other matters, including the adoption or amendment of provisions in our articles of incorporation or bye-laws and approval of possible mergers, amalgamations, control transactions and other significant corporate transactions. This concentration of ownership may have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change in control, merger, amalgamations, consolidation, takeover or other business combination. This concentration of ownership could also discourage a potential acquirer from making a tender offer or otherwise attempting to obtain control of us, which could in turn have an adverse effect on the market price of our common shares. Hemen may not necessarily act in accordance with the best interests of other shareholders. The interests of Hemen may not coincide with the interests of other holders of our common shares. To the extent that conflicts of interests may arise, Hemen may vote in a manner adverse to us or to you or to other holders of our securities. Hemen is also a principal shareholder of a number of other large publicly traded companies involved in various sectors of the shipping and oil services industries , or the Hemen Related Companies. In addition, certain directors, including Mr. Cordia, Mr. O'Shaughnessy, Mr. Hjertaker, Mr. Homan-Russell, Ms. Kathrine Fredriksen and Mr. Jan Erik Klepsland, also serve on the boards of one or more of the Hemen Related Companies, including but not limited to Frontline plc (formerly Frontline Ltd.) (NYSE: FRO), or Frontline, Archer Limited (OSE: ARCHER) and NorAm Drilling Company AS, or NorAm Drilling. There may be real or apparent conflicts of interest with respect to matters affecting Hemen and other Hemen Related Companies whose interests in some circumstances may be adverse to our interests. To the extent that we do business with or compete with other Hemen Related Companies for business opportunities, prospects or financial resources, or participate in ventures in which other Hemen Related Companies may participate, these directors and officers may face actual or apparent conflicts of interest in connection with decisions that could have different implications for us. These decisions may relate to corporate opportunities, corporate strategies, potential acquisitions of businesses, newbuilding acquisitions, inter-company agreements, the issuance or disposition of securities, the election of new or additional directors and other matters. Such potential conflicts may delay or limit the opportunities available to us, and it is possible that conflicts may be resolved in a manner adverse to us or result in agreements that are less favorable to us than terms that would be obtained in arm's-length negotiations with unrelated third-parties.
- Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 6Our shareholders must rely on us to enforce our rights against our contract counterparties.
Holders of our common shares and other securities have no direct right to enforce the obligations of related and non-related customers under the charters, or any of the other agreements to which we are a party. Accordingly, if any of those counterparties were to breach their obligations to us under any of these agreements, our shareholders would have to rely on us to pursue our remedies against those counterparties.
- Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 7Because we are a foreign corporation, you may not have the same rights as a shareholder in a U.S. corporation may have.
We are a Bermuda exempted company. Our Memorandum of Association and Bye-Laws and the Bermuda Companies Act 1981, as amended, govern our affairs. Investors may have more difficulty in protecting their interests and enforcing judgments in the face of actions by our management, directors or controlling shareholders than would shareholders of a corporation incorporated in a U.S. jurisdiction. Under Bermuda law, a director generally owes a fiduciary duty only to us and not to our shareholders. Our shareholders may not have a direct course of action against our directors. In addition, Bermuda law does not provide a mechanism for our shareholders to bring a class action lawsuit under Bermuda law. Further, our Bye-laws provide for the indemnification of our directors or officers against any liability arising out of any act or omission except for an act or omission constituting fraud, dishonesty or illegality.
- Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 8As a foreign private issuer, we are permitted, and intend, to follow certain home country corporate governance practices instead of otherwise applicable NYSE requirements, which may result in less protection than is accorded to investors under rules applicable to U.S. domestic issuers.
As a foreign private issuer, in reliance on New York Stock Exchange, or NYSE, rules that permit a foreign private issuer to follow the corporate governance practices of its home country, we are permitted to follow certain Bermuda home corporate governance practices instead of those otherwise required under the corporate governance standards for U.S. domestic issuers. We follow certain Bermuda home country corporate governance practices rather than the requirements of the NYSE. Following our home country governance practices as opposed to the requirements that would otherwise apply to a U.S. company listed on the NYSE may provide less protection than is accorded to investors in U.S. domestic issuers. For a listing and further discussion of how our corporate governance practices differ from those required of U.S. companies listed on the NYSE, please see "Item 16G. Corporate Governance" or visit the corporate governance section of our website at www.sflcorp.com. The information on our website is not incorporated by reference into this annual report.
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