DBI Lifts Distribution Guidance 8.5% to 28.62 Cents Per Security for TY-26/27
DBI lifts distribution guidance 8.5% and confirms Q1-26 payment
Dalrymple Bay Infrastructure Limited (ASX: DBI) has announced forward distribution guidance for TY-26/27 totalling 28.62 cents per stapled security (cps), an 8.5% uplift on TY-25/26 guidance of 26.375 cps, alongside a confirmed Q1-26 distribution of 6.750 cps payable on 12 June 2026. The company simultaneously reaffirms its long-term distribution per security growth target of 3–7% per annum, underpinned by a forecast Terminal Infrastructure Charge (TIC) increase of approximately 8.1% for TY-26/27.
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TIC increases 8.1% for TY-26/27 — how it’s structured
The forecast TIC applicable at Dalrymple Bay Terminal (DBT) for TY-26/27 is approximately $4.02 per tonne, up from $3.72 per tonne in TY-25/26. The TIC is levied by DBIM (DBI’s wholly owned subsidiary, Dalrymple Bay Infrastructure Management Pty Ltd) on each tonne of contracted capacity at the terminal.
DBT is fully contracted on a 100% take-or-pay basis at 84.2 million tonnes per annum (Mtpa) through to 30 June 2028, with evergreen renewal options for customers. This structure provides a stable, predictable revenue base regardless of actual throughput volumes.
The TY-26/27 TIC comprises three components:
- Base TIC: $3.66/t for TY-26/27, reflecting a 4.09% CPI-linked increase on TY-25/26. This component is indexed annually in line with the quarterly Australia all groups Consumer Price Index.
- Non-expansionary capital expenditure (NECAP) Charge: Rising from $0.20/t to approximately $0.35/t, driven by an additional $97.8 million in commissioned NECAP expenditure entering the NECAP asset base on 1 July 2026. This component earns a regulated return on invested capital set at the 10 Year Australian Government Bond rate plus a margin, as well as a depreciation allowance.
- QCA Levy: Approximately $0.00/t for TY-26/27, representing a pass-through of Queensland Competition Authority (QCA) costs.
The table below sets out the full TIC component breakdown across three years:
| TIC Component | TY-24/25 Actual ($/t) | TY-25/26 Actual ($/t) | TY-26/27 Forecast ($/t) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base TIC | 3.44 | 3.52 | 3.66 |
| NECAP Charge | 0.16 | 0.20 | 0.35 |
| QCA Levy | (0.01) | (0.00) | (0.00) |
| TIC Total | 3.59 | 3.72 | 4.02 |
Note: The Base TIC component for TY-26/27 is final, while the NECAP Charge and QCA Levy components remain subject to final determination.
What the TIC means for income investors — a plain-English explainer
The Terminal Infrastructure Charge is a per-tonne fee levied on contracted capacity at DBT. Every tonne of capacity reserved by a customer generates TIC revenue for DBI, which flows through to the company’s Funds from Operations (FFO) and, ultimately, its distributions to securityholders.
The take-or-pay contract structure is a key feature for income investors. Because customers pay for contracted capacity whether or not they physically ship coal through the terminal, DBI’s revenue is not dependent on actual throughput volumes. This creates a high degree of earnings predictability across different market conditions.
Each TIC component provides a distinct form of revenue support. The Base TIC offers inflation protection through its annual CPI linkage. The NECAP Charge delivers a regulated return on capital invested in maintaining and preserving terminal infrastructure, with the return rate tied to the 10 Year Australian Government Bond rate plus a margin. The QCA Levy is a simple pass-through of QCA costs, carrying no margin impact for DBI.
Rising TIC rates translate directly into higher FFO. DBI targets distributing 60–80% of Funds from Operations (FFO) (defined as EBITDA less net interest expense and less any cash tax payable), meaning TIC growth is the primary mechanical driver of distribution growth for securityholders.
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Q1-26 distribution confirmed — key dates and forward guidance
The Q1-26 distribution of 6.750 cps is consistent with prior guidance and in line with DBI’s TY-25/26 total distribution guidance of 26.375 cps. Key details for the Q1-26 payment are as follows:
- Record date: 26 May 2026
- Payment date: 12 June 2026
- Unfranked dividend component: 4.8541 cps
- Loan note repayment component: 1.8959 cps
Looking to TY-26/27, the total guided distribution of 28.62 cps will similarly be structured as a combination of unfranked dividends and partial repayments of the loan notes forming part of DBI’s stapled securities, paid in quarterly instalments.
DBI reaffirms its distribution per security growth target of 3–7% per annum for the foreseeable future, subject to business developments and market conditions. The TY-26/27 guidance of 28.62 cps represents an implied annual growth rate of 8.5% over TY-25/26 guidance, sitting above the upper end of that long-term target range, supported by the step-up in the NECAP Charge as additional capital expenditure enters the regulated asset base.
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