As filed with the Securities Exchange Commission on July 2, 2008

Registration Statement No. 333 -
 
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

     
FORM F-3
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

     
EUROSEAS LTD.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Republic of the Marshall Islands
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
 
 
N/A
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
 
 
Euroseas Ltd.
Aethrion Center
40 Ag. Konstantinou Street
151 24 Maroussi Greece
001 30 211 1804005
(Address and telephone number of Registrant’s principal executive offices)
 
Seward & Kissel LLP
Attention:  Lawrence Rutkowski, Esq.
One Battery Park Plaza
New York, New York 10004
(212) 574-1200
(Name, address and telephone number of agent for service)
 
     
Copies to:
Euroseas Ltd.
Aethrion Center
40 Ag. Konstantinou Street
151 24 Maroussi Greece
001 30 211 1804005
 
Lawrence Rutkowski, Esq.
Seward & Kissel LLP
One Battery Park Plaza
New York, New York 10004
(212) 574-1200
     
     

Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public:   From time to time after this registration statement becomes effective as determined by market conditions and other factors.

If only securities being registered on the Form are being offered pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following box.   o

If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, check the following box.   x

If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.  o

If this form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective Registration Statement for the same offering.  o

If this Form is a registration statement pursuant to General Instruction I.D. or a post-effective amendment thereto that shall become effective upon filing with the Commission pursuant to Rule 462(e) under the Securities Act, check the following box.  o

If this Form is a post-effective amendment to a registration statement filed pursuant to General Instruction I.D. filed to register additional securities or additional classes of securities pursuant to Rule 413(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box  o

If delivery of the prospectus is expected to be made pursuant to Rule 434, please check the following box.  o

 
 

 

CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
 
Title of Each Class
of Securities
to be Registered
Amount to be Registered (1)(4)
Proposed Maximum Aggregate Price Per Unit (2)
Proposed Maximum Aggregate Offering Price (1)
Amount of Registration Fee
Primary Offering
       
Common Shares, par value $ 0.03 per share (3)
       
Preferred Shares, par value $ 0.01 per share (3)
       
Debt Securities (3)(4)
       
Warrants (5)
       
Purchase Contracts (6)
       
Units (7)
       
Primary Offering Total
   
$400,000,000
$15,720
Secondary Offering
       
Common Shares, par value $ 0.03 per share to be offered by certain selling shareholders
9,955,879
$12.51 (8)
$124,548,047 (8)
$4,895 (8)
Total
   
$524,548,047
$20,615

 
(1)   
Such amount in U.S. dollars or the equivalent thereof in foreign currencies as shall result in an aggregate initial public offering price for all securities of $400,000,000.
(2)   
Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee pursuant to Rule 457(o). Any securities registered hereunder may be sold separately or as units with other securities registered hereunder.  In no event will the aggregate offering price of all securities sold by Euroseas Ltd. pursuant to this registration statement exceed $400,000,000.
(3)   
Also includes such indeterminate amount of debt securities and number of preferred shares and common shares as may be issued upon conversion of or in exchange for any other debt securities or preferred shares that provide for conversion or exchange into other securities.
(4)   
If any debt securities are issued at an original issue discount, then the offering may be in such greater principal amount as shall result in a maximum aggregate offering price not to exceed $400,000,000.
(5)  
There is being registered hereunder an indeterminate number of warrants as may from time to time be sold at indeterminate prices.
(6)  
There is being registered hereunder an indeterminate number of purchase contracts as may from time to time be sold at indeterminate prices.
(7)  
There is being registered hereunder an indeterminate number of units as may from time to time be sold at indeterminate prices.  Units may consist of any combination of the securities registered hereunder.
(8)  
Pursuant to Rule 457(c), the offering price and registration fee are computed on the average of the high and low prices for the common stock on the Nasdaq Global Select Market on July 1, 2008.
 
The Registrants hereby amend this Registration Statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the Registrants shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this Registration Statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 or until the Registration Statement shall become effective on such date as the Securities and Exchange Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.
 
 
 

 
 
 
The information in this prospectus is not complete and may be changed. This prospectus is not an offer to sell thEse securities and it is not soliciting an offer to buy or sell these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted. These securities may not be sold until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective.
 
 
Subject to completion dated July 2, 2008
 
$400,000,000
 
and
 
9,955,879 of our Common Shares
Offered by Selling Shareholders
 
 
 
              
 
 
Through this prospectus, we may periodically offer:
 
(1)   our common shares,
 
(2)     our preferred shares,
 
(3)     our debt securities,
 
(4)     our warrants,
 
(5)     our purchase contracts, and
 
(6)   our units
 
In addition, the selling shareholders named in the section “Selling Shareholders” may sell in one or more offerings pursuant to this registration statement up to 9,955,879 of our common shares that were previously acquired in private transactions. We will not receive any of the proceeds from the sale of our common shares by the Selling Shareholders.
 
The prices and other terms of the securities that we will offer will be determined at the time of their offering and will be described in a supplement to this prospectus.
 
Our common shares are currently listed on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol “ESEA”.
 
The securities issued under this prospectus may be offered directly or through underwriters, agents or dealers.  The names of any underwriters, agents or dealers will be included in a supplement to this prospectus.
 
An investment in these securities involves risks.  See the section entitled “Risk Factors” beginning on page 6.
 
NEITHER THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION NOR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION HAS APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED OF THESE SECURITIES OR PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
 
The date of this prospectus is                     , 2008.

 
 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
 
 
 
FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS
ii
 
 
PROSPECTUS SUMMARY
1
 
 
RISK FACTORS
6
 
 
PRICE RANGE OF COMMON STOCK
27
 
 
USE OF PROCEEDS
28
 
 
RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES AND PREFERRED DIVIDENDS
29
 
 
SELLING SHAREHOLDERS
30
 
 
CAPITALIZATION
31
 
 
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
32
 
 
ENFORCEMENT OF CIVIL LIABILITIES
33
 
 
DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK
34
 
 
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED SHARES
40
 
 
DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS
40
 
 
DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES
41
 
 
DESCRIPTION OF PURCHASE CONTRACTS
51
 
 
DESCRIPTION OF UNITS
51
 
 
EXPENSES
52
 
 
TAXATION
52
 
 
EXPERTS
59
 
 
LEGAL MATTERS
60
 
 
WHERE YOU CAN FIND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
60
 
 
 DISCLOSURE OF COMMISSION POSITION ON INDEMNIFICATION FOR SECURITIES ACT LIABILITIES
62
 
 
GLOSSARY OF SHIPPING TERMS
63
 


 
i

 

FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS
 
Euroseas Ltd., or the Company, desires to take advantage of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and is including this cautionary statement in connection with this safe harbor legislation.  This prospectus contains forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements include information about possible or assumed future results of our operations or our performance. Words such as “expects,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “anticipates,” “estimates,” and variations of such words and similar expressions are intended to identify the forward-looking statements. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, no assurance can be given that such expectations will prove to have been correct. These statements involve known and unknown risks and are based upon a number of assumptions and estimates which are inherently subject to significant uncertainties and contingencies, many of which are beyond our control. Actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding:
 
  ·  
our future operating or financial results;
 
  ·  
future, pending or recent acquisitions, business strategy, areas of possible expansion, and expected capital spending or operating expenses;
 
  ·  
drybulk and container shipping industry trends, including charter rates and factors affecting vessel supply and demand;
 
  ·  
our financial condition and liquidity, including our ability to obtain additional financing in the future to fund capital expenditures, acquisitions and other general corporate activities;
 
  ·  
availability of crew, number of off-hire days, dry-docking requirements and insurance costs;
 
  ·  
our expectations about the availability of vessels to purchase or the useful lives of our vessels;
 
  ·  
our expectations relating to dividend payments and our ability to make such payments;
 
  ·  
our ability to leverage to our advantage our manager’s relationships and reputations in the drybulk and container shipping industry;
 
  ·  
changes in seaborne and other transportation patterns;
 
  ·  
changes in governmental rules and regulations or actions taken by regulatory authorities;
 
  ·  
potential liability from future litigation;
 
  ·  
global and regional political conditions;
 
  ·  
acts of terrorism and other hostilities; and
 
  ·  
other factors discussed in the section titled “Risk Factors.”
 

ii

 
WE UNDERTAKE NO OBLIGATION TO PUBLICLY UPDATE OR REVISE ANY FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS CONTAINED IN THIS PROSPECTUS, OR THE DOCUMENTS TO WHICH WE REFER YOU IN THIS PROSPECTUS, TO REFLECT ANY CHANGE IN OUR EXPECTATIONS WITH RESPECT TO SUCH STATEMENTS OR ANY CHANGE IN EVENTS, CONDITIONS OR CIRCUMSTANCES ON WHICH ANY STATEMENT IS BASED.
 

 
iii

 

Unless otherwise indicated, all dollar references in this prospectus are to U.S. dollars and financial information presented in this prospectus that is derived from financial statements incorporated by reference is prepared in accordance with the U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
 
This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or Commission, using a shelf registration process.  Under the shelf registration process, we may sell the common shares, preferred shares, debt securities, warrants, purchase contracts and units described in this prospectus in one or more offerings up to a total dollar amount of $400,000,000. In addition, the Selling Shareholders may sell in one or more offerings pursuant to this registration statement up to 9,955,879 of our common shares that were previously acquired in private transactions.  This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities we or the Selling Shareholders may offer.  Each time we or the Selling Shareholders offers securities, we will provide you with a prospectus supplement that will describe the specific amounts, prices and terms of the offered securities.  The prospectus supplement may also add, update or change the information contained in this prospectus.  You should read carefully both this prospectus and any prospectus supplement, together with the additional information described below.
 
This prospectus does not contain all the information provided in the registration statement that we filed with the Commission.  For further information about us or the securities offered hereby, you should refer to that registration statement, which you can obtain from the Commission as described below under “Where You Can Find More Information.”
 

 
iv

 

PROSPECTUS SUMMARY
 
This section summarizes some of the information and consolidated financial statements that appear later in this prospectus. As an investor or prospective investor, you should review carefully the risk factors and the more detailed information and financial statements that appear later in this prospectus. In this prospectus, references to “Euroseas,” “Company,” “we,” “our,” “ours” and “us” refer to Euroseas Ltd., and its subsidiaries, unless otherwise stated or the context requires.
 
We use the term “deadweight tons,” or dwt, in describing the capacity of our drybulk carriers. Dwt, expressed in metric tons, each of which is equivalent to 1,000 kilograms, refers to the maximum weight of cargo and supplies that a vessel can carry. We use the term “twenty foot equivalent unit,” or teu, the international standard measure of containers, in describing the capacity of our containerships. For the definition of certain shipping terms used in this prospectus, see the “Glossary of Shipping Terms” on page 63 of this prospectus. Drybulk carriers are categorized as Capesize, Panamax, Handymax and Handysize. The carrying capacity of a Capesize drybulk carrier is 80,000 dwt and above. The carrying capacity of a Panamax drybulk carrier ranges from 60,000 to 79,999 dwt. The carrying capacity of a Handymax drybulk carrier ranges from 40,000 to 59,999 dwt and that of a Handysize drybulk carrier ranges from 10,000 to 39,999 dwt. Containerships are categorized as Deep Sea, Intermediate, Handysize and Feeder. The carrying capacity of a Deep Sea containership is 3,000 teu and above. The carrying capacity of an Intermediate containership ranges from 2,000 to 2,999 teu. The carrying capacity of a Handysize containership ranges from 1,300 to 1,999 teu and that of a Feeder containership is less than 1,300 teu. Unless otherwise indicated, all references to currency amounts in this prospectus are in U.S. dollars and all share numbers and per share data give effect to a 1-for-3 reverse stock split effected on October 6, 2006.
 
Our Company
 
We are a provider of worldwide ocean-going transportation services. We own and operate drybulk carriers that transport major bulks such as iron ore, coal and grains, and minor bulks such as bauxite, phosphate and fertilizers. We also own and operate containerships and multipurpose vessels that transport dry and refrigerated containerized cargoes, principally manufactured products and perishables.
 
Our fleet consists of a total of 16 vessels consisting of five drybulk carriers, comprised of three Panamax drybulk carriers and two Handysize drybulk carriers, ten containerships and one multipurpose vessel with an average age of approximately 18 years. Given current market conditions, we believe that middle-age vessels offer the most compelling value proposition, particularly in light of the expertise of our affiliated management company in evaluating, operating and maintaining middle-age vessels.
 
We intend to strategically employ our fleet with time and spot charters. We actively pursue time charters to obtain adequate cash flow to cover our fleet’s fixed costs, consisting of vessel operating expenses, management fees, general and administrative expenses, interest expense and dry-docking costs for the upcoming 12-month period. We look to employ the remainder of our fleet through time charters, spot charters, shipping pools or contracts of affreightment, depending on our view of the direction of the markets and other tactical or strategic considerations. Fourteen of the 16 vessels in our fleet are currently employed under time charters, one vessel participates in a shipping pool, which provides us with both stable cash flow and high utilization rates that help us generate steady earnings and enhance our ability to pay dividends to our shareholders and one vessel is currently on the spot market. The staggered maturities of our time charters enable us to constantly reevaluate the market and adjust the balance of our charter book accordingly. We believe this employment strategy provides us with more predictable operating cash flows and sufficient downside protection, while allowing us to participate in the potential upside of the spot market during periods of rising charter rates.
 
Our operations generate significant cash, which provides us with flexibility in our growth, operating and financial strategy. Our policy is to use this cash to aggressively pay down debt, maintain financial flexibility, finance future vessel acquisitions and provide an attractive dividend to our shareholders.
 

 

 
1

 

Our Fleet
 
As of June 30, 2008, the profile and deployment of our fleet is the following:
 
Name
 
Type
 
Dwt
 
TEU
 
Year
Built
 
Employment
 
TCE Rate ($/day)
Drybulk Vessels
   
  
     
  
     
  
     
  
     
  
     
  
 
IRINI 1
   
Panamax
     
69,734
     
     
1988
     
Baumarine Spot Pool -until end 2008
     
Spot/Partly fixed
 
ARISTIDES N.P.
   
Panamax
     
69,268
     
     
1993
     
Time Charter until
Mar-09
     
$52,000
 
IOANNA P
   
Panamax
     
64,873
     
     
1984
     
Time Charter until
Aug-08
     
$35,500
 
NIKOLAOS P.
   
Handysize
     
34,750
     
     
1984
     
Time Charter until Sep-08
     
$36,000
 
GREGOS
   
Handysize
     
38,691
     
     
1984
     
Spot
     
$36,750 / next $42,000
 
Drybulk Total
   
5
     
277,316
     
  
     
  
     
  
     
  
 
Multipurpose Dry
    Cargo  Vessels
   
  
     
  
     
  
     
  
     
  
     
  
 
TASMAN TRADER
   
Multipurpose
     
22,568
     
950
     
1990
     
Time Charter until
Mar-12
     
$8,850 until Dec-08
$9,500 until Dec-10
$9,000 until Mar-12
 
Container Carriers
   
  
     
  
     
  
     
  
     
  
     
  
 
TIGER BRIDGE
   
Intermediate
     
31,627
     
2,228
     
1990
     
Time Charter until
Jul-09
     
$16,500
 
ARTEMIS
   
Intermediate
     
29,693
     
2,098
     
1987
     
Time Charter until
Dec-08
     
$19,000
 
MAERSK NOUMEA
   
Intermediate
     
34,677
     
2,556
     
2001
     
Time Charter until
Aug-11 / plus three one year extension options
     
$16,800 until Aug-11
$18,735 / $19,240 / $19,750 extension options
 
DESPINA P
   
Handysize
     
33,667
     
1,932
     
1990
     
Time Charter until Feb-09
     
 
$15,250
 
OEL INTEGRITY (ex JONATHAN P)
   
Handysize
     
33,667
     
1,932
     
1990
     
Time Charter until Apr-09
     
$16,500
 
OEL TRANSWORLD (ex
    CLAN GLADIATOR)
   
Handysize
     
30,007
     
1,742
     
1992
     
Time Charter until
Oct-09
     
$18,500
 
YM XINGANG I
   
Handysize
     
23,596
     
1,599
     
1993
     
Time Charter until
Jul-09
     
$26,650
 
MANOLIS P
   
Handysize
     
20,346
     
1,452
     
1995
     
Time Charter until
Nov-09
     
$15,800
 
NINOS (ex YM
QINGDAO I)
   
Feeder
     
18,253
     
1,169
     
1990
     
Time Charter until
Apr-09
     
$13,175
 
KUO HSIUNG
   
Feeder
     
18,154
     
1,169
     
1993
     
Time Charter until
Feb-09
     
$15,800
 
Container Total
   
10
     
273,687
     
17,877
                         
Fleet Grand Total
   
16
     
573,571
     
18,827
                         
 
 
1
Irini is employed in the Baumarine spot pool that is managed by Klaveness, a major global charterer in the dry bulk area, and also participates in “short” funds (contracts to carry cargo at agreed rates), reducing its exposure to the spot market.
 
We plan to expand our fleet by investing in vessels in the drybulk, containership and multipurpose markets by targeting primarily mid-age vessels at the time of purchase under favorable market conditions. We also intend to take advantage of the cyclical nature of the market by buying and selling ships when we believe favorable opportunities exist. We employ our vessels in the spot and time charter market, through pool arrangements and under contracts of affreightment. Presently, our ten containerships, our multipurpose vessel and three of our panamax bulkers are employed under time charters. Our other panamax vessel, m/v Irini , is employed in the Baumarine pool that is managed by Klaveness, a major global charterer in the drybulk area, and also participates in “short” funds (contracts to carry cargo at agreed rates), reducing its exposure to the spot market.
 
As of  June 30, 2008, approximately 92% of our ship capacity in 2008 and approximately 34% in 2009 are fixed time charter contracts or protected from market fluctuations.



 
2

 

Management of Our Fleet
 
The operations of our vessels are managed by Eurobulk Ltd., or Eurobulk, an affiliated company founded in 1994 by members of the Pittas family, under a master management agreement with us and separate management agreements with each ship-owning company. Under our master management agreement, Eurobulk is responsible for providing us with executive services and commercial management services, which include obtaining employment for our vessels and managing our relationships with charterers. Eurobulk also performs technical management services, which include managing day-to-day vessel operations, performing general vessel maintenance, ensuring regulatory and classification society compliance, supervising the maintenance and general efficiency of vessels, arranging our hire of qualified officers and crew, arranging and supervising dry-docking and repairs, arranging insurance for vessels, purchasing stores, supplies, spares and new equipment for vessels, appointing supervisors and technical consultants and providing technical support and shoreside personnel who carry out the management functions described above and certain accounting services.
 
Our master management agreement with Eurobulk is effective as of January 1, 2008 and has an initial term of 5 years until December 31, 2012. The master management agreement cannot be terminated by Eurobulk without cause or under other limited circumstances, such as sale of the Company or Eurobulk or the bankruptcy of either party. This master management agreement will automatically be extended after the initial period for an additional five year period unless terminated on or before the 90th day preceding the initial termination date. Pursuant to the master management agreement, each new vessel we acquire in the future will enter into a separate five year management agreement with Eurobulk. In addition, upon expiration of the current ship management agreements between Eurobulk and each vessel-owing subsidiary, such subsidiaries will enter into new ship management agreements with Eurobulk that terminate contemporaneously with the master management agreement.
 
In exchange for providing us with the services described above, we pay Eurobulk 630 euros (approximately $992 based on a exchange rate of 1.5748 U.S. dollars per euro as of June 30, 2008) per vessel per day adjusted annually for inflation.
 
Our Competitive Strengths
 
We believe that we possess the following competitive strengths:
 
  ·  
Experienced Management Team .  Our management team has significant experience in all aspects of commercial, technical, operational and financial areas of our business. Aristides J. Pittas, our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, holds a dual graduate degree in Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering and Ocean Systems Management from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He has worked in various technical, shipyard and ship management capacities and since 1991 has focused on the ownership and operation of vessels carrying dry cargoes. Dr. Anastasios Aslidis, our Chief Financial Officer, holds a Ph.D. in Ocean Systems Management also from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and has over 20 years of experience, primarily as a partner at a Boston based international consulting firm focusing on investment and risk management in the maritime industry.
 
  ·  
Cost Effective Vessel Operations .  We believe that because of the efficiencies afforded to us through Eurobulk, the strength of our management team and the quality of our fleet, we are, and will continue to be, a reliable, low cost vessel operator, without compromising our high standards of performance, reliability and safety. Despite the average age of our fleet being approximately 18 years during 2007, our total vessel operating expenses, including management fees and general and administrative expenses were $5,624 per day for the year ended December 31, 2007. We consider this amount to be among the lowest of the publicly listed drybulk shipping companies in the U.S. Our technical and operating expertise allows us to efficiently manage and transport a wide range of cargoes with a flexible trade route profile, which helps reduce ballast time between voyages and minimize off-hire days. Our professional, well-trained masters, officers and on board crews further help us to control costs and ensure consistent vessel operating performance. We actively manage our fleet and strive to maximize utilization and minimize maintenance expenditures. For the year ended December 31, 2007, our fleet utilization was 99.7% and since 2003 our utilization rate has averaged in excess of 99.0%.
 
 
3

 
  ·  
Strong Relationships with Customers and Financial Institutions .  We believe Eurobulk and the Pittas family have developed strong industry relationships and have gained acceptance with charterers, lenders and insurers because of their long-standing reputation for safe and reliable service and financial responsibility through various shipping cycles. Through Eurobulk, we offer reliable service and cargo carrying flexibility that enables us to attract customers and obtain repeat business. We also believe that the established customer base and reputation of Eurobulk and the Pittas family helps us to secure favorable employment for our vessels with well known charterers.
 
Our Business Strategy
 
Our business strategy is focused on providing consistent shareholder returns by carefully timing and structuring acquisitions of drybulk carriers and containerships and by reliably, safely and competitively operating our vessels through Eurobulk. We continuously evaluate purchase and sale opportunities, as well as long term employment opportunities for our vessels.
 
  ·  
Renew and Expand our Fleet .  We expect to grow our fleet in a disciplined manner through timely and selective acquisitions of quality vessels. We perform in-depth technical review and financial analysis of each potential acquisition and only purchase vessels as market conditions and developments present themselves. We continue to be focused on purchasing well-maintained, secondhand vessels, which should provide a significant value proposition given the strong charter rates that exist currently. However, we will also consider purchasing younger vessels or newbuildings if the value proposition exists at the time. Furthermore, as part of our fleet renewal, we will continue to sell certain vessels when we believe it is in the best interests of the Company and our shareholders.
 
  ·  
Maintain Balanced Employment .  We intend to strategically employ our fleet between time and spot charters. We actively pursue time charters to obtain adequate cash flow to cover our fleet’s fixed costs, consisting of vessel operating expenses, management fees, general and administrative expenses, interest expense and drydocking costs for the upcoming 12-month period. We look to deploy the remainder of our fleet through time charters, spot charters, shipping pools or contracts of affreightment depending on our view of the direction of the markets and other tactical or strategic considerations. We believe this balanced employment strategy will provide us with more predictable operating cash flows and sufficient downside protection, while allowing us to participate in the potential upside of the spot market during periods of rising charter rates. On the basis of our fixed spot and existing time charters, approximately 92% of our vessel capacity in 2008 and approximately 34% in 2009 are fixed, which will help protect us from market fluctuations, enable us to make significant principal and interest payments on our debt and pay dividends to our shareholders.
 
 
4

 
  ·  
Operate a Fleet of Vessels in the Whole Dry Cargo Sector .  While remaining focused on the dry cargo segment of the shipping industry, we intend to continue to develop a diversified fleet of drybulk carriers and containerships. A diversified drybulk fleet profile will allow us to better serve our customers in both major and minor bulk trades, as well as to reduce any dependency on any one cargo, trade route or customer. We currently remain focused on the smaller size ship segment of the container market, which has not experienced the same level of expansion in vessel supply that has occurred with larger containerships. A diversified fleet, in addition to enhancing the stability of our cash flows, will also help us to reduce our exposure to unfavorable developments in any one shipping sector and to benefit from upswings in any one shipping sector experiencing rising charter rates.
 
  ·  
Optimize Use of Financial Leverage .  We will use bank debt to partly fund our vessel acquisitions and increase financial returns for our shareholders. We actively assess the level of debt we incur in light of our ability to repay that debt based on the level of cash flow generated from our balanced chartering strategy and efficient operating cost structure. Our debt repayment schedule as of December 31, 2007 calls for a reduction of more than 46% of our then outstanding debt by the end of 2009. We expect this will increase our ability to borrow funds to make additional vessel acquisitions in order to grow our fleet and pay consistent and possibly higher dividends to our shareholders.
 
Corporate Information
 
Euroseas Ltd. is a holding company existing under the laws of the Marshall Islands. We maintain our principal executive offices at Aethrion Center, 40 Ag., Konstantinou Street, 151 24, Maroussi, Greece. Our telephone number at that address is 011 30 211 1804005.  Our website address is http://www.euroseas.gr.  The information on our website is not a part of this prospectus.
 
The Securities
 
We may use this prospectus to offer up to $400,000,000 of:
 
  ·  
common shares;
 
  ·  
preferred shares;
 
  ·  
debt securities;
 
  ·  
warrants;
 
  ·  
purchase contracts; and
 
  ·  
units.
 
We may also offer securities of the types listed above that are convertible or exchangeable into one or more of the securities listed above.
 
In addition, the Selling Shareholders may sell in one or more offerings pursuant to this registration statement up to 9,955,879 of our common shares that were previously acquired in private transactions. We will not receive any of the proceeds from the sale of our common shares sold by the Selling Shareholders.
 
A prospectus supplement will describe the specific types, amounts, prices, and detailed terms of any of these securities that we or the Selling Shareholders may offer and may describe certain risks associated with an investment in the securities.  Terms used in the prospectus supplement will have the meanings described in this prospectus, unless otherwise specified.
 

 
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RISK FACTORS
 
Any investment in our stock involves a high degree of risk. You should consider carefully the following factors, as well as the other information set forth in this prospectus, before making an investment in our common stock. Some of the following risks relate principally to the industry in which we operate and our business in general. Other risks relate to the securities market for and ownership of our common stock. Any of the described risks could significantly and negatively affect our business, financial condition, operating results and common stock price. The following risk factors describe the material risks that are presently known to us.
 
Industry Risk Factors
 
The cyclical nature of the shipping industry may lead to volatile changes in freight rates which may reduce our revenues and net income.
 
We are an independent shipping company (i.e. not linked in any way to the users of the cargoes we transport) that operates in the drybulk and container shipping industry. Our profitability is dependent upon the freight rates we are able to charge. The supply of and demand for shipping capacity strongly influences freight rates. The demand for shipping capacity is determined primarily by the demand for the type of commodities carried and the distance that those commodities must be moved by sea. The demand for commodities is affected by, among other things, world and regional economic and political conditions (including developments in international trade, fluctuations in industrial and agricultural production and armed conflicts), environmental concerns, weather patterns, and changes in seaborne and other transportation costs. The size of the existing fleet in a particular market, the number of new vessel deliveries, the scrapping of older vessels and the number of vessels out of active service (i.e., laid-up, drydocked, awaiting repairs or otherwise not available for hire), determines the supply of shipping capacity, which is measured by the amount of suitable tonnage available to carry cargo. The cyclical nature of the shipping industry may lead to volatile changes in freight rates which may reduce our revenues and net income.
 
In addition to the prevailing and anticipated freight rates, factors that affect the rate of newbuilding, scrapping and laying-up include newbuilding prices, secondhand vessel values in relation to scrap prices, costs of bunkers and other operating costs, costs associated with classification society surveys, normal maintenance and insurance coverage, the efficiency and age profile of the existing fleet in the market and government and industry regulation of maritime transportation practices, particularly environmental protection laws and regulations. These factors influencing the supply of and demand for shipping capacity are outside of our control, and we may not be able to correctly assess the nature, timing and degree of changes in industry conditions. Some of these factors may have a negative impact on our revenues and net income.
 
The value of our vessels may fluctuate, adversely affecting our earnings, liquidity and causing us to breach our secured credit agreements.
 
The market value of our vessels can fluctuate significantly. The market value of our vessels may increase or decrease depending on the following factors:
 
  ·  
general economic and market conditions affecting the shipping industry;
 
  ·  
supply of drybulk, container and multipurpose vessels;
 
  ·  
demand for drybulk, container and multipurpose vessels;
 
 
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  ·  
types and sizes of vessels;
 
  ·  
other modes of transportation;
 
  ·  
cost of newbuildings;
 
  ·  
new regulatory requirements from governments or self-regulated organizations; and
 
  ·  
prevailing level of charter rates.
 
As vessels grow older, they generally decline in value. Due to the cyclical nature of the drybulk and container shipping industry, if for any reason we sell vessels at a time when prices have fallen, we could incur a loss and our business, results of operations, cash flow, financial condition and ability to pay dividends could be adversely affected.
 
In addition, we periodically re-evaluate the carrying amount and period over which long-lived assets are depreciated to determine if events have occurred which would require modification to their carrying values or their useful lives. A determination that a vessel’s estimated remaining useful life or fair value has declined below its carrying amount could result in an impairment charge against our earnings and a reduction in our shareholders’ equity. Any change in the assessed market value of any of our vessels might also cause a violation of the covenants of each secured credit agreement which in turn might restrict our cash and affect our liquidity. All of our credit agreements provide for a minimum security maintenance ratio. If the assessed market value of our vessels declines below certain thresholds, we will be deemed to have violated these covenants and may incur penalties for breach of our credit agreements. For example, these penalties could require us to prepay the shortfall between the assessed market value of our vessels and the value of such vessels required to be maintained pursuant to the secured credit agreement, or to provide additional security acceptable to the lenders in an amount at least equal to the amount of any shortfall. Furthermore, we may enter into future loans which may include various other covenants, including but are not limited to, maximum fleet leverage covenants and minimum fair net worth covenants.
 
Our future profitability will be dependent on the level of charter rates in the international drybulk and container shipping industry.
 
Charter rates for the international drybulk and container shipping industry reached record highs during 2004 and 2005; however, by the beginning of 2006 rates declined. Drybulk rates recovered since early 2006 and reached new historic highs in the fall of 2007 and again in May 2008.  Although, drybulk rates have since declined they remain high by historical standards. At the same time, containership rates, after reaching historic highs in the middle of 2005, declined by the end of the year and remained flat for most of 2006, further declined by the end of 2006 and steadily recovered during 2007. Containership rates remained at about the same level since the end of 2007 and are still below the high levels achieved in the middle of 2005.  Rates in drybulk or containership markets are influenced by the balance of demand for and supply of vessels and may decline in the future.
 
Because the factors affecting the supply and demand for vessels are outside of our control and are unpredictable, the nature, timing, direction and degree of changes in industry conditions are unpredictable.  In addition, we may not be able to successfully charter our vessels in the future or renew existing charters at rates sufficient to allow us to meet our obligations or to pay dividends to our shareholders.
 
Some of the factors that influence demand for vessel capacity include:
 
 
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  ·  
supply and demand for drybulk and containership commodities, and separately for containerized cargo;
 
  ·  
global and regional economic and political conditions;
 
  ·  
the distance drybulk and containerized commodities are to be moved by sea;
 
  ·  
environmental and other regulatory developments;
 
  ·  
currency exchange rates;
 
  ·  
changes in global production and manufacturing distribution patterns of finished goods that utilize drybulk and other containerized commodities; and
 
  ·  
changes in seaborne and other transportation patterns.
 
Some of the factors that influence the supply of vessel capacity include:
 
  ·  
the number of newbuilding deliveries;
 
  ·  
the scrapping rate of older vessels;
 
  ·  
the price of steel and other materials;
 
  ·  
port congestion;
 
  ·  
changes in environmental and other regulations that may limit the useful life of vessels; and
 
  ·  
the number of vessels that are out of service.
 
We anticipate that the future demand for our drybulk, container and multipurpose vessels and the charter rates of the corresponding markets will be dependent upon continued economic growth in China, India and the overall world economy, seasonal and regional changes in demand, and changes to the capacity of the world fleet. The capacity of the world fleet seems likely to increase and economic growth may not continue. Adverse economic, political, social or other developments could also have a material adverse effect on our business and results of operations. If the number of new ships delivered exceeds the number of vessels being scrapped and lost, vessel capacity will increase. For instance, given that as of May 1, 2008 the capacity of the fully cellular worldwide container vessel fleet was approximately 11.2 million teu, with approximately 6.4 million teu of additional capacity on order, the growing supply of container vessels may exceed future demand, particularly in the short term. If the supply of vessel capacity increases but the demand for vessel capacity does not increase correspondingly, charter rates and vessel values could materially decline.
 
An economic slowdown in the Asia Pacific region could materially reduce the amount and/or profitability of our business.
 
A significant number of the port calls made by our vessels involve the loading or discharging of raw materials and semi-finished products in ports in the Asia Pacific region. As a result, a negative change in economic conditions in any Asia Pacific country, particularly in China, may have an adverse effect on our business, financial position and results of operations, as well as our future prospects. In particular, in recent years, China has been one of the world’s fastest growing economies in terms of gross domestic product. Such growth may not be sustained and the Chinese economy may experience contraction in the future. Moreover, any slowdown in the economies of the United States of America, the European Union or certain Asian countries may adversely effect economic growth in China and elsewhere. Our business, financial position and results of operations, as well as our future prospects, will likely be materially and adversely affected by an economic downturn in any of these countries.
 
 
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Changes in the economic and political environment in China and policies adopted by the government to regulate its economy may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
 
The Chinese economy differs from the economies of most countries belonging to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, or OECD, in such respects as structure, government involvement, level of development, growth rate, capital reinvestment, allocation of resources, rate of inflation and balance of payments position. Prior to 1978, the Chinese economy was a planned economy. Since 1978, increasing emphasis has been placed on the utilization of market forces in the development of the Chinese economy. Annual and five year State Plans are adopted by the Chinese government in connection with the development of the economy. Although state-owned enterprises still account for a substantial portion of the Chinese industrial output, in general, the Chinese government is reducing the level of direct control that it exercises over the economy through State Plans and other measures. There is an increasing level of freedom and autonomy in areas such as allocation of resources, production, pricing and management and a gradual shift in emphasis to a “market economy” and enterprise reform. Limited price reforms were undertaken, with the result that prices for certain commodities are principally determined by market forces. Many of the reforms are unprecedented or experimental and may be subject to revision, change or abolition based upon the outcome of such experiments. The Chinese government may not continue to pursue a policy of economic reform. The level of imports to and exports from China could be adversely affected by the nature of the economic reforms pursued by the Chinese government, as well as by changes in political, economic and social conditions or other relevant policies of the Chinese government, such as changes in laws, regulations or export and import restrictions, all of which could, adversely affect our business, operating results and financial condition.
 
We may become dependent on spot charters in the volatile shipping markets, which may result in decreased revenues and/or profitability.
 
Although most of our vessels are currently under time charters, in the future, we may have more of these vessels and/or any newly acquired vessels on spot charters. The spot market is highly competitive and rates within this market are subject to volatile fluctuations, while time charters provide income at pre-determined rates over more extended periods of time. If we decide to spot charter our vessels, we may not be able to keep all our vessels fully employed in these short-term markets or that future spot rates will be sufficient to enable our vessels to be operated profitably. A significant decrease in charter rates could affect the value of our fleet and could adversely affect our profitability and cash flows with the result that our ability to pay debt service to our lenders and dividends to our shareholders could be impaired.
 
An over-supply of drybulk carrier and containership capacity may lead to reductions in charter hire rates and profitability.
 
The market supply of drybulk carriers and especially containerships has been increasing, and the number of both the drybulk vessels and containerships on order have recently reached historic highs. The containership newbuildings are expected to continue being delivered in significant numbers over the next several years. The drybulk vessel newbuildings are expected to continue being delivered in 2008 at the same rates as in 2006 and 2007, but it is anticipated that in 2009, and particularly in 2010, that their delivery rate will start increasing. An over-supply of drybulk carrier and containership capacity may result in a reduction of charter hire rates. If such a reduction occurs upon the expiration or termination of our drybulk carriers’ and containerships’ current charters, such as during 2008 or 2009, when the charters under which at least nine of our containerships are currently deployed expire, we may only be able to recharter those drybulk carriers and containerships at reduced or unprofitable rates or we may not be able to charter these vessels at all.
 
 
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We are subject to regulation and liability under environmental laws that could require significant expenditures and affect our cash flows and net income.
 
Our business and the operation of our vessels are materially affected by government regulation in the form of international conventions, national, state and local laws and regulations in force in the jurisdictions in which the vessels operate, as well as in the country or countries of their registration. Because such conventions, laws, and regulations are often revised, we may not be able to predict the ultimate cost of complying with such conventions, laws and regulations or the impact thereof on the resale prices or useful lives of our vessels. Additional conventions, laws and regulations may be adopted which could limit our ability to do business or increase the cost of our doing business and which may materially adversely affect our operations. We are required by various governmental and quasi-governmental agencies to obtain certain permits, licenses, certificates and financial assurances with respect to our operations.
 
The operation of our vessels is affected by the requirements set forth in the International Maritime Organization’s (“IMO’s”) International Management Code for the Safe Operation of Ships and Pollution Prevention (“ISM Code”). The ISM Code requires shipowners and bareboat charterers to develop and maintain an extensive “Safety Management System” that includes the adoption of a safety and environmental protection policy setting forth instructions and procedures for safe operation and describing procedures for dealing with emergencies. The failure of a shipowner or bareboat charterer to comply with the ISM Code may subject such party to increased liability, may decrease available insurance coverage for the affected vessels, and/or may result in a denial of access to, or detention in, certain ports. Currently, each of our vessels and Eurobulk, our affiliated ship management company, are ISM Code-certified, but we may not be able to maintain such certification indefinitely.
 
Although the United States of America is not a party, many countries have ratified and follow the liability scheme adopted by the IMO and set out in the International Convention on Civil Liability for Oil Pollution Damage, 1969, as amended (the “CLC”), and the Convention for the Establishment of an International Fund for Oil Pollution of 1971, as amended and the Regulations for the Prevention of Air Pollution from Ships to the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (as modified in 1978 and 1997), including Annex VI thereto. Under these conventions, a vessel’s registered owner is strictly liable for pollution damage, including air pollution, caused on the territorial waters of a contracting state by discharge of persistent oil, subject to certain complete defenses. Many of the countries that have ratified the CLC have increased the liability limits through a 1992 Protocol to the CLC. The right to limit liability is also forfeited under the CLC where the spill is caused by the owner’s actual fault or privity and, under the 1992 Protocol, where the spill is caused by the owner’s intentional or reckless conduct. Vessels trading to contracting states must provide evidence of insurance covering the limited liability of the owner. In jurisdictions where the CLC has not been adopted, various legislative schemes or common law govern, and liability is imposed either on the basis of fault or in a manner similar to the CLC.
 
 
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The United States Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (“OPA”) established an extensive regulatory and liability regime for the protection and clean-up of the environment from oil spills. OPA affects all owners and operators whose vessels trade in the United States of America or any of its territories and possessions or whose vessels operate in waters of the United States of America, which includes the territorial sea of the United States of America and its 200 nautical mile exclusive economic zone. OPA allows for potentially unlimited liability without regard to fault of vessel owners, operators and bareboat charterers for all containment and clean-up costs and other damages arising from discharges or threatened discharges of oil from their vessels, including bunkers (fuel), in the U.S. waters. OPA also expressly permits individual states to impose their own liability regimes with regard to hazardous materials and oil pollution materials occurring within their boundaries.
 
While we do not carry oil as cargo, we do carry fuel oil (bunkers) in our drybulk carriers. We currently maintain, for each of our vessels, pollution liability coverage insurance of $1 billion per incident. If the damages from a catastrophic spill exceeded our insurance coverage, that would have a material adverse affect on our financial condition.
 
Capital expenditures and other costs necessary to operate and maintain our vessels may increase due to changes in governmental regulations, safety or other equipment standards.
 
Changes in governmental regulations, safety or other equipment standards, as well as compliance with standards imposed by maritime self-regulatory organizations and customer requirements or competition, may require us to make additional expenditures. In order to satisfy these requirements, we may, from time to time, be required to take our vessels out of service for extended periods of time, with corresponding losses of revenues. In the future, market conditions may not justify these expenditures or enable us to operate some or all of our vessels profitably during the remainder of their economic lives.
 
Increased inspection procedures and tighter import and export controls could increase costs and disrupt our business.
 
International shipping is subject to various security and customs inspection and related procedures in countries of origin and destination. Inspection procedures may result in the seizure of contents of our vessels, delays in the loading, offloading or delivery and the levying of customs duties, fines or other penalties against us.
 
It is possible that changes to inspection procedures could impose additional financial and legal obligations on us. Furthermore, changes to inspection procedures could also impose additional costs and obligations on our customers and may, in certain cases, render the shipment of certain types of cargo uneconomical or impractical. Any such changes or developments may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
 
Rising fuel prices may adversely affect our profits.
 
Fuel (bunkers) is a significant, if not the largest, operating expense for many of our shipping operations when our vessels are under voyage charter. When a vessel is operating under a time charter, these costs are paid by the charterer. However fuel costs are taken into account by the charterer in determining the amount of time charter hire and therefore fuel costs also indirectly affect time charter rates. The price and supply of fuel is unpredictable and fluctuates based on events outside our control, including geopolitical developments, supply and demand for oil and gas, actions by OPEC and other oil and gas producers, war and unrest in oil producing countries and regions, regional production patterns and environmental concerns. Fuel prices have been at historically high levels recently, but shipowners have not really felt the effect of these high prices because the shipping markets have also been at high levels. Any increase in the price of fuel may adversely affect our profitability, especially if such increase is combined with lower drybulk and containership rates.
 
 
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If our vessels fail to maintain their class certification and/or fail any annual survey, intermediate survey, dry-docking or special survey, that vessel would be unable to carry cargo, thereby reducing our revenues and profitability and violating certain loan covenants of our third-party indebtedness.
 
The hull and machinery of every commercial vessel must be classed by a classification society authorized by its country of registry. The classification society certifies that a vessel is safe and seaworthy in accordance with the applicable rules and regulations of the country of registry of the vessel and the Safety of Life at Sea Convention (“SOLAS”). Our vessels are currently classed with Lloyd’s Register of Shipping, Bureau Veritas and Nippon Kaiji Kyokai. ISM and International Ship and Port Facilities Security (“ISPS”) certification have been awarded by Bureau Veritas and the Panama Maritime Authority to our vessels and Eurobulk.
 
A vessel must undergo annual surveys, intermediate surveys, drydockings and special surveys. In lieu of a special survey, a vessel’s machinery may be on a continuous survey cycle, under which the machinery would be surveyed periodically over a five-year period. Every vessel is also required to be drydocked every two to three years for inspection of the underwater parts of such vessel.
 
If any vessel does not maintain its class and/or fails any annual survey, intermediate survey, drydocking or special survey, the vessel will be unable to carry cargo between ports and will be unemployable and uninsurable which could cause us to be in violation of certain covenants in our loan agreements. Any such inability to carry cargo or be employed, or any such violation of covenants, could have a material adverse impact on our financial condition and results of operations. That status could cause us to be in violation of certain covenants in our loan agreements.
 
Rising crew costs may adversely affect our profits.
 
Crew costs are a significant operating expense for many of our shipping operations. Crewing costs have reached recent highs and may continue at such rates. The cost of employing suitable crew is unpredictable and fluctuates based on events outside our control, including supply and demand and the wages paid by other shipping companies. Crew costs have been at high levels recently, but shipowners have not really felt the effect of these high prices because the shipping markets have also been at high levels. Any increase in crew costs may adversely affect our profitability, especially if such increase is combined with lower drybulk and containership rates.
 
Maritime claimants could arrest our vessels, which could interrupt our cash flow.
 
Crew members, suppliers of goods and services to a vessel, shippers of cargo and other parties may be entitled to a maritime lien against that vessel for unsatisfied debts, claims or damages. In many jurisdictions, a maritime lienholder may enforce its lien by arresting a vessel through foreclosure proceedings. The arresting or attachment of one or more of our vessels could interrupt our cash flow and require us to pay large sums of funds to have the arrest lifted which would have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.
 
In addition, in some jurisdictions, such as South Africa, under the “sister ship” theory of liability, a claimant may arrest both the vessel which is subject to the claimant’s maritime lien and any “associated” vessel, which is any vessel owned or controlled by the same owner. Claimants could try to assert “sister ship” liability against one of our vessels for claims relating to another of our vessels.
 
 
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Governments could requisition our vessels during a period of war or emergency, resulting in loss of earnings.
 
A government could requisition for title or seize our vessels. Requisition for title occurs when a government takes control of a vessel and becomes the owner. Also, a government could requisition our vessels for hire. Requisition for hire occurs when a government takes control of a vessel and effectively becomes the charterer at dictated charter rates. Generally, requisitions occur during a period of war or emergency. Government requisition of one or more of our vessels could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.
 
World events outside our control may negatively affect our ability to operate, thereby reducing our revenues and net income or our ability to obtain additional financing, thereby restricting the implementation of our business strategy.
 
Terrorist attacks such as the attacks on the United States of America on September 11, 2001, on London, England on July 7, 2005, and the response to these attacks, as well as the threat of future terrorist attacks, continue to cause uncertainty in the world financial markets and may affect our business, results of operations and financial condition. The continuing conflict in Iraq may lead to additional acts of terrorism and armed conflict around the world, which may contribute to further economic instability in the global financial markets. These uncertainties could also have a material adverse effect on our ability to obtain additional financing on terms acceptable to us or at all. Terrorist attacks may also negatively affect our operations and financial condition and directly impact our vessels or our customers. Future terrorist attacks could result in increased volatility of the financial markets in the United States of America and globally and could result in an economic recession in the United States of America or the world. Any of these occurrences could have a material adverse impact on our financial condition and costs.
 
Company Risk Factors
 
If we do not use the proceeds of this offering to acquire vessels and expand our fleet, we may use it for general corporate purposes which may result in lower earnings.
 
We intend to use the proceeds of this offering to acquire additional vessels and expand our fleet when we believe market conditions are favorable for purchasing such vessels. Our management will have the discretion to identify and acquire vessels. If our management is unable to identify and acquire vessels on terms acceptable to us, we may use the proceeds of this offering  for general corporate purposes. It may take a substantial period of time before we can locate and purchase suitable vessels. During this period, the proceeds of this offering may be invested on a short-term basis and therefore may not yield returns at rates comparable to what a vessel might have earned.
 
We depend entirely on Eurobulk to manage and charter our fleet, which may adversely affect our operations if Eurobulk fails to perform its obligations.
 
We have no employees and we currently contract the commercial and technical management of our fleet, including crewing, maintenance and repair, to Eurobulk, our affiliated ship management company. We may lose Eurobulk’s services or Eurobulk may fail to perform its obligations to us which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of our operations. Although we may have rights against Eurobulk if it defaults on its obligations to us, you will have no recourse against Eurobulk. Further, we expect that we will need to seek approval from our lenders to change Eurobulk as our ship manager.
 
 
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Because Eurobulk is a privately held company, there is little or no publicly available information about it and there may be very little advance warning of operational or financial problems experienced by Eurobulk that may adversely affect us.
 
The ability of Eurobulk to continue providing services for our benefit will depend in part on its own financial strength. Circumstances beyond our control could impair Eurobulk’s financial strength, and because Eurobulk is privately held it is unlikely that information about its financial strength would become public unless Eurobulk began to default on its obligations. As a result, there may be little advance warning of problems affecting Eurobulk, even though these problems could have a material adverse effect on us.
 
As of June 30, 2008, Friends Investment Company Inc. owns approximately 31.3% of our outstanding shares of common stock, which may limit your ability to influence our actions.
 
As of June 30, 2008 Friends Investment Company Inc., or Friends, our largest shareholder, owns approximately 31.3% of the outstanding shares of our common stock. As a result of this share ownership and for so long as Friends owns a significant percentage of our outstanding common stock, Friends will be able to influence the outcome of any shareholder vote, including the election of directors, the adoption or amendment of provisions in our articles of incorporation or bylaws and possible mergers, corporate control contests and other significant corporate transactions. This concentration of ownership may have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change in control, merger, consolidation, takeover or other business combination involving us. 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 stock. For more information concerning the selling shareholders, see “Selling Shareholders.”
 
Our corporate governance practices are in compliance with, and are not prohibited by, the laws of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and as such we are entitled to exemption from certain NASDAQ corporate governance standards.
 
Our Company’s corporate governance practices are in compliance with, and are not prohibited by, the laws of the Republic of the Marshall Islands. Therefore, we are exempt from many of NASDAQ’s corporate governance practices other than the requirements regarding the disclosure of a going concern audit opinion, submission of a listing agreement, notification of material non-compliance with NASDAQ corporate governance practices, and the establishment and composition of an audit committee and a formal written audit committee charter.  As a result, you may not have the same protections afforded to stockholders of companies that are subject to all of the NASDAQ corporate governance requirements.
 
We and our principal officers have affiliations with Eurobulk that could create conflicts of interest detrimental to us.
 
Our principal officers are also principals, officers and employees of Eurobulk, which is our ship management company. These responsibilities and relationships could create conflicts of interest between us and Eurobulk. Conflicts may also arise in connection with the chartering, purchase, sale and operations of the vessels in our fleet versus other vessels that are or may be managed in the future by Eurobulk. Circumstances in any of these instances may make one decision advantageous to us but detrimental to Eurobulk and vice versa. Eurobulk currently manages one vessel other than those owned by Euroseas, and to date, has managed only vessels where the Pittas family was at least a minority shareholder. However, it is possible that in the future Eurobulk may manage additional vessels which will not belong to Euroseas and in which the Pittas family may have controlling, little or even no power or participation and where conflicts such as those described above may arise. Eurobulk may not be able to resolve all conflicts of interest in a manner beneficial to us and our investors.
 
 
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Companies affiliated with Eurobulk or our officers and directors may acquire vessels that compete with our fleet.
 
Companies affiliated with Eurobulk or our officers and directors own drybulk carriers and may acquire additional drybulk carriers, containerships or multipurpose vessels in the future. These vessels could be in competition with our fleet and other companies affiliated with Eurobulk might be faced with conflicts of interest with respect to their own interests and their obligations to us. Eurobulk, Friends and Aristides J. Pittas, our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, have granted us a right of first refusal to acquire any drybulk vessel or containership which any of them may consider for acquisition in the future. In addition, Mr. Pittas will use his best efforts to cause any entity with respect to which he directly or indirectly controls to grant us this right of first refusal. Were we, however, to decline any such opportunity offered to us or we do not have the resources or desire to accept any such opportunity, Eurobulk, Friends and Aristides J. Pittas, and any of their respective Affiliates, could acquire such vessels.
 
Our officers do not devote all of their time to our business.
 
Our officers are involved in other business activities that may result in their spending less time than is appropriate or necessary in order to manage our business successfully. Our Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Administrative Officer, Internal Auditor and Secretary are not employed directly by us, but rather their services are provided pursuant to our master management agreement with Eurobulk. These officers may spend a material portion of their time providing services to Eurobulk and its affiliates on matters unrelated to us.
 
We are a holding company, and we depend on the ability of our subsidiaries to distribute funds to us in order to satisfy our financial obligations or to make dividend payments.
 
We are a holding company and our subsidiaries, which are all wholly-owned by us, conduct all of our operations and own all of our operating assets. We have no significant assets other than the equity interests in our wholly-owned subsidiaries. As a result, our ability to make dividend payments to you depends on our subsidiaries and their ability to distribute funds to us. If we are unable to obtain funds from our subsidiaries, we may be unable or our Board of Directors may exercise its discretion not to pay dividends.
 
We may not be able to pay dividends.
 
We may not earn sufficient revenues or we may incur expenses or liabilities that would reduce or eliminate the cash available for distribution as quarterly dividends. Our loan agreements may also limit the amount of dividends we can pay under some circumstances based on certain covenants included in the loan agreements.
 
If we are not successful in acquiring additional vessels, any unused net proceeds from this offering may be used for general corporate purposes or held pending investment in other vessels. Identifying and acquiring vessels may take a significant amount time. The result may be that proceeds of this offering are not invested in additional vessels, or are so invested but only after some delay. In either case, we will not be able to earn charter hire consistent with our current anticipations, and our profitability and our ability to pay dividends will be affected.
 
 
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In addition, the declaration and payment of dividends will be subject at all times to the discretion of our Board of Directors. The timing and amount of dividends will depend on our earnings, financial condition, cash requirements and availability, restrictions in our loan agreements, growth strategy, charter rates in the drybulk and container shipping industry, the provisions of Marshall Islands law affecting the payment of dividends and other factors. Marshall Islands law generally prohibits the payment of dividends other than from surplus (retained earnings and the excess of consideration received for the sale of shares above the par value of the shares), but if there is no surplus, dividends may be declared out of the net profits (basically, the excess of our revenue over our expenses) for the fiscal year in which the dividend is declared or the preceding fiscal year. Marshall Islands law also prohibits the payment of dividends while a company is insolvent or if it would be rendered insolvent upon the payment of a dividend. As a result, we may not be able to pay dividends.
 
If we are unable to fund our capital expenditures, we may not be able to continue to operate some of our vessels, which would have a material adverse effect on our business and our ability to pay dividends.
 
In order to fund our capital expenditures, we may be required to incur borrowings or raise capital through the sale of debt or equity securities. Our ability to access the capital markets through future offerings may be limited by our financial condition at the time of any such offering as well as by adverse market conditions resulting from, among other things, general economic conditions and contingencies and uncertainties that are beyond our control. Our failure to obtain the funds for necessary future capital expenditures would limit our ability to continue to operate some of our vessels and could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition and our ability to pay dividends. Even if we are successful in obtaining such funds through financings, the terms of such financings could further limit our ability to pay dividends.
 
If we fail to manage our planned growth properly, we may not be able to successfully expand our market share.
 
We intend to continue to grow our fleet. Our growth will depend on:
 
  ·  
locating and acquiring suitable vessels;
 
  ·  
identifying and consummating acquisitions or joint ventures;
 
  ·  
integrating any acquired business successfully with our existing operations;
 
  ·  
enhancing our customer base;
 
  ·  
managing our expansion; and
 
  ·  
obtaining required financing on acceptable terms.
 
During periods in which charter rates are high, vessel values generally are high as well, and it may be difficult to consummate vessel acquisitions at favorable prices. In addition, growing any business by acquisition presents numerous risks, such as undisclosed liabilities and obligations and difficulty experienced in (1) obtaining additional qualified personnel, (2) managing relationships with customers and suppliers, and (3) integrating newly acquired operations into existing infrastructures. We may not be successful in executing our growth plans or that we will not incur significant expenses and losses in connection with the execution of those growth plans.
 
 
16

 
Our existing loan agreements contain restrictive covenants that may limit our liquidity and corporate activities.
 
Our existing loan agreements impose operating and financial restrictions on us. These restrictions may limit our ability to:
 
  ·  
incur additional indebtedness;
 
  ·  
create liens on our assets;
 
  ·  
sell capital stock of our subsidiaries;
 
  ·  
make investments;
 
  ·  
engage in mergers or acquisitions;
 
  ·  
pay dividends;
 
  ·  
make capital expenditures;
 
  ·  
change the management of our vessels or terminate or materially amend the management agreement relating to each vessel; and
 
  ·  
sell our vessels.
 
Therefore, we may need to seek permission from our lenders in order to engage in some corporate actions. The lenders’ interests may be different from our interests, and we may not be able to obtain the lenders’ permission when needed. This may prevent us from taking actions that are in our best interest.
 
Servicing future debt would limit funds available for other purposes.
 
To finance our fleet, we have incurred secured debt under loan agreements for our vessels. We also currently expect to incur additional secured debt to finance the acquisition of additional vessels. We must dedicate a portion of our cash flow from operations to pay the principal and interest on our debt. These payments limit funds otherwise available for working capital expenditures and other purposes. As of June 30, 2008, we had total bank debt of approximately $67.1 million. Our debt repayment schedule as of June 30, 2008 requires us to repay $28.4 million over the next two years. If we are unable to service our debt, it could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
 
A rise in interest rates could cause an increase in our costs and have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations. To finance vessel purchases, we have borrowed, and may continue to borrow, under loan agreements that provide for periodic interest rate adjustments based on indices that fluctuate with changes in market interest rates. If interest rates increase significantly, it would increase our costs of financing our acquisition of vessels, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations. Any increase in debt service would also reduce the funds available to us to purchase other vessels.
 
Our ability to obtain additional debt financing may be dependent on the performance of our then existing charters and the creditworthiness of our charterers.
 
 
17

 
The actual or perceived credit quality of our charterers, and any defaults by them, may materially affect our ability to obtain the additional debt financing that we will require purchasing additional vessels or may significantly increase our costs of obtaining such financing. Our inability to obtain additional financing at all or at a higher than anticipated cost may materially affect our results of operations, cash flows and our ability to implement our business strategy.
 
As we expand our business, we may need to upgrade our operations and financial systems, and add more staff and crew. If we cannot upgrade these systems or recruit suitable employees, our performance may be adversely affected.
 
Our current operating and financial systems may not be adequate if we expand the size of our fleet, and our attempts to improve those systems may be ineffective. In addition, if we expand our fleet, we will have to rely on Eurobulk to recruit suitable additional seafarers and shoreside administrative and management personnel. Eurobulk may not be able to continue to hire suitable employees as we expand our fleet. If Eurobulk’s unaffiliated crewing agent encounters business or financial difficulties, we may not be able to adequately staff our vessels. If we are unable to operate our financial and operations systems effectively or to recruit suitable employees, our performance may be materially adversely affected.
 
Because we obtain some of our insurance through protection and indemnity associations, we may also be subject to calls in amounts based not only on our own claim records, but also the claim records of other members of the protection and indemnity associations.
 
We may be subject to calls in amounts based not only on our claim records but also the claim records of other members of the protection and indemnity associations through which we receive insurance coverage for tort liability, including pollution-related liability. Our payment of these calls could result in significant expense to us, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, cash flows, financial condition and ability to pay dividends.
 
Labor interruptions could disrupt our business.
 
Our vessels are manned by masters, officers and crews that are employed by third parties. If not resolved in a timely and cost-effective manner, industrial action or other labor unrest could prevent or hinder our operations from being carried out normally and could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, cash flows, financial condition and ability to pay dividends.
 
In the highly competitive international drybulk and container shipping industry, we may not be able to compete for charters with new entrants or established companies with greater resources.
 
We employ our vessels in highly competitive markets that are capital intensive and highly fragmented. Competition arises primarily from other vessel owners, some of whom have substantially greater resources than us. Competition for the transportation of drybulk and container cargoes can be intense and depends on price, location, size, age, condition and the acceptability of the vessel and its managers to the charterers. Due in part to the highly fragmented market, competitors with greater resources could operate larger fleets through consolidations or acquisitions that may be able to offer better prices and fleets.
 
We will not be able to take advantage of favorable opportunities in the current spot market with respect to vessels employed on time charters.
 
 
18

 
As of June 30, 2008, 14 of the 16 vessels in our fleet are employed under time charters with remaining terms ranging between one month and 44 months. The percentage of our fleet that is under time charter contracts or short term spot contracts, or that is otherwise protected from market fluctuations represents approximately 92% of our vessel capacity in 2008. Although time charters provide relatively steady streams of revenue, vessels committed to time charters may not be available for spot charters during periods of increasing charter hire rates, when spot charters might be more profitable. If we cannot re-charter these vessels on time charters or trade them in the spot market profitably, our results of operations and operating cash flow may suffer. We may not be able to secure charter hire rates in the future that will enable us to operate our vessels profitably.
 
We may be unable to attract and retain key management personnel and other employees in the shipping industry, which may negatively affect the effectiveness of our management and our results of operations.
 
Our success depends to a significant extent upon the abilities and efforts of our management team. Our success will depend upon our ability to hire additional employees and to retain key members of our management team. The loss of any of these individuals could adversely affect our business prospects and financial condition. Difficulty in hiring and retaining personnel could adversely affect our results of operations. We do not currently intend to maintain “key man” life insurance on any of our officers.
 
Risks involved with operating ocean-going vessels could affect our business and reputation, which may reduce our revenues.
 
The operation of an ocean-going vessel carries inherent risks. These risks include, among others, the possibility of:
 
  ·  
marine disaster;
 
  ·  
piracy;
 
  ·  
environmental accidents;
 
  ·  
grounding, fire, explosions and collisions;
 
  ·  
cargo and property losses or damage;
 
  ·  
business interruptions caused by mechanical failure, human error, war, terrorism, political action in various countries, labor strikes or adverse weather conditions; and
 
  ·  
work stoppages or other labor problems with crew members serving on our vessels.
 
Such occurrences could result in death or injury to persons, loss of property or environmental damage, delays in the delivery of cargo, loss of revenues from or termination of charter contracts, governmental fines, penalties or restrictions on conducting business, higher insurance rates, and damage to our reputation and customer relationships generally. Any of these circumstances or events could increase our costs or lower our revenues, which could result in reduction in the market price of our shares of common stock. The involvement of our vessels in an environmental disaster may harm our reputation as a safe and reliable vessel owner and operator.
 
The operation of drybulk carriers has certain unique operational risks.
 
 
19

 
The operation of certain ship types, such as drybulk carriers, has certain unique risks. With a drybulk carrier, the cargo itself and its interaction with the ship can be a risk factor. By their nature, drybulk cargoes are often heavy, dense, easily shifted, and react badly to water exposure. In addition, drybulk carriers are often subjected to battering treatment during unloading operations with grabs, jackhammers (to pry encrusted cargoes out of the hold), and small bulldozers. This treatment may cause damage to the vessel. Vessels damaged due to treatment during unloading procedures may be more susceptible to breach to the sea. Hull breaches in drybulk carriers may lead to the flooding of the vessels holds. If a drybulk carrier suffers flooding in its forward holds, the bulk cargo may become so dense and waterlogged that its pressure may buckle the vessels bulkheads leading to the loss of a vessel. If we are unable to adequately maintain our vessels we may be unable to prevent these events. Any of these circumstances or events could negatively impact our business, financial condition, results of operations and ability to pay dividends. In addition, the loss of any of our vessels could harm our reputation as a safe and reliable vessel owner and operator.
 
The operation of containerships has certain unique operational risks.
 
The operation of containerships has certain unique risks. Containerships operate at high speeds in order to move cargoes around the world quickly and minimize delivery delays. These high speeds can result in greater impact in collisions and groundings resulting in more damage to the vessel when compared to vessels operating at lower speeds. In addition, due to the placement of the containers on a containership, there is a greater risk that containers carried on deck will be lost overboard if an accident does occur. Furthermore, with the highly varied cargo that can be carried on a single containership, there can be additional difficulties with any clean-up operation following an accident. Also, we may not be able to correctly control the contents and condition of cargoes within the containers which may give rise to events such as customer complaints, accidents on-board the ships or problems with authorities due to carriage of illegal cargoes. Any of these circumstances or events could negatively impact our business, financial condition, results of operations and ability to pay dividends. In addition, the loss of any of our vessels could harm our reputation as a safe and reliable vessel owner and operator.
 
Our vessels may suffer damage and it may face unexpected drydocking costs, which could affect our cash flow and financial condition.
 
If our vessels suffer damage, they may need to be repaired at a drydocking facility. The costs of drydock repairs are unpredictable and may be substantial. We may have to pay drydocking costs that our insurance does not cover. The loss of earnings while these vessels are being repaired and reconditioned, as well as the actual cost of these repairs, would decrease our earnings.
 
Purchasing and operating previously owned, or secondhand, vessels may result in increased operating costs and vessels off-hire, which could adversely affect our earnings.
 
Although we inspect the secondhand vessels prior to purchase, this inspection does not provide us with the same knowledge about their condition and cost of any required (or anticipated) repairs that it would have had if these vessels had been built for and operated exclusively by us. Generally, we do not receive the benefit of warranties on secondhand vessels.
 
In general, the cost of maintaining a vessel in good operating condition increases with the age of the vessel. As of June 30, 2008 the average age of our fleet was approximately 18 years. As our fleet ages, we will incur increased costs. Older vessels are typically less fuel efficient and more costly to maintain than more recently constructed vessels. Cargo insurance rates also increase with the age of a vessel, making older vessels less desirable to charterers. Governmental regulations and safety or other equipment standards related to the age of a vessel may also require expenditures for alterations or the addition of new equipment to our vessels and may restrict the type of activities in which our vessels may engage.
 
 
20

 
Governmental regulations, safety or other equipment standards related to the age of vessels may require expenditures for alterations, or the addition of new equipment, to our vessels and may restrict the type of activities in which the vessels may engage. As our vessels age, market conditions may not justify those expenditures or enable us to operate our vessels profitably during the remainder of their useful lives. If we sell vessels, we are not certain that the price for which we sell them will equal their carrying amount at that time.
 
We may not have adequate insurance to compensate us adequately for damage to, or loss of, our vessels.
 
We procure hull and machinery insurance, protection and indemnity insurance, which includes environmental damage and pollution insurance and war risk insurance and freight, demurrage and defense insurance for our fleet. We do not maintain insurance against loss of hire, which covers business interruptions that result in the loss of use of a vessel. We may not be adequately insured against all risks and we may not be able to obtain adequate insurance coverage for our fleet in the future. The insurers may not pay particular claims. Our insurance policies contain deductibles for which we will be responsible and limitations and exclusions which may increase our costs. Moreover, the insurers may default on any claims they are required to pay. If our insurance is not enough to cover claims that may arise, it may have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
 
Our international operations expose us to risks of terrorism and piracy that may interfere with the operation of our vessels.
 
We are an international company and primarily conduct our operations outside the United States of America. Changing economic, political and governmental conditions in the countries where we are engaged in business or where our vessels are registered affect our operations. In the past, political conflicts, particularly in the Arabian Gulf, resulted in attacks on vessels, mining of waterways and other efforts to disrupt shipping in the area. Acts of terrorism and piracy have also affected vessels trading in regions such as the South China Sea. The likelihood of future acts of terrorism may increase, and our vessels may face higher risks of being attacked. We are not fully insured against any of these risks. In addition, future hostilities or other political instability in regions where our vessels operate could have a material adverse effect on our trade patterns and adversely affect our operations and performance.
 
Obligations associated with being a public company require significant company resources and management attention.
 
We are subject to the reporting requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and the other rules and regulations of the Commission, including the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act requires that we evaluate and determine the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting.
 
We work with our legal, accounting and financial advisors to identify any areas in which changes should be made to our financial and management control systems to manage our growth and our obligations as a public company. We evaluate areas such as corporate governance, corporate control, internal audit, disclosure controls and procedures and financial reporting and accounting systems. We will make changes in any of these and other areas, including our internal control over financial reporting, which we believe are necessary. However, these and other measures we may take may not be sufficient to allow us to satisfy our obligations as a public company on a timely and reliable basis. In addition, compliance with reporting and other requirements applicable to public companies will create additional costs for us and will require the time and attention of management. Our limited management resources may exacerbate the difficulties in complying with these reporting and other requirements while focusing on executing our business strategy. We may not be able to predict or estimate the amount of the additional costs we may incur, the timing of such costs or the degree of impact that our management’s attention to these matters will have on our business.
 
 
21

 
Our historical financial and operating data may not be representative of our future results because we are a company with a limited operating history as a stand-alone entity and as a publicly traded company.
 
Our historical financial and operating data may not be representative of our future results because we are a company with a limited operating history as a stand-alone entity and as a publicly traded company. Our consolidated financial statements include the financial position, results of operations and cash flows of shipowning companies managed by Eurobulk and majority owned by the Pittas family prior to their contribution to us. Although our results of operations, cash flows and financial condition reflected in the consolidated financial statements include all expenses allocable to our business, due to factors such as the additional administrative and financial obligations associated with operating as a publicly traded company, they may not be indicative of the results of operations that we would have achieved had we operated as a public entity for all periods presented or of future results that we may achieve as a publicly traded company with our current holding company structure.
 
Exposure to currency exchange rate fluctuations will result in fluctuations in our cash flows and operating results.
 
We generate all our revenues in U.S. dollars, but our ship manager, Eurobulk, incurs approximately 35% of vessel operating expenses and we incur management fees and some general and administrative expenses in currencies other than the U.S. dollar. This difference could lead to fluctuations in our operating expenses, which would affect our financial results. Expenses incurred in foreign currencies increase when the value of the U.S. dollar falls, which would reduce our profitability and cash flows.
 
U.S. tax authorities could treat us as a “passive foreign investment company,” which could have adverse U.S. federal income tax consequences to U.S. holders.
 
A foreign corporation will be treated as a “passive foreign investment company,” or PFIC, for U.S. federal income tax purposes if either (1) at least 75% of its gross income for any taxable year consists of certain types of “passive income” or (2) at least 50% of the average value of the corporation’s assets produce or are held for the production of those types of “passive income.” For purposes of these tests, “passive income” includes dividends, interest, and gains from the sale or exchange of investment property and rents and royalties other than rents and royalties which are received from unrelated parties in connection with the active conduct of a trade or business. For purposes of these tests, income derived from the performance of services does not constitute “passive income.” U.S. shareholders of a PFIC are subject to a disadvantageous U.S. federal income tax regime with respect to the income derived by the PFIC, the distributions they receive from the PFIC and the gain, if any, they derive from the sale or other disposition of their shares in the PFIC.
 
Based on our current method of operation, we do not believe that we have been, are or will be a PFIC with respect to any taxable year. In this regard, we treat the gross income we derive or are deemed to derive from our time chartering activities as services income, rather than rental income. Accordingly, we believe that our income from our time chartering activities does not constitute “passive income,” and the assets that we own and operate in connection with the production of that income do not constitute passive assets.
 
 
22

 
There is, however, no direct legal authority under the PFIC rules addressing our method of operation. Accordingly, the U.S. Internal Revenue Service, or IRS, or a court of law may not accept our position, and there is a risk that the IRS or a court of law could determine that we are a PFIC. Moreover, we may constitute a PFIC for any future taxable year if there were to be changes in the nature and extent of our operations.
 
If the IRS were to find that we are or have been a PFIC for any taxable year, our U.S. shareholders will face adverse U.S. tax consequences. Under the PFIC rules, unless those shareholders make an election available under the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the “Code”) (which election could itself have adverse consequences for such shareholders, as discussed below under “Taxation — United States Federal Income Taxation of U.S. Holders”), such shareholders would be liable to pay U.S. federal income tax at the then prevailing income tax rates on ordinary income plus interest upon excess distributions and upon any gain from the disposition of our shares, as if the excess distribution or gain had been recognized ratably over the shareholder’s holding period of our shares. See “Taxation — United States Federal Income Taxation of U.S. Holders” for a more comprehensive discussion of the U.S. federal income tax consequences to U.S. shareholders if we are treated as a PFIC.
 
Legislation has been proposed in the United States which would prevent dividends on our shares from qualifying for certain preferential rates for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
 
“Qualified dividend income” derived by noncorporate U.S. shareholders that are subject to U.S. federal income tax is currently through 2010 subject to U.S. federal income taxation at reduced rates. We expect that under current law, so long as our shares are traded on the NASDAQ Capital Market, the NASDAQ Global Select Market or the NASDAQ Global Market and we do not and have not qualified as a “passive foreign investment company” for U.S. federal income tax purposes, distributions treated as dividends for U.S. tax purposes on our shares will potentially be eligible (that is, eligible if certain conditions relating to the shareholder are satisfied) for treatment as qualified dividend income. Proposed legislation which has been introduced in the U.S. Congress would, however, if enacted, make it unlikely that such distributions on our shares would be eligible for such treatment.
 
Dividends paid on the common stock to U.S. individuals, trusts and estates may be taxed as ordinary income.
 
Our common stock is listed on the NASDAQ Global Select Market and dividends on our common stock are potentially eligible to be treated as “qualified dividend income” which is taxed to U.S. individuals, trusts and estates at preferential tax rates. If our common stock fails to maintain the requirements of the NASDAQ Global Select Market or another established securities market in the United States, our shares will trade over the counter and any dividends paid on the shares will be treated for U.S. tax purposes as ordinary income rather than “qualified dividend income” and lose eligibility for the preferential tax treatment.
 
We may have to pay tax on United States source income, which would reduce our earnings.
 
Under the Code, 50% of the gross shipping income of a vessel owning or chartering corporation, such as ourselves and our subsidiaries, that is attributable to transportation that begins or ends, but that does not both begin and end, in the United States may be subject to a 4% United States federal income tax without allowance for deduction, unless that corporation qualifies for exemption from tax under section 883 of the Code and the applicable Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder.
 
 
23

 
We believe that we and each of our subsidiaries qualify for this statutory tax exemption and we have taken this position for United States federal income tax return reporting purposes. However, there are factual circumstances beyond our control that could cause us to lose the benefit of this tax exemption and thereby become subject to United States federal income tax on our United States source income. Due to the factual nature of the issues involved, we may not be able to maintain our tax-exempt status or that of any of our subsidiaries.
 
If we or our subsidiaries are not entitled to exemption under Section 883 for any taxable year, we or our subsidiaries could be subject for those years to an effective 2% United States federal income tax on the shipping income these companies derive during the year that are attributable to the transport or cargoes to or from the United States. The imposition of this taxation would have a negative effect on our business and would result in decreased earnings available for distribution to our shareholders.
 
It may be difficult to enforce service of process and enforcement of judgments against us and our officers and directors.
 
We are a Marshall Islands corporation, and our executive offices are located outside of the United States in Maroussi, Greece. A majority of our directors and officers reside outside of the United States, and a substantial portion of our assets and the assets of our officers and directors are located outside of the United States. As a result, you may have difficulty serving legal process within the United States upon us or any of these persons. You may also have difficulty enforcing, both in and outside of the United States, judgments you may obtain in the U.S. courts against us or these persons in any action, including actions based upon the civil liability provisions of U.S. federal or state securities laws.
 
There is also substantial doubt that the courts of the Marshall Islands or Greece would enter judgments in original actions brought in those courts predicated on U.S. federal or state securities laws.
 
Risk Factors Relating To Our Common Stock
 
The trading volume for our common stock has at times been low, which may cause our common stock to trade at lower prices and make it difficult to sell your common stock.
 
Although our shares of common stock have traded on the NASDAQ Global Market since January 31, 2007 and on the NASDAQ Global Select Market since January 1, 2008, at times the trading volume has been low. Our shares may not actively trade in the public market and any such limited liquidity may cause our common stock to trade at lower prices and make it difficult to sell your common stock.
 
The market price of our common stock has been and may in the future be subject to significant fluctuations.
 
The market price of our common stock has been and may in the future be subject to significant fluctuations as a result of many factors, some of which are beyond our control. Among the factors that have in the past and could in the future affect our stock price are:
 
  ·  
actual or anticipated fluctuations in quarterly and annual results;
 
  ·  
changes in sales or earnings estimates or publication of research reports by analysts;
 
 
24

 
  ·  
shortfalls in our operating results from levels forecasted by securities analysts;
 
  ·  
speculation in the press or investment community about our business or the shipping industry;
 
  ·  
changes in market valuations of similar companies and stock market price and volume fluctuations generally;
 
  ·  
payment of dividends;
 
  ·  
strategic actions by us or our competitors such as mergers, acquisitions, strategic alliances or restructurings;
 
  ·  
changes in government regulation and other regulatory developments;
 
  ·  
additions or departures of key personnel;
 
  ·  
general market conditions and the state of the securities markets; and
 
  ·  
domestic and international economic, market and currency factors unrelated to our performance.
 
The international drybulk and container shipping industry has been highly unpredictable. In addition, the stock markets in general, and the market for drybulk and container shipping and shipping stocks in particular, have experienced extreme volatility that has sometimes been unrelated to the operating performance of particular companies. These broad market fluctuations may adversely affect the trading price of our common stock.
 
Our Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws contain anti-takeover provisions that may discourage, delay or prevent (1) our merger or acquisition and/or (2) the removal of incumbent directors and officers.
 
Our current Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws contain certain anti-takeover provisions. These provisions include blank check preferred stock, the prohibition of cumulative voting in the election of directors, a classified board of directors, advance written notice for shareholder nominations for directors, removal of directors only for cause, advance written notice of shareholder proposals for the removal of directors and limitations on action by shareholders. These provisions, either individually or in the aggregate, may discourage, delay or prevent (1) our merger or acquisition by means of a tender offer, a proxy contest or otherwise, that a shareholder may consider in its best interest and (2) the removal of incumbent directors and officers.
 
Future sales of our stock could cause the market price of our common stock to decline.
 
Sales of a substantial number of shares of our common stock in the public market, or the perception that these sales could occur, may depress the market price for our common stock. These sales could also impair our ability to raise additional capital through the sale of our equity securities in the future.
 
In 2007, we issued a total of 17,325,000 new shares as part of our three common stock offerings. Additionally, 248,463 and 169,123 shares were issued upon the exercise of our warrants in 2007, and, in 2008, respectively.  In addition, we have another 163,892 warrants which remain outstanding.  Each of Friends, our largest shareholder, and Eurobulk Marine Holdings, Inc., our affiliate, is registering all of its shares for re-sale under this registration statement, which will result in these shares becoming freely tradable without restriction under the Securities Act.
 
 
25

 
We may issue additional shares of our stock in the future and our stockholders may elect to sell large numbers of shares held by them from time to time. Our amended and restated articles of incorporation authorize us to issue up to 100,000,000 shares of common stock and 20,000,000 shares of preferred stock.
 
Sales of a substantial number of any of the shares of common stock mentioned above may cause the market price of our common stock to decline.
 
Because the Republic of the Marshall Islands, where we are incorporated, does not have a well-developed body of corporate law, shareholders may have fewer rights and protections than under typical United States law, such as Delaware, and shareholders may have difficulty in protecting their interest with regard to actions taken by our Board of Directors.
 
Our corporate affairs are governed by our Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws and by the Marshall Islands Business Corporations Act (the “BCA”). The provisions of the BCA resemble provisions of the corporation laws of a number of states in the United States. However, there have been few judicial cases in the Republic of the Marshall Islands interpreting the BCA. The rights and fiduciary responsibilities of directors under the law of the Republic of the Marshall Islands are not as clearly established as the rights and fiduciary responsibilities of directors under statutes or judicial precedent in existence in certain U.S. jurisdictions. Stockholder rights may differ as well. For example, under Marshall Islands law, a copy of the notice of any meeting of the shareholders must be given not less than 15 days before the meeting, whereas in Delaware such notice must be given not less than 10 days before the meeting. Therefore, if immediate shareholder action is required, a meeting may not be able to be convened as quickly as it can be convened under Delaware law. Also, under Marshall Islands law, any action required to be taken by a meeting of shareholders may only be taken without a meeting if consent is in writing and is signed by all of the shareholders entitled to vote, whereas under Delaware law action may be taken by consent if approved by the number of shareholders that would be required to approve such action at a meeting. Therefore, under Marshall Islands law, it may be more difficult for a company to take certain actions without a meeting even if a majority of the shareholders approve of such action. While the BCA does specifically incorporate the non-statutory law, or judicial case law, of the State of Delaware and other states with substantially similar legislative provisions, public shareholders may have more difficulty in protecting their interests in the face of actions by the management, directors or controlling shareholders than would shareholders of a corporation incorporated in a U.S. jurisdiction.
 




 
PRICE RANGE OF COMMON STOCK
 
The trading market for shares of our common stock is the NASDAQ Global Select Market, on which our shares trade under the symbol “ESEA.” The following table sets forth the high and low closing prices for shares of our common stock since our listing originally in the OTCBB (under symbols ESEAF.OB and EUSEF.OB), since January 31, 2007 on the NASDAQ Global Market and since January 1, 2008 on the NASDAQ Global Select Market. The prices below have been adjusted for the reverse 1-for-3 common stock split that was effected on October 6, 2006.
 
Period
 
Low
   
High
   
Dividends Paid
 
                         
2006
 
$
6.70
   
$
18.93
     
 
2 nd quarter 2006
   
8.82
     
18.93
   
$
0.18
 
3 rd quarter 2006
   
8.55
     
9.15
     
0.18
 
4 th quarter 2006
   
6.70
     
9.00
     
0.21
 
2007
 
$
7.00
   
$
20.79
     
 
1 st quarter 2007
   
7.00
     
10.00
   
$
0.22
 
2 nd quarter 2007
   
10.35
     
15.75
     
0.24
 
3 rd quarter 2007
   
11.80
     
16.91
     
0.25
 
4 th quarter 2007
   
11.75
     
20.79
     
0.29
 
2008
 
$
9.60
   
$
14.79
     
 
1 st quarter 2008
   
9.60
     
14.08
   
$
0.30
 
2 nd quarter 2008
   
11.12
     
16.80
     
0.31
 
January 2008
   
9.60
     
12.37
     
 
February 2008
   
10.98
     
14.02
     
 
March 2008
   
11.12
     
14.08
     
0.30
 
April 2008
   
12.32
     
15.36
     
 
May 2008
   
13.83
     
16.80
     
 
June 2008
   
12.90
     
15.70
     
0.31
 
July 2008*
 
$
12.51
   
$
12.51
     
 
   
 
*  Through July 1, 2008.
 
 

 

 

 
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USE OF PROCEEDS
 
Unless we specify otherwise in any prospectus supplement, we intend to use the net proceeds from the sale of securities by us offered by this prospectus to make vessel acquisitions and for capital expenditures, repayment of indebtedness, working capital, and general corporate purposes.  We will not receive any of the proceeds from the sale of our common shares by the Selling Shareholders.
 

 

 
28

 

RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES AND PREFERRED DIVIDENDS
 
The following table sets forth our unaudited ratio of earnings to fixed charges and preferred dividends for each of the preceding five fiscal years. (1)
 
For the purpose of calculating such ratios, “earnings” consist of net income before fixed charges. “Fixed charges” consist of interest expense and amortization of debt discount or premiums and expenses, including amounts capitalized.
 
   
Year Ended December 31, 2003
   
Year Ended December 31, 2004
   
Year Ended December 31, 2005
   
Year Ended December 31, 2006
   
Year Ended December 31, 2007
 
                               
EARNINGS
                             
Net Income
    8,426,612       30,611,765       25,178,454       20,069,407       40,664,064  
Interest Expense
    725,855       657,603       1,412,127       3,324,257       4,777,524  
Amortization of finance cost
    67,402       50,681       83,744       74,601       72,715  
Equity in net loss (gain) of an associate
    167,433       -       -       -       -  
Total Earnings
    9,387,302       31,320,049       26,674,325       23,468,265       45,514,303  
                                         
FIXED CHARGES
                                       
Interest Expense
    725,855       657,603       1,412,127       3,324,257       4,777,524  
Amortization of finance cost
    67,402       50,681       83,744       74,601       72,715  
Total Fixed Charges
    793,257       708,284       1,495,871       3,398,858       4,850,239  
                                         
Preferred dividend requirements
    -       -       -       -       -  
Total Fixed Charges and Preferred Dividends
    793,257       708,284       1,495,871       3,398,858       4,850,239  
                                         
Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges and Preferred Dividends
    11.8 x     44.2 x     17.8 x     6.9 x     9.4 x

____________
(1) We have not issued any preferred stock as of the date of this prospectus.

 

 
29

 

SELLING SHAREHOLDERS
 
The selling shareholders are offering an aggregate of 9,955,879 of our common shares which were issued to them in private placements prior to our initial public offering.
 
Set forth below is information regarding the names and number of shares of common stock owned and offered by each selling shareholder.
 
Selling Shareholders
 
Name of Selling Shareholder
 
 
Common Stock Owned Before Offering 1
   
Percentage of Class Prior to the Offering
   
Total Common Stock Offered Hereby
   
 
Percentage of Class Following the Offering
 
Friends Investment Company Inc. 2
    9,539,211       31.3 %     9,539,211       0.0 %
                                 
Eurobulk Marine Holdings, Inc. 3
    416,668       1.4 %     416,668       0.0 %
Total                                          
    9,955,879       32.7 %     9,955,879       0.0 %
__________________________
 
(1)       Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with the Rule 13d-3(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and generally includes voting or investment power with respect to securities. Except as subject to community property laws, where applicable, the person named above has sole voting and investment power with respect to all shares of common stock shown as beneficially owned by him/her.
 
 
(2)       Includes 9,539,211 shares of common stock held of record by Friends. A majority of the shareholders of Friends are members of the Pittas family. Investment power and voting control by Friends resides in its Board of Directors which consists of five directors, a majority of whom are members of the Pittas family. Actions by Friends may be taken by a majority of the members on its Board of Directors.  The business address for Friends is Aethrion Center, 40 Ag. Konstantinou Street, 151 24 Maroussi Greece.
 
 
(3)       Includes416,668 shares of common stock held of record by Eurobulk Marine Holdings, Inc.  A majority of the shareholders of Eurobulk Marine Holdings, Inc. are members of the Pittas family. Investment power and voting control by Eurobulk Marine Holdings, Inc. resides in its Board of Directors which consists of five directors, a majority of whom are members of the Pittas family. Actions by Eurobulk Marine Holdings, Inc. may be taken by a majority of the members on its Board of Directors.  The business address for Eurobulk Marine Holdings, Inc. is Aethrion Center, 40 Ag. Konstantinou Street, 151 24 Maroussi Greece.
 
 

 
 


 

 
CAPITALIZATION
 
A prospectus supplement will include information on the Company's consolidated capitalization.
 

 

 
31

 

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
 
We may sell or distribute the securities included in this prospectus and the Selling Shareholders, including their transferees, pledgees or donees or their successors, may sell our common shares through underwriters, through agents, to dealers, in private transactions, at market prices prevailing at the time of sale, at prices related to the prevailing market prices, or at negotiated prices.
 
In addition, we or the Selling Shareholders may sell some or all of our common shares included in this prospectus through:
 
  ·  
a block trade in which a broker-dealer may resell a portion of the block, as principal, in order to facilitate the transaction;
 
  ·  
purchases by a broker-dealer, as principal, and resale by the broker-dealer for its account; or
 
  ·  
ordinary brokerage transactions and transactions in which a broker solicits purchasers.
 
In addition, we or the Selling Shareholders may enter into option or other types of transactions that require us or them to deliver common shares to a broker-dealer, who will then resell or transfer the common shares under this prospectus.  We may enter into hedging transactions with respect to our securities.  For example, we may:
 
  ·  
enter into transactions involving short sales of the common shares by broker-dealers;
 
  ·  
sell common shares short themselves and deliver the shares to close out short positions;
 
  ·  
enter into option or other types of transactions that require us to deliver common shares to a broker-dealer, who will then resell or transfer the common shares under this prospectus; or
 
  ·  
loan or pledge the common shares to a broker-dealer, who may sell the loaned shares or, in the event of default, sell the pledged shares.
 
We may enter into derivative transactions with third parties, or sell securities not covered by this prospectus to third parties in privately negotiated transactions.  If the applicable prospectus supplement indicates, in connection with those derivatives, the third parties may sell securities covered by this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement, including in short sale transactions.  If so, the third party may use securities pledged by us or borrowed from us or others to settle those sales or to close out any related open borrowings of stock, and may use securities received from us in settlement of those derivatives to close out any related open borrowings of stock.  The third party (or affiliates of such parties) in such sale transactions will be an underwriter and, if not identified in this prospectus, will be identified in the applicable prospectus supplement (or a post-effective amendment).  In addition, we may otherwise loan or pledge securities to a financial institution or other third party that in turn may sell the securities short using this prospectus.  Such financial institution or other third party may transfer its economic short position to investors in our securities or in connection with a concurrent offering of other securities.
 
Any broker-dealers or other persons acting on our behalf or the behalf of the Selling Shareholders that participates with us or the Selling Shareholders in the distribution of the securities may be deemed to be underwriters and any commissions received or profit realized by them on the resale of the securities may be deemed to be underwriting discounts and commissions under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act.  As of the date of this prospectus, we are not a party to any agreement, arrangement or understanding between any broker or dealer and us with respect to the offer or sale of the securities pursuant to this prospectus.
 
 
32

 
At the time that any particular offering of securities is made, to the extent required by the Securities Act, a prospectus supplement will be distributed, setting forth the terms of the offering, including the aggregate number of securities being offered, the purchase price of the securities, the initial offering price of the securities, the names of any underwriters, dealers or agents, any discounts, commissions and other items constituting compensation from us and any discounts, commissions or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers.
 
Underwriters or agents may assist us in distributions contemplated hereby, including but not limited to at-the-market offerings, controlled offerings and overnight offerings.  Underwriters or agents could make sales in privately negotiated transactions or at market prices prevailing at the time of sale, at prices related to such prevailing market prices, at varying prices determined at the time of sale and/or any other method permitted by law, including sales deemed to be an at-the-market offering as defined in Rule 415 promulgated under the Securities Act, which includes sales made directly on or through the Nasdaq Global Market, the existing trading market for our common shares, or sales made to or through a market maker other than on an exchange or otherwise.
 
Certain persons participating in any offering of securities may engage in transactions that stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the price of the securities offered. In connection with any such offering, the underwriters or agents, as the case may be, may purchase and sell securities in the open market. These transactions may include overallotment and stabilizing transactions, purchases to cover syndicate short positions created in connection with the offering and passive market making. Stabilizing transactions consist of certain bids or purchases for the purpose of preventing or retarding a decline in the market price of the securities and syndicate short positions involve the sale by the underwriters or agents, as the case may be, of a greater number of securities than they are required to purchase from us in the offering. The underwriters may also impose a penalty bid, whereby selling concessions allowed to syndicate members or other broker-dealers for the securities sold for their account may be reclaimed by the syndicate if such securities are repurchased by the syndicate in stabilizing or covering transactions. In passive market making, market makers in the shares of  common shares who are underwriters or prospective underwriters may, subject to certain limitations, make bids for or purchases of the shares of  common shares until the time, if any, at which a stabilizing bid is made. These activities may stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the market price of the securities, which may be higher than the price that might otherwise prevail in the open market, and if commenced, may be discontinued at any time.
 
We will bear costs relating to all of the securities being registered under this Registration Statement.
 
Pursuant to a requirement by the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc., or NASD, the maximum commission or discount to be received by any NASD member or independent broker/dealer may not be greater than eight percent (8%) of the gross proceeds received by the offeror for the sale of any securities being registered pursuant to SEC Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
 
ENFORCEMENT OF CIVIL LIABILITIES
 
Euroseas Ltd. is a Marshall Islands corporation and our principal executive offices are located outside the United States in Maroussi, Greece. A majority of our directors, officers and the experts named in the prospectus reside outside the United States. In addition, a substantial portion of our assets and the assets of our directors, officers and experts are located outside the United States. As a result, you may have difficulty serving legal process within the United States upon us or any of these persons. You may also have difficulty enforcing, both in and outside the United States, judgments you may obtain in United States courts against us or these persons in any action, including actions based upon the civil liability provisions of United States federal or state securities laws. Furthermore, there is substantial doubt that the courts of the Marshall Islands or Greece would enter judgments in original actions brought in those courts predicated on United States federal or state securities laws.
 

 
33

 


 
DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK
 
The following is a description of the material terms of our articles of incorporation, as amended, and bylaws.  We refer you to our articles of incorporation, as amended, and bylaws, copies of which have been filed as exhibits to our registration statement filed in connection with our initial public offering and incorporated by reference herein.
 
Purpose
 
Our purpose, as stated in our articles of incorporation, is to engage in any lawful act or activity for which corporations may now or hereafter be organized under the Business Corporations Act of the Marshall Islands, or the BCA.
 
Authorized Capitalization
 
Under our articles of incorporation, as of June 30, 2008, our authorized capital stock consists of 100,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $.03 per share, of which 30,430,236 shares were issued and outstanding, and 20,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $.01 per share, of which no shares were issued and outstanding. All of our shares of stock are in registered form.
 
Common Stock
 
As of the date of this prospectus, we are authorized to issue up to 100,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $.03 per share, of which 30,430,236 shares are currently issued and outstanding. Of these shares, 2,342,331 shares were issued in our private placement in August 2005 (the “Private Placement”), 272,868 shares were issued in connection with the merger of one of our subsidiaries with Cove Apparel, Inc., 5,750,000 shares were issued in our follow on offering which was completed on February 5, 2007, 5,750,000 shares were issued in our follow-on offering which was completed on July 5, 2007, 5,825,000 shares were issued in our follow-on offering which was completed on November 9, 2007 and 285,000 shares have been issued in connection with our stock incentive plan. In addition, 421,697 of our warrants have been exercised and converted into 417,586 shares of common stock and 163,892 of our warrants remain outstanding. Each outstanding share of common stock is entitled to one vote, either in person or by proxy, on all matters that may be voted upon by their holders at meetings of the shareholders. Holders of our common stock (i) have equal ratable rights to dividends from funds legally available therefore, if declared by the Board of Directors; (ii) are entitled to share ratably in all of our assets available for distribution upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up; and (iii) do not have preemptive, subscription or conversion rights or redemption or sinking fund provisions. All issued shares of our common stock when issued will be fully paid for and non-assessable.
 
Preferred Stock
 
As of the date of this prospectus, we are authorized to issue up to 20,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share, of which no shares are currently issued and outstanding. The preferred stock may be issued in one or more series and our Board of Directors, without further approval from our shareholders, is authorized to fix the dividend rights and terms, conversion rights, voting rights, redemption rights, liquidation preferences and other rights and restrictions relating to any series. Issuances of preferred stock, while providing flexibility in connection with possible financings, acquisitions and other corporate purposes, could, among other things, adversely affect the voting power of the holders of our common stock.
 
 
34

 
Warrants
 
On August 25, 2005, we issued warrants to a number of institutional and accredited investors to purchase 585,589 shares of common stock as part of a Private Placement in which we raised approximately $21 million in gross proceeds. Currently, 421,697 of our warrants have been exercised and converted into 417,586 shares of common stock and 163,892 of our warrants remain outstanding. The warrants have a five year term and an exercise price of $10.80 per share. The warrants provide for adjustment to the exercise price and the number of shares issuable upon exercise of the warrants in certain situations including if we (a) pay a stock dividend or otherwise make a distribution or distributions on shares of our common stock or any other equity or equity equivalent securities payable in shares of common stock, (b) subdivide outstanding shares of common stock into a larger number of shares, (c) combine (including by way of reverse stock split) outstanding shares of common stock into a smaller number of shares, or (d) issue by reclassification of shares of the common stock any shares of our capital stock. The warrants (i) are exercisable apart from the shares of common stock sold in the Private Placement (they are legally detachable), and (ii) may be exercised through a cashless exercise under certain circumstances.
 
Directors
 
Our directors are elected by a plurality of the votes cast at a meeting of the shareholders by the holders of shares entitled to vote in the election. Cumulative voting may not be used to elect directors.
 
Our Board of Directors must consist of at least three directors, such number to be determined by the Board of Directors by a majority vote of the entire Board from time to time. Shareholders may change the number of our directors only by an affirmative vote of the holders of the majority of the outstanding shares of capital stock entitled to vote generally in the election of directors.
 
Our Board of Directors is divided into three classes as set out below in “Classified Board of Directors.” Each director is elected to serve until the third succeeding annual meeting after his election and until his successor shall have been elected and qualified, except in the event of his death, resignation or removal.
 
Shareholder Meetings
 
Under our bylaws, annual shareholder meetings will be held at a time and place selected by our Board of Directors. The meetings may be held in or outside of the Marshall Islands. Special meetings may be called at any time by the Board of Directors, the Chairman of the Board or by the President. Notice of every annual and special meeting of shareholders must be given to each shareholder of record entitled to vote at least 15 but no more than 60 days before such meeting.
 
Dissenters’ Rights of Appraisal and Payment
 
Under the BCA, our shareholders have the right to dissent from various corporate actions, including any merger or consolidation or sale of all or substantially all of our assets not made in the usual course of our business, and receive payment of the fair value of their shares. In the event of any further amendment of our articles of incorporation, a shareholder also has the right to dissent and receive payment for his or her shares if the amendment alters certain rights in respect of those shares. The dissenting shareholder must follow the procedures set forth in the BCA to receive payment. In the event that we and any dissenting shareholder fail to agree on a price for the shares, the BCA procedures involve, among other things, the institution of proceedings in the high court of the Republic of the Marshall Islands or in any appropriate court in any jurisdiction in which the Company’s shares are primarily traded on a local or national securities exchange.
 
 
35

 
Shareholders’ Derivative Actions
 
Under the BCA, any of our shareholders may bring an action in our name to procure a judgment in our favor, also known as a derivative action, provided that the shareholder bringing the action is a holder of common stock both at the time the derivative action is commenced and at the time of the transaction to which the action relates.
 
Limitations on Liability and Indemnification of Officers and Directors
 
The BCA authorizes corporations to limit or eliminate the personal liability of directors and officers to corporations and their shareholders for monetary damages for breaches of directors’ fiduciary duties. Our bylaws include a provision that eliminates the personal liability of directors for monetary damages for actions taken as a director to the fullest extent permitted by law.
 
Our bylaws provide that we must indemnify our directors and officers to the fullest extent authorized by law. We are also expressly authorized to carry directors’ and officers’ insurance providing indemnification for our directors, officers and certain employees for some liabilities. We believe that these indemnification provisions and insurance are useful to attract and retain qualified directors and executive offices.
 
The limitation of liability and indemnification provisions in our bylaws may discourage shareholders from bringing a lawsuit against directors for breach of their fiduciary duty. These provisions may also have the effect of reducing the likelihood of derivative litigation against directors and officers, even though such an action, if successful, might otherwise benefit us and our shareholders. In addition, your investment may be adversely affected to the extent we pay the costs of settlement and damage awards against directors and officers pursuant to these indemnification provisions.
 
There is currently no pending material litigation or proceeding involving any of our directors, officers or employees for which indemnification is sought.
 
Anti-takeover Effect of Certain Provisions of our Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws
 
Several provisions of our articles of incorporation and bylaws, which are summarized below, may have anti-takeover effects. These provisions are intended to avoid costly takeover battles, lessen our vulnerability to a hostile change in control and enhance the ability of our Board of Directors to maximize shareholder value in connection with any unsolicited offer to acquire us. However, these anti-takeover provisions, which are summarized below, could also discourage, delay or prevent (1) the merger or acquisition of our company by means of a tender offer, a proxy contest or otherwise that a shareholder may consider in its best interest and (2) the removal of incumbent officers and directors.
 
Blank Check Preferred Stock
 
Under the terms of our articles of incorporation, our Board of Directors has authority, without any further vote or action by our shareholders, to issue up to 20,000,000 shares of blank check preferred stock. Our Board of Directors may issue shares of preferred stock on terms calculated to discourage, delay or prevent a change in control of our company or the removal of our management.
 
 
36

 
Classified Board of Directors
 
Our articles of incorporation provide for the division of our Board of Directors into three classes of directors, with each class as nearly equal in number as possible, serving staggered, three year terms. Approximately one-third of our Board of Directors will be elected each year. This classified board provision could discourage a third party from making a tender offer for our shares or attempting to obtain control of us. It could also delay shareholders who do not agree with the policies of our Board of Directors from removing a majority of our Board of Directors for two years.
 
Election and Removal of Directors
 
Our articles of incorporation prohibit cumulative voting in the election of directors. Our bylaws require parties other than the Board of Directors to give advance written notice of nominations for the election of directors. Our articles of incorporation also provide that our directors may be removed only for cause and only upon the affirmative vote of a majority of the outstanding shares of our capital stock entitled to vote for those directors. These provisions may discourage, delay or prevent the removal of incumbent officers and directors.
 
Limited Actions by Shareholders
 
Our articles of incorporation and our bylaws provide that any action required or permitted to be taken by our shareholders must be effected at an annual or special meeting of shareholders or by the unanimous written consent of our shareholders. Our articles of incorporation and our bylaws provide that, subject to certain exceptions, our Board of Directors, our Chairman of the Board or by the President and the business transacted at the special meeting is limited to the purposes stated in the notice. Accordingly, a shareholder may not call a special meeting and shareholder consideration of a proposal may be delayed until the next annual meeting.
 
Advance Notice Requirements for Shareholder Proposals and Director Nominations
 
Our bylaws provide that shareholders seeking to nominate candidates for election as directors or to bring business before an annual meeting of shareholders must provide timely notice of their proposal in writing to the corporate secretary. Generally, to be timely, a shareholder’s notice must be received at our principal executive offices not less than 150 days nor more than 180 days prior to the one year anniversary of the immediately preceding annual meeting of shareholders. Our bylaws also specify requirements as to the form and content of a shareholder’s notice. These provisions may impede shareholders’ ability to bring matters before an annual meeting of shareholders or make nominations for directors at an annual meeting of shareholders.
 
Certain Business Combinations
 
Our articles of incorporation also prohibit us from engaging in any “business combination” with any Interested Shareholder for a period of three years following the date the shareholder became an interested shareholder, unless:
 
  ·  
prior to such time, the Board of Directors approved either the Business Combination or the transaction which resulted in the shareholder becoming an Interested Shareholder; or
 
  ·  
upon consummation of the transaction which resulted in the shareholder becoming an Interested Shareholder, the Interested Shareholder owned at least 85% of the voting stock of Euroseas outstanding at the time the transaction commenced, excluding for purposes of determining the number of shares outstanding those shares owned (i) by persons who are directors and also officers and (ii) employee stock plans in which employee participants do not have the right to determine confidentially whether shares held subject to the plan will be tendered in a tender or exchange offer; or
 
 
37

 
  ·  
at or subsequent to such time, the Business Combination is approved by the Board of Directors and authorized at an annual or special meeting of shareholders, and not by written consent, by the affirmative vote of at least 51% of the outstanding voting stock that is not owned by the Interested Shareholder; or
 
  ·  
the shareholder became an Interested Shareholder prior to the consummation of the initial public offering of Euroseas’ common stock under the Securities Act.
 
These restrictions shall not apply if:
 
  ·  
A shareholder becomes an Interested Shareholder inadvertently and (i) as soon as practicable divests itself of ownership of sufficient shares so that the shareholder ceases to be an Interested Shareholder; and (ii) would not, at any time within the three-year period immediately prior to a Business Combination between Euroseas and such shareholder, have been an Interested Shareholder but for the inadvertent acquisition of ownership; or
 
  ·  
The Business Combination is proposed prior to the consummation or abandonment of and subsequent to the earlier of the public announcement or the notice required hereunder of a proposed transaction which (i) constitutes one of the transactions described in the following sentence; (ii) is with or by a person who either was not an Interested Shareholder during the previous three years or who became an Interested Shareholder with the approval of the Board; and (iii) is approved or not opposed by a majority of the members of the Board then in office (but not less than one) who were Directors prior to any person becoming an Interested Shareholder during the previous three years or were recommended for election or elected to succeed such Directors by a majority of such Directors. The proposed transactions referred to in the preceding sentence are limited to:
 
(a) a merger or consolidation of Euroseas (except for a merger in respect of which, pursuant to the BCA, no vote of the shareholders of Euroseas is required);(b) a sale, lease, exchange, mortgage, pledge, transfer or other disposition (in one transaction or a series of transactions), whether as part of a dissolution or otherwise, of assets of Euroseas or of any direct or indirect majority-owned subsidiary of Euroseas (other than to any direct or indirect wholly-owned subsidiary or to Euroseas) having an aggregate market value equal to 50% or more of either that aggregate market value of all of the assets of Euroseas determined on a consolidated basis or the aggregate market value of all the outstanding shares; or(c) a proposed tender or exchange offer for 50% or more of the outstanding voting shares of Euroseas.
 
Our articles of incorporation defines a “business combination” to include:
 
  ·  
Any merger or consolidation of Euroseas or any direct or indirect majority -owned subsidiary of Euroseas with (i) the Interested Shareholder or any of its affiliates, or (ii) with any other corporation, partnership, unincorporated association or other entity if the merger or consolidation is caused by the Interested Shareholder;
 
  ·  
Any sale, lease, exchange, mortgage, pledge, transfer or other disposition (in one transaction or a series of transactions), except proportionately as a shareholder of Euroseas, to or with the Interested Shareholder, whether as part of a dissolution or otherwise, of assets of Euroseas or of any direct or indirect majority-owned subsidiary of Euroseas which assets have an aggregate market value equal to 10% or more of either the aggregate market value of all the assets of Euroseas determined on a consolidated basis or the aggregate market value of all the outstanding shares;
 
 
38

 
  ·  
Any transaction which results in the issuance or transfer by Euroseas or by any direct or indirect majority-owned subsidiary of Euroseas of any shares, or any share of such subsidiary, to the Interested Shareholder, except: (i) pursuant to the exercise, exchange or conversion of securities exercisable for, exchangeable for or convertible into shares, or shares of any subsidiary, which securities were outstanding prior to the time that the Interested Shareholder become such; (ii) pursuant to a merger with a direct or indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Euroseas solely for purposes of forming a holding company; (iii) pursuant to a dividend or distribution paid or made, or the exercise, exchange or conversion of securities exercisable for, exchangeable for or convertible into shares, or shares of any such subsidiary, which security is distributed, pro rata to all holders of a class or series of shares subsequent to the time the Interested Shareholder became such; (iv) pursuant to an exchange offer by Euroseas to purchase shares made on the same terms to all holders of said shares; or (v) any issuance or transfer of shares by Euroseas; provided however, that in no case under items (iii)-(v) of this subparagraph shall there be an increase in the Interested Shareholder’s proportionate share of the any class or series of shares;
 
  ·  
Any transaction involving Euroseas or any direct or indirect majority-owned subsidiary of Euroseas which has the effect, directly or indirectly, of increasing the proportionate share of any class or series of shares, or securities convertible into any class or series of shares, or shares of any such subsidiary, or securities convertible into such shares, which is owned by the Interested Shareholder, except as a result of immaterial changes due to fractional share adjustments or as a result of any purchase or redemption of any shares not caused, directly or indirectly, by the Interested Shareholder; or
 
  ·  
Any receipt by the Interested Shareholder of the benefit, directly or indirectly (except proportionately as a shareholder of Euroseas), of any loans, advances, guarantees, pledges or other financial benefits (other that those expressly permitted above) provided by or through Euroseas or any direct or indirect majority-owned subsidiary.
 
Other articles of incorporation defines an “Interested Shareholder” as any person (other than Euroseas and any direct or indirect majority-owned subsidiary of Euroseas) that:
 
  ·  
is the owner of 15% or more of the outstanding voting shares of Euroseas; or
 
·  
is an affiliate of Euroseas and was the owner of 15% or more of the outstanding voting shares of Euroseas at any time within the three-year period immediately prior to the date on which it is sought to be determined whether such person is an Interested Shareholder; and the affiliates and associates of such person; provided, however, that the term “Interested Shareholder” shall not include any person whose ownership of shares in excess of the 15% limitation set forth herein is the result of action taken solely by Euroseas; provided that such person shall be an Interested Shareholder if thereafter such person acquires additional shares of voting shares of Euroseas, except as a result of further Company action not caused, directly or indirectly, by such person.
 
 
39

 
Transfer Agent
 
The registrar and transfer agent for the common stock is American Stock Transfer & Trust Company.
 
Listing
 
Shares of our common stock are listed on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol "ESEA."
 
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED SHARES
 
Under the terms of our articles of incorporation, our board of directors has authority, without any further vote or action by our shareholders, to issue up to 20,000,000 shares of blank check preferred stock.  Our board of directors may issue shares of preferred stock on terms calculated to discourage, delay or prevent a change of control of our company or the removal of our management.  The material terms of any series of preferred shares that we offer through a prospectus supplement will be described in that prospectus supplement.  Our board of directors is authorized to provide for the issuance of preferred shares in one or more series with designations as may be stated in the resolution or resolutions providing for the issue of such preferred shares. At the time that any series of our preferred shares are authorized, our board of directors will fix the dividend rights, any conversion rights, any voting rights, redemption provisions, liquidation preferences and any other rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions of that series, as well as the number of shares constituting that series and their designation.  Our board of directors could, without shareholder approval, cause us to issue preferred stock which has voting, conversion and other rights that could adversely affect the holders of our common shares or make it more difficult to effect a change in control.  Our preferred shares could be used to dilute the share ownership of persons seeking to obtain control of us and thereby hinder a possible takeover attempt which, if our shareholders were offered a premium over the market value of their shares, might be viewed as being beneficial to our shareholders.  In addition, our preferred shares could be issued with voting, conversion and other rights and preferences which would adversely affect the voting power and other rights of holders of our common shares.  The material terms of any series of preferred shares that we offer through a prospectus supplement will be described in that prospectus supplement.

DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS
 
We may issue warrants to purchase our debt or equity securities or securities of third parties or other rights, including rights to receive payment in cash or securities based on the value, rate or price of one or more specified commodities, currencies, securities or indices, or any combination of the foregoing.  Warrants may be issued independently or together with any other securities and may be attached to, or separate from, such securities.  Each series of warrants will be issued under a separate warrant agreement to be entered into between us and a warrant agent.  The terms of any warrants to be issued and a description of the material provisions of the applicable warrant agreement will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.
 
The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the following terms of any warrants in respect of which this prospectus is being delivered:
 
  ·  
the title of such warrants;
 
  ·  
the aggregate number of such warrants;
 
 
40

 
  ·  
the price or prices at which such warrants will be issued;
 
  ·  
the currency or currencies, in which the price of such warrants will be payable;
 
  ·  
the securities or other rights, including rights to receive payment in cash or securities based on the value, rate or price of one or more specified commodities, currencies, securities or indices, or any combination of the foregoing, purchasable upon exercise of such warrants;
 
  ·  
the price at which and the currency or currencies, in which the securities or other rights purchasable upon exercise of such warrants may be purchased;
 
  ·  
the date on which the right to exercise such warrants shall commence and the date on which such right shall expire;
 
  ·  
if applicable, the minimum or maximum amount of such warrants which may be exercised at any one time;
 
  ·  
if applicable, the designation and terms of the securities with which such warrants are issued and the number of such warrants issued with each such security;
 
  ·  
if applicable, the date on and after which such warrants and the related securities will be separately transferable;
 
  ·  
information with respect to book-entry procedures, if any;
 
  ·  
if applicable, a discussion of any material United States Federal income tax considerations; and
 
  ·  
any other terms of such warrants, including terms, procedures and limitations relating to the exchange and exercise of such warrants.
 
 
DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES
 
We may issue debt securities from time to time in one or more series, under one or more indentures, each dated as of a date on or prior to the issuance of the debt securities to which it relates.  We may issue senior debt securities and subordinated debt securities pursuant to separate indentures, a senior indenture and a subordinated indenture, respectively, in each case between us and the trustee named in the indenture.  These indentures will be filed either as exhibits to an amendment to this Registration Statement or a prospectus supplement, or as an exhibit to a Securities Exchange Act of 1934, or Exchange Act, report that will be incorporated by reference to the Registration Statement or a prospectus supplement.  We will refer to any or all of these reports as “subsequent filings”.  The senior indenture and the subordinated indenture, as amended or supplemented from time to time, are sometimes referred to individually as an “indenture” and collectively as the “indentures”.  Each indenture will be subject to and governed by the Trust Indenture Act.  The aggregate principal amount of debt securities which may be issued under each indenture will be unlimited and each indenture will contain the specific terms of any series of debt securities or provide that those terms must be set forth in or determined pursuant to, an authorizing resolution, as defined in the applicable prospectus supplement, and/or a supplemental indenture, if any, relating to such series.
 
 
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Certain of our subsidiaries may guarantee the debt securities we offer.  Those guarantees may or may not be secured by liens, mortgages, and security interests in the assets of those subsidiaries.  The terms and conditions of any such subsidiary guarantees, and a description of any such liens, mortgages or security interests, will be set forth in the prospectus supplement that will accompany this prospectus and/or a supplemental indenture.
 
Our statements below relating to the debt securities and the indentures are summaries of their anticipated provisions, are not complete and are subject to, and are qualified in their entirety by reference to, all of the provisions of the applicable indenture and any applicable United States federal income tax considerations as well as any applicable modifications of or additions to the general terms described below in the applicable prospectus supplement or supplemental indenture.
 
General
 
Neither indenture limits the amount of debt securities which may be issued, and each indenture provides that debt securities may be issued up to the aggregate principal amount from time to time.  The debt securities may be issued in one or more series.  The senior debt securities will be unsecured and will rank on a parity with all of our other unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness.  Each series of subordinated debt securities will be unsecured and subordinated to all present and future senior indebtedness of debt securities will be described in an accompanying prospectus supplement.
 
You should read the subsequent filings relating to the particular series of debt securities for the following terms of the offered debt securities:
 
  ·  
the designation, aggregate principal amount and authorized denominations;
 
  ·  
the issue price, expressed as a percentage of the aggregate principal amount;
 
  ·  
the maturity date;
 
  ·  
the interest rate per annum, if any;
 
  ·  
if the offered debt securities provide for interest payments, the date from which interest will accrue, the dates on which interest will be payable, the date on which payment of interest will commence and the regular record dates for interest payment dates;
 
  ·  
any optional or mandatory sinking fund provisions or conversion or exchangeability provisions;
 
  ·  
the date, if any, after which and the price or prices at which the offered debt securities may be optionally redeemed or must be mandatorily redeemed and any other terms and provisions of optional or mandatory redemptions;
 
  ·  
if other than denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof, the denominations in which offered debt securities of the series will be issuable;
 
  ·  
if other than the full principal amount, the portion of the principal amount of offered debt securities of the series which will be payable upon acceleration or provable in bankruptcy;
 
  ·  
any events of default not set forth in this prospectus;
 
 
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  ·  
the currency or currencies, including composite currencies, in which principal, premium and interest will be payable, if other than the currency of the United States of America;
 
  ·  
if principal, premium or interest is payable, at our election or at the election of any holder, in a currency other than that in which the offered debt securities of the series are stated to be payable, the period or periods within which, and the terms and conditions upon which, the election may be made;
 
  ·  
whether interest will be payable in cash or additional securities at our or the holder’s option and the terms and conditions upon which the election may be made;
 
  ·  
if denominated in a currency or currencies other than the currency of the United States of America, the equivalent price in the currency of the United States of America for purposes of determining the voting rights of holders of those debt securities under the applicable indenture;
 
  ·  
if the amount of payments of principal, premium or interest may be determined with reference to an index, formula or other method based on a coin or currency other than that in which the offered debt securities of the series are stated to be payable, the manner in which the amounts will be determined;
 
  ·  
any restrictive covenants or other material terms relating to the offered debt securities, which may not be inconsistent with the applicable indenture;
 
  ·  
whether the offered debt securities will be issued in the form of global securities or certificates in registered or bearer form;
 
  ·  
any terms with respect to subordination;
 
  ·  
any listing on any securities exchange or quotation system;
 
  ·  
additional provisions, if any, related to defeasance and discharge of the offered debt securities; and
 
  ·  
the applicability of any guarantees.
 
Unless otherwise indicated in subsequent filings with the Commission relating to the indenture, principal, premium and interest will be payable and the debt securities will be transferable at the corporate trust office of the applicable trustee.  Unless other arrangements are made or set forth in subsequent filings or a supplemental indenture, principal, premium and interest will be paid by checks mailed to the holders at their registered addresses.
 
Unless otherwise indicated in subsequent filings with the Commission, the debt securities will be issued only in fully registered form without coupons, in denominations of $1,000 or any integral multiple thereof.  No service charge will be made for any transfer or exchange of the debt securities, but we may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge payable in connection with these debt securities.
 
Some or all of the debt securities may be issued as discounted debt securities, bearing no interest or interest at a rate which at the time of issuance is below market rates, to be sold at a substantial discount below the stated principal amount.  United States federal income tax consequences and other special considerations applicable to any discounted securities will be described in subsequent filings with the Commission relating to those securities.
 
 
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We refer you to applicable subsequent filings with respect to any deletions or additions or modifications from the description contained in this prospectus.
 
Senior Debt
 
We will issue senior debt securities under the senior debt indenture.  These senior debt securities will rank on an equal basis with all our other unsecured debt except subordinated debt.
 
Subordinated Debt
 
We will issue subordinated debt securities under the subordinated debt indenture.  Subordinated debt will rank subordinate and junior in right of payment, to the extent set forth in the subordinated debt indenture, to all our senior debt (both secured and unsecured).
 
In general, the holders of all senior debt are first entitled to receive payment of the full amount unpaid on senior debt before the holders of any of the subordinated debt securities are entitled to receive a payment on account of the principal or interest on the indebtedness evidenced by the subordinated debt securities in certain events.
 
If we default in the payment of any principal of, or premium, if any, or interest on any senior debt when it becomes due and payable after any applicable grace period, then, unless and until the default is cured or waived or ceases to exist, we cannot make a payment on account of or redeem or otherwise acquire the subordinated debt securities.
 
If there is any insolvency, bankruptcy, liquidation or other similar proceeding relating to us or our property, then all senior debt must be paid in full before any payment may be made to any holders of subordinated debt securities.
 
Furthermore, if we default in the payment of the principal of and accrued interest on any subordinated debt securities that is declared due and payable upon an event of default under the subordinated debt indenture, holders of all our senior debt will first be entitled to receive payment in full in cash before holders of such subordinated debt can receive any payments.
 
Senior debt means:
 
  ·  
the principal, premium, if any, interest and any other amounts owing in respect of our indebtedness for money borrowed and indebtedness evidenced by securities, notes, debentures, bonds or other similar instruments issued by us, including the senior debt securities or letters of credit;
 
  ·  
all capitalized lease obligations;
 
  ·  
all hedging obligations;
 
  ·  
all obligations representing the deferred purchase price of property; and
 
  ·  
all deferrals, renewals, extensions and refundings of obligations of the type referred to above;
 
 
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  ·  
but senior debt does not include:
 
  ·  
subordinated debt securities; and
 
  ·  
any indebtedness that by its terms is subordinated to, or ranks on an equal basis with, our subordinated debt securities.
 
Covenants
 
Any series of offered debt securities may have covenants in addition to or differing from those included in the applicable indenture which will be described in subsequent filings prepared in connection with the offering of such securities, limiting or restricting, among other things:
 
  ·  
the ability of us or our subsidiaries to incur either secured or unsecured debt, or both;
 
  ·  
the ability to make certain payments, dividends, redemptions or repurchases;
 
  ·  
our ability to create dividend and other payment restrictions affecting our subsidiaries;
 
  ·  
our ability to make investments;
 
  ·  
mergers and consolidations by us or our subsidiaries;
 
  ·  
sales of assets by us;
 
  ·  
our ability to enter into transactions with affiliates;
 
  ·  
our ability to incur liens; and
 
  ·  
sale and leaseback transactions.
 
Modification of the Indentures
 
Each indenture and the rights of the respective holders may be modified by us only with the consent of holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of all series under the respective indenture affected by the modification, taken together as a class.  But no modification that:
 
      (1)  
changes the amount of securities whose holders must consent to an amendment, supplement or waiver;
 
      (2)  
reduces the rate of or changes the interest payment time on any security or alters its redemption provisions (other than any alteration to any such section which would not materially adversely affect the legal rights of any holder under the indenture) or the price at which we are required to offer to purchase the securities;
 
      (3)  
reduces the principal or changes the maturity of any security or reduce the amount of, or postpone the date fixed for, the payment of any sinking fund or analogous obligation;
 
      (4)  
waives a default or event of default in the payment of the principal of or interest, if any, on any security (except a rescission of acceleration of the securities of any series by the holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the outstanding securities of that series and a waiver of the payment default that resulted from such acceleration);
 
 
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      (5)  
makes the principal of or interest, if any, on any security payable in any currency other than that stated in the Security;
 
      (6)  
makes any change with respect to holders’ rights to receive principal and interest, the terms pursuant to which defaults can be waived, certain modifications affecting shareholders or certain currency-related issues; or
 
      (7)  
waives a redemption payment with respect to any Security or change any of the provisions with respect to the redemption of any securities
 
will be effective against any holder without his consent.  Other terms as specified in subsequent filings may be modified without the consent of the holders.
 
Events of Default
 
Each indenture defines an event of default for the debt securities of any series as being any one of the following events:
 
  ·  
default in any payment of interest when due which continues for 30 days;
 
  ·  
default in any payment of principal or premium when due;
 
  ·  
default in the deposit of any sinking fund payment when due;
 
  ·  
default in the performance of any covenant in the debt securities or the applicable indenture which continues for 60 days after we receive notice of the default;
 
  ·  
default under a bond, debenture, note or other evidence of indebtedness for borrowed money by us or our subsidiaries (to the extent we are directly responsible or liable therefor) having a principal amount in excess of a minimum amount set forth in the applicable subsequent filing, whether such indebtedness now exists or is hereafter created, which default shall have resulted in such indebtedness becoming or being declared due and payable prior to the date on which it would otherwise have become due and payable, without such acceleration having been rescinded or annulled or cured within 30 days after we receive notice of the default; and
 
  ·  
events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization.
 
An event of default of one series of debt securities does not necessarily constitute an event of default with respect to any other series of debt securities.
 
There may be such other or different events of default as described in an applicable subsequent filing with respect to any class or series of offered debt securities.
 
In case an event of default occurs and continues for the debt securities of any series, the applicable trustee or the holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the debt securities then outstanding of that series may declare the principal and accrued but unpaid interest of the debt securities of that series to be due and payable.  Any event of default for the debt securities of any series which has been cured may be waived by the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the debt securities of that series then outstanding.
 
 
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Each indenture requires us to file annually after debt securities are issued under that indenture with the applicable trustee a written statement signed by two of our officers as to the absence of material defaults under the terms of that indenture.  Each indenture provides that the applicable trustee may withhold notice to the holders of any default if it considers it in the interest of the holders to do so, except notice of a default in payment of principal, premium or interest.
 
Subject to the duties of the trustee in case an event of default occurs and continues, each indenture provides that the trustee is under no obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers under that indenture at the request, order or direction of holders unless the holders have offered to the trustee reasonable indemnity.  Subject to these provisions for indemnification and the rights of the trustee, each indenture provides that the holders of a majority in principal amount of the debt securities of any series then outstanding have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the trustee or exercising any trust or power conferred on the trustee as long as the exercise of that right does not conflict with any law or the indenture.
 
Defeasance and Discharge
 
The terms of each indenture provide us with the option to be discharged from any and all obligations in respect of the debt securities issued thereunder upon the deposit with the trustee, in trust, of money or U.S. government obligations, or both, which through the payment of interest and principal in accordance with their terms will provide money in an amount sufficient to pay any installment of principal, premium and interest on, and any mandatory sinking fund payments in respect of, the debt securities on the stated maturity of the payments in accordance with the terms of the debt securities and the indenture governing the debt securities.  This right may only be exercised if, among other things, we have received from, or there has been published by, the United States Internal Revenue Service a ruling to the effect that such a discharge will not be deemed, or result in, a taxable event with respect to holders.  This discharge would not apply to our obligations to register the transfer or exchange of debt securities, to replace stolen, lost or mutilated debt securities, to maintain paying agencies and hold moneys for payment in trust.
 
Defeasance of Certain Covenants
 
The terms of the debt securities provide us with the right to omit complying with specified covenants and that specified events of default described in a subsequent filing will not apply. In order to exercise this right, we will be required to deposit with the trustee money or U.S. government obligations, or both, which through the payment of interest and principal will provide money in an amount sufficient to pay principal, premium, if any, and interest on, and any mandatory sinking fund payments in respect of, the debt securities on the stated maturity of such payments in accordance with the terms of the debt securities and the indenture governing such debt securities. We will also be required to deliver to the trustee an opinion of counsel to the effect that we have received from, or there has been published by, the IRS a ruling to the effect that the deposit and related covenant defeasance will not cause the holders of such series to recognize income, gain or loss for United States federal income tax purposes.
 
A subsequent filing may further describe the provisions, if any, of any particular series of offered debt securities permitting a discharge defeasance.
 
 
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Subsidiary Guarantees
 
Certain of our subsidiaries may guarantee the debt securities we offer.  In that case, the terms and conditions of the subsidiary guarantees will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.  Unless we indicate differently in the applicable prospectus supplement, if any of our subsidiaries guarantee any of our debt securities that are subordinated to any of our senior indebtedness, then the subsidiary guarantees will be subordinated to the senior indebtedness of such subsidiary to the same extent as our debt securities are subordinated to our senior indebtedness.

Global Securities
 
The debt securities of a series may be issued in whole or in part in the form of one or more global securities that will be deposited with, or on behalf of, a depository identified in an applicable subsequent filing and registered in the name of the depository or a nominee for the depository. In such a case, one or more global securities will be issued in a denomination or aggregate denominations equal to the portion of the aggregate principal amount of outstanding debt securities of the series to be represented by the global security or securities. Unless and until it is exchanged in whole or in part for debt securities in definitive certificated form, a global security may not be transferred except as a whole by the depository for the global security to a nominee of the depository or by a nominee of the depository to the depository or another nominee of the depository or by the depository or any nominee to a successor depository for that series or a nominee of the successor depository and except in the circumstances described in an applicable subsequent filing.
 
We expect that the following provisions will apply to depository arrangements for any portion of a series of debt securities to be represented by a global security.  Any additional or different terms of the depository arrangement will be described in an applicable subsequent filing.
 
Upon the issuance of any global security, and the deposit of that global security with or on behalf of the depository for the global security, the depository will credit, on its book-entry registration and transfer system, the principal amounts of the debt securities represented by that global security to the accounts of institutions that have accounts with the depository or its nominee. The accounts to be credited will be designated by the underwriters or agents engaging in the distribution of the debt securities or by us, if the debt securities are offered and sold directly by us. Ownership of beneficial interests in a global security will be limited to participating institutions or persons that may hold interest through such participating institutions.  Ownership of beneficial interests by participating institutions in the global security will be shown on, and the transfer of the beneficial interests will be effected only through, records maintained by the depository for the global security or by its nominee.  Ownership of beneficial interests in the global security by persons that hold through participating institutions will be shown on, and the transfer of the beneficial interests within the participating institutions will be effected only through, records maintained by those participating institutions. The laws of some jurisdictions may require that purchasers of securities take physical delivery of the securities in certificated form.  The foregoing limitations and such laws may impair the ability to transfer beneficial interests in the global securities.
 
So long as the depository for a global security, or its nominee, is the registered owner of that global security, the depository or its nominee, as the case may be, will be considered the sole owner or holder of the debt securities represented by the global security for all purposes under the applicable indenture.  Unless otherwise specified in an applicable subsequent filing and except as specified below, owners of beneficial interests in the global security will not be entitled to have debt securities of the series represented by the global security registered in their names, will not receive or be entitled to receive physical delivery of debt securities of the series in certificated form and will not be considered the holders thereof for any purposes under the indenture. Accordingly, each person owning a beneficial interest in the global security must rely on the procedures of the depository and, if such person is not a participating institution, on the procedures of the participating institution through which the person owns its interest, to exercise any rights of a holder under the indenture.
 
 
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The depository may grant proxies and otherwise authorize participating institutions to give or take any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action which a holder is entitled to give or take under the applicable indenture. We understand that, under existing industry practices, if we request any action of holders or any owner of a beneficial interest in the global security desires to give any notice or take any action a holder is entitled to give or take under the applicable indenture, the depository would authorize the participating institutions to give the notice or take the action, and participating institutions would authorize beneficial owners owning through such participating institutions to give the notice or take the action or would otherwise act upon the instructions of beneficial owners owning through them.
 
Unless otherwise specified in an applicable subsequent filings, payments of principal, premium and interest on debt securities represented by global security registered in the name of a depository or its nominee will be made by us to the depository or its nominee, as the case may be, as the registered owner of the global security.
 
We expect that the depository for any debt securities represented by a global security, upon receipt of any payment of principal, premium or interest, will credit participating institutions’ accounts with payments in amounts proportionate to their respective beneficial interests in the principal amount of the global security as shown on the records of the depository.  We also expect that payments by participating institutions to owners of beneficial interests in the global security held through those participating institutions will be governed by standing instructions and customary practices, as is now the case with the securities held for the accounts of customers registered in street names, and will be the responsibility of those participating institutions. None of us, the trustees or any agent of ours or the trustees will have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to or payments made on account of beneficial interests in a global security, or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to those beneficial interests.
 
Unless otherwise specified in the applicable subsequent filings, a global security of any series will be exchangeable for certificated debt securities of the same series only if:
 
  ·  
the depository for such global securities notifies us that it is unwilling or unable to continue as depository or such depository ceases to be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act and, in either case, a successor depository is not appointed by us within 90 days after we receive the notice or become aware of the ineligibility;
 
  ·  
we in our sole discretion determine that the global securities shall be exchangeable for certificated debt securities; or
 
  ·  
there shall have occurred and be continuing an event of default under the applicable indenture with respect to the debt securities of that series.
 
Upon any exchange, owners of beneficial interests in the global security or securities will be entitled to physical delivery of individual debt securities in certificated form of like tenor and terms equal in principal amount to their beneficial interests, and to have the debt securities in certificated form registered in the names of the beneficial owners, which names are expected to be provided by the depository’s relevant participating institutions to the applicable trustee.
 
 
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In the event that the Depository Trust Company, or DTC, acts as depository for the global securities of any series, the global securities will be issued as fully registered securities registered in the name of Cede & Co., DTC’s partnership nominee.
 
DTC is a limited purpose trust company organized under the New York Banking Law, a “banking organization” within the meaning of the New York Banking Law, a member of the Federal Reserve System, a “clearing corporation” within the meaning of the New York Uniform Commercial Code, and a “clearing agency” registered pursuant to the provisions of Section 17A of the Exchange Act.  DTC holds securities that its participating institutions deposit with DTC.  DTC also facilitates the settlement among participating institutions of securities transactions, such as transfers and pledges, in deposited securities through electronic computerized book-entry changes in participating institutions’ accounts, thereby eliminating the need for physical movement of securities certificates.  Direct participating institutions include securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies, clearing corporations and other organizations. DTC is owned by a number of its direct participating institutions and by the New York Stock Exchange, Inc., the American Stock Exchange, Inc. and the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. Access to the DTC system is also available to others, such as securities brokers and dealers and banks and trust companies that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a direct participating institution, either directly or indirectly. The rules applicable to DTC and its participating institutions are on file with the Commission.
 
To facilitate subsequent transfers, the debt securities may be registered in the name of DTC’s nominee, Cede & Co.  The deposit of the debt securities with DTC and their registration in the name of Cede & Co. will effect no change in beneficial ownership.  DTC has no knowledge of the actual beneficial owners of the debt securities.  DTC’s records reflect only the identity of the direct participating institutions to whose accounts debt securities are credited, which may or may not be the beneficial owners.  The participating institutions remain responsible for keeping account of their holdings on behalf of their customers.
 
Delivery of notices and other communications by DTC to direct participating institutions, by direct participating institutions to indirect participating institutions, and by direct participating institutions and indirect participating institutions to beneficial owners of debt securities are governed by arrangements among them, subject to any statutory or regulatory requirements as may be in effect.
 
Neither DTC nor Cede & Co. consents or votes with respect to the debt securities.  Under its usual procedures, DTC mails a proxy to the issuer as soon as possible after the record date.  The proxy assigns Cede & Co.’s consenting or voting rights to those direct participating institution to whose accounts the debt securities are credited on the record date.
 
If applicable, redemption notices shall be sent to Cede & Co.  If less than all of the debt securities of a series represented by global securities are being redeemed, DTC’s practice is to determine by lot the amount of the interest of each direct participating institutions in that issue to be redeemed.
 
To the extent that any debt securities provide for repayment or repurchase at the option of the holders thereof, a beneficial owner shall give notice of any option to elect to have its interest in the global security repaid by us, through its participating institution, to the applicable trustee, and shall effect delivery of the interest in a global security by causing the direct participating institution to transfer the direct participating institution’s interest in the global security or securities representing the interest, on DTC’s records, to the applicable trustee. The requirement for physical delivery of debt securities in connection with a demand for repayment or repurchase will be deemed satisfied when the ownership rights in the global security or securities representing the debt securities are transferred by direct participating institutions on DTC’s records.
 
 
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DTC may discontinue providing its services as securities depository for the debt securities at any time.  Under such circumstances, in the event that a successor securities depository is not appointed, debt security certificates are required to be printed and delivered as described above.
 
We may decide to discontinue use of the system of book-entry transfers through the securities depository.  In that event, debt security certificates will be printed and delivered as described above.
 
The information in this section concerning DTC and DTC’s book-entry system has been obtained from sources that we believe to be reliable, but we take no responsibility for its accuracy.
 
DESCRIPTION OF PURCHASE CONTRACTS
 
We may issue purchase contracts for the purchase or sale of:
 
  ·  
debt or equity securities issued by us or securities of third parties, a basket of such securities, an index or indices of such securities or any combination of the above as specified in the applicable prospectus supplement;
 
  ·  
currencies; or
 
  ·  
commodities.
 
Each purchase contract will entitle the holder thereof to purchase or sell, and obligate us to sell or purchase, on specified dates, such securities, currencies or commodities at a specified purchase price, which may be based on a formula, all as set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.  We may, however, satisfy our obligations, if any, with respect to any purchase contract by delivering the cash value of such purchase contract or the cash value of the property otherwise deliverable or, in the case of purchase contracts on underlying currencies, by delivering the underlying currencies, as set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.  The applicable prospectus supplement will also specify the methods by which the holders may purchase or sell such securities, currencies or commodities and any acceleration, cancellation or termination provisions or other provisions relating to the settlement of a purchase contract.
 
The purchase contracts may require us to make periodic payments to the holders thereof or vice versa, which payments may be deferred to the extent set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement, and those payments may be unsecured or prefunded on some basis.  The purchase contracts may require the holders thereof to secure their obligations in a specified manner to be described in the applicable prospectus supplement.  Alternatively, purchase contracts may require holders to satisfy their obligations thereunder when the purchase contracts are issued.  Our obligation to settle such pre-paid purchase contracts on the relevant settlement date may constitute indebtedness.  Accordingly, pre-paid purchase contracts will be issued under either the senior indenture or the subordinated indenture.
 
DESCRIPTION OF UNITS
 
As specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, we may issue units consisting of one or more purchase contracts, warrants, debt securities, preferred shares, common shares or any combination of such securities.  The applicable prospectus supplement will describe:
 
  ·  
the terms of the units and of the purchase contracts, warrants, debt securities, preferred shares and common shares comprising the units, including whether and under what circumstances the securities comprising the units may be traded separately;
 
 
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  ·  
a description of the terms of any unit agreement governing the units; and
 
  ·  
a description of the provisions for the payment, settlement, transfer or exchange or the units.
 
EXPENSES
 
The following are the estimated expenses of the issuance and distribution of the securities being registered under the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part, all of which will be paid by us.
 
  SEC registration fee  
  $20,615
 
  FINRA fee  
  $55,000
*
  Legal fees and expenses  
  $35,000
*
  Accounting fees and expenses  
  $20,000
*
  Miscellaneous  
  $19,385
*
  Total  
  $150,000
*
 
*
To be updated, if necessary, by amendment, supplement or as an exhibit to Report on Form 6-K that is incorporated by reference into this prospectus.
 
TAXATION
 
The following is a discussion of the material Marshall Islands and United States federal income tax considerations applicable to us and U.S. Holders and Non-U.S. Holders, each as defined below, of our common stock.  The following discussion is based upon the provisions of the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or the Code, existing and proposed United States Treasury Department regulations, administrative rulings, pronouncements and judicial decisions, all as of the date of this prospectus.
 
Marshall Islands Tax Considerations
 
We are incorporated in the Marshall Islands. Under current Marshall Islands law, we are not subject to tax on income or capital gains, and no Marshall Islands withholding tax will be imposed upon payments of dividends by us to our stockholders.
 
United States Federal Income Tax
 
The following are the material United States federal income tax consequences to us of our activities and to U.S. Holders and Non-U.S. Holders, each as defined below, of our common stock. The following discussion of United States federal income tax matters is based on the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, or the Code, judicial decisions, administrative pronouncements, and existing and proposed regulations issued by the United States Department of the Treasury, all of which are subject to change, possibly with retroactive effect. This discussion is based in part upon Treasury Regulations promulgated under Section 883 of the Code. The discussion below is based, in part, on the description of our business as described in “Business” above and assumes that we conduct our business as described in that section. References in the following discussion to “we” and “us” are to Euroseas and its subsidiaries on a consolidated basis.
 
 
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United States Federal Income Taxation of Our Company
 
Taxation of Operating Income: In General
 
Unless exempt from United States federal income taxation under the rules discussed below, a foreign corporation is subject to United States federal income taxation in respect of any income that is derived from the use of vessels, from the hiring or leasing of vessels for use on a time, voyage or bareboat charter basis, from the participation in a pool, partnership, strategic alliance, joint operating agreement, code sharing arrangements or other joint venture it directly or indirectly owns or participates in that generates such income, or from the performance of services directly related to those uses, which we refer to as “shipping income,” to the extent that the shipping income is derived from sources within the United States. For these purposes, 50% of shipping income that is attributable to transportation that begins or ends, but that does not both begin and end, in the United States constitutes income from sources within the United States, which we refer to as “U.S.-source shipping income.”
 
Shipping income attributable to transportation that both begins and ends in the United States is considered to be 100% from sources within the United States. We are not permitted by law to engage in transportation that produces income which is considered to be 100% from sources within the United States.
 
Shipping income attributable to transportation exclusively between non-U.S. ports will be considered to be 100% derived from sources outside the United States. Shipping income derived from sources outside the United States will not be subject to any United States federal income tax.
 
In the absence of exemption from tax under Section 883, our gross U.S.-source shipping income would be subject to a 4% tax imposed without allowance for deductions as described below.
 
 
Exemption of Operating Income from United States Federal Income Taxation
 
Under Section 883 of the Code, we will be exempt from United States federal income taxation on our U.S.-source shipping income if:
 
  ·  
we are organized in a foreign country (our “country of organization”) that grants an “equivalent exemption” to corporations organized in the United States; and
 
either
 
  ·  
more than 50% of the value of our stock is owned, directly or indirectly, by “qualified stockholders,” individuals who are “residents” of our country of organization or of another foreign country that grants an “equivalent exemption” to corporations organized in the United States, which we refer to as the “50% Ownership Test,” or
 
  ·  
our stock is “primarily and regularly traded on an established securities market” in our country of organization, in another country that grants an “equivalent exemption” to United States corporations, or in the United States, which we refer to as the “Publicly-Traded Test.”
 
The Marshall Islands, the jurisdiction where we and our ship-owning subsidiaries are incorporated, grants an “equivalent exemption” to United States corporations. Therefore, we will be exempt from United States federal income taxation with respect to our U.S.-source shipping income if we satisfy either the 50% Ownership Test or the Publicly-Traded Test.
 
 
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We believe that we satisfied the 50% Ownership Test for our 2007 taxable year and we intend to take this position on our United States federal income tax return. For the 2008 taxable year and each taxable year thereafter, we anticipate that we will satisfy the Publicly-Traded Test.
 
 
Taxation in Absence of Exemption
 
To the extent the benefits of Section 883 are unavailable, our U.S. source shipping income, to the extent not considered to be “effectively connected” with the conduct of a U.S. trade or business, as described below, would be subject to a 4% tax imposed by Section 887 of the Code on a gross basis, without the benefit of deductions. Since under the sourcing rules described above, no more than 50% of our shipping income would be treated as being derived from U.S. sources, the maximum effective rate of U.S. federal income tax on our shipping income would never exceed 2% under the 4% gross basis tax regime.
 
To the extent the benefits of the Section 883 exemption are unavailable and our U.S.-source shipping income is considered to be “effectively connected” with the conduct of a U.S. trade or business, as described below, any such “effectively connected” U.S.-source shipping income, net of applicable deductions, would be subject to the U.S. federal corporate income tax currently imposed at rates of up to 35%. In addition, we may be subject to the 30% “branch profits” taxes on earnings effectively connected with the conduct of such trade or business, as determined after allowance for certain adjustments, and on certain interest paid or deemed paid attributable to the conduct of its U.S. trade or business.
 
Our U.S.-source shipping income would be considered “effectively connected” with the conduct of a U.S. trade or business only if:
 
  ·  
We have, or are considered to have, a fixed place of business in the United States involved in the earning of shipping income; and
 
  ·  
substantially all of our U.S.-source shipping income is attributable to regularly scheduled transportation, such as the operation of a vessel that follows a published schedule with repeated sailings at regular intervals between the same points for voyages that begin or end in the United States.
 
We do not intend to have, or permit circumstances that would result in having any vessel operating to the United States on a regularly scheduled basis. Based on the foregoing and on the expected mode of our shipping operations and other activities, we believe that none of our U.S.-source shipping income are or will be “effectively connected” with the conduct of a U.S. trade or business.
 
 
United States Taxation of Gain on Sale of Vessels
 
Regardless of whether we qualify for exemption under Section 883, we will not be subject to United States federal income taxation with respect to gain realized on a sale of a vessel, provided the sale is considered to occur outside of the United States under United States federal income tax principles. In general, a sale of a vessel will be considered to occur outside of the United States for this purpose if title to the vessel, and risk of loss with respect to the vessel, pass to the buyer outside of the United States. It is expected that any sale of a vessel by us will be considered to occur outside of the United States.
 
United States Federal Income Taxation of U.S. Holders
 
As used herein, the term “U.S. Holder” means a beneficial owner of common stock that is a United States citizen or resident, United States corporation or other United States entity taxable as a corporation, an estate the income of which is subject to United States federal income taxation regardless of its source, or a trust if a court within the United States is able to exercise primary jurisdiction over the administration of the trust and one or more United States persons have the authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust.
 
 
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This discussion does not purport to deal with the tax consequences of owning common stock to all categories of investors, some of which, such as dealers in securities, investors whose functional currency is not the United States dollar and investors that own, actually or under applicable constructive ownership rules, 10% or more of our common stock, may be subject to special rules. This discussion deals only with holders who hold the common stock as a capital asset. You are encouraged to consult your own tax advisors concerning the overall tax consequences arising in your own particular situation under United States federal, state, local or foreign law of the ownership of common stock.
 
If a partnership holds our common stock, the tax treatment of a partner will generally depend upon the status of the partner and upon the activities of the partnership. If you are a partner in a partnership holding our common stock, you are encouraged to consult your tax advisor.
 
 
Distributions
 
Subject to the discussion of passive foreign investment companies below, any distributions made by us with respect to our common stock to a U.S. Holder will generally constitute dividends, which may be taxable as ordinary income or “qualified dividend income” as described in more detail below, to the extent of our current or accumulated earnings and profits, as determined under United States federal income tax principles. Distributions in excess of our earnings and profits will be treated first as a nontaxable return of capital to the extent of the U.S. Holder’s tax basis in his common stock on a dollar-for-dollar basis and thereafter as capital gain. Because we are not a United States corporation, U.S. Holders that are corporations will not be entitled to claim a dividends received deduction with respect to any distributions they receive from us. Dividends paid with respect to our common stock will generally be treated as “passive category income” or, in the case of certain types of U.S. Holders, “general category income” for purposes of computing allowable foreign tax credits for United States foreign tax credit purposes.
 
Dividends paid on our common stock to a U.S. Holder who is an individual, trust or estate (a “U.S. Individual Holder”) will generally be treated as “qualified dividend income” that is taxable to such U.S. Individual Holders at preferential tax rates (through 2010) provided that (1) we are not a passive foreign investment company for the taxable year during which the dividend is paid or the immediately preceding taxable year (which we do not believe we are, have been or will be), (2) our common stock is readily tradable on an established securities market in the United States (such as the NASDAQ Global Select Market, on which our common stock is listed), and (3) the U.S. Individual Holder has owned the common stock for more than 60 days in the 121-day period beginning 60 days before the date on which the common stock becomes ex-dividend. There is no assurance that any dividends paid on our common stock will be eligible for these preferential rates in the hands of a U.S. Individual Holder. Dividends paid on our stock prior to the date on which our stock became listed on the NASDAQ Global Select Market were not eligible for these preferential rates.  Legislation has been recently introduced in the U.S. Congress which, if enacted in its present form, would preclude our dividends from qualifying for such preferential rates prospectively from the date of the enactment. Any dividends paid by us which are not eligible for these preferential rates will be taxed as ordinary income to a U.S. Individual Holder.
 
Special rules may apply to any “extraordinary dividend” generally, a dividend in an amount which is equal to or in excess of ten percent of a stockholder’s adjusted basis (or fair market value in certain circumstances) in a share of common stock paid by us. If we pay an “extraordinary dividend” on our common stock that is treated as “qualified dividend income,” then any loss derived by a U.S. Individual Holder from the sale or exchange of such common stock will be treated as long-term capital loss to the extent of such dividend.
 
 
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Sale, Exchange or other Disposition of Common Stock
 
Assuming we do not constitute a passive foreign investment company for any taxable year, a U.S. Holder generally will recognize taxable gain or loss upon a sale, exchange or other disposition of our common stock in an amount equal to the difference between the amount realized by the U.S. Holder from such sale, exchange or other disposition and the U.S. Holder’s tax basis in such stock. Such gain or loss will be treated as long-term capital gain or loss if the U.S. Holder’s holding period is greater than one year at the time of the sale, exchange or other disposition. Such capital gain or loss will generally be treated as U.S.- source income or loss, as applicable, for U.S. foreign tax credit purposes. A U.S. Holder’s ability to deduct capital losses is subject to certain limitations.
 
 
Passive Foreign Investment Company Status and Significant Tax Consequences
 
Special United States federal income tax rules apply to a U.S. Holder that holds stock in a foreign corporation classified as a passive foreign investment company for United States federal income tax purposes. In general, we will be treated as a passive foreign investment company with respect to a U.S. Holder if, for any taxable year in which such holder held our common stock, either:
 
  ·  
at least 75% of our gross income for such taxable year consists of passive income (e.g., dividends, interest, capital gains and rents derived other than in the active conduct of a rental business); or
 
  ·  
at least 50% of the average value of the assets held by the corporation during such taxable year produce, or are held for the production of, passive income.
 
For purposes of determining whether we are a passive foreign investment company, we will be treated as earning and owning our proportionate share of the income and assets, respectively, of any of our subsidiary corporations in which we own at least 25 percent of the value of the subsidiary’s stock. Income earned, or deemed earned, by us in connection with the performance of services would not constitute passive income. By contrast, rental income would generally constitute “passive income” unless we were treated under specific rules as deriving our rental income in the active conduct of a trade or business.
 
Based on our current operations and future projections, we do not believe that we are, nor do we expect to become, a passive foreign investment company with respect to any taxable year. Although there is no legal authority directly on point, and we are not relying upon an opinion of counsel on this issue, our belief is based principally on the position that, for purposes of determining whether we are a passive foreign investment company, the gross income we derive or are deemed to derive from the time chartering and voyage chartering activities of our wholly-owned subsidiaries should constitute services income, rather than rental income. Correspondingly, such income should not constitute passive income, and the assets that we or our wholly-owned subsidiaries own and operate in connection with the production of such income, in particular, the vessels, should not constitute passive assets for purposes of determining whether we are a passive foreign investment company. We believe there is substantial legal authority supporting our position consisting of case law and Internal Revenue Service pronouncements concerning the characterization of income derived from time charters and voyage charters as services income for other tax purposes. However, in the absence of any legal authority specifically relating to the statutory provisions governing passive foreign investment companies, the Internal Revenue Service or a court could disagree with our position. In addition, although we intend to conduct our affairs in a manner to avoid being classified as a passive foreign investment company with respect to any taxable year, we cannot assure you that the nature of our operations will not change in the future.
 
 
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As discussed more fully below, if we were to be treated as a passive foreign investment company for any taxable year, a U.S. Holder would be subject to different taxation rules depending on whether the U.S. Holder makes an election to treat us as a “Qualified Electing Fund,” which election we refer to as a “QEF election.” As an alternative to making a QEF election, a U.S. Holder should be able to make a “mark-to-market” election with respect to our common stock, as discussed below.
 
 
Taxation of U.S. Holders Making a Timely QEF Election
 
If a U.S. Holder makes a timely QEF election, which U.S. Holder we refer to as an “Electing Holder,” the Electing Holder must report each year for United States federal income tax purposes his pro rata share of our ordinary earnings and our net capital gain, if any, for our taxable year that ends with or within the taxable year of the Electing Holder, regardless of whether or not distributions were received from us by the Electing Holder. The Electing Holder’s adjusted tax basis in the common stock will be increased to reflect taxed but undistributed earnings and profits. Distributions of earnings and profits that had been previously taxed will result in a corresponding reduction in the adjusted tax basis in the common stock and will not be taxed again once distributed. An Electing Holder would generally recognize capital gain or loss on the sale, exchange or other disposition of our common stock. A U.S. Holder would make a QEF election with respect to any year that our company is a passive foreign investment company by filing IRS Form 8621 with his United States federal income tax return. If we were aware that we were to be treated as a passive foreign investment company for any taxable year, we would provide each U.S. Holder with all necessary information in order to make the QEF election described above.
 
 
Taxation of U.S. Holders Making a “Mark-to-Market” Election
 
Alternatively, if we were to be treated as a passive foreign investment company for any taxable year and our stock is treated as “marketable stock,” a U.S. Holder would be allowed to make a “mark-to-market” election with respect to our common stock, provided the U.S. Holder completes and files IRS Form 8621 in accordance with the relevant instructions and related Treasury Regulations. Since our stock is traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market, we believe that our stock can be treated as “marketable stock” for the 2007 taxable year and each taxable year thereafter.  For taxable years prior to the 2007 taxable year, our stock was not “marketable stock” since it was traded on the OTC Bulletin Board. If that election is made, the U.S. Holder generally would include as ordinary income in each taxable year the excess, if any, of the fair market value of the common stock at the end of the taxable year over such holder’s adjusted tax basis in the common stock. The U.S. Holder would also be permitted an ordinary loss in respect of the excess, if any, of the U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis in the common stock over its fair market value at the end of the taxable year, but only to the extent of the net amount previously included in income as a result of the mark-to-market election. A U.S. Holder’s tax basis in his common stock would be adjusted to reflect any such income or loss amount. Gain realized on the sale, exchange or other disposition of our common stock would be treated as ordinary income, and any loss realized on the sale, exchange or other disposition of the common stock would be treated as ordinary loss to the extent that such loss does not exceed the net mark-to-market gains previously included by the U.S. Holder.
 
 
Taxation of U.S. Holders Not Making a Timely QEF or Mark-to-Market Election
 
Finally, if we were to be treated as a passive foreign investment company for any taxable year, a U.S. Holder who does not make either a QEF election or a “mark-to-market” election for that year, whom we refer to as a “Non-Electing Holder,” would be subject to special rules with respect to (1) any excess distribution (i.e., the portion of any distributions received by the Non-Electing Holder on our common stock in a taxable year in excess of 125 percent of the average annual distributions received by the Non-Electing Holder in the three preceding taxable years, or, if shorter, the Non-Electing Holder’s holding period for the common stock), and (2) any gain realized on the sale, exchange or other disposition of our common stock. Under these special rules:
 
 
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  ·  
the excess distribution or gain would be allocated ratably over the Non-Electing Holders’ aggregate holding period for the common stock;
 
  ·  
the amount allocated to the current taxable year and any taxable year before we became a passive foreign investment company would be taxed as ordinary income; and
 
  ·  
the amount allocated to each of the other taxable years would be subject to tax at the highest rate of tax in effect for the applicable class of taxpayer for that year, and an interest charge for the deemed deferral benefit would be imposed with respect to the resulting tax attributable to each such other taxable year.
 
 
These penalties would not apply to a pension or profit sharing trust or other tax-exempt organization that did not borrow funds or otherwise utilize leverage in connection with its acquisition of our common stock. If a Non-Electing Holder who is an individual dies while owning our common stock, such holder’s successor generally would not receive a step-up in tax basis with respect to such stock.
 
 
United States Federal Income Taxation of “Non-U.S. Holders”
 
A beneficial owner of common stock that is not a U.S. Holder is referred to herein as a “Non-U.S. Holder.”
 
 
Dividends on Common Stock
 
Non-U.S. Holders generally will not be subject to United States federal income tax or withholding tax on dividends received from us with respect to our common stock, unless that income is effectively connected with the Non-U.S. Holder’s conduct of a trade or business in the United States. If the Non-U.S. Holder is entitled to the benefits of a United States income tax treaty with respect to those dividends, that income is taxable only if it is attributable to a permanent establishment maintained by the Non-U.S. Holder in the United States.
 
 
Sale, Exchange or Other Disposition of Common Stock
 
Non-U.S. Holders generally will not be subject to United States federal income tax or withholding tax on any gain realized upon the sale, exchange or other disposition of our common stock, unless:
 
  ·  
the gain is effectively connected with the Non-U.S. Holder’s conduct of a trade or business in the United States. If the Non-U.S. Holder is entitled to the benefits of an income tax treaty with respect to that gain, that gain is taxable only if it is attributable to a permanent establishment maintained by the Non-U.S. Holder in the United States; or
 
  ·  
the Non-U.S. Holder is an individual who is present in the United States for 183 days or more during the taxable year of disposition and other conditions are met.
 
If the Non-U.S. Holder is engaged in a United States trade or business for United States federal income tax purposes, the income from the common stock, including dividends and the gain from the sale, exchange or other disposition of the stock that is effectively connected with the conduct of that trade or business will generally be subject to regular United States federal income tax in the same manner as discussed in the previous section relating to the taxation of U.S. Holders. In addition, if you are a corporate Non-U.S. Holder, your earnings and profits that are attributable to the effectively connected income, which are subject to certain adjustments, may be subject to an additional branch profits tax at a rate of 30%, or at a lower rate as may be specified by an applicable income tax treaty.
 
 
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Backup Withholding and Information Reporting
 
In general, dividend payments, or other taxable distributions, made within the United States to you will be subject to information reporting requirements. Such payments will also be subject to backup withholding tax if you are a non-corporate U.S. Holder and you:
 
  ·  
fail to provide an accurate taxpayer identification number;
 
  ·  
are notified by the Internal Revenue Service that you have failed to report all interest or dividends required to be shown on your federal income tax returns; or
 
  ·  
in certain circumstances, fail to comply with applicable certification requirements.
 
Non-U.S. Holders may be required to establish their exemption from information reporting and backup withholding by certifying their status on IRS Form W-8BEN, W-8ECI or W-8IMY, as applicable.
 
If you sell your common stock to or through a United States office or broker, the payment of the proceeds is subject to both United States backup withholding and information reporting unless you certify that you are a non-U.S. person, under penalties of perjury, or you otherwise establish an exemption. If you sell your common stock through a non-United States office of a non-United States broker and the sales proceeds are paid to you outside the United States then information reporting and backup withholding generally will not apply to that payment. However, United States information reporting requirements, but not backup withholding, will apply to a payment of sales proceeds, even if that payment is made to you outside the United States, if you sell your common stock through a non-United States office of a broker that is a United States person or has some other contacts with the United States.
 
Backup withholding tax is not an additional tax. Rather, you generally may obtain a refund of any amounts withheld under backup withholding rules that exceed your income tax liability by filing a refund claim with the Internal Revenue Service.
 
 
We encourage each stockholder to consult with his, her or its own tax advisor as to particular tax consequences to it of holding and disposing of Euroseas shares, including the applicability of any state, local or foreign tax laws and any proposed changes in applicable law.
 
EXPERTS
 
The consolidated financial statements of Euroseas Ltd. and Subsidiaries appearing in Euroseas Ltd.’s Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2007, have been audited by Deloitte, Hadjipavlou, Sofianos & Cambanis  S.A., independent registered public accounting firm, as set forth in their report thereon, included therein, and incorporated herein by reference.  Such consolidated financial statements are incorporated herein by reference in reliance upon such report given on the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing.
 
 
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LEGAL MATTERS
 
The validity of the securities offering by this prospectus will be passed upon for us by Seward & Kissel LLP, New York, New York with respect to matters of U.S. and Marshall Islands law.
 
WHERE YOU CAN FIND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
 
As required by the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, we filed a registration statement relating to the securities offered by this prospectus with the Commission.  This prospectus is a part of that registration statement, which includes additional information.
 
Government Filings
 
We file annual and special reports within the Commission.  You may read and copy any document that we file, including documents referenced in this prospectus, at the public reference facilities maintained by the Commission at 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549.  You may obtain information on the operation of the public reference room by calling 1 (800) SEC-0330, and you may obtain copies at prescribed rates from the Public Reference Section of the Commission at its principal office in Washington, D.C. 20549.  The Commission maintains a website (http://www.sec.gov) that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information regarding registrants that file electronically with the Commission.  In addition, you can obtain information about us at the offices of the Nasdaq Global Market.
 
Information Incorporated by Reference
 
The Commission allows us to “incorporate by reference” information that we file with it.  This means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to those filed documents.  The information incorporated by reference is considered to be a part of this prospectus, and information that we file later with the Commission prior to the termination of this offering will also be considered to be part of this prospectus and will automatically update and supersede previously filed information, including information contained in this document.
 
We incorporate by reference the documents listed below and any future filings made with the Commission under Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934:
 
  ·  
Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2007, filed with the Commission on May 13, 2008, which contains audited consolidated financial statements for the most recent fiscal year for which those statements have been filed.
 
  ·  
Quarterly Report on Form 6-K, filed with the Commission on July 2, 2008, which contains unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements for the three months ended March 31, 2007 and March 31, 2008.
 
We are also incorporating by reference all subsequent annual reports on Form 20-F that we file with the Commission and certain Reports on Form 6-K that we furnish to the Commission after the date of this prospectus (if they state that they are incorporated by reference into this prospectus) until we file a post-effective amendment indicating that the offering of the securities made by this prospectus has been terminated.  In all cases, you should rely on the later information over different information included in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement.
 
 
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You should rely only on the information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement.  We have not, and any underwriters have not, authorized any other person to provide you with different information.  If anyone provides you with different or inconsistent information, you should not rely on it.  We are not, and the underwriters are not, making an offer to sell these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted.  You should assume that the information appearing in this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement as well as the information we previously filed with the Commission and incorporated by reference, is accurate as of the dates on the front cover of those documents only.  Our business, financial condition and results of operations and prospects may have changed since those dates.
 
You may request a free copy of the above mentioned filings or any subsequent filing we incorporated by reference to this prospectus by writing or telephoning us at the following address:
 
        Euroseas Ltd.
Aethrion Center
40 Ag. Konstantinou Street
151 24 Maroussi, Greece
011 30 211 1804005
 
Information provided by the Company
 
We will furnish holders of our common shares with annual reports containing audited financial statements and a report by our independent registered public accounting firm, and intend to furnish quarterly reports containing selected unaudited financial data for each quarter of each fiscal year. The audited financial statements will be prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America and those reports will include a “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” section for the relevant periods.  As a “foreign private issuer”, we are exempt from the rules under the Securities Exchange Act prescribing the furnishing and content of proxy statements to shareholders.  While we intend to furnish proxy statements to any shareholder in accordance with the rules of the Nasdaq Global Select Market, those proxy statements are not expected to conform to Schedule 14A of the proxy rules promulgated under the Exchange Act.  In addition, as a “foreign private issuer”, we are exempt from the rules under the Exchange Act relating to short swing profit reporting and liability.
 

 
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DISCLOSURE OF COMMISSION POSITION ON
 
INDEMNIFICATION FOR SECURITIES ACT LIABILITIES
 

Our bylaws provide that any person who is or was a director or officer of the Company, or is or was serving at the request of the Company as a director or officer of another, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, shall be entitled to be indemnified by the Company upon the same terms, under the same conditions, and to the same extent as authorized by Section 60 of the Business Corporations Act (Part I of the Associations Law) of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, if he acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful.  We are also expressly authorized to advance certain expenses (including attorneys’ fees and disbursements and court costs) to our directors and offices and carry directors’ and officers’ insurance providing indemnification for our directors, officers and certain employees for some liabilities. We believe that these indemnification provisions and insurance are useful to attract and retain qualified directors and executive offices.
 
There is currently no pending material litigation or proceeding involving any of our directors, officers or employees for which indemnification is sought.
 
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the Company pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the Company has been advised that in the opinion of the Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the Company of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the Company in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, that Company will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the claim has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
 

 
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GLOSSARY OF SHIPPING TERMS
 
The following are definitions of certain terms that are commonly used in the shipping industry and in this prospectus.
 
Annual survey . The inspection of a vessel pursuant to international conventions, by a classification society surveyor, on behalf of the flag state, that takes place every year.
 
Ballast . A voyage during which the ship is not laden with cargo vessel.
 
Bareboat charter . A charter of a vessel under which the shipowner is usually paid a fixed daily or monthly rate for a certain period of time during which the charterer is responsible for the vessel operating expenses and voyage expenses of the vessel and for the management of the vessel. In this case, all voyage related costs, including vessel fuel, or bunker, and port dues as well as all vessel operating expenses, such as day-to-day operations, maintenance, crewing and insurance are paid by the charterer. A bareboat charter is also known as a “demise charter” or a “time charter by demise” and involves the use of a vessel usually over longer periods of time ranging over several years. The owner of the vessel receives monthly charterhire payments on a per day basis and is responsible only for the payment of capital costs related to the vessel.
 
Bunkers . Fuel oil used to operate a vessel’s engines, generators and boilers.
 
Capesize . A drybulk carrier with a cargo-carrying capacity exceeding 80,000 dwt. These vessels generally operate along long haul iron ore and coal trade routes. Only the largest ports around the world possess the infrastructure to accommodate vessels of this size.
 
Charter . The hire of a vessel for a specified period of time or to carry a cargo for a fixed fee from a loading port to a discharging port. The contract for a charter is called a charterparty.
 
Charterer . The company that hires a vessel pursuant to a charter.
 
Charterhire . Money paid to the shipowner by a charterer for the use of a vessel under charter. Such payments are usually made during the course of the charter every 15 or 30 days in advance or in arrears by multiplying the daily charter rate times the number of days and, under a time charter only, subtracting any time the vessel was deemed to be off-hire. Under a bareboat charter such payments are usually made monthly and are calculated on a 360 or 365 calendar year basis.
 
Charter rate . The amount of money agreed between the charterer and the shipowner accrued on a daily or monthly basis that is used to calculate the vessel’s charterhire.
 
Classification society . An independent society that certifies that a vessel has been built and maintained according to the society’s rules for that type of vessel and complies with the applicable rules and regulations of the country in which the vessel is registered, as well as the international conventions which that country has ratified. A vessel that receives its certification is referred to as being “in class” as of the date of issuance.
 
Containerships . Vessels which are specially designed and built to carry large numbers of containers.
 
Contract of affreightment . A contract of affreightment, or COA, relates to the carriage of specific quantities of cargo with multiple voyages over the same route and over a specific period of time which usually spans a number of years. A COA does not designate the specific vessels or voyage schedules that will transport the cargo, thereby providing both the charterer and shipowner greater operating flexibility than with voyage charters alone. The charterer has the flexibility to determine the individual voyage scheduling at a future date while the shipowner may use different ships to perform these individual voyages. As a result COAs are mostly entered into by large fleet operators such as pools or shipowners with large fleets of the same vessel type. All of the ship’s operating, voyage and capital costs are borne by the shipowner while the freight rate normally is agreed on a per cargo ton basis.
 
 
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Deadweight ton or “dwt” A unit of a vessel’s capacity for cargo, fuel oil, stores and crew, measured in metric tons of 1,000 kilograms. A vessel’s dwt or total deadweight is the total weight the vessel can carry when loaded to a particular load line.
 
Deep sea containership . A Deep Sea containership has a cargo carrying capacity of more than 3,000 teu and mostly serves the mainlane East-West container trade routes.
 
Drybulk . Non-liquid cargoes of commodities shipped in an unpackaged state.
 
Drybulk carriers . Vessels which are specially designed and built to carry large volumes of drybulk.
 
Drydocking . The removal of a vessel from the water for inspection and/or repair of those parts of a vessel which are below the water line. During drydockings, which are required to be carried out periodically, certain mandatory classification society inspections are carried out and relevant certifications issued. Dry-dockings are generally required once every 30 to 60 months.
 
Feeder . A short-sea containership having a cargo carrying capacity of less than 1,300 teu that transfers cargo between a central “hub” port and smaller “spoke” ports.
 
Fully cellular containership . A containership equipped throughout with fixed cell guides for containers.
 
Freight . Money paid to the shipowner by a charterer for the use of a vessel under a voyage charter. Such payment is usually made on a lump-sum basis upon loading or discharging the cargo and is derived by multiplying the tons of cargo loaded on board by the cost per cargo ton, as agreed to transport that cargo between the specific ports.
 
Gross ton . A unit of measurement for the total enclosed space within a ship equal to 100 cubic feet or 2.831 cubic meters used in arriving at the calculation of gross tonnage.
 
Handymax . Handymax vessels are drybulk vessels that have a cargo carrying capacity of approximately 40,000 to 59,999 dwt. These vessels operate on a large number of geographically dispersed global trade routes, carrying primarily grains and minor bulks. Vessels below 60,000 dwt are usually built with on-board cranes enabling them to load and discharge cargo in countries and ports with limited infrastructure.
 
Handysize . Handysize vessels have a cargo carrying capacity of approximately 10,000 to 39,999 dwt and 1,300 to 1,999 teu. These vessels carry exclusively minor bulk cargo. Increasingly, these vessels are operating on regional trading routes. Handysize vessels are well suited for small ports with length and draft restrictions that may lack the infrastructure for cargo loading and unloading.
 
Hull . Shell or body of a ship.
 
 
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IMO . International Maritime Organization, a United Nations agency that issues international regulations and standards for seaborne transportation.
 
Intermediate containership . An Intermediate containership has a cargo carrying capacity between 2,000 and 2,999 teu and mostly serves the North-South and Intermediate container trade routes.
 
Intermediate survey . The inspection of a vessel by a classification society surveyor which takes place between two and three years before and after each Special Survey for such vessel pursuant to the rules of international conventions and classification societies.
 
Metric ton . A unit of weight equal to 1,000 kilograms.
 
Newbuilding . A new vessel under construction or just completed.
 
Off-Hire . The period a vessel is unable to perform the services for which it is required under a charter. Off-hire periods typically include days spent undergoing repairs and dry-docking, whether or not scheduled.
 
OPA . Oil Pollution Act of 1990 of the United States (as amended).
 
Panamax . Panamax vessels have a cargo carrying capacity of approximately 60,000 to 79,999 dwt. The ability of Panamax vessels to pass through the Panama Canal makes them more versatile than larger vessels. Panamax drybulk carriers carry coal, grains, and, to a lesser extent, minor bulks, including steel products, forest products and fertilizers.
 
Period charter . A period charter is an industry term referring to both time and bareboat charters that last for more than a single voyage.
 
Pools . Pooling arrangements that enable participating vessels to combine their revenues. Vessels may be employed either exclusively in spot charters or a combination of spot and period charters and contacts of affreightment. Pools are administered by the pool manager who secures employment for the participating vessels. The contract between a vessel in a shipping pool and the pool manager is a period charter where the charter hire is based on the vessel’s corresponding share of the income generated by all the vessels that participate in the pool. The corresponding share of every vessel in the pool is based on a pre-determined formula rating the technical specifications of each vessel. Pools have the size and scope to combine spot market voyages, time charters and contracts of affreightment with freight forward agreements for hedging purposes to perform more efficient vessel scheduling thereby increasing fleet utilization.
 
Protection and indemnity (or P&I) insurance . Insurance obtained through mutual associations (called “Clubs”) formed by shipowners to provide liability insurance protection against a large financial loss by one member by contribution towards that loss by all members. To a great extent, the risks are reinsured.
 
Scrapping . The disposal of old or damaged vessel tonnage by way of sale as scrap metal.
 
Short fund . A contract of affreightment to carry cargo.
 
SOLAS . The International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea 1974, as amended, adopted under the auspices of the IMO.
 
 
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Special survey . An extensive inspection of a vessel by classification society surveyors that must be completed within five years. Special Surveys require a vessel to be dry-docked.
 
Spot charter. A spot charter is an industry term referring to both voyage and trip time charters. These charters are referred to as spot charters or spot market charters due to their short term duration, constituting mostly of a single voyage between one load port and one discharge port.
 
Spot market . The market for immediate chartering of a vessel usually for single voyages.
 
TEU . Twenty-foot equivalent unit, the international standard measure for containers and containership capacity.
 
TCE . Time charter equivalent, a standard industry measure of the average daily revenue performance of a vessel. The TCE rate achieved on a given voyage is expressed in $ per day and is generally calculated by subtracting voyage expenses, including bunkers and port charges, from voyage revenues and dividing the net amount (time charter equivalent revenues) by the voyage days, including the trip to the loading port. TCE is a standard seaborne transportation industry performance measure used primarily to compare period-to-period changes in a seaborne transportation company’s performance despite changes in the mix of charter types (i.e., voyage charters, time charters and bareboat charters) under which the vessels may be employed during specific periods.
 
Time charter . A time charter is a contract under which a charterer pays a fixed daily hire rate usually on a semi-monthly basis for use of the vessel for an agreed period. This is either a specific fixed period of time or a specific number of loaded voyages. Subject to any restrictions in the charter, the charterer decides the type and quantity of cargo to be carried and the ports of loading and unloading. The charterer pays the voyage related expenses such as fuel, canal tolls, and port charges. The shipowner pays all vessel operating expenses such as the management expenses and crew costs as well as for the capital costs of the vessel. Any delays at port or during the voyages are the responsibility of the charterer, save for certain specific exceptions such as loss of time arising from vessel breakdown and routine maintenance.
 
Trip time charter . A trip time charter is a short term time charter where the vessel performs a single voyage between load port(s) and discharge port(s) and the charterer pays a fixed daily hire rate usually on a semi-monthly basis for use of the vessel. The difference between a trip time charter and a voyage charter is only in the form of payment for use of the vessel and the respective financial responsibilities of the charterer and shipowner as described under Time Charter and Voyage Charter.
 
Ton . See “Metric ton.”
 
Vessel operating expenses . The costs of operating a vessel that is incurred during a charter, primarily consisting of crew wages and associated costs, insurance premiums, lubricants and spare parts, and repair and maintenance costs. Vessel operating expenses exclude fuel and port charges, which are known as “voyage expenses.” For a time charter, the shipowner pays vessel operating expenses. For a bareboat charter, the charterer pays vessel operating expenses.
 
Voyage charter . A voyage charter involves the carriage of a specific amount and type of cargo from specific load port(s) to specific discharge port(s), subject to various cargo handling terms. Most of these charters are of a single voyage nature between two specific ports, as trading patterns do not encourage round voyage trading. The owner of the vessel receives one payment derived by multiplying the tons of cargo loaded on board by the cost per cargo ton, as agreed to transport that cargo between the specific ports. The owner is responsible for the payment of all expenses including voyage, operating and capital costs of the vessel.. The charterer is typically responsible for any delay at the loading or discharging ports.
 
 
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Voyage expenses . Expenses incurred due to a vessel’s traveling from a loading port to a discharging port, such as fuel (bunker) cost, port expenses, agent’s fees, canal dues and extra war risk insurance, as well as commissions.
 

 
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PART II

INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN THE PROSPECTUS


Item 8. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.

The bylaws of the Registrant provide that any person who is or was a director or officer of the Registrant, or is or was serving at the request of the Registrant as a director or officer of another, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, shall be entitled to be indemnified by the Registrant upon the same terms, under the same conditions, and to the same extent as authorized by Section 60 of the Business Corporations Act (Part I of the Associations Law) of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, if he acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Registrant, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful.

Section 60 of the Business Corporations Act (Part I of the Associations Law) of the Republic of the Marshall Islands provides as follows:

Indemnification of directors and officers.

(1) Actions not by or in right of the corporation. A corporation shall have power to indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (other than an action by or in the right of the corporation) by reason of the fact that he is or was a director or officer of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director or officer of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, against expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection with such action, suit or proceeding if he acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful. The termination of any action, suit or proceeding by judgment, order, settlement, conviction, or upon a plea of no contest, or its equivalent, shall not, of itself, create a presumption that the person did not act in good faith and in a manner which he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had reasonable cause to believe that his conduct was unlawful.

(2) Actions by or in right of the corporation. A corporation shall have the power to indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action or suit by or in the right of the corporation to procure judgment in its favor by reason of the fact that he is or was a director or officer of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director or officer of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonably incurred by him or in connection with the defense or settlement of such action or suit if he acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation and except that no indemnification shall be made in respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which such person shall have been adjudged to be liable for negligence or misconduct in the performance of his duty to the corporation unless and only to the extent that the court in which such action or suit was brought shall determine upon application that, despite the adjudication of liability but in view of all the circumstances of the case, such person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses which the court shall deem proper.

(3) When director or officer is successful. To the extent that director or officer of a corporation has been successful on the merits or otherwise in defense of any action, suit or proceeding referred to in subsections (1) or (2) of this section, or in the defense of a claim, issue or matter therein, he shall be indemnified against expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection therewith.
 
 
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(4) Payment of expenses in advance. Expenses incurred in defending a civil or criminal action, suit or proceeding may be paid in advance of the final disposition of such action, suit or proceeding as authorized by the board of directors in the specific case upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of the director or officer to repay such amount if it shall ultimately be determined that he is not entitled to be indemnified by the corporation as authorized in this section.

(5) Indemnification pursuant to other rights. The indemnification and advancement of expenses provided by, or granted pursuant to, the other subsections of this section shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which those seeking indemnification or advancement of expenses may be entitled under any bylaw, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise, both as to action in his official capacity and as to action in another capacity while holding such office.

(6) Continuation of indemnification. The indemnification and advancement of expenses provided by, or granted pursuant to, this section shall, unless otherwise provided when authorized or ratified, continue as to a person who has ceased to be a director, officer, employee or agent and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors and administrators of such a person.

(7) Insurance. A corporation shall have power to purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a director or officer of the corporation or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director or officer against any liability asserted against him and incurred by him in such capacity whether or not the corporation would have the power to indemnify him against such liability under the provisions of this section.


Item 9. Exhibits

A list of exhibits included as part of this registration statement is set forth in the Exhibit Index which immediately precedes such exhibits and is incorporated herein by reference.
 

Item 10. Undertakings.

 
The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:

 
(1)
To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement,

 
(i)
To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933;

 
(ii)
To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Securities Exchange Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than 20 percent change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the “Calculation of Registration Fee” table in the effective registration statement.
 
 
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(iii)
To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such information in the registration statement.
 
 
Paragraphs 1(i), 1(ii) and 1(iii) above, do not apply if the information required to be included in a post effective amendment is contained in reports filed with or furnished to the Securities Exchange Commission that are incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement or is contained in a form of prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the Securities Act that is part of this Registration Statement,
 
 
(2)
That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

 
(3)
To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.

 
(4)
To file a post-effective amendment to the registration statement to include any financial statements required by Item 8.A. of Form 20-F at the start of any delayed offering or throughout a continuous offering.  Financial statements and information otherwise required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Act need not be furnished, provided , that the registrant includes in the prospectus, by means of a post-effective amendment, financial statements required pursuant to this paragraph (a)(4) and other information necessary to ensure that all other information in the prospectus is at least as current as the date of those financial statements.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, with respect to registration statements on Form F-3, a post-effective amendment need not be filed to include financial statements and information required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933 or Rule 3-19 of this chapter if such financial statements and information are contained in periodic reports filed with or furnished to the Securities Exchange Commission by the registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in the Form F-3.

            (5)  
Each prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3) shall be deemed to be part of this Registration Statement as of the date the filed prospectus was deemed part of and included in this Registration Statement.

            (6)  
Each prospectus required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2), (b)(5), or (b)(7) as part of this Registration Statement for the purpose of providing the information required by section 10(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 shall be deemed to be part of and included in this Registration Statement as of the earlier of the date such form of prospectus is first used after effectiveness or the date of the first contract of sale of securities in the offering described in the prospectus.  As provided in Rule 430B, for liability purposes of the issuer and any person that is at that date an underwriter, such date shall be deemed to be a new effective date of the registration statement relating to the securities in the registration statement to which that prospectus relates, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.  Provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such effective date, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such effective date.
 
 
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             (7)  
The undersigned registrant undertakes that in a primary offering of securities of the undersigned registrant pursuant to this Registration Statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following communications, the undersigned registrant will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to such purchaser:

(i)  
Any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the undersigned registrant relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424;

(ii)  
Any free writing prospectus relating to the offering prepared by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant or used or referred to by the undersigned registrant;

(iii)  
The portion of any other free writing prospectus relating to the offering containing material information about the undersigned registrant or its securities provided by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant; and

(iv)  
Any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by the undersigned registrant to the purchaser.

 
(8)
The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the registrant’s annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan’s annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that is incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

 
(9)
The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes to deliver or cause to be delivered with the prospectus, to each person to whom the prospectus is sent or given, the latest annual report, to security holders that is incorporated by reference in the prospectus and furnished pursuant to and meeting the requirements of Rule 14a-3 or Rule 14c-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and, where interim financial information required to be presented by Article 3 of Regulation S-X is not set forth in the prospectus, to deliver, or cause to be delivered to each person to whom the prospectus is sent or given, the latest quarterly report that is specifically incorporated by reference in the prospectus to provide such interim financial information.

            (10)
The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes to file an application for the purpose of determining the eligibility of the trustee to act under subsection (a) of Section 310 of the Trust Indenture Act in accordance with the rules an regulations prescribed by the Commission under Section 305(b)(2) of the Trust Indenture Act.

            (11)
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the Registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

 
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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form F-3 and has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Maroussi, country of Greece on July 2, 2008.

 
EUROSEAS LTD.
 
 
By:
/s/ Aristides J. Pittas
 
Name:
Aristides J. Pittas
 
Title:
President and Chief Executive Officer

KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Aristides J. Pittas and Dr. Anastasios Aslidis his or her true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, with full powers of substitution and resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any or all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this Registration Statement, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorney-in-fact and agent full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done, as fully for all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorney-in-fact and agent, or his substitute, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons on July 2, 2008 in the capacities indicated.

Signature
Title
Date
     
/s/ Aristides J. Pittas
Aristides J. Pittas
 
Chairman of the Board of Directors,
President and Chief Executive Officer
(Principal Executive Officer)
 
July 2, 2008
/s/ Dr. Anastasios Aslidis
Dr. Anastasios Aslidis
 
 
Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer and Director (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer) and Authorized Representative in the United States
July 2, 2008
/s/ Aristides P. Pittas
Aristides P. Pittas
Vice Chairman and Director
July 2, 2008
     
/s/ Stephania Kamiri
Stephania Kamiri
Secretary
July 2, 2008
     
/s/ George Skarvelis
George Skarvelis
Director
July 2, 2008
     
/s/ Gerald Turner
Gerald Turner
Director
July 2, 2008
     
/s/ Panagiotis Kyriakopoulos
Panagiotis Kyriakopoulos
Director
July 2, 2008


 
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Exhibits
Description of Exhibits
   
1.1
Form of Underwriting Agreement *
   
3.1
Articles of Incorporation of Euroseas Ltd.
   
3.2
Bylaws of Euroseas Ltd.
   
3.3
Amendment to Articles of Incorporation of Euroseas Ltd.
   
4.1
Specimen common share certificate
   
4.2
Specimen preferred shares certificate *
   
4.3
Form of warrant agreement *
   
4.4
Form of purchase contract *
   
4.5
Form of unit agreement *
   
4.6
Form of senior debt security indenture
   
4.7
Form of subordinated debt security indenture
   
5.1
Opinion of Seward & Kissel LLP, United States and Marshall Islands counsel to Euroseas Ltd.
   
8.1
Opinion of Seward & Kissel LLP, as to certain tax matters
   
11.1
Computation of ratio of earnings to fixed charges (included herein under the heading “Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges”)
   
21.1
Subsidiaries of the Company
   
23.1
Consent of Seward & Kissel LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1)
   
23.2
Consent of Deloitte; Hadjipavlou, Sofianos & Cambanis S.A.
   
24.1
Power of Attorney (contained on signature page)
   
25.1
Form of T-1 Statement of Eligibility (senior indenture) *
   
25.2
Form of T-1 Statement of Eligibility (subordinated indenture) *

*
To be filed as an amendment or as an exhibit to a report filed pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended and incorporated by reference herein.





 
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  EXHIBIT 3.1

ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION
 
OF
 
EUROSEAS LTD. (THE “CORPORATION”)
 

 
PURSUANT TO THE MARSHALL ISLANDS BUSINESS CORPORATIONS ACT
 
A.  
The name of the Corporation shall be:
 
EUROSEAS LTD.
 
B.  
The purpose of the Corporation is to engage in any lawful act or activity for which corporations may now or hereafter be organized under the Marshall Islands Business Corporations Act (the “BCA”) and without in any way limiting the generality of the foregoing, the corporation shall have the power:
 
 
(1)  
To engage in ocean, coastwise and inland commerce, and generally in the carriage of freight, goods, cargo in bulk, passengers, mail and personal effects by water between the various ports of the world and to engage generally in waterborne commerce.
 
 
(2)  
To act as ship’s husband, ship brokers, custom house brokers, ship’s agents, manager of shipping property, freight contractors, forwarding agents, warehousemen, wharfingers, ship chandlers, and general traders.
 
C.  
The registered address of the Corporation in the Marshall Islands is Trust Company Complex, Ajeltake Road, Ajeltake Island, Majuro, Marshall Islands MH96960.  The name of the Corporation’s registered agent at such address is The Trust Company of the Marshall Islands, Inc.  However, the Board of Directors may establish branches, offices or agencies in any place in the world and may appoint legal representatives anywhere in the world.
 
D. 
(a)
The aggregate number of shares of stock that the Corporation is authorized to issue is one hundred twenty million (120,000,000) registered shares (of which twenty million (20,000,000) shall be registered preferred shares); all of the registered shares shall have a par value of one cent (US$0.01) per share
 
 
(b)
The Corporation is authorized, without further vote or action by the shareholders, to issue the said twenty million (20,000,000) registered preferred shares with a par value of one cent (US$0.01) per share.  The Board of Directors shall have the authority to establish such series of preferred shares and with such designations, preferences and relative, participating, optional or special rights and qualifications, limitations or restrictions as shall be stated in the resolutions providing for the issue of such preferred shares.
 
E.  
No holder of shares of the Corporation shall, by reason thereof, have any preemptive or other preferential right to acquire, by subscription or otherwise, any unissued or treasury stock of the Corporation, or any other share of any class or series of the Corporation’s shares to be issued because of an increase in the authorized capital stock of the Corporation, or any bonds, certificates of indebtedness, debentures or other securities convertible into shares of the Corporation.  However, the Board of Directors may issue or dispose of any such unissued or treasury stock, or any such additional authorized issue of new shares or securities convertible into shares upon such terms as the Board of Directors may, in its discretion, determine, without offering to shareholders then of record, or any class of shareholders, any thereof, on the same terms or any terms.
 
 

 
F.  
The Corporation shall have every power which a corporation now or hereafter organized under the BCA may have.
 
G.  
The name and address of the incorporator is:
 
 
Name
Post Office Address
 
 
Majuro Nominees Ltd.
P.O. Box 1405
Majuro
Marshall Islands
 
   

H.  
Corporate existence shall begin upon the filing this Articles of Incorporation with the Registrar of Corporations.
 
I.  
The Board of Directors of the Corporation shall consist of such number of Directors, not less than three, as shall be determined from time to time by the Board of Directors as provided in the by-laws.  The Board shall be divided into three classes, each nearly equal in number as possible.  Directors shall be elected by a plurality of the votes cast at a meeting of the shareholders by the holders of shares entitled to vote in the election.  Cumulative voting, as defined in Division 7, Section 71(2) of the BCA, shall not be used to elect directors. Notwithstanding any other provisions of these Articles of Incorporation or the by-laws of the Corporation (and notwithstanding the fact that some lesser percentage may be specified by law, these Articles of Incorporation or the by-laws of the Corporation), the affirmative vote of the holders of 51% or more of the outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors (considered for this purpose as one class) shall be required to amend, alter, change or repeal this Article I.
 
J.  
The Board of Directors of the Corporation is expressly authorized to make, alter, amend or repeal by-laws of the Corporation by a vote of not less than 51% of the entire Board of Directors, and the shareholders may make additional by-laws and may alter, amend or repeal any by-law by a vote of not less than 51% of the outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote.  Notwithstanding any other provisions of these Articles of Incorporation or the by-laws of the Corporation (and notwithstanding the fact that some lesser percentage may be specified by law, these Articles of Incorporation or the by-laws of the Corporation), the affirmative vote of the holders of 51% or more of the outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors (considered for this purpose as one class) shall be required to amend, alter, change or repeal this Article J.
 
K.
(a)
The Corporation may not engage in any Business Combination with any Interested Shareholder for a period of three years following the time of the transaction in which the person became an Interested Shareholder, unless:
 
 
(1)  
prior to such time, the Board of Directors of the Corporation approved either the Business Combination or the transaction which resulted in the shareholder becoming an Interested Shareholder;
 
 

 
 
(2)  
upon consummation of the transaction which resulted in the shareholder becoming an Interested Shareholder, the Interested Shareholder owned at least 85% of the voting stock of the Corporation outstanding at the time the transaction commenced, excluding for purposes of determining the number of shares outstanding those shares owned (i) by persons who are directors and also officers and (ii) employee stock plans in which employee participants do not have the right to determine confidentially whether shares held subject to the plan will be tendered in a tender or exchange offer; or
 
 
(3)  
at or subsequent to such time, the Business Combination is approved by the Board of Directors and authorized at an annual or special meeting of shareholders, and not by written consent, by the affirmative vote of at least 51% of the outstanding voting stock that is not owned by the interested shareholder; or
 
 
(4)  
the shareholder became an Interested Shareholder prior to the consummation of the initial public offering of the Corporation's common stock under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
 
 
(b)  
The restrictions contained in this section shall not apply if:
 
 
(1)  
A shareholder becomes an Interested Shareholder inadvertently and (i) as soon as practicable divests itself of ownership of sufficient shares so that the shareholder ceases to be an Interested Shareholder; and (ii) would not, at any time within the three-year period immediately prior to a Business Combination between the Corporation and such shareholder, have been an Interested Shareholder but for the inadvertent acquisition of ownership; or
 
 
(2)  
The Business Combination is proposed prior to the consummation or abandonment of and subsequent to the earlier of the public announcement or the notice required hereunder of a proposed transaction which (i) constitutes one of the transactions described in the following sentence; (ii) is with or by a person who either was not an Interested Shareholder during the previous three years or who became an Interested Shareholder with the approval of the Board; and (iii) is approved or not opposed by a majority of the members of the Board then in office (but not less than one) who were Directors prior to any person becoming an Interested Shareholder during the previous three years or were recommended for election or elected to succeed such Directors by a majority of such Directors. The proposed transactions referred to in the preceding sentence are limited to:
 
 
(i)  
a merger or consolidation of the Corporation (except for a merger in respect of which, pursuant to the BCA, no vote of the shareholders of the Corporation is required);
 
 
(ii)  
a sale, lease, exchange, mortgage, pledge, transfer or other disposition (in one transaction or a series of transactions), whether as part of a dissolution or otherwise, of assets of the Corporation or of any direct or indirect majority-owned subsidiary of the Corporation (other than to any direct or indirect wholly-owned subsidiary or to the Corporation) having an aggregate market value equal to 50% or more of either that aggregate market value of all of the assets of the Corporation determined on a consolidated basis or the aggregate market value of all the outstanding shares; or
 
 

 
 
(iii)  
a proposed tender or exchange offer for 50% or more of the outstanding voting shares of the Corporation.
 
The Corporation shall give not less than 20 days notice to all Interested Shareholders prior to the consummation of any of the transactions described in clause (i) or (ii) of section (b)(2) of this Article K.
 
 
(c)  
For the purpose of this Article K only, the term:
 
 
(1)  
"Affiliate" means a person that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls, or is controlled by, or is under common control with, another person.
 
 
(2)  
"Associate," when used to indicate a relationship with any person, means: (i) Any corporation, partnership, unincorporated association or other entity of which such person is a director, officer or partner or is, directly or indirectly, the owner of 20% or more of any class of voting shares; (ii) any trust or other estate in which such person has at least a 20% beneficial interest or as to which such person serves as trustee or in a similar fiduciary capacity; and (iii) any relative or spouse of such person, or any relative of such spouse, who has the same residence as such person.
 
 
(3)  
"Business Combination," when used in reference to the Corporation and any Interested Shareholder of the Corporation, means:
 
 
(i)  
Any merger or consolidation of the Corporation or any direct or indirect majority-owned subsidiary of the Corporation with (A) the Interested Shareholder or any of its affiliates, or (B) with any other corporation, partnership, unincorporated association or other entity if the merger or consolidation is caused by the Interested Shareholder.
 
 
(ii)  
Any sale, lease, exchange, mortgage, pledge, transfer or other disposition (in one transaction or a series of transactions), except proportionately as a shareholder of the Corporation, to or with the Interested Shareholder, whether as part of a dissolution or otherwise, of assets of the Corporation or of any direct or indirect majority-owned subsidiary of the Corporation which assets have an aggregate market value equal to 10% or more of either the aggregate market value of all the assets of the Corporation determined on a consolidated basis or the aggregate market value of all the outstanding shares;
 
 
(iii)  
Any transaction which results in the issuance or transfer by the Corporation or by any direct or indirect majority-owned subsidiary of the Corporation of any shares, or any share of such subsidiary, to the Interested Shareholder, except: (A) pursuant to the exercise, exchange or conversion of securities exercisable for, exchangeable for or convertible into shares, or shares of any such subsidiary, which securities were outstanding prior to the time that the Interested Shareholder became such; (B) pursuant to a merger with a direct or indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of the Corporation solely for purposes of forming a holding company; (C) pursuant to a dividend or distribution paid or made, or the exercise, exchange or conversion of securities exercisable for, exchangeable for or convertible into shares, or shares of any such subsidiary, which security is distributed, pro rata to all holders of a class or series of shares subsequent to the time the Interested Shareholder became such; (D) pursuant to an exchange offer by the Corporation to purchase shares made on the same terms to all holders of said shares; or (E) any issuance or transfer of shares by the Corporation; provided however, that in no case under items (C)-(E) of this subparagraph shall there be an increase in the Interested Shareholder's proportionate share of the any class or series of shares;
 
 

 
 
(iv)  
Any transaction involving the Corporation or any direct or indirect majority-owned subsidiary of the Corporation which has the effect, directly or indirectly, of increasing the proportionate share of any class or series of shares, or securities convertible into any class or series of shares, or shares of any such subsidiary, or securities convertible into such shares, which is owned by the Interested Shareholder, except as a result of immaterial changes due to fractional share adjustments or as a result of any purchase or redemption of any shares not caused, directly or indirectly, by the Interested Shareholder; or
 
 
(v)  
Any receipt by the Interested Shareholder of the benefit, directly or indirectly (except proportionately as a shareholder of the Corporation), of any loans, advances, guarantees, pledges or other financial benefits (other than those expressly permitted in subparagraphs (i)-(iv) of this paragraph) provided by or through the Corporation or any direct or indirect majority-owned subsidiary.
 
 
(4)  
"Control," including the terms "controlling," "controlled by" and "under common control with," means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of a person, whether through the ownership of voting shares, by contract or otherwise. A person who is the owner of 20 percent or more of the outstanding voting shares of any corporation, partnership, unincorporated association or other entity shall be presumed to have control of such entity, in the absence of proof by a preponderance of the evidence to the contrary. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a presumption of control shall not apply where such person holds voting shares, in good faith and not for the purpose of circumventing this provision, as an agent, bank, broker, nominee, custodian or trustee for one or more owners who do not individually or as a group have control of such entity.
 
 
(5)  
"Interested Shareholder" means any person (other than the Corporation and any direct or indirect majority-owned subsidiary of the Corporation) that (i) is the owner of 15% or more of the outstanding voting shares of the Corporation, or (ii) is an affiliate or associate of the Corporation and was the owner of 15% or more of the outstanding voting shares of the Corporation at any time within the three-year period immediately prior to the date on which it is sought to be determined whether such person is an Interested Shareholder; and the affiliates and associates of such person; provided, however, that the term "Interested Shareholder" shall not include any person whose ownership of shares in excess of the 15% limitation set forth herein is the result of action taken solely by the Corporation; provided that such person shall be an Interested Shareholder if thereafter such person acquires additional shares of voting shares of the Corporation, except as a result of further Company action not caused, directly or indirectly, by such person. For the purpose of determining whether a person is an Interested Shareholder, the voting shares of the Corporation deemed to be outstanding shall include voting shares deemed to be owned by the person through application of paragraph (8) below, but shall not include any other unissued shares which may be issuable pursuant to any agreement, arrangement or understanding, or upon exercise of conversion rights, warrants or options, or otherwise.
 
 

 
 
(6)  
"Person" means any individual, corporation, partnership, unincorporated association or other entity.
 
 
(7)  
"Voting stock" means, with respect to any corporation, shares of any class or series entitled to vote generally in the election of directors and, with respect to any entity that is not a corporation, any equity interest entitled to vote generally in the election of the governing body of such entity.
 
 
(8)  
"Owner," including the terms "own" and "owned," when used with respect to any shares, means a person that individually or with or through any of its affiliates or associates:
 
 
(i)  
Beneficially owns such shares, directly or indirectly; or
 
 
(ii)  
Has (A) the right to acquire such shares (whether such right is exercisable immediately or only after the passage of time) pursuant to any agreement, arrangement or understanding, or upon the exercise of conversion rights, exchange rights, warrants or options, or otherwise; provided, however, that a person shall not be deemed the owner of shares tendered pursuant to a tender or exchange offer made by such person or any of such person's affiliates or associates until such tendered shares is accepted for purchase or exchange; or (B) the right to vote such shares pursuant to any agreement, arrangement or understanding; provided, however, that a person shall not be deemed the owner of any shares because of such person's right to vote such shares if the agreement, arrangement or understanding to vote such shares arises solely from a revocable proxy or consent given in response to a proxy or consent solicitation made to 10 or more persons; or
 
 
(iii)  
Has any agreement, arrangement or understanding for the purpose of acquiring, holding, voting (except voting pursuant to a revocable proxy or consent as described in item (B) of subparagraph (ii) of this paragraph), or disposing of such shares with any other person that beneficially owns, or whose affiliates or associates beneficially own, directly or indirectly, such shares.
 
 
(d)  
Any amendment of this Article K shall not be effective until 12 months after the approval of such amendment at a meeting of the shareholders of the Corporation and shall not apply to any Business Combination between the Corporation and any person who became an Interested Shareholder of the Corporation at or prior to the time of such approval.
 
 

 
 
(e)  
Notwithstanding any other provisions of these Articles of Incorporation or the by-laws of the Corporation (and notwithstanding the fact that some lesser percentage may be specified by law, these Articles of Incorporation or the by-laws of the Corporation), the affirmative vote of the holders of [51]% or more of the outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors (considered for this purpose as one class) shall be required to amend, alter, change or repeal this Article K.
 
L.   
The Corporation may transfer its corporate domicile from the Marshall Islands to any other place in the world.
 




EXHIBIT 3.2

EUROSEAS LTD. (THE "CORPORATION")

BYLAWS

As Adopted May 5, 2005



ARTICLE I
OFFICES

The principal place of business of the Corporation shall be at such place or places as the directors shall from time to time determine. The Corporation may also have an office or offices at such other places within or without the Marshall Islands as the Board of Directors may from time to time appoint or the
business of the Corporation may require.

ARTICLE II
SHAREHOLDERS

Section 1. ANNUAL MEETING: The annual meeting of shareholders of the Corporation shall be held on such day and at such time and place within or without the Marshall Islands as the Board of Directors (the "Board") may determine for the purpose of electing directors and or transacting such other business as may properly be brought before the meeting. The Chairman of the Board or, in the Chairman's absence, another person designated by the Board shall act as the Chairman of all annual meetings of shareholders.

Section 2. NATURE OF BUSINESS AT ANNUAL MEETINGS OF SHAREHOLDERS: No business may be transacted at an annual meeting of shareholders, other than business that is either (a) specified in the notice of meeting (or any supplement thereto) given by or at the direction of the Board (or any duly authorized committee thereof); (b) otherwise properly brought before the annual meeting by or at the direction of the Board (or any duly authorized committee thereof); or (c) otherwise properly brought before the annual meeting by any shareholder of the Corporation (i) who is a shareholder of record of at least ten percent (10%) of the outstanding shares of the Corporation on the date of the giving of the notice provided for in Section 2 of this Article II and has remained a shareholder of record of at least ten percent (10%) of the outstanding shares of the Corporation through the record date for the determination of shareholders entitled to vote at such annual meeting and (ii) who complies with the notice procedures set forth in Section 2 of this Article II.

In addition to any other applicable requirements, for business to be properly brought before an annual meeting by a shareholder, such shareholder must have given timely notice thereof in proper written form to the Secretary of the Corporation (the "Secretary").

To be timely a shareholder's notice to the Secretary of the Corporation must be delivered to or mailed and received at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not less than one-hundred fifty (150) days nor more than one-hundred eighty (180) days prior to the one year anniversary of the immediately preceding annual meeting of shareholders.
 
 
 
 

 

 
In no event shall the public disclosure of any adjournment of an annual meeting of the shareholders commence a new time period for the giving of the shareholder's notice described herein. To be in proper written form, a shareholder's notice to the Secretary must set forth as to each matter such shareholder proposes to bring before the annual meeting (i) a brief description of the business desired to be brought before the annual meeting and the reasons for conducting such business at the annual meeting, (ii) the name and record address of such shareholder, (iii) the class or series and number of shares of capital stock of the Corporation which are owned beneficially or of record by such shareholder, (iv) a description of all arrangements or understandings between such shareholder and any other person or persons (including their names) in connection with the proposal of such business by such shareholder and any material interest of such shareholder in such business and (v) a representation that such shareholder intends to appear in person or by proxy at the annual meeting to bring such business before the meeting. In addition, notwithstanding anything in Section 2 of this Article II to the contrary, a shareholder intending to nominate one or more persons for election as a Director at an annual meeting must comply with Article III Section 3 of these By Laws for such nomination or nominations to be properly brought before such meeting.

No business shall be conducted at the annual meeting of shareholders except business brought before the annual meeting in accordance with the procedures set forth in Section 2 of this Article II; provided, however, that, once business has been properly brought before the annual meeting in accordance with such procedures, nothing in Section 2 of this Article II shall be deemed to preclude discussion by any shareholder of any such business. If the Chairman of an annual meeting determines that business was not properly brought before the annual meeting in accordance with the foregoing procedures, the Chairman of the meeting shall declare to the meeting that the business was not properly brought before the meeting and such business shall not be transacted.

Section 3. SPECIAL MEETING: A special meeting of the shareholders may be called at any time by the Board of Directors, or by the Chairman of the Board, or by the President. No other person or persons are permitted to call a special meeting. No business may be conducted at the special meeting other than business brought before the meeting by the Board of Directors, the Chairman of the Board or the President. The Chairman of the Board or, in the Chairman's absence, another person designated by the Board shall act as the Chairman of all meetings of shareholders. If the Chairman of the special meeting determines that business was not properly brought before the special meeting in accordance with the
foregoing procedures, the Chairman shall declare to the meeting that the business was not properly brought before the meeting and such business shall not be transacted.

Section 4. NOTICE OF MEETINGS: Notice of every annual and special meeting of shareholders, other than any meeting the giving of notice of which is otherwise prescribed by law, stating the date, time, place and purpose thereof, and in the case of special meetings, the name of the person or persons at whose direction the notice is being issued, shall be given personally or sent by mail, telegraph, cablegram, telex or teleprinter at least fifteen (15) but not more than sixty (60) days before such meeting, to each shareholder of record entitled to vote thereat and to each shareholder of record who, by reason of any action proposed at such meeting would be entitled to have his shares appraised if such action were taken, and the notice shall include a statement of that purpose and to that effect. If mailed, notice shall be deemed to have been given when deposited in the mail, directed to the shareholder at his address as the same appears on the record of shareholders of the Corporation or at such address as to which the shareholder has given notice to the Secretary. Notice of a meeting need not be given to any shareholder who submits a signed waiver of notice, whether before or after the meeting, or who attends the meeting without protesting prior to the conclusion thereof the lack of notice to him.
 
 
 
 

 

 
Section 5. ADJOURNMENTS: Any meeting of shareholders, annual or special, may adjourn from time to time to reconvene at the same or some other place, and notice need not be given of any such adjourned meeting if the time and place thereof are announced at the meeting at which the adjournment is taken. At the adjourned meeting the Corporation may transact any business which might have been transacted at the original meeting. If the meeting is-adjourned for lack of quorum, notice of the new meeting shall be given to each shareholder of record entitled to vote at the meeting. If after an adjournment a new record date is fixed for the adjourned meeting, a notice of the adjourned meeting shall be given to each shareholder of record on the new record date entitled to notice in Section 4 of this Article II.

Section 6. QUORUM: At all meetings of shareholders, except as otherwise expressly provided by law, there must be present either in person or by proxy shareholders of record holding at least a majority of the shares issued and outstanding and entitled to vote at such meetings in order to constitute a quorum, but if less than a quorum is present, a majority of those shares present either in person or by proxy shall have power to adjourn any meeting until a quorum shall be present. Notwithstanding the foregoing, at all meetings of shareholders for the election of directors, a plurality of the votes cast by the holders of shares entitled to vote in the election shall be sufficient to elect directors.

Section 7. VOTING: If a quorum is present, and except as otherwise expressly provided by law, the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares of stock represented at the meeting shall be the act of the shareholders. At any meeting of shareholders, with respect to matter for which a shareholder is entitled to vote, each such shareholder shall be entitled to one vote for each share it holds. Each shareholder may exercise such voting right either in person or by proxy provided, however, that no proxy shall be valid after the expiration of eleven months from the date such proxy was authorized unless otherwise provided in the proxy. A duly executed proxy shall be irrevocable if it states that it is irrevocable and if, and only as long as, it is coupled with an interest sufficient in the law of the Marshall Islands to support an irrevocable power. A shareholder may revoke any proxy which is not irrevocable by attending the meeting and voting in person or by filing an instrument in writing revoking the proxy or another duly executed proxy bearing a later date with the Secretary of the Corporation. Shareholders may act by way of written consent in accordance with the provisions of Section 67 of the BCA.

Section 8. FIXING OF RECORD DATE: The Board of Directors may fix a time not more than sixty (60) nor less than fifteen (15) days prior to the date of any meeting of shareholders as the time as of which shareholders entitled to notice of and to vote at such a meeting shall be determined, and all persons who were holders of record of voting shares at such time and no other shall be entitled to notice of and to vote at such meeting. The Board of Directors may fix a time not exceeding sixty (60) days preceding the date fixed for the payment of any dividend, the making of any distribution, the allotment of any rights or the taking of any other action, as a record time for the determination of the shareholders entitled to receive any such dividend, distribution, or allotment or for the purpose of such other action.

ARTICLE III
DIRECTORS

Section 1. NUMBER: The affairs, business and property of the Corporation shall be managed by a Board of Directors to consist of such number of directors, not less than three, as shall be fixed by a vote of not less than 51% of the entire Board from time to time. The directors, other than those who may be elected by the holders of one or more series of preferred stock voting separately as a class pursuant to the provisions of a resolution of the Board providing for the establishment of any series of preferred stock, shall be divided into three classes: Class A, Class B and Class C, which shall be as nearly equal in number as possible. The shareholders, acting at a duly constituted meeting thereof, or by unanimous written consent of all shareholders, shall initially designate directors as Class A, Class B or Class C directors. Should the number of directors be increased, there shall be no classification of the additional directors until the next annual meeting of shareholders or the shareholders have classified such additional directors by unanimous written consent of all shareholders. The initial term of office of each class of directors shall be as follows: the directors first designated as Class A directors shall serve for a term expiring at the 2005 annual meeting of the shareholders, the directors first designated as Class B directors shall serve for a term expiring at the 2006 annual meeting, and the directors first designated as Class C directors shall
 
 
 
 

 
 
serve for a term expiring at the 2007 annual meeting. At each annual meeting after such initial term, directors to replace those whose terms expire at such annual meeting shall be elected to hold office until the third succeeding annual meeting. Each director shall serve his respective term of office until his successor shall have been elected and qualified, except in the event of his death, resignation or removal. No decrease in the number of directors shall shorten the term of any incumbent director. The directors need not be residents of the Marshall Islands or shareholders of the Corporation. Corporations may, to the extent permitted by law, be elected or appointed directors.

Section 2. HOW ELECTED: Except as otherwise provided by law or in Section 5 of this Article III, the directors of the Corporation (other than the first Board of Directors if named in the Articles of Incorporation or designated by the incorporators) shall be elected at the annual meeting of shareholders. Except as otherwise provided in Section 1 of this Article III, each Director shall be elected to serve until the third succeeding annual meeting of shareholders and until his successor shall have been duly elected and qualified, except in the event of his death, resignation, removal or the earlier termination of his term of office.

Section 3. NOMINATION OF DIRECTORS: Only persons who are nominated in accordance with the following procedures shall be eligible for election as directors of the Corporation, except as may be otherwise provided in the Articles of Incorporation with respect to the right of holders of preferred stock of the Corporation to nominate and elect a specified number of directors in certain circumstances. Nominations of persons for election to the Board of Directors may be made at any annual meeting of shareholders (a) by or at the direction of the Board of Directors (or any duly authorized committee thereof) or (b) by any shareholders of the Corporation (i) who is a shareholder of record on the date of the giving of the notice provided for in Section 3 of this Article III and on the record date for the determination of shareholder entitled to vote at such meeting and (ii) who complies with the notice procedures set forth in Section 3 of this Article III.

In addition to any other applicable requirements, for a nomination to be made by a shareholder, such shareholder must have given timely notice thereof in proper written form to the Secretary of the Corporation.

To be timely, a shareholder's notice to the Secretary must be delivered to or mailed and received at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not less than one-hundred fifty (150) days nor more than one-hundred eighty (180) days prior to the anniversary date of the immediately preceding annual meeting of shareholders.

To be in proper written form, a shareholder's notice to the Secretary must set forth; (a) as to each person whom the shareholder proposes to nominate for election as a director (i) the name, age, business address and residence address of the person, (ii) the principal occupation or employment of the person, (iii) the class or series and number of shares of capital stock of the Corporation which are owned beneficially or of record by the person and (iv) any other information relating to the person that would be required to be disclosed in a proxy statement or other filings required to be made in connection with solicitations of proxies for election of directors pursuant to Section 14 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder applicable to issuers that are not foreign private issuers and (b) as to the shareholder giving the notice (i) the name and record address of such shareholder, (ii) the class or series and number of shares of capital stock of the Corporation which are owned beneficially and of record by such shareholder, (iii) a description of all arrangements or understandings between such shareholder and each proposed nominee and any other person and persons (including their names) pursuant to which the nomination(s) are to be made by such shareholder, (iv) a representation that such shareholder intends to appear in person or by proxy at the meeting to nominate the person or persons named in its notice and (v) any other information relating to such shareholder that would be required to be disclosed in a proxy statement or other filings required to be made in connection with solicitations of proxies for election of directors pursuant to Section 14 of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder. Such notice must be accompanied by a written consent of each proposed nominee to being named as a nominee and to serve as a director if elected.
 
 
 
 

 

 
No person shall be eligible for election as a director of the Corporation unless nominated in accordance with the procedures set forth in Section 3 of this Article III. If the Chairman of the meeting determines that a nomination was not made in accordance with the foregoing procedures, the Chairman shall declare to the meeting that the nomination was defective and such defective nomination shall be disregarded.

Section 4. REMOVAL: Any or all of the directors may be removed, with cause by the affirmative vote of holders of 51% of the issued and outstanding voting shares of the Corporation. Any director may be removed for cause by action of the Board of Directors. No director may be removed without cause by either the shareholders or the Board of Directors. Except as otherwise provided by applicable law, cause for the removal of a director shall be deemed to exist only if the director whose removal is proposed: (i) has been convicted, or has been granted immunity to testify in any proceeding in which another has been convicted, of a felony by a court of competent jurisdiction and that conviction is no longer subject to direct appeal; (ii) has been found to have been negligent or guilty of misconduct in the performance of his duties to the Corporation in any matter of substantial importance to the Corporation by (A) the affirmative vote of at least 80% of the directors then in office at any meeting of the Board of Directors called for that purpose or (B) a court of competent jurisdiction; or (iii) has been adjudicated by a court of competent jurisdiction to be mentally incompetent, which mental incompetence directly affects his ability to serve as a director of the Corporation.

No proposal by a shareholder to remove a director shall be voted upon at a meeting of the shareholders unless such shareholder has given timely notice thereof in proper written form to the Secretary. To be timely, a shareholder's notice to the Secretary must be delivered to or mailed and received at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not less than one hundred and twenty (120) days nor more than one hundred eighty (180) days prior to the anniversary date of the immediately preceding annual meeting of the shareholders. To be in proper written form, a shareholder's notice must set forth: (a) a statement of the grounds, if any, on which such director is proposed to be removed, (b) evidence reasonably satisfactory to the Secretary, of such shareholder's status as such and of the number of shares of each class of capital stock of the Corporation beneficially owned by such shareholder, and (c) a list of the names and addresses of other shareholders of the Corporation, if any, with whom such shareholder is acting in concert, and the number of shares of each class of capital stock of the Corporation beneficially owned by each such shareholder.

No shareholder proposal to remove a director shall be voted upon at an annual meeting of the shareholders unless proposed in accordance with the procedures set forth in Section 4 of this Article III. If the Chairman of the meeting determines, based on the facts, that a shareholder proposal to remove a director was not made in accordance with the foregoing procedures, the Chairman shall declare to the meeting that a proposal to remove a director of the Corporation was not made in accordance with the procedures prescribed by these Bylaws, and such defective proposal shall be disregarded.

All of the foregoing provisions of Section 4 of this Article III are subject to the terms of any preferred stock with respect to the directors to be elected solely by the holders of such preferred stock.

Section 5. VACANCIES: Vacancies in the Board of Directors occurring by death, resignation, creation of new directorship, failure of the shareholders to elect the whole class of directors required to be elected at any annual election of directors or for any other reason, including removal of directors for cause, may be filled by the affirmative vote of a majority of the remaining directors then in office, although less than a quorum, at any special meeting called for that purpose or at any regular meeting of the Board.
 
 
 
 

 

 
Section 6. REGULAR MEETINGS: Regular meetings of the Board of Directors may be held at such time and place as may be determined by resolution of the Board of Directors and no notice shall be required for any regular meeting. Except as otherwise provided by law, any business may be transacted at any regular meeting.

Section 7. SPECIAL MEETING: Special meetings of the Board of Directors may, unless otherwise prescribed by law, be called from time to time by the Chairman, the President, or any officer of the Corporation who is also a director. The President or the Secretary shall call a special meeting of the Board upon written request directed to either of them by any two directors stating the time, place and purpose of such special meeting. Special meetings of the Board shall be held on a date and at such time and at such place as may be designated in the notice thereof by the officer calling the meeting.

Section 8. NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETING: Notice of the special date, time and place of each special meeting of the Board of Directors shall be given to each Director at least forty eight (48) hours prior to such meeting, unless the notice is given orally or delivered in person, in which case it shall be given at least twenty-four (24) hours prior to such meeting. For the purpose of this section, notice shall be deemed to be duly given to a Director if given to him personally (including by telephone) or if such notice be delivered to such Director by mail, telegraph, cablegram, telex or teleprinter to his last known address Notice of a meeting need not be given to any Director who submits a signed waiver of notice, whether before of after the meeting, or who attends the meeting without protesting, prior to the conclusion thereof, the lack of notice to him.

Section 9. QUORUM: A majority of the directors at the time in office, present in person or by proxy or conference telephone, shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.

Section 10. INTERESTED DIRECTORS. No contract or transaction between the Corporation and one or more of its directors or officers, or between the Corporation and any other corporation, partnership, association or other organization in which one or more of its directors or officers are directors or officers, or have a financial interest, shall be void or voidable solely for this reason, or solely because the director or officer is present at or participates in the meeting of the Board of Directors or committee thereof which authorizes the contract or transaction, or solely because his or her or their votes are counted for such purpose, if: (i) the material facts as to his or her relationship or interest and as to the contract or transaction are disclosed or are known to the Board or the committee and the Board or committee in good faith authorizes the contract or transaction by the affirmative votes of a majority of the disinterested directors, or, if the votes of the disinterested directors are insufficient to constitute an act of the Board of Directors as defined in Section 55 of the BCA, by unanimous vote of the disinterested directors; or (ii) the material facts as to his relationship or interest and as to the shareholders entitled to vote thereon, and the contract or transaction is specifically approved in good faith by vote of the shareholders; or (iii) the contract or transaction is fair as to the Corporation as of the time it is authorized, approved or ratified, by the Board, a committee thereof or the shareholders. Common or interested directors may be counted in determining the presence of a quorum at a meeting of the Board or of a committee which authorizes the contract or transaction.

Section 11. VOTING: The vote of the majority of the directors, present in person or by proxy or conference telephone, at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the act of the directors. Any action required or permitted to be taken at a meeting may be taken without a meeting if all members of the Board consent hereto in writing.
 
 
 
 

 

 
Section 12. COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS AND MEMBERS OF COMMITTEES: The Board may from time to time, in its discretion, fix the amounts which shall be payable to members of the Board of Directors and to members of any committee, for attendance at the meetings of the Board or of such committee and for services rendered to the Corporation.

ARTICLE IV
COMMITTEES

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE AND OTHER COMMITTEES: The Board of Directors may, by resolution or resolutions passed by a majority of the entire Board, designate from among its members an executive committee to consist of two or more of the directors of the Corporation, which, to the extent provided in said resolution or resolutions, or in these By Laws, shall have and may exercise, to the extent permitted by law, the powers of the Board of Directors in the management of the business and affairs of the Corporation, and may have power to authorize the seal of the Corporation to be affixed to all papers which may require it provided, however, that no committee shall have the power or authority to (i)
fill a vacancy in the Board of Directors or in a committee thereof, (ii) amend or repeal any By-law or adopt any new By-law, (iii) amend or repeal any resolution of the entire Board, (iv) or increase the number of directors on the Board of Directors, or (v) remove any Director. In addition, the Board may designate from among its members other committees to consist of two or more of the directors of the Corporation, each of which shall perform such functions and have such authority and powers as shall be delegated to such committee by said resolution or resolutions or as provided for in these By Laws, except that only the executive committee may have and exercise the powers of the Board of Directors. Members of the executive committee and any other committee shall hold office for such period as may be prescribed by the vote of the entire Board of Directors, subject, however, to removal at any time by the vote of the Board of Directors. Vacancies in membership of such committees shall be filled by vote of
the Board of Directors. Committees may adopt their own rules of procedures and may meet at stated times or on such notice as they may determine. Each committee shall keep a record of its proceedings and report the same to the Board when required.

ARTICLE V
OFFICERS

Section 1. NUMBER AND DESIGNATION: The Board of Directors shall elect a President, Secretary and Treasurer and such other officers as it may deem necessary. Officers may be of any nationality and need not be residents of the Marshall Islands. The Officers shall be elected annually by the Board of Directors at its first meeting following the annual election of directors, except that the initial officers may be named by the Board at its first meeting following such Board's appointment in the Articles of Incorporation or as designated by the incorporators) but in the event of the failure of the Board to so elect any officer, such officer may be elected at any subsequent meeting of the Board of Directors. The salaries of officers and any other compensation paid to them shall be fixed from time to time by the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors may at any meeting elect additional officers. Each officer shall hold office until the first meeting of the Board of Directors following the next annual election of directors and until his successor shall have been duly elected and qualified except in the event of the earlier termination of his term of office, through death, resignation, removal or otherwise. Any officer may be removed by the Board at any time with or without cause. Any vacancy in an office may be filled for the unexpired position of the term of such office by the Board of Directors at any regular or special meeting.

Section 2. PRESIDENT: In the absence of the Chairman of the Board, the President of the Corporation shall preside at all meetings of the Board of Directors and of the shareholders at which he or she shall be present. The President shall perform all duties incident to the office of president of a corporation and such other duties as may, from time to time, be assigned to him or her by the Board of Directors or as may be provided by law.
 
 
 
 

 

 
Section 3. SECRETARY: The Secretary shall act as Secretary of all meetings of the shareholders and of the Board of Directors at which he is present, shall have supervision over the giving and serving of notices of the Corporation, shall be the custodian of the corporate records of the corporate seal of the Corporation, shall be empowered to affix the corporate seal to those documents, the execution of which, on behalf of the Corporation under its seal, is duly authorized and when so affixed may attest the same, and shall exercise the powers and perform such other duties as may be assigned to him by the Board of Directors or the President.

Section 4. TREASURER: The Treasurer shall have general supervision over the care and custody of the funds, securities, and other valuable effects of the Corporation and shall deposit the same or cause the same to be deposited in the name of the Corporation in such depositories as the Board of Directors may designate, shall disburse the funds of the Corporation as may be ordered by the Board of Directors, shall have supervision over the accounts of all receipts and disbursements of the Corporation, shall, whenever required by the Board, render or cause to be rendered financial statements of the Corporation, shall have the power and perform the duties usually incident to the office of Treasurer, and shall have such powers and perform other duties as may be assigned to him by the Board of Directors or President.

Section 5. OTHER OFFICERS: Officers other than those treated in Sections 2 through 4 of this Article V shall exercise such powers and perform such duties as may be assigned to them by the Board of Directors or the President.

Section 6. BOND: The Board of Directors shall have power to the extent permitted by law to require any officer, agent or employee of the Corporation to give bond for the faithful discharge of his duties in such form and with such surety as the Board of Directors may deem advisable.

ARTICLE VI
CERTIFICATES FOR SHARES

Section 1. FORM AND ISSUANCE: The Shares of the Corporation shall be represented by certificates in form meeting the requirements of law and approved by the Board of Directors. Certificates shall be signed by the President or a Vice-President and by the Secretary or any Assistant Secretary or the Treasurer or any Assistant Treasurer. These signatures may be facsimiles if the certificate is countersigned by a transfer agent or registered by a registrar other than the Corporation itself or its employee.

Section 2. TRANSFER: The Board of Directors shall have power and authority to make such rules and regulations as they may deem expedient concerning the issuance, registration and transfer of certificates representing shares of the Corporation's stock, and may appoint transfer agents and registrars thereof.

Section 3. LOSS OF STOCK CERTIFICATES: The Board of Directors may direct a new certificate of stock to be issued in place of any certificate or certificates theretofore issued by the Corporation alleged to have been lost or destroyed, upon the making of an affidavit of that fact by the person claiming the certificate of stock to be lost or destroyed. When authorizing such issue of a new certificate or certificates, the Board of Directors may, in its discretion and as a condition precedent to the issuance thereof, require the owner of such lost or destroyed certificate or certificates, or his legal representative, to advertise the same in such manner as it shall require and/or give the Corporation a bond in such sum as it may direct indemnity against any claim that may be made against the Corporation with respect to the certificate alleged to have been lost or destroyed.
 
 
 
 

 
 
ARTICLE VII
DIVIDENDS

DECLARATION AND FORM: Dividends may be declared in conformity with applicable law by, and at the discretion of, the Board of Directors at any regular or special meeting. Dividends may be declared and paid in cash, stock or other property of the Corporation.

ARTICLE VIII
INDEMNIFICATION

Section 1. INDEMNIFICATION: Any person who is or was a director or officer of the Corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director or officer of another, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise shall be entitled to be indemnified by the Corporation upon the same terms, under the same conditions, and to the same extent as authorized by Section 60 of the Business Corporation Act of the Marshall Islands, if he acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful.

Section 2. INSURANCE: The Corporation shall have the power to purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a director or officer of the Corporation or is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director or officer against any liability asserted against such person and incurred by such person in such capacity whether or not the Corporation would have the power to indemnify such person against such liability by law or under the provisions of these By Laws.

ARTICLE IX
CORPORATE SEAL

FORM: The Seal of the Corporation, if any, shall be circular in form, with the name of the Corporation in the circumference and such other appropriate legend as the Board of Directors may from time to time determine.

ARTICLE X
FISCAL YEAR

FISCAL YEAR: The fiscal year of the Corporation shall be such period of twelve consecutive months as the Board of Directors may by resolution designate.

ARTICLE XI
AMENDMENTS

AMENDMENTS: These By Laws may be amended, added to, altered or repealed, or new By Laws may be adopted, solely at any regular or special meeting of the Board of Directors by the affirmative vote of 51% of the entire Board. The phrase "51% of the entire Board" shall be deemed to refer to 51% of the number of directors constituting the Board of Directors as set forth in accordance with Article III, without regard to any vacancies, or if the number of Directors constituting 51% of the entire Board is greater than the number of members of the Board then in office, the unanimous vote of Directors in office.




EXHIBIT 3.3

ARTICLES OF AMENDMENT OF
ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION OF
EUROSEAS LTD.
UNDER SECTION 90 OF THE BUSINESS CORPORATIONS ACT


I, Aristides J. Pittas, President of EUROSEAS LTD., a corporation incorporated under the laws of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, for the purpose of amending the Articles of Incorporation of said Corporation hereby certify:
 
1.  
The name of the Corporation is: EUROSEAS LTD.
 
2.  
The Articles of Incorporation were filed with the Registrar of Corporations as of the 5th day of May, 2005.

3.  
Section D of the Articles of Incorporation is hereby amended to read as follows:

 
(a)
The aggregate number of shares of stock that the Corporation is authorized to issue is one hundred twenty million (120,000,000) registered shares (of which twenty million (20,000,000) shall be registered preferred shares); all of the registered common shares shall have a par value of three cents (US$0.03) per share and all of the registered preferred shares have a par value of one cent (US$0.01) per share.

 
(b)
The Corporation is authorized, without further vote or action by the shareholders, to issue the said twenty million (20,000,000) registered preferred shares with a par value of one cent (US$0.01) per share. The Board of Directors shall have the authority to establish such series of preferred shares and with such designations, preferences and relative, participating, optional or special rights and qualifications, limitations or restrictions as shall be stated in the resolutions providing for the issue of such preferred shares.

 
(c)
The Corporation has effectuated, effective with the commencement of business on October 6, 2006, a 1 for 3 reverse stock split as to its common stock outstanding, which decreases the number of outstanding shares from 37,860,341 to 12,620,114, subject to increase to the extent that the reverse stock split would result in any holder of the Company’s Common Stock receiving fractional shares, in which event such fractional share shall be rounded up to the next whole share. The reverse split shall not change the number of registered shares of common stock the Corporation is authorized to issue. The par value of the shares of common stock shall be increased from $0.01 to $0.03 per share as set forth in paragraph D(a) above. No change shall be made to the number of registered shares of preferred stock the Corporation is authorized to issue or to the par value of the shares of preferred stock.
 
 
 4.  
The amendment to the Articles of Incorporation was authorized by vote of the holders of a majority of all outstanding shares entitled to vote thereon at a meeting of shareholders.
 
 
 

 
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have executed these Articles of Amendment on this 4th day of October, 2006.
     
   
     
   
/s/ Aristides J. Pittas
 
Name:: Aristides J. Pittas
 
Title: President
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
STATE OF
 
 )
   
ss:
COUNTY OF
 
 )


On this       day of October, 2006 before me personally came Aristides J. Pittas known to me to be the individual described in and who executed the foregoing instrument and he duly acknowledged to me that the execution thereof was his act and deed/the act and deed of the corporation.
 
     
   
     
 
  
 
 
 



EXHIBIT 4.1 
 

EXHIBIT 4.6

 
 
 
 
 
FORM OF SENIOR SECURITY DEBT INDENTURE


EUROSEAS LTD.
 
SENIOR INDENTURE
 
Dated as of ______, 20__
 
[Name of Trustee]
 
Trustee
 
 
 
 
ARTICLE I.
 
DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE
 
   
 
 
1
 
 
 
Section 1.1.
Definitions
   
1
 
 
Section 1.2.
Other Definitions
   
5
 
 
Section 1.3.
Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act
   
6
 
 
Section 1.4.
 
Rules of Construction
 
   
6
 
ARTICLE II
 
THE SECURITIES
 
   
7
 
 
 
Section 2.1.
Issuable in Series
   
7
 
 
Section 2.2.
Establishment of Terms of Series of Securities
   
7
 
 
Section 2.3.
Execution and Authentication
   
9
 
 
Section 2.4.
Registrar and Paying Agent
   
10
 
 
Section 2.5.
Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust
   
10
 
 
Section 2.6.
Securityholder Lists
   
11
 
 
Section 2.7.
Transfer and Exchange
   
11
 
 
Section 2.8.
Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Securities
   
11
 
 
Section 2.9.
Outstanding Securities
   
12
 
 
Section 2.10.
Treasury Securities
   
12
 
 
Section 2.11.
Temporary Securities
   
13
 
 
Section 2.12.
Cancellation
   
13
 
 
Section 2.13.
Defaulted Interest
   
13
 
 
Section 2.14.
Global Securities
   
13
 
 
Section 2.15.
 
CUSIP Numbers
 
   
14
 
 
ARTICLE III.
 
REDEMPTION
 
   
15
 
 
 
Section 3.1.
Notice to Trustee
   
15
 
 
Section 3.2.
Selection of Securities to be Redeemed
   
15
 
 
Section 3.3.
Notice of Redemption
   
15
 
 
Section 3.4.
Effect of Notice of Redemption
   
16
 
 
Section 3.5.
Deposit of Redemption Price
   
16
 
 
Section 3.6.
 
Securities Redeemed in Part
 
   
16
 
 
 
 

 
ARTICLE IV.
 
COVENANTS
 
   
16
 
 
 
Section 4.1.
Payment of Principal and Interest
   
16
 
 
Section 4.2.
SEC Reports
   
16
 
 
Section 4.3.
Compliance Certificate
   
17
 
 
Section 4.4.
Stay, Extension and Usury Laws
   
17
 
 
Section 4.5.
Corporate Existence
   
17
 
 
Section 4.6.
 
Taxes
 
   
18
 
 
ARTICLE V.
 
SUCCESSORS
 
   
18
 
 
 
Section 5.1.
When Company May Merge, Etc
   
18
 
 
Section 5.2.
 
Successor Corporation Substituted
 
   
18
 
 
ARTICLE VI.
 
DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES
 
   
19
 
 
 
Section 6.1.
Events of Default
   
19
 
 
Section 6.2.
Acceleration of Maturity; Rescission and Annulment
   
20
 
 
Section 6.3.
Collection of Indebtedness and Suits for Enforcement by Trustee
   
20
 
 
Section 6.4.
Trustee May File Proofs of Claim
   
21
 
 
Section 6.5.
Trustee May Enforce Claims Without Possession of Securities
   
21
 
 
Section 6.6.
Application of Money Collected
   
22
 
 
Section 6.7.
Limitation on Suits
   
22
 
 
Section 6.8.
Unconditional Right of Holders to Receive Principal and Interest
   
22
 
 
Section 6.9.
Restoration of Rights and Remedies
   
23
 
 
Section 6.10.
Rights and Remedies Cumulative
   
23
 
 
Section 6.11.
Delay or Omission Not Waiver
   
23
 
 
Section 6.12.
Control by Holders
   
23
 
 
Section 6.13.
Waiver of Past Defaults
   
24
 
 
Section 6.14.
 
Undertaking for Costs
 
   
24
 
 
ARTICLE VII.
 
TRUSTEE
 
   
24
 
 
 
Section 7.1.
Duties of Trustee
   
24
 
 
Section 7.2.
Rights of Trustee
   
25
 
 
Section 7.3.
Individual Rights of Trustee
   
26
 
 
Section 7.4.
Trustee’s Disclaimer
   
26
 
 
Section 7.5.
Notice of Defaults
   
26
 
 
Section 7.6.
Reports by Trustee to Holders
   
27
 
 
Section 7.7.
Compensation and Indemnity
   
27
 
 
Section 7.8.
Replacement of Trustee
   
28
 
 
Section 7.9.
Successor Trustee by Merger, etc
   
29
 
 
Section 7.10.
Eligibility; Disqualification
   
29
 
 
Section 7.11.
 
Preferential Collection of Claims Against Company
 
   
29
 
 
ARTICLE VIII.
 
SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE; DEFEASANCE
 
   
29
 
 
 
Section 8.1.
Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture
   
29
 
 
Section 8.2.
Application of Trust Funds; Indemnification
   
30
 
 
Section 8.3.
Legal Defeasance of Securities of any Series
   
31
 
 
Section 8.4.
Covenant Defeasance
   
32
 
 
Section 8.5.
 
Repayment to Company
 
   
33
 
 
 
 

 
ARTICLE IX.
 
AMENDMENTS AND WAIVERS
 
   
33
 
 
 
Section 9.1.
Without Consent of Holders
   
33
 
 
Section 9.2.
With Consent of Holders
   
34
 
 
Section 9.3.
Limitations
   
34
 
 
Section 9.4.
Compliance with Trust Indenture Act
   
35
 
 
Section 9.5.
Revocation and Effect of Consents
   
35
 
 
Section 9.6.
Notation on or Exchange of Securities
   
36
 
 
Section 9.7.
 
Trustee Protected
 
   
36
 
 
ARTICLE X.
 
MISCELLANEOUS 
 
 
36
 
 
 
Section 10.1.
Trust Indenture Act Controls
   
36
 
 
Section 10.2.
Notices
   
36
 
 
Section 10.3.
Communication by Holders with Other Holders
   
37
 
 
Section 10.4.
Certificate and opinion as to Conditions Precedent
   
37
 
 
Section 10.5.
Statements Required in Certificate or opinion
   
37
 
 
Section 10.6.
Rules by Trustee and Agents
   
38
 
 
Section 10.7.
Legal Holidays
   
38
 
 
Section 10.8.
No Recourse Against Others
   
38
 
 
Section 10.9.
Counterparts
   
38
 
 
Section 10.10.
Governing Laws
   
38
 
 
Section 10.11.
No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements
   
38
 
 
Section 10.12.
Successors
   
39
 
 
Section 10.13.
Severability
   
39
 
 
Section 10.14.
Table of Contents, Headings, Etc
   
39
 
 
Section 10.15.
Securities in a Foreign Currency or in ECU
   
39
 
 
Section 10.16.
 
Judgment Currency
 
   
40
 
 
ARTICLE XI.
 
SINKING FUNDS 
 
   
40
 
 
 
Section 11.1.
Applicability of Article
   
40
 
 
Section 11.2.
Satisfaction of Sinking Fund Payments with Securities
   
40
 
 
Section 11.3.
Redemption of Securities for Sinking Fund
   
41
 

 


 
Indenture dated as of _________, 20__ between Euroseas Ltd., a company organized under the laws of the Marshall Islands (the “Company”) and [Name of Trustee], a __________________ (the “Trustee”).
 
Each party agrees as follows for the benefit of the other party and for the equal and ratable benefit of the Holders of the Securities issued under this Indenture.

ARTICLE I.
DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE
 
Section 1.1.   Definitions.
 
“Additional Amounts” means any additional amounts which are required hereby or by any Security, under circumstances specified herein or therein, to be paid by the Company in respect of certain taxes imposed on Holders specified therein and which are owing to such Holders.
 
“Affiliate” of any specified Person means any other Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with such specified Person. For the purposes of this definition, “control” (including, with correlative meanings, the terms “controlled by” and “under common control with”), as used with respect to any Person, shall mean the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of such Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities or by agreement or otherwise.
 
“Agent” means any Registrar, Paying Agent or Service Agent.
 
“Authorized Newspaper” means a newspaper in an official language of the country of publication customarily published at least once a day for at least five days in each calendar week and of general circulation in the place in connection with which the term is used. If it shall be impractical in the opinion of the Trustee to make any publication of any notice required hereby in an Authorized Newspaper, any publication or other notice in lieu thereof that is made or given by the Trustee shall constitute a sufficient publication of such notice.
 
“Bearer Security” means any Security, including any interest coupon appertaining thereto, that does not provide for the identification of the Holder thereof.
 
“Board of Directors” means the Board of Directors of the Company or any duly authorized committee thereof.
 
“Board Resolution” means a copy of a resolution certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company to have been adopted by the Board of Directors or pursuant to authorization by the Board of Directors and to be in full force and effect on the date of the certificate and delivered to the Trustee.
 
“Business Day” means a day (other than Saturday or Sunday) on which the Depository and banks in the City of New York, and banks in the city in which the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee is located, is open for business.
 
“Certificated Securities” means Securities in the form of physical, certificated Securities in registered form.
 
“Company” means the party named as such above until a successor replaces it and thereafter means the successor.
 
“Company Order” means a written order signed in the name of the Company by two Officers, one of whom must be the Company’s principal executive officer, principal financial officer or principal accounting officer.
 
“Company Request” means a written request signed in the name of the Company by its Chairman of the Board, a President or a Vice President, and by its Chief Financial Officer, its Secretary or an Assistant Secretary, and delivered to the Trustee.
 
 

 
“Corporate Trust Office” means the office of the Trustee at which at any particular time its corporate trust business shall be principally administered.
 
“Debt” of any Person as of any date means, without duplication, all indebtedness of such Person in respect of borrowed money, including all interest, fees and expenses owed in respect thereto (whether or not the recourse of the lender is to the whole of the assets of such Person or only to a portion thereof), or evidenced by bonds, notes, debentures or similar instruments.
 
“Default” means any event which is, or after notice or passage of time would be, an Event of Default.
 
“Depository” means, with respect to the Securities of any Series issuable or issued in whole or in part in the form of one or more Global Securities, the Person designated as Depository for such Series by the Company, which Depository shall be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act; and if at any time there is more than one such Person, “Depository” as used with respect to the Securities of any Series shall mean the Depository with respect to the Securities of such Series.
 
“Discount Security” means any Security that provides for an amount less than the stated Principal amount thereof to be due and payable upon declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 6.2.
 
“Dollars” means the currency of The United States of America.
 
“ECU” means the European Currency Unit as determined by the Commission of the European Union.
 
“Event of Default” see Section 6.1.
 
“Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
 
“Foreign Currency” means any currency or currency unit issued by a government other than the government of The United States of America.
 
“Foreign Government Obligations” means with respect to Securities of any Series that are denominated in a Foreign Currency, (i) direct obligations of the government that issued or caused to be issued such currency for the payment of which obligations its full faith and credit is pledged or (ii) obligations of a Person controlled or supervised by or acting as an agency or instrumentality of such government the timely payment of which is unconditionally guaranteed as a full faith and credit obligation by such government, which, in either case under clauses (i) or (ii), are not callable or redeemable at the option of the issuer thereof.
 
“Global Security” or “Global Securities” means a Security or Securities, as the case may be, in the form established pursuant to Section 2.2 evidencing all or part of a Series of Securities, issued to the Depository for such Series or its nominee, and registered in the name of such Depository or nominee.
 
“Holder” or “Securityholder” means a Person in whose name a Security is registered or the holder of a Bearer Security.
 
 

 
“Indenture” means this Indenture as amended from time to time and shall include the form and terms of particular Series of Securities established as contemplated hereunder.
 
“Maturity,” when used with respect to any Security or installment of Principal thereof, means the date on which the Principal of such Security or such installment of Principal becomes due and payable as therein or herein provided, whether at the Stated Maturity or by declaration of acceleration, call for redemption, notice of option to elect repayment or otherwise.
 
“Officer” means the Chairman of the Board, the President, any Vice-President, the Treasurer, the Secretary, any Assistant Treasurer or any Assistant Secretary of the Company.
 
“Officers’ Certificate” means a certificate signed by two Officers, one of whom must be the Company’s principal executive officer, principal financial officer or principal accounting officer.
 
“Opinion of Counsel” means a written opinion of legal counsel who is reasonably acceptable to the Trustee. Such legal counsel may be an employee of or counsel to the Company.
 
“Participants” means those Persons designated as participants by the Depositary.
 
“Person” means any individual, corporation, partnership, joint venture, association, limited liability company, joint-stock company, trust, unincorporated organization or government or any agency or political subdivision thereof.
 
“Principal” of a Security means the principal of the Security plus, when appropriate, the premium, if any, on, and any Additional Amounts in respect of, the Security.
 
“Responsible Officer” means any officer of the Trustee in its Corporate Trust Office and also means, with respect to a particular corporate trust matter, any other officer to whom any corporate trust matter is referred because of his or her knowledge of and familiarity with a particular subject.
 
“SEC” means the Securities and Exchange Commission.
 
“Security” or “Securities” means the debentures, notes or other debt instruments of the Company of any Series authenticated and delivered under this Indenture.
 
“Series” or “Series of Securities” means each series of debentures, notes or other debt instruments of the Company created pursuant to Sections 2.1 and 2.2 hereof.
 
“Significant Subsidiary” means (i) any direct or indirect Subsidiary of the Company that would be a “significant subsidiary” as defined in Article 1, Rule 1-02 of Regulation S-X, promulgated pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, as such regulation is in effect on the date hereof, or (ii) any group of direct or indirect Subsidiaries of the Company that, taken together as a group, would be a “significant subsidiary” as defined in Article 1, Rule 1-02 of Regulation S-X, promulgated pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, as such regulation is in effect on the date hereof.
 
“Stated Maturity” when used with respect to any Security or any installment of Principal thereof or interest thereon, means the date specified in such Security as the fixed date on which the Principal of such Security or such installment of Principal or interest is due and payable.
 
 

 
“Subsidiary” of any specified Person means any corporation of which at least a majority of the outstanding stock having by the terms thereof ordinary voting power for the election of directors of such corporation (irrespective of whether or not at the time stock of any other class or classes of such corporation shall have or might have voting power by reason of the happening of any contingency) is at the time directly or indirectly owned by such Person, or by one or more other Subsidiaries, or by such Person and one or more other Subsidiaries.
 
“TIA” means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 (15 U.S. Code Sections 77aaa-77bbbb) as in effect on the date of this Indenture; provided, however, that in the event the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 is amended after such date, “TIA” means, to the extent required by any such amendment, the Trust Indenture Act as so amended.
 
“Trustee” means the Person named as the “Trustee” in the first paragraph of this instrument until a successor Trustee shall have become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter “Trustee” shall mean or include each Person who is then a Trustee hereunder, and if at any time there is more than one such Person, “Trustee” as used with respect to the Securities of any Series shall mean the Trustee with respect to Securities of that Series.
 
“U.S. Government Obligations” means securities which are (i) direct obligations of The United States of America for the payment of which its full faith and credit is pledged or (ii) obligations of a Person controlled or supervised by and acting as an agency or instrumentality of The United States of America the payment of which is unconditionally guaranteed as a full faith and credit obligation by The United States of America, and which in the case of (i) and (ii) are not callable or redeemable at the option of the issuer thereof, and shall also include a depository receipt issued by a bank or trust company as custodian with respect to any such U.S. Government Obligation or a specific payment of interest on or principal of any such U.S. Government Obligation held by such custodian for the account of the holder of a depository receipt, provided that (except as required by law) such custodian is not authorized to make any deduction from the amount payable to the holder of such depository receipt from any amount received by the custodian in respect of the U.S. Government Obligation evidenced by such depository receipt.
 
Section 1.2.   Other Definitions.
 
TERM
DEFINED IN SECTION
   
“Bankruptcy Law”
6.1
“Custodian”
6.1
“Event of Default”
6.1
“Journal”
10.15
“Judgment Currency”
10.16
“Legal Holiday”
10.7
“Mandatory Sinking Fund Payment”
11.1
“Market Exchange Rate”
10.15
“New York Banking Day”
10.16
“Optional Sinking Fund Payment”
11.1
“Paying Agent”
2.4
“Registrar”
2.4
“Required Currency”
10.16
“Service Agent”
2.4
“Successor Person”
5.1
 
 

 
Section 1.3.   Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act.
 
Whenever this Indenture refers to a provision of the TIA, the provision is incorporated by reference in and made a part of this Indenture. The following TIA terms used in this Indenture have the following meanings:
 
“Commission” means the SEC.
 
“indenture securities” means the Securities.
 
“indenture security holder” means a Securityholder.
 
“indenture to be qualified” means this Indenture.
 
“indenture trustee” or “institutional trustee” means the Trustee.
 
“obligor” on the indenture securities means the Company and any successor obligor upon the Securities.
 
All other terms used in this Indenture that are defined by the TIA, defined by TIA reference to another statute or defined by SEC rule under the TIA and not otherwise defined herein are used herein as so defined.
 
Section 1.4.   Rules of Construction.
 
Unless the context otherwise requires:
 
(a)  a term has the meaning assigned to it;
 
(b)  an accounting term not otherwise defined has the meaning assigned to it in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
 
(c)  references to “generally accepted accounting principles” shall mean generally accepted accounting principles in effect as of the time when and for the period as to which such accounting principles are to be applied;
 
(d)  “or” is not exclusive;
 
(e)  words in the singular include the plural, and in the plural include the singular; and
 
(f)  provisions apply to successive events and transactions.
 



 
 
ARTICLE II. 
THE SECURITIES
 
Section 2.1.   Issuable in Series.
 
The aggregate principal amount of Securities that may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture is unlimited. The Securities may be issued in one or more Series. All Securities of a Series shall be identical except as may be set forth in a Board Resolution, a supplemental indenture or an Officers’ Certificate detailing the adoption of the terms thereof pursuant to the authority granted under a Board Resolution. In the case of Securities of a Series to be issued from time to time, the Board Resolution, Officers’ Certificate or supplemental indenture may provide for the method by which specified terms (such as interest rate, maturity date, record date or date from which interest shall accrue) are to be determined. Securities may differ between Series in respect of any matters, provided that all Series of Securities shall be equally and ratably entitled to the benefits of the Indenture.
 
Section 2.2.   Establishment of Terms of Series of Securities.
 
At or prior to the issuance of any Securities within a Series, the following shall be established (as to the Series generally, in the case of Subsection 2.2.1 and either as to such Securities within the Series or as to the Series generally in the case of Subsections 2.2.2 through 2.2.20) by a Board Resolution, a supplemental indenture or an Officers’ Certificate pursuant to authority granted under a Board Resolution:
 
2.2.1  the title, designation, aggregate Principal amount and authorized denominations of the Securities of the Series;
 
2.2.2  the price or prices, (expressed as a percentage of the aggregate Principal amount thereof) at which the Securities of the Series will be issued;
 
2.2.3  the date or dates on which the Principal of the Securities of the Series is payable;
 
2.2.4  the rate or rates (which may be fixed or variable) per annum or, if applicable, the method used to determine such rate or rates (including, but not limited to, any commodity, commodity index, stock exchange index or financial index) at which the Securities of the Series shall bear interest, if any, the date or dates from which such interest, if any, shall commence and be payable and any regular record date for the interest payable on any interest payment date;
 
2.2.5  any optional or mandatory sinking fund provisions or conversion or exchangeability provisions upon which Securities of the Series shall be redeemed or purchased;
 
2.2.6  the date, if any, after which and the price or prices at which the Securities of the Series may be optionally redeemed or must be mandatorily redeemed and any other terms and provisions of optional or mandatory provisions;
 
2.2.7  if other than denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof, the denominations in which the Securities of the Series shall be issuable;
 
2.2.8  if other than the full Principal amount, the portion of the Principal amount of the Securities of the Series that shall be payable upon declaration of acceleration pursuant to Section 6.2 or provable in bankruptcy;
 
2.2.9  any addition to or change in the Events of Default which applies to any Securities of the Series and any change in the right of the Trustee or the requisite Holders of such Securities to declare the Principal amount thereof due and payable pursuant to Section 6.2;
 
 

 
2.2.10  the currency or currencies, including composite currencies, in which payments of Principal of, premium or interest, if any, on the Securities of the Series will be payable, if other than the currency of the United States of America;
 
2.2.11  if payments of Principal of, premium or interest, if any, on the Securities of the Series will be payable, at the Company’s election or at the election of any Holder, in a currency other than that in which the Securities of the Series are stated to be payable, the period or periods within which, and the terms and conditions upon which, the election may be made;
 
2.2.12  if payments of interest, if any, on the Securities of the Series will be payable, at the Company’s election or at the election of any Holder, in cash or additional securities, and the terms and conditions upon which the election may be made;
 
2.2.13  if denominated in a currency or currencies other than the currency of the United States of America, the equivalent price of the Securities of the Series in the currency of the United States of America for purposes of determining the voting rights of Holders of the Securities of the Series;
 
2.2.14  if the amount of payments of Principal, premium or interest may be determined with reference to an index, formula or other method based on a coin or currency other than that in which the Securities of the Series are stated to be payable, the manner in which the amounts will be determined;
 
2.2.15  any restrictive covenants or other material terms relating to the Securities of the Series, which may not be inconsistent with the Indenture;
 
2.2.16  whether the Securities of the Series will be issued in the form of Global Securities or certificates in registered or bearer form;
 
2.2.17  any terms with respect to subordination;
 
2.2.18  any listing on any securities exchange or quotation system;
 
2.2.19  additional provisions, if any, related to defeasance and discharge of the offered debt securities; and
 
2.2.20  the applicability of any guarantees.
 
All Securities of any one Series need not be issued at the same time and may be issued from time to time, consistent with the terms of this Indenture, if so provided by or pursuant to the Board Resolution, supplemental indenture or Officers’ Certificate referred to above, and the authorized Principal amount of any Series may not be increased to provide for issuance of additional Securities of such Series, unless otherwise provided in such Board Resolution, supplemental Indenture or Officers’ Certificate.
 
Section 2.3.   Execution and Authentication.
 
Two Officers shall sign the Securities for the Company by manual or facsimile signature.
 
If an Officer whose signature is on a Security no longer holds that office at the time the Security is authenticated, the Security shall nevertheless be valid.
 
 

 
A Security shall not be valid until authenticated by the manual signature of the Trustee or an authenticating agent. The signature shall be conclusive evidence that the Security has been authenticated under this Indenture.
 
The Trustee shall at any time, and from time to time, authenticate Securities for original issue in the Principal amount provided in the Board Resolution, supplemental indenture hereto or Officers’ Certificate, upon receipt by the Trustee of a Company Order. Such Company Order may authorize authentication and delivery pursuant to oral or electronic instructions from the Company or its duly authorized agent or agents, which oral instructions shall be promptly confirmed in writing. Each Security shall be dated the date of its authentication unless otherwise provided by a Board Resolution, a supplemental indenture hereto or an Officers’ Certificate.
 
The aggregate Principal amount of Securities of any Series outstanding at any time may not exceed any limit upon the maximum Principal amount for such Series set forth in the Board Resolution, supplemental indenture hereto or Officers’ Certificate delivered pursuant to Section 2.2, except as provided in Section 2.8.
 
Prior to the issuance of Securities of any Series, the Trustee shall have received and (subject to Section 7.2) shall be fully protected in relying on: (a) the Board Resolution, supplemental indenture hereto or Officers, Certificate establishing the form of the Securities of that Series or of Securities within that Series and the terms of the Securities of that Series or of Securities within that Series, (b) an Officers’ Certificate complying with Section 10.4, and (c) an Opinion of Counsel complying with Section 10.4.
 
The Trustee shall have the right to decline to authenticate and deliver any Securities of such Series: (a) if the Trustee, being advised by counsel, determines that such action may not lawfully be taken; or (b) if the Trustee in good faith by its board of directors or trustees, executive committee or a trust committee of directors and/or vice-presidents shall determine that such action would expose the Trustee to personal liability to Holders of any then outstanding Series of Securities.
 
The Trustee may appoint an authenticating agent acceptable to the Company to authenticate Securities. An authenticating agent may authenticate Securities whenever the Trustee may do so. Each reference in this Indenture to authentication by the Trustee includes authentication by such agent. An authenticating agent has the same rights as an Agent to deal with the Company or an Affiliate.
 
Section 2.4.   Registrar and Paying Agent.
 
The Company shall maintain, with respect to each Series of Securities, at the place or places specified with respect to such Series pursuant to Section 2.2, an office or agency where Securities of such Series may be presented or surrendered for payment (“Paying Agent”), where Securities of such Series may be surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange (“Registrar”) and where notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Securities of such Series and this Indenture may be served (“Service Agent”). The Registrar shall keep a register with respect to each Series of Securities and to their transfer and exchange. The Company will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of the name and address, and any change in the name or address, of each Registrar, Paying Agent or Service Agent. If at any time the Company shall fail to maintain any such required Registrar, Paying Agent or Service Agent or shall fail to furnish the Trustee with the name and address thereof, such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands may be made or served at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, and the Company hereby appoints the Trustee as its agent to receive all such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands.
 
 

 
The Company may also from time to time designate one or more co-registrars, additional Paying Agents or additional Service Agents and may from time to time rescind such designations; provided, however, that no such designation or rescission shall in any manner relieve the Company of its obligations to maintain a Registrar, Paying Agent and Service Agent in each place so specified pursuant to Section 2.2 for Securities of any Series for such purposes. The Company will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of any such designation or rescission and of any change in the name or address of any such co-registrar, additional Paying Agent or additional Service Agent. The term “Registrar” includes any co-registrar; the term “Paying Agent” includes any additional paying agent; and the term “Service Agent” includes any additional service agent.
 
The Company hereby appoints the Trustee the initial Registrar, Paying Agent and Service Agent for each Series unless another Registrar, Paying Agent or Service Agent, as the case may be, is appointed prior to the time Securities of that Series are first issued.
 
Section 2.5.   Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust.
 
The Company shall require each Paying Agent other than the Trustee to agree in writing that the Paying Agent will hold in trust, for the benefit of Securityholders of any Series of Securities, or the Trustee, all money held by the Paying Agent for the payment of Principal of or interest on the Series of Securities, and will notify the Trustee of any Default by the Company in making any such payment. While any such Default continues, the Trustee may require a Paying Agent to pay all money held by it to the Trustee. The Company at any time may require a Paying Agent to pay all money held by it to the Trustee. Upon payment over to the Trustee, the Paying Agent (if other than the Company or a Subsidiary) shall have no further liability for the money. If the Company or a Subsidiary acts as Paying Agent, it shall segregate and hold in a separate trust fund for the benefit of Securityholders of any Series of Securities all money held by it as Paying Agent.
 
Section 2.6.   Securityholder Lists.
 
The Trustee shall preserve in as current a form as is reasonably practicable the most recent list available to it of the names and addresses of Securityholders of each Series of Securities and shall otherwise comply with TIA Section 312(a). If the Trustee is not the Registrar, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee at least ten days before each interest payment date and at such other times as the Trustee may request in writing a list, in such form and as of such date as the Trustee may reasonably require, of the names and addresses of Securityholders of each Series of Securities.
 
Section 2.7.   Transfer and Exchange.
 
Where Securities of a Series are presented to the Registrar or a co-registrar with a request to register a transfer or to exchange them for an equal Principal amount of Securities of the same Series, the Registrar shall register the transfer or make the exchange if its requirements for such transactions are met. To permit registrations of transfers and exchanges, the Trustee shall authenticate Securities at the Registrar’s request. No service charge shall be made for any registration of transfer or exchange (except as otherwise expressly permitted herein), but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any transfer tax or similar governmental charge payable in connection therewith (other than any such transfer tax or similar governmental charge payable upon exchanges pursuant to Sections 2.11, 3.6 or 9.6).
 
Neither the Company nor the Registrar shall be required (a) to issue, register the transfer of, or exchange Securities of any Series for the period beginning at the opening of business fifteen days immediately preceding the mailing of a notice of redemption of Securities of that Series selected for redemption and ending at the close of business on the day of such mailing, or (b) to register the transfer of or exchange Securities of any Series selected, called or being called for redemption as a whole or the portion being redeemed of any such Securities selected, called or being called for redemption in part.
 
 

 
Section 2.8.   Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Securities.
 
If any mutilated Security is surrendered to the Trustee, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver in exchange therefor a new Security of the same Series and of like tenor and Principal amount and bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding.
 
If there shall be delivered to the Company and the Trustee (i) evidence to their satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of any Security and (ii) such security or indemnity as may be required by them to save each of them and any Agent of either of them harmless, then, in the absence of notice to the Company or the Trustee that such Security has been acquired by a bona fide purchaser, the Company shall execute and upon its request the Trustee shall authenticate and make available for delivery, in lieu of any such destroyed, lost or stolen Security, a new Security of the same Series and of like tenor and Principal amount and bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding.
 
In case any such mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security has become or is about to become due and payable, the Company in its discretion may, instead of issuing a new Security, pay such Security.
 
Upon the issuance of any new Security under this Section, the Company may require the payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in relation thereto and any other expenses (including the fees and expenses of the Trustee) connected therewith.
 
Every new Security of any Series issued pursuant to this Section in lieu of any destroyed, lost or stolen Security shall constitute an original additional contractual obligation of the Company, whether or not the destroyed, lost or stolen Security shall be at any time enforceable by anyone, and shall be entitled to all the benefits of this Indenture equally and proportionately with any and all other Securities of that Series duly issued hereunder.
 
The provisions of this Section are exclusive and shall preclude (to the extent lawful) all other rights and remedies with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Securities.
 
Section 2.9.   Outstanding Securities.
 
The Securities outstanding at any time are all the Securities authenticated by the Trustee except for those canceled by it, those delivered to it for cancellation, those reductions in the interest on a Global Security effected by the Trustee in accordance with the provisions hereof and those described in this Section as not outstanding.
 
If a Security is replaced pursuant to Section 2.8, it ceases to be outstanding until the Trustee receives proof satisfactory to it that the replaced Security is held by a bona fide purchaser.
 
If the Paying Agent (other than the Company, a Subsidiary or an Affiliate of any thereof) holds on the Maturity of Securities of a Series money sufficient to pay such Securities payable on that date, then on and after that date such Securities of the Series cease to be outstanding and interest on them ceases to accrue.
 
 

 
A Security does not cease to be outstanding because the Company or an Affiliate holds the Security.
 
In determining whether the Holders of the requisite Principal amount of outstanding Securities have given any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver hereunder, the Principal amount of a Discount Security that shall be deemed to be outstanding for such purposes shall be the amount of the Principal thereof that would be due and payable as of the date of such determination upon a declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 6.2.
 
Section 2.10.   Treasury Securities.
 
In determining whether the Holders of the required Principal amount of Securities of a Series have concurred in any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver Securities of a Series owned by the Company or an Affiliate shall be disregarded, except that for the purposes of determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in relying on any such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver only Securities of a Series that the Trustee knows are so owned shall be so disregarded.
 
Section 2.11.   Temporary Securities.
 
Until definitive Securities are ready for delivery, the Company may prepare and the Trustee shall authenticate temporary securities upon a Company Order. Temporary Securities shall be substantially in the form of definitive Securities but may have variations that the Company considers appropriate for temporary Securities. without unreasonable delay, the Company shall prepare and the Trustee upon request shall authenticate definitive Securities of the same Series and date of Maturity in exchange for temporary Securities. Until so exchanged, temporary securities shall have the same rights under this Indenture as the definitive Securities.
 
Section 2.12.   Cancellation.
 
The Company at any time may deliver Securities to the Trustee for cancellation. The Registrar and the Paying Agent shall forward to the Trustee any Securities surrendered to them for registration of transfer, exchange or payment. The Trustee shall cancel all Securities surrendered for transfer, exchange, payment, replacement or cancellation and shall destroy such canceled Securities (subject to the record retention requirement of the Exchange Act) and deliver a certificate of such destruction to the Company, unless the Company otherwise directs. The Company may not issue new Securities to replace Securities that it has paid or delivered to the Trustee for cancellation.
 
Section 2.13.   Defaulted Interest.
 
If the Company defaults in a payment of interest on a Series of Securities, it shall pay the defaulted interest, plus, to the extent permitted by law, any interest payable on the defaulted interest, to the Persons who are Securityholders of the Series on a subsequent special record date. The Company shall fix the record date and payment date. At least 30 days before the record date, the Company shall mail to the Trustee and to each Securityholder of the Series a notice that states the record date, the payment date and the amount of interest to be paid. The Company may pay defaulted interest in any other lawful manner.
 
 

 
Section 2.14.   Global Securities.
 
2.14.1  Terms of Securities. A Board Resolution, a supplemental indenture hereto or an Officers’ Certificate shall establish whether the Securities of a Series shall be issued in whole or in part in the form of one or more Global Securities and the Depository for such Global Security or Securities.
 
2.14.2  Transfer and Exchange. Notwithstanding any provisions to the contrary contained in Section 2.7 of the Indenture and in addition thereto, any Global Security shall be exchangeable pursuant to Section 2.7 of the Indenture for Securities registered in the names of Holders other than the Depository for such Security or its nominee only if (i) such Depository notifies the Company that it is unwilling or unable to continue as Depository for such Global Security or if at any time such Depository ceases to be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act, and, in either case, the Company fails to appoint a successor Depository within 90 days of such event, (ii) the Company executes and delivers to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate to the effect that such Global Security shall be so exchangeable or (iii) an Event of Default with respect to the Securities represented by such Global Security shall have happened and be continuing. Any Global Security that is exchangeable pursuant to the preceding sentence shall be exchangeable for Securities registered in such names as the Depository shall direct in writing in an aggregate principal amount equal to the Principal amount of the Global Security with like tenor and terms.
 
Except as provided in this Section 2.14.2, a Global Security may not be transferred except as a whole by the Depository with respect to such Global Security to a nominee of such Depository, by a nominee of such Depository to such Depository or another nominee of such Depository or by the Depository or any such nominee to a successor Depository or a nominee of such a successor Depository.
 
2.14.3  Legend. Any Global Security issued hereunder shall bear a legend in substantially the following form:
 
“This Security is a Global Security within the meaning of the Indenture hereinafter referred to and is registered in the name of the Depository or a nominee of the Depository. This Security is exchangeable for Securities registered in the name of a Person other than the Depository or its nominee only in the limited circumstances described in the Indenture, and may not be transferred except as a whole by the Depository to a nominee of the Depository, by a nominee of the Depository to the Depository or another nominee of the Depository or by the Depository or any such nominee to a successor Depository or a nominee of such a successor Depository.”
 
2.14.4  Acts of Holders. The Depository, as a Holder, may appoint agents and otherwise authorize Participants to give or take any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action which a Holder is entitled to give or take under the Indenture.
 
2.14.5  Payments. Notwithstanding the other provisions of this Indenture, unless otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 2.2, payment of the Principal of and interest, if any, on any Global Security shall be made to the Holder thereof at their registered office.
 
2.14.6  Consents, Declaration and Directions. Except as provided in Section 2.14.5, the Company, the Trustee and any Agent shall treat a Person as the Holder of such Principal amount of outstanding Securities of such Series represented by a Global Security as shall be specified in a written statement of the Depositary with respect to such Global Security, for purposes of obtaining any consents, declarations, waivers or directions required to be given by the Holders pursuant to this Indenture.
 
 

 
Section 2.15.   CUSIP Numbers.
 
The Company in issuing the Securities may use “CUSIP” numbers (if then generally in use), and, if so, the Trustee shall use “CUSIP” numbers in notices of redemption as a convenience to Holders; provided that any such notice may state that no representation is made as to the correctness of such numbers either as printed on the Securities or as contained in any notice of a redemption and that reliance may be placed only on the other elements of identification printed on the Securities, and any such redemption shall not be affected by any defect in or omission of such numbers.
 
 


ARTICLE III.
REDEMPTION
 
Section 3.1.   Notice to Trustee.
 
The Company may, with respect to any Series of Securities, reserve the right to redeem and pay the Series of Securities or may covenant to redeem and pay the Series of Securities or any part thereof prior to the Stated Maturity thereof at such time and on such terms as provided for in such Securities. If a Series of Securities is redeemable and the Company wants or is obligated to redeem prior to the Stated Maturity thereof all or part of the Series of Securities pursuant to the terms of such Securities, it shall notify the Trustee of the redemption date and the Principal amount of Series of Securities to be redeemed. The Company shall give the notice at least 45 days before the redemption date (or such shorter notice as may be acceptable to the Trustee).
 
Section 3.2.   Selection of Securities to be Redeemed.
 
Unless otherwise indicated for a particular Series by a Board Resolution, a supplemental indenture or an Officers’ Certificate, if less than all the Securities of a Series are to be redeemed, the Trustee shall select the Securities of the Series to be redeemed in any manner that the Trustee deems fair and appropriate. The Trustee shall make the selection from Securities of the Series outstanding not previously called for redemption. The Trustee may select for redemption portions of the Principal of Securities of the Series that have denominations larger than $1,000. Securities of the Series and portions of them it selects shall be in amounts of $1,000 or whole multiples of $1,000 or, with respect to Securities of any Series issuable in other denominations pursuant to Section 2.2.7, the minimum Principal denomination for each Series and integral multiples thereof. Provisions of this Indenture that apply to Securities of a Series called for redemption also apply to portions of Securities of that Series called for redemption.
 
Section 3.3.   Notice of Redemption.
 
Unless otherwise indicated for a particular Series by Board Resolution, a supplemental indenture hereto or an Officers’ Certificate, at least 30 days but not more than 60 days before a redemption date, the Company shall mail a notice of redemption by first-class mail to each Holder whose Securities are to be redeemed and if any Bearer Securities are outstanding, publish on one occasion a notice in an Authorized Newspaper.
 
The notice shall identify the Securities of the Series to be redeemed and shall state:
 
(a)  the redemption date;
 
 

 
(b)  the redemption price;
 
(c)  the name and address of the Paying Agent;
 
(d)  that Securities of the Series called for redemption must be surrendered to the Paying Agent to collect the redemption price;
 
(e)  that interest on Securities of the Series called for redemption ceases to accrue on and after the redemption date; and
 
(f)  any other information as may be required by the terms of the particular Series or the Securities of a Series being redeemed.
 
At the Company’s request, the Trustee shall give the notice of redemption in the Company’s name and at its expense.
 
Section 3.4.   Effect of Notice of Redemption.
 
Once notice of redemption is mailed or published as provided in Section 3.3, Securities of a Series called for redemption become due and payable on the redemption date and at the redemption price. A notice of redemption may not be conditional. Upon surrender to the Paying Agent, such Securities shall be paid at the redemption price plus accrued interest to the redemption date.
 
Section 3.5.   Deposit of Redemption Price.
 
On or before the redemption date, the Company shall deposit with the Paying Agent money sufficient to pay the redemption price of and accrued interest, if any, on all Securities to be redeemed on that date.
 
Section 3.6.   Securities Redeemed in Part.
 
Upon surrender of a Security that is redeemed in part, the Trustee shall authenticate for the Holder a new Security of the same Series and the same Maturity equal in Principal amount to the unredeemed portion of the Security surrendered.
 
 

 

ARTICLE IV. 
COVENANTS
 
Section 4.1.   Payment of Principal and Interest.
 
The Company covenants and agrees for the benefit of the Holders of each Series of Securities that it will duly and punctually pay the Principal of and interest, if any, on the Securities of that Series in accordance with the terms of such Securities and this Indenture.
 
Section 4.2.   SEC Reports.
 
The Company shall deliver to the Trustee within 15 days after it files them with the SEC copies of the annual reports and of the information, documents, and other reports (or copies of such portions of any of the foregoing as the SEC may by rules and regulations prescribe) which the Company is required to file with the SEC pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act. The Company also shall comply with the other provisions of TIA Section 314(a).
 
Section 4.3.   Compliance Certificate.
 
The Company shall deliver to the Trustee, within 90 days after the end of each fiscal year of the Company, an Officers’ Certificate signed by two of the Company’s Officers stating that a review of the activities of the Company and its Subsidiaries during the preceding fiscal year has been made under the supervision of the signing Officers with a view to determining whether the Company has kept, observed, performed and fulfilled its obligations under this Indenture, and further stating, as to each such Officer signing such certificate, that to the best of his knowledge the Company has kept, observed, performed and fulfilled each and every covenant contained in this Indenture and is not in default in the performance or observance of any of the terms, provisions and conditions hereof (or, if a Default or Event of Default shall have occurred, describing all such Defaults or Events of Default of which he may have knowledge).
 
The Company will, so long as any of the Securities are outstanding, deliver to the Trustee, forthwith upon becoming aware of any Default or Event of Default, an Officers’ Certificate specifying such Default or Event of Default and what action the Company is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto.
 
Section 4.4.   Stay, Extension and Usury Laws.
 
The Company covenants (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) that it will not at any time insist upon, plead, or in any manner whatsoever claim or take the benefit or advantage of, any stay, extension or usury law wherever enacted, now or at any time hereafter in force, which may affect the covenants or the performance of this Indenture or the Securities; and the Company (to the extent it may lawfully do so) hereby expressly waives all benefit or advantage of any such law and covenants that it will not, by resort to any such law, hinder, delay or impede the execution of any power herein granted to the Trustee, but will suffer and permit the execution of every such power as though no such law has been enacted.
 
 

 
Section 4.5.   Corporate Existence.
 
Subject to Article V, the Company will do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect its corporate existence and the corporate, partnership or other existence of each Significant Subsidiary in accordance with the respective organizational documents of each Significant Subsidiary and the rights (charter and statutory), licenses and franchises of the Company and its Significant Subsidiaries; provided, however, that the Company shall not be required to preserve any such right, license or franchise, or the corporate, partnership or other existence of any Significant Subsidiary, if the Board of Directors shall determine that the preservation thereof is no longer desirable in the conduct of the business of the Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole and that the loss thereof is not adverse in any material respect to the Holders.
 
Section 4.6.   Taxes.
 
The Company shall, and shall cause each of its Significant Subsidiaries to, pay prior to delinquency all taxes, assessments and governmental levies, except as contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings.
 
 


 
ARTICLE V. 
SUCCESSORS
 
Section 5.1.   When Company May Merge, Etc.
 
The Company shall not consolidate with or merge into any other Person in a transaction in which we are not the surviving entity, or convey, transfer or lease all or substantially all of its properties and assets to any Person (a “Successor Person”), unless:
 
(a)  the Successor Person (if any) is a corporation, partnership, trust or other entity organized and validly existing under the laws of the Marshall Islands or any U.S. domestic jurisdiction and expressly assumes the Company’s obligations on the Securities and under this Indenture; and
 
(b)  immediately after giving effect to the transaction, no Default or Event of Default, shall have occurred and be continuing.
 
The Company shall deliver to the Trustee prior to the consummation of the proposed transaction an Officers’ Certificate to the foregoing effect and an Opinion of Counsel stating that the proposed transaction and such supplemental indenture comply with this Indenture.
 
Section 5.2.   Successor Corporation Substituted.
 
Upon any consolidation or merger, or any sale, lease, conveyance or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company in accordance with Section 5.1, the Successor Person formed by such consolidation or into or with which the Company is merged or to which such sale, lease, conveyance or other disposition is made shall succeed to, and be substituted for, and may exercise every right and power of, the Company under this Indenture with the same effect as if such Successor Person has been named as the Company herein; provided, however, that the predecessor company in the case of a sale, lease, conveyance or other disposition shall not be released from the obligation to pay the Principal of and interest, if any, on the Securities.
 
 


 
ARTICLE VI.
DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES
 
Section 6.1.   Events of Default.
 
“Event of Default,” wherever used herein with respect to Securities of any Series, means any one of the following events, unless in the establishing Board Resolution, supplemental indenture or Officers’ Certificate, it is provided that such Series shall not have the benefit of said Event of Default:
 
(a)  Default in the payment of any interest on any Security of that Series when it becomes due and payable, and continuance of such Default for a period of 30 days (unless the entire amount of such payment is deposited by the Company with the Trustee or with a Paying Agent prior to the expiration of such period of 30 days); or
 
(b)  Default in the payment of the Principal of any Security of that Series at its Maturity; or
 
(c)  Default in the deposit of any sinking fund payment, when and as due in respect of any Security of that Series; or
 
(d)  Default in the performance or breach of any covenant of the Company in this Indenture, which Default continues uncured for a period of 60 days after there has been given, by registered or certified mail, to the Company by the Trustee or to the Company and the Trustee by the Holders of at least 25% in Principal amount of the outstanding Securities of that Series a written notice specifying such Default or breach and requiring it to be remedied and stating that such notice is a “Notice of Default” hereunder; or
 
(e)  Default under any Debt of the Company (including a Default with respect to Securities of any Series other than that Series) or any Subsidiary, whether such Debt now exists or shall hereafter be created, if (A) such Default results from the failure to pay any such Debt when it becomes due and (B) such Debt is not discharged or such acceleration is not rescinded or annulled within 30 days after written notice to the Company by the holder or holders of such Debt in the manner provided for in the applicable debt instrument; provided, that if the Default with respect to such Debt is remedied or cured by the Company or waived by the holders of such Debt before entry of judgment in favor of the relevant trustee, then the Event of Default under this Indenture will be deemed likewise to have been remedied, cured or waived; or
 
(f)  the Company pursuant to or within the meaning of any Bankruptcy Law:
 
(i)  commences a voluntary case,
 
(ii)  consents to the entry of an order for relief against it in an involuntary case,
 
(iii)  consents to the appointment of a Custodian of it or for all or substantially all of its property,
 
(iv)  makes a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors, or
 
(v)  generally is unable to pay its Debts as the same become due; or
 
 

 
(g)  a court of competent jurisdiction enters an order or decree under any Bankruptcy Law that:
 
(i)  is for relief against the Company or any of its Significant Subsidiaries in an involuntary case,
 
(ii)  appoints a Custodian of the Company or any of its Significant Subsidiaries or for all or substantially all of its property, or
 
(iii)  orders the liquidation of the Company or any of its Significant Subsidiaries, and the order or decree remains unstayed and in effect for 60 days; or
 
(h)  any other Event of Default provided with respect to Securities of that Series, which is specified in a Board Resolution, a supplemental indenture hereto or an Officers’ Certificate, in accordance with Section 2.2.18.
 
No Event of Default with respect to a particular Series of Securities (except with respect to subsections (f) and (g) above) necessarily constitutes an Event of Default with respect to any other Series of Securities.
 
The term “Bankruptcy Law” means title 11, U.S. Code or any similar Federal or State law for the relief of debtors. The term “Custodian” means any receiver, trustee, assignee, liquidator or similar official under any Bankruptcy Law.
 
Section 6.2.   Acceleration of Maturity; Rescission and Annulment.
 
If an Event of Default with respect to Securities of any Series at the time outstanding occurs and is continuing, then in every such case the Trustee or the Holders of not less than 25% in Principal amount of the outstanding Securities of that Series may declare the Principal amount (or, if any Securities of that Series are Discount Securities, such portion of the Principal amount as may be specified in the terms of such Securities) of and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on all of the Securities of that Series to be due and payable immediately, by a notice in writing to the Company (and to the Trustee if given by Holders), and upon any such declaration such Principal amount (or specified amount) and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, shall become immediately due and payable.
 
The Holders of not less than a majority in Principal amount of the outstanding Securities of that Series, by written notice to the Trustee, may rescind any declaration of acceleration of such Securities of that Series and its consequences if all existing Events of Default (other than the nonpayment of Principal of or interest on such Securities that shall have become due by such declaration) shall have been cured or waived.
 
Section 6.3.   Collection of Indebtedness and Suits for Enforcement by Trustee.
 
If an Event of Default with respect to any Securities of any Series occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may in its discretion proceed to protect and enforce its rights and the rights of the Holders of Securities of such Series by such appropriate judicial proceedings as the Trustee shall deem most effectual to protect and enforce any such rights, whether for the specific enforcement of any covenant or agreement in this Indenture or in aid of the exercise of any power granted herein, or to enforce any other proper remedy.
 
Section 6.4.   Trustee May File Proofs of Claim.
 
In case of the pendency of any receivership, insolvency, liquidation, bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, adjustment, composition or other judicial proceeding relative to the Company or any other obligor upon the Securities or the property of the Company or of such other obligor or their creditors, the Trustee (irrespective of whether the Principal of the Securities shall then be due and payable as therein expressed or by declaration or otherwise and irrespective of whether the Trustee shall have made any demand on the Company for the payment of overdue Principal or interest) shall be entitled and empowered, by intervention in such proceeding or otherwise,
 
 

 
(a)  to file and prove a claim for the whole amount of Principal and interest owing and unpaid in respect of the Securities and to file such other papers or documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Trustee (including any claim for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel) and of the Holders allowed in such judicial proceeding, and
 
(b)  to collect and receive any moneys or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims and to distribute the same, and any custodian, receiver, assignee, trustee, liquidator, sequestrator or other similar official in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Holder to make such payments to the Trustee and, in the event that the Trustee shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Holders, to pay to the Trustee any amount due it for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee under Section 7.7.
 
Nothing herein contained shall be deemed to authorize the Trustee to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Holder any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Securities or the rights of any Holder thereof or to authorize the Trustee to vote in respect of the claim of any Holder in any such proceeding.
 
Section 6.5.   Trustee May Enforce Claims Without Possession of Securities.
 
All rights of action and claims under this Indenture or the Securities may be prosecuted and enforced by the Trustee without the possession of any of the Securities or the production thereof in any proceeding relating thereto, and any such proceeding instituted by the Trustee shall be brought in its own name as trustee of an express trust, and any recovery of judgment shall, after provision for the payment of the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, be for the ratable benefit of the Holders of the Securities in respect of which such judgment has been recovered.
 
Section 6.6.   Application of Money Collected.
 
Any money collected by the Trustee pursuant to this Article shall be applied in the following order, at the date or dates fixed by the Trustee and, in case of the distribution of such money on account of Principal or interest, upon presentation of the Securities and the notation thereon of the payment if only partially paid and upon surrender thereof if fully paid:
 
and
 
First: To the payment of all amounts due the Trustee under Section 7.7;
 
Second: To the payment of the amounts then due and unpaid for Principal of and interest on the Securities in respect of which or for the benefit of which such money has been collected, ratably, without preference or priority of any kind, according to the amounts due and payable on such Securities for Principal and interest, respectively; and
 
 

 
Third: To the Company.
 
Section 6.7.   Limitation on Suits.
 
No Holder of any Security of any Series shall have any right to institute any proceeding, judicial or otherwise, with respect to this Indenture, or for the appointment of a receiver or trustee, or for any other remedy hereunder, unless
 
(a)  such Holder has previously given written notice to the Trustee of a continuing Event of Default with respect to the Securities of that Series;
 
(b)  the Holders of not less than 25% in Principal amount of the outstanding Securities of that Series shall have made written request to the Trustee to institute proceedings in respect of such Event of Default in its own name as Trustee hereunder;
 
(c)  such Holder or Holders have offered to the Trustee reasonable indemnity against the costs, expenses and liabilities to be incurred in compliance with such request;
 
(d)  the Trustee for 60 days after its receipt of such notice, request and offer of indemnity has failed to institute any such proceeding; and
 
(e)  no direction inconsistent with such written request has been given to the Trustee during such 60-day period by the Holders of a majority in Principal amount of the outstanding Securities of that Series; it being understood and intended that no one or more of such Holders shall have any right in any manner whatever by virtue of, or by availing of, any provision of this Indenture to affect, disturb or prejudice the rights of any other of such Holders, or to obtain or to seek to obtain priority or preference over any other of such Holders or to enforce any right under this Indenture, except in the manner herein provided and for the equal and ratable benefit of all such Holders.
 
Section 6.8.   Unconditional Right of Holders to Receive Principal and Interest.
 
Notwithstanding any other provision in this Indenture, the Holder of any Security shall have the right, which is absolute and unconditional, to receive payment of the Principal of and interest, if any, on such Security on the Stated Maturity or Stated Maturities expressed in such Security (or, in the case of redemption, on the redemption date) and to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment, and such rights shall not be impaired without the consent of such Holder.
 
Section 6.9.   Restoration of Rights and Remedies.
 
If the Trustee or any Holder has instituted any proceeding to enforce any right or remedy under this Indenture and such proceeding has been discontinued or abandoned for any reason, or has been determined adversely to the Trustee or to such Holder, then and in every such case, subject to any determination in such proceeding, the Company, the Trustee and the Holders shall be restored severally and respectively to their former positions hereunder and thereafter all rights and remedies of the Trustee and the Holders shall continue as though no such proceeding had been instituted.
 
 

 
Section 6.10.   Rights and Remedies Cumulative.
 
Except as otherwise provided with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Securities in Section 2.8, no right or remedy herein conferred upon or reserved to the Trustee or to the Holders is intended to be exclusive of any other right or remedy, and every right and remedy shall, to the extent permitted by law, be cumulative and in addition to every other right and remedy given hereunder or now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or otherwise. The assertion or employment of any right or remedy hereunder, or otherwise, shall not prevent the concurrent assertion or employment of any other appropriate right or remedy.
 
Section 6.11.   Delay or Omission Not Waiver.
 
No delay or omission of the Trustee or of any Holder of any Securities to exercise any right or remedy accruing upon any Event of Default shall impair any such right or remedy or constitute a waiver of any such Event of Default or an acquiescence therein. Every right and remedy given by this Article or by law to the Trustee or to the Holders may be exercised from time to time, and as often as may be deemed expedient, by the Trustee or by the Holders, as the case may be.
 
Section 6.12.   Control by Holders.
 
The Holders of a majority in Principal amount of the outstanding Securities of any Series shall have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee, with respect to the Securities of such Series, provided that
 
(a)  such direction shall not be in conflict with any rule of law or with this Indenture,
 
(b)  the Trustee may take any other action deemed proper by the Trustee which is not inconsistent with such direction, and
 
(c)  subject to the provisions of Section 6.1, the Trustee shall have the right to decline to follow any such direction if the Trustee in good faith shall, by a Responsible Officer of the Trustee, determine that the proceeding so directed would involve the Trustee in personal liability.
 
Section 6.13.   Waiver of Past Defaults.
 
The Holders of not less than a majority in Principal amount of the outstanding Securities of any Series may on behalf of the Holders of all the Securities of such Series waive any past Default hereunder with respect to such Series and its consequences, except a Default in the payment of the Principal of or interest on any Security of such Series (provided, however, that the Holders of a majority in Principal amount of the outstanding Securities of any Series may rescind an acceleration and its consequences, including any related payment Default that resulted from such acceleration). Upon any such waiver, such Default shall cease to exist, and any Event of Default arising therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured, for every purpose of this Indenture; but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other Default or impair any right consequent thereon.
 
 

 
Section 6.14.   Undertaking for Costs.
 
All parties to this Indenture agree, and each Holder of any Security by his acceptance thereof shall be deemed to have agreed, that any court may in its discretion require, in any suit for the enforcement of any right or remedy under this Indenture, or in any suit against the Trustee for any action taken, suffered or omitted by it as Trustee, the filing by any party litigant in such suit of an undertaking to pay the costs of such suit, and that such court may in its discretion assess reasonable costs, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, against any party litigant in such suit, having due regard to the merits and good faith of the claims or defenses made by such party litigant; but the provisions of this Section shall not apply to any suit instituted by the Company, to any suit instituted by the Trustee, to any suit instituted by any Holder, or group of Holders, holding in the aggregate more than 10% in Principal amount of the outstanding Securities of any Series, or to any suit instituted by any Holder for the enforcement of the payment of the Principal of or interest on any Security on or after the Stated Maturity or Stated Maturities expressed in such Security (or, in the case of redemption, on the redemption date).
 
 

 
ARTICLE VII.
TRUSTEE
 
Section 7.1.   Duties of Trustee.
 
(a)  If an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Trustee shall exercise the rights and powers vested in it by this Indenture and use the same degree of care and skill in their exercise as a prudent man would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of his own affairs.
 
(b)  Except during the continuance of an Event of Default:
 
(i)  The Trustee need perform only those duties that are specifically set forth in this Indenture and no others.
 
(ii)  in the absence of bad faith on its part, the Trustee may conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and the correctness of the opinions expressed therein, upon Officers’ Certificates or Opinions of Counsel furnished to the Trustee and conforming to the requirements of this Indenture; however, in the case of any such Officers’ Certificates or Opinions of Counsel which by any provisions hereof are specifically required to be furnished to the Trustee, the Trustee shall examine such Officers’ Certificates and Opinions of Counsel to determine whether or not they conform to the requirements of this Indenture.
 
(c)  The Trustee may not be relieved from liability for its own its own willful negligent action, its own negligent failure to act or misconduct, except that:
 
(i)  This paragraph does not limit the effect of paragraph (b) of this Section.
 
(ii)  The Trustee shall not be liable for any error of judgment made in good faith by a Responsible Officer, unless it is proved that the Trustee was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts.
 
(iii)  The Trustee shall not be liable with respect to any action taken, suffered or omitted to be taken by it with respect to Securities of any Series in good faith in accordance with the direction of the Holders of a majority in Principal amount of the outstanding Securities of such Series relating to the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred upon the Trustee, under this Indenture with respect to the Securities of such Series.
 
(d)  Every provision of this Indenture that in any way relates to the Trustee is subject to paragraph (a), (b) and (c) of this Section.
 
(e)  The Trustee may refuse to perform any duty or exercise any right or power unless it receives indemnity satisfactory to it against any loss, liability or expense.
 
(f)  The Trustee shall not be liable for interest on any money received by it except as the Trustee may agree in writing with the Company. Money held in trust by the Trustee need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.
 
(g)  No provision of this Indenture shall require the Trustee to risk its own funds or otherwise incur any financial liability in the performance of any of its duties, or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers, if it shall have reasonable grounds for believing that repayment of such funds or adequate indemnity against such risk is not reasonably assured to it.
 
 

 
(h)  The Paying Agent, the Registrar and any authenticating agent shall be entitled to the protections, immunities and standard of care as are set forth in paragraphs (a), (b) and (c) of this Section with respect to the Trustee.
 
Section 7.2.   Rights of Trustee.
 
(a)  The Trustee may rely on and shall be protected in acting or refraining from acting as a result of its reasonable belief that any document was genuine and had been signed or presented by the proper Person. The Trustee need not investigate any fact or matter stated in the document.
 
(b)  Before the Trustee acts or refrains from acting, it may require an Officers’ Certificate or an Opinion of Counsel. The Trustee shall not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in reliance on such Officers’ Certificate or Opinion of Counsel.
 
(c)  The Trustee may act through agents and shall not be responsible for the misconduct or negligence of any agent appointed with due care; provided that such agent agree as a condition to its engagement that it shall be responsible to the Company for its own misconduct or negligence. No Depository shall be deemed an agent of the Trustee and the Trustee shall not be responsible for any act or omission by any Depository.
 
(d)  The Trustee shall not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith which it believes to be authorized or within its rights or powers.
 
(e)  The Trustee may consult with counsel and the advice of such counsel or any Opinion of Counsel shall be full and complete authorization and protection in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by it hereunder in good faith and in reliance thereon.
 
(f)  The Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by this Indenture at the request or direction of any of the Holders of Securities unless such Holders shall have offered to the Trustee reasonable security or indemnity against the costs, expenses and liabilities which might be incurred by it in compliance with such request or direction.
 
Section 7.3.   Individual Rights of Trustee.
 
The Trustee in its individual or any other capacity may become the owner or pledgee of securities and may otherwise deal with the Company or an Affiliate with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee. Any Agent may do the same with like rights. The Trustee is also subject to Sections 7.10 and 7.11.
 
Section 7.4.   Trustee’s Disclaimer.
 
The Trustee makes no representation as to the validity or adequacy of this Indenture or the Securities, it shall not be accountable for the Company’s use of the proceeds from the Securities, and it shall not be responsible for any statement in the Securities other than its authentication.
 
 

 
Section 7.5.   Notice of Defaults.
 
If a Default or Event of Default occurs and is continuing with respect to the Securities of any Series and if it is known to a Responsible Officer of the Trustee, the Trustee shall mail to each Securityholder of the Securities of that Series and, if any Bearer Securities are outstanding, publish on one occasion in an Authorized Newspaper, notice of a Default or Event of Default within 90 days after it occurs or, if later, after a Responsible Officer of the Trustee has knowledge of such Default or Event of Default. Except in the case of a Default or Event of Default in payment of Principal of or interest on any Security of any Series, the Trustee may withhold the notice if and so long as its corporate trust committee or a committee of its Responsible Officers in good faith determines that withholding the notice is in the interests of Securityholders of that Series.
 
Section 7.6.   Reports by Trustee to Holders.
 
Within 60 days after May 15 in each year, the Trustee shall transmit by mail to all Securityholders, as their names and addresses appear on the register kept by the Registrar and, if any Bearer Securities are outstanding, publish in an Authorized Newspaper, a brief report dated as of such May 15, in accordance with, and to the extent required under, TIA Section 313.
 
A copy of each report at the time of its mailing to Securityholders of any Series shall be filed with the SEC and each stock exchange on which the Securities of that Series are listed. The Company shall promptly notify the Trustee when Securities of any Series are listed on any stock exchange.
 
Section 7.7.   Compensation and Indemnity.
 
The Company shall pay to the Trustee from time to time reasonable compensation for its services. The Trustee’s compensation shall not be limited by any law on compensation of a trustee of an express trust. The Company shall reimburse the Trustee upon request for all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by it. Such expenses shall include the reasonable compensation and expenses of the Trustee’s agents and counsel.
 
The Company shall indemnify the Trustee (including the cost of defending itself) against any loss, liability or expense incurred by it except as set forth in the next paragraph in the performance of its duties under this Indenture as Trustee or Agent. The Trustee shall notify the Company promptly of any claim for which it may seek indemnity. The Company shall defend the claim and the Trustee shall cooperate in the defense. The Trustee may have separate counsel and the Company shall pay the reasonable fees and expenses of such counsel. The Company need not pay for any settlement made without its consent, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld. This indemnification shall apply to officers, directors, employees, shareholders and agents of the Trustee.
 
The Company need not reimburse any expense or indemnify against any loss liability incurred by the Trustee or by any officer, director, employee, shareholder or agent of the Trustee through negligence or bad faith.
 
To secure the Company’s payment obligations in this Section, the Trustee shall have a lien prior to the Securities of any Series on all money or property held or collected by the Trustee, except that held in trust to pay Principal and interest on particular Securities of that Series.
 
When the Trustee incurs expenses or renders services after an Event of Default specified in Section 6.1(f) or (g) occurs, the expenses and the compensation for the services are intended to constitute expenses of administration under any Bankruptcy Law.
 
 

 
Section 7.8.   Replacement of Trustee.
 
A resignation or removal of the Trustee and appointment of a successor Trustee shall become effective only upon the successor Trustee’s acceptance of appointment as provided in this Section.
 
The Trustee may resign with respect to the Securities of one or more Series by so notifying the Company. The Holders of a majority in Principal amount of the Securities of any Series may remove the Trustee with respect to that Series by so notifying the Trustee and the Company. The Company may remove the Trustee with respect to Securities of one or more Series if:
 
(a)  the Trustee fails to comply with Section 7.10;
 
(b)  the Trustee is adjudged a bankrupt or an insolvent or an order for relief is entered with respect to the Trustee under any Bankruptcy Law;
 
(c)  a Custodian or public officer takes charge of the Trustee or its property; or
 
(d)  the Trustee becomes incapable of acting.
 
If the Trustee resigns or is removed or if a vacancy exists in the office of Trustee for any reason, the Company shall promptly appoint a successor Trustee. Within one year after the successor Trustee takes office, the Holders of a majority in Principal amount of the then outstanding Securities may appoint a successor Trustee to replace the successor Trustee appointed by the Company.
 
If a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of any one or more Series does not take office within 60 days after the retiring Trustee resigns or is removed, the retiring Trustee, the Company or the Holders of at least 10% in Principal amount of the Securities of the applicable Series may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee.
 
If the Trustee with respect to the Securities of any one or more Series fails to comply with Section 7.10, any Securityholder of the applicable Series may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee and the appointment of a successor Trustee.
 
A successor Trustee shall deliver a written acceptance of its appointment to the retiring Trustee and to the Company. Immediately after that, the retiring Trustee shall transfer all property held by it as Trustee to the successor Trustee subject to the lien provided for in Section 7.7, the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective, and the successor Trustee shall have all the rights, powers and duties of the Trustee with respect to each Series of Securities for which it is acting as Trustee under this Indenture. A successor Trustee shall mail a notice of its succession to each Securityholder of each such Series and, if any Bearer Securities are outstanding, publish such notice on one occasion in an Authorized Newspaper. Notwithstanding replacement of the Trustee pursuant to this Section 7.8, the Company’s obligations under Section 7.7 hereof shall continue for the benefit of the retiring trustee with respect to expenses and liabilities incurred by it prior to such replacement.
 
Section 7.9.   Successor Trustee by Merger, etc.
 
If the Trustee consolidates with, merges or converts into, or transfers all or substantially all of its corporate trust business to, another corporation, the successor corporation without any further act shall be the successor Trustee.
 
 

 
Section 7.10.   Eligibility; Disqualification.
 
This Indenture shall always have a Trustee who satisfies the requirements of TIA Section 310(a)(1), (2) and (5). The Trustee shall always have a combined capital and surplus of at least $25,000,000 as set forth in its most recent published annual report of condition. The Trustee shall comply with TIA Section 310(b).
 
Section 7.11.   Preferential Collection of Claims Against Company.
 
The Trustee is subject to TIA Section 311(a), excluding any creditor relationship listed in TIA Section 311(b). A Trustee who has resigned or been removed shall be subject to TTA Section 311(a) to the extent indicated.
 
 


 
ARTICLE VIII.
SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE; DEFEASANCE
 
Section 8.1.   Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture.
 
This Indenture shall upon Company Order cease to be of further effect (except as hereinafter provided in this Section 8.1), and the Trustee, at the expense of the Company, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, when
 
(a)  either
 
(i)  all Securities theretofore authenticated and delivered (other than Securities that have been destroyed, lost or stolen and that have been replaced or paid) have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation; or
 
(ii)  all such Securities not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation have become due and payable, or
 
(1)  have become due and payable, or
 
(2)  will become due and payable at their Stated Maturity within one year, or
 
(3)  are to be called for redemption within one year under arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for the giving of notice of redemption by the Trustee in the name, and at the expense, of the Company, or
 
(4)  are deemed paid and discharged pursuant to section 8.3, as applicable; and the Company, in the case of (1), (2) or (3) above, has deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee as trust funds in trust an amount sufficient for the purpose of paying and discharging the entire indebtedness on such Securities not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation, for Principal and interest to the date of such deposit (in the case of Securities which have become due and payable on or prior to the date of such deposit) or to the Stated Maturity or redemption date, as the case may be;
 
(b)  the Company has paid or caused to be paid all other sums payable hereunder by the Company; and
 
(c)  the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture have been complied with.
 
Notwithstanding the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, the obligations of the Company to the Trustee under Section 7.7, and, if money shall have been deposited with the Trustee pursuant to clause (a) of this Section, the provisions of Sections 2.4, 2.7, 2.8, 8.1 8.2 and 8.5 shall survive.
 
 

 
Section 8.2.   Application of Trust Funds; Indemnification.
 
(a)  Subject to the provisions of Section 8.5, all money deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section 8.1, all money and U.S. Government Obligations or Foreign Government Obligations deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section 8.3 or 8.4 and all money received by the Trustee in respect of U.S. Government Obligations or Foreign Government Obligations deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section 8.3 or 8.4, shall be held in trust and applied by it, in accordance with the provisions of the Securities and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent (including the Company acting as its own Paying Agent) as the Trustee may determine, to the Persons entitled thereto, of the Principal and interest for whose payment such money has been deposited with or received by the Trustee or to make Mandatory Sinking Fund Payments or analogous payments as contemplated by Sections 8.3 or 8.4.
 
(b)  The Company shall pay and shall indemnify the Trustee against any tax, fee or other charge imposed on or assessed against U.S. Government obligations or Foreign Government Obligations deposited pursuant to Sections 8.3 or 8.4 or the interest and Principal received in respect of such obligations other than any payable by or on behalf of Holders.
 
(c)  The Trustee shall deliver or pay to the Company from time to time upon Company Request any U.S. Government obligations or Foreign Government obligations or money held by it as provided in Sections 8.3 or 8.4 which, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent certified public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee, are then in excess of the amount thereof which then would have been required to be deposited for the purpose for which such U.S. Government Obligations or Foreign Government Obligations or money were deposited or received. This provision shall not authorize the sale by the Trustee of any U.S. Government Obligations or Foreign Government Obligations held under this Indenture.
 
Section 8.3.   Legal Defeasance of Securities of any Series.
 
Unless this Section 8.3 is otherwise specified, pursuant to Section 2.2.19, to be inapplicable to Securities of any Series, the Company shall be deemed to have paid and discharged the entire indebtedness on all the outstanding Securities of such Series on the 91st day after the date of the deposit referred to in subparagraph (d) hereof, and the provisions of this Indenture, as it relates to such outstanding Securities of such Series, shall no longer be in effect (and the Trustee, at the expense of the Company, shall, at Company Request, execute proper instruments acknowledging the same), except as to:
 
(a)  the rights of Holders of Securities of such Series to receive, from the trust funds described in subparagraph (d) hereof, (i) payment of the Principal of and each installment of Principal of and interest on the outstanding Securities of such Series on the Stated Maturity of such Principal or installment of Principal or interest and (ii) the benefit of any Mandatory Sinking Fund Payments applicable to the Securities of such Series on the day on which such payments are due and payable in accordance with the terms of this Indenture and the Securities of such Series;
 
(b)  the provisions of Sections 2.4, 2.7, 2.8, 8.2, 8.3 and 8.5; and
 
(c)  the rights, powers, trust and immunities of the Trustee hereunder;
 
provided that, the following conditions shall have been satisfied:
 
 

 
(i)  the Company shall have deposited or caused to be deposited irrevocably with the Trustee as trust funds in trust for the purpose of making the following payments, specifically pledged as security for and dedicated solely to the benefit of the Holders of such Securities W in the case of Securities of such Series denominated in Dollars, cash in Dollars (or such other money or currencies as shall then be legal tender in the United States) and/or U.S. Government Obligations, or (ii) in the case of Securities of such Series denominated in a Foreign Currency (other than a composite currency), money and/or Foreign Government Obligations, which through the payment of interest and Principal in respect thereof, in accordance with their terms, will provide (and without reinvestment and assuming no tax liability will be imposed on such Trustee), not later than one day before the due date of any payment of money, an amount in cash, sufficient, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee, to pay and discharge each installment of Principal (including mandatory sinking fund or analogous payments) of and interest, if any, on all the Securities of such Series on the dates such installments of interest or Principal are due;
 
(ii)  such deposit will not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a Default under, this Indenture or any other agreement or instrument to which the Company is a party or by which it is bound;
 
(iii)  no Default or Event of Default with respect to the Securities of such Series shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of such deposit or during the period ending on the 91st day after such date;
 
(iv)  the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that (i) the Company has received from, or there has been published by, the Internal Revenue Service a ruling, or (ii) since the date of execution of this Indenture, there has been a change in the applicable Federal income tax law, in either case to the effect that, and based thereon such Opinion of Counsel shall confirm that, the Holders of the Securities of such Series will not recognize income, gain or loss for Federal income tax purposes as a result of such deposit, defeasance and discharge and will be subject to Federal income tax on the same amount and in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such deposit, defeasance and discharge had not occurred;
 
(v)  the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate stating that the deposit was not made by the Company with the intent of preferring the Holders of the Securities of such Series over any other creditors of the Company or with the intent of defeating, hindering, delaying or defrauding any other creditors of the Company;
 
(vi)  such deposit shall not result in the trust arising from such deposit constituting an investment company (as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended), or such trust shall be qualified under such Act or exempt from regulation thereunder; and
 
(vii)  the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent provided for relating to the defeasance contemplated by this Section have been complied with.
 
Section 8.4.   Covenant Defeasance.
 
Unless this Section 8.4 is otherwise specified pursuant to Section 2.2.19 to be inapplicable to Securities of any Series, on and after the 91st day after the date of the deposit referred to in subparagraph (a) hereof, the Company may omit to comply with any term, provision or condition set forth under Sections 4.2, 4.3, 4.4, 4.5, 4.6, and 5.1 as well as any additional covenants contained in a supplemental indenture hereto for a particular Series of Securities or a Board Resolution or an Officers’ Certificate delivered pursuant to Section 2.2.19 (and the failure to comply with any such covenants shall not constitute a Default or Event of Default under Section 6.1) and the occurrence of any event described in clause (e) of Section 6.1 shall not constitute a Default or Event of Default hereunder, with respect to the Securities of such Series, provided that the following conditions shall have been satisfied:
 
 

 
(a)  With reference to this Section 8.4, the Company has deposited or caused to be irrevocably deposited (except as provided in Section 8.2(c)) with the Trustee as trust funds in trust, specifically pledged as security for, and dedicated solely to, the benefit of the Holders of such Securities (i) in the case of Securities of such Series denominated in Dollars, cash in Dollars (or such other money or currencies as shall then be legal tender in the United States) and/or U.S. Government Obligations, or (ii) in the case of Securities of such Series denominated in a Foreign Currency (other than a composite currency), money and/or Foreign Government Obligations, which through the payment of interest and Principal in respect thereof, in accordance with their terms, will provide (and without reinvestment and assuming no tax liability will be imposed on such Trustee), not later than one day before the due date of any payment of money, an amount in cash, sufficient, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent certified public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee, to pay Principal and interest, if any, on and any mandatory sinking fund in respect of the Securities of such Series on the dates such installments of interest or Principal are due;
 
(b)  Such deposit will not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a Default under, this Indenture or any other agreement or instrument to which the Company is a party or by which it is bound;
 
(c)  No Default or Event of Default with respect to the Securities of such Series shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of such deposit or during the period ending on the 91st day after such date;
 
(d)  the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel confirming that Holders of the Securities of such Series will not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of such deposit and defeasance and will be subject to federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such deposit and defeasance had not occurred;
 
(e)  the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate stating the deposit was not made by the Company with the intent of preferring the Holders of the Securities of such Series over any other creditors of the Company or with the intent of defeating, hindering, delaying or defrauding any other creditors of the Company; and
 
(f)  The Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to the defeasance contemplated by this Section have been complied with.
 
Section 8.5.   Repayment to Company.
 
The Trustee and the Paying Agent shall pay to the Company upon request any money held by them for the payment of Principal and interest that remains unclaimed for two years. After that, Securityholders entitled to the money must look to the Company for payment as general creditors unless an applicable abandoned property law designates another Person.
 
 


 
ARTICLE IX. 
AMENDMENTS AND WAIVERS
 
Section 9.1.   Without Consent of Holders.
 
The Company and the Trustee may amend or supplement this Indenture or the Securities of one or more Series without the consent of any Securityholder:
 
(a)  to cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency;
 
(b)  to comply with Article V;
 
(c)  to provide for uncertificated Securities in addition to or in place of Certificated Securities;
 
(d)  to make any change that does not adversely affect the rights of any Securityholder;
 
(e)  to provide for the issuance of and establish the form and terms and conditions of Securities of any Series as permitted by this Indenture;
 
(f)  to evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment hereunder by a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of one or more Series and to add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of the trusts hereunder by more than one Trustee; or
 
(g)  to comply with requirements of the SEC in order to effect or maintain the qualification of this Indenture under the TIA.
 
Section 9.2.   With Consent of Holders.
 
The Company and the Trustee may enter into a supplemental indenture with the written consent of the Holders of at least a majority in Principal amount of the outstanding Securities of all Series affected by such supplemental indenture, taken together as one class (including consents obtained in connection with a tender offer or exchange offer for the Securities of such Series), for the purpose of adding any provisions to or changing in any manner or eliminating any of the provisions of this Indenture or of any supplemental indenture or of modifying in any manner the rights of the Securityholders of each such Series. Except as provided in Section 6.13, the Holders of at least a majority in Principal amount of the outstanding Securities of all Series affected by such waiver by notice to the Trustee, taken together as one class (including consents obtained in connection with a tender offer or exchange offer for the Securities of such Series) may waive compliance by the Company with any provision of this Indenture or the Securities with respect to such Series.
 
 

 
It shall not be necessary for the consent of the Holders of Securities under this Section 9.2 to approve the particular form of any proposed supplemental indenture or waiver, but it shall be sufficient if such consent approves the substance thereof. After a supplemental indenture or waiver under this section becomes effective, the Company shall mail to the Holders of Securities affected thereby and, if any Bearer Securities affected thereby are outstanding, publish on one occasion in an Authorized Newspaper, a notice briefly describing the supplemental indenture or waiver. Any failure by the Company to mail or publish such notice, or any defect therein, shall not, however, in any way impair or affect the validity of any such supplemental indenture or waiver.
 
Section 9.3.   Limitations.
 
Without the consent of each Securityholder affected, an amendment or waiver may not:
 
(a)  change the amount of Securities whose Holders must consent to an amendment, supplement or waiver;
 
(b)  reduce the rate of or change the interest payment time on any Security or alter the redemption provisions with respect thereto or the price at which the Company is required to offer to purchase the Securities;
 
(c)  reduce the Principal or change the Stated Maturity of any Security or reduce the amount of, or postpone the date fixed for, the payment of any sinking fund or analogous obligation;
 
(d)  reduce the Principal amount of Discount Securities payable upon acceleration of the Maturity thereof;
 
(e)  waive a Default or Event of Default in the payment of the Principal of or interest, if any, on any Security (except a rescission of acceleration of the Securities of any Series by the Holders of at least a majority in Principal amount of the outstanding Securities of such Series and a waiver of the payment Default that resulted from such acceleration);
 
(f)  make the Principal of or interest, if any, on any Security payable in any currency other than that stated in the Security;
 
(g)  make any change in Sections 6.8, 6.13, 9.3 (this sentence), 10.15 or 10.16; or
 
(h)  waive a redemption payment with respect to any Security or change any of the provisions with respect to the redemption of any Securities.
 
Section 9.4.   Compliance with Trust Indenture Act.
 
Every amendment to this Indenture or the Securities of one or more Series shall be set forth in a supplemental indenture hereto that complies with the TIA as then in effect.
 
Section 9.5.   Revocation and Effect of Consents.
 
Until an amendment or waiver becomes effective, a consent to it by a Holder of a Security is a continuing consent by the Holder and every subsequent Holder of a Security or portion of a Security that evidences the same Debt as the consenting Holder’s Security, even if notation of the consent is not made on any Security. However, any such Holder or subsequent Holder may revoke the consent as to his Security or portion of a Security if the Trustee receives the notice of revocation before the date the amendment or waiver becomes effective.
 
 

 
Any amendment or waiver once effective shall bind every Securityholder of each Series affected by such amendment or waiver unless it is of the type described in any of clauses (a) through (g) of Section 9.3. in that case, the amendment or waiver shall bind each Holder of a Security who has consented to it and every subsequent Holder of a Security or portion of a Security that evidences the same Debt as the consenting Holder’s Security.
 
Section 9.6.   Notation on or Exchange of Securities.
 
The Trustee may place an appropriate notation about an amendment or waiver on any Security of any Series thereafter authenticated. The Company in exchange for Securities of that Series may issue and the Trustee shall authenticate upon request new Securities of that Series that reflect the amendment or waiver.
 
Section 9.7.   Trustee Protected.
 
In executing, or accepting the additional trusts created by, any supplemental indenture permitted by this Article or the modifications thereby of the trusts created by this Indenture, the Trustee shall be entitled to receive, and (subject to Section 7.1) shall be fully protected in relying upon, an Opinion of Counsel stating that the execution of such supplemental indenture is authorized or permitted by this Indenture. The Trustee shall sign all supplemental indentures, except that the Trustee need not sign any supplemental indenture that adversely affects its rights.
 
 


 
ARTICLE X. 
MISCELLANEOUS
 
Section 10.1.   Trust Indenture Act Controls.
 
If any provision of this Indenture limits, qualifies, or conflicts with another provision which is required or deemed to be included in this Indenture by the TIA, such required or deemed provision shall control.
 
Section 10.2.   Notices.
 
Any notice or communication by the Company or the Trustee to the other is duly given if in writing and delivered in person or mailed by first-class mail:
 
if to the Company:

Euroseas Ltd.
Aethrion Center
40 Ag. Konstantinou Street
151 24 Maroussi Greece


if to the Trustee:

[Name of Trustee]
[Address]


Attention:______________
 
The Company or the Trustee by notice to the other may designate additional or different addresses for subsequent notices or communications.
 
Any notice or communication to a Securityholder shall be mailed by first-class mail to his address shown on the register kept by the Registrar and, if any Bearer Securities are outstanding, published in an Authorized Newspaper. Failure to mail a notice or communication to a Securityholder of any Series or any defect in it shall not affect its sufficiency with respect to other Securityholders of that or any other Series.
 
If a notice or communication is mailed or published in the manner provided above, within the time prescribed, it is duly given, whether or not the Securityholder receives it.
 
If the Company mails a notice or communication to Securityholders, it mail a copy to the Trustee and each Agent at the same time.
 
Section 10.3.   Communication by Holders with Other Holders.
 
Securityholders of any Series may communicate pursuant to TIA Section 312(b) with other Securityholders of that Series or any other Series with respect to their rights under this Indenture or the Securities of that Series or all Series. The Company, the Trustee, the Registrar and anyone else shall have the protection of TIA Section 312(c).
 
Section 10.4.   Certificate and opinion as to Conditions Precedent.
 
Upon any request or application by the Company to the Trustee to take any action under this Indenture, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee:
 
(a)  an Officers’ Certificate stating that, in the opinion of the signers, all conditions precedent, if any, provided for in this Indenture relating to the proposed action have been complied with; and
 
(b)  an Opinion of Counsel stating that, in the opinion of counsel, all such conditions precedent have been complied with.
 
 

 
Section 10.5.   Statements Required in Certificate or opinion.
 
Each certificate or opinion with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant provided for in this Indenture (other than a certificate provided pursuant to TIA Section 314(a)(4)) shall comply with the provisions of TIA Section 314(e) and shall include:
 
(a)  a statement that the Person making such certificate or opinion has read such covenant or condition;
 
(b)  a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the examination or investigation upon which the statements or opinions contained in such certificate or opinion are based;
 
(c)  a statement that, in the opinion of such Person, he has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable him to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition has been complied with; and
 
(d)  a statement as to whether or not, in the opinion of such Person, such condition or covenant has been complied with.
 
Section 10.6.   Rules by Trustee and Agents.
 
The Trustee may make reasonable rules for action by or a meeting of Securityholders of one or more Series. Any Agent may make reasonable rules and set reasonable requirements for its functions.
 
Section 10.7.   Legal Holidays.
 
Unless otherwise provided by Board Resolution, Officers’ Certificate or supplemental indenture for a particular Series, a “Legal Holiday” is any day that is not a Business Day. If a payment date is a Legal Holiday at a place of payment, payment may be made at that place on the next succeeding day that is not a Legal Holiday, and no interest shall accrue for the intervening period.
 
Section 10.8.   No Recourse Against Others.
 
A director, officer, employee or stockholder, as such, of the Company shall not have any liability for any obligations of the Company under the Securities or the Indenture or for any claim based on, in respect of or by reason of such obligations or their creation. Each Securityholder by accepting a Security waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for the issue of the Securities.
 
Section 10.9.   Counterparts.
 
This Indenture may be executed in any number of counterparts and by the parties hereto in separate counterparts, each of which when so executed shall be deemed to be an original and all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same agreement.
 
Section 10.10.   Governing Laws.
 
THIS INDENTURE AND THE SECURITIES SHALL BE GOVERNED BY THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK EXCLUDING (TO THE GREATEST EXTENT POSSIBLE) ANY RULE OF LAW THAT WOULD CAUSE THE APPLICATION OF THE LAWS OF ANY JURISDICTION OTHER THAN THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
 
Section 10.11.   No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements.
 
This Indenture may not be used to interpret another indenture, loan or debt agreement of the Company or a Subsidiary. Any such indenture, loan or debt agreement may not be used to interpret this Indenture.
 
Section 10.12.   Successors.
 
All agreements of the Company in this Indenture and the Securities shall bind its successor. All agreements of the Trustee in this Indenture shall bind its successor.
 
 

 
Section 10.13.   Severability.
 
In case any provision in this Indenture or in the Securities shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.
 
Section 10.14.   Table of Contents, Headings, Etc.
 
The Table of Contents, Cross Reference Table, and headings of the Articles and Sections of this Indenture have been inserted for convenience of reference only, are not to be considered a part hereof, and shall in no way modify or restrict any of the terms or provisions hereof.
 
Section 10.15.   Securities in a Foreign Currency or in ECU.
 
Unless otherwise specified in a Board Resolution, a supplemental indenture hereto or an Officers’ Certificate delivered pursuant to Section 2.2 of this Indenture with respect to a particular Series of Securities, whenever for purposes of this Indenture any action may be taken by the Holders of a specified percentage in aggregate Principal amount of Securities of all Series or all Series affected by a particular action at the time outstanding and, at such time, there are outstanding Securities of any Series which are denominated in a coin or currency other than Dollars (including ECUs), then the Principal amount of Securities of such Series which shall be deemed to be outstanding for the purpose of taking such action shall be that amount of Dollars that could be obtained for such amount at the Market Exchange Rate at such time. For purposes of this Section 10.15, “Market Exchange Rate” shall mean the noon Dollar buying rate in New York City for cable transfers of that currency as published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York; provided, however, in the case of ECUs, Market Exchange Rate shall mean the rate of exchange determined by the Commission of the European Union (or any successor thereto) as published in the Official Journal of the European union (such publication or any successor publication, the “Journal”). If such Market Exchange Rate is not available for any reason with respect to such currency, the Trustee shall use, in its sole discretion and without liability on its part, such quotation of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York or, in the case of ECUs, the rate of exchange as published in the Journal, as of the most recent available date, or quotations or, in the case of ECUs, rates of exchange from one or more major banks in The City of New York or in the country of issue of the currency in question or, in the case of ECUs, in Luxembourg or such other quotations or, in the case of ECUs, rates of exchange as the Trustee, upon consultation with the Company, shall deem appropriate. The provisions of this paragraph shall apply in determining the equivalent Principal amount in respect of Securities of a Series denominated in currency other than Dollars in connection with any action taken by Holders of Securities pursuant to the terms of this Indenture.
 
All decisions and determinations of the Trustee regarding the Market Exchange Rate or any alternative determination provided for in the preceding paragraph shall be in its sole discretion and shall, in the absence of manifest error, be conclusive to the extent permitted by law for all purposes and irrevocably binding upon the Company and all Holders.
 
 

 
Section 10.16.   Judgment Currency.
 
The Company agrees, to the fullest extent that it may effectively do so under applicable law, that (a) if for the purpose of obtaining judgment in any court it is necessary to convert the sum due in respect of the Principal of or interest or other amount on the Securities of any Series (the “Required Currency”) into a currency in which a judgment will be rendered (the “Judgment Currency”), the rate of exchange used shall be the rate at which in accordance with normal banking procedures the Trustee could purchase in The City of New York the Required Currency with the Judgment Currency on the day on which final unappealable judgment is entered, unless such day is not a New York Banking Day, then, the rate of exchange used shall be the rate at which in accordance with normal banking procedures the Trustee could purchase in The City of New York the Required Currency with the Judgment Currency on the New York Banking Day preceding the day on which final unappealable judgment is entered and (b) its obligations under this Indenture to make payments in the Required Currency (i) shall not be discharged or satisfied by any tender, any recovery pursuant to any judgment (whether or not entered in accordance with subsection (a)), in any currency other than the Required Currency, except to the extent that such tender or recovery shall result in the actual receipt, by the payee, of the full amount of the Required Currency expressed to be payable in respect of such payments, (ii) shall be enforceable as an alternative or additional cause of action for the purpose of recovering in the Required Currency the amount, if any, by which such actual receipt shall fall short of the full amount of the Required Currency so expressed to be payable, and (iii) shall not be affected by judgment being obtained for any other sum due under this Indenture. For purposes of the foregoing, “New York Banking Day” means any day except a Saturday, Sunday or a Legal Holiday in The City of New York on which banking institutions are authorized or required by law, regulation or executive order to close.
 
 


 
ARTICLE XI. 
SINKING FUNDS
 
Section 11.1.   Applicability of Article.
 
The provisions of this Article shall be applicable to any sinking fund for the retirement of the Securities of a Series, except as otherwise permitted or required by any form of Security of such Series issued pursuant to this Indenture.
 
The minimum amount of any sinking fund payment provided for by the terms of the Securities of any Series is herein referred to as a “Mandatory Sinking Fund Payment” and any other amount provided for by the terms of Securities of such Series is herein referred to as an “Optional Sinking Fund Payment.” If provided for by the terms of Securities of any Series, the cash amount of any sinking fund payment may be subject to reduction as provided in Section 11.2. Each sinking fund payment shall be applied to the redemption of Securities of any Series as provided for by the terms of the securities of such Series.
 
Section 11.2.   Satisfaction of Sinking Fund Payments with Securities.
 
The Company may, in satisfaction of all or any part of any sinking fund payment with respect to the Securities of any Series to be made pursuant to the terms of such Securities (1) deliver outstanding Securities of such Series to which such sinking fund payment is applicable (other than any of such Securities previously called for mandatory sinking fund redemption) and (2) apply as credit Securities of such Series to which such sinking fund payment is applicable and which have been redeemed either at the election of the Company pursuant to the terms of such Series of Securities (except pursuant to any mandatory sinking fund) or through the application of permitted Optional Sinking Fund Payments or other optional redemptions pursuant to the terms of such Securities, provided that such Securities have not been previously so credited. Such Securities shall be received by the Trustee, together with an Officers’ Certificate with respect thereto, not later than 15 days prior to the date on which the Trustee begins the process of selecting Securities for redemption, and shall be credited for such purpose by the Trustee at the price specified in such Securities for redemption through operation of the sinking fund and the amount of such sinking fund payment shall be reduced accordingly. If as a result of the delivery or credit of Securities in lieu of cash payments pursuant to this Section 11.2, the Principal amount of Securities of such Series to be redeemed in order to exhaust the aforesaid cash payment shall be less than $100,000, the Trustee need not call Securities of such Series for redemption, except upon receipt of a Company Order that such action be taken, and such cash payment shall be held by the Trustee or a Paying Agent and applied to the next succeeding sinking fund payment, provided, however, that the Trustee or such Paying Agent shall from time to time upon receipt of a Company Order pay over and deliver to the Company any cash payment so being held by the Trustee or such Paying Agent upon delivery by the Company to the Trustee of Securities of that Series purchased by the Company having an unpaid Principal amount equal to the cash payment required to be released to the Company.
 
Section 11.3.   Redemption of Securities for Sinking Fund.
 
Not less than 45 days (unless otherwise indicated in the Board Resolution, supplemental indenture hereto or Officers’ Certificate in respect of a particular Series of Securities) prior to each sinking fund payment date for any Series of Securities, the Company will deliver to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate specifying the amount of the next ensuing Mandatory Sinking Fund Payment for that Series pursuant to the terms of that Series, the portion thereof, if any, which is to be satisfied by payment of cash and the portion thereof, if any, which is to be satisfied by delivering and crediting of Securities of that Series pursuant to Section 11.2., and the optional amount, if any, to be added in cash to the next ensuing Mandatory Sinking Fund Payment, and the Company shall thereupon be obligated to pay the amount therein specified. Not less than 30 days (unless otherwise indicated in the Board Resolution, Officers’ Certificate or supplemental indenture in respect of a particular Series of Securities) before each such sinking fund payment date the Trustee shall select the Securities to be redeemed upon such sinking fund payment date in the manner specified in Section 3.2 and cause notice of the redemption thereof to be given in the name of and at the expense of the Company in the manner provided in Section 3.3. Such notice having been duly given, the redemption of such Securities shall stated in Sections 3.4, 3.5 and 3.6.
 
[The Remainder of this page is intentionally left blank.]
 
 


 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Indenture to be duly executed as of the day and year first above written.
 
   
 
Euroseas Ltd.
   
 
By:
[TBD]
     
     
 
Name:
[TBD]
 
Its:
[Chief Accounting Officer and Company Secretary]
     
 
[Name of Trustee]
     
 
By:
[TBD]
     
 
 
Name:
[TBD]
 
 Its:
 
 
 
 
 
By:___________________________
Name:
Its:
 






EXHIBIT 4.7

FORM OF SUBORDINATED SECURITY DEBT INDENTURE


EUROSEAS LTD.


SUBORDINATED INDENTURE


Dated as of ______, 20__


--------------------------------

[Name of Trustee]

Trustee

 
 
 
 
TABLE OF CONTENTS

DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE
1
       
 
Section 1.1
Definitions
1
 
Section 1.2
Other Definitions
5
 
Section 1.3
Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act
6
 
Section 1.4
Rules of Construction
6
     
ARTICLE II
THE SECURITIES
7
       
 
Section 2.1
Issuable in Series
7
 
Section 2.2
Establishment of Terms of Series of Securities
7
 
Section 2.3
Execution and Authentication
9
 
Section 2.4
Registrar and Paying Agent
10
 
Section 2.5
Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust
10
 
Section 2.6
Securityholder Lists
11
 
Section 2.7
Transfer and Exchange
11
 
Section 2.8
Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Securities
11
 
Section 2.9
Outstanding Securities
12
 
Section 2.10
Treasury Securities
13
 
Section 2.11
Temporary Securities
13
 
Section 2.12
Cancellation
13
 
Section 2.13
Defaulted Interest
13
 
Section 2.14
Global Securities
13
 
Section 2.15
CUSIP Numbers
15

 
 

 


       
ARTICLE III
REDEMPTION
15
       
 
Section 3.1
Notice to Trustee
15
 
Section 3.2
Selection of Securities to be Redeemed
15
 
Section 3.3
Notice of Redemption
15
 
Section 3.4
Effect of Notice of Redemption
16
 
Section 3.5
Deposit of Redemption Price
16
 
Section 3.6
Securities Redeemed in Part
16
       
ARTICLE IV
COVENANTS
16
       
 
Section 4.1
Payment of Principal and Interest
16
 
Section 4.2
SEC Reports
17
 
Section 4.3
Compliance Certificate
17
 
Section 4.4
Stay, Extension and Usury Laws
17
 
Section 4.5
Corporate Existence
17
 
Section 4.6
Taxes
18
       
ARTICLE V
SUCCESSORS
18
       
 
Section 5.1
When Company May Merge, Etc
18
 
Section 5.2
Successor Corporation Substituted
18
       
ARTICLE VI
DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES
20
       
 
Section 6.1
Events of Default
20
 
Section 6.2
Acceleration of Maturity; Rescission and Annulment
21
 
Section 6.3
Collection of Indebtedness and Suits for Enforcement by Trustee
21
 
Section 6.4
Trustee May File Proofs of Claim
22
 
Section 6.5
Trustee May Enforce Claims Without  Possession of Securities
22
 
Section 6.6
Application of Money Collected
23
 
Section 6.7
Limitation on Suits
23
 
Section 6.8
Unconditional Right of Holders to Receive Principal and Interest
23
 
Section 6.9
Restoration of Rights and Remedies
24
 
Section 6.10
Rights and Remedies Cumulative
24
 
Section 6.11
Delay or Omission Not Waiver
24
 
Section 6.12
Control by Holders
24
 
Section 6.13
Waiver of Past Defaults
25
 
Section 6.14
Undertaking for Costs
25
       
ARTICLE VII
TRUSTEE
25
       
 
Section 7.1
Duties of Trustee
25
 
Section 7.2
Rights of Trustee
27
 
Section 7.3
Individual Rights of Trustee
27
 
Section 7.4
Trustee’s Disclaimer
27

 
 

 


 
Section 7.5
Notice of Defaults
28
 
Section 7.6
Reports by Trustee to Holders
28
 
Section 7.7
Compensation and Indemnity
28
 
Section 7.8
Replacement of Trustee
29
 
Section 7.9
Successor Trustee by Merger, etc
30
 
Section 7.10
Eligibility; Disqualification
30
 
Section 7.11
Preferential Collection of Claims Against Company
30
       
ARTICLE VIII
SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE; DEFEASANCE
30
       
 
Section 8.1
Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture
30
 
Section 8.2
Application of Trust Funds; Indemnification
31
 
Section 8.3
Legal Defeasance of Securities of any Series
32
 
Section 8.4
Covenant Defeasance
33
 
Section 8.5
Repayment to Company
35
       
ARTICLE IX
AMENDMENTS AND WAIVERS
35
       
 
Section 9.1
Without Consent of Holders
35
 
Section 9.2
With Consent of Holders
35
 
Section 9.3
Limitations
36
 
Section 9.4
Compliance with Trust Indenture Act
37
 
Section 9.5
Revocation and Effect of Consents
37
 
Section 9.6
Notation on or Exchange of Securities
37
 
Section 9.7
Trustee Protected
37
       
ARTICLE X
MISCELLANEOUS
37
       
 
Section 10.1
Trust Indenture Act Controls
37
 
Section 10.2
Notices
38
 
Section 10.3
Communication by Holders with Other Holders
38
 
Section 10.4
Certificate and opinion as to Conditions Precedent
39
 
Section 10.5
Statements Required in Certificate or opinion
39
 
Section 10.6
Rules by Trustee and Agents
39
 
Section 10.7
Legal Holidays
39
 
Section 10.8
No Recourse Against Others
39
 
Section 10.9
Counterparts
40
 
Section 10.10
Governing Laws
40
 
Section 10.11
No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements
40
 
Section 10.12
Successors
40
 
Section 10.13
Severability
40
 
Section 10.14
Table of Contents, Headings, Etc
40
 
Section 10.15
Securities in a Foreign Currency or in ECU
40
 
Section 10.16
Judgment Currency
41
       
ARTICLE XI
SINKING FUNDS
42
       
 
Section 11.1
Applicability of Article
42
 
Section 11.2
Satisfaction of Sinking Fund Payments with Securities
42
 
Section 11.3
Redemption of Securities for Sinking Fund
43
 
 
 
 
 

 
 

 

Indenture dated as of _________, 20__ between Euroseas Ltd., a company organized under the laws of the Marshall Islands (the “Company”) and [Name of Trustee], a __________________ (the “Trustee”).  Each party agrees as follows for the benefit of the other party and for the equal and ratable benefit of the Holders of the Securities issued under this Indenture.

Each party agrees as follows for the benefit of the other party and for the equal and ratable benefit of the Holders of the Securities issued under this Indenture.

 
 
 

ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

Section 1.1  Definitions.

“Additional Amounts” means any additional amounts which are required hereby or by any Security, under circumstances specified herein or therein, to be paid by the Company in respect of certain taxes imposed on Holders specified therein and which are owing to such Holders.

“Affiliate” of any specified Person means any other Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with such specified Person. For the purposes of this definition, “control” (including, with correlative meanings, the terms “controlled by” and “under common control with”), as used with respect to any Person, shall mean the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of such Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities or by agreement or otherwise.

“Agent” means any Registrar, Paying Agent or Service Agent.

“Authorized Newspaper” means a newspaper in an official language of the country of publication customarily published at least once a day for at least five days in each calendar week and of general circulation in the place in connection with which the term is used. If it shall be impractical in the opinion of the Trustee to make any publication of any notice required hereby in an Authorized Newspaper, any publication or other notice in lieu thereof that is made or given by the Trustee shall constitute a sufficient publication of such notice.

“Bearer Security” means any Security, including any interest coupon appertaining thereto, that does not provide for the identification of the Holder thereof.

“Board of Directors” means the Board of Directors of the Company or any duly authorized committee thereof.

“Board Resolution” means a copy of a resolution certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company to have been adopted by the Board of Directors or pursuant to authorization by the Board of Directors and to be in full force and effect on the date of the certificate and delivered to the Trustee.

“Business Day” means a day (other than Saturday or Sunday) on which the Depository and banks in the City of New York, and banks in the city in which the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee is located, is open for business.


 
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“Certificated Securities” means Securities in the form of physical, certificated Securities in registered form.

“Company” means the party named as such above until a successor replaces it and thereafter means the successor.

“Company Order” means a written order signed in the name of the Company by two Officers, one of whom must be the Company’s principal executive officer, principal financial officer or principal accounting officer.

“Company Request” means a written request signed in the name of the Company by its Chairman of the Board, a President or a Vice President, and by its Chief Financial Officer, its Secretary or an Assistant Secretary, and delivered to the Trustee.

“Corporate Trust Office” means the office of the Trustee at which at any particular  time its corporate  trust business shall be principally administered.

“Debt” of any Person as of any date means, without duplication, all indebtedness of such Person in respect of borrowed money, including all interest, fees and expenses owed in respect thereto (whether or not the recourse of the lender is to the whole of the assets of such Person or only to a portion thereof), or evidenced by bonds, notes, debentures or similar instruments.

“Default” means any event which is, or after notice or passage of time would be, an Event of Default.

“Depository” means, with respect to the Securities of any Series issuable or issued in whole or in part in the form of one or more Global Securities, the Person designated as Depository for such Series by the Company, which Depository shall be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act; and if at any time there is more than one such Person, “Depository” as used with respect to the Securities of any Series shall mean the Depository with respect to the Securities of such Series.

“Discount Security” means any Security that provides for an amount less than the stated Principal amount thereof to be due and payable upon declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 6.2.

“Dollars” means the currency of The United States of America.

“ECU” means the European Currency Unit as determined by the Commission of the European Union.

“Event of Default” see Section 6.1.

“Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

“Foreign Currency” means any currency or currency unit issued by a government other than the government of The United States of America.

“Foreign Government Obligations” means with respect to Securities of any Series that are denominated in a Foreign Currency, (i) direct obligations of the government that issued or caused to be issued such currency for the payment of which obligations its full faith and credit is pledged

 
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or (ii) obligations of a Person controlled or supervised by or acting as an agency or instrumentality of such government the timely payment of which is unconditionally guaranteed as a full faith and credit obligation by such government, which, in either case under clauses (i) or (ii), are not callable or redeemable at the option of the issuer thereof.

“Global  Security” or “Global  Securities” means a Security or Securities, as the case may be, in the form established pursuant to Section 2.2 evidencing all or part of a Series of Securities, issued to the Depository for such Series or its nominee, and registered in the name of such Depository or nominee.

“Holder” or “Securityholder” means a Person in whose name a Security is registered or the holder of a Bearer Security.

“Indenture” means this Indenture as amended from time to time and shall include the form and terms of particular Series of Securities established as contemplated hereunder.

“Maturity,” when used with respect to any Security or installment of Principal thereof, means the date on which the Principal of such Security or such installment of Principal becomes due and payable as therein or herein provided, whether at the Stated Maturity or by declaration of acceleration, call for redemption, notice of option to elect repayment or otherwise.

“Officer” means the Chairman of the Board, the President, any Vice-President, the Treasurer, the Secretary, any Assistant Treasurer or any Assistant Secretary of the Company.

“Officers’ Certificate” means a certificate signed by two Officers, one of whom must be the Company’s principal executive officer, principal financial officer or principal accounting officer.

“Opinion of Counsel” means a written opinion of legal counsel who is reasonably acceptable to the Trustee. Such legal counsel may be an employee of or counsel to the Company.

“Participants” means those Persons designated as participants by the Depositary.

“Person” means any individual,  corporation,  partnership, joint venture, association, limited liability company, joint-stock company, trust, unincorporated organization or government or any agency or political subdivision thereof.

“Principal” of a Security means the principal of the Security plus, when appropriate, the premium, if any, on, and any Additional Amounts in respect of, the Security.

“Responsible Officer” means any officer of the Trustee in its Corporate Trust Office and also means, with respect to a particular corporate trust matter, any other officer to whom any corporate trust matter is referred because of his or her knowledge of and familiarity with a particular subject.

“SEC” means the Securities and Exchange Commission.

“Security” or “Securities” means the debentures, notes or other debt instruments of the Company of any Series authenticated and delivered under this Indenture.

“Series” or “Series of Securities” means each series of debentures, notes or other debt instruments of the Company created pursuant to Sections 2.1 and 2.2 hereof.

 
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“Significant Subsidiary” means (i) any direct or indirect Subsidiary of the Company that would be a “significant subsidiary” as defined in Article 1, Rule 1-02 of Regulation S-X, promulgated pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, as such regulation is in effect on the date hereof, or (ii) any group of direct or indirect Subsidiaries of the Company that, taken together as a group, would be a “significant subsidiary” as defined in Article 1, Rule 1-02 of Regulation S-X, promulgated pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, as such regulation is in effect on the date hereof.

“Stated Maturity” when used with respect to any Security or any installment of Principal thereof or interest thereon, means the date specified in such Security as the fixed date on which the Principal of such Security or such installment of Principal or interest is due and payable.

“Subsidiary” of any specified Person means any corporation of which at least a majority of the outstanding stock having by the terms thereof ordinary voting power for the election of directors of such corporation (irrespective of whether or not at the time stock of any other class or classes of such corporation shall have or might have voting power by reason of the happening of any contingency) is at the time directly or indirectly owned by such Person, or by one or more other Subsidiaries, or by such Person and one or more other Subsidiaries.

“TIA” means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 (15 U.S. Code Sections 77aaa-77bbbb) as in effect on the date of this Indenture; provided, however, that in the event the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 is amended after such date, “TIA” means, to the extent required by any such amendment, the Trust Indenture Act as so amended.

“Trustee” means the Person named as the “Trustee” in the first paragraph of this instrument until a successor Trustee shall have become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter “Trustee” shall mean or include each Person who is then a Trustee hereunder, and if at any time there is more than one such Person, “Trustee” as used with respect to the Securities of any Series shall mean the Trustee with respect to Securities of that Series.

“U.S. Government Obligations” means securities which are (i) direct obligations of The United States of America for the payment of which its full faith and credit is pledged or (ii) obligations of a Person controlled or supervised by and acting as an agency or instrumentality of The United States of America the payment of which is unconditionally guaranteed as a full faith and credit obligation by The United States of America, and which in the case of (i) and (ii) are not callable or redeemable at the option of the issuer thereof, and shall also include a depository receipt issued by a bank or trust company as custodian with respect to any such U.S. Government Obligation or a specific payment of interest on or principal of any such U.S. Government Obligation held by such custodian for the account of the holder of a depository receipt, provided that (except as required by law) such custodian is not authorized to make any deduction from the amount payable to the holder of such depository receipt from any amount received by the custodian in respect of the U.S. Government Obligation evidenced by such depository receipt.

Section 1.2  Other Definitions.

TERM
DEFINED IN SECTION
   
“Bankruptcy Law”
6.1
“Custodian”
6.1
“Event of Default”
6.1
“Journal”
10.15

 
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TERM
DEFINED IN SECTION
   
“Judgment Currency”
10.16
“Legal Holiday”
10.7
“Mandatory Sinking Fund Payment”
11.1
“Market Exchange Rate”
10.15
“New York Banking Day”
10.16
“Optional Sinking Fund Payment”
11.1
“Paying Agent”
2.4
“Registrar”
2.4
“Required Currency”
10.16
“Service Agent”
2.4
“Successor Person”
 
5.1
Section 1.3  Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act.

Whenever this Indenture refers to a provision of the TIA, the provision is incorporated by reference in and made a part of this Indenture. The following TIA terms used in this Indenture have the following meanings:

“Commission” means the SEC.

“Indenture Securities” means the Securities.

“Indenture Securityholder” means a Securityholder.

“Indenture to be Qualified” means this Indenture.

“Indenture Trustee” or “institutional trustee” means the Trustee.

“Obligor” on the indenture securities means the Company and any successor obligor upon the Securities.

All other terms used in this Indenture that are defined by the TIA, defined by TIA reference to another statute or defined by SEC rule under the TIA and not otherwise defined herein are used herein as so defined.

Section 1.4  Rules of Construction.

Unless the context otherwise requires:

(a) a term has the meaning assigned to it;

(b) an accounting term not otherwise defined has the meaning assigned to it in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

(c) references to “generally accepted accounting principles” shall mean generally accepted accounting principles in effect as of the time when and for the period as to which such accounting principles are to be applied;

(d) “or” is not exclusive;

(e) words in the singular include the plural, and in the plural include the singular; and

 
5

 


(f) provisions apply to successive events and transactions.
 
 
 
ARTICLE II
THE SECURITIES

Section 2.1  Issuable in Series.

The aggregate principal amount of Securities that may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture is unlimited. The Securities may be issued in one or more Series. All Securities of a Series shall be identical except as may be set forth in a Board Resolution, a supplemental indenture or an Officers’ Certificate detailing the adoption of the terms thereof pursuant to the authority granted under a Board Resolution. In the case of Securities of a Series to be issued from time to time, the Board Resolution, Officers’ Certificate or supplemental indenture may provide for the method by which specified terms (such as interest rate, maturity date, record date or date from which interest shall accrue) are to be determined. Securities may differ between Series in respect of any matters, provided that all Series of Securities shall be equally and ratably entitled to the benefits of the Indenture.

Section 2.2  Establishment of Terms of Series of Securities.

At or prior to the issuance of any Securities within a Series, the following shall be established (as to the Series generally, in the case of Subsection 2.2.1 and either as to such Securities within the Series or as to the Series generally in the case of Subsections 2.2.2 through 2.2.20) by a Board Resolution, a supplemental indenture or an Officers’ Certificate pursuant to authority granted under a Board Resolution:

2.2.1 the title, designation, aggregate Principal amount and authorized denominations of the Securities of the Series;

2.2.2 the price or prices, (expressed as a percentage of the aggregate Principal amount thereof) at which the Securities of the Series will be issued;

2.2.3 the date or dates on which the Principal of the Securities of the Series is payable;

2.2.4 the rate or rates (which may be fixed or variable) per annum or, if applicable, the method used to determine such rate or rates (including, but not limited to, any commodity, commodity index, stock exchange index or financial index) at which the Securities of the Series shall bear interest, if any, the date or dates from which such interest, if any, shall commence and be payable and any regular record date for the interest payable on any interest payment date;

2.2.5 any optional or mandatory sinking fund provisions or conversion or exchangeability provisions upon which Securities of the Series shall be redeemed or purchased;

2.2.6 the date, if any, after which and the price or prices at which the Securities of the Series may be optionally redeemed or must be mandatorily redeemed and any other terms and provisions of optional or mandatory provisions;


 
6

 

2.2.7 if other than denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof, the denominations in which the Securities of the Series shall be issuable;

2.2.8 if other than the full Principal amount, the portion of the Principal amount of the Securities of the Series that shall be payable upon declaration of acceleration pursuant to Section 6.2 or provable in bankruptcy;

2.2.9 any addition to or change in the Events of Default which applies to any Securities of the Series and any change in the right of the Trustee or the requisite Holders of such Securities to declare the Principal amount thereof due and payable pursuant to Section 6.2;

2.2.10 the currency or currencies, including composite currencies, in which payments of Principal of, premium or interest, if any, on the Securities of the Series will be payable, if other than the currency of the United States of America;

2.2.11 if payments of Principal of, premium or interest, if any, on the Securities of the Series will be payable, at the Company’s election or at the election of any Holder, in a currency other than that in which the Securities of the Series are stated to be payable, the period or periods within which, and the terms and conditions upon which, the election may be made;

2.2.12 if payments of interest, if any, on the Securities of the Series will be payable, at the Company’s election or at the election of any Holder, in cash or additional securities, and the terms and conditions upon which the election may be made;

2.2.13 if denominated in a currency or currencies other than the currency of the United States of America, the equivalent price of the Securities of the Series in the currency of the United States of America for purposes of determining the voting rights of Holders of the Securities of the Series;

2.2.14 if the amount of payments of Principal, premium or interest may be determined with reference to an index, formula or other method based on a coin or currency other than that in which the Securities of the Series are stated to be payable, the manner in which the amounts will be determined;

2.2.15 any restrictive covenants or other material terms relating to the Securities of the Series, which may not be inconsistent with the Indenture;

2.2.16 whether the Securities of the Series will be issued in the form of Global Securities or certificates in registered or bearer form;

2.2.17 any terms with respect to subordination;

2.2.18 any listing on any securities exchange or quotation system;

2.2.19 additional provisions, if any, related to defeasance and discharge of the offered debt securities; and

2.2.20 the applicability of any guarantees.

All Securities of any one Series need not be issued at the same time and may be issued from time to time, consistent with the terms of this Indenture, if so provided by or pursuant to the Board Resolution, supplemental indenture or Officers’ Certificate referred to above, and the authorized Principal

 
7

 

amount of any Series may not be increased to provide for issuance of additional Securities of such Series, unless otherwise provided in such Board Resolution, supplemental Indenture or Officers’ Certificate.

Section 2.3  Execution and Authentication.

Two Officers shall sign the Securities for the Company by manual or facsimile signature.

If an Officer whose signature is on a Security no longer holds that office at the time the Security is  authenticated,  the Security shall nevertheless be valid.

A Security shall not be valid until authenticated by the manual signature of the Trustee or an authenticating agent. The signature shall be conclusive evidence that the Security has been authenticated under this Indenture.

The Trustee shall at any time, and from time to time, authenticate Securities for original issue in the Principal amount provided in the Board Resolution, supplemental indenture hereto or Officers’ Certificate, upon receipt by the Trustee of a Company  Order.  Such Company Order may authorize authentication and delivery pursuant to oral or electronic instructions from the Company or its duly authorized agent or agents, which oral instructions shall be promptly confirmed in writing. Each Security shall be dated the date of its authentication unless otherwise provided by a Board Resolution, a supplemental indenture hereto or an Officers’ Certificate.

The aggregate Principal amount of Securities of any Series outstanding at any time may not exceed any limit upon the maximum Principal amount for such Series set forth in the Board Resolution, supplemental indenture hereto or Officers’ Certificate delivered pursuant to Section 2.2, except as provided in Section 2.8.

Prior to the issuance of Securities of any Series, the Trustee shall have received and (subject to Section 7.2) shall be fully protected in relying on: (a) the Board Resolution, supplemental indenture hereto or Officers, Certificate establishing the form of the Securities of that Series or of Securities within that Series and the terms of the Securities of that Series or of Securities within that Series, (b) an Officers’ Certificate complying with Section 10.4, and (c) an Opinion of Counsel complying with Section 10.4.

The Trustee shall have the right to decline to authenticate and deliver any Securities of such Series: (a) if the Trustee, being advised by counsel, determines that such action may not lawfully be taken; or (b) if the Trustee in good faith by its board of directors or trustees, executive committee or a trust committee of directors and/or vice-presidents shall determine that such action would expose the Trustee to personal liability to Holders of any then outstanding Series of Securities.

The Trustee may appoint an authenticating agent acceptable to the Company to authenticate Securities. An authenticating agent may authenticate Securities whenever the Trustee may do so. Each reference in this Indenture to authentication by the Trustee includes authentication by such agent. An authenticating agent has the same rights as an Agent to deal with the Company or an Affiliate.

Section 2.4  Registrar and Paying Agent.

The Company shall maintain, with respect to each Series of Securities, at the place or places specified with respect to such Series pursuant to Section 2.2, an office or agency where Securities

 
8

 

of such Series may be presented or surrendered for payment (“Paying Agent”), where Securities of such Series may be surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange (“Registrar”) and where notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Securities of such Series and this Indenture may be served (“Service Agent”). The Registrar shall keep a register with respect to each Series of Securities and to their transfer and exchange. The Company will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of the name and address, and any change in the name or address, of each Registrar, Paying Agent or Service Agent. If at any time the Company shall fail to maintain any such required Registrar, Paying Agent or Service Agent or shall fail to furnish the Trustee with the name and address thereof, such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands may be made or served at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, and the Company hereby appoints the Trustee as its agent to receive all such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands.

The Company may also from time to time designate one or more co-registrars, additional Paying Agents or additional Service Agents and may from time to time rescind such designations; provided, however, that no such designation or rescission shall in any manner relieve the Company of its obligations to maintain a Registrar, Paying Agent and Service Agent in each place so specified pursuant to Section 2.2 for Securities of any Series for such purposes. The Company will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of any such designation or rescission and of any change in the name or address of any such co-registrar, additional Paying Agent or additional Service Agent. The term “Registrar” includes any co-registrar; the term “Paying Agent” includes any additional paying agent; and the term “Service Agent” includes any additional service agent.

The Company hereby appoints the Trustee the initial Registrar, Paying Agent and Service Agent for each Series unless another Registrar, Paying Agent or Service Agent, as the case may be, is appointed prior to the time Securities of that Series are first issued.

Section 2.5  Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust.

The Company shall require each Paying Agent other than the Trustee to agree in writing that the Paying Agent will hold in trust, for the benefit of Securityholders of any Series of Securities, or the Trustee, all money held by the Paying Agent for the payment of Principal of or interest on the Series of Securities, and will notify the Trustee of any Default by the Company in making any such payment. While any such Default continues, the Trustee may require a Paying Agent to pay all money held by it to the Trustee. The Company at any time may require a Paying Agent to pay all money held by it to the Trustee. Upon payment over to the Trustee, the Paying Agent (if other than the Company or a Subsidiary) shall have no further liability for the money. If the Company or a Subsidiary acts as Paying Agent, it shall segregate and hold in a separate trust fund for the benefit of Securityholders of any Series of Securities all money held by it as Paying Agent.

Section 2.6  Securityholder Lists.

The Trustee shall preserve in as current a form as is reasonably practicable the most recent list available to it of the names and addresses of Securityholders of each Series of Securities and shall otherwise comply with TIA Section 312(a). If the Trustee is not the Registrar, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee at least ten days before each interest payment date and at such other times as the Trustee may request in writing a list, in such form and as of such date as the Trustee may reasonably require, of the names and addresses of Securityholders of each Series of Securities.
 

 
9

 

Section 2.7  Transfer and Exchange.
 
Where Securities of a Series are presented to the Registrar or a co-registrar with a request to register a transfer or to exchange them for an equal Principal amount of Securities of the same Series, the Registrar shall register the transfer or make the exchange if its requirements for such transactions are met. To permit registrations of transfers and exchanges, the Trustee shall authenticate Securities at the Registrar’s request. No service charge shall be made for any registration of transfer or exchange (except as otherwise expressly permitted herein), but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any transfer tax or similar governmental charge payable in connection  therewith  (other than any such transfer tax or similar governmental charge payable upon exchanges pursuant to Sections 2.11, 3.6 or 9.6).

Neither the Company nor the Registrar shall be required (a) to issue, register the transfer of, or exchange Securities of any Series for the period beginning at the opening of business fifteen days immediately preceding the mailing of a notice of redemption of Securities of that Series selected for redemption and ending at the close of business on the day of such mailing, or (b) to register the transfer of or exchange Securities of any Series selected, called or being called for redemption as a whole or the portion being redeemed of any such Securities selected, called or being called for redemption in part.

Section 2.8  Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Securities.

If any mutilated Security is surrendered to the Trustee, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver in exchange therefor a new Security of the same Series and of like tenor and Principal amount and bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding.

If there shall be delivered to the Company and the Trustee (i) evidence to their satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of any Security and (ii) such security or indemnity as may be required by them to save each of them and any Agent of either of them harmless, then, in the absence of notice to the Company or the Trustee that such Security has been acquired by a bona fide purchaser, the Company shall execute and upon its request the Trustee shall authenticate and make available for delivery, in lieu of any such destroyed, lost or stolen Security, a new Security of the same Series and of like tenor and Principal amount and bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding.

In case any such mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security has become or is about to become due and payable, the Company in its discretion may, instead of issuing a new Security, pay such Security.

Upon the issuance of any new Security under this Section, the Company may require the payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in relation thereto and any other expenses (including the fees and expenses of the Trustee) connected therewith.

Every new Security of any Series issued pursuant to this Section in lieu of any destroyed, lost or stolen Security shall constitute an original additional contractual obligation of the Company, whether or not the destroyed, lost or stolen Security shall be at any time enforceable by anyone, and shall be entitled to all the benefits of this Indenture equally and proportionately with any and all other Securities of that Series duly issued hereunder.

The provisions of this Section are exclusive and shall preclude (to the extent lawful) all other rights and remedies with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Securities.

 

 
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Section 2.9  Outstanding Securities.
 
The Securities outstanding at any time are all the Securities authenticated by the Trustee except for those canceled by it, those delivered to it for cancellation, those reductions in the interest on a Global Security effected by the Trustee in accordance with the provisions hereof and those described in this Section as not outstanding.

If a Security is replaced pursuant to Section 2.8, it ceases to be outstanding until the Trustee receives proof satisfactory to it that the replaced Security is held by a bona fide purchaser.

If the Paying Agent (other than the Company, a Subsidiary or an Affiliate of any thereof) holds on the Maturity of Securities of a Series money sufficient to pay such Securities payable on that date, then on and after that date such Securities of the Series cease to be outstanding and interest on them ceases to accrue.

A Security does not cease to be outstanding because the Company or an Affiliate holds the Security.

In determining whether the Holders of the requisite Principal amount of outstanding Securities have given any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver hereunder, the Principal amount of a Discount Security that shall be deemed to be outstanding for such purposes shall be the amount of the Principal thereof that would be due and payable as of the date of such determination upon a declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 6.2.

Section 2.10  Treasury Securities.

In determining whether the Holders of the required Principal amount of Securities of a Series have concurred in any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver Securities of a Series owned by the Company or an Affiliate shall be disregarded, except that for the purposes of determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in relying on any such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver only Securities of a Series that the Trustee knows are so owned shall be so disregarded.

Section 2.11  Temporary Securities.

Until definitive Securities are ready for delivery, the Company may prepare and the Trustee shall authenticate temporary securities upon a Company Order. Temporary Securities shall be substantially in the form of definitive Securities but may have variations that the Company considers appropriate for temporary Securities. without unreasonable delay, the Company shall prepare and the Trustee upon request shall authenticate definitive Securities of the same Series and date of Maturity in exchange for temporary Securities. Until so exchanged, temporary securities shall have the same rights under this Indenture as the definitive Securities.

Section 2.12  Cancellation.

The Company at any time may deliver Securities to the Trustee for cancellation. The Registrar and the Paying Agent shall forward to the Trustee any Securities surrendered to them for registration of transfer, exchange or payment. The Trustee shall cancel all Securities surrendered for transfer, exchange, payment, replacement or cancellation and shall destroy such canceled Securities (subject to the record retention requirement of the Exchange Act) and deliver a certificate of such destruction to the Company, unless the Company otherwise directs. The Company may not issue new Securities to replace Securities that it has paid or delivered to the Trustee for cancellation.

 
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Section 2.13  Defaulted Interest.

If the Company defaults in a payment of interest on a Series of Securities, it shall pay the defaulted interest, plus, to the extent permitted by law, any interest payable on the defaulted interest, to the Persons who are Securityholders of the Series on a subsequent special record date. The Company shall fix the record date and payment date. At least 30 days before the record date, the Company shall mail to the Trustee and to each Securityholder of the Series a notice that states the record date, the payment date and the amount of interest to be paid. The Company may pay defaulted interest in any other lawful manner.

Section 2.14  Global Securities.

2.14.1 Terms of Securities.  A Board Resolution, a supplemental indenture hereto or an Officers’ Certificate shall establish whether the Securities of a Series shall be issued in whole or in part in the form of one or more Global  Securities and the Depository for such Global Security or Securities.

2.14.2 Transfer and Exchange.  Notwithstanding any provisions to the contrary contained in Section 2.7 of the Indenture and in addition thereto, any Global Security shall be exchangeable pursuant to Section 2.7 of the Indenture for Securities registered in the names of Holders other than the Depository for such Security or its nominee only if (i) such Depository notifies the Company that it is unwilling or unable to continue as Depository for such Global Security or if at any time such Depository ceases to be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act, and, in either case, the Company fails to appoint a successor Depository within 90 days of such event, (ii) the Company executes and delivers to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate to the effect that such Global Security shall be so exchangeable or (iii) an Event of Default with respect to the Securities represented by such Global Security shall have happened and be continuing. Any Global Security that is exchangeable pursuant to the preceding sentence shall be exchangeable for Securities registered in such names as the Depository shall direct in writing in an aggregate Principal amount equal to the principal amount of the Global Security with like tenor and terms.

Except as provided in this Section 2.14.2, a Global Security may not be transferred except as a whole by the Depository with respect to such Global Security to a nominee of such Depository, by a nominee of such Depository to such Depository or another nominee of such Depository or by the Depository or any such nominee to a successor Depository or a nominee of such a successor Depository.

2.14.3 Legend.  Any Global Security issued hereunder shall bear a legend in substantially the following form:

“This Security is a Global Security within the meaning of the Indenture hereinafter referred to and is registered in the name of the Depository or a nominee of the Depository. This Security is exchangeable for Securities registered in the name of a Person other than the Depository or its nominee only in the limited circumstances described in the Indenture, and may not be transferred except as a whole by the Depository to a nominee of the Depository, by a nominee of the Depository to the Depository or another nominee of the Depository or by the Depository or any such nominee to a successor Depository or a nominee of such a successor Depository.”


 
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2.14.4 Acts of Holders.  The Depository, as a Holder, may appoint agents and otherwise authorize Participants to give or take any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action which a Holder is entitled to give or take under the Indenture.

2.14.5 Payments.  Notwithstanding the other provisions of this Indenture, unless otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 2.2, payment of the Principal of and interest, if any, on any Global Security shall be made to the Holder thereof at their registered office.

2.14.6 Consents, Declaration and Directions.  Except as provided in Section 2.14.5, the Company, the Trustee and any Agent shall treat a Person as the Holder of such Principal amount of outstanding Securities of such Series represented by a Global Security as shall be specified in a written statement of the Depositary with respect to such Global Security, for purposes of obtaining any consents, declarations, waivers or directions required to be given by the Holders pursuant to this Indenture.

Section 2.15  CUSIP Numbers.

The Company in issuing the Securities may use “CUSIP” numbers (if then generally in use), and, if so, the Trustee shall use “CUSIP” numbers in notices of redemption as a convenience to Holders; provided that any such notice may state that no representation is made as to the correctness of such numbers either as printed on the Securities or as contained in any notice of a redemption and that reliance may be placed only on the other elements of identification printed on the Securities, and any such redemption shall not be affected by any defect in or omission of such numbers.

 
 
 

ARTICLE III
REDEMPTION

Section 3.1  Notice to Trustee.

The Company may, with respect to any Series of Securities, reserve the right to redeem and pay the Series of Securities or may covenant to redeem and pay the Series of Securities or any part thereof prior to the Stated Maturity thereof at such time and on such terms as provided for in such Securities. If a Series of Securities is redeemable and the Company wants or is obligated to redeem prior to the Stated Maturity thereof all or part of the Series of Securities pursuant to the terms of such Securities, it shall notify the Trustee of the redemption date and the Principal amount of Series of Securities to be redeemed. The Company shall give the notice at least 45 days before the redemption date (or such shorter notice as may be acceptable to the Trustee).

Section 3.2  Selection of Securities to be Redeemed.

Unless otherwise indicated for a particular Series by a Board Resolution, a supplemental indenture or an Officers’ Certificate, if less than all the Securities of a Series are to be redeemed, the Trustee shall select the Securities of the Series to be redeemed in any manner that the Trustee deems fair and appropriate. The Trustee shall make the selection from Securities of the Series outstanding not previously called for redemption. The Trustee may select for redemption portions of the Principal of Securities of the Series that have denominations larger than $1,000. Securities of the Series and portions of them it selects shall be in amounts of $1,000 or whole multiples of $1,000 or, with respect to Securities of any Series issuable in other denominations pursuant to Section 2.2.7, the minimum Principal denomination for each Series and integral multiples thereof. Provisions of this Indenture that

 
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apply to Securities of a Series called for redemption also apply to portions of Securities of that Series called for redemption.

Section 3.3  Notice of Redemption.

Unless  otherwise  indicated for a particular  Series by Board Resolution, a supplemental indenture hereto or an Officers’ Certificate, at least 30 days but not more than 60 days before a redemption date, the Company shall mail a notice of redemption by first-class mail to each Holder whose Securities are to be redeemed and if any Bearer Securities are outstanding, publish on one occasion a notice in an Authorized Newspaper.

The notice shall identify the Securities of the Series to be redeemed and shall state:

(a) the redemption date;

(b) the redemption price;

(c) the name and address of the Paying Agent;

(d) that Securities of the Series called for redemption must be surrendered to the Paying Agent to collect the redemption price;

(e) that interest on Securities of the Series called for redemption ceases to accrue on and after the redemption date; and

(f) any other information as may be required by the terms of the particular Series or the Securities of a Series being redeemed.

At the Company’s request, the Trustee shall give the notice of redemption in the Company’s name and at its expense.

Section 3.4  Effect of Notice of Redemption.

Once notice of redemption is mailed or published as provided in Section 3.3, Securities of a Series called for redemption become due and payable on the redemption date and at the redemption price. A notice of redemption may not be conditional. Upon surrender to the Paying Agent, such Securities shall be paid at the redemption price plus accrued interest to the redemption date.

Section 3.5  Deposit of Redemption Price.

On or before the redemption date, the Company shall deposit with the Paying Agent money sufficient to pay the redemption price of and accrued interest, if any, on all Securities to be redeemed on that date.

Section 3.6  Securities Redeemed in Part.

Upon surrender of a Security that is redeemed in part, the Trustee shall authenticate for the Holder a new Security of the same Series and the same Maturity equal in Principal amount to the unredeemed portion of the Security surrendered.
 

 
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ARTICLE IV
COVENANTS

Section 4.1  Payment of Principal and Interest.

The Company covenants and agrees for the benefit of the Holders of each Series of Securities that it will duly and punctually pay the Principal of and interest, if any, on the Securities of that Series in accordance with the terms of such Securities and this Indenture.

Section 4.2  SEC Reports.

The Company shall deliver to the Trustee within 15 days after it files them with the SEC copies of the annual reports and of the information, documents, and other reports (or copies of such portions of any of the foregoing as the SEC may by rules and regulations prescribe) which the Company is required to file with the SEC pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act. The Company also shall comply with the other provisions of TIA Section 314(a).

Section 4.3  Compliance Certificate.

The Company shall deliver to the Trustee, within 90 days after the end of each fiscal year of the Company, an Officers Certificate signed by two of the Company’s Officers stating that a review of the activities of the Company and its Subsidiaries during the preceding fiscal year has been made under the supervision of the signing Officers with a view to determining whether the Company has kept, observed, performed and fulfilled its obligations under this Indenture,  and further stating,  as to each such Officer signing such certificate, that to the best of his knowledge the Company has kept, observed, performed and fulfilled each and every covenant contained in this Indenture and is not in default in the performance or observance of any of the terms, provisions and conditions hereof (or, if a Default or Event of Default shall have occurred, describing all such Defaults or Events of Default of which he may have knowledge).

The Company will, so long as any of the Securities are outstanding, deliver to the Trustee, forthwith upon becoming aware of any Default or Event of Default, an Officers’ Certificate specifying such Default or Event of Default and what action the Company is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto.

Section 4.4  Stay, Extension and Usury Laws.

The Company covenants (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) that it will not at any time insist upon, plead, or in any manner whatsoever claim or take the benefit or advantage of, any stay, extension or usury law wherever enacted, now or at any time hereafter in force, which may affect the covenants or the performance of this Indenture or the Securities; and the Company (to the extent it may lawfully do so) hereby expressly waives all benefit or advantage of any such law and covenants that it will not, by resort to any such law, hinder, delay or impede the execution of any power herein granted to the Trustee, but will suffer and permit the execution of every such power as though no such law has been enacted.

Section 4.5  Corporate Existence.

Subject to Article V, the Company will do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect its corporate existence and the corporate, partnership or other

 
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existence of each Significant Subsidiary in accordance with the respective organizational documents of each Significant Subsidiary and the rights (charter and statutory), licenses and franchises of the Company and its Significant Subsidiaries; provided, however, that the Company shall not be required to preserve any such right, license or franchise, or the corporate, partnership or other existence of any Significant Subsidiary, if the Board of Directors shall determine that the preservation thereof is no longer desirable in the conduct of the business of the Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole and that the loss thereof is not adverse in any material respect to the Holders.

Section 4.6  Taxes.

The Company  shall,  and shall cause each of its  Significant Subsidiaries  to, pay prior to delinquency  all taxes,  assessments and governmental levies, except as contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings.

 
 
 

ARTICLE V
SUCCESSORS

Section 5.1  When Company May Merge, Etc.

The Company shall not consolidate with or merge into any other Person in a transaction in which we are not the surviving entity, or convey, transfer or lease all or substantially all of its properties and assets to any Person (a “Successor Person”), unless:

(a) the Successor Person (if any) is a corporation, partnership, trust or other entity organized and validly existing under the laws of the Marshall Islands or any U.S. domestic jurisdiction and expressly assumes the Company’s obligations on the Securities and under this Indenture; and

(b) immediately after giving effect to the transaction, no Default or Event of Default, shall have occurred and be continuing.

The Company shall deliver to the Trustee prior to the consummation of the proposed transaction an Officers’ Certificate to the foregoing effect and an Opinion of Counsel stating that the proposed transaction and such supplemental indenture comply with this Indenture.

Section 5.2  Successor Corporation Substituted.

Upon any consolidation or merger, or any sale, lease, conveyance or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company in accordance with Section 5.1, the Successor Person formed by such consolidation or into or with which the Company is merged or to which such sale, lease, conveyance or other disposition is made shall succeed to, and be substituted for, and may exercise every right and power of, the Company under this Indenture with the same effect as if such Successor Person has been named as the Company herein; provided, however, that the predecessor company in the case of a sale, lease, conveyance or other disposition shall not be released from the obligation to pay the Principal of and interest, if any, on the Securities.

 
 
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ARTICLE VI
DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES

Section 6.1  Events of Default.

“Event of Default,” wherever used herein with respect to Securities of any Series, means any one of the following events, unless in the establishing Board Resolution, supplemental indenture or Officers’ Certificate, it is provided that such Series shall not have the benefit of said Event of Default:

(a) Default in the payment of any interest on any Security of that Series when it becomes due and payable, and continuance of such Default for a period of 30 days (unless the entire amount of such payment is deposited by the Company with the Trustee or with a Paying Agent prior to the expiration of such period of 30 days); or

(b) Default in the payment of the Principal of any Security of that Series at its Maturity; or

(c) Default in the deposit of any sinking fund payment, when and as due in respect of any Security of that Series; or

(d) Default in the performance or breach of any covenant of the Company in this Indenture, which Default continues uncured for a period of 60 days after there has been given, by registered or certified mail, to the Company by the Trustee or to the Company and the Trustee by the Holders of at least 25% in Principal amount of the outstanding Securities of that Series a written notice specifying such Default or breach and requiring it to be remedied and stating that such notice is a “Notice of Default” hereunder; or

(e) Default under any Debt of the Company (including a Default with respect to Securities of any Series other than that Series) or any Subsidiary, whether such Debt now exists or shall hereafter be created, if (A) such Default results from the failure to pay any such Debt when it becomes due and (B) such Debt is not discharged or such acceleration is not rescinded or annulled within 30 days after written notice to the Company by the holder or holders of such Debt in the manner provided for in the applicable debt instrument; provided, that if the Default with respect to such Debt is remedied or cured by the Company or waived by the holders of such Debt before entry of judgment in favor of the relevant trustee, then the Event of Default under this Indenture will be deemed likewise to have been remedied, cured or waived; or

(f) the Company pursuant to or within the meaning of any Bankruptcy Law:

(i) commences a voluntary case,

(ii) consents to the entry of an order for relief against it in an involuntary case,

(iii) consents to the appointment of a Custodian of it or for all or substantially all of its property,

(iv) makes a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors, or

(v) generally is unable to pay its Debts as the same become due; or


 
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(g) a court of competent jurisdiction enters an order or decree under any Bankruptcy Law that:

(i) is for relief against the Company or any of its Significant Subsidiaries in an involuntary case,

(ii) appoints a Custodian of the Company or any of its Significant Subsidiaries or for all or substantially all of its property, or

(iii) orders the liquidation of the Company or any of its Significant Subsidiaries, and the order or decree remains unstayed and in effect for 60 days; or

(h) any other Event of Default provided with respect to Securities of that Series, which is specified in a Board Resolution, a supplemental indenture hereto or an Officers’ Certificate, in accordance with Section 2.2.18.

No Event of Default with respect to a particular Series of Securities (except with respect to subsections (f) and (g) above) necessarily constitutes an Event of Default with respect to any other Series of Securities.

The term “Bankruptcy Law” means title 11, U.S. Code or any similar Federal or State law for the relief of debtors. The term “Custodian” means any receiver, trustee, assignee, liquidator or similar official under any Bankruptcy Law.

Section 6.2  Acceleration of Maturity; Rescission and Annulment.

If an Event of Default with respect to Securities of any Series at the time outstanding occurs and is continuing, then in every such case the Trustee or the Holders of not less than 25% in Principal amount of the outstanding Securities of that Series may declare the Principal amount (or, if any Securities of that Series are Discount Securities, such portion of the Principal amount as may be specified in the terms of such Securities) of and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on all of the Securities of that Series to be due and payable immediately, by a notice in writing to the Company (and to the Trustee if given by Holders), and upon any such declaration such Principal amount (or specified amount) and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, shall become immediately due and payable.

The Holders of not less than a majority in Principal amount of the outstanding Securities of that Series, by written notice to the Trustee, may rescind any declaration of acceleration of such Securities of that Series and its consequences if all existing Events of Default (other than the nonpayment of Principal of or interest on such Securities that shall have become due by such declaration) shall have been cured or waived.

Section 6.3  Collection of Indebtedness and Suits for Enforcement by Trustee.

If an Event of Default with respect to any Securities of any Series occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may in its discretion proceed to protect and enforce its rights and the rights of the Holders of Securities of such Series by such appropriate judicial proceedings as the Trustee shall deem most effectual to protect and enforce any such rights, whether for the specific enforcement of any covenant or agreement in this Indenture or in aid of the exercise of any power granted herein, or to enforce any other proper remedy.
 
 
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Section 6.4  Trustee May File Proofs of Claim.
 
In case of the pendency of any receivership, insolvency, liquidation, bankruptcy, reorganization,  arrangement, adjustment, composition or other judicial proceeding relative to the Company or any other obligor upon the Securities or the property of the Company or of such other obligor or their creditors, the Trustee (irrespective of whether the Principal of the Securities shall then be due and payable as therein expressed or by declaration or otherwise and irrespective of whether the Trustee shall have made any demand on the Company for the payment of overdue Principal or interest) shall be entitled and empowered, by intervention in such proceeding or otherwise,

(a) to file and prove a claim for the whole amount of Principal and interest owing and unpaid in respect of the Securities and to file such other papers or documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Trustee (including any claim for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel) and of the Holders allowed in such judicial proceeding, and

(b) to collect and receive any moneys or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims and to distribute the same, and any custodian, receiver, assignee, trustee, liquidator, sequestrator or other similar official in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Holder to make such payments to the Trustee and, in the event that the Trustee shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Holders, to pay to the Trustee any amount due it for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee under Section 7.7.

Nothing herein contained shall be deemed to authorize the Trustee to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Holder any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Securities or the rights of any Holder thereof or to authorize the Trustee to vote in respect of the claim of any Holder in any such proceeding.

Section 6.5  Trustee May Enforce Claims Without  Possession of Securities.

All rights of action and claims under this Indenture or the Securities may be prosecuted and enforced by the Trustee without the possession of any of the Securities or the production thereof in any proceeding relating thereto, and any such proceeding instituted by the Trustee shall be brought in its own name as trustee of an express trust, and any recovery of judgment shall, after provision  for the  payment of the  reasonable  compensation,  expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, be for the ratable benefit of the Holders of the Securities in respect of which such judgment has been recovered.

Section 6.6  Application of Money Collected.

Any money collected by the Trustee pursuant to this Article shall be applied in the following order, at the date or dates fixed by the Trustee and, in case of the distribution of such money on account of Principal or interest, upon presentation of the Securities and the notation thereon of the payment if only partially paid and upon surrender thereof if fully paid: and

First: To the payment of all amounts due the Trustee under Section 7.7;

Second: To the payment of the amounts then due and unpaid for Principal of and interest on the Securities in respect of which or for the benefit of which such money has been collected, ratably, without preference or priority of any kind, according to the amounts due and payable on such Securities for Principal and interest, respectively; and


 
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Third: To the Company.

Section 6.7  Limitation on Suits.

No Holder of any Security of any Series shall have any right to institute any proceeding, judicial or otherwise, with respect to this Indenture, or for the appointment of a receiver or trustee, or for any other remedy hereunder, unless

(a) such Holder has previously given written notice to the Trustee of a continuing Event of Default with respect to the Securities of that Series;

(b) the Holders of not less than 25% in Principal amount of the outstanding Securities of that Series shall have made written request to the Trustee to institute proceedings in respect of such Event of Default in its own name as Trustee hereunder;

(c) such Holder or Holders have offered to the Trustee reasonable indemnity against the costs, expenses and liabilities to be incurred in compliance with such request;

(d) the Trustee for 60 days after its receipt of such notice, request and offer of indemnity has failed to institute any such proceeding; and

(e) no direction inconsistent with such written request has been given to the Trustee during such 60-day period by the Holders of a majority in Principal amount of the outstanding Securities of that Series; it being understood and intended that no one or more of such Holders shall have any right in any manner whatever by virtue of, or by availing of, any provision of this Indenture to affect, disturb or prejudice the rights of any other of such Holders, or to obtain or to seek to obtain priority or preference over any other of such Holders or to enforce any right under this Indenture, except in the manner herein provided and for the equal and ratable benefit of all such Holders.

Section 6.8  Unconditional Right of Holders to Receive Principal and Interest.

Notwithstanding any other provision in this Indenture, the Holder of any Security shall have the right, which is absolute and unconditional, to receive payment of the Principal of and interest, if any, on such Security on the Stated Maturity or Stated Maturities expressed in such Security (or, in the case of redemption, on the redemption date) and to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment, and such rights shall not be impaired without the consent of such Holder.

Section 6.9  Restoration of Rights and Remedies.

If the Trustee or any Holder has instituted any proceeding to enforce any right or remedy under this Indenture and such proceeding has been discontinued or abandoned for any reason, or has been determined adversely to the Trustee or to such Holder, then and in every such case, subject to any determination in such proceeding, the Company, the Trustee and the Holders shall be restored severally and respectively to their former positions hereunder and thereafter all rights and remedies of the Trustee and the Holders shall continue as though no such proceeding had been instituted.

Section 6.10  Rights and Remedies Cumulative.

Except as otherwise provided with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Securities in Section 2.8, no right or remedy herein conferred upon or reserved to the Trustee or to the Holders is intended to be exclusive of any other right or remedy, and every right and

 
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remedy shall, to the extent permitted by law, be cumulative and in addition to every other right and remedy given hereunder or now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or otherwise. The assertion or employment of any right or remedy hereunder, or otherwise, shall not prevent the concurrent assertion or employment of any other appropriate right or remedy.

Section 6.11  Delay or Omission Not Waiver.

No delay or omission of the Trustee or of any Holder of any Securities to exercise any right or remedy accruing upon any Event of Default shall impair any such right or remedy or constitute a waiver of any such Event of Default or an acquiescence therein. Every right and remedy given by this Article or by law to the Trustee or to the Holders may be exercised from time to time, and as often as may be deemed expedient, by the Trustee or by the Holders, as the case may be.

Section 6.12  Control by Holders.

The Holders of a majority in Principal amount of the outstanding Securities of any Series shall have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee, with respect to the Securities of such Series, provided that

(a) such direction shall not be in conflict with any rule of law or with this Indenture,

(b) the Trustee may take any other action deemed proper by the Trustee which is not inconsistent with such direction, and

(c) subject to the provisions of Section 6.1, the Trustee shall have the right to decline to follow any such direction if the Trustee in good faith shall, by a Responsible Officer of the Trustee, determine that the proceeding so directed would involve the Trustee in personal liability.

Section 6.13  Waiver of Past Defaults.

The Holders of not less than a majority in Principal amount of the outstanding Securities of any Series may on behalf of the Holders of all the Securities of such Series waive any past Default hereunder with respect to such Series and its consequences, except a Default in the payment of the Principal of or interest on any Security of such Series (provided, however, that the Holders of a majority in Principal amount of the outstanding Securities of any Series may rescind an acceleration and its consequences, including any related payment Default that resulted from such acceleration). Upon any such waiver, such Default shall cease to exist, and any Event of Default arising therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured, for every purpose of this Indenture; but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other Default or impair any right consequent thereon.

Section 6.14  Undertaking for Costs.

All parties to this Indenture agree, and each Holder of any Security by his acceptance thereof shall be deemed to have agreed, that any court may in its discretion require, in any suit for the enforcement of any right or remedy under this Indenture, or in any suit against the Trustee for any action taken, suffered or omitted by it as Trustee, the filing by any party litigant in such suit of an undertaking to pay the costs of such suit, and that such court may in its discretion assess reasonable costs, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, against any party litigant in such suit, having due regard to the merits and good faith of the claims or defenses made by such party litigant; but the provisions of this Section shall not

 
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apply to any suit instituted by the Company, to any suit instituted by the Trustee, to any suit instituted by any Holder, or group of Holders, holding in the aggregate more than 10% in Principal amount of the outstanding Securities of any Series, or to any suit instituted by any Holder for the enforcement of the payment of the Principal of or interest on any Security on or after the Stated Maturity or Stated Maturities expressed in such Security (or, in the case of redemption, on the redemption date).
 
 
 
 
ARTICLE VII
TRUSTEE

Section 7.1  Duties of Trustee.

(a) If an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Trustee shall exercise the rights and powers vested in it by this Indenture and use the same degree of care and skill in their exercise as a prudent man would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of his own affairs.

(b) Except during the continuance of an Event of Default:

(i) The Trustee  need perform only those duties that are specifically set forth in this Indenture and no others.

(ii) in the absence of bad faith on its part, the Trustee may conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and the correctness of the opinions expressed therein, upon Officers’ Certificates or Opinions of Counsel furnished to the Trustee and conforming to the requirements of this Indenture; however, in the case of any such Officers’ Certificates or Opinions of Counsel which by any provisions hereof are specifically required to be furnished to the Trustee, the Trustee shall examine such Officers’ Certificates and Opinions of Counsel to determine whether or not they conform to the requirements of this Indenture.

(c) The Trustee may not be relieved from liability for its own its own willful negligent action, its own negligent failure to act or misconduct, except that:

(i) This paragraph does not limit the effect of paragraph (b) of this section.

(ii) The Trustee shall not be liable for any error of judgment made in good faith by a Responsible Officer, unless it is proved that the Trustee was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts.

(iii) The Trustee shall not be liable with respect to any action taken, suffered or omitted to be taken by it with respect to Securities of any Series in good faith in accordance with the direction of the Holders of a majority in Principal amount of the outstanding Securities of such Series relating to the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred upon the Trustee, under this Indenture with respect to the Securities of such Series.

(d) Every provision of this Indenture that in any way relates to the Trustee is subject to paragraph (a), (b) and (c) of this Section.


 
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(e) The Trustee may refuse to perform any duty or exercise any right or power unless it receives indemnity satisfactory to it against any loss, liability or expense.

(f) The Trustee shall not be liable for interest on any money received by it except as the Trustee may agree in writing with the Company. Money held in trust by the Trustee need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.

(g) No provision of this Indenture shall require the Trustee to risk its own funds or otherwise incur any financial liability in the performance of any of its duties, or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers, if it shall have reasonable grounds for believing that repayment of such funds or adequate indemnity against such risk is not reasonably assured to it.

(h) The Paying Agent, the Registrar and any authenticating agent shall be entitled to the protections, immunities and standard of care as are set forth in paragraphs (a), (b) and (c) of this Section with respect to the Trustee.

Section 7.2  Rights of Trustee.

(a) The Trustee may rely on and shall be protected in acting or refraining from acting as a result of its reasonable belief that any document was genuine and had been signed or presented by the proper Person. The Trustee need not investigate any fact or matter stated in the document.

(b) Before the Trustee acts or refrains from acting, it may require an Officers’ Certificate or an Opinion of Counsel. The Trustee shall not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in reliance on such Officers’ Certificate or Opinion of Counsel.

(c) The Trustee may act through agents and shall not be responsible for the misconduct or negligence of any agent appointed with due care; provided that such agent agree as a condition to its engagement that it shall be responsible to the Company for its own misconduct or negligence. No Depository shall be deemed an agent of the Trustee and the Trustee shall not be responsible for any act or omission by any Depository.

(d) The Trustee shall not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith which it believes to be authorized or within its rights or powers.

(e) The Trustee may consult with counsel and the advice of such counsel or any Opinion of Counsel shall be full and complete authorization and protection in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by it hereunder in good faith and in reliance thereon.

(f) The Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by this Indenture at the request or direction of any of the Holders of Securities unless such Holders shall have offered to the Trustee reasonable security or indemnity against the costs, expenses and liabilities which might be incurred by it in compliance with such request or direction.

Section 7.3  Individual Rights of Trustee.

The Trustee in its individual or any other capacity may become the owner or pledgee of securities and may otherwise deal with the Company or an Affiliate with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee. Any Agent may do the same with like rights. The Trustee is also subject to Sections 7.10 and 7.11.


 
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Section 7.4  Trustee’s Disclaimer.

The Trustee makes no representation as to the validity or adequacy of this Indenture or the Securities, it shall not be accountable for the Company’s use of the proceeds from the Securities, and it shall not be responsible for any statement in the Securities other than its authentication.

Section 7.5  Notice of Defaults.

If a Default or Event of Default occurs and is continuing with respect to the Securities of any Series and if it is known to a Responsible Officer of the Trustee, the Trustee shall mail to each Securityholder of the Securities of that Series and, if any Bearer Securities are outstanding, publish on one occasion in an Authorized Newspaper, notice of a Default or Event of Default within 90 days after it occurs or, if later, after a Responsible Officer of the Trustee has knowledge of such Default or Event of Default. Except in the case of a Default or Event of Default in payment of Principal of or interest on any Security of any Series, the Trustee may withhold the notice if and so long as its corporate trust committee or a committee of its Responsible Officers in good faith  determines  that  withholding the notice is in the interests of Securityholders of that Series.

Section 7.6  Reports by Trustee to Holders.

Within 60 days after May 15 in each year, the Trustee shall transmit by mail to all Securityholders, as their names and addresses appear on the register kept by the Registrar and, if any Bearer Securities are outstanding, publish in an Authorized Newspaper, a brief report dated as of such May 15, in accordance with, and to the extent required under, TIA Section 313.

A copy of each report at the time of its mailing to Securityholders of any Series shall be filed with the SEC and each stock exchange on which the Securities of that Series are listed. The Company shall promptly notify the Trustee when Securities of any Series are listed on any stock exchange.

Section 7.7  Compensation and Indemnity.

The Company shall pay to the Trustee from time to time reasonable compensation for its services. The Trustee’s compensation shall not be limited by any law on compensation of a trustee of an express trust. The Company shall reimburse the Trustee upon request for all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by it. Such expenses shall include the reasonable compensation and expenses of the Trustee’s agents and counsel.

The Company shall indemnify the Trustee (including the cost of defending itself) against any loss, liability or expense incurred by it except as set forth in the next paragraph in the performance of its duties under this Indenture as Trustee or Agent. The Trustee shall notify the Company promptly of any claim for which it may seek indemnity. The Company shall defend the claim and the Trustee shall cooperate in the defense. The Trustee may have separate counsel and the Company shall pay the reasonable fees and expenses of such counsel. The Company need not pay for any settlement made without its consent, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld. This indemnification shall apply to officers, directors, employees, shareholders and agents of the Trustee.

The Company need not reimburse any expense or indemnify against any loss liability incurred by the Trustee or by any officer, director, employee, shareholder or agent of the Trustee through negligence or bad faith.


 
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To secure the Company’s payment obligations in this Section, the Trustee shall have a lien prior to the Securities of any Series on all money or property held or collected by the Trustee, except that held in trust to pay Principal and interest on particular Securities of that Series.

When the Trustee incurs expenses or renders services after an Event of Default specified in Section 6.1(f) or (g) occurs, the expenses and the compensation  for the services are intended to  constitute  expenses of administration under any Bankruptcy Law.

Section 7.8  Replacement of Trustee.

A resignation or removal of the Trustee and appointment of a successor Trustee shall become effective only upon the successor Trustee’s acceptance of appointment as provided in this Section.

The Trustee may resign with respect to the Securities of one or more Series by so notifying the Company. The Holders of a majority in Principal amount of the Securities of any Series may remove the Trustee with respect to that Series by so notifying the Trustee and the Company. The Company may remove the Trustee with respect to Securities of one or more Series if:

(a) the Trustee fails to comply with Section 7.10;

(b) the Trustee is adjudged a bankrupt or an insolvent or an order for relief is entered with respect to the Trustee under any Bankruptcy Law;

(c) a Custodian or public officer takes charge of the Trustee or its property; or

(d) the Trustee becomes incapable of acting.

If the Trustee resigns or is removed or if a vacancy exists in the office of Trustee for any reason, the Company shall promptly appoint a successor Trustee. Within one year after the successor Trustee takes office, the Holders of a majority in Principal amount of the then outstanding Securities may appoint a successor Trustee to replace the successor Trustee appointed by the Company.

If a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of any one or more Series does not take office within 60 days after the retiring Trustee resigns or is removed, the retiring Trustee, the Company or the Holders of at least 10% in Principal amount of the Securities of the applicable Series may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee.

If the Trustee with respect to the Securities of any one or more Series fails to comply with Section 7.10, any Securityholder of the applicable Series may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee and the appointment of a successor Trustee.

A successor Trustee shall deliver a written acceptance of its appointment to the retiring Trustee and to the Company. Immediately after that, the retiring Trustee shall transfer all property held by it as Trustee to the successor Trustee subject to the lien provided for in Section 7.7, the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective, and the successor Trustee shall have all the rights, powers and duties of the Trustee with respect to each Series of Securities for which it is acting as Trustee under this Indenture. A successor Trustee shall mail a notice of its succession to each Securityholder of each such Series and, if any Bearer Securities are outstanding, publish such notice on one occasion in an Authorized Newspaper. Notwithstanding replacement of the Trustee pursuant to this Section 7.8, the

 
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Company’s obligations under Section 7.7 hereof shall continue for the benefit of the retiring trustee with respect to expenses and liabilities incurred by it prior to such replacement.

Section 7.9  Successor Trustee by Merger, etc.

If the Trustee consolidates with, merges or converts into, or transfers all or substantially all of its corporate trust business to, another corporation, the successor corporation without any further act shall be the successor Trustee.

Section 7.10  Eligibility; Disqualification.

This Indenture  shall always have a Trustee who satisfies the requirements of TIA Section 310(a)(1), (2) and (5). The Trustee shall always have a combined capital and surplus of at least $25,000,000 as set forth in its most recent published annual report of condition. The Trustee shall comply with TIA Section 310(b).

Section 7.11  Preferential Collection of Claims Against Company.

The Trustee is subject to TIA Section 311(a), excluding any creditor relationship listed in TIA Section 311(b). A Trustee who has resigned or been removed shall be subject to TTA Section 311(a) to the extent indicated.

 
 
 

ARTICLE VIII
SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE; DEFEASANCE

Section 8.1  Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture.

This Indenture shall upon Company Order cease to be of further effect (except as hereinafter provided in this Section 8.1), and the Trustee, at the expense of the Company,  shall execute proper instruments  acknowledging satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, when

(a) either

(i) all Securities theretofore authenticated and delivered (other than Securities that have been destroyed, lost or stolen and that have been replaced or paid) have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation; or

(ii) all such Securities not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation have become due and payable, or

(1) have become due and payable, or

(2) will become due and payable at their Stated Maturity within one year, or

(3) are to be called for redemption within one year under arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for the giving of notice of redemption by the Trustee in the name, and at the expense, of the Company, or


 
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(4) are deemed paid and discharged pursuant to section 8.3, as applicable; and the Company, in the case of (1), (2) or (3) above, has deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee as trust funds in trust an amount sufficient for the purpose of paying and discharging the entire indebtedness on such Securities not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation, for Principal and interest to the date of such deposit (in the case of Securities which have become due and payable on or prior to the date of such deposit) or to the Stated Maturity or redemption date, as the case may be;

(b) the Company has paid or caused to be paid all other sums payable hereunder by the Company; and

(c) the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture have been complied with.

Notwithstanding the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, the obligations of the Company to the Trustee under Section 7.7, and, if money shall have been deposited with the Trustee pursuant to clause (a) of this Section, the provisions of Sections 2.4, 2.7, 2.8, 8.1 8.2 and 8.5 shall survive.

Section 8.2  Application of Trust Funds; Indemnification.

(a) Subject to the provisions of Section 8.5, all money deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section 8.1, all money and U.S. Government Obligations or Foreign Government Obligations deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section 8.3 or 8.4 and all money received by the Trustee in respect of U.S. Government Obligations or Foreign Government Obligations deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section 8.3 or 8.4, shall be held in trust and applied by it, in accordance with the provisions of the Securities and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent (including the Company acting as its own Paying Agent) as the Trustee may determine, to the Persons entitled thereto, of the principal and interest for whose payment such money has been deposited with or received by the Trustee or to make Mandatory Sinking Fund Payments or analogous payments as contemplated by Sections 8.3 or 8.4.

(b) The Company shall pay and shall indemnify the Trustee against any tax, fee or other charge imposed on or assessed against U.S. Government obligations or Foreign Government Obligations deposited pursuant to Sections 8.3 or 8.4 or the interest and Principal received in respect of such obligations other than any payable by or on behalf of Holders.

(c) The Trustee shall deliver or pay to the Company from time to time upon Company Request any U.S. Government obligations or Foreign Government obligations or money held by it as provided in Sections 8.3 or 8.4 which, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent certified public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee, are then in excess of the amount thereof which then would have been required to be deposited for the purpose for which such U.S. Government Obligations or Foreign Government Obligations or money were deposited or received. This provision shall not authorize the sale by the Trustee of any U.S. Government Obligations or Foreign Government Obligations held under this Indenture.

Section 8.3  Legal Defeasance of Securities of any Series.

Unless this Section 8.3 is otherwise specified, pursuant to Section 2.2.19, to be inapplicable to Securities of any Series, the Company shall be deemed to have paid and discharged the entire indebtedness on all the outstanding Securities of such Series on the 91st day after the date of the deposit referred to in subparagraph (d) hereof, and the provisions of this Indenture, as it relates to such

 
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outstanding Securities of such Series, shall no longer be in effect (and the Trustee, at the expense of the Company, shall, at Company Request, execute proper instruments acknowledging the same), except as to:

(a) the rights of Holders of Securities of such Series to receive, from the trust funds described in subparagraph (d) hereof, (i) payment of the principal of and each installment of Principal of and interest on the outstanding Securities of such Series on the Stated Maturity of such Principal or installment of Principal or interest and (ii) the benefit of any Mandatory Sinking Fund Payments applicable to the Securities of such Series on the day on which such payments are due and payable in accordance with the terms of this Indenture and the Securities of such Series;

(b) the provisions of Sections 2.4, 2.7, 2.8, 8.2, 8.3 and 8.5; and

(c) the rights, powers, trust and immunities of the Trustee hereunder;

provided that, the following conditions shall have been satisfied:

(i) the Company shall have deposited or caused to be deposited irrevocably with the Trustee as trust funds in trust for the purpose of making the following payments, specifically pledged as security for and dedicated solely to the benefit of the Holders of such Securities W in the case of Securities of such Series denominated in Dollars, cash in Dollars (or such other money or currencies as shall then be legal tender in the United States) and/or U.S. Government Obligations, or (ii) in the case of Securities of such Series denominated in a Foreign Currency (other than a composite currency), money and/or Foreign Government Obligations, which through the payment of interest and Principal in respect thereof, in accordance with their terms, will provide (and without reinvestment and assuming no tax liability will be imposed on such Trustee), not later than one day before the due date of any payment of money, an amount in cash, sufficient, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee, to pay and discharge each installment of Principal (including mandatory sinking fund or analogous payments) of and interest, if any, on all the Securities of such Series on the dates such installments of interest or Principal are due;

(ii) such deposit will not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a Default under, this Indenture or any other agreement or instrument to which the Company is a party or by which it is bound;

(iii) no Default or Event of Default with respect to the Securities of such Series shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of such deposit or during the period ending on the 91st day after such date;

(iv) the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that (i) the Company has received from, or there has been published by, the Internal Revenue Service a ruling, or (ii) since the date of execution of this Indenture, there has been a change in the applicable Federal income tax law, in either case to the effect that, and based thereon such Opinion of Counsel shall confirm that, the Holders of the Securities of such Series will not recognize income, gain or loss for Federal income tax purposes as a result of such deposit, defeasance and discharge and will be subject to Federal income tax on the same amount and in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such deposit, defeasance and discharge had not occurred;

(v) the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate stating that the deposit was not made by the Company with the intent of preferring the Holders of the

 
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Securities of such Series over any other creditors of the Company or with the intent of defeating, hindering, delaying or defrauding any other creditors of the Company;

(vi) such deposit shall not result in the trust arising from such deposit constituting an investment company (as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended), or such trust shall be qualified under such Act or exempt from regulation thereunder; and

(vii) the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent provided for relating to the defeasance contemplated by this Section have been complied with.

Section 8.4  Covenant Defeasance.

Unless this Section 8.4 is otherwise specified pursuant to Section 2.2.19 to be inapplicable to Securities of any Series, on and after the 91st day after the date of the deposit referred to in subparagraph (a) hereof, the Company may omit to comply with any term, provision or condition set forth under Sections 4.2, 4.3, 4.4, 4.5, 4.6, and 5.1 as well as any additional covenants contained in a supplemental indenture hereto for a particular Series of Securities or a Board Resolution or an Officers’ Certificate delivered pursuant to Section 2.2.19 (and the failure to comply with any such covenants shall not constitute a Default or Event of Default under Section 6.1) and the occurrence of any event described in clause (e) of Section 6.1 shall not constitute a Default or Event of Default hereunder, with respect to the Securities of such Series, provided that the following conditions shall have been satisfied:

(a) With reference to this Section 8.4, the Company has deposited or caused to be irrevocably deposited (except as provided in Section 8.2(c)) with the Trustee as trust funds in trust, specifically pledged as security for, and dedicated solely to, the benefit of the Holders of such Securities (i) in the case of Securities of such Series denominated in Dollars, cash in Dollars (or such other money or currencies as shall then be legal tender in the United States) and/or U.S. Government Obligations, or (ii) in the case of Securities of such Series denominated in a Foreign Currency (other than a composite currency), money and/or Foreign Government Obligations, which through the payment of interest and Principal in respect thereof, in accordance with their terms, will provide (and without reinvestment and assuming no tax liability will be imposed on such Trustee), not later than one day before the due date of any payment of money, an amount in cash, sufficient, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent certified public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee, to pay Principal and interest, if any, on and any mandatory sinking fund in respect of the Securities of such Series on the dates such installments of interest or Principal are due;

(b) Such deposit will not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a Default under, this Indenture or any other agreement or instrument to which the Company is a party or by which it is bound;

(c) No Default or Event of Default with respect to the Securities of such Series shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of such deposit or during the period ending on the 91st day after such date;

(d) the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel confirming that Holders of the Securities of such Series will not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of such deposit and defeasance and will be subject to federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such deposit and defeasance had not occurred;


 
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(e) the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate stating the deposit was not made by the Company with the intent of preferring the Holders of the Securities of such Series over any other creditors of the Company or with the intent of defeating, hindering, delaying or defrauding any other creditors of the Company; and

(f) The Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to the defeasance contemplated by this Section have been complied with.

Section 8.5  Repayment to Company.

The Trustee and the Paying Agent shall pay to the Company upon request any money held by them for the payment of Principal and interest that remains unclaimed for two years. After that, Securityholders entitled to the money must look to the Company for payment as general creditors unless an applicable abandoned property law designates another Person.

 
 

 
ARTICLE IX
AMENDMENTS AND WAIVERS

Section 9.1  Without Consent of Holders.

The Company and the Trustee may amend or supplement this Indenture or the Securities of one or more Series without the consent of any Securityholder:

(a) to cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency;

(b) to comply with Article V;

(c) to provide for uncertificated Securities in addition to or in place of Certificated Securities;

(d) to make any change that does not adversely affect the rights of any Securityholder;

(e) to provide for the issuance of and establish the form and terms and conditions of Securities of any Series as permitted by this Indenture;

(f) to evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment hereunder by a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of one or more Series and to add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of the trusts hereunder by more than one Trustee; or

(g) to comply with requirements of the SEC in order to effect or maintain the qualification of this Indenture under the TIA.

Section 9.2  With Consent of Holders.

The Company and the Trustee may enter into a supplemental indenture with the written consent of the Holders of at least a majority in Principal amount of the outstanding Securities of all Series

 
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affected by such supplemental indenture,  taken together as one class (including consents obtained in connection with a tender offer or exchange offer for the Securities of such Series), for the purpose of adding any provisions to or changing in any manner or eliminating any of the provisions of this Indenture or of any supplemental indenture or of modifying in any manner the rights of the Securityholders of each such Series. Except as provided in Section 6.13, the Holders of at least a majority in Principal amount of the outstanding Securities of all Series affected by such waiver by notice to the Trustee, taken together as one class (including consents obtained in connection with a tender offer or exchange offer for the Securities of such Series) may waive compliance by the Company with any provision of this Indenture or the Securities with respect to such Series.

It shall not be necessary for the consent of the Holders of Securities under this Section 9.2 to approve the particular form of any proposed supplemental indenture or waiver, but it shall be sufficient if such consent approves the substance thereof. After a supplemental indenture or waiver under this section becomes effective, the Company shall mail to the Holders of Securities affected thereby and, if any Bearer Securities affected thereby are outstanding, publish on one occasion in an Authorized Newspaper, a notice briefly describing the supplemental indenture or waiver. Any failure by the Company to mail or publish such notice, or any defect therein, shall not, however, in any way impair or affect the validity of any such supplemental indenture or waiver.

Section 9.3  Limitations.

Without the consent of each Securityholder affected, an amendment or waiver may not:

(a) change the amount of Securities whose Holders must consent to an amendment, supplement or waiver;

(b) reduce the rate of or change the interest payment time on any Security or alter the redemption provisions with respect thereto or the price at which the Company is required to offer to purchase the Securities;

(c) reduce the Principal or change the Stated Maturity of any Security or reduce the amount of, or postpone the date fixed for, the payment of any sinking fund or analogous obligation;

(d) reduce the Principal amount of Discount Securities payable upon acceleration of the Maturity thereof;

(e) waive a Default or Event of Default in the payment of the Principal of or interest, if any, on any Security (except a rescission of acceleration of the Securities of any Series by the Holders of at least a majority in Principal amount of the outstanding Securities of such Series and a waiver of the payment Default that resulted from such acceleration);

(f) make the Principal of or interest, if any, on any Security payable in any currency other than that stated in the Security;

(g) make any change in Sections 6.8, 6.13, 9.3 (this sentence), 10.15 or 10.16; or

(h) waive a redemption payment with respect to any Security or change any of the provisions with respect to the redemption of any Securities.
 

 
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Section 9.4  Compliance with Trust Indenture Act.
 
Every amendment to this Indenture or the Securities of one or more Series shall be set forth in a supplemental indenture hereto that complies with the TIA as then in effect.

Section 9.5  Revocation and Effect of Consents.

Until an amendment or waiver becomes effective, a consent to it by a Holder of a Security is a continuing consent by the Holder and every subsequent Holder of a Security or portion of a Security that evidences the same Debt as the consenting Holder’s Security, even if notation of the consent is not made on any Security. However, any such Holder or subsequent Holder may revoke the consent as to his Security or portion of a Security if the Trustee receives the notice of revocation before the date the amendment or waiver becomes effective.

Any amendment or waiver once effective shall bind every Securityholder of each Series affected by such amendment or waiver unless it is of the type described in any of clauses (a) through (g) of Section 9.3. in that case, the amendment or waiver shall bind each Holder of a Security who has consented to it and every subsequent Holder of a Security or portion of a Security that evidences the same Debt as the consenting Holder’s Security.

Section 9.6  Notation on or Exchange of Securities.

The Trustee may place an appropriate notation about an amendment or waiver on any Security of any Series thereafter authenticated. The Company in exchange for Securities of that Series may issue and the Trustee shall authenticate upon request new Securities of that Series that reflect the amendment or waiver.

Section 9.7  Trustee Protected.

In executing, or accepting the additional trusts created by, any supplemental indenture permitted by this Article or the modifications thereby of the trusts created by this Indenture, the Trustee shall be entitled to receive, and (subject to Section 7.1) shall be fully protected in relying upon, an Opinion of Counsel stating that the execution of such supplemental indenture is authorized or permitted by this Indenture.  The Trustee shall sign all supplemental indentures, except that the Trustee need not sign any supplemental indenture that adversely affects its rights.

 
 
 

ARTICLE X
MISCELLANEOUS

Section 10.1  Trust Indenture Act Controls.

If any provision of this Indenture limits, qualifies, or conflicts with another provision which is required or deemed to be included in this Indenture by the TIA, such required or deemed provision shall control.

Section 10.2  Notices.

Any notice or communication by the Company or the Trustee to the other is duly given if in writing and delivered in person or mailed by first-class mail:

 

 
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if to the Company:

Euroseas Ltd.
Aethrion Center
40 Ag. Konstantinou Street
151 24 Maroussi Greece


if to the Trustee:

[Name of Trustee]
[Address]


Attention:______________


The Company or the Trustee by notice to the other may designate additional or different addresses for subsequent notices or communications.

Any notice or communication to a Securityholder shall be mailed by first-class mail to his address shown on the register kept by the Registrar and, if any Bearer Securities are outstanding, published in an Authorized Newspaper. Failure to mail a notice or communication to a Securityholder of any Series or any defect in it shall not affect its sufficiency with respect to other Securityholders of that or any other Series.

If a notice or communication is mailed or published in the manner provided above, within the time prescribed, it is duly given, whether or not the Securityholder receives it.

If the Company mails a notice or communication to Securityholders, it mail a copy to the Trustee and each Agent at the same time.

Section 10.3  Communication by Holders with Other Holders.

Securityholders of any Series may communicate pursuant to TIA Section 312(b) with other Securityholders of that Series or any other Series with respect to their rights under this Indenture or the Securities of that Series or all Series. The Company, the Trustee, the Registrar and anyone else shall have the protection of TIA Section 312(c).

Section 10.4  Certificate and opinion as to Conditions Precedent.

Upon any request or application by the Company to the Trustee to take any action under this Indenture, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee:

(a) an Officers’ Certificate stating that, in the opinion of the signers, all conditions precedent, if any, provided for in this Indenture relating to the proposed action have been complied with; and

(b) an Opinion of Counsel stating that, in the opinion of counsel, all such conditions precedent have been complied with.

Section 10.5  Statements Required in Certificate or opinion.

 
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Each certificate or opinion with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant provided for in this Indenture (other than a certificate provided pursuant to TIA Section 314(a)(4)) shall comply with the provisions of TIA Section 314(e) and shall include:

(a) a statement that the Person making such certificate or opinion has read such covenant or condition;

(b) a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the examination or investigation  upon which the statements or opinions  contained in such certificate or opinion are based;

(c) a statement that, in the opinion of such Person, he has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable him to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition has been complied with; and

(d) a statement as to whether or not, in the opinion of such Person, such condition or covenant has been complied with.

Section 10.6  Rules by Trustee and Agents.

The Trustee may make reasonable rules for action by or a meeting of Securityholders of one or more Series. Any Agent may make reasonable rules and set reasonable requirements for its functions.

Section 10.7  Legal Holidays.

Unless otherwise provided by Board Resolution, Officers’ Certificate or supplemental indenture for a particular Series, a “Legal Holiday” is any day that is not a Business Day. If a payment date is a Legal Holiday at a place of payment, payment may be made at that place on the next succeeding day that is not a Legal Holiday, and no interest shall accrue for the intervening period.

Section 10.8  No Recourse Against Others.

A director, officer, employee or stockholder, as such, of the Company shall not have any liability for any obligations of the Company under the Securities or the Indenture or for any claim based on, in respect of or by reason of such obligations or their creation. Each Securityholder by accepting a Security waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for the issue of the Securities.

Section 10.9  Counterparts.

This Indenture may be executed in any number of counterparts and by the parties hereto in separate counterparts, each of which when so executed shall be deemed to be an original and all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same agreement.

Section 10.10  Governing Laws.

THIS INDENTURE AND THE SECURITIES SHALL BE GOVERNED BY THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK EXCLUDING (TO THE GREATEST EXTENT POSSIBLE) ANY RULE OF LAW THAT WOULD CAUSE THE APPLICATION OF THE LAWS OF ANY JURISDICTION OTHER THAN THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

 
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Section 10.11  No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements.

This Indenture may not be used to interpret another indenture, loan or debt agreement of the Company or a Subsidiary. Any such indenture, loan or debt agreement may not be used to interpret this Indenture.

Section 10.12  Successors.

All agreements of the Company in this Indenture and the Securities shall bind its successor. All agreements of the Trustee in this Indenture shall bind its successor.

Section 10.13  Severability.

In case any provision in this Indenture or in the Securities shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

Section 10.14  Table of Contents, Headings, Etc.

The Table of Contents, Cross Reference Table, and headings of the Articles and Sections of this Indenture have been inserted for convenience of reference only, are not to be considered a part hereof, and shall in no way modify or restrict any of the terms or provisions hereof.

Section 10.15  Securities in a Foreign Currency or in ECU.

Unless otherwise specified in a Board Resolution, a supplemental indenture hereto or an Officers’ Certificate delivered pursuant to Section 2.2 of this Indenture with respect to a particular Series of Securities, whenever for purposes of this Indenture any action may be taken by the Holders of a specified percentage in aggregate Principal amount of Securities of all Series or all Series affected by a particular action at the time outstanding and, at such time, there are outstanding Securities of any Series which are denominated in a coin or currency other than Dollars (including ECUs), then the Principal amount of Securities of such Series which shall be deemed to be outstanding for the purpose of taking such action shall be that amount of Dollars that could be obtained for such amount at the Market Exchange Rate at such time. For purposes of this Section 10.15, “Market Exchange Rate” shall mean the noon Dollar buying rate in New York City for cable transfers of that currency as published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York; provided, however, in the case of ECUs, Market Exchange Rate shall mean the rate of exchange determined by the Commission of the European Union (or any successor thereto) as published in the Official Journal of the European union (such publication or any successor publication, the “Journal”). If such Market Exchange Rate is not available for any reason with respect to such currency, the Trustee shall use, in its sole discretion and without liability on its part, such quotation of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York or, in the case of ECUs, the rate of exchange as published in the Journal, as of the most recent available date, or quotations or, in the case of ECUs, rates of exchange from one or more major banks in The City of New York or in the country of issue of the currency in question or, in the case of ECUs, in Luxembourg or such other quotations or, in the case of ECUs, rates of exchange as the Trustee, upon consultation with the Company, shall deem appropriate. The provisions of this paragraph shall apply in determining the equivalent Principal amount in respect of Securities of a Series denominated in currency other than Dollars in connection with any action taken by Holders of Securities pursuant to the terms of this Indenture.


 
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All decisions and determinations of the Trustee regarding the Market Exchange Rate or any alternative determination provided for in the preceding paragraph shall be in its sole discretion and shall, in the absence of manifest error, be conclusive to the extent permitted by law for all purposes and irrevocably binding upon the Company and all Holders.

Section 10.16  Judgment Currency.

The Company agrees, to the fullest extent that it may effectively do so under applicable law, that (a) if for the purpose of obtaining judgment in any court it is necessary to convert the sum due in respect of the Principal of or interest or other amount on the Securities of any Series (the “Required Currency”) into a currency in which a judgment will be rendered (the “Judgment Currency”), the rate of exchange used shall be the rate at which in accordance with normal banking procedures the Trustee could purchase in The City of New York the Required Currency with the Judgment Currency on the day on which final unappealable judgment is entered, unless such day is not a New York Banking Day, then, the rate of exchange used shall be the rate at which in accordance with normal banking procedures the Trustee could purchase in The City of New York the Required Currency with the Judgment Currency on the New York Banking Day preceding the day on which final unappealable judgment is entered and (b) its obligations under this Indenture to make payments in the Required Currency (i) shall not be discharged or satisfied by any tender, any recovery pursuant to any judgment (whether or not entered in accordance with subsection (a)), in any currency other than the Required Currency, except to the extent that such tender or recovery shall result in the actual receipt, by the payee, of the full amount of the Required Currency expressed to be payable in respect of such payments, (ii) shall be enforceable as an alternative or additional cause of action for the purpose of recovering in the Required Currency the amount, if any, by which such actual receipt shall fall short of the full amount of the Required Currency so expressed to be payable, and (iii) shall not be affected by judgment being obtained for any other sum due under this Indenture. For purposes of the foregoing, “New York Banking Day” means any day except a Saturday, Sunday or a Legal Holiday in The City of New York on which banking institutions are authorized or required by law, regulation or executive order to close.

 
 
 

ARTICLE XI
SINKING FUNDS

Section 11.1  Applicability of Article.

The provisions of this Article shall be applicable to any sinking fund for the retirement of the Securities of a Series, except as otherwise permitted or required by any form of Security of such Series issued pursuant to this Indenture.

The minimum amount of any sinking fund payment provided for by the terms of the Securities of any Series is herein referred to as a “Mandatory Sinking Fund Payment” and any other amount provided for by the terms of Securities of such Series is herein referred to as an “Optional Sinking Fund Payment.” If provided for by the terms of Securities of any Series, the cash amount of any sinking fund payment may be subject to reduction as provided in Section 11.2. Each sinking fund payment shall be applied to the redemption of Securities of any Series as provided for by the terms of the securities of such Series.

 


 
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Section 11.2  Satisfaction of Sinking Fund Payments with Securities.
 
The Company may, in satisfaction of all or any part of any sinking fund payment with respect to the Securities of any Series to be made pursuant to the terms of such Securities (1) deliver outstanding Securities of such Series to which such sinking fund payment is applicable (other than any of such Securities previously called for mandatory sinking fund redemption) and (2) apply as credit Securities of such Series to which such sinking fund payment is applicable and which have been redeemed either at the election of the Company pursuant to the terms of such Series of Securities (except pursuant to any mandatory sinking fund) or through the application of permitted Optional Sinking Fund Payments or other optional redemptions pursuant to the terms of such Securities, provided that such Securities have not been previously so credited. Such Securities shall be received by the Trustee, together with an Officers’ Certificate with respect thereto, not later than 15 days prior to the date on which the Trustee begins the process of selecting Securities for redemption, and shall be credited for such purpose by the Trustee at the price specified in such Securities for redemption through operation of the sinking fund and the amount of such sinking fund payment shall be reduced accordingly. If as a result of the delivery or credit of Securities in lieu of cash payments pursuant to this Section 11.2, the Principal amount of Securities of such Series to be redeemed in order to exhaust the aforesaid cash payment shall be less than $100,000, the Trustee need not call Securities of such Series for redemption, except upon receipt of a Company Order that such action be taken, and such cash payment shall be held by the Trustee or a Paying Agent and applied to the next succeeding sinking fund payment, provided, however, that the Trustee or such Paying Agent shall from time to time upon receipt of a Company Order pay over and deliver to the Company any cash payment so being held by the Trustee or such Paying Agent upon delivery by the Company to the Trustee of Securities of that Series purchased by the Company having an unpaid Principal amount equal to the cash payment required to be released to the Company.

Section 11.3  Redemption of Securities for Sinking Fund.

Not less than 45 days (unless otherwise indicated in the Board Resolution, supplemental indenture hereto or Officers’ Certificate in respect of a particular Series of Securities) prior to each sinking fund payment date for any Series of Securities, the Company will deliver to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate specifying the amount of the next ensuing Mandatory Sinking Fund Payment for that Series pursuant to the terms of that Series, the portion thereof, if any, which is to be satisfied by payment of cash and the portion thereof, if any, which is to be satisfied by delivering and crediting of Securities of that Series pursuant to Section 11.2., and the optional amount, if any, to be added in cash to the next ensuing Mandatory Sinking Fund Payment, and the Company shall thereupon be obligated to pay the amount therein specified. Not less than 30 days (unless otherwise indicated in the Board Resolution, Officers’ Certificate or supplemental indenture in respect of a particular Series of Securities) before each such sinking fund payment date the Trustee shall select the Securities to be redeemed upon such sinking fund payment date in the manner specified in Section 3.2 and cause notice of the redemption thereof to be given in the name of and at the expense of the Company in the manner provided in Section 3.3. Such notice having been duly given, the redemption of such Securities shall stated in Sections 3.4, 3.5 and 3.6.

[The Remainder of this page is intentionally left blank.]

 
 
 

 
 
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Indenture to be duly executed as of the day and year first above written.

 
 Euroseas Ltd.
 
   
 
By:
/s/ [TBD]
   
 
Name: [TBD]
 
 
Its: [Chief Accounting Officer and Company Secretary]
 
     
     
 
[Name of Trustee]
 
     
     
 
By:
     
 
Name:
   
 
Its:
   

 


 
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EXHIBIT 5.1




July 2, 2008


Euroseas Ltd.
Aethrion Center
40 Ag. Konstantinou Street
151 24 Maroussi Greece

Re:  Euroseas Ltd.

Ladies and Gentlemen:

We have acted as counsel to Euroseas Ltd. (the "Company") in connection with the Company's Registration Statement on Form F-3 (File No. 333-            ) (the "Registration Statement") as filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission") on July 2, 2008, as thereafter amended or supplemented, with respect to the public offering by the Company (the "Offering") of up to an aggregate of $400,000,000 of securities which may include common shares, preferred shares, debt securities, warrants, purchase contracts and units (the "Primary Securities") and 9,955,879 common shares of the Company, par value $0.03 per share, by the selling shareholders, Friends Investment Company Inc. and Eurobulk Marine Holdings, Inc. (the "Secondary Securities").

We have examined originals or copies, certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction, of: (i) the Registration Statement; (ii) the prospectus of the Company (the "Prospectus") included in the Registration Statement; and (iii) such corporate documents and records of the Company and such other instruments, certificates and documents as we have deemed necessary or appropriate as a basis for the opinions hereinafter expressed. In such examinations, we have assumed the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals, the conformity to original documents of all documents submitted to us as copies or drafts of documents to be executed, the genuineness of all signatures and the legal competence or capacity of persons or entities to complete the execution of documents. As to various questions of fact which are material to the opinions hereinafter expressed, we have relied upon statements or certificates of public officials, directors of the Company and others.

We have further assumed for the purposes of this opinion, without investigation, that (i) all documents contemplated by the Prospectus to be executed in connection with the Offering have been duly authorized, executed and delivered by each of the parties thereto other than the Company, and (ii) the terms of the Offering comply in all respects with the terms, conditions and restrictions set forth in the Prospectus and all of the instruments, agreements and other documents relating thereto or executed in connection therewith.

Based upon and subject to the foregoing, and having regard to such other legal considerations which we deem relevant, we are of the opinion that:

1. Under the laws of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Primary Securities have been duly authorized, and when the Primary Securities are issued, sold and paid for as contemplated in the Prospectus, will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable.

 
 

 



2. Under the laws of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Secondary Securities have been duly authorized and validly issued and are fully paid for and non-assessable.

This opinion is limited to the law of the State of New York and the Federal law of the United States of America and the laws of the Republic of the Marshall Islands as in effect on the date hereof.

We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement, and to each reference to us and the discussions of advice provided by us under the headings "Legal Matters" in the Prospectus, without admitting we are "experts" within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder with respect to any part of the Registration Statement.



Very truly yours,

/s/ Seward & Kissel LLP







EXHIBIT 8.1


 
 
July 2, 2008
 
Euroseas Ltd.
Aethrion Center
40 Ag. Konstantinou Street
151 24 Maroussi Greece

Re: Euroseas Ltd.

Ladies and Gentlemen:
 
You have requested our opinion regarding certain United States federal income tax matters relating to Euroseas Ltd. (the “Company”) and certain holders of shares of the Company's Common Stock, as described in the prospectus included in the Registration Statement filed by the Company on Form F-3 (File No. 333-            ) with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 2, 2008, as thereafter amended or supplemented (the “Registration Statement”).
 
 
In formulating our opinion as to these matters, we have examined such documents as we have deemed appropriate, including the Registration Statement. We also have obtained such additional information as we have deemed relevant and necessary from representatives of the Company. Capitalized terms not defined herein have the meanings ascribed to them in the Registration Statement.
 
 
Based on the facts as set forth in the Registration Statement and, in particular, on the representations, covenants, assumptions, conditions and qualifications described under the captions “Risk Factors” and “Taxation” therein, we hereby confirm that the opinions of Seward & Kissel LLP with respect to United States federal income tax matters are those opinions attributed to Seward & Kissel LLP expressed in the Registration Statement under the captions “Taxation.” It is further our opinion that the tax discussion set forth under the captions “Company Risk Factors - U.S. tax authorities could treat us as a ‘passive foreign investment company,’ which could have adverse U.S. federal income tax consequences to U.S. holders” and “Company Risk Factors - We may have to pay tax on United States source income, which would reduce our earnings” accurately states our views as to the tax matters discussed therein.
 
 
Our opinions and the tax discussion as set forth in the Registration Statement are based on the current provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder, published pronouncements of the Internal Revenue Service which may be cited or used as precedents, and case law, any of which may be changed at any time with retroactive effect. No opinion is expressed on any matters other than those specifically referred to above by reference to the Registration Statement.
 
 
We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement.
 
 

 
 
                                      Very truly yours,
 
                                      /s/ Seward & Kissel LLP
 
                                                 








EXHIBIT 21.1
 


 
 
Registrant’s Subsidiaries
 
 
Jurisdiction of Organization
   
Alcinoe Shipping Limited
Republic of Cyprus
Allendale Investments S.A.
Republic of Panama
Alterwall Business Inc.
Republic of Panama
Diana Trading Ltd.
Republic of the Marshall Islands
Emmentaly Business Inc.
Republic of Panama
Eternity Shipping Company
Republic of the Marshall Islands
Gregos Shipping Limited
Republic of the Marshall Islands
Manolis Shipping Ltd.
Republic of the Marshall Islands
Noumea Shipping Ltd
Republic of the Marshall Islands
Oceanopera Shipping Limited
Republic of Cyprus
Pilory Associates Corp.
Republic of Panama
Prospero Maritime Inc.
Republic of the Marshall Islands
Salina Shipholding Corp.
Republic of the Marshall Islands
Tiger Navigation Corp.
Republic of the Marshall Islands
Trust Navigation Corp.
Republic of Liberia
Xenia International Corporation
Republic of the Marshall Islands
Xingang Shipping Ltd.
Republic of Liberia






EXHIBIT 23.2

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

We consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement on Form F-3 of our reports dated May 8, 2008, relating to the consolidated financial statements of Euroseas Ltd. and Subsidiaries (the “Company”) and the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting, appearing in the Annual Report on Form 20-F of the Company for the year ended December 31, 2007, and to the reference to us under the heading “Experts” in the Prospectus, which is part of this Registration Statement.


/s/Deloitte. Hadjipavlou, Sofianos & Cambanis S.A.
Athens, Greece
July 2, 2008